JS odd selections and tactics

[shaggy24]

Not really a rant we’re far higher in the league than previous seasons but last few away games since Norwich we’ve been bloody awful and far too reactive than proactive

last night v WBA we played with one regular defender in jimmy chucked a young lad at lb a midfielder at rb and Morrison who’s just come back for the back 4. Esquardinha needs to learn but he’s way off ready for this level

I thought Morgan did ok and probably deserved to stay on and go into midfield as varane was terrible Madsen had his worst game but did make our only telling forward passes. Poku was rusty but did ok but saito was diabolical again but stayed on far too long imo against and was hopeless at Pompey

I get the squad blurb but Harvey vale looked like a pub player had no idea what colour we were in.

a complete lack of movement energy to press or run off the ball for options and we leave smyth who won’t stop running on. Kone tbh without Burrell looks lost fair enough Burrell must have more miles in him this season than my car may need a 30-45 mins break but he’s badly missed when not playing

I feel we’ve missed chair I know he’s a bit slow moving the ball on but don’t often lose it

I still feel we need a clear out a get 3 fresh faces in kolli either good enough or flog him Frey past it worth sod all but free some pay up a some kids let them play on loan

imo this leagues poor this year on our day we’re good enough to be top 6 but don’t half make a dogs dinner of it at times

[Dono77]

Smyth must be getting sold in jan as no other reason for him not to come on last night. Saito was abysmal and unable to run for last 10 mins but still no sigh of Smyth. Pls play morgan or hayden instead of Varane who is only picked cos of his surname. He hasn't had 1 decent performance this season.

[SheepRanger]

As we discussed on the match thread the boy Esquardinha seems to be lacking pace which is essential for a full back. This isnt something that needs him to be played to find out. He doesn't have a core requirement for the role so his inclusion last night was a head scratcher for me.

I agree that Madsen lost possession too many times, but on a positive note, i did notice a lot of effort from him to win the ball back. Thats not something I saw last season.

Siato can be so easily brushed off the ball and just seems a liability in away matches. Varane was easily knock out of position for their headed second too. There just seems a lack of grit, determination and physical presence for our away fixtures.

I suppose JS had to do something with another game three days later, but it doesnt half show up the limitations of our squad, even though our bench is much stronger than last season. But after putting two up front against Sheff Utd with calls that we should have put an extra player in midfield, thats what we did last night and we still look like an U13s team playing against U19s.

Perhaps last night was a trial game for a few to assess what is needed in the Jan transfer window.