Sports Babble - sports forum

(02-02-2019, 21:06)BaggieSteve Wrote: [ -> ]It’s funny how we see a game differently. Unlike Slick, I thought Kanu was totally ineffective and, whilst working hard, contributed nothing. Whilst JRod and Gayle were not hugely better, they both scored and are always likely to do so. For me, this doesn’t apply to Kanu - I honestly have no idea what BD thinks he adds to the team.
Today was a wretched performance. I know it was individual errors that cost us but the midfield was lightweight and had no creator or pace. Pulis set up two banks of big players and we had no idea how to break them down. The substitutions in the second half were the wrong ones. Pulis schooled BD today.

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Also meant to say that I listened to BD’s post match interview on WM on my way home. Five minutes of utter nothing. I love the guy but I’m really struggling to take him seriously as a manager

Agreed, I've said all that needs to be said about Darren, so no need to add anything. 
It's other difficult decisions that now have to be addressed.
It must be the ultimate embarrassment losing to TP at HOME and AWAY

1. Brunt should not play in central midfield (we all know that), so if Darren chooses to put him in there he takes the blame when it goes wrong.
2. Brunt & Mozza have been great servants for the club, but time has caught up with them. Emergency cover only from now on IMO.
3. HRK another who is simply not good enough, flatters to deceive, alas he is good for 5 minutes a game on occasions. Another who's time is up.
4. Johansen IMO our best signing didn't even make the bench most bizzare? 
5.  HRK starts !!! pantomime is over, well I thought it was ? 
6. Mears and Hoolahan both signing extended contracts !! are they really going to play, really come on it's just another old pals act? 
7. Sentiment has no place in football on or off the field and we are paying the price for it. 
8. History shows Brunt / Mozza / Phillips / HRK as strikers over the last 3 years goals return has been tbh useless for whatever reason or excuse (average 3 goals a season between them).
9. Playing Gayle wide is a no no - he plays central or free, but not wide.
No I don't have all the answers, but the outstanding issues are there for all to see. Well 20,000 can see them.

(02-02-2019, 21:06)BaggieSteve Wrote: [ -> ]It’s funny how we see a game differently. Unlike Slick, I thought Kanu was totally ineffective and, whilst working hard, contributed nothing. Whilst JRod and Gayle were not hugely better, they both scored and are always likely to do so. For me, this doesn’t apply to Kanu - I honestly have no idea what BD thinks he adds to the team.
Today was a wretched performance. I know it was individual errors that cost us but the midfield was lightweight and had no creator or pace. Pulis set up two banks of big players and we had no idea how to break them down. The substitutions in the second half were the wrong ones. Pulis schooled BD today.

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Also meant to say that I listened to BD’s post match interview on WM on my way home. Five minutes of utter nothing. I love the guy but I’m really struggling to take him seriously as a manager

I think Darren Moore just played Kanu today because he didn't want to change a winning team. Personally I think he should've been dropped from the start as he's been poor in recent games. But Moore continues to operate with this 'keep a winning team philosophy' that he's rolled with since last season.

That said, I did think Kanu played well today. He worked hard, was good on the ball, and was the one player trying to turn the cumbersome Middlesborough defenders on the floor and was often getting the better of them. He held the ball up every time he'd got it and I think he only gave the ball away once.

I thought overall, he was the best of the 3 strikers today - although JRod did show good goalscoring instincts for both goals. I think Gayle's overall performances are not helped by Moore's insistence to play him out wide though. He's probably the best out and out striker in the division

Moore's decision to replace Kanu seemed to be based on past performances rather than today's performance IMO. Given we were 2-1 up at the time, I don't really see why we needed to rush Murphy in, as will not have trained with the lads. If we were chasing the game it would've made more sense.

As for the midfield, I agree entirely, and shows the nativity of Moore's 'stick with a winning team' mantra. After all, the midfield trio of Harper, Field and Barry was only forged due to an injury crisis. IMO our performance at Bolton was poor, despite winning. It seemed obvious after that game that the same XI wouldn't be good enough in tougher games and that was proven today. The fact Moore thought it would be shows his lack of tactical awareness. It's particularly frustrating when Livermore is available again and we've just signed Johansen who has over 40 international caps.

On the subject of Johansen, surely he should've been selected above Adaraboiyo on the bench? Why on earth we would need both Adaraboiyo and Bartley on the bench is beyond me, particularly when the likes of Livermore and Brunt who can cover full back areas. Johansen must be wondering why he came tonight. Let's hope he puts in a performance on Wednesday and forces himself in.

Overall, it was definitely a victory for Pulis over Moore. But to be fair to Moore, I don't think anyone can blame him for Brunt's cock up which cost us the game.

Well, who cares...... ENGLAND beat Ireland so so well in Dublin!
What a performance!
Commitment - footballers take note

don`t get this?
why is HRK being singled out?
may not be the most gifted front man we have
but i find the abuse he gets on here a bit tedious
the guy plays to his abilities
personally he puts on our stripes i will never slate him
c`mon guys
give the guy a break

and while i`m here
we needed a bloody goalkeeper

Also meant to say that I listened to BD’s post match interview on WM on my way home. Five minutes of utter nothing. I love the guy but I’m really struggling to take him seriously as a manager

(02-02-2019, 22:51)BaggieSteve Wrote: [ -> ]Also meant to say that I listened to BD’s post match interview on WM on my way home. Five minutes of utter nothing. I love the guy but I’m really struggling to take him seriously as a manager

I’d rather judge him on results and style of play rather than what he sounds like or says to the media (after all, Pardew was very well spoken). In both counts over the last 2 seasons he’s doing ok.

Have to agree with much of the above comments. Individual errors cost us big time today. You can't legislate for that.
The referee was appalling! Their number 11 elbowed Dawson early on and didn't even get booked. He later dived in the box and we got a free kick for simulation but no booking. Shotton (number 5) went down holding his face trying to get our player sent off when nobody had touched him. Tony Pulis - you may have won the game but your tactics and players are a disgrace! A strong ref would have branded red cards and ended the nonsense.
Oh well on to the cup on Wednesday. Come on you Baggies!

(03-02-2019, 07:22)Zinman Wrote: [ -> ]

(02-02-2019, 22:51)BaggieSteve Wrote: [ -> ]Also meant to say that I listened to BD’s post match interview on WM on my way home. Five minutes of utter nothing. I love the guy but I’m really struggling to take him seriously as a manager

I’d rather judge him on results and style of play rather than what he sounds like or says to the media (after all, Pardew was very well spoken). In both counts over the last 2 seasons he’s doing ok.

I take your point and neither would I judge him on his media interviews but this is more about his honesty or recognition of how the game has gone. In the WM interview, he mentioned how Pulis’ substitutions changed the dynamic of the game; he said the same after the Norwich game. On both occasions it was as if he could have done nothing about the course of the game but had to wait and react when he saw what opposition had done. There seems to be no recognition of this but I honestly believe his game management is poor and is costing us. I like the guy a lot, I have huge respect for him but I’m not convinced about his ability to manage the team on the pitch once the game in underway and nothing I hear from him convinced me otherwise

Best striker in the league on the left wing, 2 new wingers on the bench. Johnston passes to Barry with three opposition around him. Brunt!!

Pulis’ subs changed his formation and tactics. BD makes like for like changes.

I’m sick of this playing out of the back, it must have cost us 10 goals against so far.

When are BD, Jones and Johnston gonna learn. It’s slipping away folks.

I think another manager could do so much more with this squad of players.

I was frozen and angry at full time but not really surprised. Same mistakes by players and management and a non existent owner.

Playing Devils advocate here and seeing the last goal again yes it was awful from Brunt but he was standing on the 6 yeard line...
Now a call at least from the Goalkeeper may have been the best option here, a simple leave it from Johnsone and all would have been avoided surley