Sorry Nigel, but it can't wait

[PeteBlade]

Mr Adkins said in an interview this week that we wouldn't be bringing in reinforcements 'for the next few game'.

Sorry Nigel, but as much as I like you, this gaping weakness in our defence can no longer be ignored.

You said in your post Bury match interview (where we conceded 3 goals) that you learn from your mistakes. Well, it's one game on, and we've conceded 3 goals again, so please learn from the huge mistake of not strengthening the defence in the window by sorting it out urgently.

10 goals in 3 losses.

No meltdown here. No histrionics. Just an ever growing concern that our shambolic defence will undermine our chances of finishing in the top two.

Another long range effort too, mainly because we backed off and let Sordell run at us.

I'm sure this post will attract a bit of abuse from those who probably argued that the world was still flat up until last month.

But who cares.

If this defensive problem isn't sorted, we won't go up. Simple as that.

 

[Top Cat]

Looks like meltdown from where I'm sitting

 

[metalblade]

I wonder what excuses the apologist's will come up with tonight ?

 

[Bladesman]

Those players need to arrive this week.

He needs to look at players to turf out as well, he has given some of them a second chance and they have not repaid him.

 

[Caseh]

Could you please tell me, while our defenders were backing off Sordell.. Just where the fuck were our Midfield?

 

[robbiez666]

Not just defence but it's the centre midfield as well. We've not got enough in there and I'm not convinced that either Basham or Baxter offer enough in terms of all-round game to play two in the middle.

 

[PeteBlade]

Looks like meltdown from where I'm sitting

Why's that then?

Justified criticism doesn't automatically mean meltdown.

 

[rtifati]

Not just defence but it's the centre midfield as well. We've not got enough in there and I'm not convinced that either Basham or Baxter offer enough in terms of all-round game to play two in the middle.

Yes, and that's why Clough persevered with one up front - he recognised he didn't have the midfielders to play 442.

 

[PeteBlade]

Yes, and that's why Clough persevered with one up front - he recognised he didn't have the midfielders to play 442.

How come he didn't recognise he was the one responsible for purchasing said shite midfielders?

 

[robbiez666]

Yes, and that's why Clough persevered with one up front - he recognised he didn't have the midfielders to play 442.

why not 4:3:3 though and have two sitting midfielders. Not that we have any sitting midfielders. Sammon Sharp and Adams in the front 3 (with Done replacing Sammon.)

 

[Roygbiv]

I agree we don't have the players to play 4-4-2 (which is incredible considering we are at League One level and have about 38 players) but that is solely down to Clough. His stubbornness meant he had one way to play in mind and there was no thought for anything else

 

[Kenilworth]

why not 4:3:3 though and have two sitting midfielders. Not that we have any sitting midfielders. Salmon Sharp and Adams in the front 3.

Beg to differ - they are all sitting midfielders.

Well they don't fucking tackle or make a pass or stop the opposition from pissing all over them in just about every fucking game

 

[metalblade]

Yes, and that's why Clough persevered with one up front - he recognised he didn't have the midfielders to play 442.

Well whooopee doooo pity he didn't recognise we needed some centre backs.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Suicidal defending, midfielders strolling around like they don't give a toss and a pedestrian attack. That was truly abysmal.

 

[Guesty]

Suicidal defending, midfielders strolling around like they don't give a toss and a pedestrian attack. That was truly abysmal.

Funnily enough it was Jay McEveley that was making things happen, a burst into the area to win a penalty for the first and a smart throw to Sharp to help set up the equaliser. In fact, the two full backs were often the only players showing any initiative.

 

[Harry's Game]

Apart from JCR there is no pace anywhere in the squad until Done gets fit.

Need two defenders and two midfielders... And unless Sammon and Sharp start improving we need a striker as well.

 

[Guesty]

Apart from JCR there is no pace anywhere in the squad until Done gets fit.

Need two defenders and two midfielders... And unless Sammon and Sharp start improving we need a striker as well.

And Adams for pace, to be fair.

 

[rtifati]

How come he didn't recognise he was the one responsible for purchasing said shite midfielders?

Yes Clough signed most, although inherited Baxter and brought Reed through. But Adkins should have realised Clough's mistakes by now. He knew the way he was going to play when he joined the club - wasn't picking two up front part of the job description?
If he isn't bringing anyone in this week, I'd revert to 4-5-1 and tighten things up at Bradford. Negative but necessary. Shipping another 3 or 4 goals could really knock their confidence.

 

[Harry's Game]

And Adams for pace, to be fair.

Adams isn't all that quick, skill and potential yes.. Pace hmmmm not really.

 

[Ricky]

Clough has got us into a mess but the amount of time Adkins has wasted in sorting it out is surprising to say the least.

 

[Bladesman]

Clough has got us into a mess but the amount of time Adkins has wasted in sorting it out is surprising to say the least.

He must know which other players need to go by now.

 

[PeteBlade]

It makes me think he has a very very tight budget to work with.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

How come he didn't recognise he was the one responsible for purchasing said shite midfielders?

He did recognise it , but could do fuck all about it , because he had already made the mistake . Thats why he got the sack .

Adkins has been left with the shite , he hasn't a shovel , but just a little plastic seaside spade.

UTB

 

[Guesty]

Adams isn't all that quick, skill and potential yes.. Pace hmmmm not really.

Adams is plenty quick. Perhaps not as quick as last season but certainly pacey.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Yes, and that's why Clough persevered with one up front - he recognised he didn't have the midfielders to play 442.

Indeed we don't have the midfield.

Any team like Swindons or Peterborough that want to match football with football we will be ok.

Any team that comes to stop us playing will have our pants down every single time.

It doesn't even need an opposition scout or coach to see how we play - word has got around in the past few years.

UTB

 

[Roygbiv]

It makes me think he has a very very tight budget to work with.

This is my worry too. Adkins is probably the best manager in the league. We are lucky to have him but I do wonder if he's underestimated just how poor this squad of players are.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Adams is plenty quick. Perhaps not as quick as last season but certainly pacey.

The reason why Adams has been poor before he got injured is teams have sussed him out - always double marked now.

UTB

 

[FatLadFromSheffield]

6 goals conceeded in 2 home games makes me shiver. Replace Collins and McEverley please.

Also I don't have faith in Howard when it comes to 1v1 situations

Thought Freeman was the only one to come out of tonights game with any sort of credit out of the back 5

 

[Blade82]

It makes me think he has a very very tight budget to work with.

He probably has. The problem is how to get players out, none are going to higher clubs and the players arnt going to leave for lesser wages, Adkins is trying to sort the past 5 years out and we are on his back after less than 5 months. It's massively frustrating for us but we need to show him some patience I believe

 

[Fulwood Blade]

This is my worry too. Adkins is probably the best manager in the league. We are lucky to have him but I do wonder if he's underestimated just how poor this squad of players are.

they are not poor - just wrong players for this division.

We were all hoping Adkins could change that and the mentality - but perhaps not.
He has a lot of work to do - he'll need all his special? skill set now.

UTB