Reflection, shackles and the conundrum. (1 reply)
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No, not a new book, just a few reflections and thoughts about how we move forward.
I've finally come to the conclusion that the players just don’t believe in the Chris Davies system anymore and that is what's drained the confidence out of the squad.
What was it, Anderson said? "Shackles off"....
I thought about that comment at the time and it seems clear to me that there might be some truth to it.
For me, one of the biggest sign of this was the Vertu final; a set idea that didnt work, the fans knew it, players knew it, and Davies' job in that game, was to change it.
It was - lets not kid ourselves - a big disappointment.
Not because of 'what we could have won', but because we arrived at Wembley and (2 worldie goals aside) barely put our fists up to the opposition manager's game plan at 'any' point.
Recent matches have emulated that. Millwall was the big one for me.
Well-in the playoff conversation at the time, with a good opportunity to show how serious we are; what we lacked in that game was championship know how - from the bench. I believe these players are capable of forming a team to match Millwall in a game of football. What they didn't appear to be ready for was a championship battle of ' kick the ball in their goal'. Too busy trying to 'look the part'.
We keep saying Davies has 'no plan B' I've said it myself. But I think the issue is more nuanced. I think Davies sheer determination to uphold a certain style results in something else entirely.
Plan A, part 2.....
For me, it isn’t about formations or individual talent. This group should be capable of functioning as a stronger team unit and playing far better football than what we’re watching right now. Even hungover sunday league lads try to kick the ball in the opposition net.
The Davies way, just doesnt seem to give them the creative freedom to do this. I compared our passing yesterday to a game of Subbuteo ; static, rigid and slow.
Whatever tweaks Davies 'is' doing on the sideline yesterday (i'm sure there are many) we saw they changed nothing.
Plan B appears to be 'tweak plan A'.
Even Carlos Vicente, aimlessly crossing to the backpost with no one there. These are professional footballers - we must remember that.
However you see it, we need to adress the conundrum.
Do you respectfully let him carry on for the 7 or so matches remaining, playing for nothing but pride, impending dismissal, but potentially drop further down.
Reminder we are 3 points from 17th.
This way, we get to start fresh in summer/pre season with a fresh face and a coaching team that can explain how to defend set pieces.
Or, do you shake his hand now, thank him a lot for the 111 -- which was enjoyable by the way -- and part ways now?
The risk being, if we get someone in that doesn't go quite so well in the remaining games (Rooney esque) then there could be further frustrations / twitter panic before the start of the new season.
Its a tricky one for sure.
Whatever happens, whatever his shortcomings, all in all (for me at least) Davies will be remembered fondly. Someone who clearly came here to do his best and put everything into his ideas, but ultimately they ran their course in a league where 11 big ugly bastards ready for a fight, usually edges any attempt of pretty passing football.
I've finally come to the conclusion that the players just don’t believe in the Chris Davies system anymore and that is what's drained the confidence out of the squad.
What was it, Anderson said? "Shackles off"....
I thought about that comment at the time and it seems clear to me that there might be some truth to it.
For me, one of the biggest sign of this was the Vertu final; a set idea that didnt work, the fans knew it, players knew it, and Davies' job in that game, was to change it.
It was - lets not kid ourselves - a big disappointment.
Not because of 'what we could have won', but because we arrived at Wembley and (2 worldie goals aside) barely put our fists up to the opposition manager's game plan at 'any' point.
Recent matches have emulated that. Millwall was the big one for me.
Well-in the playoff conversation at the time, with a good opportunity to show how serious we are; what we lacked in that game was championship know how - from the bench. I believe these players are capable of forming a team to match Millwall in a game of football. What they didn't appear to be ready for was a championship battle of ' kick the ball in their goal'. Too busy trying to 'look the part'.
We keep saying Davies has 'no plan B' I've said it myself. But I think the issue is more nuanced. I think Davies sheer determination to uphold a certain style results in something else entirely.
Plan A, part 2.....
For me, it isn’t about formations or individual talent. This group should be capable of functioning as a stronger team unit and playing far better football than what we’re watching right now. Even hungover sunday league lads try to kick the ball in the opposition net.
The Davies way, just doesnt seem to give them the creative freedom to do this. I compared our passing yesterday to a game of Subbuteo ; static, rigid and slow.
Whatever tweaks Davies 'is' doing on the sideline yesterday (i'm sure there are many) we saw they changed nothing.
Plan B appears to be 'tweak plan A'.
Even Carlos Vicente, aimlessly crossing to the backpost with no one there. These are professional footballers - we must remember that.
However you see it, we need to adress the conundrum.
Do you respectfully let him carry on for the 7 or so matches remaining, playing for nothing but pride, impending dismissal, but potentially drop further down.
Reminder we are 3 points from 17th.
This way, we get to start fresh in summer/pre season with a fresh face and a coaching team that can explain how to defend set pieces.
Or, do you shake his hand now, thank him a lot for the 111 -- which was enjoyable by the way -- and part ways now?
The risk being, if we get someone in that doesn't go quite so well in the remaining games (Rooney esque) then there could be further frustrations / twitter panic before the start of the new season.
Its a tricky one for sure.
Whatever happens, whatever his shortcomings, all in all (for me at least) Davies will be remembered fondly. Someone who clearly came here to do his best and put everything into his ideas, but ultimately they ran their course in a league where 11 big ugly bastards ready for a fight, usually edges any attempt of pretty passing football.