Lucky Toma
Well-Known Member
Today hurts so f***ing much. The pain is almost physical and, after the Spurs win, I just cant bring myself to go out as planned and instead just want to brood and watch crap telly.
But reading some of the threads on here - although they're perfectly understandable because today has been thoroughly shit from start to finish - I'd urge everyone to try and keep some perspective on things.
Bellers being a scapegoat for our defeat after his first poor performance for a long time (and for having the 'temerity' to try and cross-field pass late in the game to try and set up SWP)....???? Craig has been awesome for us this season and to lynch the guy after one bad game is shocking IMO.
The players not wanting to play for Bobby? Maybe. There is certainly discontent over the training methods. But two weeks ago we stuffed Burnley 6-1. Last week we routed a tough Birmingham side 5-1. So that doesnt add up to me.
For me the problem today lay in the confliction between picking a side set up to attack and yet playing them defensive. In short Bobby wanted his cake and eat it and it backfired.
I dont think there's a manager in the world who would have changed a side who had just won 6-1 and 5-1 in their last two games. But Bobby wanted us to play like in the CC semis - absorb the pressure and counter-attack.
So (Bridge aside) he picked an unchanged line-up instead of picking the individuals best suited to the tactics he desired. He should have either gone for three defensive midfielders and let Bellers, Ade and Carlos cause problems on the counter. Or he should have given the team the freedom to attack, attack, attack and put the rags on the back foot all game like Burnley and Brum.
Compromising between those two stools cost us the game today.
Doesnt help of course when so many of our lads had piss-poor outings. And its been mentioned elsewhere on BM that the final balls were often abject.
Big Nige though...immense today.
But reading some of the threads on here - although they're perfectly understandable because today has been thoroughly shit from start to finish - I'd urge everyone to try and keep some perspective on things.
Bellers being a scapegoat for our defeat after his first poor performance for a long time (and for having the 'temerity' to try and cross-field pass late in the game to try and set up SWP)....???? Craig has been awesome for us this season and to lynch the guy after one bad game is shocking IMO.
The players not wanting to play for Bobby? Maybe. There is certainly discontent over the training methods. But two weeks ago we stuffed Burnley 6-1. Last week we routed a tough Birmingham side 5-1. So that doesnt add up to me.
For me the problem today lay in the confliction between picking a side set up to attack and yet playing them defensive. In short Bobby wanted his cake and eat it and it backfired.
I dont think there's a manager in the world who would have changed a side who had just won 6-1 and 5-1 in their last two games. But Bobby wanted us to play like in the CC semis - absorb the pressure and counter-attack.
So (Bridge aside) he picked an unchanged line-up instead of picking the individuals best suited to the tactics he desired. He should have either gone for three defensive midfielders and let Bellers, Ade and Carlos cause problems on the counter. Or he should have given the team the freedom to attack, attack, attack and put the rags on the back foot all game like Burnley and Brum.
Compromising between those two stools cost us the game today.
Doesnt help of course when so many of our lads had piss-poor outings. And its been mentioned elsewhere on BM that the final balls were often abject.
Big Nige though...immense today.