Back from the game - Coventry (H)

[Archie's penalty]

Indeed Archie.

I bet if you calculated the points dropped since Marek's been available it wouldn't take us to 48 points.

Doesn't look like he was fit when we played QPR. Which means we'd still only be on 45 points even if he'd won us Saints, Burnley & Cardiff single handedly.

As he's said, the original poster said "we'd win the league", not that we'd be top at the moment.

Anyway, its not something to be taken absolutely literally - what he means is that he rates Marek above our other midfielders, is frustrated at his omission, and that we'd be a better team for his inclusion.

It's a valid enough opinion.

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team.

Someone said on another thread that what we need is a tough tackling attacking midfielder. I totally agree with that. It just comes down to our failure to replace Sidwell. We seem to have replaced everyone else from the 106 squad more than adequately.

Does anyone here think that Jay Tabb could play a role for us?

[winchester_royal]

Indeed Archie.

I bet if you calculated the points dropped since Marek's been available it wouldn't take us to 48 points.

Doesn't look like he was fit when we played QPR. Which means we'd still only be on 45 points even if he'd won us Saints, Burnley & Cardiff single handedly.

As he's said, the original poster said "we'd win the league", not that we'd be top at the moment.

Anyway, its not something to be taken absolutely literally - what he means is that he rates Marek above our other midfielders, is frustrated at his omission, and that we'd be a better team for his inclusion.

It's a valid enough opinion.

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team.

Someone said on another thread that what we need is a tough tackling attacking midfielder. I totally agree with that. It just comes down to our failure to replace Sidwell. We seem to have replaced everyone else from the 106 squad more than adequately.

We have one of those in Cisse.

[winchester_royal]

Does anyone here think that Jay Tabb could play a role for us?

Not really, though I liked the look of their young icelandic guy, Aron Gunnarsson.

[Sun Tzu]

Does anyone here think that Jay Tabb could play a role for us?

Not really, though I liked the look of their young icelandic guy, Aron Gunnarsson.

We'd have to chop his arms off if we signed him though....

[Maguire]

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team

Bit simplistic for me. I think he'd do very well next to Cisse and certainly couldn't be any worse than James Harper.

[Archie's penalty]

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team

Bit simplistic for me. I think he'd do very well next to Cisse and certainly couldn't be any worse than James Harper.

Probably yes. But would he do significantly better?

[Maguire]

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team

Bit simplistic for me. I think he'd do very well next to Cisse and certainly couldn't be any worse than James Harper.

Probably yes. But would he do significantly better?

I don't think he'd ensure we won the league or anything!

[rabidbee]

I thought, until we scored, that we werehaving real trouble coping with their spare man in midfield. Een if they weren't doing too much with that possession, nevertheless it just stoppedus ever being able to get hold of the ball and break out - really needed either a defender step up or a striker to drop back, because Harper and Cissé were constantly caught out of position whenever one of them tried to close down number 7. However, once we had scored, I thought we used our advantage on the flanks very well, and it's no surprise that all of the goals ultimately came from this.

Which demonstrates Coppell's point about 5-3-2 being a defensive formation- good at breaking down oppoition play and keeping them pegged into their 18 yard, but not goo at creating attacking opportunities, nor good for defending against attacking wingers and full-backs.

[rabidbee]

Cisse and Harper may have struggled a bit but they were up against 3 in midfield remember - so they did pretty will considering.

big gamble form Coventry and it didn't pay off - our centre backs held firm and the resulting lack of width was massively exposed by Reading

There was some really nice movement by Coventry at times in the second half, too, when they pulled our entire midfield out of position, but they never made use of it. It really needed Doyler or Hunt to close down the extra man in midfield and at least force them togo back to the centre-backs.

[Ian Royal]

I think it's a valid opinion. I just don't agree with it. As Ian says our problems are in defence not attack. Marek doesn't improve us on that front so doesn't deserve to be in the team.

Someone said on another thread that what we need is a tough tackling attacking midfielder. I totally agree with that. It just comes down to our failure to replace Sidwell. We seem to have replaced everyone else from the 106 squad more than adequately.

We have one of those in Cisse.

Hardly attacking despite his goals, or in fact particularly tough tackling. His passing often leaves a lot to be desired too.

Don't get me wrong, he's improving, but he's also been involved in 3 of our 5 league defeats, in which the problem seems to be getting overrun in midfield. He was also in the team for a significant part of the 0-0 v Forest.

[winchester_royal]

When our midfield is overrun, it tends to be Harper's fault, not Kalifa's.

[rabidbee]

When our midfield is overrun, it tends to be Harper's fault, not Kalifa's.

I don't know how you can distinguish between one and the other. Neither were at fault last night, as they were both outnumbered, and as a result caught out of position trying to cover too many players.

[The Cap]

Apologies if this has been covered already but did anybody notice the Cov keeper just before kick off.He was squatting down with a towel over his head for what seemed like ages.I couldn't work out whether he was taking up some new religion or simply trying to talk himself into staying on the pitch.All a bit strange to say the least.

[RoyalBlue]

Ref- 8 - one of the better refs we have had to be fair although there were not many difficult decisions. Thought he let them physically overpower Doyle too much. Should have had some more free kicks.

The ref ought to refresh his knowledge of the laws of the game and/or learn to keep a closer eye on what is happening.

At one stage a Coventry player took a free kick and clearly played the ball to himself before passing it to a team mate. Instead of penalising the player concerned and awarding an indirect free kick to us, he merely indicated that the ball had been moving at the time the free kick was taken (it was actually stationary at the time the player first kicked it) and ordered Coventry to retake the free kick.

Whilst I agree with many of the comments on here about the game there is a danger that Coppell's 'loyalty' to players could cost us this season, again!!!

Harper had a poor game and gave the ball away at least twice in very dangerous positions. If the opposition had any quality about them the result could have been different.

Whilst I do not doubt Harper's enthusiasm and energy, he does not have the vision to open up a defence like Matejovsky has.

Funny (actually it's not funny at all) how Harper gets all the stick yet again. It seems people very readily remember his passes that go astray but experience a 'Men in Black' moment when it comes to all of those that do find their target.

I seem to remember Harper being involved in the build up to at least two of our three goals - the second and third and maybe even the first. I can also recall several inch perfect long range diagonal passes to quickly switch play.

Does anyone here think that Jay Tabb could play a role for us?

You mean the mini scrum half look-a-like?!

Personally I don't think so but I believe he is a 'Coppell man', having played for him at a previous club so who knows!

[Archie's penalty]

Ah yes so he is.

Didn't realise he was quite so miniscule before but he's 5 foot 7"!

[rabidbee]

Ref- 8 - one of the better refs we have had to be fair although there were not many difficult decisions. Thought he let them physically overpower Doyle too much. Should have had some more free kicks.

The ref ought to refresh his knowledge of the laws of the game and/or learn to keep a closer eye on what is happening.

At one stage a Coventry player took a free kick and clearly played the ball to himself before passing it to a team mate. Instead of penalising the player concerned and awarding an indirect free kick to us, he merely indicated that the ball had been moving at the time the free kick was taken (it was actually stationary at the time the player first kicked it) and ordered Coventry to retake the free kick.

M'eh. It was quite clear that he was dragging the ball back to position it, then tried to take the kick too quickly.

[Royal With Cheese]

When our midfield is overrun, it tends to be Harper's fault, not Kalifa's.

I don't know how you can distinguish between one and the other. Neither were at fault last night, as they were both outnumbered, and as a result caught out of position trying to cover too many players.

I thought Harper speant a lot of time marking space and pointing/marshalling the midfield. My interpretation was that it wasn't a comfortable game for him. Great ball for the third goal though.

[Scarface]

It appears my comment about Marek has created some discussion.

Obviously it's tongue in cheek to suggest we'd win the league if Marek played. However every time I watch James Harper play, I piss myself laughing that he somehow keeps Marek out of the starting eleven. To me it's a complete no brainer that a proven international player is on the bench and Harper starts.

I think Coppell's loyalty to Harper will almost certainly see Marek move in January, which I think will be a real shame, especially if we go up when we'll need his quality.

[Kieron1981]

lol the reason FOX was boo'ed started from nothing at all.... he was stood in front of us for most of the first half by the half way line

we kept shouting "FOX... FOX.... FOX" and he was getting really really pissed off with us.... then we went for a throw and stuck his fingers up to us which started a few more baiting him.... he then went a scored the free kick so came past and put his hand to his badge... which fair play to him i would have dont the same as we giving him shite... next he pretty much put hunts goal in the net so we gave him hassle for that. he got more frustrated and then the rest of the fans started to notice and then we Boo'd every touch of the ball

then he got a little angry and gave long and hunt a little crap.... sencond half we still boo'ed him but wasnt the same... we tried to do the same with WARD and the really short one (cant remember his name) but didnt work as well

so in reality Fox did nothing at all... we were just being arses to him as we were a little tipsy as it was by b-day

[Thaumagurist*]

lol the reason FOX was boo'ed started from nothing at all.... he was stood in front of us for most of the first half by the half way line

we kept shouting "FOX... FOX.... FOX" and he was getting really really pissed off with us.... then we went for a throw and stuck his fingers up to us which started a few more baiting him.... he then went a scored the free kick so came past and put his hand to his badge... which fair play to him i would have dont the same as we giving him shite... next he pretty much put hunts goal in the net so we gave him hassle for that. he got more frustrated and then the rest of the fans started to notice and then we Boo'd every touch of the ball

then he got a little angry and gave long and hunt a little crap.... sencond half we still boo'ed him but wasnt the same... we tried to do the same with WARD and the really short one (cant remember his name) but didnt work as well

so in reality Fox did nothing at all... we were just being arses to him as we were a little tipsy as it was by b-day

Sounds like almost on a par with our abuse of the Oxford United keeper in our 3-1 win at their place many years ago....