| More thoughts 21:08 - Oct 19 with 1872 views | bsw72 |
So, having been frustrated into making my first post at half time from the ground for quite a while, and finally battled through the traffic home (it's getting worse driving home from the Town week on week), I had plenty of time queuing to think more about the game so brain dump coming up, as posting on here is cheaper than hourly rates for a therapist..
There were some Town player positives amid it all:
Muric - continues to make key saves, another 2 one on one saves today, plus a number of low reaction saves either side. I think he is currently in the top 5 for saves this season - which is both a positive and a negative. I don't get why people are so down on him, he's made some mistakes with the ball at his but they are offset by his shot stopping.
Davis - that was one of the best defensive displays I have been from Davis, he hardly put a foot wrong in the defensive 3rd, something which couldn't be said for his defensive team-mates, and considering his ability to defend has been called into a question more than once, I think he's better than most believe.
Szmodic / Taylor - last 20 mins the midfield seemed to have some drive forward with these two, although I think Everton backed off and gave more space, deciding to stick with what they had by then.
Anyone else notice that shortly after Clarke's skier in the first 10 mins, Dyche changed the Everton formation across the midfield and down their left, which nullified the threat of Burns. Everton also did not press as high up the field as other teams have done, they let us have the ball in our own half, this meant we were unable to draw in their players to create the spaces to play the ball into for Davis, Burns and Clarke to run into. Was very smart from Dyche, effectively nullified our style of play, and we didn't seem to have a plan B.
From a Town perspective, the overall lacklustre approach in the first half and large parts of the second was concerning. Too many players seemed to have gone into their shells, and seem to be lacking confidence and decisiveness, and often making the easy pass back rather than trying something. Morsy and Phillips both seem to be nervous and often end up in the same space, and this is impacting the team overall.
Jack Clarke does a lot of running - but without purpose and drive, there is no doubt about his ability but not sure he is doing enough to keep his place in the starting XI right now.
Liam Delap, does so many good things and again has so much ability, but seems to have a bit of a red mist that comes down - can see him getting sent off soon, for something silly.
Finally, now is the time McKenna has to earn his money, he has been backed, has built this squad but now faces the biggest challenge with players lacking confidence and injuries impacting key players - for everything he has done in the last 3 years, this will be the true test of his ability as a manager.
There's probably more, but this has been pretty cathartic for now.
[edited for spellling and some missing words] [Post edited 19 Oct 2024 21:10]
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| More thoughts on 22:27 - Oct 19 with 1751 views | mrfixit426 |
Great post with some good observations. Much more incisive than most of the other armchair football managers on here tonight, who seem more interested in offering the solutions to McKenna's "failings." |  | | |
| More thoughts on 22:48 - Oct 19 with 1691 views | ITFC_84 |
Agree about Davis. Massively improved, defensively, over the past couple of months. |  | | |
| More thoughts on 03:52 - Oct 20 with 1484 views | Ryorry |
KM has been somewhat stymied by unfortunate injury blackspots in defence and midfield, but seems uncharacteristically reluctant to change what isn’t working upfront. Maybe thinness of cover now is also why Morsy’s reined back his challenges, leaving defence vulnerable. Phillips seriously disappointing me. I can’t judge as I usually listen to commentary, don’t have visuals, but get the impression he seems lacking in passion and drive? Does ‘journeyman’ seem unduly harsh?
Which leads me to a more overall point - we just seem to be lacking the spirit and cohesion, the passion the whole group of players shared the last two seasons that drove them forward. Yes we had to get many new players in to cope with the Prem, but seems to me that what we’ve gained in individual players’ quality, we’ve lost in players fighting for each other and a common purpose. Badadski referred to it in another thread when he said how much he missed Sarmiento busting his guts to get the ball back if he lost it.
It does feel a bit similar to what happened when we brought in a large number of new players all at once at the start of our last season in the Prem. Obviously we still have time to improve and for KM to tweak things. We also need better luck with injuries (perfect excuse for players to escape domestic chores). |  |
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| More thoughts on 07:26 - Oct 20 with 1372 views | ElephantintheRoom |
If you’re sitting comfortably on your couch I can help you.
The franchise has rather unwisely bought a container load of players who by and large are not much of an upgrade - and whose Prem experience is largely a chastening relegation. This has destroyed the understanding and team spirit and caused a bit of confusion
Even more unwisely the inexperienced manager has shoehorned them in when and where he can - leaving some demoralised and very good players on the sidelines.
Even worse, the franchise is playing better teams every week - and the inexperienced manager has yet to notice this merits a different way of playing. Alas this means chastening defeats which might puzzle franchise followers and glory seekers who expect the franchise to win every game.
Worse still - it’s going to get worse as the season grinds on. Much worse as McKenna was easily found out by WBA, Leeds, Norwich last season and there are better teams in this division
Times up. That’ll be £250 - please make cheque out to N. Elephant. | |
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| More thoughts on 07:58 - Oct 20 with 1275 views | Reus30 |
| More thoughts on 07:26 - Oct 20 by ElephantintheRoom |
If you’re sitting comfortably on your couch I can help you.
The franchise has rather unwisely bought a container load of players who by and large are not much of an upgrade - and whose Prem experience is largely a chastening relegation. This has destroyed the understanding and team spirit and caused a bit of confusion
Even more unwisely the inexperienced manager has shoehorned them in when and where he can - leaving some demoralised and very good players on the sidelines.
Even worse, the franchise is playing better teams every week - and the inexperienced manager has yet to notice this merits a different way of playing. Alas this means chastening defeats which might puzzle franchise followers and glory seekers who expect the franchise to win every game.
Worse still - it’s going to get worse as the season grinds on. Much worse as McKenna was easily found out by WBA, Leeds, Norwich last season and there are better teams in this division
Times up. That’ll be £250 - please make cheque out to N. Elephant. |
Why oh why are you still here?
You are one odd fellow. |  | | |
| More thoughts on 08:03 - Oct 20 with 1252 views | bsw72 |
| More thoughts on 03:52 - Oct 20 by Ryorry |
KM has been somewhat stymied by unfortunate injury blackspots in defence and midfield, but seems uncharacteristically reluctant to change what isn’t working upfront. Maybe thinness of cover now is also why Morsy’s reined back his challenges, leaving defence vulnerable. Phillips seriously disappointing me. I can’t judge as I usually listen to commentary, don’t have visuals, but get the impression he seems lacking in passion and drive? Does ‘journeyman’ seem unduly harsh?
Which leads me to a more overall point - we just seem to be lacking the spirit and cohesion, the passion the whole group of players shared the last two seasons that drove them forward. Yes we had to get many new players in to cope with the Prem, but seems to me that what we’ve gained in individual players’ quality, we’ve lost in players fighting for each other and a common purpose. Badadski referred to it in another thread when he said how much he missed Sarmiento busting his guts to get the ball back if he lost it.
It does feel a bit similar to what happened when we brought in a large number of new players all at once at the start of our last season in the Prem. Obviously we still have time to improve and for KM to tweak things. We also need better luck with injuries (perfect excuse for players to escape domestic chores). |
Phillips is a confidence player, and his experiences over the last 24 months have done more harm than most people realise. He doesn’t lack passion or drive, hes scared to make mistakes and when he does he retreats further into his shell. You saw it yesterday when he misplaced a backpass after 10 mins, and reverted to his safety game.
As for the team, it takes playing time to really gel and considering it is nearly November we have only played 8 games and have lost large number of the squad for nearly 4 weeks due to international breaks. Compound this with some of the injuries and it explains partly the position we find ourselves in. Yesterday is a good example of where Tuanzebe and Cajuste would have made a significant difference.
I genuinely think one win changes the dynamics. | | | |
| More thoughts on 08:12 - Oct 20 with 1205 views | bsw72 |
| More thoughts on 07:26 - Oct 20 by ElephantintheRoom |
If you’re sitting comfortably on your couch I can help you.
The franchise has rather unwisely bought a container load of players who by and large are not much of an upgrade - and whose Prem experience is largely a chastening relegation. This has destroyed the understanding and team spirit and caused a bit of confusion
Even more unwisely the inexperienced manager has shoehorned them in when and where he can - leaving some demoralised and very good players on the sidelines.
Even worse, the franchise is playing better teams every week - and the inexperienced manager has yet to notice this merits a different way of playing. Alas this means chastening defeats which might puzzle franchise followers and glory seekers who expect the franchise to win every game.
Worse still - it’s going to get worse as the season grinds on. Much worse as McKenna was easily found out by WBA, Leeds, Norwich last season and there are better teams in this division
Times up. That’ll be £250 - please make cheque out to N. Elephant. |
What a peculiar way to view a club you apparently support. I’lll keep my money thanks, your opinion isn’t worth the paper the cheque would be written on. | | | |
| More thoughts on 08:23 - Oct 20 with 1148 views | ElephantintheRoom |
| More thoughts on 08:12 - Oct 20 by bsw72 |
What a peculiar way to view a club you apparently support. I’lll keep my money thanks, your opinion isn’t worth the paper the cheque would be written on. |
Clearly you need more therapy.
How about a dose of reality?
Diddums. They’re not going to win every game. Get used to it.
Your tab is now at £500 | |
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| More thoughts on 09:26 - Oct 20 with 1045 views | Ryorry |
| More thoughts on 08:03 - Oct 20 by bsw72 |
Phillips is a confidence player, and his experiences over the last 24 months have done more harm than most people realise. He doesn’t lack passion or drive, hes scared to make mistakes and when he does he retreats further into his shell. You saw it yesterday when he misplaced a backpass after 10 mins, and reverted to his safety game.
As for the team, it takes playing time to really gel and considering it is nearly November we have only played 8 games and have lost large number of the squad for nearly 4 weeks due to international breaks. Compound this with some of the injuries and it explains partly the position we find ourselves in. Yesterday is a good example of where Tuanzebe and Cajuste would have made a significant difference.
I genuinely think one win changes the dynamics. |
Good points, esp re our team training time being disrupted by so many players disappearing during the int. breaks, I'd rather lost sight of that. | |
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| More thoughts on 10:14 - Oct 20 with 901 views | JammyDodgerrr |
| More thoughts on 08:03 - Oct 20 by bsw72 |
Phillips is a confidence player, and his experiences over the last 24 months have done more harm than most people realise. He doesn’t lack passion or drive, hes scared to make mistakes and when he does he retreats further into his shell. You saw it yesterday when he misplaced a backpass after 10 mins, and reverted to his safety game.
As for the team, it takes playing time to really gel and considering it is nearly November we have only played 8 games and have lost large number of the squad for nearly 4 weeks due to international breaks. Compound this with some of the injuries and it explains partly the position we find ourselves in. Yesterday is a good example of where Tuanzebe and Cajuste would have made a significant difference.
I genuinely think one win changes the dynamics. |
You are spot on with the 8 games point and lack of training time. We know McKennas system takes time to be lessened and most of the squad have had precious little time together. |  |
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| More thoughts on 10:20 - Oct 20 with 868 views | Stewart27 |
| More thoughts on 07:26 - Oct 20 by ElephantintheRoom |
If you’re sitting comfortably on your couch I can help you.
The franchise has rather unwisely bought a container load of players who by and large are not much of an upgrade - and whose Prem experience is largely a chastening relegation. This has destroyed the understanding and team spirit and caused a bit of confusion
Even more unwisely the inexperienced manager has shoehorned them in when and where he can - leaving some demoralised and very good players on the sidelines.
Even worse, the franchise is playing better teams every week - and the inexperienced manager has yet to notice this merits a different way of playing. Alas this means chastening defeats which might puzzle franchise followers and glory seekers who expect the franchise to win every game.
Worse still - it’s going to get worse as the season grinds on. Much worse as McKenna was easily found out by WBA, Leeds, Norwich last season and there are better teams in this division
Times up. That’ll be £250 - please make cheque out to N. Elephant. |
Bellend | | | |
| More thoughts on 10:21 - Oct 20 with 861 views | bsw72 |
| More thoughts on 08:23 - Oct 20 by ElephantintheRoom |
Clearly you need more therapy.
How about a dose of reality?
Diddums. They’re not going to win every game. Get used to it.
Your tab is now at £500 |
Diddums? Oh the irony.  | | | |
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