A long, opinionated rant, but I want to get it off my chest and here seems as good a place as any. We all know we weren't good yesterday. We all know we've not really been "good" at all this season other than battering Gillingham. Part of that is down to us having a brand new team who need time to gel. Part of it is due to players like Lita stealing a wage, part of it is down to Brown refusing to put a challenge in whenever a winger is running at him, among other things. It's not just these two that have had poor games, but they've stood out. However what stands out above everything else, and was exactly the same last season under Wilson, is a total lack of urgency for 95% of each game. Yesterday is a prime example. We managed to get back into a game we'd gone behind in yes, quite against the run of play, but then didn't push on against a side who had lost SIX games in a row and who were no worrying we'd kick on and make it seven. We didn't, we let them attack at their leisure and they won a penalty. Their player skied it, and the home fans around me were nervously chuntering away saying that we'd go on to win it now, as often happens when a team throws away golden chances like that. We didn't. There was no attempt to sustain any pressure on Vale's rearguard, and again we were happy to let them carry on pressing for the win they desperately wanted, and got. I've been to all the away games this season and the MK Dons home game, and in none of them have we managed to dominate for the 90 minutes or looked to take the game to the opposition from the word go. Last season under Wilson, we were happy to sit back and let teams dominate us without a hint of wanting to stay up, bar a couple of wins away from home. We've gone through 30 odd players since January 2014 who collectively look like they're not bothered about winning games. So, whilst I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now, Wilson needs to learn how to motivate his team. I want to see a team bombing forward when we're drawing or losing games. I want to see us taking the game to the opposition from the off, especially teams there for the taking as Port Vale were yesterday. This is aside from ironing out defensive mistakes. Most of all though, I want to see Wilson gesticulating and shouting like a man possessed the next time Brown lets his man run into the box without a challenge, when we're lumping it aimlessly to the strikers and bypassing our talented midfield, when we're losing or drawing and just tapping it about without a care in the world. I want the man to show he isn't happy with what's going on on the field from the club who considers him a legend. So in summary, our young team is still learning, Wilson is still working out his best formations/players, but that doesn't mean we can't go into games with more vigour and an enthusiasm to win for the fans who make the trips away from home, and those that fork out £370 for a season ticket at Oakwell.
Couldn't agree more, what an absolute spot on post that echoes my thoughts entirely. I'm all for giving time and gelling, but like you say, that doesn't mean you have to play like water through a sieve lol
That's my major gripe. Gillingham game apart, every opponent I've seen both home & away has played with greater intensity & desire. That has to be a worry.
I can't argue with any of that, the post pretty much sums up the way I feel right now. One point however is that despite Danny's placid demeanour on the touchline I can't believe that he isn't screaming at some players and smashing tea cups in the dressing room.
I'd agree with that, in the main. There are some on here who keep saying they've seen some great football etc, but I'm sorry, in the majority of games, if not all but one (Gillingham) we've been second best for most of those games. Even against York in the JPT by all accounts. The understanding that it'll take time, that they need to gel and Danny needs to find the right formula, I get all that and any criticism I make on here is only that. It's not calling for regime change. But I've only seen the majority of games so far, on Player a day later. But in doing so, and from the games I have seen, I'd say that both yours (onemickybutler) and Jamo's posts I find very agreeable. Although I'm not sure I'd blame Danny too much for last season an how that lot played. It's been made clear to me from lads in that dressing room and folk at the club still, that the majority of laikers didn't give a toss, let alone listen to the manager or his staff. I will though keep repeating the 'early days' mantra. Until it no longer is. THEN I'll worry.
Its cos Gillingham sat back and allowed good players to play....so they said thanks and did. But all the rest we've played have not, they have got stuck into us, and we have failed the test time and again. Not saying that we need a team of Stephen Dawson's but we do need a mix of ball player and players that will stand up and be counted. We defiantly lack the latter at the moment...Bet teams love playing us.
An excellent post. Some of the current squad need some fire in their belly. While Wilson's motivational skill can be called into question, surely Crainie as captain has a responsibility to fire them up. Is he the man for the job?
Agree with some of the initial post. Other than a 10 gane periid under Flitcroft we hsve been poor in terms of intensity for the last 4 years. Not sure the manager jumping up and down matters either way though.
We will not get promoted this year but relax, we will get promoted next year from league 2 to league 1
With regard to this "urgency" thing, it struck me at the MK Dons match that we nearly scored from a quick free kick (when Hourihane hit the post). Yet time after time the game, and any momentum, died whenever the ball went into the crowd. In some parts of the ground the ball awaits it's return via a distant ballboy. And any urgency ends. Can we operate a multiball system? It'd have the players more switched on to the need to be eager. If we're at home we should be at the opposition's throat and pressuring them. Multiball - I suppose the other side need to agree? Or is it not allowed anyway?
Again agree with the intensity point, etc... I think a few good results early(ish) on raised my hopes that Danny had worked a miracle & got the balance right straight away. This was clearly a false dawn. If you read his interview he highlighted all the shortcomings. Brown was off at half time. We have 75% of a very good first team, but clearly lack at least one full back & a "target man" option, if the game dictates it.
