Like the Wigan game it was clear from a couple of minutes in to today's game that we were going to get proper turned over. What puzzles me is our starting formation. In Flicker's pre-match press conference he made reference to Watford's two pacey wing-backs. So, if we have identified them as a major part of Watford's threat, why did we set up with a flat back four and, more to the point, why did we place one of the slowest players in our squad on the right side of midfield? Their left wing back had the freedom of Oakwell. Now, if we the fans can see the problem straight away then what is Martin Scott's role in all of this? I went to the Q&A with the management trio and Ben Mansford before the start of the season and I clearly remember Martin Scott saying that he tends to sit higher up in the West Stand so that he can monitor the shape of our team and the opposition. Now I saw him come down and speak to Flicker in the first half and then disappear again; but what did they talk about? What bit of tactical genius was discussed at that point to get us out of the very deep hole we were digging? Credit where it is due, the formation changed for the second half. RNL and JOB came on and for a while we did push their wing backs back a little. My question is this though - why did we wait until half time to make this change? If we could see it wasn't right why wait until half time? The game was already lost. We were better for the first half of the second half, but then Zola made a very effective switch. He took off Lloyd Doyley and stuck the big number 5 on Chris O'Grady. It helped them to kill any momentum that we had. I will give thanks to O'Grady and Jason Scotland because they both put the effort in. RNL was willing to have a go too. McCourt showed some nice touches but doesn't look particularly strong. As for the rest of them I'm far from happy. The effort was not there. If you can bare to watch the game again on Player just pick a random five minutes in the first half particularly and watch our lack of closing players down. It's appalling. They stood off Watford and let them take the time to choose their pass - very dangerous against a team with fantastic pace. That to me says that, for all Flicker's enthusiasm, it is no longer rubbing off on the players. The majority are not working as hard for him. As a person I like Flicker. He's eloquent and his passion comes over in interviews. I like listening to him. However, I am beginning to have doubts about his ability to get the majority of our players to raise their game. There will be a number of clubs in our division whose supporters will be feeling the same way tonight. The big question is how do those that do the hiring and firing at these clubs feel? It's not going to be long before the first manager is sacked and the question for Mansford et al is this; do we make a move for the managers that are currently available before another club does? Do we go and get someone different before, say, Wednesday are also in the market for a new boss? Monday's board meeting at Oakwell is going to be crucial.
Excellent post. Sums everything up pretty well. Personally, I'd like to see Flitcroft et al given time to put things right though. I just can't see how yet another managerial change is the answer, but something has clearly changed for the worse between the end of last season and now. Today's starting team and formation was pretty hard to forgive, as was the reaction to fall back to JOB (who's done nothing to merit his place in the team this season) as part of the response. To be fair, JOB did OK but I found it worrying that he got the chance when he's done little to deserve it in recent games. RNL did well once he game on, but he did the same against Huddersfield, and then got dropped.
Some really good points there. Also, has anyone noticed a difference in Flickers interviews when compared to last year? His language and enthusiasm seems to have disappeared. He's more critical. What's happening behind the scenes? Sad to say but we really do seem to be in the dark days of 'Hillcroft' once again. C'mon Flicker, snap out of it. Put personal feelings aside and pick the best players consistently! We're running out of time and I'm running out of patience after feeling so positive prior to the start of this season. It's expensive this supporting lark and I don't wanna pay to get depressed every week. I don't mind us losing when we play well but when we're not even competitive it's not good enough.
For me if he had to go 442 then O`Brien should have started in place of Dawson, maybe we wouldn`t have completely stopped the lightening winger but he would have offered more support to Wiseman. Rightly JOB aint cracked many pots this season but then he aint been played in his natural position, today was that ideal opportunity, but Dawson got the nod once again.