That’s entirely what it is and exactly why they operate they way they do, it’s frustrating to an extent (when we can all see the defence is awful) but it’s worked this far. They aren’t billionaires hence have to be creative to stay ahead of teams that are bigger and have a bigger financial reach, but spend money much less wisely. Prices for defenders have gone up recently, but only really at the top top end. If you take VVD and Maquire as being amongst the best in the world, £70/£80m is a huge sum, but still a fraction of what the equivalent best midfielders/forwards in the world would/do sell for, and it’s all relative from that level down.
Dawson is ******* ****. There. It's out there. Let's stop tiptoeing around it. Our defence is even worse with him in it.
Official club youtube channel video. Emma Saunders and Derek Payne speaking to Cleverley post match. He sounded quite down as he should be. Said Hughesis hurting? Thought he personallyhad a good game... He does however echo us in Newcastle is massive now. Worth a listen.
I'm not panicking yet and won't for a little while longer, but I am concerned for the first time under him. Brighton aside, we're generally doing the right things but we can't finish our chances but more importantly our defence is utter gash. Foster finally found some form today although his distribution is still janky but the defence ahead of him is relegation quality. If we had signed who he have and a high quality CB and RB (LB is serviceable for now but is next priority for me) then we would be OK but we haven't and now with promoted teams looking a lot more threatening we've hit a critical juncture where we could do a Swansea or Stoke and be over taken by fresher faces as we looked at the glamarous attacking options and neglected your core defensive unit. I don't think sacking Gracia is the answer, but he has to do a lot more to show he isn't the problem now. He set us up correctly today in the first half particularly. We made plenty of chances, won a good chunk of our midfield battle but ultimately the defence let down the work put in. His subs were 10 minutes too late and it cost us dearly. Both sides were dangerously pourous with chances allowed but they took theirs. His 4-2-3-1 setup was pretty effective with Gray forcing their CB's to constantly shift around and track him even if he couldn't win much in the air. Cleverley played decently; harrying high up the pitch. Capoue was OK. His passing range out to the wings is something few players can reliably do and the accuracy is unerring. Doucoure is the person I would take out the side; he simply hasn't performed well enough but what does that mean if Chalobah, Quina or Dele-whatshisface can't get past him when he's been in poor form? We he can play to a much higher standard than he is doing right now. Hughes is not a right winger and teams are targetting where he cuts in. This is on Gracia as they are exploiting his selection and tactical choices. Put Sarr on the right and that will help cover up the glaring hole in our current problems. Defensively, what can you do with players who simply of the standard required? Cathcart and Mariappa looked a much more solid pair than Dawson does and he is the first casualty I would make of the current starting XI. Femenia has to be dropped for Janmaat and Masina in for Holebas; neither are performing so fresh faces won't hurt at this point. When we're struggling this much defensively there can be an argument for maintaing some consistency to develop an understanding but we seem to have regressed significantly with those who were already shakey at times last Season when put under defensive pressure. Overall, the next two games are simply must wins for us. If we can get a few wins together we will see a much better side; we are battling, shooting and making lives difficult for opponents but ultimately aren't scoring or winning. We aren't hopeless nor are we weak; we are however not making our own luck nor are we getting the referee decisions. The 2nd goal from where I was sat seemed to be a clear high boot had Hughes commited for the header than understandably pulling out of it but this referee didn't call it and we switched off expecting the call. The 3rd was simply a result of the 2nd goal after we were noticeably demoralised by the incident. We were a stonewall penalty call against Everton away from a point, today we missed a half dozen of good, if not clear cut chances and even Brighton at 1-0 down the handball from the wall. If any of those had gone our way we would be looking a lot healthier. It will balance out over a Season which is why I still have good faith in Gracia, so long as he gets his substitutions quicker as he makes the right changes 10 minutes too late.
Things we've learnt over the years No.1 - you don't put away your chances - you loose ! No.2 - You defend like ***** - you loose Today we achieved both
Yep thats the bloke How did he do today ? Did he A - take two glorious chances or did he B - sulk and **** about like a show pony ?
We are like a boxer that can’t take a punch. As soon as the 2nd goal went in, it was obvious that a 3rd would follow very quickly afterwards. Why Gracia left it so long to put the subs on, is anyone’s guess.
The days just got worse, just made it back to the West country, stripped of to have a shower, girlfriend laughs as I have a massive spot on my bum. I never get spots.
You're suggesting we play a 16 year-old attacking midfielder, who isn't even a regular yet in our under-23/reserve teams, as the first team left-wing back?!
Is he the one with the ten gallon hat? Just the thing for watching football. Hope nobody stands up and spoils the view.
Is a Correlation when they crown a monarch in China? Anyway how can you be so certain? Are you psychologist? Only that's what i was refereeing to. How it might affect player long tern confidence losing badly in a high profile game. Actually the FA cup is littered with clubs that slumped after losing a final.. Millwall, Pompey, Hull, Villa were all relegated in either the following season or the one after. Who's to say it might not be a factor.
The Athletic one where Leventhal gives us a strangely detailed insight into his back story. Probably why Roger knows who he is.
Just seen the highlights. How the hell did Hughes miss that? 2nd Goal - absolute **** commitment in the build up - GD I think with an awful attempt of challenging for a header - Kiko equally weak afterwards. Awful.
