Just the same old moaning twohats dude, you not noticed this after every defeat/draw/wiseman mistake?
After 10 minutes of the game, it was clear that we would lose. After 20 minutes, it was clear that we would witness a sound thrashing. Now nobody wants to see their team outclassed, but the reaction from some individuals on here last night was unbelievable. They said we were not trying. They said the manager got the team/tactics wrong, and the usual scapegoats were singled out for personal abuse. I turned off without replying and went to my bed wondering what they expected and why they were not able to watch a game against last season's best team in English football without any semblance of realism entering their reasoning processes. Had we not just been destroyed by the team that scored six times at Old Trafford last season? I got up this morning thinking, there is no way that these people should get away with typing such nonsense. Unless I reply, their view become the accepted views of this board and in that case this board and our supporters in general will be seen as a fickle, and unreasonable rabble, rather than a group who actually support through thick and thin. I think that the thing that got to me most last night was that the manager had been turned upon. Just to refresh a few memories, Flitcroft took a job that had been turned down by at least two average managers. He changed the system and managed to over-achieve with a bunch of players who had failed for the previous manager. In a fit of over-reaction, for which this board is famous, he was hailed as the best manager who ever walked the corridors of Oakwell. Now, after two league defeats and a cup humiliation at the hands of a wonderful team away from home, that same over-reaction has got some calling for his head. These are people who see a defeat and look for someone to blame, even against the very best. They do not accept reality, they do not accept reason, they do not accept explanation, they do not accept honesty, they just want blood and in their blood lust they turn their sights on anyone and everyone. Only those who did not participate are innocent in their non-participation. Their unthinking criticism is bad for the club, it encourages knee-jerk reaction, it is short-termism and it is ignorant.
I agree with you there, also after we went two nil down I was just hoping we didn't start jumping into tackles and get some unnecessary bookings, sending off or injuries for our more important league run in. Not the best ninety minutes I've endured but this years FA Cup will be remembered I hope with the great win at Hull the win and atmosphere at Franchise dons and the build up and excitement to the city game. Now its back to bread and butter let's get behind em and give Brighton a football lesson who also incidentally have spent some money a lately. Come on you Reeeeddddsss
Top post and I agree 100% Some posters are an embarrassment to the club and we all know who they are.I often wonder if it worth while logging on. My opinion-for what its worth-is that we were unlucky to drop on one of the top teams in Europe on top of their form.[
I agree with some of that. But anybody who questions team selection, tactics etc, is not overreacting. The manager admitted (again) that he got it wrong. So I think they're valid questions. Just because some people post differing views/opinions, doesn't mean they are wrong. You suggest those who you don't agree with, are talking nonsense and shouldn't "get away with it" like you're the almighty opinion holder. I find that crass, personally. We are all unique and all entitled to our OWN opinions. Neither yours, theirs or mine are any more right or wrong. They're merely opinions. Some have formed them from watching the odd game. Some from TV or radio commentaries. Some from attending games week in week out. And some from watching games week in week out, and through knowledge unknown to many. Still just opinions. The most unflattering remark you made was insinuating that "their unthinking criticism is bad for the club". Those in charge of the club, those making club decisions, and those in charge of team affairs are the only people that can affect this club and it's path. And considering the rank bad management of the whole club in the last few years I for one will not be taking a leaf out of your book in trying to apportion blame on any supporter of the club. Good post, though. I always love reading your views. Just rarely agree with you. But such is life. I though, won't be starting a new thread or whatever, calling those with an alternative opinion "wrong" or saying they're "bad for the club". Opinions are like arseholes as the old saying goes, and there are many on here.... opinions that is. You Reds.
This board allows people to voice their views. Those views may be about the game, about the players or about the manager. I fully support that people be allowed to express their views, whether they support my own view, or are opposed to it. What I question is whether some supporters should moderate their views in the interests of supporting the club that we all love. The club, the players and the manager have a difficult few weeks ahead of them as they try to ensure Championship survival. Does it help the cause when some supporters are calling for the manager to go on the basis that they have lost a game with the current champions of England? Is it too much to hope that such views are exercised at the proper time, that is at the end of the season, rather than when we need everyone behind the cause. Regarding yesterday's game, many posters have second guessed the manager's team choice, his tactics and indeed his choice of playing systems. Those posters all have the benefit of hindsight. They know that we were heavily beaten. However, no-one knows the result had different players, tactics or systems been employed. This simple fact makes the manager wrong (and therefore an idiot) and everyone else right (and therefore a better manager than the present incumbent). We all play the management game, but it is important to realise that in our case, it is a game. As such, the views we have do not take under consideration such factors as the system the opposition a likely to utilise, the opposition strengths and weaknesses, the way to set up our team to take advantage of our strengths and minimise our weaknesses, the way we are going to cover injuries, tiredness and lost of form. There are a hundred more factors that the manager will need to think about before he picks his team, including the one on one battles within the team structure. There is a lot more to it than just picking your best eleven, but many on here do not think so. Many think that the manager is not picking players because of some personal animosity towards certain players, or even because the manager is obstinate in not listening to their opinion. They are convinced that the manager was wrong, and their team, chosen afterwards, would have produced a better result. More often than not, it would not have produced a better result, but no-one can prove it. So why did we lose to Manchester City. Well we did not lose because we did not try hard enough, or because we did not get into them. We lost because their players were better individually and also better as a team. They were stronger faster, fitter, had better touch, vision and awareness. That is what you get for £120k per week. We lost because the shape we began with, which was based on defending deep and counter-attacking, was destroyed within 10 minutes by their first goal. The conceding of that first goal so early made the team shape look foolish and ineffective. Unfortunately, that is what happens in football. You work all week on a plan to frustrate the opposition and circumstances render it redundant almost immediately. Would we have won with the players and shape we took up after Mellis joined the game. We shall never know for certain but I suggest not. To my eyes at least, both teams cruised through the final 20 minutes. The game was decided and there was really no need for either set of players to press the accelerator too hard. OK, we looked more of a threat on goal in the final quarter, but in a chance taking free for all, which of the two teams was likely to come out on top if we had been so open from the start. Frankly, my opinion is that it could and would have been worse. This manager has given supporters grounds to be optimistic again, but supporters must be careful not to let their optimism turn into over-optimism, which risks blinding them to the team's failings against physically tall and strong opposition. Playing the management game in my own mind before the game, I could not see a team that would have been able to cope with the Man City mid-field. I would have gone with the same tactics and my team would have lost whatever players I had picked. Thank-you for replying to my original post in such a reasonable manner. In the end, I enjoy any football debate that is conducted with respect on both sides and which does not result in personal insults being thrown about.
Good posts by some good lads on here just now. I agree with all your comments. Have you noticed it is the same few who make the How dare you criticise us remarks,. Our team yesterday was picked from a squad of players, some to start and some to come on later. They were used to playing in front of 8000 at home and up to say 15000 away against a similar standard ability. They come out against the Premiership champions and 46000 gate in the Etihad arena. They were like gladiators ready to be put to the sword. Just like Bradford at Wembley a step too far. We fought back in second half but our fate was already decided. Our manager is trying to find a combination to replace the system that did well for us, but unfortunately he cannot replace Stonesy or Golbourne. So he has to swap and change as he sees it. Again we are seeing that some players play better with others and not so good with some. We can all have a pop at one another on here, but deep down we are all wanting the same thing. There is nothing worse on a cold evening and going two, three ,four goals down. You sit it out but you are bitterly disappointed. You therefore blow your feelings on here and probably after regret it. Lets call a truce and all get there on Tuesday and see if we can get a win and lift us. To my friend Whitey, shake hands mate and I have wiped slate clean, we will march together It is football not life and death. Reality is when you are told you have not long to live not This Bulletin board
Why cant he replace them, Stones is not even a fullback, he is a centre half and Wiseman is made for that position, Goldie is not the best fullback either, there are players out there t5hat can play in that position, we CAN get one on loan. It is just that we signed a midfielder on loan when we went shopping for a leftback/wingback ! Playing Tunnicliffe yesterday was awful and putting TuTu on the right in front of a poor fullback was asking for trouble. There is no disgrace losing to City, but for the manager to come out after and say I made a mistake(again) in playing too many "pressers", when not one of the midfielders even did any pressing was just silly.
Hold on mad mark, stones was a full back not a centre half. He was good as a half back getting up field. Golbourne was a winger turned full back and again was good at getting up as a half back. We lost both. We Are trying to replace them from within but not getting much success. Flicker is trying in the market, but finding it difficult to get calibre wanted, also with fitness levels required. Our hope is for Dawson back in and Kennedy to middle and try, dare I say it Wiseman at back not in middle.
