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Comment | A Question of Balance
at 13:29:37
I actually think, through the departure of Murphy and Berra, we lack physicality at both ends of the pitch.
Berra was always the most adept of our CBs at dealing with target men - the strongest and toughest of our defenders, able to contain physically imposing opposition strikers. In this respect, he hasn't been adequately replaced. He also offered an important goal threat at set-pieces.
Meanwhile, though I like that we have become a counter-attacking team, sometimes 'hoofball' is a necessary expedient: it would have, for instance, been very useful against Fulham, given that during that game we were scarcely able to pass the ball out from the back or retain possession in midfield. Against better teams, especially away from home, we will probably miss not having a tall, physical presence.
Moreover, it is with a target man that Sears plays at his best. He struck up an excellent partnership with Murphy; he hasn't played nearly as well when partnered with anyone else up front.
We are clearly a better team now, but we still aren't world beaters. Staying in the top half of the table would be commendable this season. |
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Comment | McCarthy Delighted With Result and Performance But Also Relieved
at 23:46:11
MM was playing the same side a few weeks ago, but we mostly drew because we faced good teams. Tonight, we won because Mick picked a good side *and* because Wigan are, let's face it, pretty awful.
Let's not pretend that we have a squad of world beaters - we don't. |
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Comment | Barnsley 1-1 Ipswich Town - Match Report
at 04:40:01
The state of some of these comments.
How on earth can you say that the squad, assembled by Mick, is capable, yet ME doesn't give him a bigger budget because he 'knows it would be wasted'. Ffs.
Is our current form frustrating? Yes.
Can Mick be frustrating? Absolutely, yes.
Are all problems Mick's fault? No, they aren't - after all, we were (as he has tiresomely reminded us) bottom when he took over.
What is the main cause of our travails if not Mick? ME's tight-fistedness, plus the obvious market inflation (money, i.e.) |
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Comment | Town Closing in On Rotherham Striker Ward
at 00:51:11
Vizslaraner - Despite scoring fewer goals, Sears got the 5th highest number of assists in the league last season - not bad for a supposedly 'ruined' player.
Also, who else did we have to play out wide? We had Tabb and AMN, whilst Fraser was injured for most of the season. Feeney and Pringle arrived only towards the end of the season. In fairness to Mick, I'm not sure he had much choice - and, as I've noted, he didn't do too badly there, either (altho I will admit he is better up front - but only if he has a big man to play off, like Murph)
Also, I'm not disputing the fact that the club has 'gone downhill' - but so have many other clubs, like Forest, Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan, Blackburn, Wolves, etc. That's not to excuse the fact that we've stayed in the same league for 14 season, but rather to point out that football has changed and will continue to change. We all want to be back in the BPL but just because we have a proud history doesn't mean that we are entitled to be there.
And yes, we don't play decent football, but that's because we have such a weak midfield: neither Skuse (altho he's holding player) nor Bru - or any other of our midfielders (Bishop included, tho Dozzell clearly has the potential in this respect), for that matter - are capable of dominating matches from midfield. We need money for that, and Evans has failed to release it.
Clearly, we aren't great, but it's tiresome to constantly hear fans solely blame Mick. How can we expect to reach the play-offs when our outlay is so small compared with others contending for the top 6? We haven't paid a penny for a central midfielder - and it shows on the pitch. |
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Comment | Town Closing in On Rotherham Striker Ward
at 23:29:54
@Pettitt10 - Like Kuqi, I don't think Murphy is replaceable - I can't think of a target man as good as him in our price range, or even most-clubs-in-this-league's price range. I doubt there is such a player.
However, if we can sign a real playmaker in midfield, there'll be no need: we can just change our playing style. Just depends on whether ME will free up the money. |
| News
Comment | Town Closing in On Rotherham Striker Ward
at 22:26:12
@Vizslaraner - Lawrence and Sears certainly looked ruined when they made their assists last night, as did Dozzell when he bossed the midfield after being introduced...
Do you even come to the matches? |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 0 | | Comment Votes: | 5 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 5 |
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