Why can't we park the bus anymore?

[Spijed]

One thing that's of major concern is our inability to see out games with our backs against the wall.

Regardless of who we have in midfield etc. in previous seasons we always seemed to have the ability to scrap and scrape our way to victory by plugging the gaps where there was no way through for the opposition.

When we beat Liverpool with 19% of the game we were literally camped on the edge of our box at times yet there was no way through. Likewise at Old Trafford when we won 2-0.

No it's like the parting of the red sea with the third goal as a prime example.

[Hibsclaret]

This can become an issue if it’s not addressed. Last night there was a couple of examples of us taking the sting out of the game at nil nil when the crowd woke up late first half specifically. This shows we still have that in us.

The first goal last night caused a few minutes of a brain fart leading to the equaliser. We really needed to do what we had done late first half but you just shouldn’t be having players all over the shop at the back when you’ve just gone in front. Waste a bit of time or something but get your solid 2 banks of four for the ten minutes after you score to take the sting out of the game again. Definitely lost the plot then.

[Belgianclaret]

The bus has broke down and need replacing, the engine has gone but we're looking for some spare wheels first

[SalisburyClaret]

When we lose our shape we concede. We are being too positive and trying to take the game to the opposition, which is exactly the wrong tactic against teams that like to play on the break

[CFS]

Might be wrong but dyche tends to play his team more expansive early in the season come November it's back to the walls and getting the job done.

[HahaYeah]

It's got square wheels.

[bfccrazy]

I think for a long time we have struggled when teams have players who run straight at us down the middle. How many times have we seen scenarios like the Townsend goal where a player just goes at us down the middle and shoots from a distance and scores.

It could be that our defenders play brilliantly as a unit but individually they aren’t as good (1 on 1).

We’re also hoping that our defence will be just as astute as previous seasons but they are generally 3/4 years older than when they were a solid unit … other teams have adapted whereas we have tried to rely on the same thing working for years. It did work for a decent amount of time but all good things come to an end.

[bf2k]

We don’t look as solid in midfield without Cork. Brownhill can’t play in a 4 and provide that shield. Parking the bus also needs a formation change from 4-4-2 really but when we went 1 up it was far too early to park any buses.

[Local cricketer]

The bus has broke down and need replacing, the engine has gone but we're looking for some spare wheels first

The bus is like the team. Old and past it

[boatshed bill]

A guess:
PL teams and their coaches are evolving, we are not.

[warksclaret]

For the great majority of teams its now a squad game. Games are often won by the subs and or changing tactics. For us we get off to a fair start and bring on subs (usually forwards ) with 10-15 minutes to go. This not only in an ageing team, but also with just two CM's.

Imagine last night-at half time we bring on Vydra for the ineffective Barnes-it would have given Raffa a real challenge. Instead Raffa changes the formation, absolutely took control, score 3 and it should have been 5 , and we are playing catch up in the last 10 or so minutes with a tired and deflated team

[AlargeClaret]

Perhaps it’s just too old and dilapidated?

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[TsarBomba]

Grafters must get tired of grafting, at some stage.

Like the fans, I’m sure the players want to be (more) progressive.

If our game plan is still largely grab a goal and hang on for dear life, then it’s a real poor do.