I wonder if after witnessing that abysmal 2nd half defensive performance, will the powers that be, down at Grove street, finally acknowledge, what we've been saying, the majority of the season, we aren't strong enough, we lack pace, heart and passion and therefore need a clear out. Today the lot of them should be totally ashamed of that second half performance, infact it was not only an insult to those that travelled but they let Conor and his coaching staff down too. Surely there's going to be enough free agents out there who would be worth a contract next season. That second half had nothing to do with experienced managers or the inexperience of CH It boiled down to once again the poor quality of players in the squad, worse still it showed up their poor attitudes and lack of pride and spirit. We all know that even Pep and other great managers would struggle to see day light at the end of the tunnel with this lot Total clear out needed in my opinion It's not rocket science, put a shift in for 90 odd minutes, show some hard graft, some pride and passion and the Barnsley crowd will cheer you on and appreciate it. regardless of the result. Today that second half was once again unacceptable and once again makes a mockery of the claim that we are anything near a top 3 let alone 6 side.
I think this his Neerav' and the board last roll of the dice.. trying to be successful on a zero budget. If Conor doesn't get backed in the summer with the players he wants.. He really ort to walk before next season starts..
I’m not sure Connor would have been in a position to negotiate what he wants for next season as a bargaining chip to take the job. Maybe why it was a good option for the owners. It’s clear that the gap between our squad and promotion vs relegation is nearer to the latter. So it essential that we strengthen significantly firstly just to avoid the drop and secondly to be competitive top half. There is no way I see us being ready for a top 2 or even 6 push. Hope I’m wrong but there are no signs to suggest we will do well or even in fixing the defence.
Roberts, MDG and Earl are still under contract so I can’t see that there will be many defensive changes unless we can offload a couple. It’s mind boggling how we’ve shipped 68 league goals with 51 conceded in second halves of games. 3 in 8 minutes yesterday…..pathetic.
It isn't a zero budget though is it? We are top 6 in player wages so makes the current league position of 12th even more embarrassing.
I mentioned it yesterday,I don't think anyone should pull the trigger on a season ticket until people know who's getting released and new players in , early in the transfer window.Getting players in, in the last few days of August on this occasion will simply not do .
Imho we have had three head coaches, who cannot get consistent performances from our squad of defenders. Thats because most of them can't defend at this level. I would say Robbo is the only one who can but he is getting on a bit but still our best defender. None of the other centre backs are defenders and the evidence is well everywhere to see. Our wing backs...the same, hopefully Conor scraps the 5..3..2 as he has shown in the last two games and plays HIS formation. Bland is young and work in progress but he already has shown more defensive qualities than our present compliment (he was poor second half yesterday). Looking at Orient yesterday their defence looked dodgy first half but they rallied...something we look incapable of, which also tells you something of the skill set and mind set of our lads. I can never decide if its defence or midfield that concerns me most but collectively we look like we can't be bothered/ have the mind set or overall are poor at football.
The defence have had much criticism for a while and rightly so, however I think the midfield don't offer much when the opposition is attacking. Only Connell, who I appreciate is defensive mid does any tracking back, the other two are much too similar players and simply offer no or little protection to the defence.
We play a system that requires pace and dont have the players with the pace so when pressing forward we leave big gaps behind that exposes the defence.
So why do we constantly have our defence standing along the centre line when they know a ball over the top a fast centre forward and we are screwed why not leave a defender back
Cos they’re following the press. Thats the problem with the press exactly what you’ve said, we had the same issue with the Press with Val and had much better players.
When we sold Mads and Kitching we could have either replaced them with quick and dominating centre backs that allow us to play a high line or if we recognised that standard wouldn’t be available to us, which is understandable, then realise we can’t press as easily and we’d need more athletic midfielders are there’s such a larger amount of space to cover. Since then we’ve brought in Craig, Hourihane and Kelechi. Our performances in the second half make perfect sense and it’s a direct consequence of the squad we’ve intentionally built. The players get a lot of flak for not running but it’s down to the director and recruitment to recognise it’s the players that make the system and not the other way round, particularly if you’re putting high physical demands on unathletic players.
I'm not one for singling anyone player out, but if the Team is 5hite, an at times it as been i usually av an imput, football is a team effort, an when we loose its the TEAM that loosers not the individual, Conor has got a lot to prove, a lot of hard work on his hands, not just rebuilding but the job of letting a lot of players know they are just not good enough, keep the faith, C,O,Y,R.