The Bohemian
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
- Messages
- 525
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I wonder how clean various slates are now?
Whilst I take on board the "early days" argument, to a point, Saturday was too bad to write off glibly as just 'one of those days'. Adkins has had two months to assess his players, develop a game plan and ensure his team is fit for purpose. On this basis we should all be worried. Even more worrying, some of his early decision making -no centre half signed, Long over Howard, McEverley as Captain.
Understandably, he opted not to single out individuals for blame on Saturday, but to suggest the centre halves were not responsible for any of the goals - is he serious?!? To my eyes Collins was directly culpable for the third and all three of the set piece goals exposed the lack of a dominant, ball-winning centre half. Watching Dack glide past Reed and Scougall as though they were schoolboys, before smashing in the 4th was just as demoralising.
His tactical choices give more cause for concern. Clough acquired a squad of quick, nimble, players suited to defending deep and in numbers, and playing on the break. Assuming this group could simply transform to a 4-4-2, is naive at best. With a match fit Wallace and Basham in the middle, he might just get away with it, but In this formation players such as Baxter, Reed, and Scougall are an unaffordable luxury (though Baxter could be played out wide). Saturday's debacle was not just about the centre halves; Gillingham dominated the middle through a combination of graft and muscle. At present we haven't got muscle and on Saturday we didn't graft.
I'm not writing Adkins off and despite the fact he wasn't my first choice I accept he has the credentials to do the job. However, as recent history proves, he hasn't got long to turn things round and his slate is no longer clean.
Whilst I take on board the "early days" argument, to a point, Saturday was too bad to write off glibly as just 'one of those days'. Adkins has had two months to assess his players, develop a game plan and ensure his team is fit for purpose. On this basis we should all be worried. Even more worrying, some of his early decision making -no centre half signed, Long over Howard, McEverley as Captain.
Understandably, he opted not to single out individuals for blame on Saturday, but to suggest the centre halves were not responsible for any of the goals - is he serious?!? To my eyes Collins was directly culpable for the third and all three of the set piece goals exposed the lack of a dominant, ball-winning centre half. Watching Dack glide past Reed and Scougall as though they were schoolboys, before smashing in the 4th was just as demoralising.
His tactical choices give more cause for concern. Clough acquired a squad of quick, nimble, players suited to defending deep and in numbers, and playing on the break. Assuming this group could simply transform to a 4-4-2, is naive at best. With a match fit Wallace and Basham in the middle, he might just get away with it, but In this formation players such as Baxter, Reed, and Scougall are an unaffordable luxury (though Baxter could be played out wide). Saturday's debacle was not just about the centre halves; Gillingham dominated the middle through a combination of graft and muscle. At present we haven't got muscle and on Saturday we didn't graft.
I'm not writing Adkins off and despite the fact he wasn't my first choice I accept he has the credentials to do the job. However, as recent history proves, he hasn't got long to turn things round and his slate is no longer clean.
