Quote Originally Posted by AucklandRover View Post
Lenihan was roundly criticised in December, but I think we miss his drive and enthusiasm.
Let's be honest, though: four of our most consistent players - Mulgrew, Bennett, Evans and Dack - had absolute shockers in the first half. This meant we had no rhythm at all.
Clearly, Brereton will have to be shelved for now, because his confidence is so low.
It is a puzzle, though. While I was on holiday, I read a lot of criticism of Travis and Bell for their recent performances, but they both had decent second halves.
It's this inconsistency thing again. It has plagued us all season. I don't buy this argument that it's all about managerial decisions, however. If the players are going to show such up-and-down form (look at Reed, for example), any pre-match plans are going to disappear in smoke.
I would personally always start with Nyambe and Smallwood, but I have been openly mocked on the Telegraph site for suggesting that.
At least we saw a reaction from the players in the second half, but Graham and Dack have both lost that ***** sharp edge at the moment.
Fair play to Boro, though. You could clearly see why they have conceded so few goals this season.
7 defeats in 11 games. Playing 2 of the worst sides in the division. And only finding 3 points against both. This isn't good enough. For me, he has 3 games now, or he's gone.
He is very much a 2 season manager throughout his career. And things have gone very very wrong.
If he starts another game with Brereton sack him there and then. For me he couldve gone yesterday. He set us up to fail yesterday. The performance was remiscent of Coyle days. The current run is as bad.
Playing our top goalscorer in his own half picking up balls from the centre half tp plsy 5 yard passes to a centre mid. Pathetic.
Mulgrew ....Pathetic.
Starting with 2 in midfield....Pathetic.

Mikel ran the game, with ease. He's someone we haven't had since Tugay left. While we stick with Evans, we are missing out on some class. And as for leaving us with just Lenihan, Mulgrew and Rodwell. That's the biggest mistake of all.

Simply not good enough.