Last couple of games have muddied the water a bit regarding who to blame regarding our league position. Initially it was easy to blame Schopp, Laumanns first game was a win which kind of reinforced that reasoning... Then came the hull game and blame was aimed towards the players effort. I'm starting to think that the problem lies with the players, not due to lack of effort but I reckon they may well be struggling with the success of last season, fear of failure is a real thing, it's debilitating and it's contagious. Anyway, does the club have a sports psychologist? I'd like to assume they do and if so, I hope they're bloody good at their job...
I think Schopp was part of the problem, rather than the problem, but he had to go. My suspicion is there was an element of back patting and self congratulation after the Derby game and the attitude wasn't right for the Hull game. As well as probable issues with fitness. Whoever comes in as coach will not only need a clear idea of how they want to play and get the players bought into it, they'll also need to be able to get the players to put each game behind them after a win and focus on the next one, which was one of Ismael's big strengths I thought.
I don't think the blame lays at any one groups door. Its a clusterfùck from start to finish. Schopp was the wrong appointment (Board level). Schopp was tactically inept. The players don't look fit enough either. Theres been multiple reports that training lacked intensity from a fitness building perspective and a tactical one. The players need to take responsibility for their efforts and performance levels. Saturday was about as bad as its been all season. Some of the passing and general play at times was appalling. Jo Lau - terrible team selection on Saturday. Styles missing, Moon still being fed to the wolves when he needed a rest etc. Its a complete shambles from top to bottom.
No crowds last season to get on the players back.. Seen more than one trying to climb up their own ar5ehole this season.. But if professional footballers can't play in front of crowds then I'd say it's a different career is needed not psychotherapy..
I think the problem on Saturday was it was a dud performance in the wrong game. They played really well against Reading, Bristol City, Sheffield Utd (last 25 mins) and Derby. They were bound to chuck in another poor performance at some point. It's just a shame it was one of the more winnable games they chucked in a poor one.
Saturday was as dejected as I have been walking out of Oakwell. It could have been 6 nil against what other fans have called the worst team in the league. I went to the game as confident as at any time this season, then walked out with 5 mins to go thinking we're doomed. Still perplexed at picking a right back at left back and dropping our only real left footed attacking player, 3 days later.
I was fortunate enough to not see the game, but was a bit perplexed to see the team sheet. Surely if there's an issue with Styles' fitness, he either starts and plays 45-60 mins, or doesn't feature at all. Complacency from Laumann to think we can just hold our better players back. Victor scores and gets dropped. Noticed Vita was back on the bench. Would like to know if he's genuinely a contender to play in the first team, or just making up the numbers.
No idea. Had Styles, Ben Williams and Jordan Williams start at LWB, as well as Odour moving there for spells during a game, and Kitching being moved to play left back on occaisions we've moved to a back 4. Looks like Vita would need 5 players to get injured to get a look in.
Looks a strange pointless signing even for us.. Think like when the club fell for Jose's name dropping CV... When the words Bayern Munich came up we just said yes and thrice yes..
If he is not good enough, drop him to the U23s. If he is good enough, give him some minutes. However, what is the point of two managers selecting him so often for the bench, and not even giving him a 5-minute runout?
