Back in July, we were all very smug (yes we were) when Donny had no money and we were nicking their players. If rumours are true, we almost landed Coppinger as well. Our competitive budget enabled us to do this. Since then, Donny have played us off the park home and away - only the fact that they are also poor keeping a respectable lid on the scorelines. Their fans must be pissing themselves. I feel sorry for those of you who made the trip today.
Poor management mate, and I know I sound like a broken record but he just seems to have no idea how to play the players or motivate them! Some players are treating games like training games or pre season friendlies... Never thought I would say this but a miss Perkins and Dawson. Is this really how bad things have got?
Nothing's gone wrong, we have the youngest squad I've ever known, building for something that will last for years. But every time theses young lads lose a game the same pr1cks come out of their holes to have a go. It might take 2 years maybe 3 or 4 but, it will be worth it, it's just that some of you don't think we should lose any games ever, and that's the problem.
I can handle losing, as long as performances are of a decent standard, and we show improvement, but unfortunately that just isn't happening, and I find that unacceptable given the players we have at our disposal.
Never rated either in the championship. But put Perkins and Dawson in this team, maybe even just one of them, and I'd wager we'd improve five fold. Our midfield is a waste of space. Apart obviously from Conor 'can't criticise him as he scores a few' hourihane. Don't get me wrong, I think Conor can be a huge asset, but I think he's a luxury that has to be carried in a team playing well. Or at least playing... We aren't. In a central two alongside berry, or anything else we've had up to now, I often forget he's playing, he disappears that quickly. If he had someone to do his defending and running - like a player who will run his blood to water a la mssrs Perkins or Dawson, that'd be a start. Hopefully the new signings, particularly Pearson, will sort it. And I don't think a few games rest would kill mr hourihane either. He can't be untouchable and undroppable.
We have a very healthy budget for this league and to be performing as we are is abysmal. Forget building for the future, the fans deserve better than this. Wilson doesn't seem able to either organise or motivate. The tactics and selection are poor and the players seem to lack the passion, desire or effort which should be a bare minimum of expectations. He can't hide behind playing youngsters, that just doesn't wash. As for waiting for 3-4 years to see him build something, what a joke. Decent players will always move on and modern football sees a massive turnover of players every season, so long term plans are all well and good but mostly unrealistic. You need to plan for success now, whilst bringing through some younger players. Putting out a virtual academy side is laughable and is proving to be a disaster.
Well we've scored 34 in the league, he's bagged eleven (in 24 games from midfield, I don't dispute that is a great return). So for that stat to be true he'd have to have assisted 12, and I don't think he has. But even if he hasn't you're not far off accurate regardless. That isn't really the point. Nobody to my knowledge has suggested he's useless. But he's scored two in his last ten games, created next to sod all, and he does absolutely nothing else. He doesn't track, tackle, run, cover, mark. Has no physical presence, disappears in games for chunks of time. If he's going to be an effective all round midfield player these things need adding to his game. This isn't likely to happen so he has to contribute his main asset. Goals and assists. So essentially - since probably the end of November - he's done very little. Why? Loss of confidence? Dip in form? Missing winnall to link up top? Probably all of the above. He's played every minute of every game. A lot of those games have been poor. From all, including him. I think he should have a blow for a game or two. Conor hourihane, with two midfielders behind him to do the ugly stuff, can be the best attacking, goalscoring midfield player in the division most likely. He's not quite there yet, though his goal scoring return is pretty brilliant. At the moment though he is not playing well, everyone else has been dropped at some point. Rotated. Rested. Whatever. He's never even been substituted. He's ineffective at the moment. A penalty that never was against Yeovil aside, he's struggling in my opinion. If he was pulling trees up we couldn't afford to not have him in the side, but he isn't. If he carries on playing every game he'll burn out, errors will increase, he might even pick up a long term injury due to fatigue. Get him rested so he's fresh for winnall coming back I say. It's not like I'm suggesting he's ***** and to get rid.
I understand that viewpoint, you make some strong arguments, mate. I wasn't there today, but I thought he did well last week, won and scored the penalty, it was also his cross that Holgate got on the end of that Waring scored from. He's nearly always involved in our good stuff. I appreciate he lacks in other areas, and I certainly do agree that he goes missing in games. But all that said, I wouldn't drop him. I'm intrigued though now. Maybe you're right (not just you, there are plenty of CH doubters on here). Maybe we'd fare better without him? We'll only find out if we drop him for a few games. I don't think we'll see that though. I think the fact he's contributed to the vast majority of our goals scored this season puts him firmly on Danny's 'must start' list. He's his captain now too... A lot of folk on here (in August) went OTT over Conor. Best since Hignett they said. I disagreed and argued with them. But likewise, I'm disagreeing with his recent critics. It's not always black or white, amazing or abysmal. Fine lines etc. I keep saying it, but Winnall is the key. I just hope that upon his return he can perform to the levels he was prior to the injury. That lad makes BFC tick. Every good team has that one player. Sam is ours. We've missed him massively.
And yet people think he's a poor player. Play him behind the striker with two defensive midfielders like Pearson and Scowen and then he doesn't have to defend as much.
