Flagon

Absolutely fantastic point. Clean sheet against a really in form side. We had more injuries and had to change shape at half time, make no mistake this team wants it.

Two wins ahead of 7th and only one win off of 2nd. We’re doing incredibly well this season. So many games without what would likely be a full starting 11 aswell. 

To maintain our push for at least play offs though we really need to recruit wisely as the players returning from injury will likely need a bit of time to be fully effective.

Absolutely fantastic comeback particularly when not playing as well as we can. 

Safe journey back to the travelling fans

16 minutes ago, chinapig said:

There is a problem with a lack of variety in the squad imo. So we end up subbing lightweight players who don't like a physical battle with more of the same.

Yes absolutely, I think this is partly why we didn't see Eliasson, however it is what it is so at some point they are just going to have to take it

Really disappointing performance today. We were slow to start from the off. We were bullied off the ball regularly but worse than that was the passing and movement of our own players was terrible. We had a couple of moves here and there but overall really poor. 

It didn't feel like we had options to change it up either really because I think even if say Eliasson had come on with his pace we are told about I'm not sure the service was out there.

The same team has played and can play way better than that though (not difficult admittedly).  It's a point nevertheless and first clean sheet.

Time to rest up some players Tuesday. Villa have been conceding a lot so look fragile. Have to go at them from the off.

Bodin got a nice cheap and cheerful release clause to exploit?

41 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

And it leaves Millwall needing to win at the swamp next week to ensure they don`t miss out on the playoffs,

Imagine the scenes if the G*s somehow deprive them of it.

Wonder if the bus-butters will be out for that one.

21 minutes ago, AshtonG666 said:

We were not good against them at home and scraped a win, but let's hope we beat them on Monday and help put us out of sight 

I think the teams around us will be hoping we win too, if we lose it would close it right back up again. Really hoping we do it

42 minutes ago, hertsexile said:

Once again following the LJ reshuffle we concede. When will LJ learn to leave it alone. Let's hope he keeps the same team on Monday! Sure the clown will make changes. He can't resist breaking a winning performance. Well played Matty Taylor once again 

I don't think it was the changes, Bryan held on way too long to that ball at the end.

25 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

I think the players against Huddersfield on TV were playing to get new contracts with other clubs for next season.

I'm not sure about this. This would suggest that Johnson not only got the tactics spot on against Huddersfield but that the players have the ability to execute the game plan aswell. Why can they not do that every game? We wouldn't be in this mess if so. 

Listening to first caller in on the radio he said that it was obvious the players had a disconnect with LJ tactics tonight and didn't believe in them etc etc. 

If the players seriously doubt the tactics what would happen if they collectively lined up how they thought and played out the game how they thought it should be? 

Which proven quality manager could realistically be in before Saturday though? Or do we realistically think just by getting rid these players would suddenly turn it on?

This is why I don't go in for this whole confidence malarkey. We simply have a manager who is struggling combined with some players simply not having enough ability at this level along with needing players in certain positions. 

Oh if only he hadn't cowed to fan pressure and tinkered with the line up instead of keeping it the same. "It seems to me if they ain't got you one way they've got you another."

Well the best we can hope for tonight is the other results going our way which so far they are.

Big shout out to those who could make it up there, heard you loud and clear on radio. Important 3 points. Come on you reds!

Really important we get the 3 points today. We have to get back into a position where teams are hoping we slip up. So deflating when you get results but it makes no difference. 

Credit to the fans today. Yes there was completely understandable booing at the end but there is no way considering the run and position we are in we could be accused of lack of support. 

Is it a must win? I feel it is. Is it our last chance? No, but it would take it out of our own hands which we only just have a grip on.

Oh dear I've started questioning and answering myself. Not good.

Have to say a massive shout out to our travelling support today. I couldn't go, was listening on radio and could really hear you all giving everything. I'll be going Tuesday to Villa so hope we give everything again. 

Gutted after making the biggest change up at half time in a while we grab a quick goal, get back in it and then Magnusson gets injured putting us right on the back foot. 

So so frustrating. Fair play to the fans that travelled, as much as I'm gutted as we all obviously are, I feel for you. Safe journey back. 

Gone 3 5 2, will be interesting to see how this works out. I started a thread a couple of games back about should we keep persisting with our left and right backs in a back 4 and expecting them to do the job of defence and beating the opposing left and right backs all game. Most significant change LJ had made of late. Hope it works. Come on reds, turn it round. Give the fans who travelled all that way something.

13 minutes ago, daored said:

However do we know how good Moore is? The Swedish lad, won't attempt his name, the young lad from Oxford. I agree we have untried and untested youngsters but the only way to establish if they're good enough is to play them. Hopefully with the games coning thick and fast over Xmas, Johnson may have to try a few. The worrying thing is, we're in a bad run of form, we need to snap out of it quickly 

Yeah it's a really bad run with the only saving grace that we are not getting smashed. In some ways, not that I'd want it, getting smashed by teams regularly or at least played off the park can be easier to identify the problems for. We just never seem to get 11 players out there all their game at the moment.

2 minutes ago, daored said:

The problem is if we're making individual errors, why aren't we using different players? While people can't be critical of Johnson over that, the confines selection of said player(s) can be. Loyalty to players can only last so long , especially when there would appear to be alternative options within the squad

Yeah agreed but I think that's where the extra couple of transfer windows come in for consistent quality, I'm not 100% the quality of the fringe is the answer yet but they have promise. Trouble is like you are saying if they don't get played enough, how do you know for sure. 

In the meantime..... Wilbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on you reds!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 minutes ago, Redandy said:

I find it hard to understand how Johnson cannot take any blame for the current consistent fall towards the bottom of the table. Your post suggests that all we have to do is give him  2 more transfer windows and all will be fine. He is showing an inability to sort the problems we have had all season. The thought of him signing more like Paterson and Brownhill or players like Engvall to sit on the bench for half a season frankly is a major concern. 

 

Yeah I get what you are saying and find it frustrating to see a bunch of new players consistently sat on the bench or not even seemingly pushing to even get on the bench. I just think we have missed far too many clear chances and made far too many individual errors for that to be Johnsons fault. It's anyone's guess whether or not playing some of the new players regularly would have stopped that. If we didn't create anything and got smashed most weeks I think there would be a more serious problem in the management of the team. 

8 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

Exactly this. 

How can anyone critisise LJ for us dominating, playing well and being undone (again) by bad defending. 

The manager can only do so much! 

Yes I agree. There is only so much he can do. It's a mindset thing, we lack so much focus at the moment in critical areas. The only thing he can do is keep faith with certain players for so long and make it clear in January where his thoughts lie. It's a shame, it feels very much like our own undoing but goes to show it will need a couple more transfer windows to try and get that consistent quality in.