DACK

Comments such as “Rodwell isn’t suited to CB” are detrimental to otherwise sound opinions, as it is obviously something he is capable of - perhaps not the “Plan A” solution to a problem you might crave but what did we expect? Wants and expectations should be balanced. Bauer was probably plan A for the new CB.. The Rodwell signing though, for example, definitley a long term replacement for Mulgrew as a classy experienced operator - who was constantly criticised as a Centreback in his first season here. I still think Charlie has weaknesses as a defender, but I’d never say he isn’t suitable to that position because 80% of his career was in different positions... He has been good and bad but his strength with the ball at his feet has helped us build from the back or find Graham at times. The same applies to Brererton- signing a “wide forward” when we needed a striker... he is the youngest and newest player of the squad and you’re telling me already his career will be limited to token sub appearances out wide? You gloss over losing nearly 10+ players too - which (despite many needing to go) is a complete rebuild. I’ve seen perceived better managers with more money attempt that and get it completely wrong, time and time again. Rome isn’t going to be rebuilt in 12 months.

Vs Brentford last game of 2017 Players still in the first 18; Raya, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Nyambe, Conway, Williams, Graham, Bennett 10 players left; Guthrie, Emnes, João, Lowe, Ward, Steele, Gallagher, Akpan, Hoban, Feeney. Compared to 10 similar positions replaced for this year; Smallwood, Dack, Armstrong, Reed, Rodwell, Leutwiler, Brererton, Rothwell, Downing, Palmer In just over 12 months that is some turn around of an aging mostly on loan squad to a youthful and far more talented bunch in my opinion. Obviously others not in the squad that day have stayed on or left, and there are others outside the ten new I picked - some that haven’t worked. We’ve also lacked a big centre half and a pacey winger for some time too - it’s not all perfect. However the reality for me is we’ve come a long way in a short amount of time. Hence why others might say 2 or 3 windows more with a similar improvement might put us in a very good position.

Exactly - basics like tracking and closing down fell short against Wigan particularly. Maybe we missed Bennett more than we thought!

Precisely. We need to revert nearly 10 years of bad decision making, it was never taking two seasons.

Yea, considering that the WBA game was a only a month ago this week, I’d find it hard to believe that our “team spirit has gone” If anything - the next few games will be the first test for the atmosphere since we’ve mainly been on an upwards curve for the last 12 months!

Firstly - the part about staying up not being an “adequate achievement” is a prime example of the self entitlement of fickle football fans! I’ve seen so many examples in the last 7 days, I would need a PA to organise the examples from ridiculous to the absurd. Relegation is unthinkable. Whilst I got excited with others about our start, the key this season is consolidation of our position. Just because the youngest and newest player of our first 18 cost “allegedly” 7m, doesn’t mean expectation should shift towards playoffs. Secondly - patience? I almost think you used that word with some intended humour because 7 days ago this discussion would’ve been laughable. I read many “of this continues” or the extremely hilarious reactionary “I demand answers” from a few posters... the antithesis of patience for me.

Well you couldn’t vote for Coyle as well, obv.

The point escapes me, everything that’s happened football wise since he arrived is his responsibility- when did I say otherwise? Good and bad. We haven’t forgotten about you predicting and betting on big victories only a few weeks ago - if you felt the club was completely hamstrung by poor recruitment, tactics et al - you’re either talking out your arse or deliberately wasting your own money.

I loved Bowyer! I watched the game and the only lively spell came right after HT, in what I interpreted as 532. Wigan then punt up field, Rodwell let’s it bounce and it’s game over. That’s simply an individual mistake, not as a result of any change. Mulgrew made an awful tackle after a similar Wigan clearance a minute or two before. Ironically the only shot we took first half was in our own foot, so whilst I might’ve kept DG on (whilst on a yellow and always never more than 45/60) I would’ve changed the system to try and liven us up. As for the rest- I’d agree with giving Rothwell and Palmer recalls to midfield, potentially moving Dack on the bench for a spell. He has particularly dropped off recently but I feel that’s more our inability to get consistent balls to him in the final third. When he played upfront instead of behind, he is even more isolated. Cutting out errors and better final balls is the way to turn it round for me.

Mad science project? Or Google’s mad interpretation of pretty much the same lineup and tactics from the game at Ewood in March....! We are making silly mistakes. Play who you want in whatever round peg square bastard hole you want but simply let someone waltz past you and cut it back across the box... Barmy.

Halle fooking lujah

See I didn’t see that at all. It looked like two upfront to me, but the shape without the ball is woeful thus I’m not suprised I saw an attempted 3 at the b. Mowbray is the manager of the team so the criticism of defending falls at his door but tbh I had my head in my hands watching us back off, and back off, and back off! The second paragraph is more about you having thicker skin though, I mean come on who literally cares what any Wigan fan said ever.

I’d take wins anyway but I think that we are actually making it harder for ourselves with those individual errors. Didn’t we say after 5/6 games or so we could’ve been joint top for a goalkeeping error and a poor wall at home to Villa? Its become a common theme, sadly.

I think the results answer the questions of his selection. Does he want to listen is the question id ask! In my opinion, to borrow a phrase - if you didn’t expect a poor spell this season, give your head a wobble! My main gripe is defending though because we’ve relied on Dack/Graham. 3 goals particularly tonight all just lazy or outright poor defending mistakes. Two closing down, one a simple header. If we do the basics right, same line up and tactics, we win an attritional game against a league rival 1-0 to an OG. Not saying it’s as simple as that, however we’d stand a much better chance if we close players down. Overall though the idea of changing manager is ludicrous. Only really one on here, loads on twitter - don’t read Facebook (full of sanctimonious twats..) Two games ago would’ve been unthinkable. Another 2/3 defeats + performances like those two, particularly unorganised and a shambles without the ball - football these days is cutthroat.

Seriously Williams wtf

Even in my similar frustration - I can’t agree about being “scared” of teams because if we played like we actually feared their capabilities, we’d close teams down. Mark Atkins quote on BBC Lancs “comedy defending”, “not at the races”. Dack could be Maradona but to be so completely ragged without the ball so it’s utterly pointless having a number ten, since the only option in last gasp defensive scenarios are “lump”! When we have got the ball down, Armstrong, Reed, Nyambe, Bell, and Dack have had no end product. Lots of work to do, Tony.

Rodwell utterly atrocious defending. I think that’s me done for the night lads.

532 for second half according to bbc lancs....

Simply awful disjointed and unorganised defending. Evans, Smallwood standing off for the goal, 2 minutes later Nyambe stands off and Raya has to save. Close the player down, make it difficult for them. We aren’t switched on at all.

Raya unbelievable tip onto the bar, statues at the back!

Another disgusting challenge and yellow this time on Smallwood. Im starting to buy into the Cook hate..!

Didn’t think he showed a card?

He didn’t even get booked.... Rodwell was almost clean knocked out. Vaughn might get retrospective too because it wasn’t a yellow.