Spike

A perfect example of our issue there, Dickie trying to move the ball into the middle but the movement is poor and the two players in the middle have no option even if they receive the pass because all our players are high or wide and the distance is too great for a quick pass. So we have no outlet in the middle, meaning we're forced wide where they then pinch the wings in and close up the inside pass. Cardiff are going to get more dangerous turn overs with this build up playstyle, they've already identified it and adjusted accordingly.

That and we lack the midfielders capable to take a pass with a player behind him and turn and face him up. We also don't have our midfielders coming narrow to offer the pass in this situation, we have two "wing backs" out wide, our front three are high up and the angles are not there. You're right in that the players have been told what to do and how to play and they are doing it, the issue is Manning doesn't identify that we can't move the opposition players around if every pass is a long one across the ground, the time it takes for the ball to travel is enough time for players to start repositioning accordingly. We offer not give and go options in the middle, it's all out wide hence Cardiff, Wednesday and QPR all allowed the ball into those areas and then trapped us in there knowing we won't play through he middle. On the odd occasion we've got players close enough together in the middle to string some passes together it's moved Cardiff players around to a level that there is space out wide but those situations have come from loose ball moments or deflected passes.

Really frustrating but exactly what I expected to watch. Same set up as QPR and Wednesday, very spread out across the pitch, using the back line to try and move the ball across the pitch into wide areas to create a pathway to goal. Cardiff were open to it for the first 20 and then started to get settled in how to deal with it, their front three are sitting high up to pressure and we've go no outlet. We try and force it wide and they double up and pull their midfielders in narrow to cut off passing options forcing us backwards and to repeat the movement or wait until we try to come inside where we're too spread apart to move the ball causing us to lose possession in dangerous areas. We need a player who can sit in that midfield, receive the ball with their back to the player and turn to face them up and make a pass. As it stands we pass into the middle and it goes straight back to the defensive line because of instant pressure and our wide-spread positioning means no quick passing option. Manning has us set up to offer width, the issue is we can't use it affectively because the opposition are set up to nullify it and we're not coming to the ball to create quick passing options in the middle. I 'm not convinced on Mannings tactics at all, I was hoping he'd come out and prove me wrong but he's very much reminding me of that famous quote "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". Manning has us set up to play one style of build-up and when the opposition adapt to that he's got nothing to offer to change the situation. I expect in the second half to see more of the same thing and should we not get a stroke of luck we'll have a few subs made, maybe a change of formation but ultimately the build up will remain the same. If we lose today I'm expecting Manning to say how the players didn't get it going quickly enough today and totally miss the reason why, that's my major concern is Manning is not adapting to the issues in our gameplan, he's just hoping that we get a lucky opportunity and break from it.

No risk taking, means very little emotion, we're robotic, Cardiff are Robotic until they catch us with a bad pass. The football on display is the cause behind this. We're toothless on the ball, no players willing to take a pass and turn and run towards goal meaning it's that same old robotic passing patterns. We started off stronger but Cardiff are now comfortable with our build-up passing and we're not mixing it up making it predictable and boring to watch. Our only real chances are coming from loose deflections/ passes that we're picking up on and attacking directly. If we can't adapt when our opponents figure us out and set up accordingly then we're going to have more QPR/Wednesday-like games, more frustrated fans and thus no real atmosphere. From the opening 40 minutes this game rides on which team gets the lucky disposes and capitalises on it.

Cardiff with that high three when we're in possession and the midfielders cutting off the lanes is really preventing us from getting up the pitch, we need more movement in the middle so we can move the ball. At the moment Cardiff are growing into the game, getting comfortable with how we're trying to attack and when they win the ball they have more space to work in. The last 5 minutes you can really see the penny dropping for them, keep us pinned back, defend against the options into the middle and wait for us to make a mistake. I'm not saying we're not having the better chances when we do get past it but for the last ten minutes Cardiff are looking a lot more composed and we're not switching up our passing game so we're easier to defend against, need more players carrying the ball, making passes into the middle with players making options for quick passes. The longer this goes on the more Cardiff will grow into the game and start creating problems.

When we get the ball in the back line Cardiff know exactly what we're doing and are cutting off the options to play out, been a couple of situations that could have cost us, we need to watch it with that, they want to catch us in that dangerous position. Attacking we're doing better but just don't seem to be clinical enough yet.

Huge chance, Sykes hit's it straight at the keeper >.<

I've noticed more and more recently Dickie seems to be struggling to track runners when running facing his own goal, why are our players not more vocal so he doesn't have to keep looking over his shoulder?

Oh yeah he's still capable of that pass, the problem is we don't make the runs since Manning took over, we're too focused on that slow build. On the odd occasions, we tried to play that quick build-up we had so much more success but I'm not so confident that the players are still in that mindset to make those runs, they certainly weren't against QPR

I just find him to be too slow and being as we now don't build our attacks quickly he'll just contribute to that. I don't dislike King, I just feel his best times are past and being as our best opportunities come from a fast build up style he'll hinder our best opportunities in that regard. I also think whilst he covers passing lanes and options pretty well he doesn't have that burst of pace closing down triggered runs that we do in his locker meaning seeing his name on the sheet means we're less likely to play that fast press that gets us success in the middle.

I don't like that starting line up, I know Tanner has been good but I do like McCrorie however King, TGH and Williams in midfield is dire. If Williams can't find his form today and King is not at his best I feel like we'll get over run in the middle far too easily. I honestly have very little excitement for this match atm.

This is what frustrated me yesterday, Liam has been brought in to coach the team, to improve how we play both individually and as a team but in my eyes he is failing in both areas. Vyner & Dickie - The one thing NP identified and rectified before being released was that no matter how he shaped the back 3 Vyner is not comfortable in a back 3 and lacks the positional awareness to cope with it so he switched to a back 4 where we saw Vyner really start to shine, so much so that he secured a new contract when many thought he was going to leave. Vyner is a great player in a traditional back 4 where the full-backs sit back and when they do push up a midfielder comes across to cover but in a back 3 where the opposition can counter he is often positioned poorly on the transition and indecisive on when to go to the ball and when to drop off, in turn it forces Dickie to move about more than he should at which point he gets caught out too. Simply put we struggle to deal with a good punchy counter off of the transition when using a back 3 and this is something that Manning doesn't seem willing to accept as he continues to try and use the back 3 with two wing backs system. What concerns me is that when Manning came in this is the kind of information the club should be giving him so he should be aware of it before he even begins to implement his style of coaching. If we was not made aware of this then instantly the club are off to a poor start as with any new manager/coach coming in there should be information handed on for the new man to evaluate and make his own mind up about but at the very least be made aware of. At this point Manning has had more than enough time to identify this issue but continues to try and have us play a 3 at the back whether it changes based on play or sticks to a flat three regardless. For me this is a major part of why we struggle with teams who sit back against us as they get numbers behind the ball, soak up the pressure and when we make a poor pass they get it out wide quickly and then pump the ball into the off middles area where this positioning in the transition catches us off guard and either Vyner is out of position forcing Dickie to move to cover or both men seem confused on who is going to attack the ball and who is going to keep dropping back. This issue doesn't come about nearly as much when we use a traditional back 4 because the initial transition is usually slowed down at the wide point to slow down the counter and prevent a quick movement up the pitch. With the wing backs we lose this and with the weaknesses with the back line in a three we become exposed. Sam Bell - Looks like he's lost his edge to many when in fact I think the real issue comes down to what is being asked of him in this new system. Bell is very much a counter attacking player, he likes to get the ball and run at players who are trying to get their shape back but with the new possession-based football we rarely find ourselves in a situation where Bell is in possession and the opposition is tracking back, instead Bell is given the ball in a static position out wide with no space to get moving so he is forced to try and beat his man with pace over and over. When he pushes wide to do this and tries to cross but is blocked he rarely has a good inside option or any player making a run for him so he ultimately has to play it back to the defence in order to move the ball across the pitch as Manning loves to have us do. The goal of switching the play is to move the ball across the pitch as quickly and effectively as possible which in turn will create openings with the opposition, only this doesn't work that often at this level as any decent Championship team knows to transition their shape with the movement of the ball and we can't switch the ball quickly enough as Manning confirmed against QPR when we looked toothless. Ultimately Manning has created a tactic in which Bell would only fit being one of a front two partnership as his finishing is good and if given the freedom he does like to get into the box and cause issues but again, this is not how Manning is setting us up. I do not see Bell doing well in this team unless Manning starts to implement a mixed approach where we not only play the possession and movement style of football but can also sit back and allow pressure onto us and use Bell as an outlet to move us up the pitch effectively on the counter. Wells & Cornick - Another two players who are very capable in the right position and being used to their strengths but neither are being used that way. Cornick has a lot of qualities but under Pearson and Manning we've barely got to see them as much like Wells he's best suited in a front two partnership but due to nature of how Manning sets up and our lack of a pocket playing midfielder we never get to see them in their best roles. Ideally I think the best formation for us currently would be a 4-1-2-1-2 where the 1 behind the front two players would move across the pitch with the ball making wide runs or taking passes in the pocket to allow the front two space to move and create openings. The 1 in-front of the defence would also do something similar in that they would move across slightly when the full backs go for overlaps allowing him to drop in that space to reassure the back 4 and the 2 in the middle would adjust accordingly to these players movements to ensure there are passing options but also passing lanes covered. That suggestion aside I do think that Mannings issue is that he wants to create a playstyle/tactic and stick to it regardless and his interviews when he mentions not moving the ball across the pitch quickly enough just confirms that in my personal opinion as rather than seeing that something isn't working and adapting the tactics to counter it he blames the players for not doing it well enough. The truth of the matter is if the opposition move their shape well enough then moving the ball side to side is never going to result in creating openings without a stroke of luck. Mehmeti - Mehmeti is driving me up the wall, the bloke has the ability, he has the skill but he is sorely let down by his decision making and what frustrates me further is that Manning wanted Mehmeti before we bought him so he is essentially a "Manning player" in my eyes. What I don't understand is if Liam saw the ability and skill and wanted to sign him then surely he thinks he's capable of coaching him where his issues are and that's his final decision. I've lost count of how many times he's created something from nothing only to then make the wrong pass and undo all of his hard work. I also feel that with the coaching you'd see a whole different player if you had that pocket player to play the give and go passes with when he cuts inside but we don't have anyone playing that roles so when he comes inside he just aims to make enough space to take a shot and on the occasions where he doesn't think he has it he passes backwards and goes back to his wide role because he has no give and go option. This for me, again, comes down to coaching and tactics. At this point I could write so much more but I am genuinely frustrated just thinking about it. One thing I have been seeing a lot of on twitter is people saying what I was saying a few weeks back, that given a pre-season Manning could turn this around but in all honesty I think his interview killed that for me and I'm now very much expecting a repetitive circle of odd results followed by interviews about how the players played well this week when they win and how they just didn't do enough when they lose. Yesterday I was angry for the first time with Manning because that result was not on the players, he set up a formation and a tactic to play against a team who were obviously going to set up to counter what Manning has been putting out. Essentially Manning was predictable and his tactics were already scouted out by Wednesday and they outperformed us because they had the right set up and the right gameplan whilst we continued to try and push a tactic they were set up to play against. Manning said that the performance was not good enough, the truth is we played right into Wednesdays hands and having done the same against QPR any manager who sees those results and watches those games in preparation to play against us will know exactly how to beat us, sit back, transition the shape with our passes across the back line, make small bursting runs at passing lanes until we inevitably make a poor passing decision and then hit us with a 1-2 movement outside and into the middle whilst our back line is on the backfoot as that's when Vyner misreads a pass or Dickie comes across to help because our line is out of shape. I personally hope a lot of teams see that we've lost to QPR and Wednesday and think we'll be a walk over and try to outplay us because that's the only way Mannings tactics are going to catch teams off guard e.g. Southampton, West Ham etc

Is now a bad time to ask when?

I mean how is he wrong? We scored from a set piece, we didn't outplay them. Now we have to show we can outplay them.

Great header, now we just have to actually play like we're capable of taking it to them.

Genuinely losing faith pretty quickly in Manning now, so erratic on when we do and do not perform and tactics are crap.

Some players cut holes in their boots to help with haglin's heel too. I don't see an issue but I do wonder why players who struggle with various issues don't have boots heat moulded to help with this instead or with the socks, why manufacturers don't create different versions of socks for players.

LM said on the interview that he wanted the team to switch across the pitch quickly to pull the players out of position, essentially word for word explaining that his plan was to use width to create spaces. I think considering we played 90+ minutes we barely had any success going wide. There were a few occasions but if you play a full match trying the same thing over and over you're going to have a few "successes" but even when we got in behind them they had plenty of conver in the box. From what I observed QPR played to give us the wings, then as we pushed them they moved to double up on the side position and closed in the midfielders to stop any inside passes and it worked flawlessly. We mostly opted to come backwards to the defenders and try to switch the play where they just shifted across and repeated the same thing on the other side of the pitch. It got to a point where we were trying to come inside despite them convering the middle and this is where we were making sloppy passes and losing possession and being countered. If I'm honest I'd rather I was wrong because it would mean this may be a one off, but I fully expect to see us tactically beaten again if LM cannot coach the team to adapt and play through the middle of a congested pitch. If he can't then all the opposition needs to do is sit back, compact themselves and hit us on the break when we fail to adapt.

The wings were exactly why we failed today, QPR played to push us wide and keep the middle congested and with players behind the ball. They wanted us to go wide because then they could use the numbers in the middle to cut out the options to get the ball across the pitch or into any dangerous positions in the middle. LM said himself in the interview that we couldn't get the ball across the pitch fast enough confirming that his tactics were to go side to side to pull QPR out of position to allow us to create opportunities. The issue was that to get the ball across the pitch we had to go backwards which allowed them time to get into shape to defend it. For me it was the lack of a plan B, we set out to go side to side, QPR encouraged this to allow them time to settle and defend and we never once changed this approach. Manning needs to coach the team to play through the middle against these teams, to get us more compact so we have inside options, to get men in the middle who can be scrappy if needs be. We had no middles game at all, far too spread out in attempt to move the ball side to side. Manning should have told our 3 midfielders to come closer to the ball carrier, make the team compact and use the passing they've been working on to make QPR uncomfortable in the middle and that would create movement which would have allowed us spacess to play into with the wide men. If anything the interview only irritated me further because he identified the issue and rather than coaching and implementing a change of tactics he just changed players and formation but kept the tactics the same meaning QPR didn't have to adapt or change at all, if anything we looked worse with 3 at the back as it played more into QPRs set up. At the moment I'm frustrated with LM, you can see he can coach certain tactics, but so far he's looking like another one trick pony and lacks depth in his tactics. We're never going to compete with some teams quality and so we need to be tactically strong, able to get the best out of our players and adapt to the opposition. At the moment we look very one dimensional and easy to set up against. On our day when a team comes to open the game up against us we can win those games, but the current set up and tactics won't break down a team who look to nullify our single game plan.

I'm not jumping on this because I'm not sure what the situation is, I wonder if he was on the bench encase we had another game where we were comfortable and he could come on and get some minutes without having to push himself. Obviously that never happened and so maybe Manning didn't send him on because he was concerned he'd push himself and get re-injured. Without confirmation from Manning himself, I'm not jumping on Manning for not using him, he already has enough to reflect on after that game, all his own doing.

The amount of people laying into him today just blows my mind. We played the wings and offered nothing, he was essentially being given the ball with no inside options and the only other option to go down the wing and cross. Someone even said all he does is cut back but what else is he going to do with no inside pass and no-one to aim for in the box?! Sykes came on and looked identical to him but on the other side and we all know how good Sykes is, this game was never going to be a game where they would shine, they were being asked to do everything and given nothing to help them.

If he blames the players when it's on his tactics I think a few players won't be happy about it. That loss was on Manning, yes the players looked lacklustre but when you set up wrong it's hard for any player to shine.

I prefer it to "We're very unlucky" when we're really not. What are they supposed to say when we're being tactically outplayed by a team who are in the relegation zone? For the first time since he took over I'll say it confidently, Manning has been totally out of his depth in this match, he hasn't identified the problem, he's just tried to force the tactics he likes work against a team set up perfectly to nullify us. We've spent the whole of the match since we switched to 3 at the back forcing it out wide, trying to play 1-2 passes to create a run down the wing only for QPR to put 3 men on us and pin us out wide with 4-5 players covering the middle of the pitch which in turn forces us to play the ball backwards and try to recycle across the pitch and do the same thing on the other side. If we try to come inside where QPR have 3 men before a single one of ours we lose possession and they counter. Cifuentes must be laughing at Manning, he's made a team that beat Southampton comfortably look like a relegation-bound team despite his own team being in the bottom three. If Manning cannot find the solution to a team sitting deep on us then this won't be the last time we see a performance like this and what bothers me is how many of out fans can't see it and instead get frustrated and look for a player to blame... "Mebude is shit", "Cornick just runs and offers nothing", "Mehmeti is crap" etc. The reason these attacking players look so shit is that they have to do the stuff that the midfield should be doing, connecting the defence to the attack, only they ARE the attack so we bypass the midfield using the width because the midfielders are spread out so wide that we can't come inside. It was the same issues under Pearson, only the difference was he would identify the issue and try to change up the way we played to create chances, instead Manning just sticks to his plan even if it means driving head on towards a brick wall and wondering why we crashed. The issue is we're one dimensional, which is why we're mid-table, we rely on teams to play to our strengths and when they do we punish them, but when they set out to frustrate us and stop us playing to Mannings tactics he has no second plan, no way to adapt to what the opposition are doing and then our players become frustrated, the fans become frustrated and then the fans go quiet and turn on the players. I think we have a squad capable of walking all over QPR, the issue is that we don't have a manager capable of creating a gameplan that can change and adapt on the fly and today highlighted that perfectly. We just went around in circles trying to do the same thing over and over and it never worked and therein is the issue, not we need a new striker, not we need a new goalkeeper, what we need is a manager who can read the game and coach us to adapt on the fly when plan A is failing. All we did today was change shape and keep playing to plan A, there was no plan B and QPR took 3 points because of that very problem.

Really? The reason we can't string passes together is because QPR have 4-5 men in the middle of the pitch cutting off all our inside options, they then allow us to go wide where we then get the wing blocked off and have two options, come back or try to beat the man and cross the ball in where they have more players behind the ball who are better in the air than us. It's all about the tactics, there is a reason a team who beat Southampton and looked full of confidence look lost today. We haven't changed anything about our tactics, but we've come up against a team who have nullified our style and we've not adapted to it at all. Everyone of our players starts by going wide and either coming back and across the pitch or down a dead end where we try to cross... we're literally trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results and QPR are loving it as they're set up perfectly to stop it. When in possession QPR have 3 men in the middle before you see a single one of our players so how are we going to go through the middle to create anything when the wide men have no options going forward. Our attack is fully nullified.

Just side to side at the back, trying to force the wings, no movement in the middle to create options, all QPR need to do is sit back, mark up the wide men and they're golden. We're not going to cross the ball in the air as we have no threat, we're not passing through the middle because they're sitting back and covering up the options and so we're just going down the wing or going long. We're doing exactly what they want us to do. LM should be making us play narrow when in possession and moving side to side so we still have options, instead we're spread across the pitch and they're covering the middle in numbers forcing us into dead end wing movements where we have no option but to go backwards or run into a position where we can't create anything.