saintant

RM has been a manager for 4 years so you'd think he'd have gained enough experience to combat a low block. It's nothing new in the game.

I wouldn't agree that Bednarek and Stephens have noticeably improved. It's more the case that they are playing against inferior opponents now.

Nor do I but in the absence of hearing anything different my point stands.

Fair point. Clearly I don't know what RM's instructions are for JB and it was wrong of me to imply otherwise. I should have said I suspect RM instructs JB to play simple passes rather than carry the ball out of defence.

I didn't say easy I said easier - two different meanings.

It was a mistake but I'd like to see Bednarek carry the ball out of defence more - he has it in his locker. There was one occasion in the first half when he made a superb surging run with the ball and it led to KWP's goal. He should be encouraged to do more of this but the problem is that his instructions from RM are to just play simple passes to retain pointless possession.

RM continues to hide behind the excuse that his system is very difficult to learn. My view is that he doesn't know how to teach it. He's like a maths tutor trying to teach art - he doesn't know what he's doing. If not why is progress so slow as to be almost non-existent? I see no signs that we are playing possession football other than the simple sideways and backwards passing which boosts the stats. Anyone can teach that. What I don't see is all the finer points that together are the drivers for well-drilled possession football making it effective and entertaining. The knock-on effect of not having these components in place is what we are witnessing - a clumsy attempt to keep the ball which leads to frequent loss of possession in dangerous areas and hence the high number of goals we are conceding.

It's certainly easier than RM is making it look.

You might like to factor in that the main reason we are wining football matches is because we have dropped down a league and the skill gulf is massive. It's relevant.

Added to the fact that we were set up properly, played as a well-drilled unit and entertained with some sparkling football. About as far removed from the current dross as you could get.

Some good points. A system should only be a frame-work because if you insist players stick rigidly to it you run the risk of stifling creativity and off-the-cuff play. Also the team becomes too predictable and the opponents know what to expect. We are far too invested in this possession approach so we see players get the ball with the chance to spring an attack but they play it safe. It's not working and is horrible to watch.

A manager who picks Rice and Philips in the same midfield and leaves out Madison is not one I'd put much faith in.

Never heard of players seeing and slotting into space - there's enough of it on a football pitch, pass and move or getting between the lines or some long balls over the top? Those are what draw opponents out, cause them to make errors and break down low blocks - you won't do it with lazy walking, tippy-tappy crab football.

I don't see any signs that he knows what he's doing. Every game is littered with mistakes most of which are caused by playing in panic because we have no shape or proper movement. He's not taking us to a higher level at the current rate.

It's where we are at the moment. It baffles me that we are meant to be playing possession football but see none of its traits like moving off the ball, creating good angles, pass and move, getting between the lines and fizzing passes around. It's all walking, lazy, lethargic passing and zero intelligent movement. The coaches at this club including RM are trying to implement a style they don't know how to play. Nuts.

Depends whether the Baz header was on target.

Not the way we played tonight it's a lucky point gained.

He can pass, he can head it - what the fuck is he doing in goal!

Just wow! Out of jail.

True this. Two very poor performances.

Not one player has had the nous to look to get between the lines - it's part and parcel of possession football. RM and his coaches clearly don't understand how it works.

A totally disjointed 90 minutes of football. Explanations needed from RM.

RM, one step forward, two steps back.

Mara is a fraud.

Exactly this so what are the coaches doing?