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And yet, Lowe Ayew Gyorkeres Surridge Piroe Whittaker and a few more left of their own volition either being out of contract or coming towards the last year seeking a alternative, some were not our players loaned to us. Cullen didn't see them off the club did as they felt what was needed for fiscal prudence and listening to the manager's identified requirements at the time. Did anyone expect the quality of the squad to improve after the drop from the Premier League we didn't get the promotion back as wished for and now we have to cut our cloth to suit. Younger players who hopeful can step up to the challenge but they have to be given a chance, the spine of the team looks weak and needs a change, it may take time but it also takes a coach who can get the best out of his players improving the qualities they possess and an adaptable playing style to match the opposition teams
Think it is time to at least try the midfield without Grimes because ultimately against better teams his lack of pace is telling, if he is pushed forward he needs cover when Fulton and Korey Smirh played alongside him but that meant a blunting of our forward play as both Fulton and Smith didn't offer enough going forward. Would I push Abdulai into that CDM position yet? My intial thinking would be no let Franco bed in but then again if Abdulai and Franco bed in together it might be a blessing. Quite enjoyed the Wales game same players in defence and midfield looked good going forward as they did with Page but Page would adopt the defensive shape too much.If anything. Bellamy 's pressing game was well thought out, no Vipotnik or Yates rushing from one player to the with no support coming in the middle of the park, found it like schoolboys football to see Eom rushing to close down a full back only to the ball to be push into the space left leaving him stranded and bypassed with ease. Under orders? It was telling against Cardiff in the second half that Cooper was caught in two minds push on to support Cullen or wait for the support from behind that was not forth coming allowing us to be played through at their leisure, seen it far to often under Russell hoping it is ended by Williams.
I have no problem with international call ups and protocols needed which was alluded to in my last sentence but obviously I didn't express that view appropriately.
If teams are run properly they should be making an assessment of the opposition and it players before games.Who are playing come out an hour before so they can adjust their formation to suit with the players they have announced,with preparations they have previously worked on. When managers give honest answers to the media questions I do think things are given away, nothing wrong with a little deception and misdirection, Cullen's injury is understandable given his on the pitch reactions. In the case of international call ups and dropouts then the media is given information that are felt necessary to give to be fair to all concern, the players and teams, squad have to be announced surely.
He took two hits on the ankle against Wycombe the first he tried to shake off the second he looked uncomfortable after. Cannot see the issue he didn't play against WBA, presuming the hit taken would need time to recover, ankle injuries can sometimes need time to come back from. Why risk him with a international window giving him a chance to recover. He would know how strong the ankle is and would also seek the advise of the clubs medical staff, seems he is doing what is best for the club and himself while keeping his head down. Why would the club advertise the extent of the injury to other club so they target him on his return?
Thought we defended well as a team against PNE and Cardiff, first half and if the defending was better against WBA in the second half maybe William's will get the team functioning better for the whole game both in defence and attack sooner rather than later. Making and taking chances early in games, it is harder in away games as teams are expected to attack, providing we are defensively strong then no reason why we shouldn't be able to ride out teams intial pressure, even picking up away points as we did under Sheehan and Williams last season.
Yes I appreciate I needed to watch the game before commenting which is why I haven't posted much this weekend in relation to the game. As for players looking a class above there is something wrong within the team that means opposition players attributes are not being countered while ours are not being utilised to their full potential. As has been said before one size doesn't fit all, as teams use formations and styles to put us under pressure we have to use formations that relieve that pressure whatever part of the game we are in. Teams conceded goals just before the half time mark because plans are put in place to change things, up the pressure on team as they lose concentration looking for the half time whistle. Our team seems unable to adapt as games progress, leadership on the pitch or coaching that is stuck in a rigided style of play that teams know how to counter? A noteable game against PNE under Martin we totally dominated the first half going 3-0 up with Manning as a winger, something unexpected, PNE came out with a different plan in the second half so Manning was put back to fullback as we were in a position to win the game as defend that 3-0 lead successfully, just.
We have a number of new players that William's has to have a look at but it is the players he should know by now who have problems that need help in addressing. Martin had that horrendous run but addressed a number of problems to go on an acceptable run of games with the same players but playing a different style that suited the players at his disposal. The fact we are now short on centre forward players is amazing, coach naivety or club staffing ineptitude.
Liked what we saw against PNE this season and Cardiff's first half was what we expected but the second half, the league Cup games and the away games we really are playing below par.
Found it quite interesting in the article about Dembele at odds with Mowbray about what was being asked of him, Dembele wants to conserve energy for what he thought was beneficial to him and the attacking part of Birmingham's game and Mowbray wanted him to do the tracking back bit, so called him out for his workrate. We have too many players being asked to modify their game to the detriment of the player hinself and the team as a whole while being asked to play a role they are not suited to. Cooper as centre forward ! Really? Haven't had a chance to see the WBA game but you really have to get the defensive shape of the team right, If that is sorted the likes of Eom and Ronald have enough in their games to cause teams problems, we could even make our centre forward look good.
Edit because the last reference to the centre forward didn't make sense.
Cooper has put a bit of weight on to help the physical natue of his game and against PNE he was instrumental in two of the goals getting in the box in support of the wingers from the middle of the park. At the moment the likes of Fulton aren't getting anywhere near the standard of his midfield play, if Franco doesn't start I would play Allen with Cooper. How the team is sets up to counter the opposition formation is paramount, it was a cruise through the PNE and the first half of the Cardiff game would we have liked more incisive play yes but the second half of the Cardiff game and the whole Wycombe game we didn't counter or match their formation, how Luke wants the team to play and how he sets up the team to outplay the opposition are two different things.
Have seen Josh scoring goals in the friendlies and then not used along with others shipped out. Hope thiese moves are the making of them and Swansea reap any benefit in the long term
Franco, Cooper in the midfield with either Eom or Abdulai as the number 10 the other out wide with Ronald on the left The fullback Key and Tymon playing as fullbacks getting forward when they can but making sure we are defensively secure, would even play the left footed Pedersen on the left central defence with either Darling or Cabango, Cullen up top. Time for a change either get Grimes out of the defence or our of the starting line up.He has been coasting make him fight for his place.
Lured by the summer promises in early seventies, hooked on the beguiling family harmonies and experimental development even as Brian's input waned and Carl's and Dennis's increased..
Would like to see the midfielders playing in the midfield. Saw Darling's balls from our back line into Tymon, who obviously been asked to fill the void left in the middle by Grimes dropping back, being picked off because of the pedestrian style of play. Luke has got the team playing by numbers not by instinct borne out experience relying on Grimes, I really hope that ends soon bugger the consequences.
Thought he would have benefited having Key going beyond him but Naughton wasn't going to do that.He seemed to be looking for quick interplay and movement into space but Naughton wou6ld not be able to keep that up for long.
It seems as if our new signing come here to play quick football but soon become bogged down in our slow game, he just got the eye opener early.
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