Deadbat
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Well beaten overall by a far better side -that had better individuals, a clearer plan and a coach who knew how to exploit our weaknesses. We got back into the game but once again failed to turn up after HT and lucky in the end to only lose 1-3. Players looked well beaten by the end and we never looked like coming back.
We started poorly and was not a major surprise when they went ahead. The goal was poor as they shuffled the ball across with no challenge from Norrington Davies and Choudhury and a free shot. After this they had a few other chances and we looked second best but from around 20 mins to 40 mins, we had maybe out best spell of the season. We played some decent stuff with Bamford, Campbell and Donovan involved and Peck became influential. We got a decent goal and then could have had another and looked the better side but then an awful goal conceded saw us back behind. Straight ball, Riedewald loses his battle and Tanganga/Kitching are on their heels and it’s a one on one. Such a basic goal. We had played ourselves into it and 1-2 seemed harsh at the break. We have seen so many 2nd half performances where managers make tweaks and simply overpower us and it happened again. We are at home but Norwich completely dominated. They scored another and could have had a few more. We had brought Phillips on but made no difference. They controlled midfield, got down the wings and Choudhury and RND struggled with the pace and trickery of Musaba and Brooks. The third had been coming long before it happened. After this the game was done. We stopped even competing. The white flag went up when we took off more attackers and our best outfield player in Donovan. The final 20 minutes they were so comfortable and we kind of gave up.
It felt like us in the Premier League as Norwich looked more skilled, quicker and stronger. We were all over the place in shape and formation as they picked us off time after time but we also never really competed after the break. It was a pitiful 2nd half performance and physically we seemed completely shot individually and collectively. We have lost three key creative threats but there is enough senior players and experience at this level, to stop us getting outplayed so easily. Three games this week we have been dominated and 4 points Is very fortunate. We have conceded 60+ shots in 3 games and been outplayed in every aspect of every game (possession, touches in the box, chances and XG). Make no mistake this had been coming. We have what we have now and the coaches need to find a way to make us more competitive in games as we are essentially getting outplayed at the moment and only Cooper has seen us get more points than we probably deserve. If the games continue like this where we lose midfield, teams run through us and most of the players look physically spent after an hour – then we are in a relegation battle. The tactics, shape and formation is simply not allowing us to control or affect any games of any sustained fashion. Maybe personnel wise we have made some mistakes (Kitchen, BBD, Choudhury all look slow, unfit and miles off the level we need) in recruitment and we seem to have several CDM midfielders but still cannot protect the defence at all – we are conceding an absurd amount of chances every game. The coaching team and players have to improve fast. If they do not, we are going to struggle to pick up much in any games if the current statistical trend continues. I thought this season might be a struggle and losing key players of course had really made it so hard but even I thought we might have more shape, tactical plan than we have shown. The performances this season so far in the first 5 have been no better than what we saw under Selles last season (people may baulk at that but the stats are far worse- we just somehow got 4 points from Bolton and Cardiff). The reality is we could easily have been on 1 or 2 points from the Brum/Swansea games. We should have lost every game this week and we look a side completely bereft of ideas and plan. The only positive this season have been Cooper and Donovan. The rest of the side have been so, so poor outside of the two CBS doing ok first few games. Since then, we have conceded 7 goals in 3 and it could have been double that. Worrying times sadly. I hope others can see positives or bright spots I am not seeing but I am struggling and feel without significant improvements in how we are set up and how the players are performing and we are going to be in a real scrap towards the bottom end.
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Cooper 7.5/10 – Our man of the match for the third game running. That says it all. Maybe the first he could do a bit better but a decent shot but had little chance on the other two. Made a number of good saves and stopped it being a rout. Even the third goal he stopped it going in before it did. He is having way too much to do currently.
Choudhury 3/10 – Appalling and already looking like a shocking decision to resign him. He is slow, off the pace and physically cannot keep up. Wingers in both games have been the opposition’s best players versus us. Musaba cut him to shreds all game. Looks miles off the pace. He was signed for his running power/ability to track back and his athleticism. So far shown none of this and been a player teams have targeted. So many chances chances came from his side.
Norrington Davies 4.5/10 - Did ok to start and tried to be physical on Brooks but then started to leave gaps and Brooks could have had a hat trick as he was left unmarked. One mis control and wild tackle led to a yellow. He went off not long after that. Odd decision to start him over McCallum when he lacks pace? Not sure he was out worst player but still slow in comparison to his opponents.
Tanganga 4.5/10 – Feel like he is often at full stretch and the formation and total lack of solidity in our side is not helping our defence. However, too often he seems to be struggling to keep up and we seem to be losing so many battles all over the field. The second goal he has to do better as his man just runs through and scores easily. I think there are far more issues than him but we keep giving him duff partners which is not helping.
Kitching 3.5/10 – Thought he could not be worse than McGuinness but he gave it a bloody good go! Looked slow, cumbersome and easy to turn. Technically looked poor but the basics of marking, getting tight and competing, he was poor at that too. Remarkable we keep signing players that seem no better than what we have. Maybe he is rusty but a poor start as quick and mobile forwards tore our defence apart. Maybe a bit unlucky on the goal where it seemed harsh.
Peck 5/10 – Thought he started ok and was competitive and at least tried to influence the game. He was looking to get on it and move it forward but I also thought that as the game went on, his influence lessened and he was not helped by ineptitude around him. Faded badly after the break, as per normal, we completely regressed physically and then ran through time after time.
Riedewald 3/10 – Dreadful. Rivalled Choudhury for our poorest player. He was way off the pace physically and did not win many 50-50’s all game. He is supposed to be a protective, defensive type midfielder but they ran through all game. He did not contribute much of anything. I have to be honest; I was never a huge fan even last season. He can play the odd simple 5-yard pass but often is anonymous in games. Today they ran off him and won key battles meaning they were in on goal, on so many occasions. The second goal comes from him just not winning or even competing for a ball. Another who looks totally unfit, but not on his own as we have several players who are blowing after even a basic 10-yard run. Pathetic really for professional, top level players.
Donovan 6.5/10 – Our most likely to create anything but he was so far from goal and crowded out. Kept trying but was forced deeper and deeper. He at least tried to be positive. Kept trying to dribble and find space. Young kid, on loan and seen as our main threat. Says it all about where we are at. Why he was subbed, I have no idea? Ridiculous change when he was one of the few who looked like making the odd thing happen.
Brereton Diaz 4/10 – In his second spell he looked a slow and lethargic player and sadly that is what I have seen the first few game in his third spell. He is neat and tidy but cannot run beyond anyone and lacks the dynamism and aggression to really hurt defenders. A nothing sort of performance sadly where he offered little offensively and did not even work back defensively.
Bamford 5.5/10 – Scored a well taken goal and at least got on the ball first half and tried to occupy defenders and for a spell he was a focal point towards the end of the second half. Second half starved of service and had to come deep to try and get involved. Looks a good technical player that will become increasingly frustrated buy tactics that starve him of the ball and chances.
Campbell 4/10 – Did ok Tuesday for 20 minutes and a similar story today. Few decent moments and assisted on the goal and looked to link up in the first half. After the interval, totally shot again and could not run, joining several others who are so badly conditioned. Taken off as he often is. Mad a top-level footballer can only do an hour.
Subs –
Phillips 4.5/10 – Thought he has been decent in games when he came on this week, bit today he was not as influential. He did not get on the ball and they dominated midfield. Got involved in some daft off the field stuff and could not really influence the game and even he was not great and we lost any kind of control (not that we had any). Surely, we have to give him a start – as the rest of the midfield have been so poor?
Shacketon 5/10 – Actually thought he ran about and at least showed some energy but the game was done by this point.
McCallum 4.5/10 – He won a few headers but another who was brought on when we needed to create and score and that is not his job. Surprised he did not start on Brooks.
Cannon 4.5/10 – Flicked a few on but we created nothing second half and he was left isolated as they had all the best play. Not sure he is a threat to change games at all though.
Arblaster 4/10 – Put on the left wing, which was ridiculous. Not sure he touched the ball much at all but the game was done really. Pulled out of a few challenges which showed where he is at.
Wilder 2/10 – I have defended him and will agree he has been shafted for the poor personnel options at the top of the field but he has to take some responsibility at some point. He was still given funds and chose to sign likes of Kitching, Choudhury and BBDv (Rothwell and Riedewald too), whom on the evidence so far, look poor signings – slow and weak and lacking fitness. However, for all the discussion over what we have, or not have creatively and up top – which is fair – there are major issues tactically. We are getting run through game after game and to concede 60+ shots is not good enough. We are looking so brittle and are just getting overrun down the middle. He has signed several CDM options but other than Phillips in spurts, the rest look slow, unfit and physically not up to it. Teams are just running through us. We are seeing one on ones or clear chances happen every 5 minutes in game. It is mad we have so many defensive midfield options but are so flimsy down the middle. We have no real shape and one pass/flick and teams are in. The lacks of athleticism/pace/power means we are not able to get back. However, despite the issues and conceding on half time, we had ended the half ok. Second half though saw enough complete and utter no show. Every week we come out and other teams make tweaks/adjustments. Wilder does not. He does the same like for like subs on an hour but today he withdrew our best attacker and almost accepted we had lost. He said the players did not have the energy and said they have physically struggled – why can other teams have players that can play 90 mins in many positions? He is either signing unfit players or there is major fitness issues at the club.
The old ‘lets go for it and attack’ Wilder seems to have gone. It is sad to see. I have some sympathy for the loss of goals/assists but the whole tactical base/shape is really awful and means teams just are creating so much against us. This is more than just on personnel although signings have been massively underwhelming but why do we essentially have nothing 2nd half in nearly every game? No adjustments/no changes and opposition managers just make the tweaks. Wilder does not. He seems clueless how to change games. The Donovan sub for Shackleton was a real low point too. I worry he is just out of ideas these days as managers on the opposite side have more ideas and nous to change games. He has been left a bad lot in terms of those left but we still have a top 10 budget and some experienced pros but the whole tactics and shape is frankly abysmal currently. Teams are picking us off and then just having advantages in midfield that means chances result so often. The shape is horrible and we seem susceptible to any attack by an opponent. If we carry on the same statistical output of possession, touches in the box, chances surrended, XG, we are in a scrap at the bottom this season. He got irked when the press said he took off our best player and said Donovan/BBD were done but the player he kept on were done too! So essentially none of our players can run for more than an hour (45 mins in some instances). Wilder talking about how good they were and how stocked they were is a worry. He used to not care about opponents and be front foot and worry about what we could do but is constantly talking about how good opponents are.
Norwich – They have been decent in games but maybe not got the results but been vulnerable as shown by 3 defeats in 4. Today was their easiest game of the season. Began on top and scored but then we had a good spell but they managed to stay at 1-1 and then scored a well taken goal. 2nd half they realised if they won midfield and turned the ball down the flanks, they would get chances and so it proved. Scored a further goal and could have had 2 or 3 more. In the end, they coasted to an easy win as they won all the individual battles. They had all the chances but also they won the little things and made sure they had so much of the ball too. For an away side, they cut through us routinely. They were not troubled 2nd half. Simply stepped it up, moved 10 yards further forward and played it down the wings to create opportunities. They could have had many more goals. A far stronger side, pace and physique and just looked better individually, collectively and crucially better coached by their management team. Thought they would be in the playoff area and still think that after today. They looked a side that will be competing for promotion. We looked a side that will be looking over our shoulder. It felt like a Premier League side away at a Championship team in the second half. Clement is an outstanding coach. Shame we could not have got him when we maybe had an opportunity?
Player of the match – Several forwards stood out. Toure scored (despite the animated celebration) and Brooks flitted in and out (not great but could have had a hat trick). The best player was Musaba who caused us all sorts of problems and had Choudhury on toast.
Weak link – Number 7 Mattson was poor and thought Fisher struggled but we barely put their defence under pressure second half.
Referee – Despite him booking two of their players in close succession, not sure he gave us much all game. Felt a lot of 50/50’s went for them. Just seemed like any debatable decisions went for them. The goal disallowed was soft apparently but not seen it back. We got little off him all game. Still despite this, the game itself was not really affected by him. The third was talk of offside but thought McCallum played them on? Saw some saying it was not over the line but they have a watch/goalline technology. We had another free kick in the opponents half for an offside (See rule 11) – happened last year this too?
We started poorly and was not a major surprise when they went ahead. The goal was poor as they shuffled the ball across with no challenge from Norrington Davies and Choudhury and a free shot. After this they had a few other chances and we looked second best but from around 20 mins to 40 mins, we had maybe out best spell of the season. We played some decent stuff with Bamford, Campbell and Donovan involved and Peck became influential. We got a decent goal and then could have had another and looked the better side but then an awful goal conceded saw us back behind. Straight ball, Riedewald loses his battle and Tanganga/Kitching are on their heels and it’s a one on one. Such a basic goal. We had played ourselves into it and 1-2 seemed harsh at the break. We have seen so many 2nd half performances where managers make tweaks and simply overpower us and it happened again. We are at home but Norwich completely dominated. They scored another and could have had a few more. We had brought Phillips on but made no difference. They controlled midfield, got down the wings and Choudhury and RND struggled with the pace and trickery of Musaba and Brooks. The third had been coming long before it happened. After this the game was done. We stopped even competing. The white flag went up when we took off more attackers and our best outfield player in Donovan. The final 20 minutes they were so comfortable and we kind of gave up.
It felt like us in the Premier League as Norwich looked more skilled, quicker and stronger. We were all over the place in shape and formation as they picked us off time after time but we also never really competed after the break. It was a pitiful 2nd half performance and physically we seemed completely shot individually and collectively. We have lost three key creative threats but there is enough senior players and experience at this level, to stop us getting outplayed so easily. Three games this week we have been dominated and 4 points Is very fortunate. We have conceded 60+ shots in 3 games and been outplayed in every aspect of every game (possession, touches in the box, chances and XG). Make no mistake this had been coming. We have what we have now and the coaches need to find a way to make us more competitive in games as we are essentially getting outplayed at the moment and only Cooper has seen us get more points than we probably deserve. If the games continue like this where we lose midfield, teams run through us and most of the players look physically spent after an hour – then we are in a relegation battle. The tactics, shape and formation is simply not allowing us to control or affect any games of any sustained fashion. Maybe personnel wise we have made some mistakes (Kitchen, BBD, Choudhury all look slow, unfit and miles off the level we need) in recruitment and we seem to have several CDM midfielders but still cannot protect the defence at all – we are conceding an absurd amount of chances every game. The coaching team and players have to improve fast. If they do not, we are going to struggle to pick up much in any games if the current statistical trend continues. I thought this season might be a struggle and losing key players of course had really made it so hard but even I thought we might have more shape, tactical plan than we have shown. The performances this season so far in the first 5 have been no better than what we saw under Selles last season (people may baulk at that but the stats are far worse- we just somehow got 4 points from Bolton and Cardiff). The reality is we could easily have been on 1 or 2 points from the Brum/Swansea games. We should have lost every game this week and we look a side completely bereft of ideas and plan. The only positive this season have been Cooper and Donovan. The rest of the side have been so, so poor outside of the two CBS doing ok first few games. Since then, we have conceded 7 goals in 3 and it could have been double that. Worrying times sadly. I hope others can see positives or bright spots I am not seeing but I am struggling and feel without significant improvements in how we are set up and how the players are performing and we are going to be in a real scrap towards the bottom end.
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Cooper 7.5/10 – Our man of the match for the third game running. That says it all. Maybe the first he could do a bit better but a decent shot but had little chance on the other two. Made a number of good saves and stopped it being a rout. Even the third goal he stopped it going in before it did. He is having way too much to do currently.
Choudhury 3/10 – Appalling and already looking like a shocking decision to resign him. He is slow, off the pace and physically cannot keep up. Wingers in both games have been the opposition’s best players versus us. Musaba cut him to shreds all game. Looks miles off the pace. He was signed for his running power/ability to track back and his athleticism. So far shown none of this and been a player teams have targeted. So many chances chances came from his side.
Norrington Davies 4.5/10 - Did ok to start and tried to be physical on Brooks but then started to leave gaps and Brooks could have had a hat trick as he was left unmarked. One mis control and wild tackle led to a yellow. He went off not long after that. Odd decision to start him over McCallum when he lacks pace? Not sure he was out worst player but still slow in comparison to his opponents.
Tanganga 4.5/10 – Feel like he is often at full stretch and the formation and total lack of solidity in our side is not helping our defence. However, too often he seems to be struggling to keep up and we seem to be losing so many battles all over the field. The second goal he has to do better as his man just runs through and scores easily. I think there are far more issues than him but we keep giving him duff partners which is not helping.
Kitching 3.5/10 – Thought he could not be worse than McGuinness but he gave it a bloody good go! Looked slow, cumbersome and easy to turn. Technically looked poor but the basics of marking, getting tight and competing, he was poor at that too. Remarkable we keep signing players that seem no better than what we have. Maybe he is rusty but a poor start as quick and mobile forwards tore our defence apart. Maybe a bit unlucky on the goal where it seemed harsh.
Peck 5/10 – Thought he started ok and was competitive and at least tried to influence the game. He was looking to get on it and move it forward but I also thought that as the game went on, his influence lessened and he was not helped by ineptitude around him. Faded badly after the break, as per normal, we completely regressed physically and then ran through time after time.
Riedewald 3/10 – Dreadful. Rivalled Choudhury for our poorest player. He was way off the pace physically and did not win many 50-50’s all game. He is supposed to be a protective, defensive type midfielder but they ran through all game. He did not contribute much of anything. I have to be honest; I was never a huge fan even last season. He can play the odd simple 5-yard pass but often is anonymous in games. Today they ran off him and won key battles meaning they were in on goal, on so many occasions. The second goal comes from him just not winning or even competing for a ball. Another who looks totally unfit, but not on his own as we have several players who are blowing after even a basic 10-yard run. Pathetic really for professional, top level players.
Donovan 6.5/10 – Our most likely to create anything but he was so far from goal and crowded out. Kept trying but was forced deeper and deeper. He at least tried to be positive. Kept trying to dribble and find space. Young kid, on loan and seen as our main threat. Says it all about where we are at. Why he was subbed, I have no idea? Ridiculous change when he was one of the few who looked like making the odd thing happen.
Brereton Diaz 4/10 – In his second spell he looked a slow and lethargic player and sadly that is what I have seen the first few game in his third spell. He is neat and tidy but cannot run beyond anyone and lacks the dynamism and aggression to really hurt defenders. A nothing sort of performance sadly where he offered little offensively and did not even work back defensively.
Bamford 5.5/10 – Scored a well taken goal and at least got on the ball first half and tried to occupy defenders and for a spell he was a focal point towards the end of the second half. Second half starved of service and had to come deep to try and get involved. Looks a good technical player that will become increasingly frustrated buy tactics that starve him of the ball and chances.
Campbell 4/10 – Did ok Tuesday for 20 minutes and a similar story today. Few decent moments and assisted on the goal and looked to link up in the first half. After the interval, totally shot again and could not run, joining several others who are so badly conditioned. Taken off as he often is. Mad a top-level footballer can only do an hour.
Subs –
Phillips 4.5/10 – Thought he has been decent in games when he came on this week, bit today he was not as influential. He did not get on the ball and they dominated midfield. Got involved in some daft off the field stuff and could not really influence the game and even he was not great and we lost any kind of control (not that we had any). Surely, we have to give him a start – as the rest of the midfield have been so poor?
Shacketon 5/10 – Actually thought he ran about and at least showed some energy but the game was done by this point.
McCallum 4.5/10 – He won a few headers but another who was brought on when we needed to create and score and that is not his job. Surprised he did not start on Brooks.
Cannon 4.5/10 – Flicked a few on but we created nothing second half and he was left isolated as they had all the best play. Not sure he is a threat to change games at all though.
Arblaster 4/10 – Put on the left wing, which was ridiculous. Not sure he touched the ball much at all but the game was done really. Pulled out of a few challenges which showed where he is at.
Wilder 2/10 – I have defended him and will agree he has been shafted for the poor personnel options at the top of the field but he has to take some responsibility at some point. He was still given funds and chose to sign likes of Kitching, Choudhury and BBDv (Rothwell and Riedewald too), whom on the evidence so far, look poor signings – slow and weak and lacking fitness. However, for all the discussion over what we have, or not have creatively and up top – which is fair – there are major issues tactically. We are getting run through game after game and to concede 60+ shots is not good enough. We are looking so brittle and are just getting overrun down the middle. He has signed several CDM options but other than Phillips in spurts, the rest look slow, unfit and physically not up to it. Teams are just running through us. We are seeing one on ones or clear chances happen every 5 minutes in game. It is mad we have so many defensive midfield options but are so flimsy down the middle. We have no real shape and one pass/flick and teams are in. The lacks of athleticism/pace/power means we are not able to get back. However, despite the issues and conceding on half time, we had ended the half ok. Second half though saw enough complete and utter no show. Every week we come out and other teams make tweaks/adjustments. Wilder does not. He does the same like for like subs on an hour but today he withdrew our best attacker and almost accepted we had lost. He said the players did not have the energy and said they have physically struggled – why can other teams have players that can play 90 mins in many positions? He is either signing unfit players or there is major fitness issues at the club.
The old ‘lets go for it and attack’ Wilder seems to have gone. It is sad to see. I have some sympathy for the loss of goals/assists but the whole tactical base/shape is really awful and means teams just are creating so much against us. This is more than just on personnel although signings have been massively underwhelming but why do we essentially have nothing 2nd half in nearly every game? No adjustments/no changes and opposition managers just make the tweaks. Wilder does not. He seems clueless how to change games. The Donovan sub for Shackleton was a real low point too. I worry he is just out of ideas these days as managers on the opposite side have more ideas and nous to change games. He has been left a bad lot in terms of those left but we still have a top 10 budget and some experienced pros but the whole tactics and shape is frankly abysmal currently. Teams are picking us off and then just having advantages in midfield that means chances result so often. The shape is horrible and we seem susceptible to any attack by an opponent. If we carry on the same statistical output of possession, touches in the box, chances surrended, XG, we are in a scrap at the bottom this season. He got irked when the press said he took off our best player and said Donovan/BBD were done but the player he kept on were done too! So essentially none of our players can run for more than an hour (45 mins in some instances). Wilder talking about how good they were and how stocked they were is a worry. He used to not care about opponents and be front foot and worry about what we could do but is constantly talking about how good opponents are.
Norwich – They have been decent in games but maybe not got the results but been vulnerable as shown by 3 defeats in 4. Today was their easiest game of the season. Began on top and scored but then we had a good spell but they managed to stay at 1-1 and then scored a well taken goal. 2nd half they realised if they won midfield and turned the ball down the flanks, they would get chances and so it proved. Scored a further goal and could have had 2 or 3 more. In the end, they coasted to an easy win as they won all the individual battles. They had all the chances but also they won the little things and made sure they had so much of the ball too. For an away side, they cut through us routinely. They were not troubled 2nd half. Simply stepped it up, moved 10 yards further forward and played it down the wings to create opportunities. They could have had many more goals. A far stronger side, pace and physique and just looked better individually, collectively and crucially better coached by their management team. Thought they would be in the playoff area and still think that after today. They looked a side that will be competing for promotion. We looked a side that will be looking over our shoulder. It felt like a Premier League side away at a Championship team in the second half. Clement is an outstanding coach. Shame we could not have got him when we maybe had an opportunity?
Player of the match – Several forwards stood out. Toure scored (despite the animated celebration) and Brooks flitted in and out (not great but could have had a hat trick). The best player was Musaba who caused us all sorts of problems and had Choudhury on toast.
Weak link – Number 7 Mattson was poor and thought Fisher struggled but we barely put their defence under pressure second half.
Referee – Despite him booking two of their players in close succession, not sure he gave us much all game. Felt a lot of 50/50’s went for them. Just seemed like any debatable decisions went for them. The goal disallowed was soft apparently but not seen it back. We got little off him all game. Still despite this, the game itself was not really affected by him. The third was talk of offside but thought McCallum played them on? Saw some saying it was not over the line but they have a watch/goalline technology. We had another free kick in the opponents half for an offside (See rule 11) – happened last year this too?
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.. we’re 3-1 down & there wasn’t a forward option to bring on & that says it all 
.. Good night
