Wednesday night will be Poya's first game in charge and it will 2 years and a day since Gerhard's first game. Current Position going into Wednesday game (24/11/21): Position going into Gerhard's first game (23/11/21): We've played 2 more games this season and have 2 extra points but essentially the new manager is faced with a similar task. The main difference appears to be the quality of the players and you could argue that - on paper - we have better players and a stronger squad than back then. Strarting line up from Struber's first match: If the new head coach gets a tune out of these players along with a decent transfer window then I see no reason in getting out of this mess It's a big if but we've done it before.
I’d say it’s possible, but not probable. Struber inherited a team with Mowatt, an in form Woodrow and the squad had had a proper pre season so were probably a lot fitter than this squad. If he can get the best out of Helik, Styles, Brittain and Morris then there’s a chance. But how does he allow for our inexperience in the midfield?
It'll be interesting to see how he resolves that dilemma. Initially he could put more bodies in there or bypass it all together and then hopefully he'll be able to bring in some experience in the transfer window.
I have to agree with that. The loss of Mowatt has left a massive hole in midfield - a lot bigger than many of our fans realised.
So basically we’re pinning our hopes on Reading getting another points deduction? Much like Wigan, that’s the only reason we stayed up, not because we were good enough. Sorry but just can’t see us getting out of this mess, and I fully expect Derby to finish above us & Peterborough.
Hopefully, but how does he get us winning games over the next 6 weeks? I’m hoping with Morris back, as well as Oulare and Vic, that we can bypass the midfield and let them concentrate on breaking up play when needed. I think we’ve seen this season why Ismael had them hook the ball aimlessly over their shoulders rather than get the ball facing their own goal and try and turn with it.
Yes. And if my memory serves he setup with a diamond formation, which was pretty attacking with Woodrow as the attacking midfielder. And we relied on Woodrow and chaplin’s goals, along with Brown’s assists to basically score more than we conceded. Then he was able to do something with the defence during lockdown. But I’m not sure this group even have the basic fitness needed. different ways of keeping possession. I don’t think we have the midfielders to get the ball from the defence and pass through the middle, but we do have forwards that can hold the ball up in the channels.
If Struber came into the club now, who would he play in his diamond line up? Collins Jordan Williams, Andersen, Helik, Kitching Benson Gomes, Palmer Woodrow Morris, Leya Iseka That's got to be a better team on paper than Radlinger Cavare, Andersen, Diaby, B Williams Halme Mowatt, Bahre Woodrow Brown, Chaplin Right?
Didn't think cavare hardly played under struber? I wouldnt want j. Williams at right back rather brittain or sibbick I don't think kitching could play left back either.
I don't think Brittain can be a full back. Not a defensive one anyway. According to Transfermarkt, Kitching has played 53 games at CB and 40 games at LB, but I'm not sure he has the pace to bomb up and down the wing. You're right about Cavare after Christmas because we signed Ludewig on loan, but I thought he played a few until then.
That crap was flushed out quickly. This one's dangling out of the arse hole. Just needs a good shove and we'll be reight .
I think we've got better players now than then. But I think our fitness is way off. Others will know better than me if its possible to improve fitness significantly mid season during a very busy playing schedule. I also don't think the application is there on the field either. Midfield is a huge worry though and is crying out for someone who has played a bit of football to organise. I've no doubt Benson, Palmer, Hondermarck, Kane, Styles and Gomes have talent. But knowhow is a very valuable (and sometimes expensive) trait. Seemingly one we don't generally appreciate. We're not that far behind and there is a lot of season to go. But we need to start picking up points soon to get some belief in the squad and see if that confidence aids application and increased effort.
My worry is that fitness doesn’t seem to have improved as you would expect after 18 games and three international break. Whether that’s because the coaches are not demanding enough, or the fitness coaches are just not good. Frankly, given the points return we have, we’d have been better off sending the first team squad off to have a pre season program and have the u23s play the matches. To see a team so often look disorganised and lacking fitness makes you wonder what they’re actually doing between games. Asbaghi is going to have to be creative with the midfield. Palmer, Brittain and Palmer are the ones with 100+ appearances, can make a case for making sure that at least two of those starting in a midfield 3.