Most liked posts in thread: No Width, No Pace, No Idea

10 new players in the squad and it's the first game, how about we give him a chance to put it right. Happy clapper I might come across but this mentality does my head in, not always as simple as put 11 men on a pitch and go bury a team, especially when they haven't had that many minutes together.

 

To be fair it is simple not to play Doyle behind Vaughan and Donaldson. Why on earth did he think that would work? Are we really that devoid of options.

 

Despite the formation we created 22 shooting opportunities.

I think once we settle on 4-4-2 with two wingers and two decent CM's we will be a real force to be reckoned with.

Don't be so downhearted so quickly. There is a long way to go yet.

 

I didn't expect us to draw 0-0 at home against one of the lesser teams in the division who played a large part of the game with 10 men. Maybe my demands are higher than others.

 

From my point of view:
Positives:
1/ On the few occasions we had to, we defended well
2/ Apparently there were 22 (see negatives) efforts on goal. I'm not disputing this but it didn't seem that many to me...but 22 at least shows opportunities were created.
3/ The crowd played their part and the atmosphere was pretty good

Negatives:
1/ Apparently there were 22 efforts on goal!..to be honest we never really looked like scoring..at least 3 pairs of shooting boots required!...practice practice practice.
2/ The final third of the game was played against 10 men yet we struggled to make any headway and take any advantage out of their sending off.
I'm not going to go into personal performances but let's just see where we are after ten games. For now, the jury is out.

 

I’m a firm believer that playing a winger who hogs the touchline provides something even if they don’t touch the ball and that’s stretching their team creating more space

 

Trevor is right about no pace and width though. 3 summer months to sort this out, and we are still lacking both

 

I am not as crestfallen as some fans today. I think I was one of the few fans who thought we wouldn't steamroller Cambridge.

You rightly say we have Scannell, however, if he was fully fit, a mistake not starting him, surely?. We have been crying out for a left winger for 12 months or so, since Robinson was arrested. No idea why 3 managers have failed to rectify this

 

How many new players have Plymouth signed and put in a strong away performance first game? I dont buy the new players have to gel argument.

 

Yes.

For what it’s worth, Donaldson and Vaughan should be starting as a front 2. If either gets injured or suspended or heaven forbid, lost form, Doyle can come into the team.

He should never play a different kind of role to that. Doing so simply hangs him out to dry

 

It always takes time to figure out the way forward with a team. It took Conte a while to figure it out at Chelsea (got hammered 4-0 by Arsenal in this time) and eventually switched to 3 at the back and won the league.

The first few games of a season are a chance for everyone to get up to match fitness and GB to figure out his best XI and tactics. I’m sure he has a few different ideas in mind and now he just needs to settle on one. A lot of drama on here and I don’t really see why, did people expect us to win 5-0 or something.

 

It's a lot like the 16/17 season when we drew so many games in the first half of the season because we didn't have a striker who was good enough. If we'd have had wyke for the full season, we would've got autos.

This season we're a quality CM and LW away from turning 0-0 onto 2/3-0 wins with more balance and creativity in the team. So so frustrating.

 

This is true mate, but do we need to play 2 out and out wingers? When Reid was tearing up the left, we tended to have McMahon on the right. When Marshall was causing damage down our left, we used Law on the right.

For me, if we play Scannell as the out and out winger and our main outlet, there is no reason why someone like Gibson or Wood can’t occupy the left side and come inside to support when needed.

 

The player I most want to see more from is Palmer one game I know but he is our play maker for the season and he did nothing to affect the game in a positive way it also looks like most of our free kicks and corners are coming from him and they were poor. I am sure he will improve if he doesn’t we will struggle

 

Oh I see, I did misunderstand, I actually agree, I think unless we strengthen, we will finish lower half of league. That isn't a judgement upon the last two league games. That is an assessment of the squad prior to start of season.

 

But we do, we have Scannell and Zeli waiting to come in. The pace is there just with Zeli not available maybe GB thought it was the way to go?

I saw it posted in another thread, but we won our first game last season. Not really an indicator for results and performances for the remainder of the season is it?

 

It was crying out for width if not we need a number 10 to play behind front two not Doyle

 

We are all disappointed with the performance and the result. We are fans and want our team to win. However, I think the reaction may be other top due to what we witnessed last season. We were desperate to put it behind us, and no doubt the players felt that as well. So the normal gelling and settling in period fans give the team and manager is not taking place.

Might be time for a deep breath and let it go.....

The window is not shut yet, and no doubt GB has a plan to bring in the 2/3/4 players we need.

 

Norwich sacked their manager after that game (a club legend, no less). Not suggesting City should do the same, but it's perhaps not the best example to use if you're calling for people not to over-react...