quite a bit!
I watch today pretty much eyes wide open in absolute horror at our performance. I think we were still on the coach when the game started as the whole team seemed lethargic. From the back to front mistakes were being made - well actually the only one who didn't make any real mistakes was Simo!
The back 4
Pugh - looked totally lost as LB and wanted far too much time on the ball
Ryan & Cort - This partnership just won't work - Cort pisses about far too much when sometimes all that is required is the simple whack it up field clearance.
Griff - Shaky and there winger gave him a hard time but the sending off was absolutely beyond reason and should be rescinded without question!
Midfield . . . what midfield?
Liam - Was he on the pitch? He did absolutely nothing other than the corners and the unlucky free kick. I know it's his first bad game and far enough he's having a phenomenal season but here he was totally absent - no one is above criticism.
Diao - Where do you start? Nowhere near match fit, didn't seem to know what he was supposed to be doing, got in other players way on several occasions. Made so many mistakes and wanted so much time on the ball and was dispossesed so easily it was unreal. We sure missed Delap in the middle today!
Whelan - At fault for the first goal. Instead of closing down there player as he was teeing up to shoot . . he turns his back in some bizarre attempt block it but he was 10 yards from the player!
Otherwise not much of note - but he improved when Gallagher came on.
Cresswell - Ain't a winger and it showed today but he was at least giving it a go and putting himself about - mainly trying to cover up for Diaos screw ups!
Mama - Embarrasing, not much more needs to be said
Fuller - Looked lazy and uninterested in the 1st (other than hitting the post) but obviously had a rocket up his arse at half time and did well enough up front on his own.
The subs:
Gallagher - Made us a different team added some passing vision and trickery we just didn't have prior to him coming on.
Wilkinson - Solid enough but he tends to many hospital passes on all a regular occurance!
Buxton - As I said before the game I thought his inclusion on the bench was good and I still think he should of played instead of Cort. For all his detractors he added more steel to the defence and was composed on the ball.
It's important however as bad as we were in this game to regroup and be ready for Burnley, I post previously I think that March is make or break month and if this dip continues against Burnley, Norwich and Watford you can be sure they'll punish us similarly. The good thing is we are at home next game so it'll be a moral boost and they need a big crowd to help them, lets not forget we are still 2nd and auto promotion is there for us to get.
For me the team against Burnley should be:
Simo
Griff (LB)
Shawcross
Buxton
Wilko (RB)
Gallagher
Delap
Whelan
Lawerance
Creswell
Fuller
If Riggot is fit - then maybe he should replace Buxton - but again you will have a completely untried defensive partnership. I am sure Buxton is completely familiar playing along Shawcross. Like I said before the match Buxton would of been my choice to replace Cort for this game. He's playing well in reserves and when playing at CB has never let the team down. We need to start being uncompromising at the back not dallying on the ball and pissing around with it in our own area!
Pulis needs to make a few decision to bloody a few noses to up the competition and if the rumour about us signing Nugent are correct then I think dropping Fuller to the bench might give him the required kick up the arse.
Also I just seen this . . shock, horror, a decent and level head review of the game by the Daily Mail!!!!!
Daily Mail in decent article scandal!Tinhat on ...
Edit: Oh yeah there 3rd goal was offside also - 2 players to boot! First I think it was Agyemang then who even it was running in for any follow up ...
Otherwise not much of note - but he improved when Gallagher came on.
