I know I'll get slaughtered for some of this, but here goes anyway -
I didn't think we were that bad for about 60/70 minutes last night - not great, but OK - and I can't help thinking that most are assessing the performance purely on the last minute penalty and result. Don't get me wrong, losing to an understrength bottom team is appalling, but I'm surprised that some on here reckon we couldn't string a couple of passes together. I saw at least half a dozen decent passing movements, and if White had scored from one of them, we would probably have won. BUT - and it's a big but - there doesn't seem any other way of us scoring than through such a move. I simply cannot understand what Becchio is doing, a centre forward who barely spends any time in the opposition penalty area and hardly wins the ball outside of it. Yes, he works hard but to virtually no benefit - get him in the box. Or get Lee Chapman out of the attic.....
As it started to go wrong last night - and I don't know how we achieved this - we ended up with virtually no attacking presence in the penalty area, a lack of numbers in midfield and a defence petrified of marking close, giving away easy posession and second-balls. What eventually happened was probably inevitable.
And the free kicks !! Either Snodgrass's painfully slow pitching wedge to the far post (every time) or McCormack shooting from miles out. Absolutely no variety or intelligence.
I still don't believe that this side is as bad as the results suggest, or as many on here think, but we have to get the basics right and certainly some of the players need reminding that they are not as good as they themselves think.
And for all but four of the team to ignore the fans was disgraceful.
One thing we should remain proud of though - we not so sad a club that we have to have that irritating Fratellis nonsense when (if) we score.....
Thoughts from last night
posted on 15/2/12
Yes, so I hear. Think I'm losing my keen eye....
posted on 15/2/12
It was garbage and embarrassing. What's worse, there appears to be little in terms of alternatives.
posted on 15/2/12
I still don't believe that this side is as bad as the results suggest, or as many on here think, but we have to get the basics right and certainly some of the players need reminding that they are not as good as they themselves think.
Good to hear the opinion of someone that went! Thanks for sharing.
posted on 15/2/12
I wish I hadn't believe me. Woeful for the entire game and a team plus caretaker manager that would be better served playing in the Blue Square Premier.
posted on 15/2/12
I was there as well, I must completely disagree with what you said, it was terrible, one of the worst iv seen us play, even Snodgrass was out if sorts, i can't understand how someone who was there can say it wasn't that bad! Everyone was saying it was a bad performance, my mate who is a Cov season ticket holder said we are the worst team he's seen this season apart from Coventry! Says it all really.
posted on 15/2/12
conceded 2 pens and lost 2-1 against bottom of the table league 1 fodder.
thats my thoughts!!!
posted on 15/2/12
Eric
Here's another view from someone that was there. A team devoid of confidence, that seems to have an increasingly alarming habit of playing back towards our own goal when under a little pressure. The usual result of this being that a misplaced pass means we lose the ball in our third of the field, gifting the opposition an attempt on our goal. Add to this, if the ball does make it back to Lonergan, who under pressure from an on rushing forward puts it into touch, again surrendering possession. O'Dear is a car crash waiting to happen and causes panic in a shaky defence literally every time the ball comes to him. The most damning indictment of it all, is the acceptance of a good turnout from our support that the outcome of the game was only to be expected. It's the most abject display since we didn't turn up for a night match at Swindon and got thumped and the debacle at Hereford. Believe me, they are long rides home when you witness that shambles.
posted on 15/2/12
Eddie (The Last Waltz) Gray
Cheers Eddie, I think you're spot on whe you say a team devoid of confidence. I'm not saying I agree with the opinion, I am saying thanks for sharing it, we are all entitled to our views.
I do agree with the paragraph I have highlighted, I really do believe the squad on paper is better than many in this league. Motivation, belief and confidence is lacking. (Although I do agree we need some more quality)
I too have seen games like that and had to endure the long journey home.
posted on 15/2/12
I did say 'for 60/70' minutes, and in the context of the whole article, I stick with that - although I accept this is not the popular view.
To call it woeful and garbage is overstating the case -
I've seen far worse.
I fear the Bates Out juggernaut is colouring everything now.
posted on 15/2/12
Your opinion is yours MyHouseIsCalledLowfields. You have to stand up and be counted.
I agree with your last comment.