Team v Peterborough

Although to play devil's advocate, a year of playing Val Ball seems to have left us devoid of any ability on the ball.

 

First 45 at QPR, Mr Devil in disguise..

 

After the first half at QPR and the do or die v Coventry I thought we’d be ok this season .
The Coventry match especially where the players were putting their bodies on the line in a they shall not pass attitude .

 

I thought we'd be ok when we got to the first international break, though the performance against Birmingham caused some concern. But we just got worse and worse. And we are now left with what we have. A broken team.

 

Our defence seems to have gone from the Queens Guard efficiently guarding the Crown Jewels with all the latest armoury at their disposal to Corporal Jones and Private Godfrey with wooden replica rifles.

 

Collins
Britain Helik Anderson Kitching
Benson Gomes Styles
Iskea Woodrow
Morris.

 

Collins
Sibbick, Helik, Anderson, J.Williams
Brittan, Hondermark, Benson, Styles
Iseka & Morris

 

Collins
Moon Anderson Helick Kitchen
Brittain Gomes Benson Hondermark Styles
Woodrow

 

Collins

J.Williams, Helik, Anderson, Vita

Gomes
Hondermarck Benson
Brittain Styles

Morris


Playing 3 strikers every game is absolutely killing us. I’d stick with a traditional back 4 and pack the midfield (The area were constantly over run in). Hondermarck to add a bit of strength to the centre of the park. Brittain and styles more than capable of playing more advanced roles. Morris best striker we’ve got so he starts. Forget the press what’s the whole reason we start with 3 strikers and look where thats got us.

 

Collins.

Err that’s it really.

 

I also thought that Jordan did okay and kept out Laird for most of the game. Swansea were obviously expecting us to be vulnerable down the flanks by playing a back three. I don't think that Brittain looks like a right back in contrast. He would be better in right midfield where he can use his attacking flair to better effect. I agree about Hondermarck, whether he is played right back, centre back, or defensive midfielder. I don't care that he was only signed for the U23s. His performances have been better than many others in similar roles in the first team and you pick on form, not seniority. I agree with Andersen, or Kitching for the central defence alongside Helik. I do wonder if 4-2-3-1 is the way to go, with two midfielders to protect the suspect back four and four forward players to go a create as much mayhem as they can in the opposition half.

I would probably go:

Collins
J Williams Helik Andersen B Williams (or Vita)
Halme Hondermarck
Leya Iseka Benson Styles
Morris (or Woodrow)

I think that team would be harder to break down and more resolute in defence, whilst having enough flair up top to be a threat from central and wide positions.

 

I think that Oulare IS an option, but we have to learn how to use his strengths, either by using him as target man when coming out of defence (long ball, but accurately to feet, or chest), or as a striker when he needs quality crosses to whichever part of the box he is designated. Given the right service, he would be more of a threat and would give us something different, but he needs minutes on the pitch, even if as substitute initially. Make us hard to beat first and then hope that the goals will start to come again. Hopefully!!!

 

The responses prove just how difficult it is to pick the side right now. Barring Collins, we have so many players that have been played out of position, different formations and no identity any more, that it's difficult to know what the best XI is. Add to that the bizarre choice to sign Vita on loan and never play him, the Oulare cameos and the inny/outy tactics (the Fridge/Sibbick/Cole/Hondermarck/J Williams/B Williams etc etc etc, alleged poor attitudes, out of form (lol) players, and the mystery injuries that have dogged us and the problem grows. Really hope we get some consistency soon, at the very least with team selections.

 

It doesn't matter which players play the results will be the same until they get fitter and are allowed to play in a system that they have the ability to make work. You can dress it up however you like but the truth is the club as just fallen apart since the playoff semi final defeat. It needs somebody to grab the club by the scruff and shake it up and pull it up from its knees. Problem is theres certainly no one on the board going to do that and I don't think the CEO or new head coach are either. We have a board solely interested in profit from player sales, a board stooge as CEO, and a new head coach who is just happy to take what he's given.

 

It worse than a broken team it's a broken club rotten at the very top and withering underneath the alarm bells should have started ringing when despite a successful season staff left the club in droves over the summer from every department.

 

Collins

Williams Helik Andersen Kitching

Gomes

Brittain Palmer Benson Styles

Morris

 

Collins
Williams Helik Anderson Kitching
Brittain Benson Gomez Styles
Iseka Morris.

Easy

 

Collins

Don’t honestly know about the rest. I’d put Hondermarck in the middle though. At least he has a bit of presence about him.

 

Will Hondermarck even be training with the first team?

 

I don’t see why he shouldn’t be. On the brief appearances I’ve seen of him, he’s certainly no worse than what we see week in week out.