09-11-2014, 21:02
Thinking on this a little more, I feel that Irvine is currently guilty of selecting starting line-ups more on principles of man-management than tactical nous. If a player played well in his last outing, it seems he'll be first on the team-sheet for the next match whether or not he's likely to be effective against the opposition on that day. I think this is why we ended up with Big Vic starting today (based on his efforts and goal in the second half vs Palace) rather than Sessegnon, who was admittedly ineffective a fortnight ago but who we were crying out for today. I think this has also led to the apparently undroppable status of Dorrans, Brunt, Mozza etc.
I'm not sure to what extent Irvine has his hands tied with regards to wide players. I know Varela's injured, but I have to wonder whether Samaras isn't worth a chance in a match like today's when we need something a bit more special on the flanks. Today he only came on when the match was already lost; it would have been nice if we'd seen what he can do when there was still a chance of taking something from the game.
I really hope Varela can have an impact when he gets fit, because at the moment it feels like the club have taken another Sinclairesque gamble on a player who COULD be outstanding, but could also flop horribly. I know that Ideye seemed like a necessary purchase at the time, and he could still play his part this season, but right now (with the all-knowing benefit of hindsight) it feels like that £10m would have been far better spent on a decent winger in a fit state to play 30+ matches. Knowing our penchant for resting on our laurels in January, there could be serious consequences if the likes of Varela and Samaras don't start having an impact (or if Irvine persists in not using them).
Personally, I wouldn't mind too much if Irvine wants to continue the narrow, compact approach away from home - it's given us a good couple of wins and some decent performances - but on our own patch, we NEED to start taking it to teams, and that may well require sticking on players who don't run ten miles in a match or stick tackles in at every opportunity, and may well even loaf about aimlessly until the time comes for them to conjure up a bit of game-changing magic. I get the feeling Irvine doesn't like or trust players of that ilk, but used wisely, they'll win you matches, entertain crowds and keep you in this league. If he keeps snubbing them in favour of "hard workers", we'll have a long and toothless season ahead.
I'm not sure to what extent Irvine has his hands tied with regards to wide players. I know Varela's injured, but I have to wonder whether Samaras isn't worth a chance in a match like today's when we need something a bit more special on the flanks. Today he only came on when the match was already lost; it would have been nice if we'd seen what he can do when there was still a chance of taking something from the game.
I really hope Varela can have an impact when he gets fit, because at the moment it feels like the club have taken another Sinclairesque gamble on a player who COULD be outstanding, but could also flop horribly. I know that Ideye seemed like a necessary purchase at the time, and he could still play his part this season, but right now (with the all-knowing benefit of hindsight) it feels like that £10m would have been far better spent on a decent winger in a fit state to play 30+ matches. Knowing our penchant for resting on our laurels in January, there could be serious consequences if the likes of Varela and Samaras don't start having an impact (or if Irvine persists in not using them).
Personally, I wouldn't mind too much if Irvine wants to continue the narrow, compact approach away from home - it's given us a good couple of wins and some decent performances - but on our own patch, we NEED to start taking it to teams, and that may well require sticking on players who don't run ten miles in a match or stick tackles in at every opportunity, and may well even loaf about aimlessly until the time comes for them to conjure up a bit of game-changing magic. I get the feeling Irvine doesn't like or trust players of that ilk, but used wisely, they'll win you matches, entertain crowds and keep you in this league. If he keeps snubbing them in favour of "hard workers", we'll have a long and toothless season ahead.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley