Matchday Thread: Rams v Crewe

[MadAmster]

The only thing I can think of that is better under PW is that we get it out of our half quicker, although most of the time the ball is 30 feet above the players' heads

We do, indeed, get forward quicker, whether the ball is in orbit or on the ground. In fairness to LR, prior to his replacement, he was saying all season that he wanted the players to move the ball quicker through the thirds. This was confirmed by Sibs and other players in interviews they did. The quickening up never happened. That begs the question of why play didn't speed up. Down to LR or the players? As LR publicly stated he wanted it quicker and players confirmed that that was what he's told them, isn't it more likely that the failure to speed up play through the thirds is more down to the players than LR?

[ramAnag]

Improvement in League position as at the current moment speaks for itself - PW has managed to achieve in fif**** months and two full transfer windows with known budgetary parameters almost exactly the same as Leroy Rosenior achieved in 10 games and a three week recruitment scramble/almost zero player starting point.

For me that’s the situation in a nutshell and the further point is that it’s the players we signed in that ‘three week recruitment scramble’ that continue to form the backbone of this team.

I accept it’s all very well and good being wise after the event, but my concern is that January may see us selling the likes of Cashin and Sibley and replacing them, given all the evidence so far, with inferior signings.

[Andy_Faber]

We do, indeed, get forward quicker, whether the ball is in orbit or on the ground. In fairness to LR, prior to his replacement, he was saying all season that he wanted the players to move the ball quicker through the thirds. This was confirmed by Sibs and other players in interviews they did. The quickening up never happened. That begs the question of why play didn't speed up. Down to LR or the players? As LR publicly stated he wanted it quicker and players confirmed that that was what he's told them, isn't it more likely that the failure to speed up play through the thirds is more down to the players than LR?

Yes probably the players and I don't get the psychology of that. Even at school/parks footy level if I was given an instruction by the manager or skipper I'd either disagre with it off the pitch or (try to!) do it. I'm sure our midfield aren't told to pass the ball sideways so much but they do!

[MadAmster]

Yes probably the players and I don't get the psychology of that. Even at school/parks footy level if I was given an instruction by the manager or skipper I'd either disagre with it off the pitch or (try to!) do it. I'm sure our midfield aren't told to pass the ball sideways so much but they do!

No movement forward of them meaning there's no pass on? Being pressured by an opponent when they get the ball and not wanting to risk losing possession? Lack of confidence? Easiest option? Safety first being an instruction?

Not saying any or all of those are the reason, merely putting forward possible options.

[Andy_Faber]

No movement forward of them meaning there's no pass on? Being pressured by an opponent when they get the ball and not wanting to risk losing possession? Lack of confidence? Easiest option? Safety first being an instruction?

Not saying any or all of those are the reason, merely putting forward possible options.

yes accepted

[macstheman]

No movement forward of them meaning there's no pass on? Being pressured by an opponent when they get the ball and not wanting to risk losing possession? Lack of confidence? Easiest option? Safety first being an instruction?

Not saying any or all of those are the reason, merely putting forward possible options.

OR they'd only been together for 5 minutes and had had a limited pre-season as a group!

[MadAmster]

OR they'd only been together for 5 minutes and had had a limited pre-season as a group!

This lot have been together through pre season, elimination form the League Cup and FA Cup, 3 games in the BST Trophy and for 16 League games.

My post #54 was in reply to AF's #53 and reflects this season.

[ramAnag]

OR they'd only been together for 5 minutes and had had a limited pre-season as a group!

Hmmm...I seem to remember being ‘heavily criticised’ back in September when I suggested the pre-season hadn’t been all it should have been.
Tbf we looked the part against Stoke in Fozzy’s testimonial, but that lasted a week and many have joined, or been unavailable, since then.
So, I agree with you...but also with MA...this is a ‘confidence side’ and I fear that the safety first/easy option is the result of a lack of confidence especially in midfield and up front.

P.S. A number were injured when they arrived MA and at least three (Fornah, John Jules and Nyambe) didn’t join until way after our pre-season.

[MadAmster]

Hmmm...I seem to remember being ‘heavily criticised’ back in September when I suggested the pre-season hadn’t been all it should have been.
Tbf we looked the part against Stoke in Fozzy’s testimonial, but that lasted a week and many have joined, or been unavailable, since then.
So, I agree with you...but also with MA...this is a ‘confidence side’ and I fear that the safety first/easy option is the result of a lack of confidence especially in midfield and up front.

P.S. A number were injured when they arrived MA and at least three (Fornah, John Jules and Nyambe) didn’t join until way after our pre-season.

JJ has played how many minutes? He'll be back to the Gunners sick bay in January. Shame for the lad.
Fornah started well but his last 3 or 4 appearances have been below par
Nyambe has been solid since his arrival, may well be gone come the January window.

[ramAnag]

JJ has played how many minutes? He'll be back to the Gunners sick bay in January. Shame for the lad.
Fornah started well but his last 3 or 4 appearances have been below par
Nyambe has been solid since his arrival, may well be gone come the January window.

I agree completely...but my point was...those three (plus Embleton) clearly had no pre-season, and the same goes for those who arrived carrying injuries...Ward, Wilson, Waghorn, Washington, Elder and Bradley. We heard time and time again that last season’s squad had no pre-season (for obvious reasons), I’m just not sure how good this season’s was or how much we’ll have wasted on four months of JJ’s wages if things go as you reasonably suggest.