We've had a tremendous start to the season, but the after effects of two dissappointing 0-2 home defeats, and emotions and attitudes are not condusive to taking the club further. We risk a self-destructive imploding of all our hopes for this club, and the fans, the players and the management will all be variously to blame, and there is a need to take a "deep breath" and move forward together to secure a bright future for the club we all love.
TEAM PERFORMANCE
- I thought the Hereford performance was poor. Yes, Pesch was able to point to the match statistics in his favour, but this was the first time this season that the assessment of the Manager was at odds with the majority of fans.
- I thought the system adopted against Stanley was correct, there was an urgency and zip about midfield, and it was generally agreed that we were unlucky to have been down at half-time. If we had scored the first goal, we would probably have won.
UNDERLYING PROBLEMS
Basically there is a lack of Leadership and taking reponsibility. Burton players too often gesture for others to mark an unmarked opponent . We need, what most teams have, and thats a tall but mobile commanding captain at centre half, barking out instructions to his fellow player, encouraging and rollicking if need be.
It seems there is alot of work on the Training Pitch to be done on defending free-kicks so we have the "wall" appropriate to the situation to protect the goalkeeper (whose confidence needs to be in the wall and players doing their job) Also applies to attacking free-kicks.
And throw ins, drive me crazy. We dont mark up tight enough from opponents throw ins. From our throw ins we dont move around enough to create space, so wherever on the pitch it might be we adapt the tactic of aiming for calvin Zolas head , but its not logical .Teams know we do it, so they put 2 men on Calvin, and we wonder why when he finally gets sight of goal he doesn't convert as many chances as he ought to. Surely these are basic things and must be altered, and the fans can see some difference.
Talking of "young" Driver, quite a reasonable debut, but was I alone in feeling that he received very little encouragement and support on what was
an emtiotional and nervous occasion for him. I think if he'd been making his debut for Stanley, he'd have been talked through the whole game.
So I've not criticsed any player, but is my assessment right ?
With regard to the booing I think some of the players might be getting rather over-sensitive. I booed at half-time and full-time, not proud, but it was short and unsustained. Indeed, I believe it is an understandable reflex action.
Unless you are ahead or leading at the whistle, when it is natural to applaud and cheer, if you are losing or lost then the boo is a reflection of your dissapointment at the score/result, combined with the inevitable booing of the referee (who let a lot of Stanley fouls go and had quite an effect on the first half score and subsequent result ) and the tactics of the opposition (in the last two matches time wasting)
AS FANS , I think we have not shouted on the team enough. We need something good on the pitch to make us vocal , whereas we should ideally get behind the team more often and strongly to encourage them.
Although the debate on JA-606 by Brewers fans is still reasonned and logical, it seemed to be a bit more negative and most people have their "unfavourite" player who takes most of the blame, making it more personal.
There will be attempts to whip-up discord and inflame the situation:
.
This is the DEFINING MOMENT of our season. Anyone can pull together when everythings going well, it takes real character to be able to bring it together when the "wheels seem to be dropping off" Tightening a few nuts is enough to stop the wheels coming off, failure to do this could mean the chasis collapsing and the vehicle being scapped.
For this Leadership i would look to our well respected Chairman, Ben Robinson to do an interview bringing all the issues together, and calling for
unity and togetherness from all Burton players and Fans
Pesc & Garry - we would love to see, what we see as some of the basics.
, being put right. More emphasis on leadership and responsibility. And good luck in perhaps bringing in one or two new faces.
- Players - Don't be so sensitive.
- Fans - We need to make more noise and get behind the team. Criticism should be constructive and positive as it usually is on Ja-606. I know its a damned long way, but lets try to get as many fans down to Plymouth as we can, hopefully pick up 3 points and put a disastrous week behind us and not let it spoil what has been achieved.
God bless all Brewers Fans
Cmon you Brewers
Lets make sure " the wheels don't drop off
posted on 9/1/12
Great post brewerdave always a very balance argument backed up by genuine substance!
We have made a good start to our campaign, only our ambition mapped to the finances given to Pesch will decide the outcome of our season, if it's the same as then we are looking at a 17-18th place finish, with investment we may stay top half.
It's very clear we lack a ball winning leader at the back, what we currently have in Austin, Stanton & James are number 2 centre halves that are good at mopping up the scraps but don't command the position! Pesch obviously thought Moore would be the answer however it's been since proven his agility and pace is a liability rather than an asset.
The next area for serious attention is our midfield, while we must sign a central player who can spot a pass and not get a nose bleed when crossing the halfway line, another talented winger that can drift inside and give our strikers decent service must also be a definite target if we are to progress.
posted on 9/1/12
Some very good stuff there lads ! I think we are at a critical stage of the season and Pesch and Gary's careers. Having been watching us for 40 plus years and seen a lot of managers come and go i am starting to see a worrying trend where the manager doesn't see it as the fans do and on listening to the explanations on Albion iplayer he's not sure whats going wrong. Having said that he is trying to bring a couple of players in hopeflly in the right positions, this is a vital time for Pesch as these signings are crucial for him to keep fans faith in him. I've seen this kind of situation before and i truly hope he gets it right because i genuinely like him and Rowett. I don't think they have any job fears because we will confortably stay up and Ben is loyal to his managers and rightly so. It is vital for supporter confidence his signings make an impact.
posted on 9/1/12
Regarding one of our centre halves (the highly paid one who never plays), I believe it was Bob Paisley who said 'Make sure that if one of your players legs go, it is on another Managers watch'. In other words, if you see it happening - move them on to another club.
I think that Mark Robins at Barnsley may have read that quote.
The one moment that really sticks in my mind is the away game at Oxford last season when he did not deal with a bouncing ball, was turned with ease by Constable, stupidly brought him down, conceded a penalty and got sent off.
I think it has been one of Pesch's biggest errors signing him. I can understand what he was trying to do by bringing experience to the defence. Unfortunately it backfired badly and his (reported) salary could have paid for 2 decent centre halves.
Maybe the Boertin 'pay as you play' deal was a sign that Pesch had learnt from the Richad Jackson and Darren Moore experiences.
posted on 9/1/12
I see on the BBC website (from an interview with Radio Derby) Pesch said;
"I want to strengthen and I know I need to strengthen. I want to get fresh faces. The lack of creativity is bothering me and it is something we must address."
posted on 9/1/12
Otep, yes i reckon he has learnt his lesson there and agree the idea was a good one. 10 out of 10 for Mark Robbins ! Yeah i seen that report too. Lets hope he manages to get the right players in for everyones sake !
posted on 9/1/12
He obviously hasn't learnt otherwise he wouldn't have given Jimmy Phillips another contract.
He's panicked in the close season the last 2 years because he signed Moore instead of waiting and last year offered Phillips a contract because he thought maghoma wouldn't sign.
posted on 10/1/12
Hadn't loked at it that way Pez,but i see your point. I hope i'm wrong but i think we will get a good tanking over the next few games and the slip into mid table will be complete. Not heard any rumours on the grapevine and doubt there will be anyone new in by the weekend. We have a tough run of fixtures until the end of March and i'm not too optimistic we will pick up many points. Would still like to see him blood a few of the younger players in the 1st team squad or we will never know if they will be good enough, surely they must be to be in the squad !
posted on 10/1/12
Agree terraceman.
Cant see any return from Plymouth,Bradford & definately not Swindon away.
Put that together with Oxford, Gillingham & Rotherham at home and you really start to worry.
Hope the team prove us wrong but after the last few games weve played i cant see us picking up many points.
He has to bring in at least 1 central defender and certainly a decent creative midfielder.
We need a Ainscroft type of guy.
You know like Hughes at Accrington,( hang on didn't we let him go ).
Pesch's wheeler dealing dosn't fill me with confidence but we can but hope.
posted on 10/1/12
After the Hereford game, I commented on here that the games (including Accrington) were extremely tough until March. They are awful aren't they.
A few weeks ago not many games gave me much concern. Now every game worries me. If my confidence can go just like that, I imagine that is how a player thinks too.
In a way it is now a bit like the latter half of last season. You expect to concede when the opposition get near the goal. This time though we look like scoring at the other end, we have the strikers to do it and we have lots of points on the board.
This time last year we were relying on a young lad on loan from Wolves, an obviously unfit Zola and an immobile Walker.
With regards Jimmy, I think Pesch genuinely rates him. In time he may be right. A winger who can't get the ball of the ground is like a goalkeeper who can't save, a defend who can't defend and a striker who can't score. So, for now, he is not much use.
posted on 10/1/12
One thing that is very obvious about this thread is that we all love the club and care deeply about it. The good thing on here is we regulars can all talk about it sensibly without resorting to vicious inuendo's etc so prevalent on other sites which i think does Burton Albion supporters proud !