by RedRedWine » Wed Dec 08, 2021 2:10 pm
Do you think O'Connor is actually having a bit of a pop at Robbo here? He references the "before tonight we only lost 1 in five" mantra as a load of rubbish. He didn't say Stephen directly, but he's the only one I can think of that's been pushing this absurd, selective, tosh that's appeared in recent interviews. Got to say I agree with O'Connor on something!
The five games Robbo refers to do not include games that we lost in the Football League Trophy, but do include ties in the FA Cup against Newport and Buxton (who Lancaster City beat FFS). Its a complete nonsense, merely an attempt to deflect our generally poor league form since that collapse at Wycombe. Not as subtle as Boris Johnson, but not far off.
The players should shoulder most of the blame - on the night they were nowhere near good enough. But this is not new, last time out we got blasted for 4, yet we keep the same back 4 (that the manager is sick of telling the same things to over and over again). Perhaps the manager needs to look at the shape and our tactics? I didn't expect us to roll Sunderland over in the slightest - it was always going to be a challenge, but we should be doing better than that. We are so open it is frightening. We know that we have a crap defence, yet play 4-3-3 away at Sunderland. Are we naive, stupid, or both? Maybe O'Connor disagrees with the way the team is being set-up? He mentions a lack of intensity in training also.
TBH - some of the crap we hear from the coaching team is becoming tiresome. O'Carroll has said a few times that we are looking up rather than down. I'd do neither and concentrate on putting together a team that can keep a clean sheet vs credible opponents. We are yet to keep one away from home in the league this season, and now we also have the leakiest defence. I like Robbo, and long-term I think he is the right man for this club. But we need him to turn this around quickly - and be competitive to the point where playing well gets results. No doubt some nerd will populate an xG graph showing we should be doing better with the chances we create - those stats are meaningless if you can't defend for shit. Tighten it up FFS.
Now we lack leaders also apparently, something O'Connor is supposed to be - but a title he will struggle to adopt with authority whilst he continues to make individual errors himself. I've said repetitively that we had no choice in selling Sam Lavelle, but in the wake of this latest shambles I am leaning towards the opposite. With hindsight, letting him go on deadline day and replacing him with Wootton off the street when your other two CB put in consistently pathetic displays is like giving your shares to a fat Brazilian before he has paid you the money (this is my attempt at being light hearted about the current situation - plus I have stolen this line off somebody else). You just can't do it!
Finally, disappointing that Robbo headed straight down the tunnel last night without acknowledging the travelling supporters - many of whom spent hard earned money, and took time off work to attend. All of whom would do the same at the drop of a hat. Show them some respect, even if you do feel humiliated and embarrassed. The feeling was mutual.
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