This squad is good enough to be around the play offs, it’s not got enough to go up automatically for me at the moment, and changing the manager isn’t going to change that.
Considering this squad was pulled to in 2 weeks, then we’re doing alright, if we had more time and could have got in a Clarke Harris, and we were misfiring badly, then I’ll be more critical, but we’re doing alright all considered
Pros: Maddison looks match fit now and we are stronger because of it
Chances created, I'll come back to this
Dictated tempo well thought FS-C did very well at this role yesterday
Apart from their goals they didn't have that many real chances.
Positive subs
Cons: Negative starting line-up
Let's not go down The RB at LB rabbit hole again, Matthews who I rate as a player looked alien on that side.
We look quite lightweight in midfield and we're out muscled many times, I get that probably our most physical mid, in pratley was busy at Cb back we did lack presence
We are screaming out for a natural goalscorer, I thought Washington had good service and got into decent positions yesterday and a player more confident in scoring would have got 2 at least There is one in particular, the through ball he squared by the six yard box, just lace it.
As I said not many real chabces but they are down there so not surprising but we get caught napping at set pieces too often
Apart from the defence, there is no balance in this squad.
Maybe could have done with another centre half, but id say 2 Lbs 2Rbs and 3cbs is ok. The injuries to Fam and Innis have really put a dent in it, hence why another cb. I class Deji as a bit of a back up but not really comfortable at this level
It's the midfield where the issues start. We have absolutely no width. Pratley,Watson,JFC,Morgan,Gilbey, Williams,maddison,Shinnie,Levitt are all more comfortable in the centre for my money. We've tried pushing them out but with very little effect. If you can't play there you can't play there. Simple. Doughty is the only natural wide attacking force we have.
And then the forwards. Of the four,Not a number 9 between any of them. Bowyer has already admitted he's having to tell Chuks what positions to get in as he favours the number 10 role. Washington is also more a number 10. The best thing Smyth has done since he's been here was whip that cross in for Chuks to score, so could argue he's better suited out wide. Bogle is a bit of a battering ram, holds the ball up now and again but that's about it.
To get the balance is going to take a bit of a clear out I fear, not sure that's possible now. Above all we need to get some width in and a natural number 9 and hope Fam and Innis get well soon!
Give credit as well to Gunter for the way he loses his man and runs into a space where he is not marked.
If Gunter has been paying attention over recent weeks he'll have seen how oppo strikers have slipped our defenders so should know what to do to get into space!
LB should at least be consistent in his judgement of players. Why is he picking out Williams in his post match comments when he did alright? No mention of Watson again, who was atrocious not for the first time this season, or Matthews who was poor. When Morgan hits an admittedly bad pass, he's smashing the water bottle on the ground. What about the 4-5 that Matthews hit, or the 2-3 times he miscontrolled it and it went out for a throw? Be consistent.
LB should at least be consistent in his judgement of players. Why is he picking out Williams in his post match comments when he did alright? No mention of Watson again, who was atrocious not for the first time this season, or Matthews who was poor. When Morgan hits an admittedly bad pass, he's smashing the water bottle on the ground. What about the 4-5 that Matthews hit, or the 2-3 times he miscontrolled it and it went out for a throw? Be consistent.
This is getting ridiculous. You obviously don’t like Bows. Fine. But stop making it up as you go along. It was a post match interview. He criticised his captain for giving away a stupid foul. He mentioned two players who had done well in training all week but did not perform as well as they can. Spot on with both comments. He was not asked for a run down on each and every player.
His reaction to Morgan’s crap pass (again) was the same as mine, but he did not mention that did he?
LB should at least be consistent in his judgement of players. Why is he picking out Williams in his post match comments when he did alright? No mention of Watson again, who was atrocious not for the first time this season, or Matthews who was poor. When Morgan hits an admittedly bad pass, he's smashing the water bottle on the ground. What about the 4-5 that Matthews hit, or the 2-3 times he miscontrolled it and it went out for a throw? Be consistent.
This is getting ridiculous. You obviously don’t like Bows. Fine. But stop making it up as you go along. It was a post match interview. He criticised his captain for giving away a stupid foul. He mentioned two players who had done well in training all week but did not perform as well as they can. Spot on with both comments. He was not asked for a run down on each and every player.
His reaction to Morgan’s crap pass (again) was the same as mine, but he did not mention that did he?
Have you got the right person? I think LB is making a mess of it this year and is winding me up no end, definitely, but to say I don't like him just isn't true, there's nobody else I'd rather have as manager.
I'm not the first person to point out his post match criticism seems to fly over the head of certain players and is more often than not directed at a particular few. I'd also point out I'm no Williams fan either. But did he, out of all the players out on the pitch, warrant picking out for a mention in the post-match? Some of them were dire.
I mentioned weeks ago that Bowyer would go all out to play Gunter and Matthews in the same line up, he would be reluctant to leave out a 'star' defender. This has caused problems. The thing is, we might be well in the promotion hunt, we might only lose a few games, BUT if Bowyer had sorted out his eccentric (to put it mildly) selections, we could be out of sight and YES I know that injuries, especially in central defence, have hindered picking a truly settled defence. Bowyer needs to sort out his squad, settle on a regular core to his team and get together with his colleagues a s a p (to be fair this has probably happened already) to choose a few important new signings for next week.
LB should at least be consistent in his judgement of players. Why is he picking out Williams in his post match comments when he did alright? No mention of Watson again, who was atrocious not for the first time this season, or Matthews who was poor. When Morgan hits an admittedly bad pass, he's smashing the water bottle on the ground. What about the 4-5 that Matthews hit, or the 2-3 times he miscontrolled it and it went out for a throw? Be consistent.
This is getting ridiculous. You obviously don’t like Bows. Fine. But stop making it up as you go along. It was a post match interview. He criticised his captain for giving away a stupid foul. He mentioned two players who had done well in training all week but did not perform as well as they can. Spot on with both comments. He was not asked for a run down on each and every player.
His reaction to Morgan’s crap pass (again) was the same as mine, but he did not mention that did he?
Have you got the right person? I think LB is making a mess of it this year and is winding me up no end, definitely, but to say I don't like him just isn't true, there's nobody else I'd rather have as manager.
I'm not the first person to point out his post match criticism seems to fly over the head of certain players and is more often than not directed at a particular few. I'd also point out I'm no Williams fan either. But did he, out of all the players out on the pitch, warrant picking out for a mention in the post-match? Some of them were dire.
I apologise, yours was the last post that I picked up on, but I still disagree. I think he picks on relevant facts. There was a big push on here for both Chucks and Williams to start after Wimbledon, and when they start a game they are average at best. I hope neither start again as I think both are game changers from the bench. They were pivotal in our poor start to the game. Highly relevant to a post match summary. Pearce was singled out for a stupid foul. Not the first to have done that as Pratley has done so on a couple of occasions.
I suspect it has been covered in training, hence the irritation at your most experienced defender and captain. The 1st goal was poor as well and he covered that as well. All those that watched the cup game knew what Plymouth are about and are midfield played into their hands first half. Maddison has been singled out before and got praised for his work and for that great finish. All in all a balanced summary for me. I like his open and honest assessments as they are worth a listen. Much better than the rehearsed drivel most managers deliver.
Is Aneke better off the bench or are people just copying what Bowyer said.
Hoe many league games has he started this season, 2,3? His record is very good of the bench but he is currently our most threatening forward. Start him and let him be threatening for 90 minutes. He started against Reading last season and looked very good.
Is Aneke better off the bench or are people just copying what Bowyer said.
Hoe many league games has he started this season, 2,3? His record is very good of the bench but he is currently our most threatening forward. Start him and let him be threatening for 90 minutes. He started against Reading last season and looked very good.
He's started the following games and has yet to score when he's started
He may well be better off the bench, but the service he gets has to be a factor too. We are too slow to build attacks and it gives opponents time to set and Williams is one of the players not guilty of this. I just don't understand how Bowyer can't see that. Against Wimbledon played at a much higher tempo and a defence that looked comfortable, suddenly looked league one!
I do understand Bowyer criticising Pearce for giving away the foul that led to their second, but I don't think it was a foul. It was two players battling for the ball. I will never understand why refs feel they have to give a foul and chose a side to give it to then seem to ignore far clearer fouls through the game (for both sides). I think it may be because these refs never played the game.
He may well be better off the bench, but the service he gets has to be a factor too. We are too slow to build attacks and it gives opponents time to set and Williams is one of the players not guilty of this. I just don't understand how Bowyer can't see that. Against Wimbledon played at a much higher tempo and a defence that looked comfortable, suddenly looked league one!
I do understand Bowyer criticising Pearce for giving away the foul that led to their second, but I don't think it was a foul. It was two players battling for the ball. I will never understand why refs feel they have to give a foul and chose a side to give it to then seem to ignore far clearer fouls through the game (for both sides). I think it may be because these refs never played the game.
I thought Matthews gave away the foul for the second goal?
He may well be better off the bench, but the service he gets has to be a factor too. We are too slow to build attacks and it gives opponents time to set and Williams is one of the players not guilty of this. I just don't understand how Bowyer can't see that. Against Wimbledon played at a much higher tempo and a defence that looked comfortable, suddenly looked league one!
I do understand Bowyer criticising Pearce for giving away the foul that led to their second, but I don't think it was a foul. It was two players battling for the ball. I will never understand why refs feel they have to give a foul and chose a side to give it to then seem to ignore far clearer fouls through the game (for both sides). I think it may be because these refs never played the game.
Williams is one of those most guilty of slowing things down. His natural style is to take players on. A good pass is what moves you forward quickly. My main criticism of Williams is that he misses a simple pass. Beating a player should be second choice. It just goes to show that we see our own prejudices watching a match.
Couldn't disagree more. He gets the ball and looks for the positive attacking pass when its on. He also does one touch passes that don't always come off, but they are the ones that often break defences. He also gets more than his fair share of free kicks that provide an opportunity for a different kind of attacking threat. And he is a very busy player that poses its own problems for opponents. On top of that, he is a player willing to run with the ball. He is our best midfielder in my book.
Matthews didn't have a mare. The point some people are making is that a natural attacking left back like Maatsen better suits the system. Our strength seems to be in our midfield so why put him in there? Matthews as right back suits the system too. Especially at home.
Matthews didn't have a mare. The point some people are making is that a natural attacking left back like Maatsen better suits the system. Our strength seems to be in our midfield so why put him in there? Matthews as right back suits the system too. Especially at home.
In which case people are moaning for the sake of it!!... Pick holes in Bowyer's decisions when they go wrong but why focus on an area it seems he got right?
Matthews ended up with an assist and got the corner for the first, Maatsen could have gotten a brace playing further forward
Bowyer even explained before the game that Maatsen's natural position is in Midfield, I loosely quote: "Its where he's played more often, especially for Holland" its just for us he's been playing further back
The second reason Bowyer played him there again I loosely quote: "Plymouth have a lad who likes to get forward, Maatsen playing where he is, should be able to deal with that"
A positive from yesterday is that we have been missing a player who can score goals like Maddison. There has to be a number of different ways that you score and if he is getting into form it is a good sign.
Matthews didn't have a mare. The point some people are making is that a natural attacking left back like Maatsen better suits the system. Our strength seems to be in our midfield so why put him in there? Matthews as right back suits the system too. Especially at home.
In which case people are moaning for the sake of it!!... Pick holes in Bowyer's decisions when they go wrong but why focus on an area it seems he got right?
Matthews ended up with an assist and got the corner for the first, Maatsen could have gotten a brace playing further forward
Bowyer even explained before the game that Maatsen's natural position is in Midfield, I loosely quote: "Its where he's played more often, especially for Holland" its just for us he's been playing further back
You know by now that that’s the case for a certain few posters everytime we don’t pick up 3 points.
Matthews didn't have a mare. The point some people are making is that a natural attacking left back like Maatsen better suits the system. Our strength seems to be in our midfield so why put him in there? Matthews as right back suits the system too. Especially at home.
In which case people are moaning for the sake of it!!... Pick holes in Bowyer's decisions when they go wrong but why focus on an area it seems he got right?
Matthews ended up with an assist and got the corner for the first, Maatsen could have gotten a brace playing further forward
Bowyer even explained before the game that Maatsen's natural position is in Midfield, I loosely quote: "Its where he's played more often, especially for Holland" its just for us he's been playing further back
You know by now that that’s the case for a certain few posters everytime we don’t pick up 3 points.
I'm going to avoid going down that road, I know I've long been labelled as the most optimistic bloke on the forum
But I'm sure others will hate it if they start getting labelled as negative every week...
Aside from a few moments of quality, that was a pretty dross performance from a team with promotion aspirations. Plymouth are no mugs but we never looked likely winners against a side who had lost 6 and drawn 2 of their previous 8 away games.
We were all over the shop defensively in the first half, with Plymouth cutting through us like a hot knife through butter. Their two strikers were very mobile and, whilst Pearce and Pratters both lack pace, there were serious problems in midfield, where we allowed players like Camara and Grant a huge amount of space to run into unchallenged.
I felt we were fortunate to be only one goal behind at half time and although we picked up in the second half, a point was the most we deserved. From a Plymouth perspective, they’ll probably feel they should have taken home all three, given the threat carried throughout by their strikers and the possible foul by Aneke which enabled Gunter to equalise.
In terms of team selection, Bowyer is persisting with playing one-footed players on the wrong side - in addition to Forster-Caskey on the right, he stuck Mathews in at left back, the effect of which was to continually limit and slow any attacking impetus. It was good to see Jonny Williams get a start - which he fully justified prior to his substitution - but I found the exclusion of Maddison inexplicable, particularly given the limitations of our strikers.
Our defending in the first half was calamitous and we were lucky to concede only two. There was an enormous gap down our right flank for the first goal and Hardie embarrassingly went past Watson as if he wasn’t there, before pulling the ball back for an easy finish. The marking for the second goal was non-existent and Jephcott was the only player would was alert to the second ball.
We struggled in midfield and Watson’s and Forster-Caskey’s lack of pace was repeatedly exposed. Williams and Maatsen were pretty impressive and the latter was unlucky with a tremendous strike from distance against the bar.
Up front, Aneke did a few good things in the first half but was generally well marshalled. Washington was (as he so often is) pretty anonymous, save for a decent effort in the first half and a pretty atrocious one in the second, when he blasted the ball about 40 yards over the bar from a central position in the box whilst totally unmarked. Maddison had put that one on a plate for him.
Interestingly, when Plymouth substituted their two strikers late on, Ryan Lowe brought on two like-for-like front men (even if one of them was the great Frank Nouble). If we were in a similar position away from home, I very much doubt that Lee Bowyer would have done the same. Lowe’s decision was a sensible one, given our defensive vulnerability throughout and his side looked the more likely winners during the 5 minutes injury time.
Going forward, I would like to see Oshilaja brought back into central defence and Pratters pushed forward into midfield in place of Watson, who could probably use a breather. We are missing Shinnie in central midfield and, in his absence, I’d much rather see Morgan in the side than Forster-Caskey. For me, Maddison has to start - he may not make 50 yard covering runs but we need his flair and quality given the paucity of our other attacking options.
Up top, I believe that Aneke’s booking yesterday may have taken him up to 5 and a suspension. I hope I’m wrong but, if not, it will further narrow our options for the Hull game (assuming that this match goes ahead). In that event, Washington and Bogle will probably start unless Schwartz sign and Lee decides to throw him straight in and/or Josh Davison is recalled from Woking (I think we could do worse).
Although the loss of Inniss and Famewo was a major blow, the team has unfortunately regressed and 10 points from the last 8 games is lower mid-table form. Hopefully, the introduction of one or two players, the proper integration of Maddison into the side and a more positive attitude from Lee Bowyer will see a much needed upturn in form in the new year. We certainly need it.
Comments
Pros: Maddison looks match fit now and we are stronger because of it
Chances created, I'll come back to this
Dictated tempo well thought FS-C did very well at this role yesterday
Apart from their goals they didn't have that many real chances.
Positive subs
Cons:
Negative starting line-up
Let's not go down The RB at LB rabbit hole again, Matthews who I rate as a player looked alien on that side.
We look quite lightweight in midfield and we're out muscled many times, I get that probably our most physical mid, in pratley was busy at Cb back we did lack presence
We are screaming out for a natural goalscorer, I thought Washington had good service and got into decent positions yesterday and a player more confident in scoring would have got 2 at least
There is one in particular, the through ball he squared by the six yard box, just lace it.
As I said not many real chabces but they are down there so not surprising but we get caught napping at set pieces too often
Maybe could have done with another centre half, but id say 2 Lbs 2Rbs and 3cbs is ok. The injuries to Fam and Innis have really put a dent in it, hence why another cb. I class Deji as a bit of a back up but not really comfortable at this level
It's the midfield where the issues start. We have absolutely no width.
Pratley,Watson,JFC,Morgan,Gilbey,
Williams,maddison,Shinnie,Levitt are all more comfortable in the centre for my money.
We've tried pushing them out but with very little effect. If you can't play there you can't play there. Simple.
Doughty is the only natural wide attacking force we have.
And then the forwards. Of the four,Not a number 9 between any of them. Bowyer has already admitted he's having to tell Chuks what positions to get in as he favours the number 10 role. Washington is also more a number 10. The best thing Smyth has done since he's been here was whip that cross in for Chuks to score, so could argue he's better suited out wide. Bogle is a bit of a battering ram, holds the ball up now and again but that's about it.
To get the balance is going to take a bit of a clear out I fear, not sure that's possible now. Above all we need to get some width in and a natural number 9 and hope Fam and Innis get well soon!
I'm not the first person to point out his post match criticism seems to fly over the head of certain players and is more often than not directed at a particular few. I'd also point out I'm no Williams fan either. But did he, out of all the players out on the pitch, warrant picking out for a mention in the post-match? Some of them were dire.
The thing is, we might be well in the promotion hunt, we might only lose a few games, BUT if Bowyer had sorted out his eccentric (to put it mildly) selections, we could be out of sight and YES I know that injuries, especially in central defence, have hindered picking a truly settled defence. Bowyer needs to sort out his squad, settle on a regular core to his team and get together with his colleagues a s a p (to be fair this has probably happened already) to choose a few important new signings for next week.
Maddison has been singled out before and got praised for his work and for that great finish. All in all a balanced summary for me.
I like his open and honest assessments as they are worth a listen. Much better than the rehearsed drivel most managers deliver.
Hoe many league games has he started this season, 2,3? His record is very good of the bench but he is currently our most threatening forward. Start him and let him be threatening for 90 minutes. He started against Reading last season and looked very good.
Wigan | Plymouth (Cup) | Ipswich | Shrewsbury | Plymouth
I do understand Bowyer criticising Pearce for giving away the foul that led to their second, but I don't think it was a foul. It was two players battling for the ball. I will never understand why refs feel they have to give a foul and chose a side to give it to then seem to ignore far clearer fouls through the game (for both sides). I think it may be because these refs never played the game.
It just goes to show that we see our own prejudices watching a match.
Assist: Matthews.
Genuinely be surprised if he doesnt play there against Hull now
Matthews ended up with an assist and got the corner for the first, Maatsen could have gotten a brace playing further forward
Bowyer even explained before the game that Maatsen's natural position is in Midfield, I loosely quote: "Its where he's played more often, especially for Holland" its just for us he's been playing further back
The second reason Bowyer played him there again I loosely quote: "Plymouth have a lad who likes to get forward, Maatsen playing where he is, should be able to deal with that"
But I'm sure others will hate it if they start getting labelled as negative every week...
Aside from a few moments of quality, that was a pretty dross performance from a team with promotion aspirations. Plymouth are no mugs but we never looked likely winners against a side who had lost 6 and drawn 2 of their previous 8 away games.
We were all over the shop defensively in the first half, with Plymouth cutting through us like a hot knife through butter. Their two strikers were very mobile and, whilst Pearce and Pratters both lack pace, there were serious problems in midfield, where we allowed players like Camara and Grant a huge amount of space to run into unchallenged.
I felt we were fortunate to be only one goal behind at half time and although we picked up in the second half, a point was the most we deserved. From a Plymouth perspective, they’ll probably feel they should have taken home all three, given the threat carried throughout by their strikers and the possible foul by Aneke which enabled Gunter to equalise.
In terms of team selection, Bowyer is persisting with playing one-footed players on the wrong side - in addition to Forster-Caskey on the right, he stuck Mathews in at left back, the effect of which was to continually limit and slow any attacking impetus. It was good to see Jonny Williams get a start - which he fully justified prior to his substitution - but I found the exclusion of Maddison inexplicable, particularly given the limitations of our strikers.
Our defending in the first half was calamitous and we were lucky to concede only two. There was an enormous gap down our right flank for the first goal and Hardie embarrassingly went past Watson as if he wasn’t there, before pulling the ball back for an easy finish. The marking for the second goal was non-existent and Jephcott was the only player would was alert to the second ball.
We struggled in midfield and Watson’s and Forster-Caskey’s lack of pace was repeatedly exposed. Williams and Maatsen were pretty impressive and the latter was unlucky with a tremendous strike from distance against the bar.
Up front, Aneke did a few good things in the first half but was generally well marshalled. Washington was (as he so often is) pretty anonymous, save for a decent effort in the first half and a pretty atrocious one in the second, when he blasted the ball about 40 yards over the bar from a central position in the box whilst totally unmarked. Maddison had put that one on a plate for him.
Interestingly, when Plymouth substituted their two strikers late on, Ryan Lowe brought on two like-for-like front men (even if one of them was the great Frank Nouble). If we were in a similar position away from home, I very much doubt that Lee Bowyer would have done the same. Lowe’s decision was a sensible one, given our defensive vulnerability throughout and his side looked the more likely winners during the 5 minutes injury time.
Going forward, I would like to see Oshilaja brought back into central defence and Pratters pushed forward into midfield in place of Watson, who could probably use a breather. We are missing Shinnie in central midfield and, in his absence, I’d much rather see Morgan in the side than Forster-Caskey. For me, Maddison has to start - he may not make 50 yard covering runs but we need his flair and quality given the paucity of our other attacking options.
Up top, I believe that Aneke’s booking yesterday may have taken him up to 5 and a suspension. I hope I’m wrong but, if not, it will further narrow our options for the Hull game (assuming that this match goes ahead). In that event, Washington and Bogle will probably start unless Schwartz sign and Lee decides to throw him straight in and/or Josh Davison is recalled from Woking (I think we could do worse).
Although the loss of Inniss and Famewo was a major blow, the team has unfortunately regressed and 10 points from the last 8 games is lower mid-table form. Hopefully, the introduction of one or two players, the proper integration of Maddison into the side and a more positive attitude from Lee Bowyer will see a much needed upturn in form in the new year. We certainly need it.