ROCHDALE POST-MATCH REACTION

Put it here......

In a word - garbage. Clueless, spineless, gutless, dispirited. I don't understand it. I'm not a big believer in the supernatural but I'm beginning to think we're cursed. Can you hear that spinning sound? That's Markus L rotating rapidly in his grave.
Cortese had better pull a very fat rabbit out of the hat and produce a manager who can turn this shyte round and get us up that table. Otherwise life is not going to be very pleasant this season.

Well another disappointing result and performance, Cortese needs to appoint the new manager quick and cannot afford any Italians who have never managed in England. Started okay and looked bright but as in other games this season lacked a cutting edge. Most threats came from Chamberlain who was a threat and at least tried. Although crowd got a bit restless Rochdale didn't present any real threat and Connolly missed a great chance, falling over and forced a few corners but no aerial threat when in the box. Puncheon wasted opportunities shooting when other players in better position and then went round in circles when direct approach required. Lambert was awful, others have said about his fitness but he didnt win a ball in the air all day as he didn't bother to jump. Bearing in mind he won so many flick ons last year clearly a problem with him and he needs to remember on £10k a week he needs to get his attitude sorted.

Goal from Rochdale was against run of play and exposed the defence with no midfield cover and no one bothering to run back and give some cover. If they had then the easy option to the Dale player who did run up to support his attack wouldn't have been there. Second half Puncheon missed open goal blasting over which showed a player with no confidence and not a great deal of skill. Mostly all saints with good vocal backing from the fans who tried to lift the team. Wilkins brought on Prado for Connolly which left us with just Lambert up front, still don't know why when losing 1 nil at home we don't go 3 at back and put Fonte or Martin up front to make other team have to adjust.

Second goal was a disaster but again our own fault 3 players around the ball not one put their foot through the ball and booted clear, lack of decision making and communication which meant ball was knocked back across goal for Dale player to have all the time in the world to shoot, good shot yes but under no pressure. Wilkins then took off Chamberlain and brought on Mills which wasn't a good move, Chamberlain may have tired but was still causing problems and that lead to loud chants of "You don't what your doing" which pretty much sums up our club at the moment. Still had chances, Fonte shot hit own player and went over top of net then in last 10 minutes some crosses which meant the goalie had to deal with the crosses and he fluffed both, bit late in the day to find out.

Loads of boos at the end but what do you expect. In reality if we had had a bit of luck would probably have won on another day, Rochdale had little skill or threat but had 11 players who gave 100% and played for each other, a salutory lesson for Mr Cortese. Wilkins got plenty of flak but he is the one left holding the fort, his starting 11 was pretty much what most of us would pick, no Lallana and Barnard doesn't help and Prado only there a week. Where we keep getting it wrong is in midfield, Hammond and Schneiderlin are both defensive players then with two wide players means we always get over run and no creativity from the middle of the park. We need to get a strong midfield player in the middle of the park with just 1 wide player and get the full backs to overlap. Harding was a prime example of no confidence in the set up. Last year was regularly overlapping to set up attacks but hardly ventured forward in 1st half as knows with Puncheon in front of him no cover if he is caught up field so stays back.

Need new manager who is prepared to get in amongst a few egos in the team and sort them out first, then tell Cortese back him in the loan market to bring in another striker and a ball winning ugly midfield player then leave the first team to him


Davis 6 think he could have stood up better for 1st goal and his distribution was poor, kick down field when Lambert cant be bothered wont work.
Harding 6 didn't get forward at all in 1st half
Fonte 6 hasn't looked the same player this season
Martin 8 Gave his all winning the headers and no support for 1st goal. Lowest paid highest commitment
Butterfield 6 didn't do much wrong but would like him to have a pop at goal
Puncheon 4 really cant believe AP thought he was the final piece of the jigsaw! Poor game and upsets balance of team.
Schneiderlin 5 Just didn't get to grip in midfield and failed to get back for 1st goal
Hammond 5 Another poor game
Chamberlain 8 only other bright spot, needs to be treated properly as learning the game but like Martin gave 100% as opposed big salary "stars"
Connolly 5 plenty of running but little threat
Lambert 4 not good enough to take £10k a week and not give a monkeys

Subs
Prado 5 looked totally confused, though not the only one!
Mills 4 had no impact.


Rumours are supposed to be news on manager mid week with a "wow" factor. Don't want a "wow" factor want a hard working manager who will instill a work ethic in the team and sort out those who won't. Still would like Curbs but would gladly accept Howe, Brown or even Adkins but need them in quick so they can act when loan window opens next week.