Is it Lee or the players?

[Top Robin]

When we lose like we have done recently is it because Lee is picking the wrong team with he wrong shape and not motivating them sufficiently. Or is it that the players are just not good enough whatever the selection to get us up.

My view is that Lee does make some questionable team selections which have undoubtedly had a negative effect on the results. But also there are some players who are just not up to the standard required to get us up. 

So I guess it all comes back to Lee as it is definitely a squad bought and picked by him.

[East End Old Boy]

3 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

When we lose like we have done recently it it because Lee is picking the wrong team

Nah, I think it’s because the other team scores more goals!

[TonyTonyTony]

Gotta be 50:50. Sometimes LJ gets the tactics wrong, sometimes the players don’t execute

Johnson has played many formations this year - he is not afraid to change the shape which I think is a good thing

Its clear to me the major part that needs upgrading is the engine room - CM. We have relied on two players pretty much all season

[View from the Dolman]

Think it's something to do with the pesky opposition showing up. It'd be so much easier if they just decided not to bother.

[MelksRed]

19 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

Its clear to me the major part that needs upgrading is the engine room - CM. We have relied on two players pretty much all season

The engine is most definitely tired......we need an injection of faith and motivation to oil the cogs of what was (once) a sight to behold..........want to see Pack playing beautiful disguised balls through to Fam and Weimann.....like he used too....sadly he's shattered.

[Pezo]

20 minutes ago, TonyTonyTony said:

Gotta be 50:50. Sometimes LJ gets the tactics wrong, sometimes the players don’t execute

Johnson has played many formations this year - he is not afraid to change the shape which I think is a good thing

Its clear to me the major part that needs upgrading is the engine room - CM. We have relied on two players pretty much all season

I agree but that depends on the situation with Kalas, Dasilva, Kelly and Baker. 

I think we have 3 players that are first teamers - Pack, Smith, Brownhill. We have 2 player's that are on the fringe - Walsh and Palmer and we 2 others that are not close - Dowling and Morrell.

Of our 3 first teamers 1 has been injured nearly all season.

For me Walsh and Palmer with Brownhill could be a great replacement for Smith and Pack but they need to step up now and make a case for themselves, I think they have had opportunities and shown glimpses but it's not enough right now. 

[glen humphries]

We’ve been lacking in midfield for years now , never understood why it’s not been a priority.

[REDOXO]

14 minutes ago, MelksRed said:

The engine is most definitely tired......we need an injection of faith and motivation to oil the cogs of what was (once) a sight to behold..........want to see Pack playing beautiful disguised balls through to Fam and Weimann.....like he used too....sadly he's shattered.

Pack looks tired. Palmer and Walsh don’t. 

We have heavily relied on a core group which needs some inspiration. When Palmer came on we looked purposeful and he has some skill at his feet.

Walsh looks decent in a fetch and carry role, however we conceded several poor goals lately which hurts us and Hunt has lost his usual trusty crosses leaving only Elliason to accurately get the ball in!

however we are Jekyll and Hide and we never quite know what’s coming in the next game from us. Pressure is on Derby now which may just free us up enough  

 

[Wrongagain]

There should be competition for every place on the team! If there isn’t it’s because the coaching staff are not up to the job.

All season long we have seen players overlooked while some of those on the field have been tired, unfit or just plain not up to it and still got picked! This problem was evident last season as well - often! Remember Kent and the injured Bailey it was not their fault they were subbed off when the game was gone, competition would have ensured they would not have started!

Today was another example of this! At least 4 of the starting 11 were not on their game so it follows there is no real competition for places, indeed a better starting 11 would have perhaps ensured that there was more enthusiasm on the bench ( I am presuming that Palmer, Morell and Semenyo would have started in an 11 picked on merit!)

[Grey Fox]

Wi think the Championship is a bugger of a league, and both LJ and the team have done brilliantly. Three to go, win them and we are in the Play Offs. Great

[RobintheRed Red]

No choice now hes got to go for it all this over caution playing Bailey wright would rather see Baker at the rear with kalas an webster

[BS4 on Tour...]

One home win since February 12th - unfortunately that’s what has made it a difficult task to reach the top 6 - the game at Millwall will be our most difficult remaining game in my opinion ..... they are fighting to stay in the division ..... the team selections over the last few games have been baffling - that has to bring into question the thinking of the management team ....

[Wrongagain]

2 minutes ago, RobintheRed Red said:

No choice now hes got to go for it all this over caution playing Bailey wright would rather see Baker at the rear with kalas an webster

Bit more gung-ho Lloyd at the back at Webster in mid!

[MarcusX]

For me today’s performance was down to fatigue / lack of energy, mostly in the middle. You could blame LJ for not bringing another midfielder in maybe but had Smith not got injured again we would have had some fresh legs to use. Pack was dead on his feet today, whether that’s too many games or late nights with the baby who knows? I don’t think it was laziness or lack of effort on his part I just think he’s shot right now.

Sloppy passes, slow to make decisions and poor crossing could all be down to heavy legs. We know Elliason for example is a great crosser of the ball but couldn’t manage it today. JDS was decent but the last person you want in front of goal on their weak foot.

We were better second half with fresh legs, infact it was almost one way traffic and if we’d got one we’d have got two or three IMO

[Allwaysred]

2 seasons running and 2 massive opportunitys missed and the bottom line is investment. We simply haven't invested in key area's properly and taken the cheap option.

1: Goal scorer

2: Ball winning CM

3: Keeper

It will be a massive summer and some big discussions need to take place on what we want to achieve as a club. Progression is key and we have achieved it to a certain extent but is LJ the man to take us to the next level?? If so then he will need significant funds to do so but will it happen from SL?? With 3 cup finals left I guess we will all see what fire is in our bellies and surely there's no better incentive and motivation than 6th place finish which we should have secured long ago or will those key area's mentioned above bite us in the arse by going cheap. Intresting hearing Gary Owers thoughts on tactics today and also singled out key area's still lacking. 

 

[RobintheRed Red]

6 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

2 seasons running and 2 massive opportunitys missed and the bottom line is investment. We simply haven't invested in key area's properly and taken the cheap option.

1: Goal scorer

2: Ball winning CM

3: Keeper

It will be a massive summer and some big discussions need to take place on what we want to achieve as a club. Progression is key and we have achieved it to a certain extent but is LJ the man to take us to the next level?? If so then he will need significant funds to do so but will it happen from SL?? With 3 cup finals left I guess we will all see what fire is in our bellies and surely there's no better incentive and motivation than 6th place finish which we should have secured long ago or will those key area's mentioned above bite us in the arse by going cheap. Intresting hearing Gary Owers thoughts on tactics today and also singled out key area's still lacking. 

 

Good post

[LondonBristolian]

To be honest, I don’t feel today is the issue. We lost because we were away to a good team who scored more goals than us. If we miss out, I think the reasons will be our difficulties in beating poorer teams at home.

Today Bruce has a better day than LJ and the Owls’ team had a better day then our team. But we’re still having a good season. 

LJ is not perfect and there are areas we need to improve - pretty much the ones @Allwaysred highlights above, although I’m not sure the issue is us going cheap so much as the fact the players we want tend to have bigger clubs interested too - but LJ has improved season on season and I am skeptical there is a manager available and willing who would do a better job. You only need to look at Ipswich and QPR for examples of teams who changed managers because they they thought the grass was greener and have had disappointing seasons.

[Dr Balls]

It has to be a bit of both. LJ does like to mix the formations and defensively we just seem a bit weak of late. Whether that's tiredness and too many games for some players, it certainly seems that we are not "on form" other than sensational opening 20 minutes against West Brom. The loss of Korey Smith can't be underestimated as I am sure LJ would have wanted to use during these last few games to support or even replace Pack or Brownhill, but that isn't going to happen.

LJ has some huge decisions to make for Saturday. Win against Derby and it's potentially back in our own hands as to whether or not we make the playoffs. And some players such as Palmer might really have to step up as a starter, rather than 20 minute cameos. Personally I would also go back to 4 at the back with Kalas & Webstee in central defence. Play 3 in midfield with Brownhill supporting Pack (who will get picked again) and Palmer further forward. Have Eliasson and Weimann supporting Diedhiou up front. Hopefully that would be solid but also have enough attacking potential for what is a must-win 6 pointer.

[BUTOR]

If it’s motivation problems then that doesn’t fall on LJ, don’t know why the players are bothering to play at this level if that’s the case.

[Davefevs]

I think it’s predominantly about players, and those players carrying out the plans.

Not enough of them are currently winning their battles against their opposite number.  We are a side that needs to have a better sum of the parts.  We rarely have an individual who wins a game on their own, like other teams.  Weimann v Sheff Utd, a rare one-man shining light in a decent team performance.  We haven’t reached the heights, and for me the international window allowed a quick re-charge of the batteries, but they’ve quickly discharged.

It is tough for a team like City to keep it up over 46 games without the odd player sparking a 3 pointer on their own.  It probably becomes the differentiator for a team like us.  It is probably why we have streaks.

It is nothing to be ashamed of, if we do fall away.  However, we are still right in it.  The players need to find something now, or the head coach instil something.

I suppose thus is a real test of LJ, more so than the players.

[Lrrr]

Wednesday are 4th in the form table if you go back to when he took over Hardly like today was going to be easy to get something from.

[mozo]

I di think LJ chops and changes too much.

[Dr Balls]

4 minutes ago, hodge said:

Wednesday are 4th in the form table if you go back to when he took over Hardly like today was going to be easy to get something from.

Accepted that today was going to be tough. They had just nearly beaten Norwich. Reading were the same a couple of weeks earlier. In this league, as it's so tight, if you are not 100% on your game and in form, there is a major risk that you will lose to a team who is on form, just as we did today. It partly explains all those draws at home, where most teams come and try to not lose. And why the Championship is far more interesting and unpredictable than the Premier League, where it's basically the big boys with most money in the top 6 and the rest, who may occasionally pull off a "shock" result.

[Wrongagain]

2 minutes ago, mozo said:

I di think LJ chops and changes too much.

Don’t think so, if you are Walsh, Morel, Palmer, Eliason, Kelly, engval, Magnussen or who ever and sit on or behind the bench every week and see how some of the nailed on selections perform again and again, you will be thinking Bristol City is not the place for You!

our home form and the dips show this to be the problem - we need bold decisions and the “safe” players need to be dropped when they don’t perform! It does not matter why the performance drops, if you are not on the game you should not be in it!

courage from the top down COYR

Sorry but I am angry, my team is letting me down!

[Allwaysred]

8 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think it’s predominantly about players, and those players carrying out the plans.

Not enough of them are currently winning their battles against their opposite number.  We are a side that needs to have a better sum of the parts.  We rarely have an individual who wins a game on their own, like other teams.  Weimann v Sheff Utd, a rare one-man shining light in a decent team performance.  We haven’t reached the heights, and for me the international window allowed a quick re-charge of the batteries, but they’ve quickly discharged.

It is tough for a team like City to keep it up over 46 games without the odd player sparking a 3 pointer on their own.  It probably becomes the differentiator for a team like us.  It is probably why we have streaks.

It is nothing to be ashamed of, if we do fall away.  However, we are still right in it.  The players need to find something now, or the head coach instil something.

I suppose thus is a real test of LJ, more so than the players.

I most certainly won't be ashamed of Bristol city more frustrated at the chances that have come and gone. I one major grip I have with fans who say we're not ready yet or we're tired which infuriates me. Well when actually will we be ready?? And let's not forget are 12 KO against Reading was so we could rest before playing today's team who had less rest and four 1st team injurys than us. I fear this will be another chance missed on what we actually needed instead of trying to sell £1 Easter Eggs for £7.... 

[simon uk]

This all comes down to us not having brought in sufficient quality and numbers in the windows,, for lj to have us where we are is a remarkable achievement, and im not his biggest fan, and the players have given us everything. 

Semenyo may go on to be a great premier league striker, but the club recalling him as our new striker option is one of the reasons we are struggling now. It’s obvious we needed a proven alternative to diedhou to share the load with him, the same with pack and brownhill to an extent. 

[Allwaysred]

5 minutes ago, simon uk said:

This all comes down to us not having brought in sufficient quality and numbers in the windows,, for lj to have us where we are is a remarkable achievement, and im not his biggest fan, and the players have given us everything. 

Semenyo may go on to be a great premier league striker, but the club recalling him as our new striker option is one of the reasons we are struggling now. It’s obvious we needed a proven alternative to diedhou to share the load with him, the same with pack and brownhill to an extent. 

Same as last year but not identified as a priority. I will ask you all this, if SL decides this summer to give say 20million to LJ to spend on what's needed would you trust him to do so???

[Wrongagain]

Diedhieu needs support, we all see that, when he gets it we score!

another strike option would have been good, but we don’t have it, when we set up to suit him it works, so why don’t we when it matters? If we are not going to provide support then it would be better to play without a 9! Even Paterson would be a good option in that situation!

but i’m Not a coach on a huge wage

[Beni71]

48 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

2 seasons running and 2 massive opportunitys missed and the bottom line is investment. We simply haven't invested in key area's properly and taken the cheap option.

1: Goal scorer

2: Ball winning CM

3: Keeper

It will be a massive summer and some big discussions need to take place on what we want to achieve as a club. Progression is key and we have achieved it to a certain extent but is LJ the man to take us to the next level?? If so then he will need significant funds to do so but will it happen from SL?? With 3 cup finals left I guess we will all see what fire is in our bellies and surely there's no better incentive and motivation than 6th place finish which we should have secured long ago or will those key area's mentioned above bite us in the arse by going cheap. Intresting hearing Gary Owers thoughts on tactics today and also singled out key area's still lacking. 

 

Always disappointing to lose and at such a crucial stage. I don’t think we’ve gone on the cheap and LJ mentioned in January he wouldn’t bring players into make up the numbers and by the sound of things we were in the mix for Hogan/Assombalonga but didn’t have the funds. I assume FFP held us back.

i think we’ve been unlucky with injuries Smith/Walsh and Fielding/Maenpaa and now Odowda/Paterson. We’ve lost depth and to certain extent experience and creativity in key positions but I do agree we are light upfront. That said every team will have injuries but does feel we’ve had more than our fair share.

On this basis we have and continue to do well to be in the position we are in, given injuries and lack of depth at the top of the pitch. 

 

 

[AppyDAZE]

I've only just seen the highlights and it seems we can't ******* shoot proper. Ltd chances, maybe. But we're away against a good side so hit the target ffs and it could have been so much better.

Strangely not too down

3 to go COYR

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

We created enough chances today, which I suppose is all a manager can ask.  It really is down to individual players if they don’t take those chances.  Not much a manager can do about that.

Not too surprised about today’s result.  We looked tired at times, but then it’s been a long season and a lot of players have played most of the games.  We do lack strength in depth, compared to most of the teams around us.

But to still be in with a great shout of the play-offs with only three to go is more than we could have hoped for, so let’s not be too down if we fluffed our lines today.

[simon uk]

13 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

Same as last year but not identified as a priority. I will ask you all this, if SL decides this summer to give say 20million to LJ to spend on what's needed would you trust him to do so???

Cant say i would, we have spent a lot of money on a lot of players who just havent really made much of an impact. We got lucky with the profit on kodjia, which allowed us to splash out on the first batch of young players, but so many have been brought in that havent even been given a chance.

[robin_unreliant]

All this talk of Pack being tired baffles me. It's Monday. He doesn't play again now until Saturday. If a professional sportsman in his prime can't play two games in 5 days there is something seriously wrong. 

[Davefevs]

35 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

I most certainly won't be ashamed of Bristol city more frustrated at the chances that have come and gone. I one major grip I have with fans who say we're not ready yet or we're tired which infuriates me. Well when actually will we be ready?? And let's not forget are 12 KO against Reading was so we could rest before playing today's team who had less rest and four 1st team injurys than us. I fear this will be another chance missed on what we actually needed instead of trying to sell £1 Easter Eggs for £7.... 

Agree.  This is a group of players good enough to get to 5th in the division...so we are ready for the play-offs.

[Allwaysred]

You all raise similar points in that we have a tired over run midfield or no striker / partner for FD and he's admitted this a few times he's got the formation tactically wrong. This is my concern as it lies with one person LJ even though he stated he's happy with the squad as he has multiple players in every position even some who can play multiple positions but still we're lacking. He's done a remarkable job with what he's chosen at his disposal but has has he got what it takes given the money to identify what's needed to achieve it? The last few transfer windows tells me no.

[Wrongagain]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Agree.  This is a group of players good enough to get to 5th in the division...so we are ready for the play-offs.

Would like to say yes, ask Lee!

[RedM]

59 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think it’s predominantly about players, and those players carrying out the plans.

Not enough of them are currently winning their battles against their opposite number.  We are a side that needs to have a better sum of the parts.  We rarely have an individual who wins a game on their own, like other teams.  Weimann v Sheff Utd, a rare one-man shining light in a decent team performance.  We haven’t reached the heights, and for me the international window allowed a quick re-charge of the batteries, but they’ve quickly discharged.

It is tough for a team like City to keep it up over 46 games without the odd player sparking a 3 pointer on their own.  It probably becomes the differentiator for a team like us.  It is probably why we have streaks.

It is nothing to be ashamed of, if we do fall away.  However, we are still right in it.  The players need to find something now, or the head coach instil something.

I suppose thus is a real test of LJ, more so than the players.

I think you are right. I’ve always thought the positives of not having a Star Player is that, well, there is no star player. Everyone chips in and works as a team, no prima donnas, no one player we rely on. No one is head and shoulders above anyone else. We have no real ‘one to watch’.

Now I’m beginning to think maybe we do need that bit of star quality. Maybe not a goal scorer, but that would be nice, but certainly a leader. Someone able to turn it on and inspire others around him, easy when we are a couple of goals up but go a goal or more down and players are looking at eachother and not finding any answers. 

We are not too far away from having a good team, not great but on our day can give most a game. I don’t want to rip it up and start again, at least not as drastically as we sometimes have. Just a few tweaks here and there. A leader, a goal scorer but everyone wants them I guess, but everyone seems to find them too. I know we are up against parachute payments but players are out there and can be found, maybe our scouting needs an upgrade? 

[Allwaysred]

2 minutes ago, RedM said:

I think you are right. I’ve always thought the positives of not having a Star Player is that, well, there is no star player. Everyone chips in and works as a team, no prima donnas, no one player we rely on. No one is head and shoulders above anyone else. We have no real ‘one to watch’.

Now I’m beginning to think maybe we do need that bit of star quality. Maybe not a goal scorer, but that would be nice, but certainly a leader. Someone able to turn it on and inspire others around him, easy when we are a couple of goals up but go a goal or more down and players are looking at eachother and not finding any answers. 

We are not too far away from having a good team, not great but on our day can give most a game. I don’t want to rip it up and start again, at least not as drastically as we sometimes have. Just a few tweaks here and there. A leader, a goal scorer but everyone wants them I guess, but everyone seems to find them too. I know we are up against parachute payments but players are out there and can be found, maybe our scouting needs an upgrade? 

I'm glad you touched on scouting as after the reading game having a few ciders in the fan zone there we're some old faces of city gone who we're all glad to share their disappoint and 1 or 2 actually brought up city's scouting and it would hold us back at some stage. I asked the question from there exsperience who within reason to you think has the best policy and set up for player attributes and value and Brentford won hands down and let's face it they always seem to find core flare players for next to nothing..... 

[Davefevs]

@RedM and @Allwaysred both Brentford and Preston seem to find them cheaper than us too.

But then again, they also seem unable to push on to that final goal, the play-offs.

[General Zod]

There’s been a lack of investment in key areas for far too long.  That midfield two have been flogged to death over the past 2 seasons.  No wonder they lack energy at times.  Our front two needed help and additional quality, we sold Duric, off loaded engvall  but didn’t replace with Championship ready quality in the summer or winter windows.  My criticism of LJ is he seems happy with SL refusal to back the manager when needed.  We will always be the team which falls away unless we gamble once in a while.  The seasons not over yet but for the second season running it’s hard not to think what could have been if we were prepared to invest and take a calculated gamble.

[Allwaysred]

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

@RedM and @Allwaysred both Brentford and Preston seem to find them cheaper than us too.

But then again, they also seem unable to push on to that final goal, the play-offs.

And that could be us Davefevs if we don't resolve are key area's out. We will all be there come Saturday giving our all but what ever happens I think this summer will be huge for different reasons so hold on tight win and we're in with a squeek lose and the holiday brochures will be out. 

[ScottishRed]

2 hours ago, MelksRed said:

The engine is most definitely tired......we need an injection of faith and motivation to oil the cogs of what was (once) a sight to behold..........want to see Pack playing beautiful disguised balls through to Fam and Weimann.....like he used too....sadly he's shattered.

I am not buying the whole ‘he’s shattered’ argument. He is a professional athlete with a lot of assistance available on tap to ensure he is not shattered - he has played a lot of games but for me the problem is that he is actually punching way above his weight at this level and is being found out.

Indecisive and wants way too many touches. He actually does not fit our style of play at all.

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, Allwaysred said:

Same as last year but not identified as a priority. I will ask you all this, if SL decides this summer to give say 20million to LJ to spend on what's needed would you trust him to do so???

No, he’d buy 12 players who were ‘ones for the future, still developing’ - then we’d never see or hear from them again ....

[redsquirrel]

ljs job is to improve us season on season. if we reach the playoffs and  lose in the play offs, next season lj would be expected to improve on that and so on. if we got to the pl this season,his job would pretty much be finished as I don't think hes ready for that that yet

[Mr Popodopolous]

Bit of both I'd say.

Playing 2 centrally in midfield and often the same 2 at that can catch up- it's a big ask at this level, I know it isn't always a '2' centrally and we can be more fluid but it is tough! Injuries don't help but then that's part of the game.

LJ...doesn't always get the best out of individuals he has at his disposal tactically IMO. E.g. if you have injuries/bans and varied midfielders suited to a '3', change shape for a while.  I know he can be flexible, but I don't always see his flexibility as being deployed in the right way or at the right times.

Overall, it hasn't been a bad season IMO!

Some quite memorable wins, unexpected ones at that. As a whole, it's been good- more than I expected, but for all that? I have these little nagging doubts about LJ that are recurring.

[ScottishRed]

1 minute ago, General Zod said:

There’s been a lack of investment in key areas for far too long.  That midfield two have been flogged to death over the past 2 seasons.  No wonder they lack energy at times.  Our front two needed help and additional quality, we sold Duric, off loaded engvall  but didn’t replace with Championship ready quality in the summer or winter windows.  My criticism of LJ is he seems happy with SL refusal to back the manager when needed.  We will always be the team which falls away unless we gamble once in a while.  The seasons not over yet but for the second season running it’s hard not to think what could have been if we were prepared to invest and take a calculated gamble.

Not disagreeing with you but as we all know that is not the model.

Gambling is not on the agenda which is clear to see when our only striking addition in January was the re- call of an inexperienced kid from a Div 2 team.

Its not going to change anytime soon and I suspect that unless we do get promotion- hugely unlikely IMHO - our HC will be seriously considering his options.

[Mr Popodopolous]

6 minutes ago, General Zod said:

There’s been a lack of investment in key areas for far too long.  That midfield two have been flogged to death over the past 2 seasons.  No wonder they lack energy at times.  Our front two needed help and additional quality, we sold Duric, off loaded engvall  but didn’t replace with Championship ready quality in the summer or winter windows.  My criticism of LJ is he seems happy with SL refusal to back the manager when needed.  We will always be the team which falls away unless we gamble once in a while.  The seasons not over yet but for the second season running it’s hard not to think what could have been if we were prepared to invest and take a calculated gamble.

FFP restricted us in January 2018. Let's not rewrite history eh! Now a different way of looking at it might be, did we spend what we could that January as well as we could? We did not- but there wasn't really much wriggle room financially tbh in addition to our 3 years to May 2018...if we had signed one higher calibre or more Championship high end ready player in that time, yeah could have gone well- but we would have lacked the depth. Should still have made playoffs last year though IMO.

January 2019? Agree, in part- Palmer was useful but Assombalonga on loan? That would have been a great calculated gamble. Wouldn't have wrecked us financially either IMO. Should have pushed harder for him- weould have dovetailed very nicely with what we have at our disposal.

A big miss in many ways was January 2008. For me anyway,.

[Allwaysred]

1 minute ago, General Zod said:

There’s been a lack of investment in key areas for far too long.  That midfield two have been flogged to death over the past 2 seasons.  No wonder they lack energy at times.  Our front two needed help and additional quality, we sold Duric, off loaded engvall  but didn’t replace with Championship ready quality in the summer or winter windows.  My criticism of LJ is he seems happy with SL refusal to back the manager when needed.  We will always be the team which falls away unless we gamble once in a while.  The seasons not over yet but for the second season running it’s hard not to think what could have been if we were prepared to invest and take a calculated gamble.

Exactly this........ he chose not to take a certain Sheffield United striker on because he didn't fit with our identity but scored goals but instead bought a injury prone Norwich flop who's fans actually laughed when we bought him and apparently that was good business baffling.

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, ScottishRed said:

I am not buying the whole ‘he’s shattered’ argument. He is a professional athlete with a lot of assistance available on tap to ensure he is not shattered - he has played a lot of games but for me the problem is that he is actually punching way above his weight at this level and is being found out.

Indecisive and wants way too many touches. He actually does not fit our style of play at all.

I think there’s a fair bit of truth in what you’ve written above....but I do think he has nothing left in the tank, nothing to lift us, but LJ is counting on Marlon.

[ScottishRed]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

I think there’s a fair bit of truth in what you’ve written above....but I do think he has nothing left in the tank, nothing to lift us, but LJ is counting on Marlon.

I am sure you are right Dave but LJ needs to be brave on Saturday, this is it now, no more second chances, to get in the play-offs we need to beat Derby to a set-up a final week showdown.

Playing Marlon would be a big mistake.

[Allwaysred]

8 minutes ago, redsquirrel said:

ljs job is to improve us season on season. if we reach the playoffs and  lose in the play offs, next season lj would be expected to improve on that and so on. if we got to the pl this season,his job would pretty much be finished as I don't think hes ready for that that yet

Why would his job be finished??? Surely it would only just be starting against the best managers and teams in the best leauge in the world with over 100million in the bank to spend infront of a sell out AG week in week out????? 

[Mr Popodopolous]

56 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

Exactly this........ he chose not to take a certain Sheffield United striker on because he didn't fit with our identity but scored goals but instead bought a injury prone Norwich flop who's fans actually laughed when we bought him and apparently that was good business baffling.

To whom are you referring?

I know Watkins is the Norwich player, but Sheffield United striker- they've had quite a few of late. 

[Davefevs]

48 minutes ago, ScottishRed said:

I am sure you are right Dave but LJ needs to be brave on Saturday, this is it now, no more second chances, to get in the play-offs we need to beat Derby to a set-up a final week showdown.

Playing Marlon would be a big mistake.

Couldn’t agree more.  Time for LJ to show his space-hopper sized gonads and make the right decision / team selection.  That decision would be easier with Korey Smith fit!!

I would seriously think about bringing Morrell in.  LJ won’t, but I think he’d be a better fit than Walsh for this game.  Imho, Morrell v  Bolton was better than Walsh v Stoke.

I would also seriously consider leaving Fam out and letting Weimann and Taylor be complete pests around Keogh.  Again it won’t be what LJ does.  Fam has shown his effective he can be as a sub too.

Saturday is a long time coming.

[pillred]

4 hours ago, dave36 said:

Bit more gung-ho Lloyd at the back at Webster in mid!

And semenyo up front, we looked much more lively and dangerous when he came on.

[cidered abroad]

3 hours ago, Allwaysred said:

Same as last year but not identified as a priority. I will ask you all this, if SL decides this summer to give say 20million to LJ to spend on what's needed would you trust him to do so???

NO.

[cidered abroad]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Couldn’t agree more.  Time for LJ to show his space-hopper sized gonads and make the right decision / team selection.  That decision would be easier with Korey Smith fit!!

I would seriously think about bringing Morrell in.  LJ won’t, but I think he’d be a better fit than Walsh for this game.  Imho, Morrell v  Bolton was better than Walsh v Stoke.

I would also seriously consider leaving Fam out and letting Weimann and Taylor be complete pests around Keogh.  Again it won’t be what LJ does.  Fam has shown his effective he can be as a sub too.

Saturday is a long time coming.

Dave, you were getting it right until you suggested Taylor.

Waste of a shirt. Can't score, just runs around barging into big defenders trying to wind them up. Need someone with finishing quality alongside Diedhiou, not a clown.

[Wanderingred]

I do think LJ has the tendancy to overthink things, and worry too much about the opposition. Often, it works out for us and we have got some fantastic results this season. Sometimes it backfires though, and I can't understand some of the decisions from yesterday and against Reading where we played into their hands by being overly negative.

Players are just players. All but the very best of them drift in and out of form, go through periods of underconfidence/injuries etc. It's the HC's job to manage all that and ensure he is picking a team that know's it job and can perform confidently. For me, it's LJ who has been lacking in these last couple of fixtures.

To criticise him.too much however would be ridiculous given the season we've had, and the posts calling his team gutless and spineless are pathetic. He simply makes mistakes, as we all do but we can clearly see the progression made.

[ScottishRed]

8 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Couldn’t agree more.  Time for LJ to show his space-hopper sized gonads and make the right decision / team selection.  That decision would be easier with Korey Smith fit!!

I would seriously think about bringing Morrell in.  LJ won’t, but I think he’d be a better fit than Walsh for this game.  Imho, Morrell v  Bolton was better than Walsh v Stoke.

I would also seriously consider leaving Fam out and letting Weimann and Taylor be complete pests around Keogh.  Again it won’t be what LJ does.  Fam has shown his effective he can be as a sub too.

Saturday is a long time coming.

Would definitely drop Fam to the bench. I appreciate he adds to us defensively at set pieces and has been better offensively up until the last couple of games.

As a CF in a ‘one’, his touch, lack of pace and lack of desire to attack the ball let him down.

If we stay in this league and LJ continues with the same style of play, we desperately need an ‘upgrade’,  IF we were to get promoted then he would be highly likely to be moved on - he is certainly not going to get much game time in the PL.

[EnderMB]

I think it's a continuation of the issues we've had for the last two seasons. Our style of football tends to tire our players out mid-way through the season. Two years ago it resulted in a record losing run, a year ago it turned a playoff challenge into a race for mid-table, and this year it's become a dropoff near the playoff spaces.

There is definitely an improvement each year, and I think this is a mixture of LJ adjusting his tactics, and the squad restructures over the years. Despite losing some key players, we've consistently improved, and it's likely that we'll defy pre-season odds by improving our position this season.

While it's a shitter for this season, it fills me with hope that next season could be our season. We're not in a position where we need to sell players, and few players seem to be looking out for greener pastures, meaning that a Lansdown injection could fix some of the holes in the spine of this squad. It feels like we're maybe 1-2 top players away from challenging at the top-end of the table.

[Gert Mare]

I think it’s down to a lack of real quality. We need our players to be at their maximum week in week out to compete in this league. Other teams don’t necessarily need the same from their players and can afford 75% from players of real proven quality.

We have a fairly young side who are improving, but they lack experience of getting to and playing in the Premier League.

Is anyone really surprised that we have now dropped out of the playoffs? It was a very tall order to dispatch so many quality teams and remain firmly in the playoffs. 

I also agree with others that we suffer most in the middle of the park. We lack someone who is experienced, a real battler and creative outlet. 

From the games I have seen we have rarely dictated in the middle. We can ping it around in defence and get forward down the flanks, but we are often second to the ball in the middle of the park or jockeying. We lack physical strength.

If we make the playoffs then that would be a marvellous achievement, but realistically we have over-achieved with the squad we have and we are too reliant on certain players and when you look at the bench we don’t have any like for like options.

We’re not going down though so that is a relief. 

[RobintheRed Red]

21 hours ago, Allwaysred said:

Same as last year but not identified as a priority. I will ask you all this, if SL decides this summer to give say 20million to LJ to spend on what's needed would you trust him to do so???

No mate fed up with ones for the future half of them will never kick a ball for us

[Lew-T]

19 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Couldn’t agree more.  Time for LJ to show his space-hopper sized gonads and make the right decision / team selection.  That decision would be easier with Korey Smith fit!!

I would seriously think about bringing Morrell in.  LJ won’t, but I think he’d be a better fit than Walsh for this game.  Imho, Morrell v  Bolton was better than Walsh v Stoke.

I would also seriously consider leaving Fam out and letting Weimann and Taylor be complete pests around Keogh.  Again it won’t be what LJ does.  Fam has shown his effective he can be as a sub too.

Saturday is a long time coming.

He won’t drop Pack. It’s now 3 games to go and because of Korey’s injury, we are limited to options.

Pack has been one of the consistent performers up until recently so to drop him at this key stage of the season, I think is a mistake. He’s a physical presence and our experienced head in the middle of the park - He has to play imo.

Agree about Morrell though, I thought he was brilliant against Bolton.

[Allwaysred]

19 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

To whom are you referring?

I know Watkins is the Norwich player, but Sheffield United striker- they've had quite a few of late. 

McGoldrick 15 goals and 5 assists. Apparently not our style apparently. Baffling.... We so say work 2 or 3 transfer windows in advance to identify what we need but some how fail where it matters why????

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

McGoldrick 15 goals and 5 assists. Apparently not our style apparently. Baffling.... We so say work 2 or 3 transfer windows in advance to identify what we need but some how fail where it matters why????

Yeah, do rate McGoldrick. Would he have been turned down on age or?

Think he is good enough technically, linkman- assists and most importantly seems to know where the goal is.

[Andy082005]

23 hours ago, Top Robin said:

When we lose like we have done recently is it because Lee is picking the wrong team with he wrong shape and not motivating them sufficiently. Or is it that the players are just not good enough whatever the selection to get us up.

My view is that Lee does make some questionable team selections which have undoubtedly had a negative effect on the results. But also there are some players who are just not up to the standard required to get us up. 

So I guess it all comes back to Lee as it is definitely a squad bought and picked by him.

In any line of work....the buck always stops with the manager

I do think its a mentality thing.  I'll be the first to admit I was massively wrong about LJ in some ways.  He has proved he is a very good coach, and can certainly coach players to become better players.  Brownhill, Pack, Bryan, Reid to name a few....

But....and its a big but....I just don't believe he has the knack of helping these players become mentally strong enough.  When there is expectation, and there is a game we are expected to win....we just don't seem capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck and grinding out a win.  Wins at Sheffield United, Boro etc..... brilliant achievements, but no one expected us to win those. There was very little pressure on the players, all the pressure was on the home team.  As soon as we are in a position where we are favorites, and we are expected to deliver....we just cant!

This problem is not a new one this season.  We had it last season to. And in some ways, the season before that

The recent results versus Reading and Wigan were just not a surprise to anyone of us

When you see Cardiff last year.....Sheffield United this year....can you honestly say that they are/were better then us? man for man?

Sheffield United go to Hull yesterday....pressure on....and win.  Not only that, but win convincingly

I don't believe he will ever have it about him unfortunately

 

 

 

[Davefevs]

19 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

McGoldrick 15 goals and 5 assists.

How many would Weimann have had he played centrally all season?

Apparently not our style apparently.

Where is that sourced from?

Baffling.... We so say work 2 or 3 transfer windows in advance to identify what we need but some how fail where it matters why????

It’s not a supermarket (I know you know that), McGoldrick is from Nottingham, might’ve been a reason.  In fact, Wilder said he wanted to return north!

Fair play to DM, happy to go on trial first, to secure a deal.  One year deal, with an option....That sounds like a man who wanted to go there.

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2018/july/mcgoldrick-signs/

In a similar vain, we picked up Mäenpää on a free, That was good recruitment.

Devil’s advocate 

[1960maaan]

21 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

January 2019? Agree, in part- Palmer was useful but Assombalonga on loan? That would have been a great calculated gamble. Wouldn't have wrecked us financially either IMO. Should have pushed harder for him- weould have dovetailed very nicely with what we have at our disposal.

 

I really don't think that was ever a viable option. From what I've read, Boro were testing the water to see what they could get, and what interest was about. They may have sold, allowing them to buy, if the price was right (£15m + ?). Hasn't he played 40+ games this season, never going to let a regular first teamer out on loan , and we were never paying £15m for him, even if he was available.
I must admit, got a little excited when I saw we were linked , thought he would have been a perfect fit for us. 

 

[Huntstile Red]

On 22/04/2019 at 19:15, Top Robin said:

is it because Lee is picking the wrong team with he wrong shape and not motivating them sufficiently. Or is it that the players are just not good enough whatever the selection to get us up.

It's definitely because we're not the division's best (or second best, or third best, or [repeat until about seventh best']) - that's why we lose games. It's also because it's quite rare to not lose a game when you play a load of games, 46 being an excellent example of a 'number' of games. It is because it's sport and you can't win'm all, whether you change the bloody team or tictacs or you don't. We can over think this, Top Rob - and you're welcome to, this is a forum, after all - but given that it's generally identified the manager made a tit of things in previous years by doing exactly that, I'm not going to over think anything. If I'm going to do any thinking at all, and it's not confirmed yet one way or t'other, then it will definitely be of the 'under' variety. 

All that said, I 'think' we'll beat Derby on Saturday.

 

bloody hell that sounded like a 'rant' from @Moments of Pleasure Rant over. Apologies if already mentioned/mods please merge me with others/first time poster, go easy/it doesn't work like that, mate.

Oh, and I wasn't aiming to sound facetious.

[Port Said Red]

Players and Management have made such huge mistakes all season that we are 7th in the championship with all to play for in the next 3 games. I'll bet there are fans up and down the country wishing their club was making such mistakes.

[BS4 on Tour...]

23 hours ago, Allwaysred said:

Exactly this........ he chose not to take a certain Sheffield United striker on because he didn't fit with our identity but scored goals but instead bought a injury prone Norwich flop who's fans actually laughed when we bought him and apparently that was good business baffling.

Who was the Sheff Utd striker?