No-one likes losing to a poor side, and Southampton were a poor side, but many posters have let their emotions rule their heads. Surely there was an excuse for the team on Saturday based on the team and system Davey was forced to field. For a 4-4-2, Davey needed another central midfield player. Simon Heslop can't even get a loan to Grimsby. I have watched Butterfield since he was 16 years old when he looked a very good player indeed. As he has grown older the deficiencies in his play have become more apparent. He lacks pace and does not work hard enough when we do not have the ball. The goal on Saturday came not only through poor marking in the box, it came from lack of pressure on the passer at the edge of the box after the initial corner had been cleared. In my view Davey had no option, he had to play a diamond (and I hate the diamond so that is saying something). In a diamond the width is provided by the full backs where we found 2 players playing out of position and consequently unable to fullfil the requirements of the system. In midfield we had 4 more players that were playing out of position. We had a full back at the defensive point of the diamond (who was in my opinion the best player on the park), we had two wingers playing inside of their normal positions and we had a centre forward playing at the point of the diamond. Surely the afore mentioned 6 players should be immune from critisism given their willingness to sacrifice for the team. They should also be immune from critisism on the grounds that in spite of their deficiencies they managed to create enough chances to have won two games. Davey, quite rightly in my opinion, saved his critisism after the match for the strikers who contrived to miss at least 5 easy chances. Odejayi has become the focus of criticism of the forward line on this board, most of it unwaranted in my opinion. In the 10 minutes he played on Saturday, when the system had gone to pot and we were chasing the game by lobbing hopeful balls forward, he was denied a clear penalty as Southampton fretted about his height and power. And yet Macken can miss chances and hide outside the danger areas and behind the opposition centre half and escape real critisism. Cureton can take no part in the game other than to miss 2 clear chances and people can advocate that we sign him permanently. Unbelievable!
Macken was played wide out of the front "three" to accomodate the abject Rigters. Top goal scorer out wide. Coudl easily have played Rigters there as when he has looked anything like it's not been in the centre it's been cutting in from the wing. And KO is baba
Macken played where he always plays, where he is unlikely to get hurt or hurt the opposition. How many near post runs have you seen him make, finding space ahead of defenders. I'm afraid we will not agree on this one but I can see why Davey is looking for two forwards.
All 3 not up to it at this level Perhaps one of the three could be accommodated, and even then not for the full 90 mins. Macken and Cureton not working for the team, Rigters appears not to have the touch in front of goal, not unlike ODJ. Good job JCR and the much improved midfielder Hassell cleared up so much after they'd lost the ball. 2 up front required asap.
Good post and i agree with most of what you say. Macken and Cureton are coming to the end of their careers, they are not going to run their blood to water for this Championship club. They have seen it all before and probably quite content just to be picking a wage up every week. What we really need is young ambitious players who want to make a name for themselves. There are plenty of those playing in the fringes of premiership clubs and some in the championship. If i was Davey i would get two quick young promising lads from premiership on loan. Lads who want to make a name for themselves and who want to impress. If Hull did it last season with the accusition of Fraizer Campbell why can't we?
If you looked at how we played and tactics employed and you were up and coming would you come to us?? Also (and Im like this too) we give stick too easily and quickly at the players, Look when Chopra came!! Yes if over time they are crap (Oddjob) then its deserved, were giving Cureton it and he has played 7 games in a new team and got 2 goals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
