Second Derby Defeat For Wanderers

[Upthehill]

3 hours ago, StringerBellend said:

It's interesting how people are games different also interesting how the game seems different when you are watching a different angle.

I was stood back of the RBB so a bit higher than I usually am and from there I could see how clever Costa was at finding little pockets of space. 

Totally agree in that it was quality and experience, lolley, costa, Caceras sena are all decent players. How is that there is such a gulf in the squads. Mostly crap recruitment

But also crap tactics too. 

Quality and experience needed to control midfield, if only we had someone like that?

We do, but our tactical genius had him sitting on the bench until the game was gone. 

I agree on the Mata point. Once he's up to stride and eating up space, he was great with the forward pass.

The problem is that he makes decisions like he's still 27 and in his prime. He tried to dribble out of our box and got completely shut down. 8 Years ago he would have skipped passed Caceras and Grant without effort. We just managed to turn the ball back over, found himself in a similar position and must have decided against trying to dribble 6 blue shirts and made a suicidal back pass into space... where the only player was a blue shirt.

Our midfield will continue to be a major issue. In a 442 you need 2 CMs who can do whats called 'disguising space'. Basically means to cut passing lanes and encourage ball carriers to seek a wide option with the LM and RB can double team the receiver. Priestman and Scicluna are ok at this, Scicluna is better. Priestman seems to play more of the enforcer role. When Brillante and Priestman are together you have 2 enforcers, no intelligent play. Mata is country mile from a true 8.

We've cheaped out on our midfield and its showing on the scoreboard. We're the second worst defensive team and I dont even lay half the blame on Wookie (though he is a dud). I want to know what Staj's plan is come 1 January. He needs to go hard and early on bringing in solutions. 

[WHACKO]

51 minutes ago, WSWJACK said:

It wouldn't happen but wonder if Mark Robbins would like an Australian stint, he's picked up a lot of knowledge at Cov over the years.

The way we're going we couldn't do any worse and get Tony Robbins.

Edited 5 hours ago by WHACKO