The Difference

Morris, Dike, Mowatt.

Morris is injured. Nothing much to be done about that. Dike: Signing him permanent was probably never an option, despite Murphy's pronouncements at the time. The only realistic chance was promotion, in which case he'd have probably gone elsewhere anyway. Mowatt was out of contract, so nowt doing. The only way to counter these losses was to sign equivalent replacements for Dike and Mowatt, and maybe a short term replacement loan signing for Morris. 'LWOM' means the club wouldn't do this.

Without addressing these downgrades of the team, it's probably unfair to compare Schopp with what has gone before. The squad isn't good enough to guarantee anything, but might achieve survival if punching above it's weight.

Hard facts of life for Reds fans.

 

But those aren't the only changes are they? We now piss about with it at the back, look slow and laboured, have lost any intensity and make baffling subs. And when you look at the players you've mentioned mowatt was hardly known for his speed and intensity yet we have less of it in midfield without him

 

Without Dike and Morris Ismael had got us to a safe mid table but we were clearly lacking up front to go any further.
We were mid table though. I acknowledge we've lost Mowatt but it shouldn't be that difficult to adapt to that. He used little of his craft last season anyway, being used instead to lump it forward first time. He's a miss, especially as we are now trying to play more football and build through midfield, but you'd hope a decent manager could overcome that.

 

But we have signed Vita, Gomes, Iseka, Oulaire Benson, Cole, In addition Kitching has been available. People believed the main thing was to keep the team together after Val and Mowatts departure. We did so. We didn't have Dike or Morris at this stage of last season which we started poorly. Val came in and things changed. For me the difference is the manager. Its not only one thing, but the one thing thats changed most is the manager and the style, game plan and motivation he brings.

 

Yes we've changed style, but can someone please point out the goals we've conceded due to playing out from the back.

For me, our problem this season is we're creating fewer chances and taking a lower percentage compared to last season.

 

Mowatt was out of contact and Dike was on loan. Hardly a shock when they left. We've had all summer to replace 2 players. B. Williams isn't the answer. Keep Styles where he is and play one of the midfielders we've signed. As for Morris, crap luck. But if a striker gets injured. I want to see him replaced by a competent forward. Not a left back.

 

Its more the time it takes to get it advancing into the attacking third with the opposition back in position marking up just waiting and watching us pass side to side across midfield, yes we keep possession which stops them from scoring but we are also running down the clock even when we are losing/drawing. Negative tactic for me.

 

Maybe one day people will realise how good Alex Mowatt was. It still beggars belief that there were a few fans calling for him to be dropped in November / December time last season.

Let’s not forget we were a mid table side before Morris & Dike & that’s when we had Mowatt & Anderson in the side. Without them four I’ve no doubt we would’ve been in a relegation battle last season. As well as we did we were just edging the majority of our wins by a single goal. It doesn’t take a lot of players to be missing for them kind of results to go the other way.

I’ve no doubt a few of the new lads will come good but give them time. They aren’t ready made championship players. They’re kids who’ll take time to improve

 

Problem is our press last season started at the half way line,this year it's on the edge of our 18 yarder.If we go behind and have to Chase the game we're fooked.

 

I don't think the playing out from the back is the issue per se. I also think we should try to play more football. As I see it, the balance and creativity from midfield / width isn't there. On the ball we seem to be happy playing in front of the defence. Off the ball we have gaps others can exploit. I think the shape in midfield looks off and whoever we play up front wouldn't get much service. Our historic signature as a club is that we seem to do well when we have a 'metronome' in midfield. Someone who can slow the tempo or up the tempo and dictate direction of play and contribute to attacks. The question is, with the players we have, what is the the right balance? So far its like the midfield is a lottery from the group we have on who plays there. I keep asking myself, from Palmer, Styles, Benson, Gomes, plus Brittain as that 'wing back' how should we line up. Whatever the coach chooses at least lets give it some time to settle.

 

It’s unfair to compare Schopp with last seasons performances, but it is fair to look at what he is doing with what he has.

Yesterday looked like a team devoid of all confidence, being asked to play in a way that negates their strengths.

Playing a high press, whether it be from the forwards, or at least midfield generally means our defenders are doing the bulk of the defending in the air. Now we’re letting teams get deep in our half and hoping the back three can win possession on the floor.

Styles looked uncomfortable picking the ball up on the turn, when if we’re pressing high the midfielders generally pick the ball up facing the opposition goal. We seem to do minimal work on set pieces now. Just lump it in and hope Helik can score. Fairly certain all his goals last season came from flick ons.

The one whose probably lost the most confidence looks to be Brittain. The ball broke to him in their box fairly late on, and he wet the bed.

 

Double post

 

We are creating fewer chances possibly because instead of getting the ball to the strikers we are taking a dead ball in the opponent's half and passing it to Brad Collins

 

We do tend to turn attack into defence at times.

 

Add those players to this team and we would still struggle. That shows where the issues are.

 

On the subject of Helik scoring, I do remember him getting on the end of plenty of flick ons in the six yard area. Who from? Anderson of course. While we are clearly missing the power of Dike and Morris at the front we are missing Mads badly as well, both in defence and attack.

 

Fair comment.

 

Dikes impact in the second half of the season is clear for all to see but for me I think the impact of losing Mowatt has been bigger than given credit for.

 

Fair point. I think we created a good number of half chances last season by moving it quickly. Some of the chances we've missed this season so far have been shockers.

 

After Chelsea and Swansea last season, I'm not sure he'll ever score for us. He's a tidy player and I like him, he's just got the yips in front of goal.

This season we seem scared of failure.