Match Thread Rotherham United FC - Coventry City Match Thread - Wednesday 25th Oct (4 Viewers)

[SkyblueDad]

They can’t have been off guard, Hamer was going as soon as a suitable fee was agreed, he played in the first couple of games.
I believe Swift was the the favoured replacement but for some reason didn’t happen.

 

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[JulianDarbyFTW]

I missed the game live, but watched it back on the EFL app at 1am this morning without knowing the score. Hardest part of doing that is avoiding the score on social media or going on autopilot and logging onto this place.

What's annoying me most is that I think we look relatively close to being a decent team, but we lack any real intent, and lack that never say die attitude that's been a major part of our recent identity. It's just pass sideway, pass sideways, pass wide, pass back, then shoot from long range or into the body of a defender a yard away, then rinse and repeat. And to top it off, our passing isn't consistently good enough to do the 'pass sideways' part of it.

I feel a bit sorry for the manager, because he's built a team around having Hamer or a Hamer type, and without that it's just dull and mundane and lacking any killer instinct.

 

[TomRad85]

We've had far worse teams and made lots more noise.

The simple fact is, we've gained a lot of fans home and away this year and they aren't as vocal.

Back in the League 1/2 days, we'd lose against pub sides and the fans would be up for it and making noise.

If you've gained fans due to increased expectations then you have to do everything you can to meet those expectations.

 

[shmmeee]

They can’t have been off guard, Hamer was going as soon as a suitable fee was agreed, he played in the first couple of games.
I believe Swift was the the favoured replacement but for some reason didn’t happen.

Didn’t Swift say we turned up half arsed at the end of the window?

And didn’t Hamer and Robins say the sale happened out the blue in a couple of days?

 

[CCFC54321]

Bit of a water shed moment been here before, our division one promotion season the 4-0 drubbing ironically also at Rotherham Robins changed tact, it worked and last season when we had that poor run xmas time. He needs to look at the squad and pick his best players and in their best positions. O’Hare will come in come in so must Sakamoto in either wide am position.
Big look at the midfield too how many times especially second half did Rotherham plough though centre midfield, I like Sheaf, I like Eccles but there’s no pace putting the cbs in trouble with players running at them.
Has to look at the midfield set-up get within striking distance of the play-offs by Christmas time has to be the goal.

Trouble is if we play a six man midfield inc wingbacks we don’t have a forward good enough or the abilities to play that lone role in my opinion. Godden did it in league 1 but it’s a standard lower and he was 4 years younger.

 

[napolimp]

Alright. Crazy Shmmeee’s formation of the week, sponsored by @fernandopartridge

Wilson (as an aside WTF Collins? Why?)
MvE Lats Binks Dasilva
Eccles Sheaf
Sakamoto O’Hare Wright
Simms

Only way I can see to get our forwards in the positions they look like they might cause the most trouble.

They don't know how to play 4 at the back, and don't particularly want to watch them lose 10 on the bounce as they try to get used to it.

 

[pusbccfc]

Funny, I remember the atmosphere in L1 and L2 being total shit.

Maybe it’s the old guard of fans rather than the new ones who were the problem all along?

At home, maybe. Not away.

 

[napolimp]

Trouble is if we play a six man midfield inc wingbacks we don’t have a forward good enough or the abilities to play that lone role in my opinion. Godden did it in league 1 but it’s a standard lower and he was 4 years younger.

That player would have to score goals - i.e. Viktor - but Simms has proved he can do that at this level.

 

[pusbccfc]

If you've gained fans due to increased expectations then you have to do everything you can to meet those expectations.

No, these fans turning up now, have always supported Coventry. Most are doing so because we've done well.

I bet lots of them will go back to doing whatever else they used to do on a Saturday when we finish bottom half.

 

[SBT]

At home, maybe. Not away.

No, it was definitely bad away from home as well. Claiming otherwise is just “Bah gum it were better in my day” snobbery.

 

[pusbccfc]

No, it was definitely bad away from home as well. Claiming otherwise is just “Bah gum it were better in my day” snobbery.

I can't remember many away games in the past 10 years as quiet as last night.

It may not have been as loud in terms of volume, but it rarely stood silent for 80 minutes like last night.

 

[shmmeee]

They don't know how to play 4 at the back, and don't particularly want to watch them lose 10 on the bounce as they try to get used to it.

We don’t know how to play anything right now. If £10m of defensive signings can’t play a back four I’ve got serious questions.

I think the fact is Fadz can’t play a back four and we will need to just bite the bullet and build a new central defensive unit without him.

 

[Grendel]

Your obsession with Bidwell is weird. I think he is a decent player but we now have two players who can play lwb that are better than him. This position is not a problem and frankly any of the three would be ok. None of them are exactly Todd Kane.

We have far bigger problems elsewhere. I fear time might have caught up with McFadzean although I hope not, we have no number 10 until and unless O'Hare is back to his best, and three strikers who can't score or hold the ball up. There also seems to be a general lack of team spirit, confidence and passion throughout most if the players, especially the forwards.

Da silva was reportedly offered £8k a week at Bristol - he’s just another example of someone signed as he was a child prodigy at Chelsea - pointless

 

[napolimp]

We don’t know how to play anything right now. If £10m of defensive signings can’t play a back four I’ve got serious questions.

I think the fact is Fadz can’t play a back four and we will need to just bite the bullet and build a new central defensive unit without him.

I don't think we should move away from the wing-back system, I just think there are many occasions - and oppositions - where it doesn't work. We certainly need alternatives to switch to, so we're not so one-dimensional.

 

[Evo1883]

Well that's not true, because we've mainly played with the box, not 2 upfront.

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Referring more to wing backs but yes we've played alot I'm the box , I'm not opposed to playing in the box

 

[TomRad85]

No, these fans turning up now, have always supported Coventry. Most are doing so because we've done well.

I bet lots of them will go back to doing whatever else they used to do on a Saturday when we finish bottom half.

Yes, so we've gained paying support due to increased expectations. It's not rocket science. The people who control the purse strings will be wanting us to keep that support and questions will be asked if it starts to drop off.

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[shmmeee]

I don't think we should move away from the wing-back system, I just think there are many occasions - and oppositions - where it doesn't work. We certainly need alternatives to switch to, so we're not so one-dimensional.

If you stick with wingbacks then IMO you’re writing off Wright and Sakamoto, you’re also probably forced to play Eccles every game. And you lack an obvious central CB candidate if you want to rest/drop Fadz.

We’ve never successfully played this system without a box to box midfielder.

 

[pusbccfc]

Yes, so we've gained paying support due to increased expectations. It's not rocket science. The people who control the purse strings will be wanting us to keep that support and questions will be asked if it starts to drop off.

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Which is a shame. A city of this size should have a loyal 22,000 fans. 8000 shouldn't just return to playing golf or sitting in dodgy pubs at 3pm on a Saturday because they aren't happy with mid-table in the Championship.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Da silva was reportedly offered £8k a week at Bristol - he’s just another example of someone signed as he was a child prodigy at Chelsea - pointless

Contracts for people’s mates like Palmer, DaSilva and even the head scout.

 

[shmmeee]

Which is a shame. A city of this size should have a loyal 22,000 fans. 8000 shouldn't just return to playing golf or sitting in dodgy pubs at 3pm on a Saturday because they aren't happy with mid-table in the Championship.

Mate I’m obsessed with the club and having trouble finding the energy to get up their at the moment.

 

[pusbccfc]

Mate I’m obsessed with the club and having trouble finding the energy to get up their at the moment.

We all are, but we'll still go. Plenty won't.

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

Da Silva is a steadier more careful version of Bidwell if there is such a thing. Pointless signing

 

[TomRad85]

Which is a shame. A city of this size should have a loyal 22,000 fans. 8000 shouldn't just return to playing golf or sitting in dodgy pubs at 3pm on a Saturday because they aren't happy with mid-table in the Championship.

All teams lose/gain paying support based on success or lack of. How much you suffer just depends how big the core support is. Ultimately some will go whatever, others will decide based on the product that's being served up. After all football is merely entertainment, if people are no longer entertained they can do what they want with their money.

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[TomRad85]

Mate I’m obsessed with the club and having trouble finding the energy to get up their at the moment.

I've got some painting to do. If you want to come and watch it dry I'll do you a good deal.

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[pusbccfc]

All teams lose/gain paying support based on success or lack of. How much you suffer just depends how big the core support is. Ultimately some will go whatever, others will decide based on the product that's being served up. After all football is merely entertainment, if people are no longer entertained they can do what they want with their money.

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They do, but our base support is way below others from similar cities and similar historical league positions etc.

 

[Martin180]

We don’t know how to play anything right now. If £10m of defensive signings can’t play a back four I’ve got serious questions.

I think the fact is Fadz can’t play a back four and we will need to just bite the bullet and build a new central defensive unit without him.

I think the whole back four issue revolves around Fadz ability to play it . If he can't , don't play him and play Kitching in his position with A N Other

 

[Ashdown]

The most worrying aspect of last nights game came after about an hour when heads completely dropped and some players started going through the motions. It’s pretty tough to keep your chin up when generally your strikers are so poor. Godden was fairly anonymous, Simms was better but still poor and ambles around like he doesn’t give a shit and I can barely believe that Wright is a professional footballer, let alone one we paid £7 million for.
If we’ve got any money left in January then we need a goalscorer.

 

[Grendel]

It is possible to accumulate a high xG without creating anything clear cut.

We did have a lot of chances - their keeper made some quality saves

 

[Macca1987]

Watching last night just showed the difference in passion (not ability), their No10 was just an aggresive shit, but won everything in the air and on the ground, our strikers don't seem to have that passion or willingness to put everything on the line

 

[SkyblueDad]

We can stick with the wing back system but with Joel L in front of them in CDM, I’d bite the bullet and go with Thomas, Kitching & Binks
and until xmas when we can bring some one in I’d go with Joel L cdm Sheaf and then Saka & O’Hare and one up front. Two up front just isn’t working.
Our outfield bench could comprise of Palmer, Eccles, Allen, McFadz, Kelly, Bidwell, Ayari, Wright, Simms or Godden plenty of options to change things if needs be. I doubt there’s a stronger bench anywhere else.

 

[Martin180]

Da Silva is a steadier more careful version of Bidwell if there is such a thing. Pointless signing

Hindsight is great isn't it ? I think Da Silva has been ok for what it's worth , he's technically sound and has a lot of ability on the ball . What he hasn't delivered so far is decent crosses on a regular basis which has been disappointing

 

[Martin180]

Watching last night just showed the difference in passion (not ability), their No10 was just an aggresive shit, but won everything in the air and on the ground, our strikers don't seem to have that passion or willingness to put everything on the line

Agree , the front three haven't been mobile , quick or aggressive enough in the last two games .

 

[Deleted member 9744]

The midfield 4 has to be sheaf Eccles Allen and o hare

4 players who know how we play and will give their all for the shirt.

I think this is right.

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

Hindsight is great isn't it ? I think Da Silva has been ok for what it's worth , he's technically sound and has a lot of ability on the ball . What he hasn't delivered so far is decent crosses on a regular basis which has been disappointing

I'm right then.
But yes hindsight is wonderful

 

[Martin180]

We can stick with the wing back system but with Joel L in front of them in CDM, I’d bite the bullet and go with Thomas, Kitching & Binks
and until xmas when we can bring some one in I’d go with Joel L cdm Sheaf and then Saka & O’Hare and one up front. Two up front just isn’t working.
Our outfield bench could comprise of Palmer, Eccles, Allen, McFadz, Kelly, Bidwell, Ayari, Wright, Simms or Godden plenty of options to change things if needs be. I doubt there’s a stronger bench anywhere else.

Not being awkward as I respect your opinion as a poster but what difference would Joel offer that Eccles doesn't in the 6 role? Seems he is being made a scapegoat of late despite not actually playing badly