After a first half performance where we controlled the play, kept the ball and frustrated the Albion crowd we threw it all away in the stoppage time.
You have to wonder why, if it had worked so well to keep the ball, the players defended so deep in the second half despite the manager's instructions to push forward.
While it was gut-wrenching to concede that late goal by Vela (another reason to hate Arsenal) I still think it is a decent point away from home. We had only taken four points on our travels this season before yesterday, and I would definitely have taken a point had it been offered to me at twelve o'clock.
What we have to do is move on and look to the game on Saturday with Blackpool. This is a game we need to win, if anything to prove that we can beat those around us and get ourselves out of this mess. If we stick with the same formation, maybe bring in a player or two, then I think we will win.
When we went to Bloomfield Road we were desperately unlucky to come away with nothing. We hammered them for nearly all of the game and it was probably one of the most one sided games I have seen this season. Blackpool scored a wonder goal and a silly corner, but luck is no longer on their side and their form has deteriorated.
There is still a long way to go, we must not hit the panic button.
I dont think we should have ended up in this position in the first place. With one of the healthiest financial situations of any of the teams around us we should have consolidated our survival last year and pushed on for bigger things this season. Instead we have been in the relegation zone all season long, unable to string 2 results together and out early doors in both cups. Have we moved forward from last season ? Have we? Fans have lost all patience, and the comical tactics by mick must surely be having an effect on the players. Still, nothing like a bit of job security eh...
ReplyDeleteI agree completely Bloggerwolf, when we kept the ball in the first half (like so many times this season) we looked a decent side. But we unquestionably lack penetration going forward and only really created 2 chances (the goal and Jarvis' miss - which came about through a free kick and a poor defensive clearance). If we get in front the players seem to immediately assume 4-5-1 positions (as opposed to 4-3-3) and this explains why we never win by more than one goal and usually, in fact, end up hanging on grimly for the points. This would also explain why we (more than any other team) concede late in the match. It's a psychological problem. With 4-4-2 we get over run in midfield but with 4-5-1/4-3-3 although we are always in the game, the players seem perpetually worried that it's all about to go wrong and only ever really play 4-3-3 for the first ten minutes or when we are desperately chasing the game at the end. This attitude (though we all saw Mick and his coaches urging the team forward on sunday and the much maligned substitutions were obviously an attempt to achieve this effect) has to be emanating from the management. Is it easier to lose bravely than to really go out looking for a win?
ReplyDeleteOf the players that Mick has given the more attacking central midfield role only Edwards (injured and inconsistent as he is) really fits the description. Milijas and O'Hara with Henry behind (no matter that he is the booboys flavour of the month) has the makings of a fine central midfield but both the wingers must be more committed going forward if it is to work. Personally I think the real tragedy is that what we really lack is an attacking midfielder who is both combative and creative, one not afraid to run at the heart of premier league defences. Players like this are gold dust these days. We had one. And somehow we let him go to Bolton (of all places. A bit like when Keane went to Coventry - Are we really still a big club?) for a pittance. Forget the sometimes inexplicable tactical decisions and the misplaced loyalty, this could turn about to Mick's costliest mistake.