finlaytheblade
Well-Known Member
I agree Champagne Baldock All though nothing coming off .I think the forwards were lucky to get a free pass given Wilder was throwing everyone under the bus.
Leon was languid, slow to react and hardly won a header all night. Bereft of service yes, but forwards can also create their own menace but that does involve retaining the ball for a few seconds. They can’t just expect to get it on a plate.
Sharp ran around a bit, but posed no danger. He had our best chance and these are the fine margins at this level. He squandered it through poor decision making. Either square it - he could have dinked it over the guy sliding in, straight to Fleck - or play it across the keeper. Percentages. Going near post was never really on. It cost us the game as much as the poor defending. Tight game, one chance and he missed it.
FWIW, if I was singling two out it would have been Blackman and Baldock. The latter looked our only realistic outlet, even if everything didn’t come off.
was our best outlet last night and Blackman was sound
Confidence and beleaf have been shaken badly as we have lost our consistency. What upset Wilder was the lack of drive through the entire team.He commented on players not taking responsibility naming o,connell and Basham not getting forward,that is a classical problem when be leaf and confidence is low.We have gone a bit more direct but the same principles apply, which mean he expects defenders to take attacking positions.
It's clear he feels we are blowing our chances and has thrown the gauntlet down in the hope of a response,last chance saloon for this season ,Reading is a big game.
He sounds a driven man and won't tolerate players who bottle it ,reminds me again of Harry Bassett who wouldn't tolerate weak minded players,like us he will tolerate a lack of ability but not weak minds.lf the season does fade away some of his signings will be gone,no manager gets it right everytime in the transfer market .
I imagine some players will be looking over there shoulder if things just fade away.Not saying it's shit or bust for these players but to lay down and die now with everything to play for.Wilder I'm sure will be looking for a response,when the going gets tough the tough ( mentally) get going.