Thoughts on today's game

Felt like I needed to write something today just to get my frustration down - frustration that built up from the second I saw the starting line-up. I was absolutely certain we would go back to 3-5-2 so hearing that we were lining up 4-4-2 with Kennedy at left back and with Dawson, Perks and Etuhu all playing again disheartened me before kick off, but did my best to at least try and think positively pre-match.

That didn't last long.

I know he would probably view it as his position but Tom Kennedy will not be a left back while he's got a hole in his arse. He's not quick. He's not strong. He's weak in the air. His distribution (unless O'Grady has made a run into the left channel) is appalling, but his biggest flaw is his positioning. He's consistently 2-3 yards behind the rest of the defensive line. Deeney didn't even look close to offside as he was played through to me, because Kennedy was far deeper than everyone else. It's not the first time this season but I sincerely hope its the last. The defenders standing with their arms up didn't help, and Deeney was never going to miss. Feared the worst from the second it went in - and was surprised when we found a way back into it, though it wasn't through any creativity. Scotland did well to win the ball back for himself and unleashed a fine drive into the bottom corner. Was right behind the line of the shot and it was perfectly into the gap between Almunia's fingertips and the post, superb strike. Thought Scotland to his credit looked fitter than he has previously and managed to lead the line really well - shame that nobody behind the front two bothered to turn up.

There's no doubt that it was a foul on Scotland in the build-up to the 2nd goal but that doesn't excuse what followed. McGugan given far too much room and time to pick up a ball forward, turn about 8 times and then shoot. The deflection should have been dealt with comfortably but Kennedy was (again) ball watching and allowed the wide man to sneak in behind him and volley in. 2-1 and certainly felt as if the game was gone to me. I was hoping though that we wouldn't capitulate in the same way as we have been.

The 3rd goal before half time was the killer and again came from Watford's main dangerman Anya being given too much room. He left Wiseman for dead and cut the ball back for Forestieri to fire high into the net. 3-1. Game over.

The half time changes were the 2 changes that I would have made but made 45 minutes too late. The treatment of RNL so far this season has bemused me - we've look best when he's been in the side in a 3-5-2, and it was a straight choice really between bringing on O'Brien or M'Voto in order to go 3-5-2, due to the ignorance of Hassell. We immediately looked brighter for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half with Noble-Lazarus managing to be the biggest threat in the team from left wing back. The big moment for us of the half came when Wiseman's deep cross was headed across goal by O'Grady. Cranie ran onto it 6 yards out with the goal gaping but his header was saved by Almunia. A great save, but I dont really think he should have been given a chance of saving it. Within a few minutes, we were 4-1 down with Perkins reacting slowly to a dropping ball and allowing Murray to fire a great shot into the corner from 25 yards.

The 5th goal, however, was embarrassing. Perkins gave the ball away on the edge of the box to Anya - who was always going to be too quick for him. Perkins seemed desperate to atone for his own error and sprinted after Anya. Wiseman started to come across to engage Anya and was immediately met by Perkins angrily gesturing for him to go back in the middle and mark Deeney. You could argue Wiseman should have ignored Perkins and come across anyway, but it was a baffling reaction from Perkins who was never going to catch Anya in a million years. Anya duly surged into the box and smashed the ball into the bottom corner. Steele started berating Wiseman who immediately pointed the finger at Perkins - the team spirit doesn't seem there to me.

Still time for us to miss a great chance with Scotland blazing over, but he'd been one of very few bright points.

All in all Flitcroft got it badly wrong with the system and selection and tried to atone for it too late. McCourt got a chance for half an hour and looked neat on the ball, looking to run with it and pass to feet, but it must make Cywka wonder what on earth is going on while he's sat on the bench. To me there's a lack of consistency in selection in terms of system, personnel and substitutions that makes little sense. We don't seem to know our best team and the lack of certainty is certainly causing some problems. Flitcroft underperforming and the majority of the players underperforming.

In terms of individuals, O'Grady and Scotland did their best with the limited service they got. Beyond that, only really RNL to me was any kind of positive - at least trying to be direct and attacking. The rest ranged from mediocre to dreadful.

I'd say Kennedy was atrocious and rightly taken off at half time. Shouldn't be in the side unless its LCB of a three. Dawson also was rightly removed - I have slightly more sympathy with him as he will never ever be a right winger and its ridiculous to play him there. I thought Perkins had an absolute nightmare - endlessly picking the wrong option and berating everyone around him.

It's tough right now to see where the next positive result is going to come from. I do want Flitcroft to be given time but he has to learn from the mistakes that are being made. Settle on a system (3-5-2), settle on as much of a consistent selection as possible, and allow some creativity. The negativity isn't working and we cannot keep crumbling like we are by inviting teams on. We're not good enough defensively.

Crunch time.

 

We are easy to play against at the moment , we drop off when they av ball , and we don't av no pace or creativity to worry the opposition . We are the total opposite off how we played last back end

 

Good report.

Kennedy shouldn't really be in with a shout in a back three though either. Not with Nyatanga, Ramage and Cranie in the squad. But my first pick in a back three would be Hassell in the centre with two of the above three at either side of him. Clearly I'm a big fan of Bobby Hassell, but I wouldn't start him in back four, although he'd definitely be on the bench. In a back three he'd be perfect and might actually bring some organisation in to what is quickly becoming a shambles.

 

Crazy when we are shipping goals all over the place that we don't have bobbys experience to steady the ship

 

Oh no I agree, but its the only position Kennedy should be considered for - thats all I meant.

Flitcroft's suggestion after the match that some of his players are trying hard but just aren't good enough at the moment would lead me to think Kennedy is top of that list.

 

That has to be the post of this season. I doff my cap sir !