I have a theory! Rotherham have had success this season when we play high energy football - in the other team's faces - never giving them a second on the ball. The commentator last night hit the nail on the head, when Nottingham Forest play well, they expel very little energy. Our guys are full on, whether we win, lose, play well or play badly. Unfortunately, the mad frequency of games gives very little time for us to recover. Hence our players are looking increasingly jaded.
There's no easy answer. We don't have the skill to play an economic style but we don't have the stamina to maintain a high press, high energy game. The only possible solution I can think of is to target specific games which we stand a chance of winning and rotate the squad so that our key players are fresh for those games.
Oh, and by the way, it's no-one's fault. It's merely a symptom of being the poor relative in the Championship and having to make do with what we can afford. Covid and bad weather haven't delivered us any favours.
Anyway, a win against Reading at the weekend will make everyone feel better! Onwards and upwards!!
i agree we have to target games, Norwich was not a game to play our best 11, that was an emotional decision by warne and he got it wrong. Forest at home and cardiff at home were key games, two draws and we would be above Birmingham and feeling better about our chances.
Our issue is and has been particularly the past two home games we've lived up and played up to our stereotypical tag of being lump it merchants.
If wed have played the football we are capable of against Cardiff and Forest (Two teams just as direct and physical as us but that wont get mentioned elsewhere) we'd have taken something from both games.
If we get dragged into another battle of hoof and run Saturday I fear another defeat, try and play a bit we've got a chance.
We've been sussed. Team talk for any opposing manager is simple :- "You're better players than Rotherham. Just match them for effort and commitment and you'll win the game". We are desperately behind on quality and worryingly beginning to lack belief. There is very little on the bench to alter things. MacDonald is evidently not fit to start or he'd have replaced Barlaser whose confidence seems shot. Hirst and Josefzoon have been terrible signings and the lightweight Sadlier is neither brave or skilful enough to make any impact. This scenario was so predictable and the chairman has to take responsibility for his shoestring approach. But we're not done yet. I thought Forest were much improved and will beat most teams in this division. The cynic in me is drawn to the announcement that several players have been offered new contracts prior to last night's match. They obviously know their wages are miles below almost every other club and,driven by agents, i can't see many accepting,especially when the club insists on incorporating severe relegation clauses. Must have some impact on performance.
We do ourselves down on the quality aspect constantly.
A good number of our players would walk into a lot of other clubs teams at this level.
Regarding the squad and transfers, I’m not sure how much more money could have been spent in the middle of a pandemic with no income. Our problem isn’t budget it’s lack of belief.
I'd agree with your OP Glenn, especially that Warne doesn't seem to have the nous to realise we need to keep our best teams back for the games we most have a chance of winning and against teams around us where we need to take points off them.
Our squad is not big, but in my opinion he should play Hirst/Lapadpo & others who are usually subs in games we have very little chance of winning - so that we can keep the likes of Smith/Barlaser/Crooks as fresh as possible for '6 pointers'..
I think our confidence is affected when we play our hearts out against the likes of Norwich and Bournmouth and come away with nothing - plus the physical inpact of our pressing game, as you said.
I DO think we play better when we keep and pass the ball, and we have shown we CAN open teams up. I don't agree with some that we don't have the quality to play football... We can press like we do, but in possesion play it on the ground. The Smith/Crooks combo goals have mainly come from good play and passes on the ground.
My main thing I'd say to Warne (who overall I think is good) is that he MUST rotate the team, even if he doesn't want to, or we'll burn out..
-- Edited by Davidedin on Wednesday 24th of February 2021 08:36:21 PM
Just seen in tizer Robertson not making a decision on a new contract until after the end of the season. Are the rats deserting the sinking ship already?. Only problem is there will be a massive hangover after covid next season clubs will be getting rid of players. There probably won't be clubs from the championship banging on his door.
TS he's took his eye off the ball. It's not worked Warney's good guy approach. Forrest game he's exchanging pleasantries with their manager whose happy to cause he knows Warney's a good loser. Still no left back. Still playing happy families. Needs changing.
Don’t know what anyone else thinks but I wouldn’t be all that fussed if Robertson stays or goes surely any new contact would be appearance based regardless of the division we end up in
As regards the manager situation I am not in favour of changing the manager having said that I do sometimes think Warne is his own worst enemy at times we’ve basically got a squad of about 20 at the mo if you take the injured off Mattock etc he doesn’t help himself when out of that 20 some don’t even play Clarke SMcdonald Hirst (yes I know) were basically running on about 15 players who play regularly yet the other night we played hoof ball in extremely windy conditions thereby using even more energy I know Forest and indeed most of the teams have better quality but don’t tell me we can’t play because we can we are as I say our own worst enemy and have gone back wards the last couple of weeks
After all that I’m not convinced another manager could do any better and would love to know especially from our resident Saint n Greavesie on suitable alternatives I m not sure there are any when they quote Joey Barton I’d sooner stick with Warne thanks
Robertson new contract appearance based! If he proves his fitness he won't stay here anyway if we go down. We need to ditch old pals act offering Wood & S McDonald contracts. Darren Moore next manager, doing a good job at Donny.
Ladapo got slated for his misses
Sorry but we are a better team when he plays
Yet warne prefers crookes who like warnes other fav vassell went on a small run of goals and now he is first choice in starting for a .majority of games
Here's an idea - gwru and TH - start your own thread on which you can repeat the same old as many times as you wish. But please, if you are going to comment on someone else's thread, stick to the OP!
We have had spells of good football. We have had periods of good intensity in the right areas.
The Skill at this level is definitely harder to combat. We were always an higher octane team in any division we play.
It seems inevitable that we will have ups and downs most of the time. Its a rare thing when we have dominated a division. I can only think of a few times.
Like the teams going up to the Premier this is our limit.
However, I think a championship stay should not be totally beyond us.
What we need ?
A much bigger squad. A budget close to the average of the bottom 8 Good coaching Excellent management.
As to the present dilemma there are plenty of on field decisions I might have opted differently for.
I would like us to go back to 442 for a time. I think we are getting caught both wide and central due to the difficulty of the intensity and the dynamic movement needed from a 5 .
I agree we look better when we try and play possession and we have created so many more openings that way. To see us hoof the ball from Central defence is heartbreaking and embarrassing.
I don't mind the long ball down the wings .
I do have to admit that we don't have a striker that perhaps is good enough compared to the chances we sometimes get. However, we tend not to create too much in open play.
All in all I guess we are just about the number of wins and points one would expect. The previous mini run of form was probably multifactorial. We might just have to wait and pray lots ...I also need to remember that we were always going to be either relegated or survive by a point or 3.
In a calm, measured and logical way It's the building plan I'd like to be able to discuss and hear about from the owners.
-- Edited by ian on Thursday 25th of February 2021 04:20:24 PM
GlennMiller you've asked what's gone wrong? So in your opinion there is something wrong. Warney today his pre Reading press highlights this isn't word for word but part of what's he's said Victor's performance it's been backed up with a good performance in front of him. Can't believe that surely. Keeper can't deal with crosses with any challenge on him. Robertson & perhaps Ihiekwe done their job but we look vulnerable in defence. As I've said no left back still. Giles he's a left winger, looked good going forward but he's not been starting so manager can't think he's good enough. I agree Ladapo when he got on tues he looked our best forward. Need to go back to a back 4 Sadlier on the right, Giles on the left. Midfield I'd stick with Barlaser Wing Wiles. Ladapo lone striker. Harding right back. Olosunde left. Unless he brings Cooper in for A McDonald him & Robertson centre backs.
-- Edited by gwru on Thursday 25th of February 2021 05:01:52 PM
GlennMiller you've asked what's gone wrong? So in your opinion there is something wrong.
-- Edited by gwru on Thursday 25th of February 2021 05:01:52 PM
No - I think everything is absolutely fine. Why on earth would I be asking the question otherwise!? If you're not repeating the same tosh, you're stating the bleedin' obvious! Are you on a wind up?
