My thoughts on today's game

We grew in to the game thanks largely to Swansea's unwillingness to press in midfield, allowing us time and room through the middle, which we eventually exploited. At this point Fozzy was doing ok, Sammy was playing well, Bell was involved, Leroy was winning ball and Fatty Matty Patty was outstanding. A good goal, 1-0, all fine.

The largely quiet and inee=ffective Bertrand was then out paced and they snatched one back - but to be honest, I fancied us to win it in the second half.

So what happened next, f**k knows. What I do know is that at the point we went 3-1 down we hadn't actually been playing that badly - but it knocked us for six and we were execrable for the next 15 minutes.

Wes came on - looked sharp; Lupoli started to tire, and bringing on Cureton was the right decision. At 3-2 I thought we would get something, but Swansea tighetened up at the back and by 90 minutes it looked like we would never score again as long as these players pulled on the shirt. Clingan shoddy, Bell pitiful, Wes too clever for his own good, Leroy bored, Jamie finisnhed, Doc.... on the wing. Jesus.

Again, what happened? Fuck knows - but these boys are NERVOUS and it really, really showed. No two ways about it: we are in a word of trouble now. Relegation candidates.

Not necessarily because of how we played today, but because there is no plan B, no alternative. THIS was our best, fittest side (Stef permitting) and we were all out of ideas, at home, to a neat but flaky side. We weren't terrible.. but we should have been decent.

Some tactical questions. Why did Bell say on the left? Always cutting back on to his right and not quick enough to kid the (often two) defenders. Why was Wes on the left. Cutting in also - we had no width and everything was so narrow and predictable. Pattison played well on the right - why not keep him out wide?

I thoughst it was crying our for (from L to R): Pattison, Hoolahan, Clingan, Bell.... but for me, omly Sammy was in the right position.

Overall? Not terrible. But bad enough for me to concede that we now face the very real prospect of relegation. Some good players with no confidence, direction, purpose or hope. I'm now worried.

Posted By: The Judge on November 16th 2008 at 00:48:53

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