Reverting back to wingbacks has wiped out most of the attacking threat of the past few matches. I don't even think Cotter and Dexter have played badly either. It just hasn't worked all season.
The board must have been so relieved when we beat Bolton and they could appoint Conor without it seeming completely absurd. Obvs not majority his fault, but still.
Doesn’t matter what defence you play - there’s so little protection from that midfield, that it’s a thankless task. I think we’ve seen that even with defensive changes - nothing changes. Roberts, MDG, Pines, McCarthy, Earl, Bland etc. all the same outcome as it’s the midfield that’s the issue. You can’t play Phillips and Russell together. He’d be best playing Bland and Connell as a centre-mid pair, then Phillips up front with DKD. Add 2 wingers and it might be a bit more solid. I say might though!
And that’s a worry. He’s not been the same since Wembley. Neither has Phillips - although accept Phillips has got the goals and assists. Anyone who’s seen Connell these last 2 seasons won’t be looking to pay much for him. One season wonder so far…..
He gave the ball away and was as culpable in the goal as others - but we need to be careful what we wish for. At least he puts a shift in (and in the current climate that’s as much as we can expect). Effort and getting sweat on the shirt should be a pre-requisite. It apparently isn’t sadly. Connell is so dreadfully out of form on the ball he should be nowhere near the team. But he has to play as no sod else will graft. Back to today’s goal, there was plenty of opportunity to recover after the ball was lost in midfield, but where was the right centre back - and why does a 21 year old right back run like an octogenarian cripple? Lembikisa made Russell look like Usain Bolt. Shocking all round. And no surprise either.
Callum Cooper must have the record for saying "on this occasion" this season in endless attempts to make commentating on dross not sound like a criticism.