Bradford City just need a spark up front (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

to be honest we needed that on 31.01.2013 but when you have so much goal talent on the bench what do you realistically expect. Giving them a few minutes does no one any favours. What is the point of an 800 mils round trip to leave that goal scoring talent on the bench?

try playing Connell from start
he might give us the spark we need
and tell gray to play in reserves till his nice fat pay cheque finishes

"But we’re five games unbeaten and we’ve got to take the positives. I can’t fault the lads and the way they are working"
Not positive enough. Last 2 games against teams in the bottom 4 and we walk away with 2 points. Not promotion chasing stuff !. Sick and tired of hearing the same things over the last few weeks
about pressure, possesion and lack of finishing. Parkinson knew he needed a couple of new faces to get us through the last third of the season, one which was a goalscorer so he recruited Gray. That sums it all up for me.

When you set-up not to get beat Parky don't be suprised when you draw or lose narrowly.

You cannot be merely allowing for set-pieces to get you chances, you need to be creating them. Otherwise we are easy to stop.

saying we are unbeaten is exactly how parky thinks for me. How about saying we'll risk going for three points? Draws don't get you up.

Don't let the illusion of two wingers make you think that we are going for it. These wingers are under strict defensive duties too. Just ask Compton;-).

There is also the non scoring centre mids protecting what is already a good defense. let them defend, instead of inviting pressure whilst also providing nothing creative going forward.

If you are going to play this system then you have to let the full-backs over-lap. Instead we have Reid receiving the ball near the half way line and doubled up on alot.

Basically in open play our goal scoring options are very limited, even more so when you play Andy Gray???? ;-).

I've been saying these things all season and its not just a knee jerk reaction. I even predicted no goals from centre midfield. Which was easy to see. Thus what do you expect?

We have under-acheived in the league thus far. We need to go for it but i think even Parky is realising he doesn't have the personnel to change what is a defensive first strategy into a more attacking outfit which is required. This i think accounts for some of the changes and swapping we are witnessing.

We have to go for it. Remaining unbeaten for the rest of the season won't be enough if there all draws. We have nothing to lose by going for it. But like i say what can he do to make us more creative? he must start by allowing his players to play higher up the field. Get wingers driving to the bye-line. Let full backs support them (although McHugh maybe not).

Go for it Parky.......

That's 16 points from 15 games since we beat Arsenal...over a season that's 49 points, barely "staying up" form.
Should we really be hoping/wishing the manager signs a new contract?

Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

spleen ventor wrote:
That's 16 points from 15 games since we beat Arsenal...over a season that's 49 points, barely "staying up" form. Should we really be hoping/wishing the manager signs a new contract?

I wouldn't care either way. Parkinson was brought in to get us promoted. Yes it was a fantastic achievement getting us to the League Cup Final but that was a bonus not his objective. I know the season isn't over yet but it's looking more than likely that we'll start another season in this tinpot league. There are no excuses for another failure and before I get slated the season wasn't about the League Cup Final it was about getting promoted, so if it doesn't happen then it's a failed season !!.

Aveyard01 wrote:
Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

Unfortunately the only way to get points is to win matches not by the shot count ! Fickle and matches played have nothing to do with some of the comments. As I've said in a previous comment the players are paid to train and play. There are many a folk out there who have to extra at work but just get on with it, why is a footballer any different. We can see where we are from this time last year, slightly higher in the league and now left with only a slight outside chance of making the play offs. Take the League Cup out of the equation and we are not much further forward.

numerouno2 wrote:
"But we’re five games unbeaten and we’ve got to take the positives. I can’t fault the lads and the way they are working" Not positive enough. Last 2 games against teams in the bottom 4 and we walk away with 2 points. Not promotion chasing stuff !. Sick and tired of hearing the same things over the last few weeks about pressure, possesion and lack of finishing. Parkinson knew he needed a couple of new faces to get us through the last third of the season, one which was a goalscorer so he recruited Gray. That sums it all up for me.

Well you slag off Thommo and Hanson so you are not going to change your tune.

dannbradfc wrote:
When you set-up not to get beat Parky don't be suprised when you draw or lose narrowly. You cannot be merely allowing for set-pieces to get you chances, you need to be creating them. Otherwise we are easy to stop. saying we are unbeaten is exactly how parky thinks for me. How about saying we'll risk going for three points? Draws don't get you up. Don't let the illusion of two wingers make you think that we are going for it. These wingers are under strict defensive duties too. Just ask Compton;-). There is also the non scoring centre mids protecting what is already a good defense. let them defend, instead of inviting pressure whilst also providing nothing creative going forward. If you are going to play this system then you have to let the full-backs over-lap. Instead we have Reid receiving the ball near the half way line and doubled up on alot. Basically in open play our goal scoring options are very limited, even more so when you play Andy Gray???? ;-). I've been saying these things all season and its not just a knee jerk reaction. I even predicted no goals from centre midfield. Which was easy to see. Thus what do you expect? We have under-acheived in the league thus far. We need to go for it but i think even Parky is realising he doesn't have the personnel to change what is a defensive first strategy into a more attacking outfit which is required. This i think accounts for some of the changes and swapping we are witnessing. We have to go for it. Remaining unbeaten for the rest of the season won't be enough if there all draws. We have nothing to lose by going for it. But like i say what can he do to make us more creative? he must start by allowing his players to play higher up the field. Get wingers driving to the bye-line. Let full backs support them (although McHugh maybe not). Go for it Parky.......

A lot of nonsense here. According to you the other 91 teams play 'defensive' football. People like you are the first to bleat when City concede goals.

spleen ventor wrote:
That's 16 points from 15 games since we beat Arsenal...over a season that's 49 points, barely "staying up" form. Should we really be hoping/wishing the manager signs a new contract?

My advice to Parkinson is not to sign the contract. I would advise him that there are many people like 'spleen ventor' who want him out of our club. Spleen ventor wants you out so I would suggest getting yourself a good contract with a Championship club during the summer, as there will be a few offers. Get yourself a good contract that you deserve elsewhere. Then when the 'speen ventors' at your Championship club say they don't want you, then you'll have a decent pay-off. I really appreciate what Parkinson has done this season. I want him to personally benefit, so I say spleen ventor and his friends don't want you so move elsewhere!

Peter300... Do you actually ever put anything of a debateable point on this site. Or just have a go at what other people put... I don't have an issue with someone trying to look on the positive side of a bad situation (which this is) but you don't even do that... you just try and belittle other peoples comments..... pretty sad really!!!!

Promotion was always the aim and it is not going to happen. Far to few wins as i have been saying for a long time now.It is no good Mr Parkinson saying its bad luck up front and we are just waiting for it to happen for us. He has used this excuse to often now far better to admit that as yet he as not got it just right waiting for the last 20 minutes to win games is ****. I have always backed Parky and would like him to be given at least the first half of next season to put things right but even he must admit we do not WIN enough games OH CITY

numerouno2 wrote:

spleen ventor wrote: That's 16 points from 15 games since we beat Arsenal...over a season that's 49 points, barely "staying up" form. Should we really be hoping/wishing the manager signs a new contract?

I wouldn't care either way. Parkinson was brought in to get us promoted. Yes it was a fantastic achievement getting us to the League Cup Final but that was a bonus not his objective. I know the season isn't over yet but it's looking more than likely that we'll start another season in this tinpot league. There are no excuses for another failure and before I get slated the season wasn't about the League Cup Final it was about getting promoted, so if it doesn't happen then it's a failed season !!.

There are lots of valid excuses. I agree with and support Parkinson. He should move elsewhere then Numoerumoumreoumouno
oumwereoume222222rou
meore or whatever get start whinging about another manager. It's what they like doing. It their favourite pastime.

After 36 matches in 1995/96 City had 54 points.
After 36 matches in 2012/13 City had 51 points.

http://t.co/6FAexrvQ
55

numerouno2 wrote:

Aveyard01 wrote: Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

Unfortunately the only way to get points is to win matches not by the shot count ! Fickle and matches played have nothing to do with some of the comments. As I've said in a previous comment the players are paid to train and play. There are many a folk out there who have to extra at work but just get on with it, why is a footballer any different. We can see where we are from this time last year, slightly higher in the league and now left with only a slight outside chance of making the play offs. Take the League Cup out of the equation and we are not much further forward.

Well, you're certainly no further forward. But you like that situation.

numerouno2 wrote:

Aveyard01 wrote: Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

Unfortunately the only way to get points is to win matches not by the shot count ! Fickle and matches played have nothing to do with some of the comments. As I've said in a previous comment the players are paid to train and play. There are many a folk out there who have to extra at work but just get on with it, why is a footballer any different. We can see where we are from this time last year, slightly higher in the league and now left with only a slight outside chance of making the play offs. Take the League Cup out of the equation and we are not much further forward.

Well, you're certainly no further forward. But you like that situation.

there may be plenty of other "folk who go to work" however they are not skilled pro's playing a game, they dont really compare to most other workers. if you are not winning games you look at what you can do to win them, and at the minute we are being the superior team its just not quite clicking. if we were getting turned over every weeke then we could worry and be more skeptical, but this isnt the case. what a ridiculous statement that is. You cant take the league cup out of the equation, and we a re a great deal further forward, in terms of the squad, league position and importantly long term financial security. this time last year we were looking at relegation, this year we are talking about promotion, how can you say no better off? if parky goes, then we are in a position to get another decent manager as we are an attractive propostion at the minute. if he stays then id be more than happy! im still very much of the opinion we will make the playoffs, there is a lot of football to be played. but if not, thats football. and we go again net year with some new recruits.

Peter300 wrote:

spleen ventor wrote: That's 16 points from 15 games since we beat Arsenal...over a season that's 49 points, barely "staying up" form. Should we really be hoping/wishing the manager signs a new contract?

My advice to Parkinson is not to sign the contract. I would advise him that there are many people like 'spleen ventor' who want him out of our club. Spleen ventor wants you out so I would suggest getting yourself a good contract with a Championship club during the summer, as there will be a few offers. Get yourself a good contract that you deserve elsewhere. Then when the 'speen ventors' at your Championship club say they don't want you, then you'll have a decent pay-off. I really appreciate what Parkinson has done this season. I want him to personally benefit, so I say spleen ventor and his friends don't want you so move elsewhere!

HeHe...don't you just love sparking a reaction...where did I say I wanted Parky out?...I was asking a question, not providing an answer!
For what is worth I think he should stay but only for continuity sake and the law of averages which says he must get it right one day.

Come back - Shawn - all is forgiven!

Yes PP gave us Wembley but we are in relegation form.

Losses to Barnet, Wimbledon - not a home win in five (before scraped wins against Plymouth, Accrington, Torquay) says it all.

I disagree with those who say we have a great squad and an improvement on last year - if you take those four or five wins at beginning of season away we would be exactly same as last season -

Where is our youth? Scott Brown?

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote: "But we’re five games unbeaten and we’ve got to take the positives. I can’t fault the lads and the way they are working" Not positive enough. Last 2 games against teams in the bottom 4 and we walk away with 2 points. Not promotion chasing stuff !. Sick and tired of hearing the same things over the last few weeks about pressure, possesion and lack of finishing. Parkinson knew he needed a couple of new faces to get us through the last third of the season, one which was a goalscorer so he recruited Gray. That sums it all up for me.

Well you slag off Thommo and Hanson so you are not going to change your tune.

Sorry pal you are totally wrong. Go back and find a post where I have questioned Thompson or Hanson. I speak with fact and the stats say it all. Gray has played numerous games and his return is NIL, NOTHING, ZERO !!

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote:

Aveyard01 wrote: Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

Unfortunately the only way to get points is to win matches not by the shot count ! Fickle and matches played have nothing to do with some of the comments. As I've said in a previous comment the players are paid to train and play. There are many a folk out there who have to extra at work but just get on with it, why is a footballer any different. We can see where we are from this time last year, slightly higher in the league and now left with only a slight outside chance of making the play offs. Take the League Cup out of the equation and we are not much further forward.

Well, you're certainly no further forward. But you like that situation.

You are just a silly man who doesn't know how to debate.

There's a guy called Ross Hannah at Grimsby: perhaps we could get him on loan?

silverbantam wrote:
After 36 matches in 1995/96 City had 54 points. After 36 matches in 2012/13 City had 51 points. http://t.co/6FAexrvQ 55

Interesting fact. Financial progress may have been made under Parkinson??

Peter is a failed City player, failed publican and only has access to the internet in the morning and has no valid points to make so why respond to him.

Shawn is waiting in the wings to say "I told you so".

1955bantam wrote:
There's a guy called Ross Hannah at Grimsby: perhaps we could get him on loan?

He's not scored since he signed perminently!

spleen ventor wrote:

1955bantam wrote:
There's a guy called Ross Hannah at Grimsby: perhaps we could get him on loan?

He's not scored since he signed perminently!

Ha, ha, he'd fit right in then, hey, Mr Ventor?

numerouno2 wrote:

Peter300 wrote:

numerouno2 wrote:

Aveyard01 wrote: Think some fans need to stop being so fickle. Lets get this in context from where we were last season. Also, we have played a great deal more games than teams around us, which will make a difference. Like parky says we just need that little bit of luck. We had close on 20 shots last night away from home, as long as we are creating the chances the goals will come. I like the idea of connel playing more, he's barely been used and could give us the sharpness we need in front of goal. We have a lot of gmaes where against teams around us coming up, we're far from out of this. Why not all keep the faith and stay positive until the end of the season??

Unfortunately the only way to get points is to win matches not by the shot count ! Fickle and matches played have nothing to do with some of the comments. As I've said in a previous comment the players are paid to train and play. There are many a folk out there who have to extra at work but just get on with it, why is a footballer any different. We can see where we are from this time last year, slightly higher in the league and now left with only a slight outside chance of making the play offs. Take the League Cup out of the equation and we are not much further forward.

Well, you're certainly no further forward. But you like that situation.

You are just a silly man who doesn't know how to debate.

Maybe Peter300 knows how to:
"masterbate" because thats what he makes himself look like, it rhymes with banker..!!

A spark up front!!!!!

Hanson with two goals since Wembley on the bench, Connell with our only other goal since then on the bench, Wells who is not on form but still offers pace, against Branston of all people, on the bench.

Team starts to play once Hanson and Connell enter the fray, I'm afraid it doesn't take a tactician to work out the failings in the simplest terms.

I think we have to play a diamond from now until the end of the season.

Hanson and A.N Other up top, Connell sat in behind with one of the 3 defensive midfielders out of Jones, Doyle, Ravenhill at the foot of the diamond and two wide men but a little narrower to give the full backs space.

The back four can be trusted to defend, they do not need baby sitting by two men sat in front.

Any ideas why Parky didn't sub Good after 15 minutes agst Swansea: their winger was too much for him?

I understand the need for Connel to start games and like many City fans i really rate him, however taking Hines and Thompson off last night was a mistake. Thompson (though he missed a few) together with Hines where easily making an impact on the Plymouth goal on numerous occasions and it really was a matter of time before we scored. With Hanson coming on it just encouraged the long slogging ball once more which cost us possesion constantly for the final third (ish) of the game, where as Hines and Thompson where linking up well and keeping the ball. Back to the drawing board PP! All the city fans where shaking thier heads at that decision.

Need more than a "Ruddy Spark" !

( I await the unofficial censors remarks)?

Now that the 'promotion campaign' is all but over, in the remaining month or so some vital issues need to be resolved.

Top priority is of course, te matter of whether 'PP' is staying/going.

For myself, I'd say he should get another year to try to take us up. But, if wage demands are too high or he prefers another club, we need to start looking for a relacement to begin BEFORE the close season.

Next, there's the matter of our present squad.

Some have been big successes like Meredith, McArdle, McHugh, Jones nd Doyle. Of the others, question marks hang over-either their curren ability to perform at a previous good standard eg Reid, whether they can do it at all-eg Gray, whether they will want to stay eg Wells, whether they have had nough opportunities eg Connell. Some eg Hanson, have proved very useful players but have been inconsistant and the question with these is whethe to 'stick' or 'start again'.ie move them on.

We DO have to admit, hat whilst we have had a memorable season in the League Cup, some things have NOT been 'right' in ths squad of players.

Whether t is down to the addition of a few new additions eg striker/scoring md-fieder or change in formtion/tactics isthe job of the manager ie 'PP' or his replacement.

No City fan wanteda seventh consecutive sa in the 4th tier and of course City's 'stay' for one more year is going to cost in season ticket sales, nomatter HOW LONG, the club keep the £199 offer going.

But, at least we ARE better off than this time last year. &hopefully NEXT YEAR AT THIS TIME-WE'LL BE POISED TO GO UP!!

Cityman23 wrote:
Now that the 'promotion campaign' is all but over, in the remaining month or so some vital issues need to be resolved. Top priority is of course, te matter of whether 'PP' is staying/going. For myself, I'd say he should get another year to try to take us up. But, if wage demands are too high or he prefers another club, we need to start looking for a relacement to begin BEFORE the close season. Next, there's the matter of our present squad. Some have been big successes like Meredith, McArdle, McHugh, Jones nd Doyle. Of the others, question marks hang over-either their curren ability to perform at a previous good standard eg Reid, whether they can do it at all-eg Gray, whether they will want to stay eg Wells, whether they have had nough opportunities eg Connell. Some eg Hanson, have proved very useful players but have been inconsistant and the question with these is whethe to 'stick' or 'start again'.ie move them on. We DO have to admit, hat whilst we have had a memorable season in the League Cup, some things have NOT been 'right' in ths squad of players. Whether t is down to the addition of a few new additions eg striker/scoring md-fieder or change in formtion/tactics isthe job of the manager ie 'PP' or his replacement. No City fan wanteda seventh consecutive sa in the 4th tier and of course City's 'stay' for one more year is going to cost in season ticket sales, nomatter HOW LONG, the club keep the £199 offer going. But, at least we ARE better off than this time last year. &hopefully NEXT YEAR AT THIS TIME-WE'LL BE POISED TO GO UP!!

Thank god for that, a breath of fresh air to read some sensible comments. Yes Parkinson may have got us to the League Final (Massive achievement noted) but he can't dine out on that forever. This is a tinpot league and year in year out the chairmen risk the finances to give the manager the funds to have a "go" at getting us out of the league and year in year out it fails (granted not just yet and I hope to god I'm wrong). Just at a time when we needed the skill of his management Parky seems to have "lost" his way. We needed a settled team to push us over the line but that well used phrase "tinkering" re-appeared with PP. Perhaps the pressure has got too much.

I have 1 question based on the following information:-
***
For a while now, all the top managers have come out with the same old rubbish about having to rest and rotate players to keep them fresh.
They will continue to do this until somebody at a very high level within the game turns around and makes a stand and says enough is enough.
The argument will then go on that fans pay money to support there beloved team through thick and thin to see them try to win not just turn up!!!
The argument will continue that to achieve this, the best players need to be used as much as possible and not sat on the bench resting there legs.
All this is a long, long way down the line for the top teams as a lot of fan pressure would be required to start such an argument.
However, down at league 2 level, this will probably never become an argument because teams at that level cannot have so much quality within a squad to allow a rotation policy to be successful! Can they?
***
So my question is this. Can anyone tell me why PP is treating the BCFC squad like a top premiership squad which is full of amazing quality rather than a decent squad trying to pull out all the stops to reach the play-offs in the bottom division?

Basically, no.

DingDangDoo!!! wrote:
I have 1 question based on the following information:- *** For a while now, all the top managers have come out with the same old rubbish about having to rest and rotate players to keep them fresh. They will continue to do this until somebody at a very high level within the game turns around and makes a stand and says enough is enough. The argument will then go on that fans pay money to support there beloved team through thick and thin to see them try to win not just turn up!!! The argument will continue that to achieve this, the best players need to be used as much as possible and not sat on the bench resting there legs. All this is a long, long way down the line for the top teams as a lot of fan pressure would be required to start such an argument. However, down at league 2 level, this will probably never become an argument because teams at that level cannot have so much quality within a squad to allow a rotation policy to be successful! Can they? *** So my question is this. Can anyone tell me why PP is treating the BCFC squad like a top premiership squad which is full of amazing quality rather than a decent squad trying to pull out all the stops to reach the play-offs in the bottom division?

Absolutely spot on!

I get the feeling PP thinks we have the divine right to turn up and take points from other teams with our second string team while our supposed first choice players warm the bench!

If the first choice team won every week against the better teams in the division you may be able to forgive him for thinking that, but we don't!

silverbantam wrote:
After 36 matches in 1995/96 City had 54 points.
After 36 matches in 2012/13 City had 51 points.

http://t.co/6FAexrvQ

55

They will require more than a spark upfront to achieve promotion the statistic by silverbantam shows how much city have improved.But you have to remember we are talking the old fourth division with very substandard management and players to pick from and its no different for any club in this division, the lucky ones go up and the others stay down.

DingDangDoo!!! wrote:
I have 1 question based on the following information:- *** For a while now, all the top managers have come out with the same old rubbish about having to rest and rotate players to keep them fresh. They will continue to do this until somebody at a very high level within the game turns around and makes a stand and says enough is enough. The argument will then go on that fans pay money to support there beloved team through thick and thin to see them try to win not just turn up!!! The argument will continue that to achieve this, the best players need to be used as much as possible and not sat on the bench resting there legs. All this is a long, long way down the line for the top teams as a lot of fan pressure would be required to start such an argument. However, down at league 2 level, this will probably never become an argument because teams at that level cannot have so much quality within a squad to allow a rotation policy to be successful! Can they? *** So my question is this. Can anyone tell me why PP is treating the BCFC squad like a top premiership squad which is full of amazing quality rather than a decent squad trying to pull out all the stops to reach the play-offs in the bottom division?

because they have played and extraordinary amount of games would be my guess.

I think that one of our big problems is our wingers. They always stand around in front of the backs, waiting for a square ball in our half. There is no option to play a through ball because they simply will either not move or move too late. If they were to move forward, maybe even on occasion diagonally it might move around/ unsettle their defence a bit and create a bit of space behind for the backs to move into. But instead we find ourselves a few feet apart, playing these little triangles and they have 9/ 10 men behind the ball.
Reid, IMO is no more than a very athletic park player and Hines can not pass and neither has an aerial threat.

And another thing. A lot of you seem to be putting the blame for our poor form/ lack of goal on Gray. He may well be a poor player but our slump in league for started long before he arrived. True or false?

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
A spark up front!!!!!

Hanson with two goals since Wembley on the bench, Connell with our only other goal since then on the bench, Wells who is not on form but still offers pace, against Branston of all people, on the bench.

Team starts to play once Hanson and Connell enter the fray, I'm afraid it doesn't take a tactician to work out the failings in the simplest terms.

I think we have to play a diamond from now until the end of the season.

Hanson and A.N Other up top, Connell sat in behind with one of the 3 defensive midfielders out of Jones, Doyle, Ravenhill at the foot of the diamond and two wide men but a little narrower to give the full backs space.

The back four can be trusted to defend, they do not need baby sitting by two men sat in front.

great post, shame it won't happen.....

what would we all change for next year . . . . goalkeepers are average and we need a new one, basic defence is sound (with or without Davies), midlfield needs more creativity and more focussed wingers and possibly three new strikers - selling all the current crop except perhaps connell. We need to rid ourselves of 6iance on the immobile Hanson - 5 out and 6/7 in to challenge.?

tingleyb wrote:
what would we all change for next year . . . . goalkeepers are average and we need a new one, basic defence is sound (with or without Davies), midlfield needs more creativity and more focussed wingers and possibly three new strikers - selling all the current crop except perhaps connell. We need to rid ourselves of 6iance on the immobile Hanson - 5 out and 6/7 in to challenge.?

And some on here believe all Phil parkinson needs to do is "fine tune the squad" 5 out and 6/7 in to challenge hardly fine tuning..!!

Victor Clayton wrote:
I think that one of our big problems is our wingers. They always stand around in front of the backs, waiting for a square ball in our half. There is no option to play a through ball because they simply will either not move or move too late. If they were to move forward, maybe even on occasion diagonally it might move around/ unsettle their defence a bit and create a bit of space behind for the backs to move into. But instead we find ourselves a few feet apart, playing these little triangles and they have 9/ 10 men behind the ball. Reid, IMO is no more than a very athletic park player and Hines can not pass and neither has an aerial threat.

Exactly and they are our only real creative outlet.

Hines states how Parky makes them concentrate on their defensive duties and i feel this is to the detriment of attacking.

All the play is in front of the opposition which makes it easy. We should allow our wingers to 'bomb' forward occasionally and then try to find them with a pass. If not allow the full back to over-lap and exchange passes etc. I

its too easy and far too predictable.