I've been a season ticket holder on/ off since the late 1980's, worked as a pitch steward and then re-bought a season ticket. I fully understand the negativity and the angst here. We've all seen our beloved Blues through the clichéd 'thick and thin' - but what we are serving up right now , is dreadful, to put it mildly. You can blame Moyes for his team selection, Kenwright for not doing enough to sell the club - but at the end of the day, when a Centre half opts for hoofing the ball blindly, up the field at every given occasion ( Jags) or a centre forward who looks disinterested and lack lustre (Saha), the blame for or performances has to lie with the player themselves. Too many times, our 'midfield' look like deer caught in headlights when given the ball. Their initial first response is to hold the ball, play it sideways or backwards. Rarely will they pass, move and seek the ball back. Using Tottenham as a yard stick, look at Modric ,Van Der Vaat and Parker. Three attack minded midfield players, who are constantly moving into space, seeking the ball and looking to make 'that pass. Now look at our set up, Heitingar,, Neville and Osman.. need I say more ? Last night versus Bolton, we dwelled on the ball, looked devoid of ideas and kept moving the ball left to Baines or hoofed it up to Dennis. Every time Landon got the ball to feet and tried to launch a counter attack - no one went with him. It's going to be a long, frustrating and possibly regrettable loan period for our American saviour, if no one is willing to be on his wavelength or share his enthusiasm.
Our team looks jaded and negative, they can't even master the basics of short passing and moving. Over hitting, wild passes to isolated strikers. I personally cannot see where any sort of saving grace is going to come from. There's no quick get out clause. We have scored 20 goals this season collectively..Demba Ba has scored 15 on his own. We went 162 minutes without having a single shot at goal and our attendances are dropping like a stone. The rot isn't setting in - it;s been here here for a long long time. Landon Donovan, bless him, appears to be the only person, vocally proud to wear the Royal Blue of late. The others, if they left wouldn't bat an eyelid.
But one of my fiercest gripes is with Moyes, himself. "Barkley is one of the brightest prospects in English football, today". Yet days later, he was quoted saying that we wouldn't see him this season, in any major capacity. The team is screaming out for some guile, enthusiasm and a spark to ignite the team and the more importantly, the crowd. Yet, he's muzzling the boy, mothballing him and letting him kick his heels and get more and more frustrated - not even benching him ! We all know, Moyes frowns upon youthful exuberance and anyone with an ounce of creativity, but some times the man has to throw his convictions out of the window and realise that some times you have to gamble every now and then.
Do the right thing, drop the old guard and bring in some fresh blood - it can't do any worse than what the current lot are serving up as 'entertainment'
