What's actually wrong with our team?

[curiousorange]

I do quite like the idea of Clark in midfield but he could do with a break, he's played nearly game this year i think.

I'd stick Vlaar back in the defence ASAP and move Clark in midfield.

He's way better there. The problem is, I watched PL's radio forum shortly after he arrived, and he was very dismissive of the idea of Clark as a midfielder.

I agree. That was what Lambert said but what did he really know about Clark at that stage? I think it is definitely worth a go otherwise we will reach a point where Clark won't get selected at all. He has always had a lot of promise and he may thrive in a new role. We  still need more defenders and midfielders though.

I also think he could weigh in with a few goals from midfield.

If we're not buying a midfielder, we MUST try new options there, because it is the factor most influential in whether we survive or not.

Carry on as we have, and we are doomed. And i hate saying that.

One thing that's been a puzzle for a couple of seasons is how ineffective our central defenders have become at corners. We weren't free-scoring under Houllier but Clark, Dunne and Collins all managed goals if not efforts on target from set-pieces. This season, you pretty much know that Clark and Baker heading forward is a fool's errand.

[danlanza]

I really see the bradford tie as massive , get to Wembley and the lift throughout the club could see a new impetus and results improve whereas lose to bradford and confidence could be rock bottom and very hard to recover from.

Take it you have had your family meal then eastie ?

[eastie]

I really see the bradford tie as massive , get to Wembley and the lift throughout the club could see a new impetus and results improve whereas lose to bradford and confidence could be rock bottom and very hard to recover from.

Take it you have had your family meal then eastie ?

Yes thanks dan, need to fill up before the snow arrives , unlike you basking is the lanzarote sunshine!

[walsall villain]

I really see the bradford tie as massive , get to Wembley and the lift throughout the club could see a new impetus and results improve whereas lose to bradford and confidence could be rock bottom and very hard to recover from.

not done too well in the recent 'must win or we are buggered' games, to be honest confidence is already rock bottom isn't it? Well mine is

[eastie]

I really see the bradford tie as massive , get to Wembley and the lift throughout the club could see a new impetus and results improve whereas lose to bradford and confidence could be rock bottom and very hard to recover from.

not done too well in the recent 'must win or we are buggered' games, to be honest confidence is already rock bottom isn't it? Well mine is

True, but imagine he boost that getting to Wembley could give us , defeat and it could be goodnight Vienna.

[AlexAlexCropley]

With the ball on the deck we look good. Unfortunately most of the time it is the air and we look shit.
Basics-how many times yesterday did i see us take a throw in to someone's midriff ,taking three touches to get it under control.
In short, we're playing too frantically.

[Monty]

With the ball on the deck we look good. Unfortunately most of the time it is the air and we look shit.
Basics-how many times yesterday did i see us take a throw in to someone's midriff ,taking three touches to get it under control.
In short, we're playing too frantically.

Agree entirely. No calm heads, not enough playing to our own strengths, all very up-for-it but not much bottle (if that makes sense).

[walsall villain]

I really see the bradford tie as massive , get to Wembley and the lift throughout the club could see a new impetus and results improve whereas lose to bradford and confidence could be rock bottom and very hard to recover from.

not done too well in the recent 'must win or we are buggered' games, to be honest confidence is already rock bottom isn't it? Well mine is

True, but imagine he boost that getting to Wembley could give us , defeat and it could be goodnight Vienna.

It would give us all a lift. Looking forward to the game, hoping for the best but getting used to disappointment! If we could just score first........

[Lobsterboy]

The answer to the question is quite simple; we're shit

Not particularly insightful but based on observations this season it's a recurring theme

[Legion]

We weren't shit against Swansea (at Home) or Liverpool (away).

[VILLA MOLE]

The answer to the question is quite simple; we're shit

Not particularly insightful but based on observations this season it's a recurring theme

Holmes you have done it again 

[Chrisupnorth]

No width. No experience. No leadership.

That's it in a nutshell.  The age issue is not the key issue.  Quite apart from PL's highly questionable choice of formation, this team plays with absolutely zero assurance in areas of the pitch where its so desperately needed i.e. in the middle of the park and at the back.  There's not one side in the league I feel confident of beating at the moment.  If he fails to act positively (whether through acquisition or using what he has more effectively) we are destined for the Championship.

[django]

With the ball on the deck we look good. Unfortunately most of the time it is the air and we look shit.
Basics-how many times yesterday did i see us take a throw in to someone's midriff ,taking three touches to get it under control.
In short, we're playing too frantically.

Our habit of giving the ball away from throw ins has been driving me mad for as long as I can remember, it's just such a stupid way to give up possession. Surely this is something that can be coached into professional players? but it's been happening under about the last 10 managers so what do I know?

[Lobsterboy]

We weren't shit against Swansea (at Home) or Liverpool (away).

Agreed but I said our 'shitness' has been a recurring theme not a constant

[onje_villa]

I still fail to see how this isn't Lambert's fault.

We can point out that we're short on talent yet we come across worse teams, who cost a fraction of what ours has and they tactically out-manoeuvre us.

Bradford, Wigan, Southampton have vastly inferior squads than Lambert's and yet we bang on about how Lambert has no chance of turning things around.

I'll admit I've given him more time as I like the guy, like his nature and like what he announced on arriving here. I'd like to give him a chance to see it a build but I'd totally admit that overall he's doing a poor job at getting his squad playing decent, effective football.