1) Al Habsi went to Islamic State of Saudi Arabia.
Ali made at least 1 world class save in every game and this kept us on the right side of the scoreline most of the time last season despite the fact that we were playing sh*t and were unconvincing most weeks. Most of us were scratching our heads at our lofty league position last season but much of the explanation for it lies in two times player of the season Ali Al-Habsi.
2) Danny Williams decided that time was running out on his career and he needed to live the dream straight away and so he joined Huddersfield.
We miss his engine in the centre of the park. Any team that is going to be successful in the Championship needs a player that is all heart, power, energy and fight and that was Williams. What he lacked in quality and technique he made if up for with his driving runs, tough tackling and playing with heart in the middle of the park. Whenever we have been successful in the past we had this type of player. Lads like Sidwell, Leigertwood and Parkinson come to mind. These lads are influential and raise the game of everyone around them. They set the standard of what is expected in terms of effort and their team mates follow the example. Without such a leader and battler in the centre of midfield this season we look weak, soft and lacking in the kind of fight that is needed to churn out results in this unforgiving division.
3) Obita got crocked
The star of the Play-off semi finals, Obita gave us quality and balance on the left hand side. He could attack with gusto and defend with vigour. Nobody has come close to filling the void on the left hand side after losing star man Jordan. Gunter is good but leaves us a little unbalanced as he is not a natural left footer. Blackett cannot maraude down the flank like Obita and is not really a left back. Omar never got the chance and when he did he got crocked too. Luck has not been with us down the left hand side this season.
4) Kermorgant also got crocked
Losing Yann to injury was also a blow. The goal threat vanished and now that he is back from injury it will take weeks for Yann to get back to the levels of last season as he is no spring chicken anymore and he needs about 12 weeks of regular play to get up to speed.
5) Beerens not fancied on the left anymore.
This one will be argued against by many I'm sure. Beerens is a quality left winger. He should be playing on a regular basis like last season. He combined well with Obita. He can deliver an excellent cross into the box. When he played last season we were more creative and we won more games and scored more goals. That is no coincidence. He was more effective for us than Barrow has so far proved to be.
6) Stam out of ideas
I don't think Stams knowledge of players is strong enough to find the right solutions. He always seems to want to go for the obvious targets and then complains when he is quoted international telephone number prices to acquire their services. Top scout McDermott could think outside the box and was able to work within very stricht financial restrictions. You don't always have to go after Norwich's number 1 striker who is banging in 15 goals right now and is valued at £15 million. The lad who has fallen out of favour at Bournemouth or Palace and only costs £1million is probably a better striker.
7) Quinn still out
Reading's form under Steve Clarke took a nose dive the moment Stephen Quinn got injured. And with Williams now at Huddersfield, we just don't have a battler anymore in the middle of the park who can put the work in. Quinny could and and did set a good example of work rate. Without these types of winners on the pitch our current boys are just being too weak and are easy pushovers.
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'G' was a player that could rip the Championship to shreds when he was fit and in the mood. He was dangerous and very effective. We need the real G back again. He could be many weeks away from the player that he was.