Why can we not control a game when ahead?

For me Connel needs to step up and be the controlling midfielder I think he can be. Too many times this season we have faded after going ahead when we should be controlling the play

 

Usually after Collins makes his subs

 

Is that down to a lack of strength in depth? We have depth of course, but I looked at the bench yesterday and thought, there's not a single player there I'd like to see come on to help us see the game out. Having played 4 games in 9 days, you'd like to look to your bench for extra legs, but most subs at the minute seem to be to the detriment of the squad.

 

That wasn't the case against Peterborough. The damage had been done with the scores back level before the subs came on. That was down to our defenders being in a sheer panic whenever the ball got near our box.

 

Waters in front of cosgrove
Styles on for Phillips
Both down Collins

 

But again, Cosgrove hasn't been impacting games much either. I've no real issue with bringing Styles on for Phillips. He's the one sub who you cam see affecting the game. I agree I'd have Cosgrove over both Watters and Jalo yesterday, but there's obviously more to it than just the manager not being good enough. The manager last season as good enough, and he only had the same number of points at the same stage, with a better squad.

 

Both Connell and Kane were sub-standard yesterday after being the two best players on the field at Peterborough.
But as we all know we look ok going forward but suspect when under pressure. From the first minute to the last..
All our replacement defender signings from last summer are not up to standard.
Plus our mid-fielders are simply better going forward than defending as a unit or individually. Which, for me again, it's a recruitment failure. Buying the same type of player time after time.

 

I think we have signed too many players. We have gone for quantity over quality which means that the subs weaken us

 

The scattergun really did come back out in the summer. Three centre forwards brought in on permanent deals, along with one on loan on top of wanting to promote Jalo to the first team. Two right wing backs brought in, alongside the two already at the club, All the while, we were desparate for quality at the back to replace Andersen and Thomas. (Can make some allowances for Kitching's replacement, given the offer that came in and the timing of it)

 

Given McCart is the best of the bunch in the back three and was signed in a bit of a last minute panic to replace Kitching, you might argue Kitching is the one player that has even half adequately been replaced. Given he wasn’t exactly great in the few games he played for us this season (head turned clearly), McCart has been as good as he was this season.

The replacements for Thomas and Andersen? Not so much… though I do think there’s a player in Mael. He just needs to learn, and quickly. Williams has been a liability - we need a centre back with a little bit of pace to release him to play wing back - as O’Keeffe and Cotter are well short of what is required.

 

Connell and Kane were running through treacle early in the 2nd half, so Collins takes off the other midfielder who is admittedly not playing great but at least providing a bit of energy!

The guy is clueless. Why have a RWB in the bench when Williams can cover there? Why 3 strikers? An extra midfielder would make more sense surely when Luca is still getting there following injury and Herbie’s played lots of minutes (and he normally covers every blade of grass to be fair to him).

Bad selection and bad decision making within the game. It’s really basic stuff to me. Use your bench to cover as much as you can.

When we get in front we just sit back and invite pressure. It happens every time and has cost us too many points already. He’s not learning is he? It’s all very well having a philosophy but you have to play to the strengths of the players at your disposal. Hooking McAtee so early was a crime against football as well.

 

That's why we need to make some good signings. We do not play for 11 day's so we do have time on our side.

 

The approach to replacing Andersen had me bemused. If ever there was a time to try and get an experienced head in, it was in this circumstance. As it is, from the little I've seen of them, I'm not sure what attributes Loparta and Mael are bringing that attracted our interest in them. Are they winning their headers and making interceptions like Andersen did? They're certainly not organising the defence, and while he wasn't known for his pace, I'd back Andersen against both Lopara and Mael in a foot race. In fact, I'd back myself against Loparta but I wouldn't tell him to his face!

 

I still think making Williams captain has weakened him. He just isn't the same player

 

I feel for him. His confidence is shot to pieces. Again, this falls at the feet of the manager for me.

 

We could do with a defensively-minded midfielder like we've had in the past, a Scowen or Morsy type who can sniff out trouble and protect the defence a bit.

 

I'm looking forward to when players can be replaced with AI robot players.
We will all be happy then with the quality of our new AI players , no mistakes, 100% effort, perfect football. I can't wait.

 

If only