It is so strange how predictable so many of the discussions become - especially when we have a less than stellar performance (we did not lose remember)! Certainly the blame is always heaped on the same old suspects whilst others get very little criticism no matter how they play.
Defensively it is always Cygan - he's to slow, weak...... In midfield it's Gilberto, who's doesn't get forward enough, kick enough people........
WHilst these guys undoubtedly have their limitations I think to many of us look to blame them for failings elsewhere in the team.....The Holy Cows! Those above criticism because of their history of undoubted class and strong history of greatness. This doesn't mean they can't play like complete dunces on occasion though.
Viera - was just terrible against Bolton yesterday - much worse than Gilberto. He isn't fit, was lucky to stay on the pitch as his tackles were often late and was played off the park by jorneymen players. He neither protected his back four nor added anything going forward.
Campbell - one of the worst aerial displays ever yesterday. Under the high ball he was dreadful and his passing seems to get worse by the week. Reputation aside, he was not good.
Henry - couldn't beat Simon Charlton for pace(!), over complicated the play and was rarely a threat. Not only needs a new partner, but also needs to realise that he can't take time off on the pitch whilst he is carrying the attacking burden.
Don't get me wrong, I love all of these players. They are brilliant, skillfull and some of the best I have ever seen. But from time to time they play like turkeys and need to be pulled off in favour of someone else. Our weakness as a squad is exposed by our inability and unwillingness to do this when the occasion calls for it. We can carry one or perhaps two of them playing poorly, but when they all do (like yesterday), the team as a whole will play poorly.
Endless debating of the frailties of our lesser stars whilst overlooking those of our better players, stops us all seeing how this team we love can improve. Cygan, Gilberto, Edu, Parlour, etc. are the players who will look good as part of a good team and less so when the team under performs. Every team in the world has players like this.
The variable and what we should all realise is the performance of the Holy Cows. Let's talk about this instead.
Defensively it is always Cygan - he's to slow, weak...... In midfield it's Gilberto, who's doesn't get forward enough, kick enough people........
WHilst these guys undoubtedly have their limitations I think to many of us look to blame them for failings elsewhere in the team.....The Holy Cows! Those above criticism because of their history of undoubted class and strong history of greatness. This doesn't mean they can't play like complete dunces on occasion though.
Viera - was just terrible against Bolton yesterday - much worse than Gilberto. He isn't fit, was lucky to stay on the pitch as his tackles were often late and was played off the park by jorneymen players. He neither protected his back four nor added anything going forward.
Campbell - one of the worst aerial displays ever yesterday. Under the high ball he was dreadful and his passing seems to get worse by the week. Reputation aside, he was not good.
Henry - couldn't beat Simon Charlton for pace(!), over complicated the play and was rarely a threat. Not only needs a new partner, but also needs to realise that he can't take time off on the pitch whilst he is carrying the attacking burden.
Don't get me wrong, I love all of these players. They are brilliant, skillfull and some of the best I have ever seen. But from time to time they play like turkeys and need to be pulled off in favour of someone else. Our weakness as a squad is exposed by our inability and unwillingness to do this when the occasion calls for it. We can carry one or perhaps two of them playing poorly, but when they all do (like yesterday), the team as a whole will play poorly.
Endless debating of the frailties of our lesser stars whilst overlooking those of our better players, stops us all seeing how this team we love can improve. Cygan, Gilberto, Edu, Parlour, etc. are the players who will look good as part of a good team and less so when the team under performs. Every team in the world has players like this.
The variable and what we should all realise is the performance of the Holy Cows. Let's talk about this instead.
