That team sums up the problems, look at the group of front players, Lee, Corey Blackett Taylor, Leko and Stockley. This leaves Gilbey and Watson exposed and over run as there is not a cover from the forward group. If you are an opposing manager you would tell your players to work the space wide of Gilbey and Watson. Football is a simple game but is sometimes over complicated by fools. No offence to you Sage as your team is a reflection of the system Adkins has used most of the season, if he persists then we will lose more than win and the Accrington game will be another sad addition to the losses.
Agreed, our system doesn't work as the wingers and Lee provide no defensive cover, and as a result our full backs and 2 midfielders get swamped, as we end up with 424 on the field. And every other opposition manager knows this, and will exploit it.
We need 3 proper midfielders, and no Lee doesn't count as he's a forward. Indeed we generally played that way under Adkins last season, 433 with 3 midfielders, 2 wingers and Stockley, so I don't know why he seems so fixated with 4231 this season.
This is the big tactical difference to last season. For the first few games Morgan played a similar positional role to that that Gilbey did last season. He didn't do it very well mind, but come the Wigan home game he was basically playing as a second striker with Stockley moaning at him for being too deep for most of the time. He was actually replaced in that role by Washington, and the Crewe game. Its a subtle change but quite a big one.
I have no idea why he has changed that, especially when we got over run at Oxford and MKD in the two games immediately before he changed it. He still, at that time, had basically the same players.
He had a chance to change it on Saturday by bringing Watson on for Lee and moving back to last seasons shape. At least we might have got some control on the game.
4231 isn't a system Adkins has been wed to through out his career, unlike Robinson, who has now learnt at least a bit of flexibility.
It's literally a case of moving one player back 10 yards, it's not revelationary like moving to a back 3 or 2 up front. We don't have any 2 that are good enough, especially when tonight Accrington will have 4 in there.
I thought Morgan was unfairly criticised for not being the super attacking, flairy No 10 when that wasn't the role he was playing in the side, which was as one of the 3 in midfield, but the most advanced one.
He doesn't get all his defensive decisions right, but provides FAR more of a defensive shield than Lee or any of the wingers. Lee's old man might have successfully played a more defensive role for Newcastle and England, but Lee junior is much more like the Charlton Rob Lee in the side for his attacking play.
I get what you mean but his general play was well below the level he got to towards the end of last season. He was very good against posh, Lincoln and Hull in different roles.
That team sums up the problems, look at the group of front players, Lee, Corey Blackett Taylor, Leko and Stockley. This leaves Gilbey and Watson exposed and over run as there is not a cover from the forward group. If you are an opposing manager you would tell your players to work the space wide of Gilbey and Watson. Football is a simple game but is sometimes over complicated by fools. No offence to you Sage as your team is a reflection of the system Adkins has used most of the season, if he persists then we will lose more than win and the Accrington game will be another sad addition to the losses.
Agreed, our system doesn't work as the wingers and Lee provide no defensive cover, and as a result our full backs and 2 midfielders get swamped, as we end up with 424 on the field. And every other opposition manager knows this, and will exploit it.
We need 3 proper midfielders, and no Lee doesn't count as he's a forward. Indeed we generally played that way under Adkins last season, 433 with 3 midfielders, 2 wingers and Stockley, so I don't know why he seems so fixated with 4231 this season.
This is the big tactical difference to last season. For the first few games Morgan played a similar positional role to that that Gilbey did last season. He didn't do it very well mind, but come the Wigan home game he was basically playing as a second striker with Stockley moaning at him for being too deep for most of the time. He was actually replaced in that role by Washington, and the Crewe game. Its a subtle change but quite a big one.
I have no idea why he has changed that, especially when we got over run at Oxford and MKD in the two games immediately before he changed it. He still, at that time, had basically the same players.
He had a chance to change it on Saturday by bringing Watson on for Lee and moving back to last seasons shape. At least we might have got some control on the game.
4231 isn't a system Adkins has been wed to through out his career, unlike Robinson, who has now learnt at least a bit of flexibility.
It's literally a case of moving one player back 10 yards, it's not revelationary like moving to a back 3 or 2 up front. We don't have any 2 that are good enough, especially when tonight Accrington will have 4 in there.
I thought Morgan was unfairly criticised for not being the super attacking, flairy No 10 when that wasn't the role he was playing in the side, which was as one of the 3 in midfield, but the most advanced one.
He doesn't get all his defensive decisions right, but provides FAR more of a defensive shield than Lee or any of the wingers. Lee's old man might have successfully played a more defensive role for Newcastle and England, but Lee junior is much more like the Charlton Rob Lee in the side for his attacking play.
I get what you mean but his general play was well below the level he got to towards the end of last season. He was very good against posh, Lincoln and Hull in different roles.
Two years ago we were 7th in the Championship with 19 points from 12 games, after that performance against Derby with the cracking Gallagher goal at the Covered end.
Today we are 22th in League 1 with 9 points from 12 games and we are in disarray with no leadership on or off the pitch.
A Squad of individuals with a manager clueless on how to turn them into a team after a dozen games.
I would like to say things can only get better but we are too near the trap door into the 4th tier to kid ourselves.
Can't play Leko, CBT and Kirk together. They don't track back. When Adkins put in CBT for Lee on Saturday that was a mistake when everyone was crying out for Washington. MacG needs to be dropped as well.
Can't play Leko, CBT and Kirk together. They don't track back. When Adkins put in CBT for Lee on Saturday that was a mistake when everyone was crying out for Washington. MacG needs to be dropped as well.
Definitely agree, need players you can trust and I think the goalkeeper, Kirk and CBT would not fit that description.
Would make two changes to Sage's team, Famewo in to make a back three, choose what wing backs you like and move Lee to CBT's position, if not fit Washington, oh and put Henderson between the sticks.
Has TS just come over to see Accrington? Me thinks not.
Exactly. A midweek home game sandwiched inbetween 2 distanced away games. Not a cats chance in hell this was planned some time ago. I imagine it has been very hastily arranged & he's over for some very frank talking....or sacking.
Would make two changes to Sage's team, Famewo in to make a back three, choose what wing backs you like and move Lee to CBT's position, if not fit Washington, oh and put Henderson between the sticks.
Famewo one of the players doubtful tonight … so expect to see Pearce and Laville
Can't play Leko, CBT and Kirk together. They don't track back. When Adkins put in CBT for Lee on Saturday that was a mistake when everyone was crying out for Washington. MacG needs to be dropped as well.
Definitely agree, need players you can trust and I think the goalkeeper, Kirk and CBT would not fit that description.
If that's the basis of picking the team I don't think there will be a single name on the team sheet........
In the old days I didn't really appreciate the likes of Johnnie Robertson, thought he was pretty average, but now I realise the amount of work he did to help out his fullback and then have the nous and stamina to attack. Hats off Johnnie! So will DJ get a run out tonight and leave Gunter/Matthews exposed? He is such an attacking talent, likewise CBT but they have to learn to defend. Nott sure about Kirk. Give the lad time to settle I suppose. Hope Purrington plays. Sadly I think we will lose and bye bye Adkins.
Adkins is a busted flush - if he stays, we will most likely go down.
TS needs to change the manager = lots of teams in this division are more dynamic and will fight to win the points. We are lightweight, unfit, poorly led and unlikely to bring out any results. We need a hard nosed manager who will ge the best out of this squad.
If we stay up, we can then hopefully improve next season.
We had one last season and the majority seemed against him because he told the players to get stuck in.
Would make two changes to Sage's team, Famewo in to make a back three, choose what wing backs you like and move Lee to CBT's position, if not fit Washington, oh and put Henderson between the sticks.
Famewo one of the players doubtful tonight … so expect to see Pearce and Laville
All pf the players are doubtful all the time....oh I see what you mean.
This has to be Adkins last stand. Surely?? I cannot take any more. Hearing Palace fans laughing about Sutton taking our place in L1 hurts. Losing to Accrington will hurt too. 2-0 again, they blow us away.
I have bought the stream and will as usual watch willing us to win. However in truth I would rather a loss than a scrappy 1-0 or something. I want to see a good performance otherwise time for a change. For once for me the result isnt everything
Adkins is a busted flush - if he stays, we will most likely go down.
TS needs to change the manager = lots of teams in this division are more dynamic and will fight to win the points. We are lightweight, unfit, poorly led and unlikely to bring out any results. We need a hard nosed manager who will ge the best out of this squad.
If we stay up, we can then hopefully improve next season.
We had one last season and the majority seemed against him because he told the players to get stuck in.
No, it's because he turned into an abusive, paranoid madman who hated attacking players
Comments
Today we are 22th in League 1 with 9 points from 12 games and we are in disarray with no leadership on or off the pitch.
A Squad of individuals with a manager clueless on how to turn them into a team after a dozen games.
I would like to say things can only get better but we are too near the trap door into the 4th tier to kid ourselves.
Your call Thomas Sandgaard.
Both of those results came against Crewe
What this team really needs is an inspiring pre-match heavy-rock guitar solo from a middle-aged businessman dressed in tight latex trousers.
That will fire them up.
Saying that, I expect a convincing 3-1 victory to the Addicks
This is a huge game tonight.
Fair play to you.