Yesterday, 01:16
(This post was last modified: Yesterday, 01:20 by Slick_Footwork.)
I didn't catch all of the game today, I missed the first half and only caught parts of the second half on a dodgy stream that kept cutting out...
Although I've been critical of Mason and his team selections, I must say that my opinion of the squad is changing game-by-game. I'm starting to think the overall quality is worse than I thought.
A few games ago, I would've said that we had a squad that with the right management could be pushing for the playoffs. However, after watching the second half today, I think my initial impression was well off the mark.
Today, from what i saw in the second half, we played okay. We attacked with more intent than we have done. We got got men in the box. Got balls in the box when we'd have previously tip-tapped around. One example was Style's hopeful cross which resulted in the goal, another brilliant header by Heggebo. It was better than what we've seen in lots of games, but despite that, we still lost the half. We still gave QPR 2 elementary goals, which should've been 3 if you count the open goal they missed when Wildsmith came into no man's land.
Even if we had Pep Guardiola in charge, Mowatt would've still lost the ball there. Grant would've still missed that sitter. Wildsmith still couldn't catch a cold.
The first goal we gave them was obviously an individual mistake from Mowatt, but why did Styles not play the ball to him earlier? The pass was on when Mowatt was open, but Styles took a touch when he should've gone first time and we should've been away. Of course, Mowatt has to take the blame but this entire move shows our lack of quality. We have too many players like Styles that can't see simple balls when it's screaming them in the face. Not a personal attack though, he's not the only one, we're littered with players that can't pass.
As for their 3rd goal, I'm just really not sure why Wildsmith didn't either gather or let the ball run across. Surely he can use his eyes and see that the cross is not going anywhere near an attacker. I sometimes wonder how these players make it professional. It seems that once you're in, you're in and you can steal a living. Some mug will take you. And all too often in recent years, we are the mugs. He's not a Championship player, even as a backup.
I suppose you could argue that Mason should've stuck with Griffiths, but he cost us 2 goals last week and almost cost Mason his job. So you can understand why he dropped him. It's like choosing visiting the farm and treading in cow sh*1 or horse sh*t, they are different but they're both sh*t.
We're just desperately short of quality. Goalkeepers are woeful. We don't have a natural full back at the club either side. Our midfield has no legs. We don't have a single creator. Recruitment really has been p*ss poor for years now.
After watching that second half, unless something changes, I think we're genuine candidates for the drop. We're only 8 points above that 3rd relegation spot, which isn't much given our form. Even when we play okay, we can't score and we almost always gift the opposition at least one goal. It's not a good mix.
I suspect we will get spanked by Southampton and Mason will get sacked. I just hope that whoever they take the next punt on can make better decisions and guide us to safety...
However, I acknowledge that the squad they inherit isn't as good as I thought it was. Bring on January...
Although I've been critical of Mason and his team selections, I must say that my opinion of the squad is changing game-by-game. I'm starting to think the overall quality is worse than I thought.
A few games ago, I would've said that we had a squad that with the right management could be pushing for the playoffs. However, after watching the second half today, I think my initial impression was well off the mark.
Today, from what i saw in the second half, we played okay. We attacked with more intent than we have done. We got got men in the box. Got balls in the box when we'd have previously tip-tapped around. One example was Style's hopeful cross which resulted in the goal, another brilliant header by Heggebo. It was better than what we've seen in lots of games, but despite that, we still lost the half. We still gave QPR 2 elementary goals, which should've been 3 if you count the open goal they missed when Wildsmith came into no man's land.
Even if we had Pep Guardiola in charge, Mowatt would've still lost the ball there. Grant would've still missed that sitter. Wildsmith still couldn't catch a cold.
The first goal we gave them was obviously an individual mistake from Mowatt, but why did Styles not play the ball to him earlier? The pass was on when Mowatt was open, but Styles took a touch when he should've gone first time and we should've been away. Of course, Mowatt has to take the blame but this entire move shows our lack of quality. We have too many players like Styles that can't see simple balls when it's screaming them in the face. Not a personal attack though, he's not the only one, we're littered with players that can't pass.
As for their 3rd goal, I'm just really not sure why Wildsmith didn't either gather or let the ball run across. Surely he can use his eyes and see that the cross is not going anywhere near an attacker. I sometimes wonder how these players make it professional. It seems that once you're in, you're in and you can steal a living. Some mug will take you. And all too often in recent years, we are the mugs. He's not a Championship player, even as a backup.
I suppose you could argue that Mason should've stuck with Griffiths, but he cost us 2 goals last week and almost cost Mason his job. So you can understand why he dropped him. It's like choosing visiting the farm and treading in cow sh*1 or horse sh*t, they are different but they're both sh*t.
We're just desperately short of quality. Goalkeepers are woeful. We don't have a natural full back at the club either side. Our midfield has no legs. We don't have a single creator. Recruitment really has been p*ss poor for years now.
After watching that second half, unless something changes, I think we're genuine candidates for the drop. We're only 8 points above that 3rd relegation spot, which isn't much given our form. Even when we play okay, we can't score and we almost always gift the opposition at least one goal. It's not a good mix.
I suspect we will get spanked by Southampton and Mason will get sacked. I just hope that whoever they take the next punt on can make better decisions and guide us to safety...
However, I acknowledge that the squad they inherit isn't as good as I thought it was. Bring on January...
