Burton Analysis

[Bergen Blade]

As I saw the line up last night I was encouraged, thinking we'd line up like this:

Long

Brayford Edgar Collins McEveley

Coutts
Basham - - - Cuvelier
Done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adams
Sharp
​

This is Clough's favoured formation with one holding player in midfield and two box to box players. Experience at the back, pace and movement in the forward three. With that set up I was hopeful we'd match them man for man and maybe our players' pedigree and being at home would edge it in our favour.

However our starting line up was:

Long

Basham Collins McEveley
Brayford - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Done
Coutts Edgar Cuvelier

Sharp Adams​

I was surprised to learn that Edgar was in midfield, a bit deeper than Coutts and Cuvelier. I don't think Coutts should be considered for such a demanding role as the right sided one in a midfield three. With Edgar not the most mobile either, our main weakness this season, covering ground in midfield, looked to still be in place.

What happened was that our wing backs were being occupied by two busy opposition wingers, meaning they effectively played as full backs. This meant we became back-heavy with a deep back five and a struggling trio in midfield, where two of them weren't great at covering ground, closing down, etc. When Cuvelier tried he had a long distance to run before he came close to an opponent, and was easily bypassed.

I think Adkins referred to Coutts in his post match interview. I think Adkins, for some reason, still expects Coutts to run up and down and play as a creative, all-action box to box midfielder, making runs beyond the strikers. He's clearly not able to do it. Instead he came short, as is his natural game, get on the ball and play neat passes.

The result of this was that we had a deep back five, a centre half playing as a protecting anchor, and Coutts also coming deep to distribute. This is 7 defensive or holding players! Burton had few problems sussing out our remaining three, Sharp, Adams and Cuvelier when we attacked.

A couple of still photos (I wish there was less zoom) of Coutts coming deep, rather than trying to find an attacking position. With Burton getting ten players behind the ball, we have two or three in front of it. This happened too often.






After 26 minutes Adkins changed it to a 4-2-3-1:

Long

Brayford Edgar Collins McEveley

Coutts Basham

Cuvelier
Done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adams
Sharp​

This is pretty close to what I wanted. But not quite. I think the tweak in midfield, the inversion of the triangle, was unfortunate. Again we became too weak in midfield.

With Done and Adams inside forwards, encouraged to push forward and support Sharp, and Cuvelier also defending in front of the two other midfielders, we are effectively left with a two man midfield, with one of them unable/unwilling to run and chase. Basham in that position usually ends up doing very little, being two deep to chase and harry (his strength). Instead he just tries to prevent the opposition running straight through us.

So although we had some talent going forward we were unable to get the ball to them in good positions.

Credit to Burton they are very good at what we are poor at. They sprint to cover ground defensively, they gegenpress and generally work so hard for each other.

Here's a situation that looked promising for a second after we strung a couple of passes together:


* Cuvelier finally in some space, but a split second later they are all over him like hyenas. He ended up giving them a throw in.

In the second half we conceded the goal and then tried 4-2-4. This gave us more players in advanced positions, but again we had little idea of how to get the ball to them and we just couldn't find any space.


I understand that people are getting fed up with the players, but we haven't established what our playing style is, what this team is going to be good at. We are still asking players to do roles that don't suit them and we struggle to get the balance right and this leads to poor performances.

 

[Worksop II]

Love it Bergen, well done .... I wish I had the patience

Fuck em

 

[UnitedBlade]

Our persistant giving the ball away doesn't help either regardless of the formation.

Plus our forwards with back to goal couldn't control the ball.

All in all pretty ineffective from start to finish.

Clubs know if they "gegenpress" us at the Lane, they will get success. It's been happening for 3 or so years now.

 

[Deadbat]

I enjoy your analysis and you always make some excellent points.

I do think too much analysis (not yours by the way) is made of tactics, players positions and also systems.

This United team would get some level of respect simply by running around, winning tackles, tracking runners and leaving everything on the pitch. That means it does not matter who plays where, that is basics of giving everything and putting in maximum effort.

Last night I saw many players just going through the motions. Jogging around when they could have sprinted. Standing off instead of pressing, harrying or tackling and not making a run when we had the ball thus making it impossible to us to move forward as everyone was so static.

 

[JohnDenver]

Credit to Burton they are very good at what we are poor at. They sprint to cover ground defensively, they gegenpress and generally work so hard for each other.

I understand that people are getting fed up with the players, but we haven't established what our playing style is, what this team is going to be good at. We are still asking players to do roles that don't suit them and we struggle to get the balance right and this leads to poor performances.

Your first point is fair enough, but that sort of work rate shouldn't be optional for our players. They seem to think it is and that's utterly inexcusable.

And on the second point, Adkins has tried many formations and combinations, yet the best we can do is win the odd game before putting in another shambolic performance to follow it up. It's no wonder the experimentation has reached these extremes.

You mention our players' pedigree, but I'm afraid they've proven that counts for nothing. Sammon - a player from the league above on high wages has justifiably been dropped behind two kids who aren't remotely ready yet. He should be ashamed at that situation.

If you visit the Lane soon I think you'll be surprised how the crowd are behaving. I've never known a team be so disliked by the fans. Normally the manager cops for it, but this time it's the players, and they really do deserve it. I've never booed a team in all my time watching, but honest to God, watching Baxter, Coutts, Woolford et al swanning about in the midfield has been unbearable. We used to look back at Jonathan Hunt as the most gutless, diffident, disrespectful footballer of our modern history. But now we have a bunch of players who are his equal in the same squad.

 

[Worksop II]

YWe used to look back at Jonathan Hunt as the most gutless, diffident, disrespectful footballer of our modern history. But now we have a bunch of players who are his equal in the same squad.

You calling em all Hunts ?

 

[JohnDenver]

You calling em all Hunts ?

Grade A Jonathans, the lot of them.

 

[boo radley]

Sorry Bergen Blade. It is fine doing this type of professional analysis. However you are thinking too professional for our fans. It is fine in a perfect world to isolate and look at positions and styles and suggest not to panic because it is all about players and manager doing a professional job in the world of professional football.
The fans however really do not give a shit at the moment because to most the players do not look like professionals.
As for playing style and what this team is going to be good at, dispersal at the end of the season would be most fans view.
Long suffering fans just want to see some hard work and team work which IS lacking at the moment. Done, what is he really good at, closing down fast. Did it twice early last night and at the right time for players to back him and press forward, no one did. Distinct lack of team work their don't you think?
Asking players to do roles that do not suit them! well correct me but this has happened loads over recent seasons and you know as well as I do that the modern game can be about adaptation. What your really saying is that this group of players are either too scared to or are not willing to take responsibility.
I'm sure you could find me loads of pics where this happened last night. Billy was a prime example of one, Yes in a defensive situation where he may have blocked a cross or shot and it went for their corner. He walked out having some sort of conversation with someone up field whilst their big black striker drifted across the box for a short corner which Billy should have been watching for.
Now you well know that if you coach football and your forward has found himself back defending that he makes sure that he has no further defending to do or looks for instructions from the main defensive players. In this country we teach this from an early age. That way it gets them to take responsibility and not just pass it on. They also become more comfortable as they get older in those situations and it makes them more team oriented. That type of situation happened loads last night from throws and corners. What is Collins doing in pic two? if Coutts slips or is robbed of the ball, should he not be available for that type of calamity instead of conducting someone else up field? Players seemed to be questioning themselves if it was their job. NEAREST THE FRIGGGIN BALL, YES IT IS.
I like your analytical points and wish I knew how to isolate pics and stuff so I could better reply but the fans just want something to cheer now.

 

[Rodley]

As I saw the line up last night I was encouraged, thinking we'd line up like this:

Long

Brayford Edgar Collins McEveley

Coutts
Basham - - - Cuvelier
Done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adams
Sharp
​

This is Clough's favoured formation with one holding player in midfield and two box to box players. Experience at the back, pace and movement in the forward three. With that set up I was hopeful we'd match them man for man and maybe our players' pedigree and being at home would edge it in our favour.

However our starting line up was:

Long

Basham Collins McEveley
Brayford - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Done
Coutts Edgar Cuvelier

Sharp Adams​

I was surprised to learn that Edgar was in midfield, a bit deeper than Coutts and Cuvelier. I don't think Coutts should be considered for such a demanding role as the right sided one in a midfield three. With Edgar not the most mobile either, our main weakness this season, covering ground in midfield, looked to still be in place.

What happened was that our wing backs were being occupied by two busy opposition wingers, meaning they effectively played as full backs. This meant we became back-heavy with a deep back five and a struggling trio in midfield, where two of them weren't great at covering ground, closing down, etc. When Cuvelier tried he had a long distance to run before he came close to an opponent, and was easily bypassed.

I think Adkins referred to Coutts in his post match interview. I think Adkins, for some reason, still expects Coutts to run up and down and play as a creative, all-action box to box midfielder, making runs beyond the strikers. He's clearly not able to do it. Instead he came short, as is his natural game, get on the ball and play neat passes.

The result of this was that we had a deep back five, a centre half playing as a protecting anchor, and Coutts also coming deep to distribute. This is 7 defensive or holding players! Burton had few problems sussing out our remaining three, Sharp, Adams and Cuvelier when we attacked.

A couple of still photos (I wish there was less zoom) of Coutts coming deep, rather than trying to find an attacking position. With Burton getting ten players behind the ball, we have two or three in front of it. This happened too often.

View attachment 16324
View attachment 16325



After 26 minutes Adkins changed it to a 4-2-3-1:

Long

Brayford Edgar Collins McEveley

Coutts Basham

Cuvelier
Done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Adams
Sharp​

This is pretty close to what I wanted. But not quite. I think the tweak in midfield, the inversion of the triangle, was unfortunate. Again we became too weak in midfield.

With Done and Adams inside forwards, encouraged to push forward and support Sharp, and Cuvelier also defending in front of the two other midfielders, we are effectively left with a two man midfield, with one of them unable/unwilling to run and chase. Basham in that position usually ends up doing very little, being two deep to chase and harry (his strength). Instead he just tries to prevent the opposition running straight through us.

So although we had some talent going forward we were unable to get the ball to them in good positions.

Credit to Burton they are very good at what we are poor at. They sprint to cover ground defensively, they gegenpress and generally work so hard for each other.

Here's a situation that looked promising for a second after we strung a couple of passes together:

View attachment 16323
* Cuvelier finally in some space, but a split second later they are all over him like hyenas. He ended up giving them a throw in.

In the second half we conceded the goal and then tried 4-2-4. This gave us more players in advanced positions, but again we had little idea of how to get the ball to them and we just couldn't find any space.


I understand that people are getting fed up with the players, but we haven't established what our playing style is, what this team is going to be good at. We are still asking players to do roles that don't suit them and we struggle to get the balance right and this leads to poor performances.

Great post as always.

A question though Bergs; do our players lack the attributes to play a high tempo pressing game? We've spent the last 4 years dropping off teams. Is this because we simply lack pace and mobility?

 

[Revolution]

I understand that people are getting fed up with the players, but we haven't established what our playing style is, what this team is going to be good at. We are still asking players to do roles that don't suit them and we struggle to get the balance right and this leads to poor performances.

There is no role that suits these midfielders.

None of them are any good. None of them can shoot, none of them can pass forwards, none of them can run.

Even worse, some of them are not trying as hard as they should be, according to Adkins and rumour.

The formation is irrelevant. The midfielders are not fit for their jobs as midfielders.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Perhaps they just don't understand or are incapable of carrying out what Adkins is trying to tell them. So, it's not not trying, perhaps they are so confused they have just given up. Maybe, just maybe it's time to blame Adkins.

 

[grafikhaus]

I enjoy your analysis and you always make some excellent points.

I do think too much analysis (not yours by the way) is made of tactics, players positions and also systems.

This United team would get some level of respect simply by running around, winning tackles, tracking runners and leaving everything on the pitch. That means it does not matter who plays where, that is basics of giving everything and putting in maximum effort.

Last night I saw many players just going through the motions. Jogging around when they could have sprinted. Standing off instead of pressing, harrying or tackling and not making a run when we had the ball thus making it impossible to us to move forward as everyone was so static.

Sorry Bergen Blade. It is fine doing this type of professional analysis. However you are thinking too professional for our fans. It is fine in a perfect world to isolate and look at positions and styles and suggest not to panic because it is all about players and manager doing a professional job in the world of professional football.
The fans however really do not give a shit at the moment because to most the players do not look like professionals.

All true. While I think we all appreciate Bergen's analysis and you obviously know your football, unfortunately the players and manager don't. Performances like Tuesday's simply had to be seen to be believed. There is no 'syle', 'formation' or 'tactics' with United. The fact that Adkins changed our 'formation' several times during the match (moving Brayford from right to left, for example) suggests that he's lost the plot and is chucking darts at the board hoping some will get the bull. His 're-arranging the deckchairs' substitutions are proof positive.

 

[Balham]

Great post as always.

A question though Bergs; do our players lack the attributes to play a high tempo pressing game? We've spent the last 4 years dropping off teams. Is this because we simply lack pace and mobility?

No. The last three managers have focussed on acquiring technically decent players and hoping that will lead to us controlling games. We do not have the right blend of technical and athletic capabilities in the team which is why we're struggling at the moment. In addition, technical players may be more affected by low confidence which is definitely playing a part.

 

[SwissBlade]

Great analaysis as usual Bergen Blade

I'm really surprised that he started with a back 3, especially with Collins only just returning from injury, its unlikely that he'll have trained at all with this formation, whereas Edgar, Bash and McEv have all played this for a couple of games. Seemed strange to change this just to accommodate Collins, I don't think Collins has the intelligence to be able to adapt to a new formation like this. Collins is really a 4-4-2 man.

But it was even stranger to move Edgar into Midfield when we already have a player, in Basham, who's played a lot of the season there.

Taking out the most athletic Midfielder, Reed, to then bring Coutts in was a bit daft, but as you say, if we'd lined up to match Burton we'd have at least been more solid.

My concern over this season is that Adkins will stick with a formation until it fails, then he has to work at another, he rarely seems to set up for the opposition, which is fine if you're top of the league and on form, but when you lack the consistency and players to play your favoured formation with 12 games to go, then you need to focus on matching the opposition and at least closing them down.

 

[super_pig]

Great analaysis as usual Bergen Blade

I'm really surprised that he started with a back 3, especially with Collins only just returning from injury, its unlikely that he'll have trained at all with this formation, whereas Edgar, Bash and McEv have all played this for a couple of games. Seemed strange to change this just to accommodate Collins, I don't think Collins has the intelligence to be able to adapt to a new formation like this. Collins is really a 4-4-2 man.

But it was even stranger to move Edgar into Midfield when we already have a player, in Basham, who's played a lot of the season there.

Taking out the most athletic Midfielder, Reed, to then bring Coutts in was a bit daft, but as you say, if we'd lined up to match Burton we'd have at least been more solid.

My concern over this season is that Adkins will stick with a formation until it fails, then he has to work at another, he rarely seems to set up for the opposition, which is fine if you're top of the league and on form, but when you lack the consistency and players to play your favoured formation with 12 games to go, then you need to focus on matching the opposition and at least closing them down.

we set up kind of like Tottenham.. 'it's the noooo styyyllle!!'
he changed the formation so many times the team looked utterly confused.. especially che. i thought he was going to get a pen and paper out.. Done must have played four different positions.. four.. wtf?? it seems Adkins is either being a bit too clever by half or he's just throwing the cards up in the air in the vain hope they may land the right way

 

[SwissBlade]

we set up kind of like Tottenham.. 'it's the noooo styyyllle!!'
he changed the formation so many times the team looked utterly confused.. especially che. i thought he was going to get a pen and paper out.. Done must have played four different positions.. four.. wtf?? it seems Adkins is either being a bit too clever by half or he's just throwing the cards up in the air in the vain hope they may land the right way

I think part of the problem is that Adkins sees himself as a master tactician and perhaps he is. He’s a very theoretical man and is quite analytical in his planning.


He sets out how he thinks he will win, rather than seeing an opponent’s counter moves. In reality you need both, but more than this he also needs his players to understand what he wants. From his post match interview and reading here, he clearly didn’t get the latter.


And those two issues combined just make him look like he’s throwing the cards into the air when he then sees the tactics fail and having to implement changes.

 

[CM14blade]

Perfectly analysed Bergen. The only 2 factors not accounted for are that Cuvelier could barely move from the kick off (coming back from all this time out then playing 2 games in 3 days) and the shift to bring Baptiste on and move Brayford to LB, which added nothing to the game.

At this stage of the season it is unnerving that NA doesn't have an obvious shape or idea of personnel to go out and win a game.....

 

[Silent Blade]

I remember reading that Bob Paisley didnt talk much on tactics. He was very good at spotting intelligent players and always picked the right blend for matches. He didnt shout a lot of instructions from the bench as he knew he had many "leaders" on the pitch. Modern managers talk too much on tactics and changing things during the game and the players struggle to keep up. We do not have enough "leaders" and I do think our coaches shout out instructions too much

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I remember reading that Bob Paisley didnt talk much on tactics. He was very good at spotting intelligent players and always picked the right blend for matches. He didnt shout a lot of instructions from the bench as he knew he had many "leaders" on the pitch. Modern managers talk too much on tactics and changing things during the game and the players struggle to keep up. We do not have enough "leaders" and I do think our coaches shout out instructions too much

I sat in the New South Stand near the dugout for the game and it was noticeable how many instructions were being shouted by Adkins and others.

Also happened in other games so I think it's their MO.

Clough didn't seem to be anything like as involved, though he was plenty agitated when he was United's manager.

I imagine this is down to Burton being a well drilled unit, all knowing their roles from the long time they have spent together.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Perfectly analysed Bergen. The only 2 factors not accounted for are that Cuvelier could barely move from the kick off (coming back from all this time out then playing 2 games in 3 days) and the shift to bring Baptiste on and move Brayford to LB, which added nothing to the game.

At this stage of the season it is unnerving that NA doesn't have an obvious shape or idea of personnel to go out and win a game.....

And if he didn't change he'd be criticised for inflexibility - like Clough was.

The Brayford move was explained after the game.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Sorry Bergen Blade. It is fine doing this type of professional analysis. However you are thinking too professional for our fans. It is fine in a perfect world to isolate and look at positions and styles and suggest not to panic because it is all about players and manager doing a professional job in the world of professional football.
The fans however really do not give a shit at the moment because to most the players do not look like professionals.
As for playing style and what this team is going to be good at, dispersal at the end of the season would be most fans view.
Long suffering fans just want to see some hard work and team work which IS lacking at the moment. Done, what is he really good at, closing down fast. Did it twice early last night and at the right time for players to back him and press forward, no one did. Distinct lack of team work their don't you think?
Asking players to do roles that do not suit them! well correct me but this has happened loads over recent seasons and you know as well as I do that the modern game can be about adaptation. What your really saying is that this group of players are either too scared to or are not willing to take responsibility.
I'm sure you could find me loads of pics where this happened last night. Billy was a prime example of one, Yes in a defensive situation where he may have blocked a cross or shot and it went for their corner. He walked out having some sort of conversation with someone up field whilst their big black striker drifted across the box for a short corner which Billy should have been watching for.
Now you well know that if you coach football and your forward has found himself back defending that he makes sure that he has no further defending to do or looks for instructions from the main defensive players. In this country we teach this from an early age. That way it gets them to take responsibility and not just pass it on. They also become more comfortable as they get older in those situations and it makes them more team oriented. That type of situation happened loads last night from throws and corners. What is Collins doing in pic two? if Coutts slips or is robbed of the ball, should he not be available for that type of calamity instead of conducting someone else up field? Players seemed to be questioning themselves if it was their job. NEAREST THE FRIGGGIN BALL, YES IT IS.
I like your analytical points and wish I knew how to isolate pics and stuff so I could better reply but the fans just want something to cheer now.

"The fans"?

There are differences of opinion among the fans.

As always I think Bergen's analysis is much closer to what actually happened than pretty much any other post on the game.

 

[Bladepicker]

I remember reading that Bob Paisley didnt talk much on tactics. He was very good at spotting intelligent players and always picked the right blend for matches. He didnt shout a lot of instructions from the bench as he knew he had many "leaders" on the pitch. Modern managers talk too much on tactics and changing things during the game and the players struggle to keep up. We do not have enough "leaders" and I do think our coaches shout out instructions too much

Our two best managers in my lifetime are Warnock and Bassett.

Most of their ex players say they were not tactical guru's and neither did they have coaching badges coming out of their ears. But my god could they manage people and motivate them to get them to be the best they possibly could.

 

[Bladepicker]

There are differences of opinion among the fans.

You are right then Foulksey.

There's you and then there's everyone else.

 

[MobileBlade]

You are right then Foulksey.

There's you and then there's everyone else.

Think that is the perfect queue for Barney to come along with his "What about me" speech.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Bergen Blade whilst I always appreciate your analysis, I think Adkins had a point in his post match interviews about winning individual battles and having that desire to be better than your counterpart. The failure to do that throughout the game was the biggest difference in my opinion.

 

[boo radley]

"The fans"?

There are differences of opinion among the fans.

As always I think Bergen's analysis is much closer to what actually happened than pretty much any other post on the game.

You quote "The Fans" as though the vast majority are not thinking the same thing. News WHF they are/WE are massive majority all frustrated, many differing opinions as to the cause / whos fault /whatever but to put it quite blunt very pissed off. Some may show more than others but the feeling are the same. VERY DISSATISFIED.
You must be the only one who is satisfied.
So go on then elaborate on what Bergan is saying seeing as you think you know better than plenty of FA qualified coaches on here.
Oh and just to reiterate; those FA qualified coaches know all about the "love of football" in general and its ethics. So whilst we are on explain how our players are flouting what most (even those that have not been FA trained) would cite as just about the main ethic in football?

 

[Silent Blade]

Our two best managers in my lifetime are Warnock and Bassett.

Most of their ex players say they were not tactical guru's and neither did they have coaching badges coming out of their ears. But my god could they manage people and motivate them to get them to be the best they possibly could.

Bassett was usually watching the first half from the directors box and for most of the second half too. I think John Harris was hardly in the dugout

 

[Woodwardfan]

I sat in the New South Stand near the dugout for the game and it was noticeable how many instructions were being shouted by Adkins and others.

Also happened in other games so I think it's their MO.

Clough didn't seem to be anything like as involved, though he was plenty agitated when he was United's manager.

I imagine this is down to Burton being a well drilled unit, all knowing their roles from the long time they have spent together.

I think Clough only became animated ( and sour) once things started going wrong when with us. Garner was grumpy all the time, I think it's 'his thing'.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I enjoy your analysis and you always make some excellent points.

I do think too much analysis (not yours by the way) is made of tactics, players positions and also systems.

This United team would get some level of respect simply by running around, winning tackles, tracking runners and leaving everything on the pitch. That means it does not matter who plays where, that is basics of giving everything and putting in maximum effort.

Last night I saw many players just going through the motions. Jogging around when they could have sprinted. Standing off instead of pressing, harrying or tackling and not making a run when we had the ball thus making it impossible to us to move forward as everyone was so static.

Totally agree. Having watched a couple of games since Tuesday night, I keep getting recurring nightmares of that first ten minutes when it dawned on me we were playing an ultra defensive 3-5-2 with the wing backs withdrawn deep and Edgar in midfield. Not only that, it was like we were playing a team from Mars who had 10 Ronaldos ready to tear us apart.

Our caution was extreme. Our tempo with the ball was as slow as I can ever remember a home team at Bramall Lane.

Deadbat is right. So many players, a majority in fact, were "going through the motions". Now this can be construed as playing under orders, a tight, cagey game, waiting for the opposition to lose their way and run out of ideas or get overconfident. In fairness Burton did not lose their edge, they continued playing functional, grinding football which got them a goal in the fullness of time and could have got them a couple more. Only briefly in extra time was there a hint of a half chance for us.

Body language, player interactions, emotions, 'being on their toes', tempers, taking exception, fouling, 'running around!', 'ruffling a few feathers', encouraging each other etc. etc. - all things that show a team means to win. I reckon 7 of our players played with no adrenalin last Tuesday.

Look last night how West Ham set about beating Spurs - they ran them off their game, never gave them a minute. Liverpool too, bossed Man City. Everything about their body language showed they cared.

On Tuesday, when Whiteman had been on about ten minutes my wife said " at least that lad looks up for it and look at him clapping and encouraging his team-mates", that was because he was the exception. On Tuesday even Sharp eventually lost that side of his game and is there any wonder when he's playing with so many silent, emotionless, characterless, colourless colleagues. My above nightmare can still see Coutts, Edgar and Cuvelier in that central midfield. At least Done showed some effort but maybe didn't play within the 'plan' but Brayford was a ghost of his true self until he switched to the left and woke up.

We were playing Burton Albion who were top of the league but not on a particularly strong run of form. We handed them a comfortable away win without really 'ruffling their feathers' in any way whatsoever.

Talk sysems and change systems for ever and a day. Any system needs some application and some hard work and passion.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

You quote "The Fans" as though the vast majority are not thinking the same thing. News WHF they are/WE are massive majority all frustrated, many differing opinions as to the cause / whos fault /whatever but to put it quite blunt very pissed off. Some may show more than others but the feeling are the same. VERY DISSATISFIED.
You must be the only one who is satisfied.
So go on then elaborate on what Bergan is saying seeing as you think you know better than plenty of FA qualified coaches on here.
Oh and just to reiterate; those FA qualified coaches know all about the "love of football" in general and its ethics. So whilst we are on explain how our players are flouting what most (even those that have not been FA trained) would cite as just about the main ethic in football?

So put "most fans", or perhaps more accurately "a lot of fans".

I think it's reasonable to adopt a Not In My Name stance.

I strongly disagree with much of what's been posted after Tuesday.

The rest of the post is largely more Straw Man stuff.