Having calmed down, and on sober reflection

It's a shambles. The notion that we are in the promotion race is risible. More realistically we need around 25 more points from the remaining 29 games to survive. We have 6 from the last 8.

I've never liked Smith, and have never rated him as a manager. Nothing that he has said or done over the past year has caused me to change my view. I don't know anything about Shakespeare - but he cut a ridiculous figure on the pitch and touchline this evening.

I also don't know what our tactics and style of play are supposed to be. If you know, don't bother explaining to me, get in touch with the players - they clearly don't know either.

The back four seemed to know where they should be. Hayden maintained position - he seemed unwilling or unable to run around. Onel and Hugill when they came on played in recognisable positions. As for the rest - when we had possession there was very little movement off the ball. Out of possession there was an awful lot of ball watching.

What's disturbing is the way individuals seem to be going backwards. Nunez, in particular, has gone from superstar to nothing in less than 3 months. Sara has gone from great Brazilian hope to Carl Robinson in a similar amount of time. There's a lad on the pitch that looks like Todd Cantwell, but doesn't play like him. Tomkinson looked promising tonight, as did McCallum. How long before that is knocked out of them?

We've been here before. This is like the worst of Hughton but a division lower. So we know how it ends. Smith and Shakespeare will be sent on their merry way, weighed down with loads of NCFC cash. The only question is how long it will take Mr Webber, our resident football genius, to admit that it's a car crash.

I don't think we'll be relegated. Competently coached there is more than enough to stay up. If Smith is binned promptly, could we mount a promotion charge? Hard to say. A saving grace is that the rest of the league look pretty awful too. Burnley will, on tonight's showing, need virtually an entire new squad if they go up.

Anyway, I'm out.

Posted By: Winged Eel Creosote, Oct 26, 01:21:52