Popular Post Lord Snooty Posted January 4, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 4, 2020 It's been a grim week hasn't it. One minute you're at home scoffing your face, enjoying the bounty of Christmas and looking forward to some festive cheer on the pitch as Wednesday look to keep up their good run. Next thing, it's all over, the new year and new decade has started, the lights are about to come down and we go into the darkest and most depressing month of the year having witnessed three defeats on the spin which have completely which have dipped us down to eight spot and left everyone feeling like they've been kicked roundly in the balls. The decade has barely begun and we started it in the most typically Wednesday of fashions. It's funny though isn't it how quickly things can change. The thing is though...they haven't changed at all have they? I mean, we've done what we've done in most games. Looked quite solid for the best part and let in sloppy goals. Even against Hull, as terrible as we were. We've hit the post. Their lad on the line makes a super block from Harris. We could have easily, as dreadful as it was, come away with a point or even, amazingly a win and we'd probably be saying it' didn't matter how we bounced back, only that we did. That it's the sign of a good side to win when you play cack. Problem is we didn't win. So now those issues which we have overlooked to a degree when we won games now loom large in our minds. In fact,they loom larger than they actually are ...because we're looking for them. Like a wife after a row. Oh she's fuming and your most recent escapade is merely the starting point. Now it's all coming out. Things that have been largely looked past come to the fore. The arboretum roof not being fixed in the summer , your lack of civility to Aunt Sylvia and her dreadful children way back last Easter and even harking back to a furtle with the chamber maid 5 years ago. Yes, when you have the face on you look as far back as you want. And we have ,this week, had the face on. The tactics, which got us to third in the first place are now the wrong tactics. As is the formation. As are the players. We want it all thrown away and starting afresh. Easier said than done half way through the season though. Especially with the players and our financial situation. The tactics? Keeping it tight and pinching goals ...we want to ditch after these defeats. Yet when Monk came in we were delighted that one of the first things he did was try and tighten things up. Most of us think our forwards are duff and our team lacks any creativity ...so would going more attacking actually result in more goals or would it infact leave us even more exposed? The formation and shape? We're now wanting to go to a back three. Could work. What if that didn't work? What if we started sinking further? What if it further undoes any good work that has been done and we start conceding more? Scrap it again? "But it might work!" I hear the shout. But do you gamble with the unknown when you know that what you have been doing has, until Christmas, got an average squad into the top four? Do you gamble that for the sake of 3 defeats? We might if it was us. But it's not our job is not on the line. The line ups we suggest never lose games. Because they never play games. It's difficult. As fans we want instant reaction to defeat. But an instant reaction doesn't always mean...changing everything and throwing it all up in the air looking for some magic scenario. If it was that easy it would have been done already wouldn't it? Of course. We're not alone in being angry this week. The manager was clearly seething in his post match press conference...when he came out for it, having presumably given the players a piece of his mind. Look at his mouth. They way he pushes his tongue behind his lips, a physical manifestation of him holding himself back. Of not wanting to say in public what he's clearly just said in the changing room. The pauses, where he is clearly trying to think how he can convey the message without giving the doom mongers too much sensationalist column filling inches. He won't have wanted to hang his players out to dry. Somethings are better kept in house. Especially if you know the funds aren't there to replace any of them and that you will have to continue to work with them. He's done well to keep himself in check. But he wasn't a happy bunny and no mistake. You don't have to be Eric Goulard to see the simmering inner rage. He's promised changes. Though of course, it's the FA Cup , it's more than likely that we'd have seen changes anyway. It's become par-for-the-course these days that teams don't put out their best side. The same eleven is unlikely to have played anyway. I'm sure we'll see changes, but I think anyone expecting any major shocks and tremors in terms of what we do is in for disappointment. Yes, he'll drop those who haven't pulled their weight. But here's another thing, nine times out of ten he's picking the players most would want in the side (with a possible exception of a couple) We have a near weekly discussion about how weak our bench is. If he brings those players into the team will anyone be any happier? Might we actually be more angry? "What's he suddenly picked that useless get for!" I've seen and heard one school of thought this week that the players who played so badly in the week should be forced to stay in the team as some sort of punishment for their lack of performance. But does it make sense to keep none performers in the side? Will they suddenly play well? What message does that send to those in the squad who aren't playing? And ...at a far more basic and stripped back level, is it not possible that one of the reason that one or two aren't performing because they have played in nearly every game of the season, some of them through what has just been the busiest periods of the campaign? Might they not be having a bit of a mid season burn-out at this stage? Maybe they'd be all the better for a week out than another week in? There's no right and wrong really. Whatever side he puts out-if it loses it will have been the wrong decision and if it wins it will have been the right decision the games details and nuances will matter for nothing at 4:46 this evening. Win - Good Lose-f*cking sh!te Wednesday Who knows what side he'll field. I suspect, sadly in a way, that there will be no gung-ho "It's the Cup it's sh.it or bust" attitude towards it. And that's not just Monk -though it we lose it will no doubt be levelled at him- that's just very much the modern game in general when you have an average squad. Who plays? Who's dropped? Does it matter? The mood of late. A competition we probably can't win. In a competition that sadly (to people of my vintage) no one really cares about anymore. Sod it. Maybe we should just... "Right then lads....in goal...Baz, get some gloves from the kit-man, hey don't make that face lad! . you usually collect the ball from there anyway.... left back Reachy ...I know you can't tackle son, it doesn't matter, it's only a bit of fun......right back.. Nando....Nando! Come back son! " ===================================== Brighton - V - Wednesday FA CUP 3rd ROUND Saturday 4th January Kick off : 3:01pm Brighton ===================================== THE TEAM NEWS BRIGHTON Brighton & Hove Albion will be without defender Dan Burn after he broke his collarbone and required surgery following the draw with Chelsea. Boss Gonch Gardner could rotate the rest of his squad, with striker Glenn Murray and fit-again winger Solly March among those hopeful of a start. Button Schelotto Duffy Balogun Bong Baluta Richards Stephens Jahanbakhsh Murray Gross ===================================== SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY Wednesday hope Massimo Luongo will play, having ruled out concussion after the Boxing Day loss at Stoke. Defender Liam Palmer will miss out after picking up and ankle injury against Hull City. Boss Garry Monk is likely to make changes. Dawson Odubajo Iorfa Borner Fox Lee Pelupessy Reach Luongo Murphy Winnall ===================================== Match Facts (Don't read if already depressed) Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday have not met in the FA Cup since the 1982-83 semi-final, with the Seagulls winning 2-1 to reach the final. This will be Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk's seventh FA Cup match as manager - the previous six have also been away from home, winning two and losing four. Brighton have lost just two of their past 18 home FA Cup matches (W10 D6 L2) and are unbeaten in five since losing 3-2 to Arsenal in January 2015. Wednesday are winless in 20 FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents (D6 L14) since winning 2-1 against Sheffield United in the 1992-93 semi-final. ===================================== COME ON LADS ITS BEEN 85 YEARS TOO LONG 14 8 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanharper Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Right he's posted it. At 2:09am. I can go to bed now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 2 minutes ago, alanharper said: Right he's posted it. At 2:09am. I can go to bed now. Bed!? Where's "Referee Watch"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanharper Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 1 minute ago, Lord Snooty said: Bed!? Where's "Referee Watch"? Ref Watch is on hiatus after that b'stard Robinson broke my GeorgeCourtneyometer last week. Actually I'd quite like more details on that furtle with the chamber maid before I turn in... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanharper Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Oh Christ, it's Andre Marinner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Just now, alanharper said: Ref Watch is on hiatus after that b'stard Robinson broke my GeorgeCourtneyometer last week. Actually I'd quite like more details on that furtle with the chamber maid before I turn in... It's a grim malady thats afflicted us this last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 1 minute ago, alanharper said: Oh Christ, it's Andre Marinner... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bulgaria Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 25 minutes ago, Lord Snooty said: Yes, when you have the face on you look as far back as you want. You know my girlfriend obviously!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morepork Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) For me it simply has to be about the nature of the performance, especially now we're in a sticky patch. Show me pride in the shirt, passion for the club, fight for the fans and put it all on the line. Nothing less. He's had long enough with these players now, if they can't meet those fundamental requirements, show them the door. Edited January 4, 2020 by Morepork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevthelodgemoorowl Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 You know I wouldn't be too critical of our lot; If only that pillock Wilder from the dark side didn't have so much come off for him. Even brought in an overlapping Programme seller now. Never mind the dark side, we must soldier on. The FA Cup is hardly a testing ground for us recently as we seem intent on throwing ourselves under the bus on successive occasions, lets hope Brighton will outdo us in this regard tomorrow and bring home the Bacon rather than turn our noses up at it. COME ON WEDNESDAY GIVE YOURSELVES A KICK UP THE ARSE, WAWAW ! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roscoe P. Coltrane Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 THE WEDNESDAY... GONCH THO 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo Bonvin Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Thanks Milord. Not the best week ever for the club. Like everyone I expect big changes to the team today, but this would have happened anyway given it’s “only” the FA Cup, so I hope we don’t read too much into the result come 4:46 today (I see what you did there Snoots). I fear however that Owlstalk may be like Armageddon crossed with a Donald Trump tweet later today. I’ve got the amphetamines, cigarettes and drink on standby, and the satnav is at the ready (even that was auto corrected to Satan ffs). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmchairOwl Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Been looking forward to this all week, can't wait. 3-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborne_rat_of_s6 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Like to see us turn up and prove GM words translate into a reaction . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowyowl61 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Don't want to be a doom monger (I'm usually very positive) but at 16.46 today we'll probably be leading 3-1 and then concede 3 goals in the 5 added minutes. Hope not, but it's the Wednesday way, and after a long journey...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewsburyowl58 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Excellent analysis as usual ole boy , would a win today even lift the doom and gloom ? It’s pretty dire on here lately . We never beat Brighton at theirs do we . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areNOTwhatTHEYseem Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Owls vs Seagulls? No contest! 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleowl74 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Pablo Bonvin said: Who is manning the lighthouse while your at the match? Should this be of national concern ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owls_fan_since_1983 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Come on Wednesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel The Tree Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 My take on that thorny topic of team selection ... for what it's worth Dawson is an asset but I'd prefer Westwood in goal - that's assuming he's fit Palmer looks more effective on the left, but Fox is playing well enough to keep the shirt Odubajo at RB then? Unless Iorfa is given a run there - his recent phenomenal form at CB seems to have (temporarily?) deserted him Besides, I have faith in a Lees / Borner partnership Bannan is the first name on the team sheet while Hutchinson is Mr Solid & Dependable (unless he's out through suspension) Although Luongo (when fit) might weigh in with more goals than the pair of them combined Personally though, I want a formation that sees Lee play every week Perhaps in place of Reach? He's Hot 'n Cold personified, without the Hot. Although I don't agree with those who think he's become a nervous wreck Murphy gets more game time than his form merits - a condition of his loan? If it were my choice, I'd send him back anyway Harris is our live-wire - joint-2nd name on the team sheet - but he's gone off the boil a bit, or else the opposites know how best to deal with him now Fletcher is our other joint-2nd name (maybe even pushes Baz for 1st?). His form is often better that his goal-scoring though, that's like waiting for a bus So who partners Fletch up top? Rhodes? I can't shake the notion that Forest away was a fluke Winnall? No shortage of effort but lacks quality. A couple of goals might be good for confidence, but it didn't work for Jordan and he got three! Forestieri? IN MY DREAMS!! It has to be Nuhiu then, and not by default either. He has to be one of the most consistent performers in the whole squad He's good for the team and he'll weigh in with goals against any opposition. He'd be my 4th name on the team sheet, so there apologies to Joey ... he'll probably play a blinder today 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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