stfrancisofbenali

Stewart looked like peak Rickie Lambert today in comparison with Downs in midweek.

I’m sure others may have mentioned this but for me the game changed on one self-inflicted substitution. Boro were bricking themselves every time Fellows was on the ball so (unless injured) why replace him? Why did Adam Blackmore not ask Still about this as we lost the win in that moment?

It does appear that Still is searching for a clear identity/plan and the players are therefore unsure of their jobs. Looking on the bright side, Azaz and Fellows were two of the leading assist creators in the league last season. Charles was in the Champ team of the season. Downes (F), Archer, Fraser, Armstrong and THB are all proven at the top end of this division so he has the tools at his disposal...but we have to remain patient.

Being exceedingly optimistic, having a terrible spell at the start of the season means we have to doing something dramatic to rectify it, either on or off the pitch. The Championship, especially this season, is going to be incredibly open with no teams running away with it à la Leicester and Ipswich. Everyone will have a bad spell and ours is very much now.

The autos are out of reach already? We’re six games into the season and unlike the Prem, all clubs currently in the top 6 will have a bad spell. Four wins on the bounce in this league and you’re in contention again.

No self-respecting club replaces a new manager after only six games, especially a kid who’s so new to the game. You might have thought we’d have learnt our lesson about the good that comes from chopping and changing managers. He needs to change the mentality and results pretty quickly though so let’s see what he’s made of.

Lundstram runs unopposed from at least 10 yards inside his own half for the second goal. Imagine Romeu defending in that situation. Shameful!

Similarly conflicted. No sane club or fanbase should be calling for a new manager to be sacked after only 6 games. It takes time to bed in new players and tactics, especially at a club with so much trauma. But…his lack of experience (not his fault, he’s not been alive that long!) was always a big risk and the players are certainly not responding to his management style and ‘tactics’ at the moment.

I’m no Baz fanboy and wanted us to sign Viktor Johansson from Rotherham when he was available but today’s abject display was not about one player.

Mousinho’s post match, in contrast, was extremely impressive.

Picking on one player is pointless and counterproductive when they were all so terrible.

I dream of mid-table obscurity!

My prediction of 9th at Christmas is looking a little optimistic.

Hull had conceded 14 in their previous 6 games before today. Let that sink in. Oh, and we’re shit at the back as well.

So why did he start V Pompey?

He did but he was allowed to as the ten other players on the pitch were coached to do his dirty work and give him freedom. We don't currently have a player of that quality and ability to play like that.

What I'm astounded by is our lack of willingness to shoot from outside, or even from the edge of, the box in open play. Matsuki's goal V Northampton is significant because we were all so surprised that he'd even attempted such an outrageous act. Attempts like this used to be commonplace but we've become so conditioned to patient, ball-retention and not conceding possession. This was highlighted starkly for me on Sunday when Pompey brought on a reserve keeper who has played most of his football at Braintree Town and Hartlepool Utd. Surely any midfielder or attacking player would immediately be thinking about having a pot shot at such an inexperienced keeper. Not to test him at all in 64 mins of football was criminal. Are today's players just overcoached, only able to play one way and just unable to, quite literally, think outside the box?

What I'm astounded by is our lack of willingness to shoot from outside, or even from the edge of, the box in open play. Matsuki's goal V Northampton is significant because we were all so surprised that he'd even attempted such an outrageous act. Attempts like this used to be commonplace but we've become so conditioned to patient, ball-retention and not conceding possession. This was highlighted starkly for me on Sunday when Pompey brought on a reserve keeper who has played most of his football at Braintree Town and Hartlepool Utd. Surely any midfielder or attacking player would immediately be thinking about having a pot shot at such an inexperienced keeper. Not to test him at all in 64 mins of football was criminal. Are today's players just overcoached, only able to play one way and just unable to, quite literally, think outside the box?

I think Jander will quite quickly become the preferred partner for Charles. In fifteen minutes yesterday he already looked a big upgrade on Downes, technically and tactically. On the other positives from yesterday (admittedly not many!), I liked the width from Fellows and Fraser and when we moved it forward with more pace in the second half we asked more questions in the final third. Still is finding his feet and league position fairly immaterial until around mid-Nov. Give him time.

He’s young, he’s new to the club with lots of new players to integrate and trying to eradicate the significant psychological scars of last season. Yesterday was miserable but there were tiny glimpses of how he wants to play and he was gutted by the first half performance. We have to give him time and be more patient.

I think our real season starts now. The games before the transfer window closed were improvised at best and the derby coming immediately after the first international break was always going to be a distraction rather than a proper test of Still’s philosophy. The next ten games are crucial for Still and he needs to get this squad purring and put a run together. Let’s see where we are at Christmas.

Unless we win playing a back three of course.

I think that's spot on. Robinson will start on the bench as he's played a lot of football in the last two weeks. Downes needs to keep his cool and be disciplined or could be a liability on an early yellow.

It's going to be torrential rain and blowing a hoolie on Sunday which can only play into their hands as they lump it up to Bishop. I think the game will be decided on mistakes rather than brilliance and the chances of Jack getting an early yellow and then a second booking are pretty high.

So many fans behind me in the Northam slagging Archer off V Stoke. He is so obviously a confidence player and though only in glimpses (Arsenal, Liverpool) has shown that he is our most natural finisher. Get behind the lad and he should score 20+ quite easily this season now we have the creativity to feed him.