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WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread
#81
Don't see why Pulis shouldn't come under criticism. All managers do come under scrutiny and he should not be any different given the amount of perplexing decisions and stubbornness to adapt. I'm glad Pulis made a point of the lack of ball retention. But then why play 4-4-2? Fletcher and Yacob constantly overrun in midfield and are not mobile or technically good enough to do it together. Why are Gardner and McLean keeping better players out of the team? We've got Gnabry sitting on the bench and I'm not sure Pulis has any idea how to use him.

It appears Pulis at least knows what the problem is, but just can't tear himself away from his rigid principles of two banks of four sitting in front of our goal filled with 'runners'. It's no wonder we struggle to keep the ball or create chances with such a lack of creative intent.

I'm not necessarily calling for Pulis to go. But he does have to become a lot more flexible tactically.
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#82
(15-09-2015, 08:56)Lets-talk-about-Teix Wrote:  Don't see why Pulis shouldn't come under criticism. All managers do come under scrutiny and he should not be any different given the amount of perplexing decisions and stubbornness to adapt. I'm glad Pulis made a point of the lack of ball retention. But then why play 4-4-2? Fletcher and Yacob constantly overrun in midfield and are not mobile or technically good enough to do it together. Why are Gardner and McLean keeping better players out of the team? We've got Gnabry sitting on the bench and I'm not sure Pulis has any idea how to use him.

It appears Pulis at least knows what the problem is, but just can't tear himself away from his rigid principles of two banks of four sitting in front of our goal filled with 'runners'. It's no wonder we struggle to keep the ball or create chances with such a lack of creative intent.

I'm not necessarily calling for Pulis to go. But he does have to become a lot more flexible tactically.
Completely agree  Thumb up
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#83
(15-09-2015, 08:56)Lets-talk-about-Teix Wrote: Don't see why Pulis shouldn't come under criticism. All managers do come under scrutiny and he should not be any different given the amount of perplexing decisions and stubbornness to adapt. I'm glad Pulis made a point of the lack of ball retention. But then why play 4-4-2? Fletcher and Yacob constantly overrun in midfield and are not mobile or technically good enough to do it together. Why are Gardner and McLean keeping better players out of the team? We've got Gnabry sitting on the bench and I'm not sure Pulis has any idea how to use him.

It appears Pulis at least knows what the problem is, but just can't tear himself away from his rigid principles of two banks of four sitting in front of our goal filled with 'runners'. It's no wonder we struggle to keep the ball or create chances with such a lack of creative intent.

I'm not necessarily calling for Pulis to go. But he does have to become a lot more flexible tactically.

That's pretty much my views on it too, and I definitely wouldn't consider myself a Pulis apologist either by not instantly jumping to conclusions of "relegation form" five games into the season which some posters have done. And that's not saying they're not entitled to an opinion, but we have to accept that people won't agree or have the same mindset, which on the whole has been pretty negative from most posters on here and the fanbase in general since the start of the season. I'm more of an optimist and hopefully can add some of that to the forum.

The players I'm hoping to replace Gardner and McClean this weekend are Morrison and Berahino respectively. Both infinitely are more creative players than Gardner or McClean. And has been said by most on here too 4-4-2 isn't working due to our midfielders getting overrun by teams with that extra man in midfield. 4-2-3-1 would be my choice personally with Rondon upfront, Berahino a wide striker tucking in to cover when needed and Morrison and McManaman completing the 3. Yacob and Fletcher behind those. 

Personally I wouldn't change the back 4 from Saturday as despite it being a rubbish game, I don't think anyone did anything worthy of getting dropped in those positions.
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#84
(15-09-2015, 07:50)Squirrel Regis Wrote: It's easy to make excuses but Rondon did tire on Saturday after flying 14000 miles. We did look better up front for about 15 mins when Berahino came on.
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Squirrel, we had a whole three-month window to sort ourselves out all over the pitch. We've still got no orthodox FBs while we had six CBs before letting Lescott go. Up front, we let Brown Ideye go and we failed to land a proven PL-quality goalscorer that was available and a no-brainer for me. Even TP's one stated target, Matt Phillips, wasn't landed. It's not like we didn't have the money, is it?

Teix's post above is spot on. Well balanced and well said. TP needs to make that leap of faith and place faith in his flair players.
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#85
Aries,
Agree totally. I was convinced that we would get a left sided midfielder/winger in and shocked that we are starting with Gardner out of position.
Maybe the decision to keep Berahino scuppered another forward coming in ?
I like the look of Rondon, he works hard, is a good target man and will get goals.
As for the full backs, again we all wanted to see a LB or RB come in but Brunty is our 1st choice LB like it or not and Dawson seems to be the 1st choice RB. As you know I don't rate Dawson but he is a better RB than CB from what I've seen though to be fair to him when he was playing CB it was with a very out of form Jonas.
Think Beefy nailed it when he said he would judge TP after the deadline. Well I guess now is the time.
We have spent £8 mill on Chester. Is he one for the future or should that money have gone on a left winger ?
On the plus side I never rated Jonny Evans at Man Utd but from what I saw on Saturday he could be a very very good buy for us.
C O Y B
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#86
(15-09-2015, 20:32)Squirrel Regis Wrote: On the plus side I never rated Jonny Evans at Man Utd but from what I saw on Saturday he could be a very very good buy for us.
C O Y B

I was impressed with his debut as well Squirrel, and I can see Chester impressing too when he's given his chance. McAuley is bound to have to sit out more games this season and manage his fitness and that's when I think Chester will feature for us. We certainly limited Southampton's chances throughout the game as the only chance of theirs that I can remember was Rodriguez missing what looked like a complete sitter of a header.
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#87
Tibby,
Hull fans seemed to really rate Chester so as you say he should slot in if G-Mac or Dawson gets injured/suspended.
Yes, as poor as we were going forward we were rock solid at the back. Rondon could have scored for us too when he did brilliant to create a chance but blazed over. In fairness their CB they bought off Celtic was immense and shackled Rondon very well.
Welcome to this board mate and fingers crossed for Saturday.
Smile
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