An Embarrassing Display of Incompetent Management

[Trouserdog]

As so often happens when I hear the team read out pre-match, my heart sinks, knowing that we're in for yet another aimless, shapeless display. The 3-5-2 system we adopted at Huddersfield looked like a dog's dinner, and it only picked up a point due to how bad the opposition were. Sticking with it against a decent Hull side was the first of many poor decisions from Alex Neil today.

First of all, Daniel Johnson isn't a wing back. He's versatile, but only in an attacking sense. Could it be that a decision to sell our best (only) left wing-back an hour before the transfer window closed then switch to a system that uses wing-backs is actually the most thick-as-pigshit decision we've seen in recent times? I'm not sure, because the decision to load the squad with wingers, have four of them on the pitch at one time today, but not a single one actually playing as a winger could equal it. Yep, how about a forward pairing of two tricky wingers who both look like they can beat a man and cut in...why don't we pair them up and lump the ball forward to them, while we leave our target man on the bench. How's that for a plan?

Or what about this:we'll line up with 3 at the back and very high wing backs. So high up in fact (none of those stupid fans will be able to say we were negative then!) that there are two enormous spaces on either flank. Acres of room...hectares of room...great fucking swathes of African plain levels of room...where wildebeests can roam and Hull wingers can run into space completely unopposed, pulling our Three Stooges backline (or the Three Fannies as I've christened them) all over the place. Fair play to Liam Rosenior because he spotted this after about ten minutes, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with his wingers high up in these unmanned spaces. A competent manager, however- someone who knows how tactics work rather than, say, a complete and utter fuckwit- would respond by switching to 4 at the back and blocking off these sudden avenues of joy that Hull had discovered. We didn't do that though. We just let them keep doing it as our defence flailed about, our midfielders had no idea whether to drop into spaces, track runners or press the ball. Instead they just stood transfixed, unsure as to what was being asked of them, watching waves of Hull players pour forward into our half unchallenged.

It's absolutely pathetic. I feel sorry for the players, because it isn't going to be possible for them to gel unless they've actually got some sort of consistent structure and game plan to play to. Whatever we were trying to do today I have absolutely no idea. They didn't either. It was shambolic, and every single one of them was hung out to dry by an idiot who needs to sort his shit out immediately or fuck off out of this job.

[foxysgloves]

Sept 24, 2023 14:49:24 GMT Trouserdog said:

As so often happens when I hear the team read out pre-match, my heart sinks, knowing that we're in for yet another aimless, shapeless display. The 3-5-2 system we adopted at Huddersfield looked like a dog's dinner, and it only picked up a point due to how bad the opposition were. Sticking with it against a decent Hull side was the first of many poor decisions from Alex Neil today.

First of all, Daniel Johnson isn't a wing back. He's versatile, but only in an attacking sense. Could it be that a decision to sell our best (only) left wing-back an hour before the transfer window closed then switch to a system that uses wing-backs is actually the most thick-as-pigshit decision we've seen in recent times? I'm not sure, because the decision to load the squad with wingers, have four of them on the pitch at one time today, but not a single one actually playing as a winger could equal it. Yep, how about a forward pairing of two tricky wingers who both look like they can beat a man and cut in...why don't we pair them up and lump the ball forward to them, while we leave our target man on the bench. How's that for a plan?

Or what about this:we'll line up with 3 at the back and very high wing backs. So high up in fact (none of those stupid fans will be able to say we were negative then!) that there are two enormous spaces on either flank. Acres of room...hectares of room...great fucking swathes of African plain levels of room...where wildebeests can roam and Hull wingers can run into space completely unopposed, pulling our Three Stooges backline (or the Three Fannies as I've christened them) all over the place. Fair play to Liam Rosenior because he spotted this after about ten minutes, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with his wingers high up in these unmanned spaces. A competent manager, however- someone who knows how tactics work rather than, say, a complete and utter fuckwit- would respond by switching to 4 at the back and blocking off these sudden avenues of joy that Hull had discovered. We didn't do that though. We just let them keep doing it as our defence flailed about, our midfielders had no idea whether to drop into spaces, track runners or press the ball. Instead they just stood transfixed, unsure as to what was being asked of them, watching waves of Hull players pour forward into our half unchallenged.

It's absolutely pathetic. I feel sorry for the players, because it isn't going to be possible for them to gel unless they've actually got some sort of consistent structure and game plan to play to. Whatever we were trying to do today I have absolutely no idea. They didn't either. It was shambolic, and every single one of them was hung out to dry by an idiot who needs to sort his shit out immediately or fuck off out of this job.

Sadly I can’t argue with any of that.

There’s a horrible inevitability about it all.

[bayernoatcake]

It’s almost like he should have been sacked in May….

[sealion100]

YEP… out thought by a better manager!!!
Move on … these are not the droids you’re looking for ….!!!!

[wuzza]

Nothing reflected well on him today.
I fear he will start to lose credibility amongst the playing staff very soon if this continues.

[questionable]

Should have gone last season without doubt

[stokieinlondon]

Why oh why on why must we be so so so shit all the time?? Does this happen to everyone? Is it just the norm??

We are shit season after season and I’m absolutely sick of it.

[clintonbaptiste]

The selection of Johnson on the left was mind boggling and you knew from the off this wasn’t going to be a good afternoon. It’s not like we didn’t have other options.

[svengaliinplatforms]

Alex Neil games managed (career) - 459

Liam Rosenior games managed - 49

Which manager has got his side tactically solid; hard to break down; defensively strong; well organised; and looking like they know what they're supposed to be doing?

Experience counts for nothing, it would seem.

[loosestools]

Sept 24, 2023 14:49:24 GMT Trouserdog said:

As so often happens when I hear the team read out pre-match, my heart sinks, knowing that we're in for yet another aimless, shapeless display. The 3-5-2 system we adopted at Huddersfield looked like a dog's dinner, and it only picked up a point due to how bad the opposition were. Sticking with it against a decent Hull side was the first of many poor decisions from Alex Neil today.

First of all, Daniel Johnson isn't a wing back. He's versatile, but only in an attacking sense. Could it be that a decision to sell our best (only) left wing-back an hour before the transfer window closed then switch to a system that uses wing-backs is actually the most thick-as-pigshit decision we've seen in recent times? I'm not sure, because the decision to load the squad with wingers, have four of them on the pitch at one time today, but not a single one actually playing as a winger could equal it. Yep, how about a forward pairing of two tricky wingers who both look like they can beat a man and cut in...why don't we pair them up and lump the ball forward to them, while we leave our target man on the bench. How's that for a plan?

Or what about this:we'll line up with 3 at the back and very high wing backs. So high up in fact (none of those stupid fans will be able to say we were negative then!) that there are two enormous spaces on either flank. Acres of room...hectares of room...great fucking swathes of African plain levels of room...where wildebeests can roam and Hull wingers can run into space completely unopposed, pulling our Three Stooges backline (or the Three Fannies as I've christened them) all over the place. Fair play to Liam Rosenior because he spotted this after about ten minutes, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with his wingers high up in these unmanned spaces. A competent manager, however- someone who knows how tactics work rather than, say, a complete and utter fuckwit- would respond by switching to 4 at the back and blocking off these sudden avenues of joy that Hull had discovered. We didn't do that though. We just let them keep doing it as our defence flailed about, our midfielders had no idea whether to drop into spaces, track runners or press the ball. Instead they just stood transfixed, unsure as to what was being asked of them, watching waves of Hull players pour forward into our half unchallenged.

It's absolutely pathetic. I feel sorry for the players, because it isn't going to be possible for them to gel unless they've actually got some sort of consistent structure and game plan to play to. Whatever we were trying to do today I have absolutely no idea. They didn't either. It was shambolic, and every single one of them was hung out to dry by an idiot who needs to sort his shit out immediately or fuck off out of this job.

That's about as good an appraisal of what I witnessed today as you can get.

[smallthorner]

TP and Shawcross in by Xmas.

Only joking.

The sad part is in the unlikely event of AN getting the chop, who would be next on the rank.
Wilder?

[greenhoff]

Sept 24, 2023 14:49:24 GMT Trouserdog said:

As so often happens when I hear the team read out pre-match, my heart sinks, knowing that we're in for yet another aimless, shapeless display. The 3-5-2 system we adopted at Huddersfield looked like a dog's dinner, and it only picked up a point due to how bad the opposition were. Sticking with it against a decent Hull side was the first of many poor decisions from Alex Neil today.

First of all, Daniel Johnson isn't a wing back. He's versatile, but only in an attacking sense. Could it be that a decision to sell our best (only) left wing-back an hour before the transfer window closed then switch to a system that uses wing-backs is actually the most thick-as-pigshit decision we've seen in recent times? I'm not sure, because the decision to load the squad with wingers, have four of them on the pitch at one time today, but not a single one actually playing as a winger could equal it. Yep, how about a forward pairing of two tricky wingers who both look like they can beat a man and cut in...why don't we pair them up and lump the ball forward to them, while we leave our target man on the bench. How's that for a plan?

Or what about this:we'll line up with 3 at the back and very high wing backs. So high up in fact (none of those stupid fans will be able to say we were negative then!) that there are two enormous spaces on either flank. Acres of room...hectares of room...great fucking swathes of African plain levels of room...where wildebeests can roam and Hull wingers can run into space completely unopposed, pulling our Three Stooges backline (or the Three Fannies as I've christened them) all over the place. Fair play to Liam Rosenior because he spotted this after about ten minutes, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with his wingers high up in these unmanned spaces. A competent manager, however- someone who knows how tactics work rather than, say, a complete and utter fuckwit- would respond by switching to 4 at the back and blocking off these sudden avenues of joy that Hull had discovered. We didn't do that though. We just let them keep doing it as our defence flailed about, our midfielders had no idea whether to drop into spaces, track runners or press the ball. Instead they just stood transfixed, unsure as to what was being asked of them, watching waves of Hull players pour forward into our half unchallenged.

It's absolutely pathetic. I feel sorry for the players, because it isn't going to be possible for them to gel unless they've actually got some sort of consistent structure and game plan to play to. Whatever we were trying to do today I have absolutely no idea. They didn't either. It was shambolic, and every single one of them was hung out to dry by an idiot who needs to sort his shit out immediately or fuck off out of this job.

Pretty much sums it all up. We've been here before. Just get him gone

[jay1610]

He’s fucking dogshit and will be gone by the end of October.

[Trouserdog]

He's got one more game for me.

Bin this 5-3-2/3-5-2 shit forever, set up 4-2-3-1 with Wes leading the line and three quick and skillful fuckers as the 3, Burger and Pearson as the two holders in midfield (drop Laurent, please...) drop one of the crap centre-backs and play a proper full-back (even a right-footed one) as LB.

Do that and we'll pick up a decent amount of points. This isn't like last season when the squad was lacking in quality and options were limited: this is a fairly talented bunch who should be doing much better than they are.

[stiggerstackle]

Is it possible to like an opening post multiple times?!?

[Trouserdog]

I did have a few axe pictures ready about an hour ago, but I've calmed down just enough to give him a final chance. (They're coming though... 😂)

[peterthornesboots]

Sept 24, 2023 15:10:57 GMT svengaliinplatforms said:

Alex Neil games managed (career) - 459

Liam Rosenior games managed - 49

Which manager has got his side tactically solid; hard to break down; defensively strong; well organised; and looking like they know what they're supposed to be doing?

Experience counts for nothing, it would seem.

Hull were well drilled and organised.

It makes you wonder why a relatively inexperienced manager (Rosenior) can get them looking half decent, yet AN seems to be making us worse.

They had a clear system and style of play with obvious passing patterns and pressing triggers. They were not perfect, but you could see what they were trying to do.

We spent the full ninety minutes flailing around aimlessly.

[NassauDave]

Sept 24, 2023 15:14:15 GMT jay1610 said:

He’s fucking dogshit and will be gone by the end of October.

Fingers crossed.

[FullerMagic]

Neil In then Trousers?

[ursemboys]

Totally agree but please please will people stop suggesting the capped one, my day is bad enough without him been mentioned

[peterthornesboots]

Sept 24, 2023 14:49:24 GMT Trouserdog said:

As so often happens when I hear the team read out pre-match, my heart sinks, knowing that we're in for yet another aimless, shapeless display. The 3-5-2 system we adopted at Huddersfield looked like a dog's dinner, and it only picked up a point due to how bad the opposition were. Sticking with it against a decent Hull side was the first of many poor decisions from Alex Neil today.

First of all, Daniel Johnson isn't a wing back. He's versatile, but only in an attacking sense. Could it be that a decision to sell our best (only) left wing-back an hour before the transfer window closed then switch to a system that uses wing-backs is actually the most thick-as-pigshit decision we've seen in recent times? I'm not sure, because the decision to load the squad with wingers, have four of them on the pitch at one time today, but not a single one actually playing as a winger could equal it. Yep, how about a forward pairing of two tricky wingers who both look like they can beat a man and cut in...why don't we pair them up and lump the ball forward to them, while we leave our target man on the bench. How's that for a plan?

Or what about this:we'll line up with 3 at the back and very high wing backs. So high up in fact (none of those stupid fans will be able to say we were negative then!) that there are two enormous spaces on either flank. Acres of room...hectares of room...great fucking swathes of African plain levels of room...where wildebeests can roam and Hull wingers can run into space completely unopposed, pulling our Three Stooges backline (or the Three Fannies as I've christened them) all over the place. Fair play to Liam Rosenior because he spotted this after about ten minutes, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with his wingers high up in these unmanned spaces. A competent manager, however- someone who knows how tactics work rather than, say, a complete and utter fuckwit- would respond by switching to 4 at the back and blocking off these sudden avenues of joy that Hull had discovered. We didn't do that though. We just let them keep doing it as our defence flailed about, our midfielders had no idea whether to drop into spaces, track runners or press the ball. Instead they just stood transfixed, unsure as to what was being asked of them, watching waves of Hull players pour forward into our half unchallenged.

It's absolutely pathetic. I feel sorry for the players, because it isn't going to be possible for them to gel unless they've actually got some sort of consistent structure and game plan to play to. Whatever we were trying to do today I have absolutely no idea. They didn't either. It was shambolic, and every single one of them was hung out to dry by an idiot who needs to sort his shit out immediately or fuck off out of this job.

Myself and those sat around me realised quite early on that our wingbacks were constantly being caught out in transitions and were leaving acres of room for the Hull wingers to exploit.

Why our coaching staff did not see this (or worse, saw it and chose to do nothing about it) baffles me.

Tactically AN was well short today.

[butlerstbob]

The bloke is fucking useless, and as bad if not worse appointment than Rowett and O'Neil.
Let's be honest he was mediocre at Preston, and Sunderland was more about the team, management team other than him and recruitment as they are still flying without him (see Jones with Luton)!
The signs are there, as has been said already, to keep playing a system that doesn't work with players that are not suited is just plain mental...We need to get rid asap!

[satoshi]

Sept 24, 2023 15:19:02 GMT ursemboys said:

Totally agree but please please will people stop suggesting the capped one, my day is bad enough without him been mentioned

I don’t want to stoke the pulis argument (much), but at least we wouldn’t play out from the back, lose the ball in midfield then get done by various balls over the top repeatedly. 

[tommycarlsberg]

Sept 24, 2023 15:12:21 GMT smallthorner said:

TP and Shawcross in by Xmas.

Only joking.

The sad part is in the unlikely event of AN getting the chop, who would be next on the rank.
Wilder?

There’s an infinitely long list of things I’d rather see than Chris Wilder manage Stoke.

[FullerMagic]

Sept 24, 2023 15:16:49 GMT Trouserdog said:

I did have a few axe pictures ready about an hour ago, but I've calmed down just enough to give him a final chance. (They're coming though... 😂)

That's the problem we've got.

Bournemouth in the cup, followed by maybe the most unforgiving group of fixtures of the season is a hell of an obstacle course to navigate when you've just dug yourself a hole this big.

[dirtygary69]

I’ve tried to implore that we need to give him time, but when you see performances like that, there’s only so much of a defence you can put up. In what realm that side became a possibility fuck only knows. We’ve lost Stevens and decided that we now need to play the most lopsided, fragile formation possible. There is no way this side was one we thought we’d see when these players were signed, yet somehow it’s manage to find itself fielded twice more than it should have been. 

Fuck me Alex, do yourself a favour. You’ve managed Daniel Johnson for years in a central midfield role at Preston and then somehow decided that, for Stoke, he’s some versatile utility man who can now play at wing back, when you’ve signed actual wing backs and sold probably the best one we had in Tymon. 

I’m edging towards believing he hasn’t got a fucking clue. Lots of decent enough players but no idea what to do with them. 

[Trouserdog]

Sept 24, 2023 15:19:00 GMT FullerMagic said:

Neil In then Trousers?

Honestly, I wanted to give him until at least Christmas to bed this fuckload of new players in....if we were even just doing OK I'd have been happy to keep him, but what I've just witnessed has angered me so much I've shaved a good few months off the time he should be allowed.

I don't want to change manager again- I'm fed up of doing it, but we might have to do it soon before the rot really sets in.

[vidigal7]

Sept 24, 2023 15:20:43 GMT butlerstbob said:

The bloke is fucking useless, and as bad if not worse appointment than Rowett and O'Neil.
Let's be honest he was mediocre at Preston, and Sunderland was more about the team, management team other than him and recruitment as they are still flying without him (see Jones with Luton)!
The signs are there, as has been said already, to keep playing a system that doesn't work with players that are not suited is just plain mental...We need to get rid asap!

No, can't agree, his c.v says different.
Needing a whole new squad does look like a sizeable challenge though that he's just not conquering at the moment. As much as I want to support him I like to be honest aswell and this formation for this team and that formation for that team is proving to be absolute crap and adding to the challenge of settling 17 new players.

Stick to the f'ing formation you've had success with in previous jobs Alex, stop trying to be a smart arse ffs, 4231, 433 all the way.

With Haksabanovic & Vidigal fit enough to play now hopefully this will be the case with one on either side and Junho Centre in a 4231 because Wesley needs energy around him

[GreaterGlasgowstokie]

Playing gooch ahead of Hoever as attacking full back

Playing Jordan Thompson

Playing two men up front, both wingers.

Playing our biggest slowest defender as a wide centre back being pulled out and exposed constantly

None of it makes sense.

[neddy]

The next three games will see if he still has the backing of the dressing room?