Match Thread Coventry City - Norwich City Match Thread - Saturday 31st Aug (11 Viewers)

[Mr Panda]

I think what worries me more than anything today is we don’t have a system. Stark contrast to Norwich who despite not being incredible today they all knew what they were doing and just managed the game out of our hands in that second half.

 

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[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

They were just very well drilled and rightly beat us, should have by more but some good defending, poor finishing after shit defending kept it tighter

 

[Great_Expectations]

So far the following have been called out on this thread as being poor (or a variation of the word);

Lati
Bidwell
Eccles
Torp
Rudoni
Wright
Simms
Sakamoto
Bassette
EMC

That, on top of the general consensus we looked clueless tactically, is pretty telling of how we played today.

It’s now on MR and his army of coaches to work out how we improve.

For me, playing on the front foot, and at a higher tempo is a no brainier. Any combination of attacking players we utilise will have pace and power, we just aren’t using it at all.

Why aren’t we playing over the top/down the sides and making defenders turn? Let’s also make a decision re do we press or sit? As this in the middle shit isn’t working.

However, let’s not all lose our shit. Frustrating as it is, historically we improve as the season goes on.

 

[CCFCSteve]

By far our best defenders. I don't know if he's just trying to get an understanding with Lati and Binks or punishing Thomas and Kitching for the end of last season but whatever it is he needs to stop and put the best pairing we have back in.

They also add some grit and are a threat from pieces. Harsh on binks as he’s started season well but still think Thomas/Kitching is best partnership

 

[Great_Expectations]

Also, it was worrying how tired our players look?! We’re six games in…..

 

[CCFCSteve]

I

So far the following have been called out on this thread as being poor (or a variation of the word);

Lati
Bidwell
Eccles
Torp
Rudoni
Wright
Simms
Sakamoto
Bassette
EMC

That, on top of the general consensus we looked clueless tactically, is pretty telling of how we played today.

It’s now on MR and his army of coaches to work out how we improve.

For me, playing on the front foot, and at a higher tempo is a no brainier. Any combination of attacking players we utilise will have pace and power, we just aren’t using it at all.

Why aren’t we playing over to top/down the sides and making defenders turn? Let’s also make a decision re so we press or sit? As this in the middle shit isn’t working.

However, let’s not all lose our shit. Frustrating as it is, historically we improve as the season goes on.

yeah, move the ball quicker, use the channels more and turn defenders

one for BSB, keep one or two up from corners !!! Let’s play to our strengths

 

[shmmeee]

Is

Nuh uh

 

[theferret]

Sounds exactly like last year. People slamming the money spent and the recruitment team. Haji and Simms getting slated and then went on the score 40 goals.

Today was poor. It was similar to 12 months ago. Disjointed. Lots of players looking a little lost. Worryingly, a slight lack of confidence Infront of 26,000 home fans.

It will get better. Lots of new faces, plenty out the door and multiple new coaches. They need some time to get to grips.

Behind anything, our most gifted and important player hasn't played yet. Put him in the side today and we are far more likely to pick up a point or 3.

Tbf we started much better last season. Only lost one of the 1st 6 games and that was the game at Leicester when we hit the woodwork 20 times. Performances this time last season were levels above. Battered Boro, were the better team against Sunderland and even that crazy 3-3 Watford game there were plenty of positives. By comparison, performance wise, this is nothing like last season, we have much deeper issues than the team not gelling.

 

[Speedie's Head]

Also, it was worrying how tired our players look?! We’re six games in…..

Training too hard perhaps - "a step up from Viveash" - and nobody ever accused Viveash of light train sessions. It reminds me of the Bobby Gould army assault course bollocks

 

[napolimp]

Felt like a tale of 2 halves today, first half we looked very good and Norwich couldn't get a look in, it was frustrating that we couldn't put out chances away as that would have changed the course of the game.

Second half we looked lost and couldn't control the play at all. Clearly issues with set-up, tactics, and players understanding what they're supposed to be doing on the pitch. We have talented players, but how long does Robins need to get them up to speed with how he wants to play this season. I fear another slow start which will cost us in the long run.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

That game was like watching an under 21 team play an under 16 team. One was just that bit better in almost everything they did and rarely looked troubled. The longer it went on the bigger the difference .

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Dr Claire-Marie Roberts is supposed to be leading the development all I see is regression, Tatsu is scared to take on a man, Bidwell gets beat by his man every time, Thomas has forgot how to pass a ball, Torp looks even worse than last season, Eccles cant play without Sheaf whereas last season he could, Simms doesnt get any service whatsoever

 

[Martw]

Another 10 games of this and i think his job should be under serious threat

I’m not sure it can be that many of the level of performance stays as low as this. Hope not of course

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Lot of work to do in international break

It will be like Flogging a Dead Horse

It was all there to See, inept Midfield and inept Left Back.

One this Performance we will be Lucky to Finish in the Top Half of the League.

 

[eyesee]

Bassette let’s be honest looked very raw and contributed very little

can't agree with that.
keen, mobile, always asking for the ball.
the fact he wasn't getting it wasn't his fault.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

He even runs a bit like Vik

 

[Great_Expectations]

Yea re Bidwell, he seems to be (trying to) offer more offensively but it’s at the expensive of his historically solid defensive play.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Sounds exactly like last year. People slamming the money spent and the recruitment team. Haji and Simms getting slated and then went on the score 40 goals.

Today was poor. It was similar to 12 months ago. Disjointed. Lots of players looking a little lost. Worryingly, a slight lack of confidence Infront of 26,000 home fans.

It will get better. Lots of new faces, plenty out the door and multiple new coaches. They need some time to get to grips.

Behind anything, our most gifted and important player hasn't played yet. Put him in the side today and we are far more likely to pick up a point or 3.

But then next year when a couple of Sheaf, Milan, Simms or Wright move on and we have to rebuild do we just do this again and hope something changes.

And I hear you on Sheaf but a whole tactic can’t only work when a certain player plays. That’s maddness

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

He even runs a bit like Vik

Lil baby yok

 

[pusbccfc]

But then next year when a couple of Sheaf, Milan, Simms or Wright move on and we have to rebuild do we just do this again and hope something changes.

And I hear you on Sheaf but a whole tactic can’t only work when a certain player plays. That’s maddness

Unfortunately, that is our method. We buy cheap (ISH) and sell high.

Eventually you build a squad good enough to go up.

The squad is strong now, Robins needs to find a system to fit in our many good strikers and wingers.

 

[SIR ERNIE]

Midfield is clearly a major problem but for me it's quantity rather than quality.
We are getting outnumbered and overrun every game, allowing the opposition too much space to control the game.

 

[Ashdown]

Collection of individuals, no cohesion, no one can fucking win a header, this Dovin to Binks to Eccles to Binks to the opposition shit has to stop, Simms isnt totally to blame up front but offers very little when its not put on a plate for him.
More than anything though the set up and coaching is eratic at best, shambolic at worst.
Don’t get me started on Eccles and Torp
Sort it out Robins !

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Unfortunately, that is our method. We buy cheap (ISH) and sell high.

Eventually you build a squad good enough to go up.

The squad is strong now, Robins needs to find a system to fit in our many good strikers and wingers.

But that’s the point the squad has to go up eventually. We can’t keep having weak starts nor the manager stating only conceding one is good work at home.

I’ll stress I’m just annoyed atm after paying to watch that but is the goal just to build a decent squad finish 8-10, sell them and do it all over again.

 

[pusbccfc]

But that’s the point the squad has to go up eventually. We can’t keep having weak starts nor the manager stating only conceding one is good work at home.

I’ll stress I’m just annoyed atm after paying to watch that but is the goal just to build a decent squad finish 8-10, sell them and do it all over again.

No, it's to build a squad to make the play offs.

Our squad is strong, stronger than it's been in 20 years. We've lost to a good side today and had a slow start to the season. Similar to last year.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

No, it's to build a squad to make the play offs.

Our squad is strong, stronger than it's been in 20 years. We've lost to a good side today and had a slow start to the season. Similar to last year.

Our squad is strong on paper, need to start seeing it on the pitch. Wouldn’t mind losing if I could see the improvements in the patterns of play. Ah well hope I’m wrong probably just annoyed.

 

[Matt smith]

But Binks is better than Callum Doyle according to many on here.

Callum Doyle was annoyingly good today

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Football isn't played on paper.

Exactly that.

 

[MalcSB]

That was dreadful.

 

[pusbccfc]

Oxford beat these 3-0

And we've beat Oxford twice in two weeks. It's football.

 

[Sick Boy]

Robins saying at least we kept the scoreline close vs Norwich at 1-0 instead of being smashed 3-0 like previous seasons. I am not happy for moral victories. A loss is a loss and this Norwich team is nowhere near as good as those we faced in previous seasons. They are definitely beatable.

Did he actually say that?

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Oh well. The league cup is as good as ours 🩵

Oh my God, on today's Performance How Many Goals will Tottenham Get.

 

[TomRad85]

Whats BTA done to warrant a start?

What has Simms done?

 

[Macca]

What has Simms done?

The touch and energy of my local Dad's league players

 

[Macca]

Its a tricky old league this with fortunes changing each year. Frankly my first target is the circa 50pts to stay up as always

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Robins saying at least we kept the scoreline close vs Norwich at 1-0 instead of being smashed 3-0 like previous seasons. I am not happy for moral victories. A loss is a loss and this Norwich team is nowhere near as good as those we faced in previous seasons. They are definitely beatable.

I’m staggered if he’s actually said that.