Let's try to be objective.

[Beholder]

Is the problem Gray, or is the problem a lack of quality?

 

In Gray's favour, we have been solid and have displayed a strong work ethic.

 

To his detriment, our attacking play has been predictable and our set pieces ineffective.

 

What makes our attacking play predictable? 

 

Poor decision making, passing the buck in the final 3rd or going it alone when it would be better to pass.

 

My verdict: too much focus on defensive shape and a refusal to use players with creative intelligence.

 

Gray would rather us have two defenders in a central area than risk players who have composure, look up and play forward. When he does include them, the weight of expectation is on them alone to create something. We have the players to create but they need the shackles lifting so they can express themselves.

 

We have a defensive ethos.

 

Not an attacking one.

 

Remember what happened when Sturrock left? And when Megson left? I feel the same scenario is about to repeat itself. 

Edited November 28, 2014 by Beholder

[abrodie2002]

OBJECTIVE?! ..... THIS... IS.... OWLSTALK!!!!

[sage owl]

When Megson left we went on a promotion winning run can't see that.

[Mr Farrell]

By objective, do we mean make the Manager scapegoat for a fundamentally flawed and underfunded strategy ?

[Beholder]

History could repeat itself.

 

We need a charismatic manager who encourages attacking ingenuity.

 

The Laws revolution after Sturrock's mind numbing defensiveness was spectacular.

 

I'm not suggesting Laws, but someone who can inspire the creative talent we have.

 

We have a good defence, but they need to start expressing themselves.

By objective, do we mean make the Manager scapegoat for a fundamentally flawed and underfunded strategy ?

Ok, I meant subjective.

 

[FlyingOwl]

I think the issue is Gray's reluctance to grow some balls and change the way we play.

 

I've seen a variety of line ups..different faces...but the same style of play.

McGugan playing deep vs Huddersfield, what the hell is that all about? He's a fantastic creative player and SG hindered him on Saturday. Same goes for when Kieran Lee comes on. Our centre midfielders ALWAYS sits too deep, regardless of who we have at our disposal.

 

We overly rely on our wingers as well, even though our wingers aren't THAT effective.

 

We also hoof it too much, regardless of whether Nuhiu/Madine are playing. Stevie May was with GTF on Saturday and we still persisted with whacking it upfield.

 

I like Gray, I do. I just get the feeling that he's ran out of ideas, or doesn't have the bottle to try new things.

[bigdan2003]

I might get pulled down for this, but i just think he started to tinker with the team and the tactics when he'd no need to. I know some of it has been forced due to injury. He did it for them city game, and then the result clearly had an affect on the players.

[FlyingOwl]

I think it's a case of I'd rather see us lose, but see a change in system & see that Gray is actually trying to work with who he has..rather than watch us grind out 0-0's and lose every other game playing them same dreary poo poo.

 

I've banged the drum about playing 4-3-3 all season. But now we have McGugan there's even more of a reason.

A midfield 3 of McGugan, Semedo, and Lee seems ideal. Semedo gets a nose bleed every time he goes beyond the half way line. So let him stay in that defensive role, anchor him there. He does that role well. Let him be that 5th defender almost.

 

That gives McGugan and Lee the freedom to be creative midfielders. And with 3 'attackers' ahead of them they'll always have plenty of options.

 

I have no coaching badges. Maybe I'm talking crap & it wouldn't work.

 

But I'd rather see us lose & try these things out...than grind out crappy games where we STILL lose sometimes as well. 

[Beholder]

I'd rather semedo was not involved in the final 3Rd.

He is too much of a defender, he literally has no attacking qualities whatsoever and only serves to slow attacks down and make them more predictable.

So I agree to an extent. Although my solution would be to replace him.

Edited November 28, 2014 by Beholder

[BC1867]

We dont have the players to play free flowing attacking foorball. I am sorry we just dont have the midfield to control the game in that way. Those sorts of players cost money which we do not have. Gray kept us up and has got us this far by making us sound defensively. Anyone who remembers gray's game as being anything else is misremembering. What we have lost is the quick counter attack.

Gray has done a good job. If money is being spent to bring the squad up to standard (in particular the makeshift midfield) then the casefor changimf the manager may have more persuasion but to be clear imo gray has done an excellentjob in papering over the gaps in the squad.

Mr farrell is right. We are underfunded.

Edited November 28, 2014 by BC1867

[steelowl]

When Megson left we went on a promotion winning run can't see that.

 utilising a player (antonio) GM had been chasing for a season- he beat the pigs with him but never got chance to see his player fire us to promotion

[Ronio]

I personally think the issue is down to quality imo.  

 

This season we have brought in 2 loan strikers in Hope and GTF who have gone back.  

 

Now compare that with the quality we had up front last season in Fryatt, Wickham and Best.  

 

The lack of goals this season has clearly affected the players confidence. 

[33]

[Eightace]

Last season when he brought good players in we played like brazil at times.

Says to me its the quality of the players.

[gurujuan]

I think the issue is not having proper championship standard forwards. Who in their right minds would try and take sides on in an attacking game with the hand we've been dealt. The only balls Gray needs to grow would be the ones he needs to stand up and tell it like it is. He's been proper shafted.

[swfc-dan]

I think it's a case of I'd rather see us lose, but see a change in system & see that Gray is actually trying to work with who he has..rather than watch us grind out 0-0's and lose every other game playing them same dreary poo poo.

 

I've banged the drum about playing 4-3-3 all season. But now we have McGugan there's even more of a reason.

A midfield 3 of McGugan, Semedo, and Lee seems ideal. Semedo gets a nose bleed every time he goes beyond the half way line. So let him stay in that defensive role, anchor him there. He does that role well. Let him be that 5th defender almost.

 

That gives McGugan and Lee the freedom to be creative midfielders. And with 3 'attackers' ahead of them they'll always have plenty of options.

 

I have no coaching badges. Maybe I'm talking crap & it wouldn't work.

 

But I'd rather see us lose & try these things out...than grind out crappy games where we STILL lose sometimes as well. 

Have to agree. The negative football and boring matches at Hillsborough is what is putting me off going atm.

 

If we actually attacked teams we could accept draws or losing the odd game at home. But when it's dour uninsipring football creating a morgue at Hillsborough it gets very depressing.

[swfc-dan]

I'd rather semedo was not involved in the final 3Rd.

He is too much of a defender, he literally has no attacking qualities whatsoever and only serves to slow attacks down and make them more predictable.

So I agree to an extent. Although my solution would be to replace him.

Semedo reaches the final 3rd? When I've seen he's usually hovering around the centre circle when we attack.

[Guest Sheff Owl]

Maybe Gray is playing more defensive because he doesn't believe that we have enough in the final 3rd to win a game. As Gray always say's if you can't win a game then make sure you don't lose it and we have been setting up with the intention to keep it tight, keep a clean sheet.

 

When you have a lack of quality you have to try and make it up in other areas and that's exactly what Gray is doing.

[steelcityowlsfan]

Is the problem Gray, or is the problem a lack of quality?

In Gray's favour, we have been solid and have displayed a strong work ethic.

To his detriment, our attacking play has been predictable and our set pieces ineffective.

What makes our attacking play predictable?

Poor decision making, passing the buck in the final 3rd or going it alone when it would be better to pass.

My verdict: too much focus on defensive shape and a refusal to use players with creative intelligence.

Gray would rather us have two defenders in a central area than risk players who have composure, look up and play forward. When he does include them, the weight of expectation is on them alone to create something. We have the players to create but they need the shackles lifting so they can express themselves.

We have a defensive ethos.

Not an attacking one.

Remember what happened when Sturrock left? And when Megson left? I feel the same scenario is about to repeat itself.

The problem is he's a defensive coach who has been asked to take care of all aspects of the team and it worked to a degree but now key players have got injured or have suffered a loss of form and he's not been able to bring the players in he would like.

That may be because he's not got the type of experience of a manager who can work under these constraints and can be cute in the transfer market.