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So do you still disagree with my statement of 2 weeks ago that we are shipping too many goals?
2 straight defeats, and shipping 8 goals in the process, kind of suggests that I was right.
I've been watching football much longer than a lot of you on this board - you may not like my opinions but I do actually know what I'm talking about.
Unless this shambolic defence is sorted out, we will finish mid table at best.

Not hijacking your thread Rossi, I don't think anyone could argue with you that the defence has been found wanting for the last two games, but left back excluded (and perhaps keeper choice) this same defence did prove last season for reasonable periods that it was solid.

I personally don't believe it looks a balanced back four yet, for some reason Smith runs hot and cold, Berra is coming back and Chambers is not the perfect RB. I assume Parr will be given a chance versus Knudsen in due course.

Although like you, feel annoyed at tonights result, I still have more confidence that last season for some reason.

cheers Dave

I do miss Bluemikes input after match day. Get your arse back from holiday ya bawbag.

I think everyone was surprised at how good Reading were last night, let's be honest. BUT that's no excuse. I'm just saying that because I could tell from McCarthys post match words that he was speechless. YES, speechless due to the rather unique defending, but also speechless at how decent the Sa/Blackman/Vydra strike force was. They were pretty darn good.

Berra was no where close to being fully back to how he can play, and on his performance last night, I can understand why Rossi doesn't rate him. He was very hesitant and couldn't cope with the Reading front guys. Chambers was way off and Knudsen just plain sucks. Tommy was arguably the strongest in defence last night, although "strong" is probably the wrong adjective. Gerken? Well for me....... He is at fault for three goals. His communication with the defence is f**king shocking and that needs sorted. I do wonder if the defence of Chambers, Smith, Berra, Parr would be so so SO much better with a real quality keeper behind them.

Tractorollson hit the nail on the head last night. Time for Mick to do his "managing" job after a night like last night. Yes, he's been doing a decent managing job so far, but after two games (2 defeats, For 3, Against 8 ) ......, a real challenge has risen in front of him , and it's now a bit more obvious to the fans. Well, to the fans who can be a bit more protective towards the management team. Just show everyone that it can be ironed out over the next month.

Frosty wrote:Not hijacking your thread Rossi, I don't think anyone could argue with you that the defence has been found wanting for the last two games, but left back excluded (and perhaps keeper choice) this same defence did prove last season for reasonable periods that it was solid.

I personally don't believe it looks a balanced back four yet, for some reason Smith runs hot and cold, Berra is coming back and Chambers is not the perfect RB. I assume Parr will be given a chance versus Knudsen in due course.

Although like you, feel annoyed at tonights result, I still have more confidence that last season for some reason.

cheers Dave

Mr Rossi has a reasonable question n regards to the defence though. Not sure if this is an ongoing argument between him and Mike, but I can remember us shipping more goals the end of last season, so this isn't just based on the last two games. And if I remember correctly, these goals were down to more and more errors.

We're scoring more, though. Has the more attacking approach upset the balance too much?

Not just defence, though.... does the midfield offer enough support? Skues/Douglas ... are they doing enough?

It's not panic stations.... but Mick is a loyal manager who particularly backs up certain players.....Skuse, Chambers, Smith.... and I wonder if certain players would benefit from a 'rest' and taken out of their 'first names on the team sheet' comfort zone.
It's not knee- jerk, we've been shipping more goals for a while.

I said it in Pre season we were shipping to many goals and Mr Mike jumped all over it. Maybe he needs to take his Blue tinted glasses off and see the facts. Rossi you are correct something needs to be done. Maybe play Berra and the polish guy at centre back and Parr on the right but something has to be done.

For me we just need to do the basics. 4-4-2 without trying to accommodate everyone. Settle the back four, keeper will be rotated after this, Bart was only replaced due to bereavement. Sears up front with one other, two wingers and central midfielders. Currently we are exposed defensively, collectively not just the back four.

I feel MM has more options at hand today whereas before the team somewhat picked itself. It's a good problem once he has the right personell in place on match day. I still feel we will find that balance. It's a very long season and MM has been around long enough to react and change the things that are not working.

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I,m no football expert, but last nite was just shocking,appalling, pathetic, there are just not enough words to describe how i felt watching this display, as for Gerken on that third goal? just what the f-ck is a so called proffessional keeper thinking about? it was Sunday morning stuff, call it! claim it!
I,m not convinced that McGoldrick desrves his place, many times he just did not bother to chase the ball, looked totally disinterested, whilst i know he has his moments, are they enough in 90 minutes of fast Championship football?
Knudson? is he good enough, twice now he has no idea to face fast attacking wingers, constantly gets turned over!
Midfield? did they do enough to protect the back four, nope, not at all, its all vey good having lots of possession in our own half but that is not the answer, Leeds on Tuesday will be the proof .....have we the resolve to put things right quickly? i doubt it!

McGoldrick just looks like he can't be arsed, Karlywoo......, (Malonga at Hibs is the same) ......., but they are both very good players. In a team that has more understanding of each other, I personally feel McGoldrick should be first on the team sheet.

Why do I think this thread is going to p*ss bluemike off even more than the Reading result. Confident there will be a reasoned response.

your dead right Derek & Rossi, we have been found out on more that one occasion with our back four going to sleep, still plays Smith right side??????? Chambers RB??????????? whats wrong with Parr playing RB he's better suited for that position than Chambers, we need to bring in another 2 competitive C Backs, and another quality keeper, Gerken is a stop gap only keeper, we have enough quality mid fielders and strikers, just sort the back 4 out, Berra cant do it all on his own, there was no plan B from Mick, takes off Fraser & Pitman ????? whats that all about, if your going to play Murphy its from the off not with 20 minuets to go. sort it out Mick pronto.

Frosty wrote: I still have more confidence that last season for some reason.

cheers Dave

Funny as I dont think we have improved at all. We havent improved. Granted we started ok but the gaps in the last two games have shown our weaknesses. We have no cb to partner Berra, out midfield is toothless, no wingers and Murph off the Boil. I hate being negative as i love our club but I think MM got it wrong last night. Why did he wait to bring on subs when we were 3-1 too.

ashfordblue wrote:your dead right Derek & Rossi, we have been found out on more that one occasion with our back four going to sleep, still plays Smith right side??????? Chambers RB??????????? whats wrong with Parr playing RB he's better suited for that position than Chambers, we need to bring in another 2 competitive C Backs, and another quality keeper, Gerken is a stop gap only keeper, we have enough quality mid fielders and strikers, just sort the back 4 out, Berra cant do it all on his own, there was no plan B from Mick, takes off Fraser & Pitman ????? whats that all about, if your going to play Murphy its from the off not with 20 minuets to go. sort it out Mick pronto.

Made sense to take Pittman and Fraser off as the game was over. Looking towards the next game. Murphy is not match fit. But him coming back will give us some stability, hold up play and alternative option with the ball not coming back so easily and bringing other players into play.

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ashfordblue wrote:your dead right Derek & Rossi, we have been found out on more that one occasion with our back four going to sleep, still plays Smith right side??????? Chambers RB??????????? whats wrong with Parr playing RB he's better suited for that position than Chambers, we need to bring in another 2 competitive C Backs, and another quality keeper, Gerken is a stop gap only keeper, we have enough quality mid fielders and strikers, just sort the back 4 out, Berra cant do it all on his own, there was no plan B from Mick, takes off Fraser & Pitman ????? whats that all about, if your going to play Murphy its from the off not with 20 minuets to go. sort it out Mick pronto.

Who is this Mick Pronto you speak of, Ashford? A new, native North American scout?

I think Douglas and Skuse aren't working. Skuse is going to far forward, when he is next to Bru or Bishop he is in that gap (the one vydra and sa used last night) but when dohglas play he leaves that open thinking douglas will cover.

We need Smith out. Simple.

Bart
Parr Chambo Berra Knudsen
AMN Skuse Bru Fraser
Sears Murphy

That side is much more balanced.

If you look at the first goal last night........, IF, (and I do mean if) that is how Knudsen plays, then I'd be thinking about not having him in there. All night long he did not get close and in the Reading players faces....... WAY too much room for them.

You'll have to wait for your answer he's on holiday

tractorollson wrote:

Frosty wrote: I still have more confidence that last season for some reason.

cheers Dave

Funny as I dont think we have improved at all. We havent improved. Granted we started ok but the gaps in the last two games have shown our weaknesses. We have no cb to partner Berra, out midfield is toothless, no wingers and Murph off the Boil. I hate being negative as i love our club but I think MM got it wrong last night. Why did he wait to bring on subs when we were 3-1 too.

Hey, I have as much chance of defending last nights performance as I would of defending Hitlers Human rights record.

I guess what I am saying is this side has delivered before, as has MM's managerial ability. Once we settle and all the squad is fully fit I still believe we are in for a good season.

I think for the purposes of possible "abbreviation ignorant" people here......, FAO means For the Attention Of.

Not......., FACK OFF BLUEMIKE




































Return safe, dude!

Frosty wrote:

tractorollson wrote:

Frosty wrote: I still have more confidence that last season for some reason.

cheers Dave

Funny as I dont think we have improved at all. We havent improved. Granted we started ok but the gaps in the last two games have shown our weaknesses. We have no cb to partner Berra, out midfield is toothless, no wingers and Murph off the Boil. I hate being negative as i love our club but I think MM got it wrong last night. Why did he wait to bring on subs when we were 3-1 too.

Hey, I have as much chance of defending last nights performance as I would of defending Hitlers Human rights record.

I guess what I am saying is this side has delivered before, as has MM's managerial ability. Once we settle and all the squad is fully fit I still believe we are in for a good season.

lol like that! Yeah true. We dont become a bad team overnight, we just need to start becoming hard to beat again, draw on tues i think.

lucy wrote:You'll have to wait for your answer he's on holiday

By the sound of things so were our team last night as well.

marko69 wrote:McGoldrick just looks like he can't be arsed, Karlywoo......, (Malonga at Hibs is the same) ......., but they are both very good players. In a team that has more understanding of each other, I personally feel McGoldrick should be first on the team sheet.

Why do I think this thread is going to p*ss bluemike off even more than the Reading result. Confident there will be a reasoned response.

Marko,
What's the deal here?
I'm kind of new to the forum and just enter the site now and then to catch up on news on Town and to gauge opinions, etc on players, etc..... Is BlueMike some kind of Forum GodFather?

I'm intrigued ... has Rossi crossed some forum omertà here by criticising Town's defensive qualities?

I truly can't wait for this gunslinger to saunter back into town from his holidays and post a tasty reply .

Maybe this forum is worth persevering with....

Not at all, TF......, just a "doesn't suffer fools gladly" type of thing. Bit of a LOONatic if you ask me. But I was being serious when I said a "reasoned response"....., they mostly are.
F*ck......, I better say, they ALWAYS are, or I'll be sleeping with the fishes!

Regarding "defence" discussions. No different from any other forum. Just differing opinions.

tangfastic wrote:

marko69 wrote:McGoldrick just looks like he can't be arsed, Karlywoo......, (Malonga at Hibs is the same) ......., but they are both very good players. In a team that has more understanding of each other, I personally feel McGoldrick should be first on the team sheet.

Why do I think this thread is going to p*ss bluemike off even more than the Reading result. Confident there will be a reasoned response.

Marko,
What's the deal here?
I'm kind of new to the forum and just enter the site now and then to catch up on news on Town and to gauge opinions, etc on players, etc..... Is BlueMike some kind of Forum GodFather?

I'm intrigued ... has Rossi crossed some forum omertà here by criticising Town's defensive qualities?

I truly can't wait for this gunslinger to saunter back into town from his holidays and post a tasty reply .

Maybe this forum is worth persevering with....

LOL! Bluemike the Godfather!...love it! Yes Rossi, it's okay to complain about MM now! Sad to hear Knudsen is rubbish. In reality though, you have to look at the lack of money invested in MM's transfers. It's a bit like buying a used car instead of a brand new car...you're not completely sure what's under the hood/bonnet. I hope MM sorts it out though because I'm getting fed up with this bloody see-saw!

number 9 wrote:I'm getting fed up with this bloody see-saw!

Don't "chute" yourself just yet, 9......, its all "swings" & "roundabouts" at the moment.

tangfastic wrote:

marko69 wrote:McGoldrick just looks like he can't be arsed, Karlywoo......, (Malonga at Hibs is the same) ......., but they are both very good players. In a team that has more understanding of each other, I personally feel McGoldrick should be first on the team sheet.

Why do I think this thread is going to p*ss bluemike off even more than the Reading result. Confident there will be a reasoned response.

Marko,
What's the deal here?
I'm kind of new to the forum and just enter the site now and then to catch up on news on Town and to gauge opinions, etc on players, etc..... Is BlueMike some kind of Forum GodFather?

I'm intrigued ... has Rossi crossed some forum omertà here by criticising Town's defensive qualities?

I truly can't wait for this gunslinger to saunter back into town from his holidays and post a tasty reply .

Maybe this forum is worth persevering with....

I am quite happy to answer that one. NO!! Blue mike is just very opinionated but thinks he is the god father. Where as Rossi just says as it is, and there is nothing wrong with that.

derick_ipsw wrote:

tangfastic wrote:

marko69 wrote:McGoldrick just looks like he can't be arsed, Karlywoo......, (Malonga at Hibs is the same) ......., but they are both very good players. In a team that has more understanding of each other, I personally feel McGoldrick should be first on the team sheet.

Why do I think this thread is going to p*ss bluemike off even more than the Reading result. Confident there will be a reasoned response.

Marko,
What's the deal here?
I'm kind of new to the forum and just enter the site now and then to catch up on news on Town and to gauge opinions, etc on players, etc..... Is BlueMike some kind of Forum GodFather?

I'm intrigued ... has Rossi crossed some forum omertà here by criticising Town's defensive qualities?

I truly can't wait for this gunslinger to saunter back into town from his holidays and post a tasty reply .



Maybe this forum is worth persevering with....

I am quite happy to answer that one. NO!! Blue mike is just very opinionated but thinks he is the god father. Where as Rossi just says as it is, and there is nothing wrong with that. [/quote'

I've been watching football much longer than a lot of you on this board - you may not like my opinions but I do actually know what I'm talking about. Modest as well!

There's an awful lot of utter shyte (frankly), being spoken about a person (a die hard Town fan like many of you), who NONE of you know personally. Yet you all seem to think you know him sufficiently to slate him off publically when he's not here to respond to your comments.

Trust me, some of the comments levied at him on this thread couldnt be further from the truth and some of you have been very unjust in this character assassination.

derick_ipsw wrote:I am quite happy to answer that one. NO!! Blue mike is just very opinionated but thinks he is the god father. Where as Rossi just says as it is, and there is nothing wrong with that.

By that rationale, Bluemike is the same in that he says it how he sees it. No?

There will always be a difference of viewpoint on football. That's what makes forums like this so enjoyable as it gives people a platform to put their point across. There's been numerous times over the years that I found myself agreeing with something only to hear someone else make a complete opposite view and find myself questioning my original thought. It's how debates work.

It doesn't make any one person, better, worse, or more open to criticism. When Mike returns from his holidays I'm sure he'll have a reasoned opinion to some of these questions. I'll be just as interested to hear his view after watching that sh*te on Friday to be honest.

Oh and for the record, there's only 1 Godfather on here. Let's not start getting confused

When Bluemike returns he'll give you an offer you can't refuse! Haha

Dear God, hallam, calm yerself down , dawling. Have you read the thread? There is no character assassinations going on. It's all tongue in cheek banter and I'm confident that YOU KNOW, that Bluemike will see it similarly.

Mike a forum godfather........love it, I'm going to call him the Godfather when I see him Friday in the pub before the match.

Everybody on this forum is opinionated that's what forums are for, we all have an opinion slightly differing or wildly differing from the next person, isn't that what forums are for?

Lets face it even my 2 year old grandson would of know how bad we were Friday, it felt like I had been to my 2nd funeral that day! The fact I left my friends early and listened to the rest on the radio on the drive home says it all.............those who know me well know I never leave before the final whistle (even when its on tv), its not my way.

Bart has to be back for the next match and as for the defence....well MM that's over to you, we need a reply for this Fridays match and we need a damn good one!!