[drewks]

Maybe there IS a silver lining here.
With all the injuries to our so-called defence, TP will be forced to make changes; he won't have his first choices available so - I'm thinking and HOPING - he'll also realise that this makeshift defence can't hope to withstand pressure for vast swathes of the game .....
....and that a Plan B is needed.
This can only mean a game based more on possession (it could hardly be less) and more adventure (ditto) .

We ALL know that even our FIRST choice defence isn't good enough even when all are available, so surely a more adventurous line up is now inevitable? Kinda forcing TP's hand a tad?

(Not holding my breath, just living in hope)

Thoughts?

---

Very poor performance.

I never expected Mozza, Brunt and Evans to be so badly missed, but without them, we really struggle to pass the ball. I'm not sure if that is testament to those players being exceptional, or their replacements being complete dross; but I'm suspecting the latter.

I absolutely detest watching Gardner and McClean. They are so far out of their depth as 'attacking midfielders' it's embarrassing. Surely a basic prerequisite for an attacking midfielder actually has to be able to control the ball, pass to team mates and occasionally try and put the forward through. Apparently not, 'putting a shift in' will do.

Our lack of width stands out like a sore thumb. We have 2 forwards playing together but we aren't able to play through the channels to get high enough up the pitch to supply them with anything other than a long hoof. Saido missed the header, which was terrible, but had little to work with in terms of balls actually provided by the midfield.

Why has Foster just walked back into the team? That's 2 goals in 2 games that he's cost us after coming into no mans land against Newcastle and making the finish easy for Mitrovic. I'd have been embarrassed letting that goal in that he conceded yesterday. In his comeback games against Bristol City he looked a bag of nerves. Although Myhill makes the occasional mistake, I'd have him over Foster any time based on his performances in the past year. At least he's calm and kicks the ball well, Foster seems to lose his head when the going gets tough.

TP has to take a large portion of the blame for selecting square pegs in round holes but the board are not without blame. It was obvious in January that we were geting stretched by injury and we've pulled in 2 loan singings (one of which has only played once at this level). How can we go into a Premier League season with only 1 recognised left back (Pocognoli) who is deemed 3rd choice behind midfielder and centre halfs? We've had 3 windows to address the fact that he wasn't deemed good enough and have done nothing.

The only positive was Saido played 120 minutes and IMO, was the only player who looked threatening going forward. Gamboa also did okay considering he's barely features and on the occasions he did get forward, actually tried to pick someone out rather than just boot the ball anywhere like most of the others.

I can't see us getting past Reading anyway, they're a bit of a bogey team and I don't think we can beat anyone on current form.

Great post Slick
The bit about our midfield - I'd also add Yacob to them........but would also say that IMO ONE workhorse in a team is ok



, but when your most creative midfielder by a mile is Fletcher, then you're definitely in trouble.

No suprise that we looked a sight better when Sess came on!

This is no criticism of the players, its the person who picks them all together who's to

 blame. 




(no idea what's happened to the text here?!!)