Poor Stuff Today and Hannibal Made It Worse

[ElectroClaret]

Lifeless, insipid display.
What the hell was Hannibal thinking?

[JR1882]

Left my seat empty today and watched it in the pub. Great decision that was gash, could see at half time it was gonna be a drab 0-0.

[Dyched]

26th December
Brilliant win/performance away at Sheff U 2-0

29th
Refuse to win a game you dominate away at another promotion rival. No forward on the pitch until 80mins.

1st
Shocking perform at home to Stoke. Not a single chance until the last touch of the game.

4th
Away at Blackburn. Really unneeded pressure on such a big game. SP time here will come down Saturday now.

[Guller Bull]

Oh I don't know we kept a clean sheet though and we are still the best defensive unit in Europe. Oh and we are second as it satands - what do people expect when poor Scott was given such a poor hand etc etc

[FCBurnley]

And we don’t have to watch Hannibal for next 3 games

[MeeActon1]

Oh I don't know we kept a clean sheet though and we are still the best defensive unit in Europe. Oh and we are second as it satands - what do people expect when poor Scott was given such a poor hand etc etc

lol.

[JimmyRobbo]

Actually, the red improved the game.

Tells its own story.

[Stonehouse]

What are the players told before training everyday “We’re going to have 3 hours of structural defence play for all of you and the last hour we just want the forwards to run up and down in a random fashion and see what happens”Why oh why aren’t the coaches telling Sarmiento,and Koleosho to try and beat their men on the outside instead of cutting inside and losing it.

[Goliath]

What are the players told before training everyday “We’re going to have 3 hours of structural defence play for all of you and the last hour we just want the forwards to run up and down in a random fashion and see what happens”Why oh why aren’t the coaches telling Sarmiento,and Koleosho to try and beat their men on the outside instead of cutting inside and losing it.

Koleosho isn't anywhere good enough. He can't beat men regularly regardless of what any manager tells him

[Rileybobs]

I feel a bit for SP as it was clear in the second half at Middlesbrough the team looked tired, and we had started to look a real cohesive unit in and out of possession. So to make so many changes which were presumably required for fitness reasons is not ideal, or maybe poor planning. Having said all that, the system just didn’t work from minute 1 today, and it’s a worry that at the halfway point of the season Parker hasn’t figured out a way to score against what should be bottom half fodder.

[RVclaret]

I feel a bit for SP as it was clear in the second half at Middlesbrough the team looked tired, and we had started to look a real cohesive unit in and out of possession. So to make so many changes which were presumably required for fitness reasons is not ideal, or maybe poor planning. Having said all that, the system just didn’t work from minute 1 today, and it’s a worry that at the halfway point of the season Parker hasn’t figured out a way to score against what should be bottom half fodder.

Pretty fair and accurate take all round.

[Paddy1882]

Blackburn have done us a favour at Leeds, hopefully Sunderland do the same against Sheff UTD later on and we are as you were but a game further on. Were we poor today of course we were and we definitely need to have more cutting edge especially at home but if Parker can use this to get the lads fired up for Saturday and get a win then I’d have taken 4 points from 2 games again. UTC

[ClaretFelix]

26th December
Brilliant win/performance away at Sheff U 2-0

29th
Refuse to win a game you dominate away at another promotion rival. No forward on the pitch until 80mins.

1st
Shocking perform at home to Stoke. Not a single chance until the last touch of the game.

4th
Away at Blackburn. Really unneeded pressure on such a big game. SP time here will come down Saturday now.

You're missing 21st, brilliant performance against a Watford team bang in form, who admittedly don't travel well, but made them to look very average

[dvalley69]

Lots of games in such a short space of time eventually catches up with ya, and lining up with the reserves today showed why they have become subs.
If we can come out of the Rovers game undefeated or even snatch a win then it'll have been a very successful 4 games and show we're serious title contenders.

[xxmunkyennuixx]

The tempo at home is way too slow. We are too passive. I am worried we are going to end up being a nearly team when if he tweaked the aggression upwards at home we could be top two. He's getting so much right but these home performances are frustrating as ****.

[Dyched]

You're missing 21st, brilliant performance against a Watford team bang in form, who admittedly don't travel well, but made them to look very average

Yeah. Go from that, boxing day, to settling for a point at boro where we could/should have won. To todays performance and now massive pressure to not only win, but put in a performance against that lot.

[Row x]

26th December
Brilliant win/performance away at Sheff U 2-0

29th
Refuse to win a game you dominate away at another promotion rival. No forward on the pitch until 80mins.

1st
Shocking perform at home to Stoke. Not a single chance until the last touch of the game.

4th
Away at Blackburn. Really unneeded pressure on such a big game. SP time here will come down Saturday now.

We are 2nd in the league ffs

[Guller Bull]

We are 2nd in the league ffs

There we go!

[Dyched]

We are 2nd in the league ffs

Because SP refused to try and win the game at Boro to go top. Says it all really doesn’t it?

He’s put massive, unneeded pressure on himself for Saturday now.

[Row x]

There we go!

I'm I wrong?

Is it a bad thing?

[Guller Bull]

I'm I wrong?

Is it a bad thing?

No but comments like that have been a sticking plaster to cover up really dull performances. We are going up but it's on track to be one of the dullest promotions ever.

[Row x]

No but comments like that have been a sticking plaster to cover up really dull performances. We are going up but it's on track to be one of the dullest promotions ever.

I'll put up with dull, as long as it's successful, which it looks like being

[Rileybobs]

Because SP refused to try and win the game at Boro to go top. Says it all really doesn’t it?

He really didn’t. He made changes with positive intent but they didn’t have the desired effect. We’ve seen Parker bring on an extra centre back on a number of occasions this season so if he really wanted to not win the game he could have done a lot more to be cautious.

[fidelcastro]

Because SP refused to try and win the game at Boro to go top. Says it all really doesn’t it?

He’s put massive, unneeded pressure on himself for Saturday now.

Really?

Did Brownhill miss those two sitters on purpose because Parker told him to?

[louieollie]

I feel a bit for SP as it was clear in the second half at Middlesbrough the team looked tired, and we had started to look a real cohesive unit in and out of possession. So to make so many changes which were presumably required for fitness reasons is not ideal, or maybe poor planning. Having said all that, the system just didn’t work from minute 1 today, and it’s a worry that at the halfway point of the season Parker hasn’t figured out a way to score against what should be bottom half fodder.

On the whole I agree but to start Jay over any of the other striking options is I'm afraid the wrong decision, surely Andreas would have brought some much needed urgency to start with and maybe........just maybe we'd have had a shot or two from distance. I'm fully behind Scotty but this was just awful today, and why oh why was Brownhill deployed so deep!. The lad needed a rest along with the three that were left out.

[Silkyskills1]

Left my seat empty today and watched it in the pub. Great decision that was gash, could see at half time it was gonna be a drab 0-0.

Wow! Lottery numbers available?

[agreenwood]

Just watched another very short highlights package.

As below par as we were, Laurent really should score at the end. I don’t think he realises where he is in relation to the goal. Can’t work out what he’s trying to do with that header.

[Claret Till I Die]

Just watched another very short highlights package.

As below par as we were, Laurent really should score at the end. I don’t think he realises where he is in relation to the goal. Can’t work out what he’s trying to do with that header.

If he'd nodded at someone in the stand he'd have scored!

[TsarBomba]

Just watched another very short highlights package.

As below par as we were, Laurent really should score at the end. I don’t think he realises where he is in relation to the goal. Can’t work out what he’s trying to do with that header.

Laurent’s header is baffling.

I think you’re right when you say he doesn’t know where he is in relation to the goal. The fact Laurent went high with his header would suggest he’s trying to loop it over the gk/defence, but he’s 2/3 yards too close for that.

Should have gone low, probably into the gap between the defender and near post.

Brownhill could also take that shot first time, or at least get it away quicker.

[agreenwood]

If he'd nodded at someone in the stand he'd have scored!

Aye. He’s about three yards out and just slightly wide of the post. He doesn’t really have to jump either.

[ralph8]

We seem to think the game is 60 mins each rather than 45. Too many wastes of first halves to gain the upper hand. Only Watford comes to mind where we showed a bit of first half urgency- to which the crowd responded.

[Dark Cloud]

We're a "nearly" team as someone described us above (with a lot of "nearly" players). I've said exactly that numerous times this season and it's why I think we'll ultimately finish 3rd and not 1st or 2nd. I hope I'm wrong and there's an opportunity right now to get someone in who might make the difference. If games like yesterday were a rare "blip" it wouldn't really be an issue, but it's become almost the norm this season and serious top two teams can't afford that. The thing I'm clinging on to most right now is that we play better away from home and that could be our trump card.

[Culmclaret]

We're a "nearly" team as someone described us above (with a lot of "nearly" players). I've said exactly that numerous times this season and it's why I think we'll ultimately finish 3rd and not 1st or 2nd. I hope I'm wrong and there's an opportunity right now to get someone in who might make the difference. If games like yesterday were a rare "blip" it wouldn't really be an issue, but it's become almost the norm this season and serious top two teams can't afford that. The thing I'm clinging on to most right now is that we play better away from home and that could be our trump card.

Yet we find ourselves in the top two….

[Dark Cloud]

Yet we find ourselves in the top two….

Exactly, but where would we be if we'd buried those 5 or 6 also rans who are in lower/mid table, but still stole points off us at the Turf because we huffed and puffed, but couldn't really break them down (like yesterday)? We'd be 10 points clear. My mate in the pub was waxing yesterday about how many poor teams we've still got to play at the Turf after January, but tbh that's not something I'm too optimistic about!!

[Mattster]

Yet we find ourselves in the top two….

Thanks to a points deduction

[Hipper]

I feel a bit for SP as it was clear in the second half at Middlesbrough the team looked tired, and we had started to look a real cohesive unit in and out of possession. So to make so many changes which were presumably required for fitness reasons is not ideal, or maybe poor planning. Having said all that, the system just didn’t work from minute 1 today, and it’s a worry that at the halfway point of the season Parker hasn’t figured out a way to score against what should be bottom half fodder.

I thought we did alright in the first half apart from our failing in front of goal. Our shooting was abysmal and that's what let us down.

[Burnley1989]

Left my seat empty today and watched it in the pub. Great decision that was gash, could see at half time it was gonna be a drab 0-0.

7, yes 7 of my mates with season tickets didnt go on yesterday that were all at Sheff Utd and most of them will be at Blackburn (Admitedly 2 are on holiday)
Its worrying that so many cba going on home games
Having said that, if i was in the lower stands id have watched at home instead of getting drenched. You couldnt give me a season ticket down there

[KRBFC]

I feel a bit for SP as it was clear in the second half at Middlesbrough the team looked tired, and we had started to look a real cohesive unit in and out of possession. So to make so many changes which were presumably required for fitness reasons is not ideal, or maybe poor planning. Having said all that, the system just didn’t work from minute 1 today, and it’s a worry that at the halfway point of the season Parker hasn’t figured out a way to score against what should be bottom half fodder.

Take off your wingers and replace them with defensive midfielders is the plan B. No idea why he took off Koleosho soon as he had a decent little spell and put a few crosses into the box. Also no idea why he swapped Flemming for Rodriguez instead of having both of them on the pitch at the same time to try and get on the end of the crosses. He's so scared to lose a game he doesn't dare take the handbrake off and really try to win.

[Elizabeth]

While we have failed to score in 5 of the 13 games against bottom half teams, and I can emphasise with the frustration as four of those games have been at home, the fact that we are in second place overrides everything for me. Parker must be doing a lot of things right.
As Leeds have 32 points and Sheff Utd have 30 points against the bottom half teams compared to our 24 points, I wouldn't mind betting that some of their fans are bemoaning the fact that they are not picking up more points against the top sides. Something which Parker has ensured we are doing very well in.

[Blyclaret]

Loose twice to Blackburn but get promoted.
Promotion for me everytime.

[Colburn_Claret]

It's hard to swallow yesterday, so many negatives in what should have been a game we were up for, only Roberts looked like he cared.

So many tactical mistakes that we have replicated numerous times already this season. Yet somehow SP doesn't learn the lesson.

We have to play 4 across the middle, it's the only way to free Brownhill to get into the box. In a 3 he is forced to play deeper and the team becomes toothless. How we get 4 across the middle, by playing 3 at the back, or dropping one of the wingers doesn't matter. The back 4 aren't overrun, and the wingers don't create much anyway.

Most importantly is move the bloody ball quicker. We are so slow at playing the channels or balls over the top in order to turn defenders it's a yawn fest. Opposition probably can't believe how much time they get to reorganise and set themselves, we make it so easy for them.

It's easy to say we don't have a striker, the style of our play makes that irrelevant. We wouldn't work the keeper if we had 3 strikers on the pitch, we create nothing. There's no lack of effort, just a total lack of direction.

The only person who can change it is Parker, for God's sake please see it as a fan.

Koleosho is being ruined. He needs some serious coaching. He is obviously talented, and I love the fact he always gives his all and gets stuck in defensively, but he runs around like a headless chicken. There's no purpose to it, no end product, no plan. A spell in the U21s with clear instructions of what is expected of him would do him the world of good.

[dsr]

While we have failed to score in 5 of the 13 games against bottom half teams, and I can emphasise with the frustration as four of those games have been at home, the fact that we are in second place overrides everything for me. Parker must be doing a lot of things right.
As Leeds have 32 points and Sheff Utd have 30 points against the bottom half teams compared to our 24 points, I wouldn't mind betting that some of their fans are bemoaning the fact that they are not picking up more points against the top sides. Something which Parker has ensured we are doing very well in.

Saying that we beat Leeds and Sheffield United so we don't need to beat Stoke and QPR, is a non sequitur.

Yesterday we were playing a side with worse players than ours, a side we should expect to beat. It was obvious from the first half that we were unlikely to beat them playing the tactics that we did - so why not change it? Why not try something different, risk losing, but try and win? The reason to settle for a point can be because we think a point is a good result. You don't settle for a point because you won the other week and so you don't feel the need to win this week.

In 7 games (since the player exodus, so I leave out Cardiff) against the bottom half, we've scored 5 goals. Does it never even occur to Parker that we should score more?

[Elizabeth]

Ideally we'd all like to beat every side whether they are top half or bottom half, including Parker.
I think Sunderland don't have many points more than us against the bottom sides and a lot would argue they are a much more exciting and attacking side than us If I'm right with their points total then style of play becomes less of an issue in my view .
I think you are right that Parker is more at ease than a lot of our fans when we get draws against these lower half sides. I also suspect he doesn't draw much of a difference as to whether we play home or away.
Despite our perceived negative approach key chances have been missed that would have turned 1 point into 3 points for us . I get that that can be applied the other way. Therefore again I'm thinking Parker does not place the same emphasis on these risks that many fans do. He certainly has a clear direction for himself and his players. Players who seem fully committed to his ideas.