16 Oct 2017 13:10:15
I'm not for knee jerk reactions and I haven't posted for a while, so hopefully this will be a balanced appraisal of where we are.

Having viewed the last few performances I think we have grounds for positivity. Going forwards, we look dangerous. Especially Murphy and McKay who I can't believe was taken off yesterday whilst Cummings was kept on. The problem is that players are being played out of position constantly. Cummings and Brereton are not wingers, they don't have the delivery quality and should be played centrally. Despite this, we are reasonably fluid.

The defence is appalling though. Look at yesterday's team sheet: Fox, Mancienne and Lichaj as three centre halves. Useless! Fox should not be here and Lichaj is no centre back. Mancienne needs strength next to him, not two converted full backs. Traore for me is poor to say the least also. Without serious investment at the back we have no chance. We can't keep trying to outscore and giving away early goals. We need a commanding centre half and a new left back - but we knew that going into the season.

We also need to keep Osborn central. He was our bright spark and outshone Dowell and Clough (who I do not rate) .

Overall though, the team is far far too light weight. Look at the difference in stature yesterday. Davies, Huddlestone, Thorne, Martin etc are all over 6ft. We only had Murphy and Mancienne. The balance is wrong and the formation is changed far too often. I'd like to see a consistent approach, stop changing partnerships and give the team a chance to settle. If that doesn't happen then I don't see Warburton lasting.

1.) 16 Oct 2017
16 Oct 2017 13:58:52
If we as normal fans can see that the defence is rubbish and needs a good deal of work done on it why can't the manager, surely he has had enough time and games to see our problems, i am glad that he has seen sense and brought Eric back now he needs to reinstate Vellios and rotate him with Murphy,i am not one of the sack the manager posters but i think Marinakas has an itchy trigger finger i shouldn't wonder if we don't get a result he will be gone i expect Marinakas has someone in mind.
I am coming to the match on Saturday, the grandson and a couple of Reds are driving me up so hoping for a good result 😊

2.) 16 Oct 2017
16 Oct 2017 14:02:57
Too late london reds. He won't get time to change again and look for a settled side with players played in their right position. Warburton is now on a must win next game scenario. I thought we played with a back four yesterday and traorrae looked ok mancienne is the problem. Fox did ok but neithwr he or mancs are any good in the air. Cummings is no winger but he did put some good crosses in all be it from wrong positions. I agree that clough looks poor but he is in and out. I just wish someons would take the time to explain the reasoning behind velios and hobbs. I know i sound like a scratched record but walker over velios? If hobbs cannot play 2 consecutive matches then get rid. I feel that warbs just has his pet players!!!!

3.) 16 Oct 2017
16 Oct 2017 14:06:25
Sorry you've lost me on Eric not being a centre half,he isn't and played right back and did a damn site better than darikwa,traore did his job and does most games,Osborn has improved this season and we have Vaughan ward and cash back all stronger midfielders than those on display against the sheep.

4.) 16 Oct 2017
16 Oct 2017 14:16:38
I think the substitutions all season have been under whelming. The Sheffield United game illustrated what a team should be doing to rescue a game as they bombarded us for the last 10 minutes as they threw on strikers to try and get an equaliser. Our subs never seem to make any positive change to really pressure the opposition in the last 10 minutes. We never change tactics and throw caution to the wind to chase a game just change the personnel to play the same way. Yesterdays game was a good example where we had fewer(none I think in reality) chances in the last 20 minutes than any other period of the game after the subs were made and Derby were able to see out the game comfortably. We just don't seem to be able to change gear. And yesterday's decision to take off our most threatening player was just a joke especially has he hadn't played for a month so was hardly tired.

The sad thing was Derby were there for the taking yesterday with the most inept team they've had for a while and we let them off the hook with poor defending and a lack of cutting edge and no real prolonged pressure. It is a recurring theme and needs to be addressed without delay and we cannot afford another poor display against Burton.

5.) 16 Oct 2017
16 Oct 2017 17:12:51
Great summary syred. Warbs is still confusing me. Eric shiwed a bit of bite yesterday but the rest really lacked the passion associated with the derby game!!!!