I’ve read a lot of positive comments about Struber & I’m hopeful he can bring us back up next season when these young lads have had a season together as he’s certainly more qualified than Morais & probably more so than Stendel was before he joined us but I think he’s potentially made a massive balls up today. He’s brought in the 3 lads who speak the same language as him, Radlinger, Bahre & Schmidt when I think the majority of fans wouldn’t start any of them & he’s moved all of Woodrow, Mowatt & Halme into unusual positions when I think most would agree they’ve been our 3 best players in their natural positions this season. That’s a huge gamble, if it works you look a genius, if it fails it undoubtedly leads to a lot of criticism particularly amongst fans who haven’t watched & have only seen the team sheet & the result. I think straight away it’ll lead to questions of favouritism towards his countrymen in the dressing room & I don’t think it’s done much to aid our chances of keeping Woodrow beyond January who I can’t imagine is very happy about playing in midfield. That’s not to say the performance was bad because we played the better football & deserved at least a point if not all 3 but it’s the same old individual errors coming back to haunt us which won’t be fixed in the short term with any new manager or formation as it’s what you get with young & inexperienced players. I’d even argue Woodrow as an attacking midfielder worked, he played really well & is proving to be a better all round player than I gave him credit for. Halme as a defensive midfielder wasn’t so effective though. Would’ve much rather seen him partner Diaby with Dougall in the holding role. The biggest problem is the diamond formation needs creativity from full back areas & other than Cavare we don’t have a full back who can create much & obviously. he’s a bit questionable defensively but saying that we have issues with any system we play as we’ve got a poor set of players for this division. I think the diamond formation is worth another go with Cavare at RB & Dougall at the base of the diamond but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a fair bit of unrest at Oakwell in the next few weeks particularly from lads who’ve been overlooked or the wingers who aren’t getting used.
Not sure why you think this. Most agree that we have 2 very good keepers. IMO Radlinger has the slight edge as is more experienced and from what I’ve personally seen, he seems to be more vocal (which is needed). Bahre is subjective. He has the quality, but not always the end product. Deserved another chance at least. Schmidt deserved a start. I’m not saying he’s fully ready, but he’s earnt the right to have a start.
Just from predicted teams. I’ve barely seen anyone say Bahre or Radlinger should come back in. I’ve seen a few say Schmidt deserves a go but they’ve been in a minority compared to people saying Chaplin should partner Woodrow
I’ve seen a lot say about Radlinger. Personally he is a better keeper. Although Colins is good too. Agree with Bahre though. I agree about the Chaplin/Woodrow partnership - hopefully Chaplin has confirmed his position after today though.
After Collins howler tother week I thought it was time for him to be seated on the bench and Radlinger back in.
Interesting post and not an unreasonable view given the circumstances. I think we have to expect some experimentation over the next few games. We don't know what Struber has in mind or his exact brief but he has to see what he has in the toolkit for whatever style he wants/is allowed to play. And another variable in that is how much attention he gives to the opposition set up for each game. Are we going to focus on stopping the other team from playing or focus on our own game? Radlinger/Collins is too close to call for me. Apart from Schmidt's cool finish against Stoke, he's not impacted much. His subbing at HT was probably correct. Bahre could be an asset but blows hot and cold. I'd rather know what I'm going to get, so I'd persevere with Thomas. The problem is that something is broken and it needs fixing. The key actually lies with post-match analysis and diagnosis of the needed fix - but they'll be options to consider (system, personnel, or both). You can do so much in training but games tell the truth. It's a challenge.
Radlinger did exactly the same yesterday, fortunately they didn't capitalise. Personally I think Collins has been excellent. I don't think Radlinger has.
Just watched Quest and interestingly Struber said the main thing we will be working on is Off the ball. Have no idea if he means players movement when we have the ball as a team or when the opposition have possession although conceding goals would make you think the latter.
Im sure we would have won if Collins no reason to be dropped Halme at half centre half with Diaby, Cavare at Rb Dougal as holding midfield Bahre Attacking mid Thomas Mowatt narrow left and right Woodrow in his natural position instead of Schmidt. Other than that he got it spot on. Even early in the job there is enough information and advice available so that even a new manager wouldnt make such a ****** of team selection.
I really really don't understand why people think Radlinger is the better keeper but I especially don't understand how anyone can see the saves Collins has made recently and say that he deserves dropping for one misplaced kick
To be fair we've done all that in other games and still lost. Wasn't the team I would have picked but second half we played better than we have for a while, defending aside of course, but that's the same caveat for all our games.
He saw problems at HT and changed 2. Credit for that - it more or less admits 'I got it wrong'. But has he learned anything?
It was nice to see Bahre ....and with woodrow and mowatt we were far more positive in possession. He is still the most technically gifted player we have and needs help around him. However, no matter who or what system you play with those defenders.....we will concede, This was a point i was trying to raise not too long ago with red rain...... he was convinced it was all about the systems.......i was trying to inform him you need the players to carry out effective systems....we just dont have that....as we can painfully see. .
We all have our own ideas of which players should be selected, in what position adopting a particular formation. And we're all sure if the manager just did as we suggested we'd win everything. Well that's usually the case. This season, other than employing 11 builders to barricade our goal, I can't select a team and formation that I think could win a game. Far too many weaknesses in far too many areas. I'm sure we will win one. It's very rare a professional team just continues losing for the rest of the season. But I would imagine there will then be a long wait for the next.
But hasn't Collins taken his opportunity? He's had motm performances, made great saves and apart from one poor kick has he put a foot wrong? Radlinger made mistakes in every game I've seen
He has made other mistakes so no he aint only put one foot wrong and has also made many a fine save throughout the season anyways I `ve given thi mi opinion and reasoning tek it or leave it cos I aint sitting here all day arguing the toss.
Absolutely correct....there is no one in our playing squad to choose a formulae that will make a decent defence....we just dont have the quality. Lots and lots of players just no quality......not yet!
I'm glad he had enough sense to switch things at half time Sinnce he is now our manager I really think he needs to decide his starting 11 and stick with it asap Hes got the luxury of time as no one is expecting us to stay up.
That’s a big plus for me. Recognising an issue and correcting it quickly, regardless of how many minutes played. A lot of managers don’t do it.
