Come on lads, it's time for the wailing an gnashing of teeth to stop.

[canuckblue]

As my dad used to say to me, "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed." Letdown after letdown over the last 25 years have basically killed off my wailing and gnashing of teeth abilities.

 

[upthetoffees]

Up until an hour before the match and seeing the team news I fully expected us to lose, so it was pretty easy to shake the disappointment after the match.

 

[AmericasToffee]

.....had we been organised, tactically astute and won everybody would be praising Ancelotti. We were disorganised, tactically poor and lost so Ancelotti should also be accountable.

I'm unsure what tactics would overcome Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin deciding to ping more passes to Mina and Pickford than all of the attackers combined. I'm unsure what tactics would overcome pure laziness from those two in marking and defense. Midfield is the engine that drives a team and with Gbamin, Gomes, Delph (not fit for 90), Davies (had played a lot of minutes in the prior games) all out or fatigued - that left the two lazy asses.

 

[Frenk]

Well we have bloody awful players and Ancelotti now knows it, I’m happy about this.

 

[captainvindaloo]

If ever there was a game that could serve as a true barometer, then it was Sunday's. I think this defeat/performance (as sickening and wantedly unforgettable as it was) came at just the right time. Right before a transfer window, and right before Ancelotti's first assessment/report to the board. This is where the wailing and gnashing of teeth needs to happen.

 

[Eggs]

I'm unsure what tactics would overcome Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin deciding to ping more passes to Mina and Pickford than all of the attackers combined. I'm unsure what tactics would overcome pure laziness from those two in marking and defense. Midfield is the engine that drives a team and with Gbamin, Gomes, Delph (not fit for 90), Davies (had played a lot of minutes in the prior games) all out or fatigued - that left the two lazy asses.

...team selection is part of tactics. Playing 4-4-2 means your two CMs play as a pair, they hunt in a pack. We played a no10 and a back four shield. They were too far away from each other, they were isolated, they were chasing shadows. It was obvious, I’m sure it’s why he eventually brought Delph on.

 

[Connor mcloud]

I saw a friend last night who, it turns out, has lost his mind to drink, drugs and stress and heard about another who was rescued out of the sea by helicopter on Saturday night.

So it could be worse, hey?

I bet they were Everton fans

 

[cromofo]

We need a yard sale on our squad. So much useless grandma's furniture.

clear out & reset

 

[AmericasToffee]

...team selection is part of tactics. Playing 4-4-2 means your two CMs play as a pair, they hunt in a pack. We played a no10 and a back four shield. They were too far away from each other, they were isolated, they were chasing shadows. It was obvious, I’m sure it’s why he eventually brought Delph on.

No kidding, Eggs. I'm curious what he could have done different in your eyes. Play a third midfielder that wasn't available for the full 90? Play a 5-0-5?

 

[Coggy]

I'm unsure what tactics would overcome Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin deciding to ping more passes to Mina and Pickford than all of the attackers combined. I'm unsure what tactics would overcome pure laziness from those two in marking and defense. Midfield is the engine that drives a team and with Gbamin, Gomes, Delph (not fit for 90), Davies (had played a lot of minutes in the prior games) all out or fatigued - that left the two lazy asses.

You are correct mate. Those two were absolutely shocking. No excuses whatsoever for seasoned pro's such as them. We need to move on from them , but getting rid of them will be impossible because of their salaries.

 

[Eggs]

No kidding, Eggs. I'm curious what he could have done different in your eyes. Play a third midfielder that wasn't available for the full 90? Play a 5-0-5?

...they were weak at the back. That was clear in the first 20mins, it was obvious after the Villa cup tie. Everything should’ve been geared to getting the ball forward quickly, but the system allowed them to boss possession. We tried to keep the ball at the back, it suited their pressing game.

Having two up front that 2nd half was like playing with 10 men. Schneiderlin clearly needed a midfield partner, Sigurdsson was in no man’s land. He did change that bringing Delph on but it was too late.

The Coleman/Sidebe axis is ok if we’re forcing the game at home, but Sidebe can’t keep hold of a football. I don’t understand why Bernard wasn’t involved.

You’re right in saying individual performances were woeful, there is no excuse for that but the selection, formation and tactics were also poor. Perhaps even worst, they were not quickly changed. I just hope Ancelotti was watching more than tinkering, to be fair he said he hasn’t had a chance to get the players on the training ground.

 

[AmericasToffee]

...they were weak at the back. That was clear in the first 20mins, it was obvious after the Villa cup tie. Everything should’ve been geared to getting the ball forward quickly, but the system allowed them to boss possession. We tried to keep the ball at the back, it suited their pressing game.

Having two up front that 2nd half was like playing with 10 men. Schneiderlin clearly needed a midfield partner, Sigurdsson was in no man’s land. He did change that bringing Delph on but it was too late.

The Coleman/Sidebe axis is ok if we’re forcing the game at home, but Sidebe can’t keep hold of a football. I don’t understand why Bernard wasn’t involved.

You’re right in saying individual performances were woeful, there is no excuse for that but the selection, formation and tactics were also poor. Perhaps even worst, they were not quickly changed. I just hope Ancelotti was watching more than tinkering, to be fair he said he hasn’t had a chance to get the players on the training ground.

Bernard picked up a knock before the last game so likely wasn't fit for a full match. All that sounds good in theory, but in reality Delph has been injured AGAIN recently and who knows if he was physically able to play a full match. Ancelotti isn't untouchable, but he was very hamstrung in that match.

Even worldies can't make chicken salad out of chicken Shi'ite.

 

[gonetomorrow]

Well we have bloody awful players and Ancelotti now knows it, I’m happy about this.

He certainly wore a dead pan expression as he turned and headed for the dressing room last night!

 

[Eggs]

Bernard picked up a knock before the last game so likely wasn't fit for a full match. All that sounds good in theory, but in reality Delph has been injured AGAIN recently and who knows if he was physically able to play a full match. Ancelotti isn't untouchable, but he was very hamstrung in that match.

Even worldies can't make chicken salad out of chicken Shi'ite.

...fair points.

 

[alvinh]

Worth remembering this match took place at the very end of a packed Xmas program and one where the squad had largely out performed expectations over a series of daunting fixtures.

The Arsenal match had already suggested that the squad was running on empty, a credit to Duncan Ferguson extracting everything that was in the tank to get the priceless Chelsea result etc.

There's problems to be solved, but it may not seem quite so bleak once the first team players are rested and can properly focus in training on the league matches to come.

There's no cup to look forward to, but without European or domestic distractions there's a clear opportunity to get as high up the table as possible.