Here's my take on the failings of last weekend.

We just about held our own for fifty minutes, although despite what was said, in my opinion, Barnsley carried more of a threat going forward than we did, even in that first half. Then the cracks appeared.

Having thought about it and read countless views on the debacle that followed, here's what I reckon went wrong.

We had a right back playing left back, a right back playing right back who isn't as good as the right back playing left back and a left back on the bench? Weird!

We had a decidedly thin, vulnerable defence, Ball did his best and Wilson, despite his very evident lack of fitness, did his best. However, such a paper thin backline desperately needed protecting by a defensive midfield man.

Moving on, our midfield consisted of one loanee, Forster Caskey who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but playing for us at a wet Oakwell. Will Vaulks who is improving but struggling with the step up. Another loanee, Scott Allen, who, well, looks just unfit!

We had a tricky winger, Jon Taylor, who has nobody to aim for in the box and often can't cross anyway.

We had a striker Danny Ward, who was on his own up front, against two giant centre backs. We had a young kid doing his best but looking scared to death at times in Izzie Brown.

Oh and I thought Camp did okay and Yates improved us slightly when he came on.

All in all, a shambles and a really good reason for strengthening. We all know what followed this week.

So where was that defensive midfielder capable of protecting the weak back four? Yep, he was on the bench, Smallwood would have provided much needed cover, in my opinion. Amazingly our manager decided against giving him that opportunity. To cap it all, a few days on, he allowed him to depart for S****horpe?

The Stubbs way is fine if you had the money to buy the quality players that can play that system. Unfortunately we don't. Succesful Rotherham teams are built on a no nonsense style of play, in your face, never say die attitude, a robustness in defence and a togetherness and team spirit that is worth an extra 6 points a season. This Stubbs team has none of those qualities and for that reason I think we will be in League 1 next season.

stubbs came with an Agenda.

He never saw newall play but said others at the club had told him hes a good player.

He has simply brought in players he does know, and tried to make a team. A very limited approach given stubbs has no experience at this level, and the pond hes fishing in is not the league hes managing in-back to the gripe about championship experience.

I think , if I am right, then look towards Brentford-their fans think they are a solid championship club-i beg to differ.They will struggle for the same reasons we will. Granted they have more up front, but given there expectations its going to see smith sacked this year. There, a bold prediction.

Stubbs, is working with a lot less in all departments than smith, but look at smiths recruitment, its very average for the championship, so, stubbs only has to achieve safety this year, especially, given our start,and we will think him a genius.

Reports linking blackstock with a move to the NYS cause me to think; what is the true worth of a player. cpmpare Blackstock on paper and his worth is pounds, shillings and pence compared to Gregory and Bradshaw of League one...

sportsearning.com/2013/05/08/dexter-blackstock-salary-details/


nottstv.com/dexter-blackstock-impressed-rotherham-revival-warnock/


footballleagueworld.co.uk/rotherham-united-in-talks-with-former-nottingham-forest-frontman/


so, im wondering, if blackstock came, would it actually be a case of accidental design that stubbs missed out on players in L1, who, he didnt actually know...a most bizarre cir***stance, especially if blackstock plays at NYS and scores 15 goals while Gregory and Bradshaw fail miserably in their respective seasons. All conjecture at present but thats the way football is...look at man united and Progba.

-- Edited by ian on Sunday 4th of September 2016 01:11:19 AM