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Watford remain two points off the drop zone after 1-0 defeat to Swansea City
9:52pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in
Watford were unable to build on a superb first half display as they lost 1-0 to promotion-chasing Swansea City.
The Hornets were on top for much of the first half and had a host of chances to take the lead but somehow found themselves 1-0 down at the break through a Shefki Kuqi header.
Both sides created very little in the second 45 minutes, although Watford felt they deserved a penalty when Adrian Mariappa was brought down in the box.
Heidar Helguson forced Dorus de Vries into an excellent stop immediately after and the striker had a volley saved late on but after a super first half, the match somewhat died in the second period.
Watford, who remain two pints clear of the drop zone, started brightly and their first decent opening came in the fourth minute when Don Cowie dug out a cross from the right and the back-tracking Danny Graham headed back across goal, but his effort was cleared from near his own line by Alan Tate.
The visitors responded with Craig Beattie forcing Scott Loach into a good save, before coming within inches of taking a ninth-minute lead when Leon Britton’s cross from the left was met by the head of Shefki Kuqi, who beat the England Under-21 keeper to the ball, only to see it rebound off the far post.
Kuqi had another headed effort soon after, but in the 18th minute he made the breakthrough. Beattie swung in a fine, low cross from the right and the former Crystal Palace striker dived in ahead of an opponent to head goalwards. Although Loach got a hand to the ball, he was unable to keep it out.
That was to be the only goal of the opening period but quite how is anyone’s guess after a superb 45 minutes of end-to-end entertainment resulted in a total of 22 attempts.
Jay DeMerit came the closest to an equaliser for the home side, heading narrowly over and then seeing another effort from a corner cleared off the line by Tate, while at the other end Loach had to be at his best to thwart Beattie.
Both sides were less impressive in the second half and Watford were limited to a blocked Helguson shot and a tame Taylor header going wide in the first 20 minutes of the second period.
The game burst into life on 72 minutes when Watford had a very strong penalty appeal turned down as Adrian Mariappa was blocked as he burst into the box. However, the ball was then switched to Jon Harley and his cross was volleyed goalwards by Helguson only to see de Vries make an excellent stop low down to his right.
Swansea looked destined to make it two when DeMerit was dispossessed in his own half by substitute Guillem Bauza but just as he was set to pull the trigger, Lloyd Doyley made an excellent recovery challenge to keep the Hornets' hopes alive.
Helguson had a tame volley saved late on but the Hornets struggled to create much of note in the second half.
Watford: Loach; Mariappa (Hodson 80), DeMerit, Taylor, Doyley; Cowie, Lansbury (Jenkins 92), Eustace, Harley (McGinn 80); Graham, Helguson.
Subs: Lee, Bennett, Hoskins, Henderson.
Swansea City; De Vries; Rangel, Williams, Tate, Richards; Britton (Butler 82), Pratley, Gower; Van der Gun, Kuqi (Idrizaj 94), Beattie (Bauza 68).
Subs: Cornell, Trundle, Lucas, Burgin.
Referee: Trevor Kettle.
Attendance: 12,907.
Bookings: Kuqi for dissent after six mins; Helguson for a foul on Rangel after 37 mins; Lansbury for foul on Bauza after 90 mins.
To see how the match unfolded, click here
Comments(61)
Feff
says...
10:03pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Forces Hornet
says...
10:04pm Tue 9 Mar 10
As for all those out there that think i am being a little harsh on MM. No away wins in 12 games. Only 13 games left with 1 point from relegation. In Dec 2009 we where 5 points from the play offs and 11 points clear from the drop zone.
Go ahead and keep the faith in MM, he has got us on a slippery slope and its all down hill from here on.
Forces Hornet
says...
10:12pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Things are getting better already, wheres the Champers........Chee
rs MM!
cliff46
says...
10:28pm Tue 9 Mar 10
I think I need two pints as well after reading the depressing contributions from the first three contributors.
bonserout
says...
10:31pm Tue 9 Mar 10
gef892
says...
10:41pm Tue 9 Mar 10
garston edl
says...
10:43pm Tue 9 Mar 10
I would call predictable,MM kept all his favourites in with an unchaged team, Hoskins didn't get a look in Swansea scored their usual 1 goal we scored our usual no goals. The next predictable thing will be MM's post match analysis - the usual uninspiring waffle about the lads worked their socks off, should have taken a couple of 1st half chances, Swansea are an experienced side and managed the game well! Fed up of hearing it MM you are an unimaginative, tactically clueless bore. You wont get sacked cos there is no one really in charge to sack you and you won't walk but you are going to come might close to taking us down. Anyone who sticks up for MM now is not a proper Watford fan who wants to see their club do well. If they were they would want to see this man removed from the position of manager of our club. Him and his management team are massively out of their depth.
WFC4ever
says...
10:49pm Tue 9 Mar 10
From having chances and performing quite well attack wise we seemed so clueless in the 2nd half and Swansea had it easy.
Did Malky forget we had 2 strikers on the bench!
Harley and Mariappa were lucky to stay on the pitch for so long.
GT would give them a good shake up and make some attacking bolkd changes.
I see he tried to have a pop at the ref again...
rousman 2
says...
11:00pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Tricky Rick
says...
11:10pm Tue 9 Mar 10
How could they put the fate of the club in the hands of a man who was still playing only a couple of years back, spent only a season and a half as coach, and who didn't even have all of his coaching badges.
When Swansea changed tactics in the second half, he had no answer, and it was painful and embarassing to watch - in fact i had to walk out early.
His refusal to use Hoskins at the expense of the useless Graham, and indeed the very fact that he picks the same team week in, week out, is indicative of favouritism.
I can only see three more wins at home - namely Saturday, then perhaps Palace and Plymouth. I cannot see us picking up anything from the 6 remaining away games, so that would leave us with just 9 more points, which wil not be enough to save us from the drop.
I think Ipswich, Borough and West Brom will beat us at home, so things are indeed looking grim, but then what did people expect?
The majority of his permanent signings have been awful, and McGinn and Buckley were the wrong kind of signings at the wrong time.
We must use the emergency loan window to bring in a striker with pace (Helguson doesn't even look interested) and a proper left back if we are to stand any chance of staying up.
More than this, we need the appointment of a proper chairman, someone who is committed full time to the club and one who will not be afraid to make tough decisions.
If it is left to Taylor, then Malky will be allowed to continue in the job even if relegation becomes a reality, and i think that would be unacceptable to most supporters.
If relegation does happen, then we must look to Kenny Jackett.
MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT!
derry pigweed
says...
11:14pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:Is that you Rick Holden?
Malky Mackay must go, there can be no doubt about that now. The decision to appoint him, along with Sean Dyche, must be one of the worst decisions made by a board in the recent history of the club. How could they put the fate of the club in the hands of a man who was still playing only a couple of years back, spent only a season and a half as coach, and who didn't even have all of his coaching badges. When Swansea changed tactics in the second half, he had no answer, and it was painful and embarassing to watch - in fact i had to walk out early. His refusal to use Hoskins at the expense of the useless Graham, and indeed the very fact that he picks the same team week in, week out, is indicative of favouritism. I can only see three more wins at home - namely Saturday, then perhaps Palace and Plymouth. I cannot see us picking up anything from the 6 remaining away games, so that would leave us with just 9 more points, which wil not be enough to save us from the drop. I think Ipswich, Borough and West Brom will beat us at home, so things are indeed looking grim, but then what did people expect? The majority of his permanent signings have been awful, and McGinn and Buckley were the wrong kind of signings at the wrong time. We must use the emergency loan window to bring in a striker with pace (Helguson doesn't even look interested) and a proper left back if we are to stand any chance of staying up. More than this, we need the appointment of a proper chairman, someone who is committed full time to the club and one who will not be afraid to make tough decisions. If it is left to Taylor, then Malky will be allowed to continue in the job even if relegation becomes a reality, and i think that would be unacceptable to most supporters. If relegation does happen, then we must look to Kenny Jackett. MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT!
garston edl
says...
11:18pm Tue 9 Mar 10
BTW i forgot to mention in my MM predictable comments post earlier - he'll moan about the ref as well.
SimonW, Godalming
says...
11:18pm Tue 9 Mar 10
(& why was I listening to our chairman giving his expert opinions from The Emirates on the radio on the way home, whether he likes it or not surely he has more pressing matters to attend to closer to home!!)
Tricky Rick
says...
11:31pm Tue 9 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming wrote:I totally agree. And yes, i am Rick Holden.
decent first half, second half pure relegation form, what happens when we are desperate for a goal? - we change right backs! (ok Mariappa was poor but surely that was a penalty when he was barged over in the box) & where the hell was Hoskins!!, MACKAY - YOU ARE A BERK!!
(& why was I listening to our chairman giving his expert opinions from The Emirates on the radio on the way home, whether he likes it or not surely he has more pressing matters to attend to closer to home!!)
This club needs a strong chairman to make a tough decision. The salad boys are gone but this is still their legacy.
pstannard1
says...
11:45pm Tue 9 Mar 10
+
1 win in 11
+
0 away win since the Middlesbourgh trip way way back in October is that
Malky should say that he's done the best he could and walk away or get sacked.
He's tried his best but none of it'd going his way and he's just sliding us down the table towards relegation.
We need an expericnce manager that has managed at either a small Premier League team or a championship side like Curbishley or a coppell.
In my opinion, there is this realistic time of the season and the Chapionship table, i see both Plymouth and our next must win opponents Peterbourgh League 1 bound. There is one more space and i hope that we are not one of them. If our form worrying slides again, then i worry that we could be the victim of that relegation place.
WFC4ever
says...
11:47pm Tue 9 Mar 10
He'd be better being some sort of consultant to Malky or whoever surely than trying to run the club when he has alrrady got a job to do (he's probably paid very nicely by 5live to do the commentating..)
Lets hope whatever league we're in some sort of investment comes because even fi we stayed up with all due respect to certain players we'll find it very tough.
Mind you on recent form we won't miss DeMerit and Harley...
Cowie has good skill but must be one of the slowest wide men we've ever had.
As for the full-backs...well they have pace but no footballing brain although Doyley was his usual self in getting into the action with a fight unlike others.
Graham and H has lost confidence and well whilst I don't think Hoskins is some saviour surely he must get a chance.
Might as well give guys with pace a go like Bryan and Buckley (if he's fit)
Toxic Crow
says...
11:53pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Won't bother to waste fuel driving down to Saturdays game. Lets hope we go down and then we can start winning a few at the level we deserve to be at with the squad we have!
Never thought I would be saying that!
Security words - 'fail-them', oh how true!
john the greek
says...
6:41am Wed 10 Mar 10
Spencer Hutchinson
says...
7:45am Wed 10 Mar 10
Chris the Vic
says...
8:10am Wed 10 Mar 10
Over the last few months I have defended Malky, he has little to work with and the bench is pretty awful. Yesterday we were chasing a game and the phrase...we huffed and we puffed is being kind. Mariappa being substituted was a good thing and so was Harley, he had run out of steam but the substitutions were far too late.
Lansbury was fine albeit boiling over with frustration and Cowie was great.
But others like Danny Graham, ran everywhere, doesnt like physical contact, arrives late etc show why we cant get goals, and at the back Jay was at times awful, one good tackle after he let the guy get away from him in the box, Taylor ineffective and Mariappa defied description. Hoskins should have come on with half and hour left and when Cleverley returns I would drop Graham and give Mcginn a run instead of Harley. As for Buckley he has had two reserve games, put him on the bench and give him a run out againt Peterboro.
After last night I came away thinking I had seen a team who will be relegated...not a pleasant thought.
Prof Plum
says...
8:24am Wed 10 Mar 10
ab11uk
says...
8:31am Wed 10 Mar 10
It does defy belief that some supporters want hoskins on the pitch. his goal scoring record is worse than malkys. but wow wow wow. he scored a hat trick against a div 3 teams reserves! get him on the pitch. Malky is doing the best he can with this team he has. Fans are to blame if they didnt support doyley in the way they do he could have gone years ago. if you want a joke playing in your team then you got to be prepared to laugh at losing. Malky in and i believe this forum should close. and as for the guy who somehow got banned from this site but changed his name to still go on here and spout his rubbish. get a life and keep clapping doyley your clearly insane.
wfc cassiobury
says...
8:41am Wed 10 Mar 10
enlightened one
says...
8:45am Wed 10 Mar 10
Wellhung
says...
8:50am Wed 10 Mar 10
rookerynook
says...
9:06am Wed 10 Mar 10
So what went wrong in the second half? In his post match comments, Malky said that Swansea packed their midfield, so you couldn't go through them, so you had to go over them. Result: hit and hope long balls down the defenders throats. And even when we did win the first header, it never went to a Watford player. Surely, the way to break down their defence is to go not over but round it - as we did in the first half. Hodson looked bright, and I hope he keeps his place on Saturday, but once again the substitutions were too little too late.
OK, Hoskins' hat-trick was against inferior opposition. But forward play is all about confidence, and at least he put his chances away. When chances come his way at the higher level, it's all about putting the ball in the net. And on current form I would back him to do that against Graham and HH.
herts hornet
says...
9:07am Wed 10 Mar 10
Buckstops
says...
9:08am Wed 10 Mar 10
I think he's done a good job and shouldn't be brushed aside just because the team is out of form. he'll put it right. i think we all know that. We won't be in the play-offs that was never going to be the case but we'll be safe sooner than the gloommongers think.
sceptic
says...
9:11am Wed 10 Mar 10
ral players would benefit by a spell on the bench and that includes Helguson who appears to be past it (not having wingers doesnt help him of course).
But even worse is our so called pitch---I saw on the web yesterday afternoon that Swansea considered it unfit for a passing game and they were right.
On the Ball
says...
9:45am Wed 10 Mar 10
Richard - Come On You Golden Boys!
says...
9:53am Wed 10 Mar 10
They are masters of the 1-0 win and were always going tighten things up in midfield / defence after half time and we just couldn't break through. All very frustrating and whilst we deserved at least a point, Malky should've changed things around much earlier.
I disagree with negative comments about Helguson's performance however, as he worked hard all night and their keeper made a great save to deny him in 2nd half.
On the negative side, I'm afraid that Harley just isn't good or strong enough to play at this level and as a replacement for Cleverley is totally inadequate. (1 offsie goal and 0 points from 3 games speaks for itself).
I have no idea what is going on with Hoskins, there's obviously an issue we are unaware of as Malky's the 3rd Manager not to play him, but maybe it's time for Buckley to be given a chance.
Still, Tom's back on Saturday and if Cowie can maintain his form we'll be too good for Posh I'm sure. It's pointless calling for Malky's head at this stage of the season, so let's try to be constructive, keep the faith and support the team.
Come on You Golden Boys!
Derek Payne
says...
9:58am Wed 10 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:Your opinion doesn't matter.
Malky Mackay must go, there can be no doubt about that now. The decision to appoint him, along with Sean Dyche, must be one of the worst decisions made by a board in the recent history of the club.
How could they put the fate of the club in the hands of a man who was still playing only a couple of years back, spent only a season and a half as coach, and who didn't even have all of his coaching badges.
When Swansea changed tactics in the second half, he had no answer, and it was painful and embarassing to watch - in fact i had to walk out early.
His refusal to use Hoskins at the expense of the useless Graham, and indeed the very fact that he picks the same team week in, week out, is indicative of favouritism.
I can only see three more wins at home - namely Saturday, then perhaps Palace and Plymouth. I cannot see us picking up anything from the 6 remaining away games, so that would leave us with just 9 more points, which wil not be enough to save us from the drop.
I think Ipswich, Borough and West Brom will beat us at home, so things are indeed looking grim, but then what did people expect?
The majority of his permanent signings have been awful, and McGinn and Buckley were the wrong kind of signings at the wrong time.
We must use the emergency loan window to bring in a striker with pace (Helguson doesn't even look interested) and a proper left back if we are to stand any chance of staying up.
More than this, we need the appointment of a proper chairman, someone who is committed full time to the club and one who will not be afraid to make tough decisions.
If it is left to Taylor, then Malky will be allowed to continue in the job even if relegation becomes a reality, and i think that would be unacceptable to most supporters.
If relegation does happen, then we must look to Kenny Jackett.
MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT! MACKAY OUT!
Berko Horn
says...
10:03am Wed 10 Mar 10
How often in the latter days of Boothroyd did we see a centre half have the game of his life, because we played long arcing balls right on to his head and he just headed them away. Alan Tate was winning all balls played forward, but straight balls from the back will always be meat and drink for a good defender, with the attacker jumping from a standing position.
I am not sure if Hoskins would have been the answer, but, as someone suggested, changing our formation after 15 minutes of the second half, would have at least given some variety. The subs we made were pointless and if I were Hoskins, I would be offended by them. Why not take Mariappa off and bring him on and play 3 at the back, with the option of changing back to 4 if we do score. Leaving any substitutions until the last 10 minutes was nonsensical. It is with such substitutions that managers earn their money.
Time to stop making excuses- from my view in Vicarage Road End, it was not a penalty- and concentrate on working out a plan B if plan A is not working. Peterborough won last night and will not be a pushover on Saturday, unless we get men down the wings and mix things up.
I hope Cleverley is the Messiah and not just a very naughty boy!
Mick, Bray
says...
10:07am Wed 10 Mar 10
Newcastle and swansea are battling for automatic promotion and are simply better side's than us although i thought we deserved at least a point last night and would have probably won the game if we had scored first.
I did not see any of you moaning after we had beaten SU & BC easily!
I agree the league table does not look pretty reading but a win on saturday could take us up 2-3 places. Now is not the time for panic!
For me our defence is the problem. The stats do not lie! This defence has been poor for the last two season's and LD, AM & JD have played the majority of those game's.We need to stay up this year and ship these player's out if we can.
I think some changes to the team is essential this coming saturday to liven up the energy level's as the team in general looked tired last night.
garston edl
says...
10:10am Wed 10 Mar 10
enlightened one wrote:Approx 30 posts slating MM and 2 supporting him would tend to suggest that you are the one that is bonkers. As i said earlier you clearly don't care about this club.
Thank god for ab11uk and the Prof,I was beginning to think the whole world had gone bonkers.Keep going Malky and prove all these loonies wrong !
GeddingtonFlap
says...
10:39am Wed 10 Mar 10
Tesco Dave
says...
10:54am Wed 10 Mar 10
jasonwatford
says...
11:13am Wed 10 Mar 10
cliff46
says...
11:45am Wed 10 Mar 10
Eltons money has to be used to replace the pitch before next season. No point in wasting it on players that will struggle to play just as much as the existing lads currently are.
If it isn't replaced we might have to get VoR's mate Hoofers back here to play the the old long ball predictable stuff.
stuperman
says...
12:15pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Someone above said that their goalie won them the three points and I agree. I think that with the available squad, we played as well as we could and can't really single out anybody who played below par. Truth of the matter is that's as good as we are - a bit worse than Swansea!
Yellowfever
says...
12:46pm Wed 10 Mar 10
As for the play hoskins brigade are you mad? the lads been here far to long and no one else wants to touch him so why should we? should of kept sordell and had some pace instead,but i agree malky must make changes on sat.
WE8BR
says...
12:57pm Wed 10 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming
says...
1:05pm Wed 10 Mar 10
With confidence low & chins on the floor even with
Cleverley back unless Mackay is willing to freshen things up don't be surprised if we lose!!
As bad as we are at the moment there is little point in demanding his removal because 1) we probably can't afford to and 2) we can't afford anyone else.
All we can hope for is that his tactical & motivational abilities come rising to the surface sooner rather than later!!
kennychiwa
says...
1:30pm Wed 10 Mar 10
enlightened one
says...
1:38pm Wed 10 Mar 10
garston edl wrote:I beg to differ,same old fickle footy supporters calling for the managers head when things are going a tad badly.You of course have spent your entire workling life playing/coaching/man
enlightened one wrote: Thank god for ab11uk and the Prof,I was beginning to think the whole world had gone bonkers.Keep going Malky and prove all these loonies wrong !Approx 30 posts slating MM and 2 supporting him would tend to suggest that you are the one that is bonkers. As i said earlier you clearly don't care about this club.
aging in professional football ? err no.Either turn up and support the manager and the team(the clues in the word) or don't bother at least they'll be three of us there hoping for the right result.
herts hornet
says...
1:44pm Wed 10 Mar 10
WE8BR wrote:spot on ,these boys kept the whole club on there toes and demanded hardwork and accountability ,can't help feeling now the club lacks real direction from above ,Over the last few seasons everything good about the playing performances has coincided with The Russo's being strongly involved .they fought for the club ,securing great deals like Rodgers fee from Reading and the amazing deal struck to sell Priskin for 1.75m !! ,whose really fighting our corner now .and NO they were never going to take us into Admin anyone who believes that has been well and truly spun a line ,they new Ashcroft did not "do" admin with his companies so once again fought there corner and got there dues , time will tell but i believe we will live to regret there demise from our club .
still cant help but think our demise has coincided with the Russos being ousted in December. We were doing fine up until then.
derry pigweed
says...
2:15pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Get behind M.M.
garston edl
says...
2:26pm Wed 10 Mar 10
derry pigweed wrote:Change the record! Yes they messed up but they're not the reason MM is out of his depth. Boothroyd was a joke by the end of his tenure but he took us to the prem on limited resources and had a bit of charisma - something MM will never do or have.
This is not Mackay's fault it is the shambles/legacy that Homer,ca$hton and hooffroyd's glory year has caused..! Get behind M.M.
imuz
says...
2:53pm Wed 10 Mar 10
garston edl
says...
3:52pm Wed 10 Mar 10
imuz wrote:Its a message board mate. Where else would you like us to post?!
Why are we having these mass post mortems and postings on here, at the end of the day we've been beaten by a better side, just as we were at the weekend and just as we have been all season. The bottom line is that we're one of the weakest teams in this division at the moment and our results show that. We will be lucky to stay up the way things are going but what do people expect from a team that had to sell their best 5 or 6 players at the start of the season and with no real funds to replace them. I'm still grateful ive got a football club to support...
Feff
says...
4:13pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
5:24pm Wed 10 Mar 10
g/Carlisle/
Foster/Mackay. I reckon we'd be riding high if he was given a few quid to spend.
What's that? We're skint? Oh yeah, I remember now.
-
So, as it stands, we have no money, a 3 sided building site of a ground, a rookie manager and assistant, several first team players under the age of 20, and major backroom upheaval.
I think MM has done incredibly well to put us in a position where we have a great chance to actually survive in the league this season.
-
As for last night, great first half and I thought we were unlucky to be behind.
The second half was a different matter once they doubled up on Cowie. Mariappa clearly still not quite fit but there's only an 18 year old to replace him.
Also, once they put 5 men in midfield, we didn't have the necessary attributes to get past their rigid defence. Why's that I wonder?Oh yes, I remember again, it's because we don't really have the best players in the division.
And is that Mackay's fault? No.
Why isn't it Mackay's fault? Because he has such a small squad to choose from.
-
The moral of the story? Support the team, they need encouragement now more than ever. Just think what your extra encouragemnet might help them achieve.
RJL
says...
6:14pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Hornet Cornet
says...
7:38pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Couldn't have put it better myself. Those doughnuts who hope we'll be safe are a bunch of potatoheads. We're going only one way, and that way is down.
HC
garston edl
says...
8:28pm Wed 10 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins - i will give the team encouragement and support on a match day, however i and others are also fully entitled to discuss our displeasure with the management team on this message board.
I just cannot understand how you will never admit MM has made mistakes, in your opinion nothing is ever his fault. Surely the vast majority of posters on this board can't be wrong?
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
9:14pm Wed 10 Mar 10
garston edl wrote:I understand totally the point you are making. We can all criticise the management team when we lose but I am choosing not to as I really do not think it will get us anywhere and it's unhelpful.
ok people lets not turn this into a childish name calling debate! Only 2 Ross Jenkins - i will give the team encouragement and support on a match day, however i and others are also fully entitled to discuss our displeasure with the management team on this message board. I just cannot understand how you will never admit MM has made mistakes, in your opinion nothing is ever his fault. Surely the vast majority of posters on this board can't be wrong?
The reason I am choosing not to is because MM really can't win (and I don't mean on the pitch!). He is trying his damdest to make it work for us with all the upheaval and lack of choices he has.
I think aswell that many managers would potentially struggle with the players we have to choose from. And that's not a criticism of the players, it's just the way things are (ie losing players and having loads of youngsters etc).
That said, MM has definitely made mistakes, of course he has (Travner, Severin spring to mind for eg) and certain team selections have raised some eyebrows. I thought he left it 15 minutes too late to make any changes last night. It's incredibly frustrating, dispiriting and depressing following a team on a downward slide.
But maybe I am just seeing the wider picture in terms of the general circumstances he has to work in, rather than a short term demand for success that the vast majority of posters on this site seem to be demanding.
-
One final point, I am not sure what people truly expected this season. Again, totally frustrating I know, but the reality of the previous regimes may finally be hitting home.
COYH!
garston edl
says...
10:06pm Wed 10 Mar 10
He is working under far from ideal circumstances but that said there is no excuses for some of his poor decisions, tactics etc.
One last point, this team of youngsters that you others talk about isn't actually too young or inexperienced - JDM, MT, LD,AM,JE,JH,HH, even DG plenty of age and games between that lot!
Anyway, lets hope we get a win Saturday with Cleverley back we've got a chance!
Chris the Vic
says...
8:48am Thu 11 Mar 10
Tuesday he picks a bench and we chase the game, have a lot of possession and the replacements used in the last ten minutes are a defender, a defensive midfielder and a novice. Seems as sensible as Magilton losing at home 4.0 and dropping his three top scorers and his best defender Gorrks.
To a great extent Malky has his hands tied, the three best players are Loach, Lansbury and Cleverly ...two dont belong to us and by next season none of them will.
If Malky keep us up it will be brilliant but either way is the future rosy? I doubt it, no money, a poor team, a crowd that doesnt often turn up, a rubbish ground and an owner (to be) who doesnt want us.
The two strands of hope we have are Malky and GT.
If you want to judge the fans and contributors on here consider this fact. Whilst the much maligned Cathcart played for us we gathered points a plenty, then he was injured and USA returned and points beacame scarce. Go back over the threads and look at the stick cathcart took and look what is said about Jay and listen to tthe chants when he loses the person he is marking and has to make his showbiz tackle some of which result in penalties.
As supporters we get it wrong far more often than Malky and then we dont even turn up to vital games.
Sometimes we dont deserve a team and maybe soon if we dont get our act together we may not have a team. Lets change that on Saturday
enlightened one
says...
2:14pm Thu 11 Mar 10
imuz
says...
4:05pm Thu 11 Mar 10
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dogwfc says...
9:59pm Tue 9 Mar 10