Josh Cullen...

[CoolClaret]

I cannot believe that I'm writing this but Josh Cullen doesn't look like the same player that he was the last time at this level where he deservedly won the BFC player of the year as a key cog in our brilliant 101 point title-winning team...

Now, is it because he just isn't fully fit yet...

...Or

Is it because he's a bit of a system player?

I've noticed in recent weeks that each time Josh Laurent has come on, he has been taking impetus, driving with the ball from deep and in turn we have looked so much better at moving the ball through the lines.

I'm wondering if the reason for this change is that previously, we had other players who were more involved in driving the ball forward (think of Beyer/Ekdal's marauding runs forward or Maatsen/Roberts coming into midfield), and Cullen had a deep understanding of VK's system.

He knew exactly when to drop back to cover the gaps and when to move into vacated space to make himself available for a pass, which helped keep our play ticking over.
Now that our defensive structure is more rigid, the responsibility for attacking and creating chances falls more on the midfielders. It seems like Cullen isn't providing enough in these situations when he really needs to step up and take control of the game to help us play more aggressively.

I'd be experimenting with Laurent and Brownhill next game, or maybe even with Hannibal and have Josh further forward (or just to play two midfielders).

I'm really hoping it's the former rather than the latter...

[taio]

I think you're probably overthinking it

[123EasyasBFC]

I cannot believe that I'm writing this but Josh Cullen doesn't look like the same player that he was the last time at this level where he deservedly won the BFC player of the year as a key cog in our brilliant 101 point title-winning team...

Now, is it because he just isn't fully fit yet...

...Or

Is it because he's a bit of a system player?

I've noticed in recent weeks that each time Josh Laurent has come on, he has been taking impetus, driving with the ball from deep and in turn we have looked so much better at moving the ball through the lines.

I'm wondering if the reason for this change is that previously, we had other players who were more involved in driving the ball forward (think of Beyer/Ekdal's marauding runs forward or Maatsen/Roberts coming into midfield), and Cullen had a deep understanding of VK's system.

He knew exactly when to drop back to cover the gaps and when to move into vacated space to make himself available for a pass, which helped keep our play ticking over.
Now that our defensive structure is more rigid, the responsibility for attacking and creating chances falls more on the midfielders. It seems like Cullen isn't providing enough in these situations when he really needs to step up and take control of the game to help us play more aggressively.

I'd be experimenting with Laurent and Brownhill next game, or maybe even with Hannibal and have Josh further forward (or just to play two midfielders).

I'm really hoping it's the former rather than the latter...

It’s certainly an interesting view, could be abit of both, he looked like he was limping a little when he came off today.

As much as we have looked good with Laurent in the side, we looked like we were missing Cullens passing in those games.

In games against so called low block sides I’d be tempted to have Cullen and Laurent as a 2, brownhill in the 10, flemming in the 9 and I’m gonna say it, foster wide right, let him drive with the ball

[CoolClaret]

I think you're probably overthinking it

I think that I may be as well... let's see how we're looking over the next 3-5 games.

[willsclarets]

I cannot believe that I'm writing this but Josh Cullen doesn't look like the same player that he was the last time at this level where he deservedly won the BFC player of the year as a key cog in our brilliant 101 point title-winning team...

Now, is it because he just isn't fully fit yet...

...Or

Is it because he's a bit of a system player?

I've noticed in recent weeks that each time Josh Laurent has come on, he has been taking impetus, driving with the ball from deep and in turn we have looked so much better at moving the ball through the lines.

I'm wondering if the reason for this change is that previously, we had other players who were more involved in driving the ball forward (think of Beyer/Ekdal's marauding runs forward or Maatsen/Roberts coming into midfield), and Cullen had a deep understanding of VK's system.

He knew exactly when to drop back to cover the gaps and when to move into vacated space to make himself available for a pass, which helped keep our play ticking over.
Now that our defensive structure is more rigid, the responsibility for attacking and creating chances falls more on the midfielders. It seems like Cullen isn't providing enough in these situations when he really needs to step up and take control of the game to help us play more aggressively.

I'd be experimenting with Laurent and Brownhill next game, or maybe even with Hannibal and have Josh further forward (or just to play two midfielders).

I'm really hoping it's the former rather than the latter...

For me, I think he needs more responsibility and trust to pick up the ball as a "quarterback" and protect our back 4 by taking up pockets of space vacated by others fluidly moving in and out of position. He would benefit from more movement and space in front of him to pick out passes, and has the intelligence to pick up pockets of space defensively. I absolutely agree with you on Maatsen/Beyer for instance, who moved opposition players out of position. Cullen was great at knowing when to stay put or where to go to be free/open for a pass.

In this system, he's being under-utilised. And therefore his performances are a bit "meh". For me it's the system, not him.

[Boss Hogg]

Some good points by the OP. Said the same thing today about the lack of driving runs from defence. We’d be more dynamic with a Beyer in there than the safe slow sideways passes of Egan Riley. In terms of midfield based on the Plymouth match and today I would put Laurent in in place of Cullen. I also think Hannibal needs to be deeper.

[Dark Cloud]

He was playing with better players two years ago. I think it's that simple.

[CoolClaret]

For me, I think he needs more responsibility and trust to pick up the ball as a "quarterback" and protect our back 4 by taking up pockets of space vacated by others fluidly moving in and out of position. He would benefit from more movement and space in front of him to pick out passes, and has the intelligence to pick up pockets of space defensively. I absolutely agree with you on Maatsen/Beyer for instance, who moved opposition players out of position. Cullen was great at knowing when to stay put or where to go to be free/open for a pass.

In this system, he's being under-utilised. And therefore his performances are a bit "meh". For me it's the system, not him.

Not disagreeing with you at all (mostly agree with it) but to play devils advocate, if your last point is true and it's the system (not him), then should we be playing those that are more of a fit for this system?

We all know that we're struggling to create enough but on the flip side we've only conceded 4 goals in 9 games... Maybe long term more of a rigid/structured defensive shape is a better/more adaptable approach for us to try in the PL if we are to go up...

[willsclarets]

Not disagreeing with you at all (mostly agree with it) but to play devils advocate, if your last point is true and it's the system (not him), then should we be playing those that are more of a fit for this system?

We all know that we're struggling to create enough but on the flip side we've only conceded 4 goals in 9 games... Maybe long term more of a rigid/structured defensive shape is a better/more adaptable approach for us to try in the PL if we are to go up...

Yeah maybe. I do suspect when Flemming is fit, he will (at home in particular) take out a midfielder. And I reckon he'll leave Cullen in there, and we'll see a better performance. On the other hand if we do stick with the 3, then aye maybe Laurent is your man because of his physical presence. What you lose in passing accuracy you definitely gain in a bit of energy moving through the pitch. I just don't think we score enough goals to go up using this system as it is now. But I suspect it's because of who's available to Parker rather than him desperately wanting to be this rigid.

[BurnleyFC]

It’s a system thing, but you’re right - he’s been poor to mediocre since returning to the team this season.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

One of my favourite players but been miles off it this season.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

It doesn’t have to be Laurent or Cullen. They’d be a good partnership

[Boroclaret]

There's a lack of options going forward for him. Foster is isolated, both wingers are marked, Brownhill and Hannibal are usually filling the centre of the pitch, and non of our full backs want to overlap.

[Elizabeth]

In games against so called low block sides I’d be tempted to have Cullen and Laurent as a 2, brownhill in the 10, flemming in the 9 and I’m gonna say it, foster wide right, let him drive with the ball
[/quote]

When I read this I thought ' yes I like this idea'.

Its quite different from what we've been seeing and I think it could work well and improve our forward play

[NL Claret]

He was playing with better players two years ago. I think it's that simple.

He’s playing against better players than 2 years ago?

[burnmark]

I think he’s isolated. Brownhill has license to go forward with Hannibal playing behind the striker. It’s no surprise to see such teams such as Portsmouth and Preston, sit in and then pounce on the counter pushing their central midfielders forward and creating sometimes a 3v1 in their favour against the lone Cullen. Very apparent today in the move prior to when they hit the bar just before half time.

His best form for us was with Cork in 2022/23 and then when he came back into the team last season with Berge alongside him. I really want to see Cullen plus Laurent/Brownhill as the base of our midfield with Flemming instead of Hannibal at Wednesday.

[Colburn_Claret]

It doesn’t have to be Laurent or Cullen. They’d be a good partnership

They could only be a partnership if either Hannibal or Brownhill are dropped.
I like Cullen, and there are games we'll need him, but in games like today, Oxford and Plymouth we need players who look forward, and Josh is just too negative with his passing.

The main issue is it isn't as simple as replacing Cullen, because there are others in the team just as negative. Kokeosho was shocking, Anthony was shocking, Foster was shocking, Humphreys was shocking.
We have always played our best football when we are quick and on the front foot, until we start utilising players who are quick (with the ball), and proactive in possession, then results like today will be the norm.
The attacking intent of the last 4 games has been bloody dire, and painful to watch. AP is going to need a drum to keep the fans awake.

[KRBFC]

That’s it, you go start a topic slagging off Cullen whilst doing nothing but defending Foster at every possible opportunity.

[Vegas Claret]

That’s it, you go start a topic slagging off Cullen whilst doing nothing but defending Foster at every possible opportunity.

He's started a topic and listed valid points asking questions, there is no slagging off by the OP at all - it's constructive questioning. You should try that approach instead of "Foster is ****" at every opportunity

[DCWat]

I think he’s isolated. Brownhill has license to go forward with Hannibal playing behind the striker. It’s no surprise to see such teams such as Portsmouth and Preston, sit in and then pounce on the counter pushing their central midfielders forward and creating sometimes a 3v1 in their favour against the lone Cullen. Very apparent today in the move prior to when they hit the bar just before half time.

His best form for us was with Cork in 2022/23 and then when he came back into the team last season with Berge alongside him. I really want to see Cullen plus Laurent/Brownhill as the base of our midfield with Flemming instead of Hannibal at Wednesday.

I think that Hannibal has demonstrated that he’d be a better option than Brownhill is, as a more defensively minded midfielder.

Whether Flemming should taken the forward midfield role, ahead of Hannibal or Brownhill remains to be seen.

[CoolClaret]

That’s it, you go start a topic slagging off Cullen whilst doing nothing but defending Foster at every possible opportunity.

If that's what you got from my OP, then I highly recommend that you get an English tutor ASAP and work on your reading comprehension.

Oh and please do grow up.

[expoultryboy]

Cullen does seem to slow the game down with his sideways and backwards passing , BUT it's often because there's no movement in front of him or players offering themselves for the ball . It's far too static.

[Stonehouse]

I don’t blame Cullen we had the same problem last season ,in the championship season our fullbacks were 30 yds further up the pitch and happened to be Maatsen and Roberts ,last season and again this season the full back are getting the ball so much deeper and haven’t got the same pace so finish up getting penned in they then pass to the wingers who are still in their in their own half and are doubled marked and then try to cut inside into a packed midfield.

[Colburn_Claret]

Cullen does seem to slow the game down with his sideways and backwards passing , BUT it's often because there's no movement in front of him or players offering themselves for the ball . It's far too static.

Not siting Cullen in particular here, but there is often runs from both wings, looking for a ball over the top or through the channels and the man on the ball is asleep.

Then to compound the issue when the ball is played forward, often as not the wingers are asleep.

Our progressive players imo out of 10

Trafford 5
Roberts 7
Humphreys 4
Egan Riley 6
Esteve 5
Pires 7
Worral 6
Laurent 6
Cullen 4
Hannibal 5 tends to carry the ball more and play 1 2s to get forward
Brownhill 5 one day, 6 the next but does tend to play higher

[Hedontplayforyou]

Operates best when he drops into the back line and dictates from there. Sooner Parker sees that the better .

[ClaretPete001]

He had Cork playing with him last time out.

Just as Zaroury had Maatsen. Big difference in quality.

[Mattster]

Looking at all these threads about different players, ones we know are top quality at this level and the only one coming out with universal praise is a centre back who doesn't progress the ball.

I don't know how much more obvious it can be. It's not the players. It's the manager.

[taio]

Looking at all these threads about different players, ones we know are top quality at this level and the only one coming out with universal praise is a centre back who doesn't progress the ball.

I don't know how much more obvious it can be. It's not the players. It's the manager.

What's most obvious is that the manager and players need to be given time for the team to gel. They should get that from most supporters, especially while we are hovering around the top of the league.

[bumba]

Looking at all these threads about different players, ones we know are top quality at this level and the only one coming out with universal praise is a centre back who doesn't progress the ball.

I don't know how much more obvious it can be. It's not the players. It's the manager.

Esteve was constantly bringing the ball forward on Saturday or passing forward.
If Cullen is under orders to do what he's doing which to me doesn't seem much difference to what VK had him doing then why does Laurent drive forward from that same role when he plays?
It's not Parkers fault that Koleosho runs in to players, it's not Parkers fault that Foster isn't good enough(just as poor under VK), Parker didn't sign Pires, Parker didn't sign Hountondji.
It's unbelievable to be in the position we are in already after what happened two games in, if we are in the same position come January a couple of astute signings could see us over the line.

[Mattster]

Esteve was constantly bringing the ball forward on Saturday or passing forward.
If Cullen is under orders to do what he's doing which to me doesn't seem much difference to what VK had him doing then why does Laurent drive forward from that same role when he plays?
It's not Parkers fault that Koleosho runs in to players, it's not Parkers fault that Foster isn't good enough(just as poor under VK), Parker didn't sign Pires, Parker didn't sign Hountondji.
It's unbelievable to be in the position we are in already after what happened two games in, if we are in the same position come January a couple of astute signings could see us over the line.

Koleosho had Premier League defenders in a panic. Cullen was our player of the season last time at this level. Brownhill was in the Championship team of the year. Roberts started more than Vitinho in our Championship season and performed better than him at right back. Foster had a good season in the Premier League. Hannibal has proven himself at this level before across a full season. And so on.

It's conceivable that one or two may have dipped in form or ability. All of them? You have to start looking at a wider problem.

We're in 3rd and you ask our fanbase to name players who have been good so far and you'll find they'll only agree on a single one. A defender. Says it all for me.

[blatherwickstattoos]

He was playing with better players two years ago. I think it's that simple.

Had runners in behind and more going on in-front of him.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Looking at all these threads about different players, ones we know are top quality at this level and the only one coming out with universal praise is a centre back who doesn't progress the ball.

I don't know how much more obvious it can be. It's not the players. It's the manager.

I can understand why you’ve had a bit of stick, but at the same time you have been right about the warning signs. In the context of the last 3 games the alarm bells are getting much louder. We’re already a fifth of the way into the season and we look like a team that will struggle to score goals. The defence being so solid is the main reason we are where we are, but even then I don’t think that’s as rosey as it looks.

We’re actually reminiscent of Southgate’s England side of the last few years. It’s not about shape or even who we pick. It’s quite clearly how they’re being told to play. We invite the press, but don’t seem to know how to get around it. How many times on Saturday did Trafford have to resort to a vertical ball into Foster? With the result usually being Foster outmuscled and losing the ball. We’re slow, rigid and predictable. Hannibal is a great example of where the problems lie, and we’ll start with he’s not playing as an attacking midfielder which some can’t get their head around. He’s on the right side of a midfield triangle and is being told to keep close to Humphrey’s and Koleosho. It’s almost like he runs in a vertical line up and down the field about 15 yards from the touchline. There appears to be no freedom at all for him. It just plays into the hands of the opposition when they’re well organised. All this leads to people question a player like Cullen for not playing forward balls. There’s no one in space for him to play forward balls to.

There’s also a lot made about the team still gelling, and giving Parker time. Of course managers need time, but as an excuse it’s wearing thin. Performance wise we were inferior to a Preston team who have spent a fraction of what we did and sacked their manager one game into the season. They looked just as solid as us and without needing a top young centre back as us. Yet they didn’t feel the need to come and park the bus. They showed more attacking intent than us with a risk and reward strategy, flooding the box when they could.

The worry for me is whilst we’ve ground out results, we’ve shown that we’re nothing to be feared. I can see a side like Sheffield Wednesday or Hull not paying us too much respect and catching us cold and giving us an embarrassing result. Hopefully the current tactics can get us through those back to back away games without much damage, but if they don’t the pressure on the home games will start ramping up.

[CoolClaret]

We’re actually reminiscent of Southgate’s England side of the last few years. It’s not about shape or even who we pick. It’s quite clearly how they’re being told to play.

I find it baffling that you can come to that conclusion after we scored nine goals in two games before the squad had to be rebuilt in a week.

[blatherwickstattoos]

I find it baffling that you can come to that conclusion after we scored nine goals in two games before the squad had to be rebuilt in a week.

Was well known when we brought SP in from the Fulham and Bournemouth fans saying he played like Southgate

[ClaretPete001]

Koleosho had Premier League defenders in a panic. Cullen was our player of the season last time at this level. Brownhill was in the Championship team of the year. Roberts started more than Vitinho in our Championship season and performed better than him at right back. Foster had a good season in the Premier League. Hannibal has proven himself at this level before across a full season. And so on.

It's conceivable that one or two may have dipped in form or ability. All of them? You have to start looking at a wider problem.

We're in 3rd and you ask our fanbase to name players who have been good so far and you'll find they'll only agree on a single one. A defender. Says it all for me.

Kolosheo had no end product in the PL he just had more room to show how quick he is...! Cullen and Brownhill played with Cork in a balanced midfield. Hannibal roams all over the place. If this team had Cork, Brownhill and Cullen in midfield we would be winning and all would be playing well.

Roberts was eventually loaned out to Leeds and I think most people eventually came to accept Vitinho was a better player. If this team had Maatsen and Vitinho belting down the wings no doubt Anthony and Kolosheo would look better.

And Foster had a very mixed campaign last year and Hannibal had one season with a team that came 17th in the Championship.

We had a chance to win on Saturday and go top. Keep your powder dry for a month and then make your points when Mr Parker has some players back and problems have not been resolved..

Seems a bit early to be writing off the manager yet. Keep your powder dry, wait a month and you'll have the evidence to back up your views.

[ChorltonCharlie]

We scored 9 goals from an xG across those 2 games of 2.47.

Luton was a good performance, though against a side that had defensive issues and gone on to really struggle. We were clinical which is to be applauded, but you can't expect that every week.

Cardiff was a freak game. Poor in the first half and after a crazy own goal and breakaway goal. Clinical from very limited chances in the second half.

Those kind of games are not sustainable, and wouldn't have been had we sold no-one.

The facts are that every attacking player we had on Saturday cost a lot more than their Preston equivalent. We can't keep going on about who we've lost. The subs made no difference on Saturday because ultimately the instructions remained the same.

[Benson]

I find it baffling that you can come to that conclusion after we scored nine goals in two games before the squad had to be rebuilt in a week.

5 goals in 7 games since (5 in 8 if you count the Wolves game)

[CoolClaret]

Was well known when we brought SP in from the Fulham and Bournemouth fans saying he played like Southgate

I don't particularly care what fans of other teams say tbh - going off some of the drivel on this board/socials with our fans I can imagine it's just the same.

SP has achieved two promotions from this division with two different clubs just three years into his managerial career... That, to me, suggests he knows what he's doing.

[CoolClaret]

5 goals in 7 games since (5 in 8 if you count the Wolves game)

Yes, with new players and a lack of options with attacking players in the final third of the pitch... Yet still picking up points.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Yes, with new players and a lack of options with attacking players in the final third of the pitch... Yet still picking up points.

I don't think there's been a lack of options compared with who we've been playing. Picking up points is great, but sooner or later if the performances aren't good enough you won't get the points. We've had 3 games in a week where we've scored only 1 goal from a penalty against mediocre teams. A week where I think the expectation internally would have been 7-9 points.

Before last week the theme was we're winning when not playing well, we'll start playing better soon and be unstoppable. People like Matt were saying, "but if the performances don't improve, sooner or later the results won't come". The last week has shown how true that can be.

I'm glass half full, but will always try and be balanced. I just see a lot of similarities to last year where there's a blind faith from some and anyone trying to be balanced and provide a more analytical view of where we are is seen as being negative.

[CoolClaret]

I don't think there's been a lack of options compared with who we've been playing. Picking up points is great, but sooner or later if the performances aren't good enough you won't get the points. We've had 3 games in a week where we've scored only 1 goal from a penalty against mediocre teams. A week where I think the expectation internally would have been 7-9 points.

Before last week the theme was we're winning when not playing well, we'll start playing better soon and be unstoppable. People like Matt were saying, "but if the performances don't improve, sooner or later the results won't come". The last week has shown how true that can be.

I'm glass half full, but will always try and be balanced. I just see a lot of similarities to last year where there's a blind faith from some and anyone trying to be balanced and provide a more analytical view of where we are is seen as being negative.

What options have we had in the final third? It's basically Sarmiento or Anthony.

Everyone knows that we have to create more, SP isn't stupid. My overriding point is that now isn't the time to start getting hysterical.

[Mattster]

Cullen and Brownhill played with Cork in a balanced midfield. Hannibal roams all over the place. If this team had Cork, Brownhill and Cullen in midfield we would be winning and all would be playing well.

Ah yes, the solution to being too rigid and defensive is in fact to be more rigid and defensive.

[ChorltonCharlie]

What options have we had in the final third? It's basically Sarmiento or Anthony.

Everyone knows that we have to create more, SP isn't stupid. My overriding point is that now isn't the time to start getting hysterical.

As I said, it's relative to the opposition. Would you have swapped our bench for Preston's? Parker could have risked Agyei, he had the experience of Jay. Sarmiento did come on as did Roberts the experienced international full back to provide more attacking from deep. Then there was Flemming who came on an nothing really changed.

Go back to Plymouth and there was the £4m Hountondji instead of Flemming.

We have a lot of injuries, and of course will be great to get them all back. But let's not pretend that the players available don't have the quality to deliver a far better attacking performance than that. We sound like fans of teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc when Dyche's team bloodied their nose.

[boyyanno]

I cannot believe that I'm writing this but Josh Cullen doesn't look like the same player that he was the last time at this level where he deservedly won the BFC player of the year as a key cog in our brilliant 101 point title-winning team...

Now, is it because he just isn't fully fit yet...

...Or

Is it because he's a bit of a system player?

I've noticed in recent weeks that each time Josh Laurent has come on, he has been taking impetus, driving with the ball from deep and in turn we have looked so much better at moving the ball through the lines.

I'm wondering if the reason for this change is that previously, we had other players who were more involved in driving the ball forward (think of Beyer/Ekdal's marauding runs forward or Maatsen/Roberts coming into midfield), and Cullen had a deep understanding of VK's system.

He knew exactly when to drop back to cover the gaps and when to move into vacated space to make himself available for a pass, which helped keep our play ticking over.
Now that our defensive structure is more rigid, the responsibility for attacking and creating chances falls more on the midfielders. It seems like Cullen isn't providing enough in these situations when he really needs to step up and take control of the game to help us play more aggressively.

I'd be experimenting with Laurent and Brownhill next game, or maybe even with Hannibal and have Josh further forward (or just to play two midfielders).

I'm really hoping it's the former rather than the latter...

I said somthing similar the other week. I like Cullen and think he's a very good player but without the distribution of Muric behind him, the presence of a Beyer who can step out and make the space, and a fullback like Maatsen who can also break the lines- I think he can be part of the problem when we are playing teams that sit in deep.

In those games even though a Laurent looks more defensive on paper I think we'd benefit from midfielders that play forward as oppose to backwards.

[bumba]

Koleosho had Premier League defenders in a panic. Cullen was our player of the season last time at this level. Brownhill was in the Championship team of the year. Roberts started more than Vitinho in our Championship season and performed better than him at right back. Foster had a good season in the Premier League. Hannibal has proven himself at this level before across a full season. And so on.

It's conceivable that one or two may have dipped in form or ability. All of them? You have to start looking at a wider problem.

We're in 3rd and you ask our fanbase to name players who have been good so far and you'll find they'll only agree on a single one. A defender. Says it all for me.

Koleosho played 15 premier league games scored 1 goal and created 2 big chances it's hardly on fire is it. His stats are better this season!
Brownhills stats are better this season.
Not sure how you can class a couple of good games as Foster having a good season, I don't class 5 goals in 24 as a 'good' season.
Roberts is performing the same as he always does, Cullen has dropped off but is that due to a return from injury or learning a new system? Don't forget his played the VK system the majority of his career so far.
We're in a better position now than two seasons ago, we all allowed time for it to click then so why not now?
Or does Parker have to trot out the 'trust the process' lines for us all to sit back and say this is going to plan it's all good?

[CoolClaret]

As I said, it's relative to the opposition. Would you have swapped our bench for Preston's? Parker could have risked Agyei, he had the experience of Jay. Sarmiento did come on as did Roberts the experienced international full back to provide more attacking from deep. Then there was Flemming who came on an nothing really changed.

Go back to Plymouth and there was the £4m Hountondji instead of Flemming.

We have a lot of injuries, and of course will be great to get them all back. But let's not pretend that the players available don't have the quality to deliver a far better attacking performance than that. We sound like fans of teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc when Dyche's team bloodied their nose.

Of course not, but come on, as I've mentioned before, promotion isn't won and lost by one-off games, and SP has had two promotions out of this league. He's not a dummy.

We all know that we have to improve in the final third but we're far from the finished article.

[ClaretPete001]

Ah yes, the solution to being too rigid and defensive is in fact to be more rigid and defensive.

So now you are arguing VKs midfield was more rigid and defensive than SPs?

Give it a couple of months and then come back with some real evidence.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Of course not, but come on, as I've mentioned before, promotion isn't won and lost by one-off games, and SP has had two promotions out of this league. He's not a dummy.

We all know that we have to improve in the final third but we're far from the finished article.

We're not talking about one off games, we're talking about the last 8 matches where we've looked under par offensively and the last 3 games have seen the results start to match which was always going to happen. His two promotions are reasons to be positive, but based on what we're seeing we're a long way from where we need to be to keep winning games at this level. We now hit a run of 4 away games in 5 which includes tricky games against attacking managers and the tactically astute Corberan. It won't define our season, but more of what we've seen in the last 3 games will likely see us with a lot to catch up.

[Mattster]

So now you are arguing VKs midfield was more rigid and defensive than SPs?

Give it a couple of months and then come back with some real evidence.

No, the entire team was more fluid and attacking then. But we're not under VK now, we're under Parker and Cork is more defensively minded than Hannibal. Making the midfield under Parker more defensive is not going to improve our attacking issues. Is what I was saying.

[ClaretPete001]

No, the entire team was more fluid and attacking then. But we're not under VK now, we're under Parker and Cork is more defensively minded than Hannibal. Making the midfield under Parker more defensive is not going to improve our attacking issues. Is what I was saying.

Yes but Cork is a much better player and a good leader on the pitch. He pushes the team up when required he gives Cullen more freedom to make his passes and Brownhill more time to find spaces in between the lines of the opposition.