Better Balance, here is something to debate

[Andyhsufc]

If our defenders and midfield actually bothered to mark up when the ball came in our box (about 3 times?) they would not have scored,lets face it,Carlisle were rubbish and consistently gave the ball away.Awful.

I didn't think Tilly was heavily linked to Norwich either until i drove home and heard the BBC ESSEX interview,then someone posts on here that Tilly has already had an interview with the carrot-crunchers.

Leon played well but was definetly shot-shy against a team we dominated,free-kick was a great move and if Gower could pass water i'm sure that Leon would've scored when he run through in the first half.I just wish he would shoot more 'cos his shot is true and powerful.

Hooper has one good shot in a game we dominated.At times he does make things happen but why flick the ball on when he has a defender behind him?
Of course it's frustating to see him lose possession so easily when he had more time to look up and pass.

Yes,shaky defending which has seen us surrender to teams who thought they had no chance.How TF can a striker have his back to goal in our box,control it,turn,then score???? It's called getting close to your man,try it in training guys.

Finally,yes of course i'll jump to conclusions,i might be wrong and add 2+2 then make 5 but when our manager won't elaborate on Norwich rumours but just gives an abbrupt "i don't know,i don't know" i guess i'm entitled to think the worst.Oh and Norwich will be announcing their new manager in a few days.Houghton and Jol didn't seem to be anyone's guest so hey.

Tilson is friends with Chris Houghton and he invited him and Jol to the match.

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

I think it's most likely a confidence thing. I've not seen many of our recent games but if that's how he's been playing for weeks then he could do with a spell on the bench perhaps. I'm not convinced we have the depth to bring in another winger though.

Probably spot on there. Gower is definitely a confidence player. I suppose that being like that once you're on a bad run of performances it becomes harder and harder to rectify the problem.

 

[Sean 2]

Tilson is friends with Chris Houghton and he invited him and Jol to the match.

I knew of his friendship with Houghton but didn't realise Tilly had invited him today! It's just that i feel nothing would suprise me right now.Did anyone notice Maher preffering to stand on the line near the away end rather than spend time near/in the dug-out at the near-end of the game?
Probably nothing and if Tilly won't elaborate on his position then nor shall i:D

 

[cockles is back]

Of course today was very frustrating to watch but i would like to debate how we have dropped the skipper for better balance in the side.

What I saw today was McCormack and Bailey work there socks off in the centre of the park covering every inch of Roots Hall today, while Black & Gower offered zero, they are there to create width, beat men and deliver dangerous balls into the box - did they do that ? No they dont have the pace or skill to beat a full back and in turn just lay it back to Lewis Hunt or Stevie Hammell.

He may not be a winger but I bet Moussa has more guts and willingness to try and beat a man

If we cant fit the skipper in the middle of the park because Bailey & McCormack are justifying there positions but do we do about the wide areas as I dont think messers Black & Gower are up to the job IMHO.

totally agree, when we signed Black, a few of you experts on this board were already down the sperm bank tugging one out, but what I have seen is another winger at the club whos to slow and under skilled to beat any left back in the league, huuuuuugggley overated but hay ho what do I know

 

[silentshrimper]

Of course today was very frustrating to watch but i would like to debate how we have dropped the skipper for better balance in the side.

What I saw today was McCormack and Bailey work there socks off in the centre of the park covering every inch of Roots Hall today, while Black & Gower offered zero, they are there to create width, beat men and deliver dangerous balls into the box - did they do that ? No they dont have the pace or skill to beat a full back and in turn just lay it back to Lewis Hunt or Stevie Hammell.

He may not be a winger but I bet Moussa has more guts and willingness to try and beat a man

If we cant fit the skipper in the middle of the park because Bailey & McCormack are justifying there positions but do we do about the wide areas as I dont think messers Black & Gower are up to the job IMHO.

You cant tell me that Gower doesnt have any skill, he is just off form at the moment, Black we have seen his technique in dribbling but true is yet to show it in the league. Maybe we should have Bailey or mccormack back on one of the wings? I havnt been since Tranmere so I cant really comment about it, but its just an idea.

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

totally agree, when we signed Black, a few of you experts on this board were already down the sperm bank tugging one out, but what I have seen is another winger at the club whos to slow and under skilled to beat any left back in the league, huuuuuugggley overated but hay ho what do I know

I'm not convinced Black is fully fit yet. I work with a Palace supporter and he was gutted that Black was sold - his only explaination why they got rid of him was that he struggles for fitness at times.

I'm happy to wait and see how he goes as the season progresses, as my mate has obviously seen a lot more of Black than we have so far.

 

[Welly7]

I'm not convinced Black is fully fit yet. I work with a Palace supporter and he was gutted that Black was sold - his only explaination why they got rid of him was that he struggles for fitness at times.

I'm happy to wait and see how he goes as the season progresses, as my mate has obviously seen a lot more of Black than we have so far.

I'd be very worried if, by late October, Black still wasn't fully fit!!!!

 

[WestRoadShrimper]

Not match fit - general niggling injuries etc. That was, apparently, all that held him back at Palace.

 

[Westerley Blue]

I am not very often frustrated by team selection but I cannot believe that Kevin Maher would not improve the side. True Bailey and Mac were outstanding yesterday but both lack Kevin's ability to find that quality final ball.

When we were last promoted we played the 2nd half of that season with one winger and Lee Bradbury playing right side we were very tight defensively Bradders won a lot of headers in front of the back four.The width down that flank was provided by Duncan Jupp.

Surely any one of our centre midfield trio has the ability and discipline to play that role. May mean that Lewis Hunt is sacrificed for Francis but we must play all of our best players.

Our record when we have played two wingers is poor over the last couple of seasons and time is right for a re think. Black or Gower on the bench would at least give an attacking option when and if we need to chase a game.

Can't agree with the negative comments on Carlisle. I thought they worked their socks off looked comfortable on the ball when they had the chance to play and gave a very effective away performance. We were the start of a tough run of fixtures for them and they showed enough to suggest they could be the surprise package this season.

 

[sufcintheprem]

I'm not convinced Black is fully fit yet. I work with a Palace supporter and he was gutted that Black was sold - his only explaination why they got rid of him was that he struggles for fitness at times.

I'm happy to wait and see how he goes as the season progresses, as my mate has obviously seen a lot more of Black than we have so far.

If I remember right, a lot of our fans were disappointed to see Mitchell Cole go too. I would guess this guy (much like, possibly, the Arsenal coaches) thought he had potential but time will tell whether he can make an impact. Not completely dissimilar to Francis I suppose.

 

[shrimper dan]

we just need to get more from our wingers, black and gower just arnt producing enough. gower was very lazy against carlisle also he rarely tracked back. also he always bottles challenges, he needs to get stuck in more, as others have said both him a black need some confidence, they need to start running at players more and having more shots at goal. the gower i remember ran at everyone and when ever he could he would hit the ball from distance.

 

[TTS]

Agree about our wingers today,non-existant,unless we employ them to give it backwards,sideways or to the opposition.

Bloody bad day all round.

1.Carlisle worst team to come to the Hall so far.

2.We lost to them.

3.Looks like we've lost our manager to carrot-crunching ****s.

4.Leeoon didn't have a shot.

5.Hooper confirmed what we all knew.

6.Our defending looks as shaky as last season

7.Chris Houghton could be taking over.


Pass me the bullets and i'll load the gun to put an end to it all,just can't take it no more :cry: :cry: :mad: :cry:

Ridiculous email.

1/. No they are not - Gillingham were much worse, as were Millwall.
2/. I know I was there.
3/. Dont think so - why would he want too ??
4/. Leon played well, held the ball up well, won headers, worked his socks off (more than Eastwood would have ever done !!!)
5/. Disagree, think Leon and Hooper actually have a good understanding together personally.
6/. Our defending is much better than last season, granted we are in a lower league, but we never really looked that much under pressure - we did what we had too and they , being a strong team, tried to catch us on the counter attack (we are gonna get that a lot this season).
7/. You read the Sun do you ???? Optimistic person are'nt we.

I really think that Sat was one of those games that EVERY team in this league will witness this season, we are one of the strongest teams this season, and I do think we will make play offs and I also think that at Carisle away later this season, our performance will mirror what they did at our place this saturday !!