United – Same old story – as in so many games. It keeps happening and that is because we have a side that is not good enough. We are closer to a relegation side than a promotion one and are completely spinless. To say we are soft is an understatement. We sadly have a set of unlikeable and insipid players who lack fight, tactical awareness and are to a man, completely unfit. We essentially can only keep a pace and level of performance for an hour. Teams often are second best but know if they are only a goal down or level, they will wait till we tire and then pick us off, exploiting the gaps all over -due to the players not being able to run or plug gaps. The coaching is a massive issue too. We routinely throw away games and the second half fade outs/performances are to be frank pathetic. We are not an awful side by any stretch. We are a nice side, who play some pretty stuff and look easy on the eye but we never put teams away.
We are oddly more entertaining than last season but with inferior players down the spine and a weaker defence, we are always susceptible to throwing away games. It was not a shock today – it’s happened time after time. We can question the players abilities, lack of mental strength, fitness and indeed game management but equally the coaching staff have to be examined too. They have kept us up – but think any competent manager would have done with the players we have. I do not see us improving sadly – we also saw the same level of fadeouts last season after an hour in games. Invariably any time we play a good side – we lost. We saw that even in the 90-point season. Not even sure Wrexham were very good. If we had been clinical and defended properly, we go and win 2 or 3-0. Yet we did not and it was not a surprise.
I am not even angry anymore because it is clear this set of players are not good/fit enough to be anywhere near a top 6 side. I see nothing to suggest that would change next season. We need a big clear out but sadly we are riddled with some dross in the squad and a lot of very average players. Wilder seems to value characters over athleticism and pace but these characters keep chucking leads away. We seem to be mired with a nothing sort of squad with a load of very ordinary Championship players – that we will struggle to offload. The games v Coventry, Boro and Wrexham have almost been identical with decent play, is normally scoring and leading in 2 but then teams just find the quality to create against a static midfield/defence. We have nothing on the bench to change things when a number of our woefully unfit players cannot run by the hour mark and the results are inevitable.
We start well, play some decent football and create some good openings but do not take them. We also seem to take forever to get into good area despite some decent stuff. We did play good football again today and Bamford, Brooks and O’Hare had big chances and we should be out of sight but we are not. We do score but then sit back. I see a lot say it changed after Riedewald went off and that might have been true but he cannot last more than an hour and we cannot operate like that surely? They score a simple goal – took us 8 or 9 passes and about 30 touches to get in such areas and then after that, there was only one winner. It was not like they were all over us, but they just looked more likely and you knew if they made a chance, they would take it. We then never looked like getting back. Riedewald and Peck (who was poor all game) had run out of gas but then Arblaster and Davies were even worse. Hoever had a mixed game but Ogbene is not a right back but did we have any other options but we ended up almost with 2 v 2 at times. It was very naïve from an experienced management team. It was frustrating as we had more chances, more of the ball, higher XG, more touches in the opposition box but we lost as we have players who are not ruthless at either end. It happens so often, it is not unfortunate. The team almost to a man cannot keep running after the hour mark and then we just drop off and the intensity we showed for the first part of the game has gone. I am not even sure many of the opponents that come back against us have been hugely impressive – that shows up our weaknesses even more.
I said on X, I would not care if most/all of this squad move on as they are an unlikeable bunch that do not seem to care. I am not even sure, if it is about being on the beach. I just do not think they are anywhere near good enough/fit enough to be more than a middling Championship side. The idea that one of the key attributes of a sportsmen/footballer is to be fit and able to run for 90 minutes and so many cannot do it (at a high level) is to be frank embarrassing and we must move a number on who cannot sustain this level of performance for the time that a football match lefts. However, despite this criticism of the personnel – this week a lot will go in on Tanganga (rightly) – it has been other players in other games. The concerns over the lack of a plan B and the coaching in games – is also a major concern. We seem to have no other way of playing when teams get back into games.
Ratings:
Davies 5/10 – Did not have that much to do. Saved one Windass effort that was routine and rest of his play was fine. One poor kick out but his distribution was ok outside of this – some good throw outs. He got a hand on the first goal but was close to him and hard to stop. The second I have seen some say he should get out to it but it’s a cross drifting in and the defence is at fault.
Hoever 5/10 - He was ok today. He used the ball ok and got up and down. Not at fault for anything in terms of defensive errors (did let one go out when he dithered and ref deemed it was off him) and going forward showed some decent bits and pieces. He has been either awful or played well – but today he was in the middle!
Burrows 5/10 – Started game well and got down the left. Had a right foot finish sent wide and was neat and tidy in possession. Second half saw less of him attacking wise. First goal he tries to get across but expect a centre half to be there? I thought for the 2nd goal he must get out to the winger and just stood off. They had a bit of joy down the side as Hamer did not track back at all.
Bindon 5.5/10 – He was composed on the ball and first half, other than the headed chance, they rarely threatened. The second half we saw the weaknesses of our defence though and sadly despite him being ok in the game, he was part of that. Dropped too deep and on the first goal he does not react quick enough to see the danger. The fact they had 2 chances second half and scored both – is telling for the defence and their lack of concentration. His general play was ok but the big moments, out centre halves are nowhere to be seen. They dealt with so many more balls into their box a lot better – we have 2 or 3 balls go in all day – and 2 end up in our net.
Tanganga 3/10 – Ok first half but still a few loose touches and thought he was the player they targeted. Had a nightmare second half and any moments they had, he had a hand in. A few unnecessary fouls and got drawn in – meaning there were gaps behind. The first he does not deal with the danger and then the 2nd, he is nowhere to be seen. He has to deal with his man – Smith. He then went to pieces a bit after that with some slices and poor passes. He has gone from someone that looked great on debut at Boro – to someone that now I think we may need to replace in the summer. He has been a major disappointment. Struggling to see what his strengths are? He is not dominant, not quick and technically poor (dreadful with his left foot) and does not deal with crosses. Sadly, with so many holes in the team and little funds (arguably we need around 6 or 7 new starters to be a promotion side) doubt he will be one moved on.
Peck 4/10 – Thought it was the poorest he has been for a while. Looked tired and leggy. Took too many touches when on the ball and rarely went forward. Had one chance but got crowded out and too many sideways and backwards passes. As the game went on, he got ran out of it and had to come off but we got even worse with the subs.
Riedewald 6/10 – Did well first half and controlled the tempo of our play (even if it was too slow). Few decent balls and the cross to Hamer nearly made a goal. He was neat and tidy. We did control the midfield even if he was not outstanding. He was steady – which is what he is. After he went off, we faded but maybe we would have anyway -as he cannot last games. I like him and think he is a decent player but it’s a major issue that he cannot last more than an hour in games.
O’Hare 4/10 – Flitted around and busy with some nice bits and pieces early on but rarely (outside of the goal v QPR) have we seen any real product. Did set up Burrows for the chance but did he really make any other openings? I think his form has dropped off – in line with ours. Faded badly and barely saw him the final stages of the game. He is another that seems to drop off in second halves of games.
Brooks 7.5/10 – Our best player and by some distance. He actually did not start that well but grew into the game and became our main threat and outlet. Had to come looking for the ball and had to drift inside and back to find space. He seemed to be the only player I felt might create something for us. He showed his pace and dribbling and had efforts blocked first half. Second half he should score with the toe poked finish but then is there to finish the chance, not long after. Continued to look for the ball but they sort of crowded him out.
Hamer 4.5/10 – Disappointing again. I get he tries the killer passes and he has to, as outside of Brooks, we do not have anyone else who will create – but not sure that much came off? He gave it away so much – sometimes simple passes too. He did some nice bits of play and one move 2nd half nearly led to a goal when he curled wide. He was always looking to find space and try and create but I just think for someone so talented, he is incredibly wasteful. There was the moment when he got caught (more of a hand off than a punch and then reacted – thought knowing the way things have gone for us, the ref would see the 2nd bit and send him off!).
Bamford 4.5/10 – Not his game. They did pull and grab him and he was unfortunate not to get a few more free kicks (he did not get one all game actually and first time he pulled the CB, he was penalised!) but it did not quite stick like it normally does. He was a bit loose in possession and then misses that huge chance. Did have the effort that led to the second. The lack of options off the bench means we are so reliant on him.
Subs -
Davies 4/10 – Not in the game at all. Brought on to give us control or some legs but gave us neither. Seemed to run around but achieve very little and we had no presence in the middle with gaps and no structure. Did have our only effort at all after we went behind.
Arblaster 3/10 – This mark might seem harsh but he was poor when he came on again. Positionally he could not shield the defence or get up and support the attack. Just seemed to be off the pace and his control and passing was awful was poor when he had it – one pass out of play, after taking 4 or 5 touches that he did not need to take, summed up his cameo. He looks miles off it. I would not even play him now. Will need the summer of all summers to rekindle his career now because as it stands he does not even look a competent Championship player.
Chong – Not marking him as not on long enough but he did quite well actually. Some good runs down the side, won a corner and put a cross over. Showed more than any other attacked after we trailed at least.
Ings – Did he touch the ball? The fact him and Cannon are our striking alternatives really shows how poor this department is. One is weak and does not move at all. The other is slow and clearly finished at any kind of decent level.
Manager: Wilder 3/10 – Once again he is undone by an average Championship manager who managed to get his side to up it after the break and we could not respond. Maybe it is as much down to poor players and lack of bench options but he signed many of them too – most are not fit or not able to follow the coaches’ instructions. The way we just fall away routinely at the break has to be attributed to the management and coaching too – not just the players. Today the changes were awful in terms but then many of the players were shattered and could not carry on – just the ones that replaced them were even worse. We kind of went to a risky defensive set up – even at 1-1-1- just find a structure but the 2nd is down to players not closing down or reacting as we ended up so deep again. We seemed to completely lack belief we could go on and win after being pegged back. The players almost knew they would lose. That lack of belief is not good at all. Wilder will be back next year but I do think a higher number of fans than he thinks, are getting sick of his excuses and his lack of ideas how to improve performances. He may say he was left with these players but wasted another January and valuable funds with the players he brought in -same as last season. I worry about the recruitment in recent years and thus if he cannot get the right players (athletic, quick and mobile) to improve us – then we are reliant on small gains (coaching and man management) and I am not sure he is what he was, in that regard. It is a huge summer for him. The notion we cannot change him – as look what happened with Selles – does not wash with me. He has done what he had to – improved us and kept us up but we have plateaued badly in the last few months. He must arrest this and make the changes. Hope he can be the one to do it, but without the funds – that he can get us into a side near the top of the league. Think we might be in for a few dreary years unless he finds his mojo/magic again.
Wrexham – I thought they’d be around mid table. I did not see them coming down but thought another promotion push was too much to be expected. However, they recruited well and signed a lot of players who should be top end Championship. They have a ridiculous number of strikers to choose from and have definitely gone for it. Their income from the TV and stuff connected to that means they can do stuff, most cannot, with a lot of manoeuvrability. Not sure it’s particularly romantic or a story, some Hollywood millionaires pumping in a load of money. The next step will be much harder but three back-to-back promotions is still incredible, even with the investors involved. I don’t have any real personal dislike for Reynolds and McElhenney. They’ve got involved in the community and are often at games. Suppose it is nauseating at times and I only watched the early days of the series. Felt the novelty wore off but got them loads of US fans etc.
I thought Parkinson would be jettisoned this season but he has done far better than I thought. He is known as a direct and rather basic manager, albeit successful in the lower leagues, bit credit him and the coaches. Yes, they’ve spent a fair whack but he has got them much higher than I envisaged. They’ve also not always been a long ball/physical side and played some decent football in games I’ve seen.
They have kept winning largely even either Kieffer Moore out. I think they might just miss out but are they any worse than a Hull or a Millwall? Showing what an open division it is, and also what a waste of a year it has been for us. Today I thought they were poor for long periods and if we take our chances or are clinical – it should be a 2 or 3-0 defeat but we let them off the hook and they score two basic goals. They will say they were good crosses and finishes and they were but they are not clever goals. They showed some resolve to hang in the game and then fight back. Shows why they are near the top and we are not. They have far better bench options than us too. I did not think they were anything special but they were not at the Racecourse either but have beaten us twice – so shows what a poor side we are. They did not play any breathtaking football or cut us to pieces at all but defended well and got bodies in the way. They were fortunate to win the game but football is about being clinical at both ends and they were and we were not. On that performance they will not go up but maybe if they get Moore back and with the momentum they have – you do not know when it comes to the playoffs – if they get in.
Opponent Man of the Match – Smith was a handful throughout but thought the centre backs were stronger than ours too. Kabore was a threat second half too.
Opponent Weak link – Was not that impressed with O’Brien – a player we have chased for a long time allegedly and thought Thomason struggled with Brooks.
Referee / Officials – Sam Allison. Recall Wilder was critical of him when he was given a Premier League game v Luton. Said we had been used as test game for a young Referee and it was too much for him. I’ve seen him a few times since. He has been OK in some games but struggled in others. Only other game he did for us was a defeat to Millwall at home last season – the trio of defeats around Easter. I felt like he did not give us much (Bamford was wrestled off it a fair bit) but he kind of let things flow both ways if you think about it. The one he pointed the wrong way – did not help his cause – it was their throw but he made a right mess of it. The Hamer one was odd, as their player seemed to catch him with his hand – if Hamer rolls around then there might be a red card actually but the assistant just does not do anything. At the end he waved away a few fouls which made the crowd become even more frustrated – but we were looking for a few at this stage. It just felt like he did not give us much but as I say he let the game flow for both teams so on reflection I am not sure he was as bad as we maybe all thought.
Crowd - Wrexham did not fill the away end which surprised me? Thought they would have had thousands of fans around the world/UK now but maybe not! They only made noise when they scored. United fans I thought got behind their team but then became frustrated at the team once again unable to sustain it for more than a half and change. I thought there were quite a bit of frustration on full time (some boos) as fans are annoyed with the same thing happening most weeks now. The fireworks were a bit much for this game and in blazing sunshine– maybe they thought that is what Hollywood and co want to see! Might explain why Wilder wore a suit too?!
