02-02-2021, 22:42
(This post was last modified: 03-02-2021, 00:12 by Slick_Footwork.)
The performance was okay, in patches. We got bodies forward and carried a threat which we haven't done often away. But in the end it all boils down to the same old story...
The inability to tackle and clear our lines.
You can chop and change players, switch Townsend and Gibbs, switch O'Shea and Furlong, but the reality is that none of them are Premier League players...
And whenever the other team has a spell, which happens in every game at this level, we simply can't keep the goals out. Often it is as basic as being unable to put our foot through the ball.
The one mistake Big Sam made was taking Diagne off. He was probably knackered but with him we carried a threat. After he went off, I never felt like would score.
On the plus side, Yokulsu and AMN will improve us. We might've seen the last of Livermore waddling around at snails pace (for now).
But on the downside, it'll still be the same back 4 for the rest of the season. The same back 4 that hardly looked watertight last season.
But what can we expect? Our net spend on our defence in the summer was a £3m profit after selling Hegazi, our only centre half with top flight experience. At 36, Ivanovic represented a massive risk even to those who were hopeful he would still be able to do it. As for the Kipre signing, obviously Bilic didn't want him, so not sure why Dowling bothered when the purse strings were so tight. £30m spent on 2 left wingers in Grady and Grant, the 2nd looks distinctively average from where I'm sitting. No interest whatsoever on strengthening the full back areas despite the fact they were our weakest link last season.
At least we will be able to renew our rivalry with Sheffield United next season.
I think he should be given the next 4 games, culminating in Brighton at home.
If we don't show any improvement in that time, we can consider letting him go ahead of the Newcastle game.
While he hasn't had the impact I expected, I think it's too soon yet. I think we're showing some signs of improvement such as more bodies getting forward, but we're still terrible at defending. I think the defensive midfielder will make all the difference, so it's only fair to give Allardyce a few games with him in before he is judged. In his past roles, this was his most important signing.
The Spurs game could be an interesting one. I always thought it might be an easier game for us than Sheffield United. We seem to do better against that type of team and with Kane missing, Spurs can be a little bit toothless. Of course I might be wrong and we might get hammered (most probably). But you never know, sometimes football can be a bit scripted so what's the betting against Maitland Niles getting the winner?
The inability to tackle and clear our lines.
You can chop and change players, switch Townsend and Gibbs, switch O'Shea and Furlong, but the reality is that none of them are Premier League players...
And whenever the other team has a spell, which happens in every game at this level, we simply can't keep the goals out. Often it is as basic as being unable to put our foot through the ball.
The one mistake Big Sam made was taking Diagne off. He was probably knackered but with him we carried a threat. After he went off, I never felt like would score.
On the plus side, Yokulsu and AMN will improve us. We might've seen the last of Livermore waddling around at snails pace (for now).
But on the downside, it'll still be the same back 4 for the rest of the season. The same back 4 that hardly looked watertight last season.
But what can we expect? Our net spend on our defence in the summer was a £3m profit after selling Hegazi, our only centre half with top flight experience. At 36, Ivanovic represented a massive risk even to those who were hopeful he would still be able to do it. As for the Kipre signing, obviously Bilic didn't want him, so not sure why Dowling bothered when the purse strings were so tight. £30m spent on 2 left wingers in Grady and Grant, the 2nd looks distinctively average from where I'm sitting. No interest whatsoever on strengthening the full back areas despite the fact they were our weakest link last season.
At least we will be able to renew our rivalry with Sheffield United next season.
(02-02-2021, 22:16)WBA-Josh Wrote: I think English football is starting to pass Allardyce by. Of course we still have AM-N and Yokuşlu to come into the team but I don't see much changing with this man and his coaching staff.
I posted after the Blackpool game that we needed 5 points from the next 5 at the minimum otherwise the club should start looking at his job. We got 4.
I don't think we should be sacking him tomorrow morning. I think he needs the next 3 matches with these new signings in the squad and hopefully the 11 to see how they do but he should be now moving towards the thinner ice.
I think he should be given the next 4 games, culminating in Brighton at home.
If we don't show any improvement in that time, we can consider letting him go ahead of the Newcastle game.
While he hasn't had the impact I expected, I think it's too soon yet. I think we're showing some signs of improvement such as more bodies getting forward, but we're still terrible at defending. I think the defensive midfielder will make all the difference, so it's only fair to give Allardyce a few games with him in before he is judged. In his past roles, this was his most important signing.
The Spurs game could be an interesting one. I always thought it might be an easier game for us than Sheffield United. We seem to do better against that type of team and with Kane missing, Spurs can be a little bit toothless. Of course I might be wrong and we might get hammered (most probably). But you never know, sometimes football can be a bit scripted so what's the betting against Maitland Niles getting the winner?