We're going down.

[dingledog]

This isn't a dig at Nigel Clough at all, far from it, neither is it a dig at David Weir. However the only difference between the Weir and Clough sides, are one played a 4-2-3-1, and the other plays 4-4-2. Performances have still remained poor.

And surely that's the point, the constant is the players, they are awful. Weir brought in 13 players and yet we are still very poor. You can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. Cough inherited a squad full of very very poor players.

 

[Crackfish]

Two corners at the death chasing a win and we can't beat the first man, sums up the desire and heart that we're missing.

I fail to see how 2 poor deliveries sum up a lack of heart and desire. We were all disappointed by the poor deliveries but the players response after the second one showed that he was far from pleased with it. I admit that I felt that I could have produced a better cross but questioning heart and desire for that is unbelievable.

I think that tonight was a good point and I also believe that we are on the right track with Clough. I don't think that we are lacking heart and desire at the moment but I do think that we lack confidence and an attacking outlet. That outlet is both the central focal point and an outlet in wide areas.

It would appear that the policy employed to avoid losing is a good one given our position (giving away goals at the start of the second half is a real worry though).

We will improve and I am in no doubt about our ability to stay up.

Sorry for the long post given that I never post, but we have the rest of the loan window and January for Nigel to get some of his own player choices to make the Bladesworld a better place. UTB

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Really frustrating listening to he commentary. We string two passes together and invariably the third is a shank into the crowd or a pass to the opposition Sunday League style. It's been pointed out many times before but we haven't a single player with any class or game-changing ability - we sold them all.....And now we're stuck with a bunch of shockingly poor to average players..

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

We won't go down. As I said in the match report thread, we have a manager that seems capable of grinding out points with a poor group of players. He will gradually change the personnel and do whatever he has to in the meantime to get us out of trouble.....even if that means navigating the team through some ugly performances.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

This isn't a dig at Nigel Clough at all, far from it, neither is it a dig at David Weir. However the only difference between the Weir and Clough sides, are one played a 4-2-3-1, and the other plays 4-4-2. Performances have still remained poor.

Compare their points per game average. There's a big difference between Weir and Clough I can assure you.

 

[SwissBlade]

Current form puts us mid table.

For me its about getting through Saturday. If we come away with a draw its a decent result.

After that then it's about seeing December out without conceding many, hopefully this will get us a few wins.

We need to keep chopping away and if we can get some players in/ out and start to get a settled side we will survive

 

[travellingblade]

It's about results, not performances, individual or team.

Last night the three teams that are currently immediately above us in the League table all lost, and no team below us did better than us.

Although, we don't like to admit it, we were playing a team much higher in the League than us, who would have expected an easy win against us, but we managed a draw, which means we are unbeaten in our last two games.

Even if we lose on Saturday, I'll take 6 points from every 3 games, from here to the end of the season.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

We need to keep chopping away...

It's good that we have a teamful of choppers then.

 

[travellingblade]

It's about results, not performances, individual or team.

Last night the three teams that are currently immediately above us in the League table all lost, and no team below us did better than us.

Although, we don't like to admit it, we were playing a team much higher in the League than us, who would have expected an easy win against us, but we managed a draw, which means we are unbeaten in our last two games.

Even if we lose on Saturday, I'll take 6 points from every 3 games, from here to the end of the season.

Sorry - too early in the morning - cannot add up (should be 4 points not 6 from three games.

 

[brownie4583]

Anyone care to disagree? Just can't see Cloughy turning this around. The players don't give a shit.

Cloughie WILL turn it round but not with the majority of these players!

 

[Kev Gee]

I will take the odd win sprinkled with draws till the end of the season.

The reality of it is that Weir signed most of these players & couldnt get them to draw or win.

Clough has come in & although performances havent improved greatly our points have gradually gone up.

Lets try & get to Jan without too many losses & take it from there.

I know its a cliche but if we can do well over Xmas then im sure we can kick on from there.

Im also expecting alot of players leaving either on loan or sold/released in the next couple of months.

Wishlist? I good solid box to box mid leader, who can tackle AND pass. Coady whilst having great potential is not the player we require atm.

A born leader CB to either replace collins or Maguire if they underperform.

A striker who knows were the net is. King hasnt been the goal scorer we had hoped for.

 

[blade too long]

yes , lets not forget Walsall arent that bad a side, and we have collected 4 out of 6 points with dross players , in fact it augers well for when Cloughie gets players he needs to improve what we have , in some ways it was right not to let us buy players before the deadline as they might have only added to the chaos,if wed panic bought someone, hes had time to assess the squad and as long as we keep collecting points we are moving in the right direction

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Sorry - too early in the morning - cannot add up (should be 4 points not 6 from three games.

That would put us on around 50 points. You think that will be enough? If that's all you're hoping for then we will be in a dogfight til the last day...

 

[brownie4583]

This isn't a dig at Nigel Clough at all, far from it, neither is it a dig at David Weir. However the only difference between the Weir and Clough sides, are one played a 4-2-3-1, and the other plays 4-4-2. Performances have still remained poor.

I think we are now realising that the players are worse than we thought,maybe DW wasn't quite as bad as we thought although his signings were rubbish!
Mr Clough will probably know by now who needs to go,who will stay and who will be given the benefit of the doubt in the long term.
I would say, 15-6-7 to the above.

 

[CG Blade]

Two corners at the death chasing a win and we can't beat the first man, sums up the desire and heart that we're missing.

We need a player like their number 6, I hope mrs Doyle was watching him, covering a lot of the pitch, picking the ball up, winning tackles and passing the ball to his own players. Man of the match

Agreed he was the outstanding player tonight, sat in front of the back 4, found space, (although our midfield gave him plenty) and could use the ball, just glad he couldn't shoot properly. He allowed Walsall other midfielders to play. If only Doyle could do that, or we had someone who could perform that role, I have heard of a flat back 4, but first time I have seen a flat midfield 4. At times it was like having 2 banks of 4 defenders.

 

[Junior Soduko]

I think we are now realising that the players are worse than we thought,maybe DW wasn't quite as bad as we thought although his signings were rubbish!
Mr Clough will probably know by now who needs to go,who will stay and who will be given the benefit of the doubt in the long term.
I would say, 15-6-7 to the above.

And this is why we are in such a mess, half of our squad at least are surplus to requirements. It will be interesting to see how many league 1 sides snap them up if/when they are gone. I do not think we have ONE single player who has the ability to play in a championship side. We are a league 1 club with barely league 1 players. This ambitious plan of HRH is in serious need of a reality check.

 

[Darren]

Compare their points per game average. There's a big difference between Weir and Clough I can assure you.

Indeed. The fact that we are in the relegation zone is entirely down to Weir. Since he left our league record has been P8 W3 D2L3 pts 11 - i.e 1.38 points per game,. If we continue that over our remaining 28 games and that will give us an extra 39 points, for a total of 55 and (probable) survival.

Basically, whilst this team is crap, it is 3rd division mid table crap. We have to Weir to thank for the relegation fight.

 

[SwissBlade]

It's good that we have a teamful of choppers then.

Bloody auto correct! Should've been chipping! But chop sounds better for our team as you suggest!

 

[Racy]

Tonight wasn't about lack of desire or fight, butyour posts are.

Can you just hear yourselves?
This club dropped one of the biggest bollocks of recent times with the appointment of Weir.
Clough inherited a squad lacking in ability, fitness and confidence do you expect him to turn it round in half a dozen games, come on.
I am resigned to the fact this season will be a slog but even with current form (last six games)we will finish mid table.
But we could get some decent players in January.

 

[sitwell]

Can you just hear yourselves?
This club dropped one of the biggest bollocks of recent times with the appointment of Weir.
Clough inherited a squad lacking in ability, fitness and confidence do you expect him to turn it round in half a dozen games, come on.
I am resigned to the fact this season will be a slog but even with current form (last six games)we will finish mid table.
But we could get some decent players in January.

Thank god for someone with a some sense and a grip on reality of the situation. The first job of a new manager with a struggling team is to tighten it up ,this is what he has done ,Long has hardly been involved for the last few games ,meanwhile he is assessing the squad in a short a time as possible and making changes ,did anyone really think we would suddenly start thrashing teams with the shit that Weir left us in ?
Don't want a row but I personally think the report and markings of last nights game is crap ,the fact that he counted 7 crap corners by McGinn when we only had 5 and to say he mishit the last one through lack of desire is pathetic.

 

[Darren]

Thank god for someone with a some sense and a grip on reality of the situation. The first job of a new manager with a struggling team is to tighten it up ,this is what he has done ,Long has hardly been involved for the last few games ,meanwhile he is assessing the squad in a short a time as possible and making changes ,did anyone really think we would suddenly start thrashing teams with the shit that Weir left us in ?
Don't want a row but I personally think the report and markings of last nights game is crap ,the fact that he counted 7 crap corners by McGinn when we only had 5 and to say he mishit the last one through lack of desire is pathetic.

Indeed, it ain't going to be pretty, but I reckon we will grind out some results and finish between 15th and 18th. Which is pretty disgraceful for a club like SUFC, but we are where we are.

I suspect Clough has been told that his target this season is to stay up by any means possible and that he will be expected to launch a promotion push next season.

 

[Revolution]

I have heard of a flat back 4, but first time I have seen a flat midfield 4. At times it was like having 2 banks of 4 defenders.

England played like this in Euro 2012 when on the defensive. It was a big feature of the Italy game and a big reason that game finished 0-0.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

That's the thing; I cant see more than the odd win in say 4 or 5 games and see us losing lot more games due to poor defence, no creavity and complete lack of goals. ore than that its the lack of fight and urgency all over the field. We wont get anything Saturday and then we could be 4 or 5 points off being out of the relegation zone and the pressure starts to ramp up. I see no fight or backbone in this side to suggest if we are in and around the bottom 4 we would fight our way out of trouble. If we are around here come Easter then I would be very worried.

Couldn't be summed up better Deadbat. What frustrates me are players like Mcginn, Lappin, Baxter etc who's form seems to go from one thing to the other match by match. We need one or two to at least start to perform on a consistent basis for this team to try and get us on the move. Frustrating last night watching us standing a million miles off their players and then just jogging about like it was some end of season nothing to play for match, I mean I know one or two of our players (lappin) are made of tissue paper but come on lads show some fight.

 

[Deadbat]

Thank god for someone with a some sense and a grip on reality of the situation. The first job of a new manager with a struggling team is to tighten it up ,this is what he has done ,Long has hardly been involved for the last few games ,meanwhile he is assessing the squad in a short a time as possible and making changes ,did anyone really think we would suddenly start thrashing teams with the shit that Weir left us in ?
Don't want a row but I personally think the report and markings of last nights game is crap ,the fact that he counted 7 crap corners by McGinn when we only had 5 and to say he mishit the last one through lack of desire is pathetic.

No worries entitled to opinion. Corner thing I was wrong. Should have checked stats but it was late, I was tired and it seemed like about 7!!!

Cant remember saying he mishit one due to lack of passion -if I did then I retract that - ability/ fatigue maybe! (very unfit as are most - the fact he could not land a corner summed it up)

Care to offer your opinions on marks - no worries if disagreeing - maybe Doyle could have a touch higher on reflection (as I say it was late!) but not sure other than Hill or Porter who can say they had a decent to good game. They were all very ordinary with White (and Miller sadly) I felt particularly poor.

 

[JohnDenver]

I have heard of a flat back 4, but first time I have seen a flat midfield 4. At times it was like having 2 banks of 4 defenders.

It was indeed.

No wonder our play in possession was so woeful - we played with two parallel banks of players, so the only out ball was a clump up to Porter (who did extremely well).

If Baxter wasn't such a fat chuff, he could play in advanced midfield and create the triangles to play through. But more than likely he'll just remain a fat chuff.

 

[raul]

Late November 2010 called, it wants it's posts back.

 

[sitwell]

Don't forget the corner he put in the fist half where Coady was really unlucky to have one off the line (brilliant clearance by Butler actually ,I thought Mcginn although quiet did put some quality balls through for porter which he invariably won only to have no back up.
I would go with :
Long 4 Very little to do apart from one save from a White mistake. The defence have no confidence in him and I reckon he will be replaced soon.

McMahon 6/10 – Alright I suppose. He at times overplayed and also on a couple of occasions in the first half gave his man too much time but he was ok from a defensive point of view even if his passing and crossing going forward was ordinary. Agree.

White 5/10 – Apart from the goal ,they didn't threaten much down his side ,why is the left back position such a problem for us ? always has been.

Hill 7/10 – Did his defensive duties which was good to see ,but lost westcarr for the goal and all his clearances are aimless. His best performance in a long time ,keep him away from left back.

Collins 6/10 – Did what a centre half does ,same as Hill ,the problem wasn't the back 4 who are looking stronger.

Coady 5/10 – Sadly he hasn't progressed and we have players in front of him ,but as a 4 the midfield kept their shape and although Walsall had plenty of ball they didn't threaten at all.

McGinn 6/10 – Put some good through balls to Porter and although chasing shadows for long periods kept the shape and didn't allow them to penetrate. He will be judged on the 3 corners at the end but he isn't the only player to hit the first man ,Every team does it against us ,Gerrard and Lampard do it frequently for England ,when it comes off it is very hard to defend ,and Coady nearly scored but for a great clearance. At least he had the bottle to try it ,he would be the first player on the team sheet for me.

Doyle 6/10 – Again chased shadows but kept Walsall on the half way line ,when they did get in our half he was the main ball winner and limited them to aimless balls forward that went out for a goal kick. One or 2 decent passes ,gets stick sometimes for being Michael Doyle.

Lappin 5/10-Same as above ,shame we didn't have corners from the other side as he has excellent delivery.

Miller 4/10 – Very much an off night ,didn't read Porter at all and had ne of those days. Obvoiusly still finding his match fitness ,and desperately needs a goal.

Porter 7.5/10 –MOM easily for me ,won 90% of headers against a big centre half with little ammunition. Worked his balls off and had the bottle for the pen. First time he made a mistake half the kop got on his back ,some seem to aching for him to make a mistake.

Subs

Taylor – Had a flick header wide and won a few flicks and loose balls. Tried to get amongst things but was another living off scraps but was more lively than the disappointing Miller.

Baxter – Never really got in the game but as I said the other day, his weight and lack of mobility means he won’t start many games. Played up top but did not seem to be able to influence things from here

Agree with the sub assessments ,Baxter can strike a ball but looks ponderous and I don't think there is a position for him in the team. Taylor has great potential .

The one thing I disagree with most people is the perceived lack of effort, I didn't see a player shirking or hiding last night ,some just haven't got the quality. I have every confidence in Clough ,he is the right man for the job ,but some fans have ridiculous expectations and must be patient.
Cheers Deadbat ,I do appreciate your reports especially when Im away.

 

[JohnDenver]

Long 4 Very little to do apart from one save from a White mistake. The defence have no confidence in him and I reckon he will be replaced soon.

He made two good saves and caught everything that came his way. A 4 is incredibly harsh.

 

[super_pig]

One or 2 decent passes ,gets stick sometimes for being Michael Doyle.

and who's fault is that??

 

[sitwell]

He made two good saves and caught everything that came his way. A 4 is incredibly harsh.

He has no presence in my opinion , he stays on his line like a mute and there were 3 times last night when it was embarrassing the lack of communication and confidence in him.
Maybe Im wrong its all opinions ,and according to the Sun , Long saved us with his heroics in a game we dominated for long periods !!