I always think you can tell a helluva lot about what's going on in a football club by the body language of the players, especially when they concede a goal. Today when the first went in, every one of our lads turned round and trudged back to their positions without even looking at one another. No-one tried to gee up the others - skipper Woodrow put the ball back on the centre spot and that was it. The boss wasn't offering any encouragement either. It looked certain to me that number 2 would follow quickly, which it did and saw a repeat of the same reaction. Number 3 went in and the players all looked like they'd rather be anywhere else than Oakwell. I get that times have been tough the last few weeks, but they look to me like they've just about given up already. Then Kitching comes off, blanks the gaffer and storms off into the West Stand (careful now!). Pretty much the first reaction of the day that belies their apparent frustration. Liam was sh*te today to be honest so I'm not sure he could have any complaints, but respect for showing what he did. In a 'together' side that'd be a real discipline issue, but the way it was today I saw it as brave. From then on there was a spark. A few other things on similar notes: - The players aren't warming up with any intensity. The half time 'workout' for the subs was pathetic. - Brittain is spending a lot of his time seriously berating his teammates. I'm not sure he's earning the right to do that with his performances. - The lads aren't looking at Woodrow for leadership any more than they are Schopp. He's struggling with his own game which isn't being helped by being the captain. If only we'd kept Solbauer. It's a real dark day because it's so hard to see where we go from here. These lads are crying out for some leadership with everything they have, but there's none in sight - on or off the pitch.
As soon as we let one in, we can easily let in four or five. The players may hate Schopp, and want him out, but the main reason we have no spirit - in my view - is because the players do not remotely believe in anything they are being instructed to do. They have lost a lion, and seen him replaced with a mouse. No wonder they are finding it tough.
Only just back in Leeds. I watched the whole thing. Why I do not know. We have a manager that is worse than Morais, worse than Parkin, worse than Spakman. The owners of this club do not give a damn as far as I see it. We all clapped the players at the end, but Schopp got what he deserves. Booed of the field. He was not got a clue. Spineless. As soon as he is gone from the club the better. I'd also drop Woodrow & make Helik captain. Until Cole came on we would have never scored in a month or even a year of Sundays.
I'm not sure Helik has shown enough to be captain either . Sol was never captain but almost right from the off he was organising, encouraging, explaining. The most i've seen Cauley do is clap his hands as we kick off again. And Mowatt led by example.too. As to Brittain I saw one part of the game with a lot of arm waving but at least he looks for the ball and tries. And it was that that made him and Styles a very formidable pairing on the wings last season.
Other than Collins, who could you seriously make captain? Woodrow wouldn't even start for me. Until Cole came on we we hopeless. Sadly at 3-0 down we left ourselves with too much to do & they closed down the last 10 minutes.
Have to be Collins, and that is another problem that was allowed to happen. We lost a captain and vice captain this summer.
We have also lost a dressing room & two stands. The third being closed to save money. I have lost all faith now in the club. Well dobe to Cole & Hondermarck to lead us to a beleaguered fight back in vain. Train in vain.
one question i had, and not really related to the situation, but the OP just reminded me. I never understood why subs do a half time workout on the pitch. Shouldn't they be listing to the team talk knowing that they will very likely be needed and will need to know the tactics and strategy? What good is them just having a kickabout in the centre circle going to do?
Not officially but he truly was - he acted more like a captain than any actual captain we've had since Hourahane.
Woodrow couldn’t be less utilised if they tried. He hasn’t got the presence to be captain, and he shouldn’t be taking corners or free kicks. He is a first touch striker, given a position on the edge of the box he’ll net 15 goals a season, both Callum’s are capable of putting a tricky ball in the box, and it’s clearly frustrating for them that they’re not required to do it this season. Before Dike we were a force to be reckoned with last season, these players aren’t incapable they’re just badly managed. And I don’t believe Schopp is 100% responsible for that, the whole organisation of the club disintegrated in the close season, Schopp is clearly out of his depth, but none of us know what’s going off behind the scenes. He doesn’t help himself, he appears to not realise how out of his depth he is, and his squad choices and tactical nouse are the poorest I remember at the club.
& last season’s bright, young prospects are depreciating game by game.. Time to stop the rot, before the whole bloody house falls down..
Schopp should be evaluated by body language specialists. I wonder if he'd remaining standing motionless in front of speeding truck? When he is sacked, I'm referring him to art school. He'll be an amazing life model.
