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I have been on here for a while now but do not post or contribute much as don't go to that many games and therefore don't feel I have the right to comment.
I think your writing is class whether intuitive, honest, amusing, downbeat, balanced or whatever - well worth subscribing for.
Not been for a bit and took my son who like me thought that was the best he had seen us play for some time, organised, well drilled game plan, excellent press, comfortable (confident even) on the ball and against a good ball playing side who were aggressive and very physical (5 yellows to our undeserved 1).
He said the biggest issue, apart from goals, is lack of depth in the squad as many of those players were very tired by the end as the demands of the press are exhausting.
With so many games in a week it is is vital that there is rotation even if costly in results as the biggest concern to avoid relegation is preventing key players getting injured because of too many minutes on the pitch.
A hugely encouraging full league debut. Always wanted the ball and used it very well when he got it. So close to scoring his first senior goal when his shot came back off the post. Could be hard to drop on this showing."
"For way too long, this club has been second best. Look at this, one win at home in a year, it's just not good enough. There's an inherent problem there that we have to solve."
A marketing or PR man would be proud of these comments
The implication being it is not him or just him but what he inherited - clever but I don't agree with him....
Spot on, the club have to recognize another very poor appointment and change it now. The biggest mistake made was not appointing John Eustace instead of bullshit Beale but what is done is done.
There is talent in this team, it needs a different king of manager with a different kind of style - easier said than done I know but this is a big call now and they need to get it right.
There is something that we are not aware of as almost all bookies are not offering odds on Championship relegation and that has been the case for over a week
My guess is that there must be other clubs who are maybe about to have points deducted
Totally agree as Sam Field will surely be player of the season, started almost every game, never complains when asked to play in different positions and for me is one who has never "downed tools" - just gets on with it Top man....
The most telling part of that team sheet is the Subs, I said on another thread this week is that the manager has very few options with so many unavailable.
I think there will be a lot more direct stuff tonight making use of Martin - we will see
Barely a mention of Beale whose fault all this is.....
Look at the team that played Bristol city in October that Clive says was the best first half he has seen for a while from us
Centre backs Balogun and Clarke Salter both "injured" since Critchely came - Willock - nowhere near the same player after coming back from injury, Johansen also just back from injury. Iroegbunam and Roberts both Beale introductions who either have lost form, cannot be arsed or don't want to be here since he left.
Richards and Amos also injured
That is 6 of the team! Nathan Jones spent 60 Million - Critchley bought In Jamal and Martin (who has started one game as a sub!)
Critchley has almost no options.
This was always about seeing out the season and rebuilding in the summer, very unlikely to go down - even the bookies have us at 33/1
For me the problem was Beale and the players whom he brought in that now no loner want to be here and cannot be arsed.
You cannot function as a team with players who do not try or have a shit attitude - you just can't, it spreads throughout the team and creates a general malaise. This started before Critchley, we were lucky to beat Wigan and poor against West Brom, Rotherham and Huddersfield. Wiilock came back from injury against West Brom and has not been the same player.
What do you do as a manager?
For me, I would drop the players who cannot be arsed and won't be here in the summer and play reserves / B team despite the quality being inferior, surely better to have players who care!
Have a summer clear out and give Critchley a chance to rebuild
IMO- you have to give Critchley time as he has inherited a complete mess. The club have made very poor decisions with both recruitment and Beale.
January is here, let the players who do not want to be here leave where possible. Build your team and tactics around a nucleus of players who do care and want to compete. Dieng, Dickie, Dunne, Paal, Field, Amos and Chair. There may be others.
We will survive and then reassess in the summer when recruitment will be vital.
Managers need time - we have gone with Critchley - support him through this very difficult period.
I still think it is the boards fault for having a contract with a release clause that can be activated within the first year of his contract.
There should have been a stipulation that MB cannot bail until he has completed at least 1 year of his contract and the we would not be in this position now,
If he would not sigh such a contract, then don't take him on as the club and players he brings in need commitment of at least one year
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