Working this morning, race to get home and watch the match.
Unchanged side, no problem with that, can we deliver another Norwich performance.
First 10 minutes looked ok, but actually just ok, although we had possession we had that toothless look.
Southampton score and suddenly the massed ranks are even more massed.
Midefield ineffective, Gnonto no real impact, Rutter was looking ok but just ok and Summerville has loads of the ball but continually closed down.
Why not have Summervillenad Gnonto switch sides now and again?
Piroe was almost completely absent.
Gray was ok, but for all we hear about we have the 4 best attacking players in teh league, you wouldnt believe it, I would rather just have 1, a really good one.
No service up top, no shotguns s on goal except a weak effort from Gnonto.|
Meanwhile messier keeps us in touch he this and its still a 1-0 game.
Finally James comes on and he does more in 20 mins that the rest did in 60 and hits the bar and it\s his shot that finally draws a save from Mccarthy who has had literally nothing to do all match,
Anthony and Roberts come on, but no sign of Joseph and it seems that Farke has a blindspot to how poorly he played today.
Joseph come on, but its all too little too late.
Will have been last match for Cooper and also 2 or 3 or Summerville, Gnonto, Rutter and Gray.
Roberts goes back, Anthony will go back, maybe Rodon too (I hope not) and then we're left with Gruev who just only seems to pass backwards or sideways and Piroe who just does not put in enough at this level, we really need a creative midfielder and a striker who can score, are we going to be brave and more these on and do that?
We owe a shed load on these stupid Marsch era signings and these cowardly loanees are still a millstone around our neck.
49ers meant to be some of wealthiest owners in world but I see a Philips/Raphinha repeat, sell the crown jewels and.....
Doesnt even feel bad this one, am so used to it, just feel sorry for fans with long journey home.
Thoughts from today
posted 3 weeks ago
Does anyone else feel that set piece situations such as corners and free kicks are about as effective as a 100 metre runner in large concrete boots. - We really need to work on that in the summer.
posted 3 weeks ago
comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 2 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 12 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 34 seconds ago
What we need for next season, however we do it:
1) Get experience on pitch
2) Get goals from midfield
3) Get a 25 goal a season striker who stays fit
4) Learn how to take effective corners
5) Keep Rodon
6) #10
7) LB
8) LCB
9) Stop believing our own fan hype about what
we actually have in this team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Where the hell are we going to conjure up a 25 goal a season striker from? Got to hope that Mateo Joseph is better than some of us think or that Bamford has one hell of a swansong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Szmodics, there's loads of prolific strikers.
posted 3 weeks ago
comment by The heart of Farkeness (U19827)
posted 9 hours, 19 minutes ago
I like Farke as a coach. He has brought on some of our players and restored a lot of confidence within the team. Firpo improved significantly, Byram was a useful addition, and we are now seeing the quality of our younger players starting to shine through.
His biggest failings, though, were firstly, his inability to rest players and rotate the squad, thus adding a significant load to the likes of Ampadu and Rodon in particular. They looked exhausted today.
Secondly, his in game management has been consistently poor throughout the season. He cannot seem to give his bench players enough time to make an impact in the games and you can see that they are falling behind in terms of mentality and positional awareness.
If he can address these aspects of his management, I think we can look forward to a more consistent level of performance across the whole of next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
completely agree with lack of match time for bench players. Cant give Joseph 5 mins and expect him to make a difference.
On reflection I think what we were really missing yesterday was leadership and experience on the pitch.
If we can add that, if subs can be better, we might just get over the line next time, that's assuming our finial situation doesnt strip our team bare and see very lightweight replacements.
posted 3 weeks ago
comment by The Very Rev Wilko (U21072)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Does anyone else feel that set piece situations such as corners and free kicks are about as effective as a 100 metre runner in large concrete boots. - We really need to work on that in the summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember champ season the free kick routine at villa?
Doesn’t take much to nurture some creativity in addition of course to being able to get corners to beat first man and free kicks to hit target.
posted 3 weeks ago
....and when a decent delivery does find the box, your tall central defenders attacking it or a forward the ilk of a Joe Jordan or Andy Gray ( Everton) using their physical strength and ability to throw every ounce at the ball.
Total basic football, simple but effective.
posted 3 weeks ago
Szmodics, there's loads of prolific strikers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting player Szmodics, he's 28, pretty much unheard of until this year, bit of a journeyman, scored 15 for Peterborough a couple of years back in L1, but mostly plyed his trade between leagues 1 and 2, eye for a goal at that level but not stand out. Has good seasons but not hugely consistent.
This year something clicked at Blackburn, right manager, right line-up?
He's contracted until 2026.
I think nobody will come in for him because they will think he will not be able to duplicate it, flash in the pan.
posted 3 weeks ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 4 hours, 55 minutes ago
comment by The heart of Farkeness (U19827)
posted 9 hours, 19 minutes ago
I like Farke as a coach. He has brought on some of our players and restored a lot of confidence within the team. Firpo improved significantly, Byram was a useful addition, and we are now seeing the quality of our younger players starting to shine through.
His biggest failings, though, were firstly, his inability to rest players and rotate the squad, thus adding a significant load to the likes of Ampadu and Rodon in particular. They looked exhausted today.
Secondly, his in game management has been consistently poor throughout the season. He cannot seem to give his bench players enough time to make an impact in the games and you can see that they are falling behind in terms of mentality and positional awareness.
If he can address these aspects of his management, I think we can look forward to a more consistent level of performance across the whole of next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
completely agree with lack of match time for bench players. Cant give Joseph 5 mins and expect him to make a difference.
On reflection I think what we were really missing yesterday was leadership and experience on the pitch.
If we can add that, if subs can be better, we might just get over the line next time, that's assuming our finial situation doesnt strip our team bare and see very lightweight replacements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought what we missed yesterday was Bamford.
Nobody addressed my question, did I dream/imagine it, I think I heard or read somewhere that Summerville refuses to pass the ball to Piroe, anybody else heard that?
posted 3 weeks ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 3 hours, 39 minutes ago
comment by The Very Rev Wilko (U21072)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Does anyone else feel that set piece situations such as corners and free kicks are about as effective as a 100 metre runner in large concrete boots. - We really need to work on that in the summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember champ season the free kick routine at villa?
Doesn’t take much to nurture some creativity in addition of course to being able to get corners to beat first man and free kicks to hit target.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We've been awful at set pieces for a long time, with the obvious exception of Pablo.
What was the name of the set piece coach we brought in who had zero impact, Giovanni Vio or something.
The last person I can remember previously being any good at set piece delivery was Ian Harte, what was that 20 years ago now?
posted 3 weeks ago
I seem to remember when Pontus Janssen was in the team he used to defend almost every corner that came in from the opposition. Occasionally we would score from our corners with tall players such as Bartley and Janssen. That was a brilliant back line - Ayling, Bartley, Janssen and Beradi.
posted 3 weeks ago
Maybe we need a Uncle Nephew pairing!..
Gary Kelly and Ian Harte weren't bad at corners and free kicks!..