Persistence of Martinez - Time to change.

[royalblue66]

I would just like to know what is our plan B ? Serious question.

 

[MikeH72]

I would just like to know what is our plan B ? Serious question.

Serious answer - we don't have one, nor do we bother working on one

 

[Del]

We have been Sussed mate, and our manager, who may I add I welcomed with open arms, turns. Out to be a very stubborn man, and I pray he gets a grip before it's too late, but aye it's all about opinions at the end of the day,so we will just have to wait and see how the mop flops. X

So why did West Ham lose at Goodison the other week?

What about Arsenal and Liverpool?

We have been poor this season but maybe that's all it is, Poor form, Not being sussed out or suddenly our manager is crap, Players playing poorly, Injuries to key players like Mcarthy/Stones/Kev/Barkley and extra games from the Europa league have all contributed to a very poor start imo

Think back to the beginning of the season, Those first 5 games, Leicester/Arsenal/Chelsea/West Brom/Wolfsburg, We didn't look awful, Our attacking play looked great against Arsenal/Chelsea and Wolfsburg, But our defence let us down badly, Something changed in the way we played after those early games, Martinez seemed to lose his bottle imo, Look at the difference in the Arsenal/Chelsea games to Southampton/Hull, We look scared to bomb forward, Something we loved doing last season and the early parts of this, He needs to get that back

 

[Deleted member 24970]

First of all i have been having a pop at Lukaku all season, not because he is poor but because i feel he has everything to be one of the best in the league, yet he still has the touch of bambi on ice. In his defence i noticed something recently, the time is takes to play the ball from Howard to Lukaku is an eternity. There is at least 20-30 passes between the defence and midfield at any one time, imagine being a striker having to wait 15 minutes to get any decent service - if at all. If he runs around he gets tired in the positions that matter, if he doesnt run then he is a lazy fat yakubu.

Secondly im afraid to say it (im huge fans of both) but Distin and Baines havent been themselves lately, its not just Distin or Baines its the left side all together - i include a injured pienaar in this too.

Third point is Naismith offers a lot more playing in the Second Striker role, Barkley is a good player but right now i would feel comfortable dropping barkley deeper when playing barry.

Fourth point - we really really really x1000 miss Jimmy Mc.(fadden)

Fifth point - Teams have simply figured us out - cue the infamous plan B, play with two strikers, play with two wingers, move the ball quicker etc etc....

If Martinez does change things then it is upto us to back him, show patience, if players lose the ball trying to run at a player then lets appreciate the intent and not groan at the mistake.

Right now i am praying to anybody that supposedly has power to give us a break from injuries, they havent helped the cause at all.

By the way huge respect to the crowds who made the trip down south, i was there last year and it is one hell of a journey.
The one thing i do know is that we will still take a crowd to St James Park because its just what we do. Through the highs of Wolfsburg and the lows of Southampton, we just cant help ourselves.

A win on boxing day is a must.

 

[Del]

You said that the only way a manager can suss out how to stop us is if they actually beat us. What if they play for a draw like Swansea and Hull? They got the turgid draws they came for, so they're not a very good example to use

Then Moyes was sussed out as well then was he? How many teams parked the bus against us and we failed to break them down

Chelsea couldn't break Sunderland down the other week, It happens, Maybe its not being sussed out, Maybe its having a massive lack of quality in the middle of the park, Those positions were a player needs to make a killer pass or burst through into the box, Our AM's combined cost £0

That's our biggest problem

 

[Deleted member 24970]

So why did West Ham lose at Goodison the other week?

What about Arsenal and Liverpool?

We have been poor this season but maybe that's all it is, Poor form, Not being sussed out or suddenly our manager is crap, Players playing poorly, Injuries to key players like Mcarthy/Stones/Kev/Barkley and extra games from the Europa league have all contributed to a very poor start imo

Think back to the beginning of the season, Those first 5 games, Leicester/Arsenal/Chelsea/West Brom/Wolfsburg, We didn't look awful, Our attacking play looked great against Arsenal/Chelsea and Wolfsburg, But our defence let us down badly, Something changed in the way we played after those early games, Martinez seemed to lose his bottle imo, Look at the difference in the Arsenal/Chelsea games to Southampton/Hull, We look scared to bomb forward, Something we loved doing last season and the early parts of this, He needs to get that back

Alot of teams have sussed us though mate, especially the likes of Palace, Hull and such, the likes of Warnock, Bruce and Pulis know how to to set up on the counter attack, sometimes they get broken down and lose 3-0, sometimes they come to goodison and win 2-1.

This infamous plan b needs to be worked on and also requires patience to find the balance.

 

[Del]

Alot of teams have sussed us though mate, especially the likes of Palace, Hull and such, the likes of Warnock, Bruce and Pulis know how to to set up on the counter attack, sometimes they get broken down and lose 3-0, sometimes they come to goodison and win 2-1.

This infamous plan b needs to be worked on and also requires patience to find the balance.

When teams from the bottom 6 go to predominantly harder grounds like Goodison/Anfield/Old Trafford/WHL etc, How do they set up? Would you say most of the time they set up looking to get one on the break, Soaking up the pressure? Maybe sneak one from a set piece?

Its nothing new, Its not being sussed out, It happens every week to clubs

Do you think Stoke beat City the other week by going on the attack?

 

[WarringtonBlue]

Last season I think the back 7 (Howard + Back 4 + Barry/McCarthy) were unchanged till Xmas. Barry/McCarthy wasn't changed until *April*

With Rom up front until he was injured against the RS. So that meant the only changes week-to-week were on the wings and in the 10 role with Pienaar/Mirallas/Barkley/Osman/Deulofeu swapping as appropriate, and McGeady when he came in.

Compare that to the chopping and changing this season and it's clear we haven't been able to find rhythm

Distin was only brought back after injuries to Stones and Alcaraz (he wasn't even on the bench against Swansea Barry played CB!) and it's clear that Martinez already considers him a last resort and doesn't want to risk an unfit Stones going out for another few weeks.

Baines has suffered due to our lack of width but McGeady blows hot and cold. Pienaar has played a good 45 minutes against leicester in august and that is literally it.

A poster had it right. Injuries have forced chopping and changing and the 4-2-3-1 has become distorted.

 

[Del]

Get a decent AM and some pace on the wings and I think we will be sound

We have so little pace without Kev its frightening

 

[Goat]

Get a decent AM and some pace on the wings and I think we will be sound

We have so little pace without Kev its frightening

Decent AM?

 

[Goat]

Its freaking simple.

Play a balanced side, with wingers on the wing, wing backs at wing back, centre backs at the back, strikers upfront, its piss easy.

Stupid Catalan Clown.

 

[Del]

Decent AM?

Looks better from deep where he can run forward with the ball, Been less than impressed with him behind the striker

We need a door unlocker to give Lukaku some decent service

 

[Del]

Its freaking simple.

Play a balanced side, with wingers on the wing, wing backs at wing back, centre backs at the back, strikers upfront, its piss easy.

Stupid Catalan Clown.

Problem is Goat our wingers with Kev injured are utter gash

McGeady/Pienaar/Atsu ffs

 

[sharkey1001]

Jesus Christ the negativity on here.... We beat Stoke 5-0 on boxing day and its "Roberto had a dream... can we finish top 4"

• We messed up pre-season. Whoever was a fault for that debacle needs shot! No games organised until very late. This sort of thing should be organised now for next preseason
• World Cup Hangovers - the players were not managed well.
• Barry - mistake to sign him, although no-one would have argued against it. Is he on a 3 year deal, or is it a 2 year that we can extend if we cant? He is not the future, and ideally would go at end of the season.
• Lukaku - this change in style to accommodate Naismith has hindered Lukaku. Also Baines and Coleman dont seem to get to the byline this season, in fact no1 does!
• Europa. It is clear that this is Roberto's priority. Why bust a gut to qualify for this again unless we give it a real go?
• Distin - personally at fault for at least 15 goals this season. Worst performing defender I have ever seen in a blue shirt. The Distin of 2 years ago would have MAYBE given away 2/3 of these goals. He cannot play again. Stones, Alcarez, Galloway, Browning... anyone but Distin. Thanks for the memories Sylvan but you have become our major weakness, which everyone knows.
• Injuries. McCarthy, Mirallas, Barkley, Stones, Coleman, Lukaku (broken toe he played with). How would we not suffer losing these players?

But remain positive. If we can get Stones back with Jags we will be fine. The difference between this and last season is Distin.... look at our goals conceded, he doesnt even try for some of them, disgrace! Warsaw here we come, forget about the League. Top 8 will do me, and a cup win!

 

[Goat]

Looks better from deep where he can run forward with the ball, Been less than impressed with him behind the striker

We need a door unlocker to give Lukaku some decent service

Hes gonna struggle when we play that Albino ghost alongside him.