What a mess

[Mack]

I'm starting to lose track of who's flops half of our players are.

"He's shit, who signed him?" .... "Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm..... well............."

IF Megson is suggesting after one league game in charge we need yet another overhaul then I hope not but I fear that the rest of this season could start to look very much like last season.

It's no surprise that half of our players have a motivation problem. In the past few months they have been coached so many different ways and asked to play in so many different formations and line ups that they probably have no idea what day of the week it is.

I was hoping Megson would accept that given all the recent upheaval the best thing he could do was get the players at his disposal all singing from the same hymn sheet, motivated and with a common direction. If he is going to start loaning yet more players then I fear things are only set to get worse again.

Someone needs to get hold of our squad by the scruff of it's neck, sit the players down and given them some simple goals and reasons to be motivated to play for the shirt, more faces through the door could well have the opposite effect.

[Fez of Mahrez]

We have a huge squad of decent players, most of whom have shown at one point or another that they are capable of doing the business. Watford at home, anyone? And what reward does De Vries get? Dropped.

And now apparently we need Darren Moore and Nathan Tyson.

Kisnorbo and McAuley have done themselves no favours with their defending in Megson's first few games in charge and I wouldn't be surprised if he's earmarked these two as the root of all evil. You've got two things to consider: firstly that they were two of our three best players last season and secondly that Megson's whole reputation is built on clean sheets. He's made no effort to hide his anger at Saturday's defending.

I'm cancelling some of the pre-orders I've made on away tickets this season.

[Milky]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

[Mark]

Nah, I don't want a squad essembled by Gary Megson.

No wonder they are not motiviated, after hearing the manager call them 'much of a muchness' a day into the job. Just get the left side sorted Megson, don't piss about with more strikers and central defenders. (unless quality)

[Manwell Pablo]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

Sort of see your point but I wouldn't go that far. I thought it was about 50/50 up until Hume scored.

[mancunianfox]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

That is perhaps the most negative post I've ever read on this forum. Unbelievable.

[Fez of Mahrez]

That is perhaps the most negative post I've ever read on this forum. Unbelievable.

I can see his point as well though. We weren't amazing but it demonstrated what can be done if you organise a team properly and have a gameplan of how to attack.

[Eastern Fox]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

Freak result? I think we outplayed them actually, yeah I remember we didn't start great but we were solid after Hume's goal. I thought we pretty much ran over them for the rest of the game. Sure, Sheehan's goal was a bit lucky, but the other goal were from us exploiting Watford's poor defending-we actually attacked quite well. We were unlucky to concede that silly penalty when we were 4-0 up. I don't think there's going to be a better team performance from us from some time with Megson's doggedly defensive tactics and team selections

[davieG]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

You could say that about many of the games in this division, there is very little between most of them and luck allied to the confidence it can bring can play a major part in teams winning games.

[Bellend Sebastian]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

I agree. If the game had been sandwiched between two other great results then it would have looked less freakish. I'm not saying it wasn't a good performance, but given Watford's good results before and after that game and our indifferent ones on either side of it, they underperformed and we overperformed on the day. We played some decent stuff in that game but also enjoyed some good fortune with deflections etc.

We've had other false dawns like this, haven't we? Sheff Utd at home and Spurs in the cup spring to mind

[Milky]

You could say that about many of the games in this division, there is very little between most of them and luck allied to the confidence it can bring can play a major part in teams winning games.

Yes i'd agree with that. It's very often a fine line between winning and losing.

When i say freak result, i don't mean we didn't deserve to win. We did outplay Watford overall and fully deserved the points. I'd just urge people not to get blinded by the 4-1 scoreline, because if you disect the game, a lot of things fell for us on that day.

[shilton_er]

I agree. If the game had been sandwiched between two other great results then it would have looked less freakish. I'm not saying it wasn't a good performance, but given Watford's good results before and after that game and our indifferent ones on either side of it, they underperformed and we overperformed on the day. We played some decent stuff in that game but also enjoyed some good fortune with deflections etc.

We've had other false dawns like this, haven't we? Sheff Utd at home and Spurs in the cup spring to mind

Both games saved CL as I recall, but they got him in the end

[Steven]

You could say that about many of the games in this division, there is very little between most of them and luck allied to the confidence it can bring can play a major part in teams winning games.

A role the Manager should play.

[demon_dog]

I'm starting to lose track of who's flops half of our players are.

"He's shit, who signed him?" .... "Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm..... well............."

IF Megson is suggesting after one league game in charge we need yet another overhaul then I hope not but I fear that the rest of this season could start to look very much like last season.

It's no surprise that half of our players have a motivation problem. In the past few months they have been coached so many different ways and asked to play in so many different formations and line ups that they probably have no idea what day of the week it is.

I was hoping Megson would accept that given all the recent upheaval the best thing he could do was get the players at his disposal all singing from the same hymn sheet, motivated and with a common direction. If he is going to start loaning yet more players then I fear things are only set to get worse again.

Someone needs to get hold of our squad by the scruff of it's neck, sit the players down and given them some simple goals and reasons to be motivated to play for the shirt, more faces through the door could well have the opposite effect.

A good post, would have thought that if he does want to bring some more loan players in, he will want to shift some out.

The question is who wants our dross.

Of the players transfer listed by MA in pre season, how many actually moved on.

Part of the problem is that some of the players we bought in were put on 3 year contracts, yet not even getting a game.

Seems to me that yes it's a mess and needs sorting.

[Simi]

I think that Watford game is a bit of a myth really. We could have been 2-0 down in the first 15 mins, because Watford were all over us. Thankfully completely against the run of play, Hume smacked one in from distance, and it was a goal we didn't deserve at all. Just after half time the game was effectively dead when we went 3-0 up, but both of those goals were from extremely fortunate deflections. We played some decent stuff in that second half, but who wouldn't when 3-0 up and the kop in fine voice. It was a bit of a freak result really.

Yeah, I agree with that. If Watford has scored when they were dominating the game I think we would of found it very hard to get ourselves back in the game. After we got the goal though it seemed to boost us and it went from there.

As Fez says Megson has been critical of the defence that has now conceded 4 in two games, not counting the Forest goal. But the fact is he's messed around with the front line a lot choosing Fryatt and Cort for Charlton when there really is no way in my view that those two can play together. That is more worrying to me, on Saturday we didn't really create a decent chance, our defence may of looked a little shaky under Megson but going forward to me, is even more worrying.

[David O'Leary]

Freak result? I think we outplayed them actually, yeah I remember we didn't start great but we were solid after Hume's goal. I thought we pretty much ran over them for the rest of the game. Sure, Sheehan's goal was a bit lucky, but the other goal were from us exploiting Watford's poor defending-we actually attacked quite well. We were unlucky to concede that silly penalty when we were 4-0 up. I don't think there's going to be a better team performance from us from some time with Megson's doggedly defensive tactics and team selections

Well put

[Thracian]

Nah, I don't want a squad essembled by Gary Megson.

No wonder they are not motiviated, after hearing the manager call them 'much of a muchness' a day into the job. Just get the left side sorted Megson, don't piss about with more strikers and central defenders. (unless quality)

Absolutely. As a motivational psychologist the man's a disaster.

[Lord Nibblington]

I wouldn't call Watford a freak result.

We played well for parts of the Blackpool and Palace games. We just didn't happen to win those games, partially because we didn't have the little bit of luck that we did have in the Watford game.

[Webbo]

Nah, I don't want a squad essembled by Gary Megson.

No wonder they are not motiviated, after hearing the manager call them 'much of a muchness' a day into the job.

I find this comment quite surprising considering all the flak Rob Kelly got for his 'smashing bunch of lads' comments after the shittiest of performances. All Megson said is what we can see with our own eyes. Telling it like is, is never the a bad idea in my book.

[Daggers]

I find this comment quite surprising considering all the flak Rob Kelly got for his 'smashing bunch of lads' comments after the shittiest of performances. All Megson said is what we can see with our own eyes. Telling it like is, is never the a bad idea in my book.

I'm with the Futtmeister, I like big Futts and I cannot lie.

Let's get Back to the Futture

[Thracian]

I find this comment quite surprising considering all the flak Rob Kelly got for his 'smashing bunch of lads' comments after the shittiest of performances. All Megson said is what we can see with our own eyes. Telling it like is, is never the a bad idea in my book.

Except it isn't like it is and players don't need managers pouring cold water on their ego's they need a manager to believe in them and get more out of them than they've ever dreamed possible.

You never hear Ferguson rubbishing his players in public. And if anyone suggested to him than they were rubbish he'd give them such a mouthful and quite right.

Every manager needs his team to be willing to run through concrete for him. And to do it willingly and without question like an SAS patrol on mission impossible.

They won't do that for people who don't show some faith in them.

[Webbo]

I'm with the Futtmeister, I like big Futts and I cannot lie.

Let's get Back to the Futture

The Futtmeister says thanks.

Except it isn't like it is and players don't need managers pouring cold water on their ego's they need a manager to believe in them and get more out of them than they've ever dreamed possible.

You never hear Ferguson rubbishing his players in public. And if anyone suggested to him than they were rubbish he'd give them such a mouthful and quite right.

Every manager needs his team to be willing to run through concrete for him. And to do it willingly and without question like an SAS patrol on mission impossible.

They won't do that for people who don't show some faith in them.

Did Rob Kelly a lot of good.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

The first 45 min at Charlton was remincent of the darker days under Levein and Kelly....with players not just wrongly picked (N'Gotty, De Vries, Campbell should have started in my opinion) but playing out of position too. Sheehan is no left mid, Chambers is not centre mid, Mattock looks useful going forward, but he stuggled to defend, Stearman is clearly not a wingback (the position he was moved too, surely Chambers would suit that better???), Carl Cort would look out of place in a pub team, Fryatt didn't look sharp enough..... I thought Allen had found his strongest team to be honest, I hope Megson does very very very soon.

[Yaxx]

Just think, if we're this down about Smegson, imagine how Chelsea fans feel about Avram Grant! :laugh:

[Fez of Mahrez]

For the people who keep saying Sheehan is out of position at left midfield, what exactly does he offer defensively that suggests he's a left-back?