Bridie Bhoy
Well-known member
I totally agree W. Based on what I can see, our current squad personnel are more suited to playing a 3-5-2. IMO, BR would have been better getting the best out of what he had rather than force his style on players that were not suited to it. Plus the tactics he used 10 years ago have long been sussed out by manager's with inferior players.My only problem with this is once again , at the crunch end of the season we're still trying to see what works.
I've been flying the flag for Iwata all season but now we might have to ease players into the game , theye played so little, been one experiment after another.
We have to play with 2 strikers in these games especially and I agree with you on Maeda in a central role, running on to through balls from midfield.
That we cant field our strongest xi has been the bane of our season.
If we can get that side or most of it even on the field that would enhance my confidence levels.
If we're playing two strikers though we must supply them or it's a waste of time, also must get this half times approaching mentality out of the head, stop losing last kick goals and confidently see the game out , remember who we are and play as such, the half or match is finished when it's finished need to stop switching off in added time and show more intelligence. More twists to come I think possibly starting with hearts though I'm not holding my breath about them I want momentum back with the team.
Assuming we had a recruitment team working with the manager rather than against him, then he could bring in players suited to his style and then implement it more. But they are working to two different agendas which clearly clash on so many levels.
BR genuinely believed he was going to get in 4 first team ready players that suited him in January. A goalie (as we expected, Hart will NOT be here next season so give him 7 months to Integrate into the team), a left back, a dynamic midfielder and a proven goalscorer.
Instead, we got yet another winger who can't beat a defender or cross and a soon-to-be 4th choice bench warmer from a mid-table Championship side with a poor goalscoring record.
I appreciate Iwata has had a couple of injuries, but I simply do not understand the lack of opportunities he has been allowed this season. He usually looks calm & composed, adds much needed physicality & height, allows CalMac to push forward if we are attacking or assists him if we are defending, he can drill an accurate defence splitting pass and score too.
If our midfielders were playing at such a high standard then fair enough, but they are not. CalMac looks like a player who has played more minutes in the last 6 years than just about every other player in the world. O'Riley was unplayable early on but his form has dropped off a cliff since the break/transfer rumours. Hatate has missed most of the season but looked out of sorts when he did play. Turnbull could score but slowed play too much. Bernardo hit a purple patch for about a month but has dropped off again. Holm looks like a prodpect but has hardly played.
So I'd give Iwata a run of half a dozen starts to give him a fair crack at it. But probably what will happen is he comes on as a sub, doesn't set the heather on fire so a lot of naysayers slag him for not being the Messiah and so he slips back down the pecking order again. Meanwhile the same under-performing players are rewarded with start after start.