I really am not sure that the overall squad is quite as terrible as some are saying. I feel it is more the kind of players who weren’t brought in at the season’s start who are the issue than those who were. We were always going to be vulnerable to disasters if key players were crocked
Let’s not forget, we had that spell putting a few wins together and, for a brief period, we were actually entertained.
After much thought – I remain to be convinced that the legions of players touted as ‘not caring’ are really so negative. A few maybe.
We need to broker in the effects of:
Playing two matches a week for a longish period.
Key injuries.
Downward spirals create a vicious circle. (Sorry.)
Players who are good enough to play and succeed in a sound or decent team may well not be good enough to lift either their own game – or that of others – in a failing team.
As one controversial example – how do we know that in a properly functioning team – Jarvis might not show a lot more? With 50 games behind him, might he not become a fully rounded player. I do not know but total pessimism does not help.
Be concerned, be worried but seeing only doom and gloom is one more negative for the players to contend with.
Four experienced performers at this level should transform what we have. It’s only two months ago that we were talking about ‘the spine’ of the team needing to be solid. That hasn’t really changed, has it?
Up front, we have had ‘lumping the ball upfield to nobody’ – amazingly, that did not work.
We have had Jarvis making precious little impact.
We have had Loft gifting possession for fun.
We have had an injured KVV.
We have a MacAtee who is a shadow of last season’s player.
Not too much of that is down to Cox unless he had taught them to play ‘hit and hope long balls’ which I frankly doubt.
When the forwards don’t work – it has a knock on effect to both CM and wide players.
Naturally, balls into the opposition box reduce dramatically.
The main issue is that if the ball does not ‘stick’ up front – all else in your house of cards must inevitably collapse.
The McGahey absence – perhaps to be compounded with no Onariase (!!!) sends shudders down my spine.
In January, we need another CB and a CM general. Much as I respect both Spence and Beestin, I am now wondering if these two can work together. We can only know this with a functioning pair of forwards.
We really need to have two forwards capable of holding the ball up top – coz if we bring just one in – what happens when the inevitable injury occurs?
Personally, as a sticking plaster solution, I’d bring Green into the starting eleven for the moment.
The GK situation is becoming a worry but the chances of yet another keeper being brought in are zero.
So. We need four experienced in and probably a minimum of seven out. Chances?
Not really, MKI.
‘Continuity player’ implies someone who can do the average stuff Okayish but is incapable of lifting the team.
Wayne Jacobs once explained it to me.
December 21, 2020 at 8:00 am
in reply to: Loft#199445
An ‘old wise head up front’ is what has been lacking all season.
An old wise head has also been lacking in CM but, very luckily, that is part-sorted.
If the ball ‘stuck’ up front a lot more, it would gain room for CMs to have more space to work in
The trouble is, with a number of these guys, we have not really seen them playing as part of a functioning unit.
This is the problem which, in the game, is referred to as ‘the continuity player’.
Such blokes may well eventually catch up and develop in a number of cases. Over months, how much would Loft learn playing alongside a Paul Hayes – or Jarvis off a Torpey?
This sort of player is not capable of lifting their game in a moderate side.
With experience under the belt learning from old hands, better things can happen.
One of the reasons I like the two young FBs so much is that they have enough about them to do their own thinking. Sadly, that is rare at this level.
Yesterday was a good example. In the midst of a shambles – how does a relative beginner even manage to put in an adequate performance?
December 20, 2020 at 10:40 am
in reply to: Loft#199390
Does so much right then ruins it by gifting possession at least a dozen times a match.
Works hard, doesn’t win too many balls but does not give opposition too many clean headers.
Shows great thinking on occasions but cannot do that on a regular basis.
Goes in bravely.
There ought to be player in there … sigh.
In January, 3 loanees. Hope we can get another three moved on – if possible.
Ship out a number on loan.
At the season’s end – quite a few. I don’t expect too many to leave with contracts still in place, though.
Ah. just realised that I’d not counted Olamola (5.5) in. If fit, he may be better than some current forwards but if a loan/ gift opportunity came up – would still take it. He must be on a hefty deal.
We have some pretty decent players but no depth. I have been pleading for us to go for solid, know-the-division, League Two journeymen for two seasons.
We need to try very hard to get rid of three loanees in January.
It’s very clear which areas need strengthening. I doubt that any of the three are with us at bargain rates.
Get another four or five out on loan, if we possibly can.
Three semi-decent players in could change the team substantially.
Typical Holloway. Destructive football of the worst but it was effective. We just weren’t good enough to combat it.
Marks? – Onariase 6 – everybody else not up to those dizzy heights – and he missed our only realistic chance.
I thought last night, for the first time, that Hippolyte is going to make the grade.
Played in an unnatural position, he made considerably fewer errors than his RB counterpart, put in a shift and there were moments of intelligence and anticipation.
Mistakes? – There were a few but then again, too few to mention.
A gutsy performance.
Great to have a player who possesses a long throw. 7.
December 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm
in reply to: McCall#199074
We aren’t the only club getting injuries but I’ve made comparisons with other clubs periodically over years.
The general impression has certainly been that we must be close to the top of any long term injuries league.
Short term injuries, by their very nature, make it impossible to compare.
To be fair, I reckon that two games a week for long periods left us leggy and drained.
A bit unlucky that they got the opportunity to cross but who gave the forward the space, might we ask? Three, maybe even two steps forward instead of standing around and the shot would have been blocked.
I really thought we should have had two penalties in the match: first was immediately after the shot onto the post and I could have sworn that the ball was also handled according to the current rules.
BUT – we actually deserved what we got.
There were four players, who for me, had their worst game of the season.
Unbelievable.
A few short weeks ago – we had an ineffective CM with Spence toiling alone.
We now have a CM with two players understanding each other and beginning to tear up trees.
Good, innit?
It appears that the juggling act with players who are fit, part fit, not match fit etc was the main issue last night.
I do not see how Cox can be criticised when trying to use his resources effectively.
Last night was hardly a return to failed tactics as a personal choice by the manager.
QPR and Millwall players will LINK ARMS before their game on Tuesday instead of taking the knee in a bid to unify people after fans booed the gesture at Millwall’s home game.
Excellent. I’d gladly join arms with my fellow human beings – from any ethnic background – as a gesture of peace and brotherhood at any time.
The profoundly politicised ‘knee’? – I’ll turn my back.
Hippolyte looks to me like a player with ability who has not yet adjusted to League Two.
In the dreadful sides we were putting out in the early months of the season – how could he be expected to have made that adjustment? Too much was being expected.
I really would not be at all surprised to see him come good if given chances in this better team we are putting out at the moment.
December 7, 2020 at 8:05 am
in reply to: Loft#198636
Agreed.
I gave him stick for one truly appalling performance but haven’t said another word against the lad since.
He has been isolated, left without support and criticised by some for not turning in great performances with all odds stacked against him.
It was always clear that there was something of merit in the lad and as the team has turned a corner – he is starting to show what he can do.
Hard to compare him to a Gayle but let’s just hope that something Torpeyesque emerges.
If he keeps on making these slow, gradual improvements – he will become a good player.
(The only player I have gone for over the years has been Hakeeb. I notice that RH commentators are starting to spot his attitude lacks something.)
The upside is the comparison to so many recent managers who began sensibly enough before descending into a crazy, defensive mindset.
Neil appears to be going in the opposite direction to those. Yey!
He still needs to learn to leave a speedy man up as an outlet when we are defending set pieces.
Incidentally, can somebody please explain why we – along with many teams today – so rarely have a decent header of the ball racing in to meet crosses and corners from beyond the far post?
It was a standard tactic when I first watched the Iron. It stretches defences; draws penalties; causes greater threats to goal; increases chances in and around the six yard box; makes the GK’s life more difficult.
I had a strange conversation with someone in football who explained to me that ‘it is because there are no longer two wingers in every team’. (???) Well, there is in ours!
As many will know, my opinions on refs over past seasons were a kind of composite from three or four of us.
That group is no more.
Having to rely on my own opinions is certainly tougher.
To me, the ref was a clear notch below par – hence a base of 5/10.
BUT – against that backcloth – 2 more marks were lost for critical, very poor decisions.
If that was a penalty – we may as well give up. A shocker and probably awarded because of loud appeals by Orient.
At the end, I was convinced that their player (19?) gave a forearm smash just below the Adam’s apple to our man. No red card.
Conclusion: 3/10.
O Malley is a rounded player. My MOTM. I was unable to give out any 6s or lower. Good stuff.
