I always take my first assessment of a new manager after ten games. I think that's a reasonable progress report. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm giving him 5/10. We're currently still well in touch of top 6 and have the league top scorer. He's had a bit of bad luck with injuries, has been given a much weakened back three and being without Luca is like missing a leg. On the flip side, I just do not see a plan or an identity from him. Has hallmarks of Schopp. My broad opinion so far is that Port Vale aside, we've picked up points against really poor L1 sides. Which of course we need to do. But any time we've come up against anyone with any type of quality or tenacity, I think we've looked really really poor. The starting XI today was a mish mash, and it showed on the pitch. A group of players that just looked like they had no idea how to play together. If that's injuries fair do's. If it's Collins thinking that was the best XI to put out, we should be worried. The situation up front is a big worry for me. If Cole goes in Jan, I think we can forget top 6. I know PeniRed will be waiting in the wings, but letting Norwood go just looks worse and worse IMO. Cosgrove so far looks like the smallest 'big man' I've seen for some time. Watters literally does nothing and McAtee just isn't clicking with Cole at all. Finally, the mentality of the group. The stats now, when going behind, are a big problem. Obviously a long way to go and plenty of time for Collins to step it up. But after 10 games I'm pretty unconvinced by him, and frankly bored.
Certainly a mixed bag. Away from home, I think we’ve looked good and picked up some good wins. At home though we’ve been mostly poor, apart from the odd spell. I’ve been banging on about it all season, as most have, but we’re missing Luca in the middle big style. Luckily this league looks a lot more equal this season where anyone can beat anyone so hopefully by the time Luca is back and we have a settled side, we won’t be too far adrift.
I think we have the personnel to be Ok. But our style is boring at the moment. We look a bit timid, I'm sure if we attacked teams with more pace, numbers and directness we'd get better results. Still early days,
Right Centre Half to CH to LCH to CH to RCH to CH to LCH. Collins needs to step up now, we have a decent squad in a poor league 1. He got his team selection wrong today. He doesn't know his best 11 but he should by now. He has a big job now and to be successful he needs to prove he can do this job at this level because he won't have a better chance than this. The board can't be blamed as we have a good enough squad of players they just need leading correctly. If Collins can't do this then the board will have to find someone who can, hopefully Collins steps up quickly. 4 home defeats isn't good enough.
Two came on second half.. and put some excellent crosses in.. both players should have started. Has a few said our midfield looked as weak as pi55 before kick off against a not bad, but not great blackpool.. our defence as got a least 2 or 3 b0ll0cks to drop every game. Three of our forwards are looking lost..
It doesn’t help that there are only 2 strikers other than Cole at the club who know how to score. One of those is on loan to York and the other is the assistant manager!
Agree with most of that....just as a footnote, with this team we are far too slow and obvious in possession. Please coach do the homework ...if we are playing a high press team ....pick a team to counter it ie a guy upfront who can win the high / long ball and hold the the ball up. Today our starting wingbacks were nullified by their press but we seemed incapable of finding a way to have a shot...very frustrating. I will say this is probably a cleaning curve for our coach.
Very nearly a great post but the board certainly can be blamed - for leaving us with this shower of a collection of centre backs; with no proper, credible partner for Cole; and no leader on the field. They aren’t blameless. They also appointed Collins. And even with the weaknesses in the squad I highlight; his team is underperforming hugely. I’ve given him his ten games. We’ve got worse in that time. Markedly. I wouldn’t suggest changing him yet if Neil Warnock wasn’t available and chomping at the bit to get back into the game. Someone will snap him up soon enough. See if he wants it; if not, give Collins another five or six games. If he does - sorry, there’s no place for emotion in football. He hasn’t been good enough.
Two of our three midfielders would walk into most teams in this division. The midfield is not the problem as far as I’m concerned.
The problem I see is they're all much of a muchness all pretty on the eye without getting very far. Very good at sideways then back. but when we go one down, not one who grabs the team by the 'scruff of the neck' and drives us forward.. Our recruitment team always go for the same type of player..
