Same old story

Poor decision making in the final third and failing to deal with counter attacks when playing with a back four when playing high up the pitch.

Four at the back is fine for today's group of players if they're just going to sit behind the ball like they did in the first half, but as soon as the team opened up to wildly chase a goal just as Sessegnon came on for Fulham, the end result was predictable. Three at the back with Tettey and Trybull in front is needed to deal with counters if this team is going to play more expansively. Despite suggesting that, we wouldn't have to open up if we had a better quality group of pacey forwards.

Playing on the counter attack with fast transitions is a good plan in theory, but when your only fast starting forward is Josh Murphy and you're relying on him to create chances via fast transitions, you're going to be in for a frustrating afternoon. It doesn't matter if there's so much space in behind to attack when an attacking player has such a poor footballing iq and final ball like Murphy does, as simple, obvious passes, instead become unnecessarily poor final balls through terrible decision making. There were even times where he needed to make an obvious off the ball run down the flank into space, but came short and killed a potential counter attack. Onel Hernandez was definitely missed today.

As an aside, do Wrathers rate Ivo Pinto? Other than pace, stamina and workrate, I'm really not sure what he offers? Every time I watch him I'm underwhelmed as he runs into blind allies, puts in terrible crosses or is caught out of position. Right (wing) back is a key area to improve IMO.

Posted By: Common Sense Police, Mar 30, 17:24:41