BWFC v Blackburn

I have three observations.
Grounds has more assists for the opposition than any other player for the Whites, why does PP keep playing him?
There is no constructive balls out of defence, only hoofs. What is PPs game plan here? Once again I watched the warm up and was dismayed that none of the back four seemed capable of (or perhaps not encouraged to) directing clearance free headers to a particuler point. Their whole ethos seemed to be clear the lines.
On lots of occasions Oztumer was playng just in front of the back four, he has absoltely no defensive capabilities, why does PP let this happen? Who is the defensive midfielder? Otzumer, like Pogba, is an attacking midfielder, with good ball skills why is he frequently so deep?
Some good passages of play, spoiled by over ambitious long passes, easily cut out.
PP get a grip, or go.

Someone on another thread talked about watching paint dry. Well I was today, painting a bedroom so I really was doing that and it sounds like I had more entertainment. There really is no hope under Parkinson but listening to Anderson defending him again today, its obvious that he's going nowhere soon. The Q&A was really just a joke with Anderson spouting the usual nonsense about not having the players to play any other way than we do and unless we get more punters through the gate it won't change. Very sad because rather than more punters Parky is just driving them away. I'd rather KA was just honest about it and admit that he can't afford to sack Parky and even if he did he'd never get anyone else who'd be so submissive. At least then I'd have some respect for him. It's terribly sad but frankly I fear the worst for the season. Even the better players we have are now being dragged down by this awful negativity Parkinson inflicts. Ah well, at least there's a two week break now before more pain so we can get a chance to relax and concentrate on more important matters like my painting, stairs and landing next!!

Another supine start to a game allowed an average at best Blackburn to gain in confidence and boss the first half conclusively. Having said that, their only goal was from yet another howler from Grounds ( I agree with Bonaparte, he’s the opposition’s best player this season) Parky must surely leave him out now. Also, it must be acknowledged that, Dack’s goal apart, Magennis came the nearest to scoring with a good effort well saved. So at half time, dreadful half behind us and still only 0-1.

Second half Blackburn showed they are no great shakes and let us dominate the game ( check out the stats if you don’t believe me). Alas when he needed to come good, Oztumer had a stinker, leaving the creativity to the much overworked Williams. Unlike some on here, I think he’s a decent player, but we’re putting far too much on him.

For me, we looked better when Dyer and Doidge came on, and I would definitely try a formation without the appalling Wildschut and the feeble Buckley. I keep saying this, but I think we need to try a diamond in the middle with Lowe or O’Neil at its base, Oztumer at its point and I’d have Vela and Williams to do th3e running. Doidge and Macgennis up front.

I am more convinced than ever that we could be very comfortable in this league, if only we could put teams under a bit more pressure. If we do fail, or even seriously look like failing, then, nice guy or not, Parky must carry the can.

I'm clearly in a minority here because I actually thought thst aftera dozy first twenty minutes we played pretty well. In the second half we were sweeping the ball around well via Lowe and Oztumer and Olkowski.
I was happy enough with Buckley but not with Noone. We looked much better with Wildschut on the right and Dyer left. Noone always must cut inside and this paralysed the right flank. It also stops Olkowski overlapping. Wildschutt's touch was poor and he fluffed bye line crosses but his speed did give us a lift
Oztumer is our best creative player. He missed some passes through over ambition and being mentally ahead of his colleagues. Phil thought he was playing as striker?!!! But he spent too much time going deep. I like his quick touches and ability to switch play. He makes us better. And again what a splendid one touch take of a lofted long pass.
There were some stupid fouls and bookings. Magennis if evoking SKD was daft. So too Lowe.
Williams was everywhere . If only he had composure on the ball once won

I agree with Bonaparte re heading direction and Wheater was the standout culprit. Hobbes did glance some to our men.
Matthews again took the eye for the effectiveness of distribution. In this aspect of the game he is much better than Alnwick. He got a punch in and made a save when required. Was slow off his line a time or two.

Magennis is for me beginning to explain his qualified reference from a Charlton friend. Strong, quick, willing- all that. But not much direction from his heading either
and too often the ball didn't stick at feet. Was I the only one wishing he'd leave and had left our free kick to Oztumer.

Now I know that whitessince63 paintbrush in hand reiterated previous concerns and I too feel that Phil P has yet to show championship pedigree or convince as an attacking coach. But this line up is not playing as we have been used to. We ate playing much better in patches. Paul M noted the statistical differences in the second half and we dominated it.
This was not a pathetic sit back effort and I'm all for the change. Some argue, maybe KA, that we aren't good enough and have to play out of possession but I think we are better and full marks to PP for trying.

Unfortunately we struggle to break down defensive set ups and giving a goal away allowed Blackburn to manage our weakness. We sorely missed Ameobi.

Doidge again looms lightweight but full of promise. In my opinion we need to find a way of getting two up front. Options are a) to reduce to one defensive midfielder b) to shed a flanker and c) play three at the back with Olkowski and Dyer as wing backs

I think it was a good match and quite entertaining if ultimately frustrating. We could easily have got all the points.

Matthews 7 Olkowski 7 Hobbes 7 Wheater 6 Grounds 3 Lowe 7 Williams 6 Oztumer 7 Noone 3 Buckley 6 Magennis 6 Wildschut 5

I wouldn't be quite so generous with marks Andy, there was so little composure on the ball throughout the team, but I do agree that Oztumer was our one spark of creativity ...he must be deployed in an advanced role though, and not forced to go deeper in order to find the ball. Parky has stated that he thought our wingers were one of the positives, not something I would agree with. For all the progress made down the flanks the crosses were almost uniformly weak or misplaced...as Andy also suggests, Olkowski and Dyer as wing backs is surely worth a try with 3 out of Wheater, Hobbs, Beevers and Wilson at the back. Williams and AN Other can supply the running and hustling, Oztumer the guile and creativity and 2 up front could be effective both in terms of achieving positive results and the appeasement of those frustrated by the lack of a plan B when things are not working. Family visits to S. Yorks have included a couple of evening games at Rotherham, one a 2-3 loss to Hull, the other a 0-0 draw with Bristol City..both results were unlucky in terms of the number of chances created, 21 efforts on goal , 6 on target against Bristol, but they are currently struggling with a depleted squad and have few, if any established Championship players...possibly an ideal fixture for trying a change in formation, and surely not one that would justify the usual overly pragmatic approach.

Andy - don't want this to appear tit for tat and if you found that enjoyable then each to their own(maybe you met Alan Houghton for a pre match gallon of DoomBar)

Yes we moved it about a bit and no doubt our possessio starts for the 2nd half were probably highest of the season but...

The pace we played the ball was really lacking. No real conviction in the pass, no penetration. We were given possession by Blackburn who were happy to see those to me, to you passes continue 50 meters from goal. Rip barry.

Chasing a derby game and I don't remember their keeper doing anything 2nd half. He collected a cross from Wildschut which was so timid the referee almost gave it as a back pass.

How many touches did we have in their box? How many crosses beat first man? How many dribbles completed? How many passes cut out an opposition player.

In truth there will be many games like this at UniBol. Birmingham we scored first and won. Blackburn we concede and lost.

I know why Phil is reluctant to pull Grounds out. He's only recognised LB at the club and dropping him will ruin his confidence. However he is not deserving of a shirt and we must have Wilson, Beevers Little or an U23 who can fill in until January where we need to go and strengthen.