AustrianAndyGull wrote:I agree with the point that a change in direction and personnel can often provide a spark to teams who are struggling and under normal circumstances it would be a potential way out of bad form but IMO Alan has no options left now. Why? Because he has already changed things to the Nth degree that he simply cannot change it anymore. Basically he has exhausted all options, none have worked so we're essentially screwed. He is bringing in loanees like Marquis and Stockley to hopefully give us that spark but sadly it will take a lot more than that even if they do knock in a few goals. These loanees are his last ditch attempt at trying to ignite something and we've all just got to hope they work. Poke for Ricey isn't likely to turn around our fortunes whatsoever either.
All Alan needs to do now is get us organised and hard to beat and if we can get that then we have a chance of nicking some games so it doesn't really matter now about who the best 11 is, what the best formation is etc. Alan has had 20 odd games in total to have at least learnt much of what he needs to know but hasn't and I don't buy the fact that Harding and Downes being out as an excuse. Simple solidity, hard work and team spirit are what is needed now and not more faffing and if we can get our heads down with this philosophy then we will stay up. We can learn from teams like Mansfield, Accrington and Hartlepool about the correct way to approach games if you have a minimally talented squad and they are proving that in our league at the moment (which is full of absolute sh*te) you can win games by doing the simple things well.
I'd just go 4-4-2, stick players in their CORRECT positions, start Pearce, make us into an effective but workmanlike unit and see if we can arrest this horrendous form. This approach all takes supreme motivational skills, discipline, attention to detail, man-management, thorough and concentrated application and requires the players to buy into the managers strong sense of belief in his own ability. Now look at Knill and his overall profile and tell me he has these attributes. Now can you see why his style of management appears to involve a dice of a matchday? He is just playing to his strengths but the weekly gambles aren't paying off.
There is a good chance we could win this one providing the players all "work their socks off", play for each other & take no notice of what Knill tells them!
Don't worry when I win the EuroMillions on Friday and buy the club not only will Knill be gone before Southend but all of you will be banned from the ground anyway.
Whatever the preparations for this match may have been in terms of training and fitness, team selection and formation, strategy and tactics, and spying on the opposition (I presume Knill will have done that or will have received reports), what will really count on Saturday will be, as Andy and Wodger have indicated, commitment to the cause, motivation and team spirit, and a willingness to give everything to achieve a vital win. Whether or not Knill has been able to instil all this into the squad, and whatever the players feelings are about the way things have turned out thus far, nobody should need any urging from him to give of their best in this game and in the remaining games of the season. They have only to look at the league table to realise that their reputations and their careers are on the line. If they have any pride at all, in themselves if not in the club, they will know what they must do, for themselves and for the small band of loyal supporters who follow them week after week.
And those supporters must now, more than ever, provide that support as if every game is a sixth-round cup-tie. Continued depression, criticism and negativity in players and fans will drag us all down to oblivion, whereas a fighting spirit and determination in both groups will allow positivity to feed upon positivity and give the team the will to win and the opportunity to survive the long haul back to safety. And at the end of the season, another great escape, rather than almost certain relegation, will feel like a promotion.
Cue end of the week prolonged arctic blast that wipes out football until the New Year and he might have a squeak.
I'm not fussed what the team is anymore, especially outfield. I've given up moaning about it. A win is a win no matter the 11 so I'm just hoping and crossing everything for the points.
What I would say though Dave is that I'd keep Ricey in. He doesn't deserve to be dropped and even if Poke would have been in the team from day 1 we'd still be bottom IMO.
Thats why your not a football manager hard decisions have to be made and Rice should have been left out a few weeks ago. Knill puts off what he's got to do tomorrow! If you understand what I am saying.
Totally disagree and times it by 6 billion arcadia. :~D
In a season where we have strived in embarrassing vain for consistency and good performances it would be disturbing and lunacy to drop the one bloke who has given us this.
Fair enough if games were tight at 0-0 and Ricey kept on having the odd costly mistake here and there then perhaps re-evaluate the goalkeeping situation but so far this season we're getting comprehensively outplayed and beaten most weeks because the 10 in front of him for whatever reason aren't doing what he is. And you want to drop him? Crazy.
As I've said before, Rice isn't a problem at the moment. We could have Buffon in goal stood in the middle with Casillas at one end also and Hart at the other and you know what? We'd STILL concede loads of goals.
Strangely enough it was Pope Gregory the 9th inviting me for drinks aboard his steam yacht, the saucy sue currently wintering in montego bay with the England cricket team and the Balanese Goddess of plenty.
Strangely enough it was Pope Gregory the 9th inviting me for drinks aboard his steam yacht, the saucy sue currently wintering in montego bay with the England cricket team and the Balanese Goddess of plenty.
I dont think it would be a bad thing to drop Ricey. Dont get me wromg, he's been fantastic for us, this season, but I think he must be getting a little "Punch drunk" keep picking the ball out of his net. I just wonder if it might "change our luck" (For want of a better phrase) if we give Ricey a break.
"Thing's turn out best when you make the best of the way thing's turn out."
Rice has been relatively poor since the York game. His shot stopping has been ok, but he's let a few past I think a better keeper would have saved because often his starting position is very poor. He seems to lack anticipation and awareness of the game in front of him. He also seems to have gone back to dithering on his line a bit more recently.
Don't get me wrong, I like the guy. He obviously has a great attitude and to improve to the level he is now (a competent league 2 understudy) from where he was in his first spell (conference south standard) is a fantastic achievement. However the better the goalkeeper the better the defensive unit as a whole, and in my opinion choosing Rice over Poke is making our backline's job more difficult.
Everyone seems to agree that poke is a better goalkeeper, irrespective of how well they feel rice has done- it therefore seems silly to me that he isn't playing.
I understand that people think Poke is a better Keeper and that is people personal opinion, but when people start going on about Martin Rice making 3 or 4 mistakes this whole season when he has got the shit in front of him is pretty poor. As a Goalkeeper myself, you don't want to hear people talk down how you have made a mistake or how you should be dropped. So as fans, can we just stop asking why Poke isn't in the team as clearly, as he deserves, Martin will carry on playing
AustrianAndyGull wrote:Totally disagree and times it by 6 billion arcadia. :~D
In a season where we have strived in embarrassing vain for consistency and good performances it would be disturbing and lunacy to drop the one bloke who has given us this.
Fair enough if games were tight at 0-0 and Ricey kept on having the odd costly mistake here and there then perhaps re-evaluate the goalkeeping situation but so far this season we're getting comprehensively outplayed and beaten most weeks because the 10 in front of him for whatever reason aren't doing what he is. And you want to drop him? Crazy.
As I've said before, Rice isn't a problem at the moment. We could have Buffon in goal stood in the middle with Casillas at one end also and Hart at the other and you know what? We'd STILL concede loads of goals.
Who ever suggests RIcey should be dropped want his head examining. He is our player of the season by a clear country mile so far. No one has come close. Don't know about having Buffon in goal. With our luck we could brick up both goals. Reinforce them with steel girders and concrete bomb proof roof and put gun emplacements in front and on top. and still lose the game. I cannot remember a season where so much has conspired against us. I reckon smerch have put agents in place to do us in. James bond needs to come in.
As this is the matchday thread then i'll bring it back on topic and just add that I don't really care anymore who starts so long as we get the win. I'd start Rice but if Poke starts and we win then I'm over the moon, I don't really care. I want the 3 points at all costs. That's all that matters.
Strangely enough it was Pope Gregory the 9th inviting me for drinks aboard his steam yacht, the saucy sue currently wintering in montego bay with the England cricket team and the Balanese Goddess of plenty.
