Scoobysaint

Everybody called out for more direct, less messing around at the back. How many times already have we just given possession back with long punts from Ramsdale. The target is Aribo but it doesn’t work. Why can’t we have a sensible version of Russball. Pass and move but if you’re in the shite, you lump it. We seem to be playing a very confused way today. Good that the new gaffer is seeing this before the work starts tomorrow.

The problem we have got is we are stuck between Russball and russlessball. All the patterns of play and positioning is based around possession style, it seems that some are trying to keep on with that and some less so. Often means no clear pass available. All a bit futile now anyway at two down.

5-3-2 McCarthy, KWP, THB, Bednarek, Wood, Manning, Downes, Dibling, Fernandes, Tall Paul, Archer. Can’t change too much in three days. At times we’ve played ok like this. Maybe get the south coast version of “Quinn and Phillips” firing.

If it’s gonna happen then it needs to happen soon. We don’t want another transfer window getting players in for Russball and then give him the boot, leaving the new man with tippy tappy possessionists! I think that RM would probably get us out of the championship but isn’t close to the master tactician he think is he is in the Prem.

Initially I wasn’t convinced by RM. But then Wembley happened and I thought he deserved a crack at it. We have had some dodgy decisions, unlucky deflections but enough now. I have mainly been a RM supporter but to be five down at home at half time against an injury hit Spurs. My main concern is what the next appointment would be. Most like Lallana till the end of the season.

Maybe we will get five sent off and the game abandoned? Can’t see any way back for RM. He knows, we know it. Now everybody knows it.

I would rather bring nobody on at all than BBD!

We’ve actually played some good football but as always, we’ve absolutely gifted them two goals. Jack Stephens, enough is enough. RM can’t defend this one. He’s not a Premier league player, bang average in Championship at best. He’s always got that pathetic petulance in him. The big plus point is that he will get a decent suspension so we may have a chance. Woods looks good, Aribo positive, KWP superb going forward. I just hope we can keep it respectable.

I have always wanted to believe that Russ ball would come good in the end. I thought we had a lot of bad breaks, dodgy decisions, unlucky deflections but eventually one has to admit, we are just not good enough. We spent the best part of £40 million on two players who were key in a team that o my finished 4th in the championship. No strengthening, just what we had before. The recruitment has been awful and the system, whatever it is, doesn’t work. Teams cut through us like butter and we work the ball through them like treacle. Just a bit bored of it all now. My day out at Wembley was amazing but now it’s just miserable. I actually thought we would get a result tonight. We could be four down. The players just aren’t good enough and the manager is sadly lacking in every area.

Not sure altogether why but feeling pretty optimistic this evening. Reckon we’ll hang on 3-2 with an Arma brace and Fernandes.

Lots of focus on Aribo and Fernandes today to be a bit more creative. If Dibling gets at their FB early and he gets a yellow then it’s the way forward. I think we will be ok and get the win. Just hope the crowd stays with the team if there are a few misplaced or negative passes.

Not quite sure what formation this’ll be. Maybe KWP at left winger with Manning behind?

BBD likes (and plays) a bit like Joe Wilkinson in a Celebrity match!!

Just don’t get it. We have been creating chances in all our games, playing well at times but just not converting. So why change the whole system. Dibling has been lost this evening yet he has run the show in previous games. If he believes it was working, and I did think it was, why make the wholesale changes. And even then at 2-0, why not change it. He won’t get the boot but I hope he learns from this. Second half, get back to the way we were set up before.

Fernandes is the key for me this evening. With FD and Big Les holding, he has free roam to do whatever he pleases. He has Cornet to close their defenders down and the wingers to shut their FBs ups. He could thrive if he gets the space.