From 'lack of signings = disaster' to 'disrupting a settled side = disaster'

coloradoan

coloradoan

Well-known member
Can't help but notice that the predominant types of criticism we're reading on here these days is directed at exactly what the critics were demanding a month ago.

Right now the doom and gloom story is 'putting all these new players in has disrupted our settled side'. A month ago it was 'this side isn't good enough and we haven't brought anyone in'. Not sure how we're supposed to replace a bunch of players in a way that doesn't disrupt the side.

I haven't kept track of exactly who's said which, but it wouldn't surprise me if the same people arguing the latter now were arguing the former then. Is there some way of reconciling these?
 
I think most were hoping for a change of system with the core intact, but it appears we are changing the system and clearing out and replacing at the same time but without a budget to make it happen.
 
Didn’t the team that started against Stoke only have 3 new players in it?

DomThom, Williams, Forini

Plus with no fit fullbacks that’s meant we had to start DT (he may well have anyway)
 
I know it's a bit of a cliche but I do think we have to have a little patience and see how things pan out.
There was always going to be an over the top reaction to a poor start (even though its only been 3 games ffs) due to the underwhelming response to Appletons appointment.

We are obviously changing our playing system and trying to find the right players to fit, it's going to take time.
 
clappers said:
I think most were hoping for a change of system with the core intact, but it appears we are changing the system and clearing out and replacing at the same time but without a budget to make it happen.
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Nutshell!

Tight budgets require pragmatism. Appleton doesn't really seem that type to me. But we don't know where it's going yet. Just sit tight everybody and hold your nerve. We might be two signings and a few games away from lift off. My crystal ball is still murky.

We need the right balance in midfield but we have a few players to work with now to build something. Carey Virtue Fiorini was a weird start though. We need a forward line too. If Bowler goes we have nobody as a straight forward uncontentious pick for the front 3. As it stands. One really good signing might make a huge difference though.
 
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What worries me is when you hear that publicly the club is asking for bids for players whilst also having conversations with 3/4 other players that they should move on. Unity and togetherness in a squad is massive, as is a settled side and formation and sadly I don't get the feeling we'll get either this month.
 
voyeur said:
Nutshell!

Tight budgets require pragmatism. Appleton doesn't really seem that type to me. But we don't know where it's going yet. Just sit tight everybody and hold your nerve. We might be two signings and a few games away from lift off. My crystal ball is still murky.

We need the right balance in midfield but we have a few players to work with now to build something. Carey Virtue Fiorini was a weird start though. We need a forward line too. If Bowler goes we have nobody as a straight forward uncontentious pick for the front 3. As it stands. One really good signing might make a huge difference though.
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Especially up front, the players we have don't suit 4 3 3, as was seen last season, yet that's the area with no new blood.
 
Wizaard said:
Especially up front, the players we have don't suit 4 3 3, as was seen last season, yet that's the area with no new blood.
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Corbeanu is presumably designed for it. Bowler fits it. Beesley does, if he's good enough. Yates played in a 3 at Swindon. Lavery fits it as much as he fits any system possibly. Decent footballers shouldn't be trapped within one system.
 
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voyeur said:
Corbeanu is presumably designed for it. Bowler fits it. Beesley does, if he's good enough. Yates played in a 3 at Swindon. Lavery fits it as much as he fits any system possibly. The decent footballers shouldn't be trapped within one system.
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No that's true, but to get the best out of player(s) you have to play them in a system that suits them.

Atm we don't appear to have the midfield grit to support the back 4. Connelly does OK but he's exposed as not being a defending RB, with little help infront it's an obvious target for the opposition. Vital then we are at them from the off.

I'd have been in favour of a 322?? unlit the players who can play a 433 arrive.

Hopefully Jordy G will be back tomorrow- even then defending isn't his strong suit.
 
glasshalffull said:
Ten injuries hasn’t helped either 🙄.
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Realistically who out of the 9 would have played. I say 9 'cos there's f'all wrong with Madine. Gabriel for sure would play. Husbands LB slot has gone, so has his LCB position. Anderson is subbed a lot. Garbutt should be offloaded. Stewart- less said the better.

Injuries is a bit of an over excuse.
 
fcblackpool said:
No that's true, but to get the best out of player(s) you have to play them in a system that suits them.

Atm we don't appear to have the midfield grit to support the back 4. Connelly does OK but he's exposed as not being a defending RB, with little help infront it's an obvious target for the opposition. Vital then we are at them from the off.

I'd have been in favour of a 322?? unlit the players who can play a 433 arrive.

Hopefully Jordy G will be back tomorrow- even then defending isn't his strong suit.
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I think 433 does suit some of our players and its lazy to just say our players dont suit it. Yates and Lavery need confidence and are on the margins of being Championship quality probably. Beesley similar. Bowler and Corbeanu suit the system.

The issue has been midfield. MA made a poor selection first game and then repeated it second game. You can argue we beat Reading but the midfield deficiencies were glaring.

If we get more solidity in midfield it will help both defence and attack. I preferred Dujon to Gabs at RB, I'll be honest. If you have a secure base it frees you to rampage up front.
 
voyeur said:
I think 433 does suit some of our players and its lazy to just say our players dont suit it. Yates and Lavery need confidence and are on the margins of being Championship quality probably. Beesley similar. Bowler and Corbeanu suit the system.

The issue has been midfield. MA made a poor selection first game and then repeated it second game. You can argue we beat Reading but the midfield deficiencies were glaring.

If we get more solidity in midfield it will help both defence and attack. I preferred Dujon to Gabs at RB, I'll be honest. If you have a secure base it frees you to rampage up front.
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I know Yates can play it and Beesley should be OK, it's the midfield and protecting the defence. It's the reason why NC went with 2DMs and wasn't as attacking minded.

Even with a full defence of Gabriel, Epo, Williams and Thompson (you'd think that is MA's first choice) having just KD in front with Fiorini more attack minded probably won't be good enough to keep the opposition out.

I think we'd be better with WB's.
 
fcblackpool said:
Realistically who out of the 9 would have played. I say 9 'cos there's f'all wrong with Madine. Gabriel for sure would play. Husbands LB slot has gone, so has his LCB position. Anderson is subbed a lot. Garbutt should be offloaded. Stewart- less said the better.

Injuries is a bit of an over excuse.
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Some truth there obviously. There must be something wrong with Madine though if we pulled out of the sale of another player because of his injury, and a few of those ten would have been featuring.
The absence of Gabriel has skewed the line up by displacing Connoly and also MA won’t have been able to properly assess his squad because of the injuries.
 
fcblackpool said:
I know Yates can play it and Beesley should be OK, it's the midfield and protecting the defence. It's the reason why NC went with 2DMs and wasn't as attacking minded.

Even with a full defence of Gabriel, Epo, Williams and Thompson (you'd think that is MA's first choice) having just KD in front with Fiorini more attack minded probably won't be good enough to keep the opposition out.

I think we'd be better with WB's.
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I would have rebuilt the system with 2 DMs to start with I think. But stuck with a back 4 with FBs that can defend. Maybe 4231. We need to sign the 1, I'd say. Nick Piroe off Swansea.
 
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