The disaster at Hull is an example of how we have changed the personnel but not solved the problem.
Like last season when the threads here were full of "how many games do we give the manager to prove himself", we are back here again.
Martin was a slave to his own cult and could not change what he thought was the best way to play. That was ignoring the fact that his players could not or would not or did not want to play that way. Given his history and experience, I would say that was a supreme arrogance that cost him his job (but too late to help us).
Still may not have the experience but as a coach surely he can see that there are a number of problems that need fixing or at least we find a way to play that reduces the prospect of those problems costing us goals.
In the games to date, I would say that playing with three CB or more recently a back 4, he has the right idea in trying to stop the attacking team having chances in front of goal but ...
We cannot defend crosses. If the opposition play the ball inside to their midfield coming onto the ball in our half, our midfielders are either too far forward or too far back and can't engage until it's too late. This gives the opposition chances from the edge of the box.
Looking back at the Portsmouth and earlier games, the midfield is all at sea. They don't seem to know if they should be pressing or defending. The result is a half and half mess which is easy to play through and does not protect our defenders.
Arguably with 3 x CB plus FB or 4xdefenders we should not need protection but THB/JS/etc seem unable to step out the required 10 metres to disrupt and spoil - perhaps acting under orders.
As a result we don't have a team. We have a group of defenders who guard the centre (poorly) but who keep a shape. We have forwards who - bless 'em - make runs in the vain hope that a colleague will pass the ball. And we have a number of players in midfield who wander around with no real clue.
The second half of the portsmouth game gave us a glace at what should happen. A higher press, players closer to each other, less distance between the units.
Against Hull this was missing and we were punished.
If the team is playing to orders, those orders need changing.
If the team is not good enough to play to orders, then the personnel needs changing. |  |
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