After watching todays game I think Nigel Pearson finds himself in a very tough position at the wrong time of the season and will, in my view, need to make a very bold decision.
When we played Arsenal last week, something fundamentally had changed in how we approached the game. We played with 5 at the back, defended deep, attacked with pace but caution. It almost paid off were it not for individual errors.....
I think Pearson adopted this approach to help protect Morgan, who doesnt have a lot of pace and has been easily exposed this season. However, setting up like this against weaker teams, or sides where we need to put balls into the box and create, stifles our attacking intent. In the first half today, we struggled to create many clear cut chances aside from James' fantastic effort.
As Pearson gambled to go for a win with 4-4-2 (correct switch in my view), the old frailties were exposed and we conceded two goals, however we looked more dangerous going forward. Kramaric showed again, that if you put balls into the box and create - he will finish the job off.
The difficulty for Pearson is, especially away from home (and we need points in our away games), he knows that if he plays 4 at the back, with Morgan in there, and attacks, we are likely to concede. Very likely. If he plays 5, then we look more solid, but this leaves Kramaric isolated up top and we don't look as threatening.
For me, Pearson has to make a very brave decision. When Huth is back, he HAS to drop Wes Morgan who I'm afraid is becoming a liability. He certainly wasn't at fault for anything today, but we shouldn't need to flood the defence because our captain gets too easily beaten. And herein lies the problem - because he is captain, dropping him is no easy feat and could create dressing room unrest.
Wasilewski shouldn't become the casualty of a mistaken decision to think Morgan would be good enough for this league (an understandable mistake), Huth and Wasi at the back, possibly Upson if you need 5 defenders against top 4 sides, would be far better. We would I think look more solid, but with the ability to get balls up to Kramaric far quicker than today
Caught between a rock and a hard place
posted on 15/2/15
Last week Pearson fired a warning shot to the owners (unbelievably!) saying "careful what you wish for".....
Would be funny if it wasn't so tragic
posted on 15/2/15
Albrighton , should have been first on team sheet against old club.
Thought the Konch had a good game, as did James and Kramaric , though he comes back too deep.
I thought too many of Cambiasso's passes were poor as was his shooting at the free kick. Mahrez got around well but his passing and crossing poor.
Thought Upson generally played well but does get caught for lack of pace ( an age thing ) when exposed to a chase.
Goalie a tad unlucky with second goal, didn't we reach this stage of the competition due to similar from Spurs keeper ! ?
Overall disappointing display, apart from the second half of the first half .
posted on 15/2/15
Looking again at their second, still think Wes should of got to the ball.He is just too slow.................. Still costing us a goal a game by being caught.
How did Pulis do this weekend?
posted on 15/2/15
FF - would love to hear from some on here who gave me grief for suggesting we should have gone for Pulis in November. At this point he was considering the Brighton job!!
posted on 15/2/15
I was up for that too but just stopped as a lot of people on here had the KTF and in pearson we trust.So I just said ok and support the team.
The Albrighton/Morgan issue............. Nige must live in a cave and get no, or not listen to any feedback from his staff! How does he not see Morgans frailties?
posted on 15/2/15
Agree completely with most of the above. My patience with Pearson ran out some time ago and I'm sickened by how this fantastic opportunity to build on last years success has been passed up.
As much as I'm grateful to our owners for all the good things they have done, I do feel they've been like rabbits in headlights this season and perhaps their lack of football experience has been exposed. It was clear in November that we were sinking like a stone and this was when they should have been brave and made the change. Instead they chose to back Pearson despite the continuing poor run and then we had the farcical events of last weekend.
There are a lot of traits about Pearson I do like, but his blind loyalty to some players (Morgan), who plays every match despite poor form and costly errors astounds me. No player, and that includes the Captain should be undroppable. Albrighton may as well sell his boots because he his never going to get a chance whilst Pearson is in charge. It's this arrogant, stubborn, won't admit what's staring you in the face approach from Pearson that's really foxing me off!
One other thought. It's highly likely that we will lose the likes of Kramaric, Mahrez, Ulloa and Schlupp if we do go down. What worries me is what's the attitude going to be of the players who are left? Those who have been found wanting in the Premier this season. How hungry are they going to be to get back to a division where their ability has been exposed?
I guess we just have to keep hoping for that elusive miracle, but I can't help but think that our owners show of loyalty will come back to bite them.
posted on 15/2/15
Ian
posted on 15/2/15
Ian, Yes I also believe Nige is running out of support.Even from hardcore supporters whom, now just have to stick with him for some loyal reason.
Some one said about Burnley going down with a fight.... We have not, some performances have just been dire and today Villa are all about a half time talk! What did Nige say?
posted on 15/2/15
I'm not sure Florida, but the fact that we seemed half asleep at the start of the second half makes me think he was singing them lullabies. Scary thought I admit!
posted on 15/2/15
Time for him to leave. We have nothing to loose now by making a change. Albrighton is F@@kin9 me right off. We are crying out so so loud for a player that can deliver a ball and I have failed to see one game where he hasn't put good balls in, not one game have I thought he didn't play so well. Why did we buy kramaric? The issue isn't just the lack of goals it the lack of creativity so we wasted to best part of 10 million on a player who will probably leave in the summer when we go down because we failed to by good creative players. I don't even buy his excuses anymore they don't add up.
There isn't a reason him to stay now for me because we are as good as dead and buried now anyway. Hell I'd be happy if Kevin philips took over right now.