LessoftheLip
Well-known member
28,000 Boro fans at the game today and maybe another 22,000 with a passing interest. Just how many of those 50,000 fans want instant success and don't understand the bigger picture? Give me a number from each category.
Second half performance
- Thread starter Diego
- Start date
Quicksilvera
Well-known member
We all want instant success, it’s that people expect it.
dooderooni
Well-known member
Being knackered and 1 up versus being knackered and a goal down makes an appreciable difference in mentality.
Looking at the lineup before kickoff told you everything you needed to know.
If we'd scored even just one more of the many good chances we had first half then we'd have probably held on.
Loads of us, including myself, were worrying about our ability to create chances in that awful run at the start of the season and how easily we conceded goals. We are now creating chances aplenty, but whereas last season's strike force would have blown Coventry away in that first half, this season's strike force isn't anywhere near as clinical. We still concede too easily and coupled with our injury list we are probably where we deserve to be in the league.
I'd be more worried if we had a fully fit squad and we were 12th.
I'm not holding out much hope that we'll get any players in that'll make an immediate impact, but we can hope that we get players in that'll improve by playing under Carrick. I know he splits opinion, but I think we've seen a real improvement in Rodgers and I'm looking forward to him getting more consistency to match his talent.
Looking at the lineup before kickoff told you everything you needed to know.
If we'd scored even just one more of the many good chances we had first half then we'd have probably held on.
Loads of us, including myself, were worrying about our ability to create chances in that awful run at the start of the season and how easily we conceded goals. We are now creating chances aplenty, but whereas last season's strike force would have blown Coventry away in that first half, this season's strike force isn't anywhere near as clinical. We still concede too easily and coupled with our injury list we are probably where we deserve to be in the league.
I'd be more worried if we had a fully fit squad and we were 12th.
I'm not holding out much hope that we'll get any players in that'll make an immediate impact, but we can hope that we get players in that'll improve by playing under Carrick. I know he splits opinion, but I think we've seen a real improvement in Rodgers and I'm looking forward to him getting more consistency to match his talent.
LessoftheLip
Well-known member
The thing is you really do like to criticise other Boro fans who pay their money but have a different opinion to you. Just accept that some Boro fans don't necessarily agree with you and might take offence when you question their intelligence.
Quicksilvera
Well-known member
This is what it’s all about isn’t it, opinions? I never questioned their intelligence I questioned their knowledge on the bigger picture.
If we went up this season it would be a bonus, this is a long term plan.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, or 46 games.
LessoftheLip
Well-known member
"and do not understand what is meant by the bigger picture"
Yes I think that statement definitely questions the intelligence of Boro fans.
Quicksilvera
Well-known member
Not really, the understanding can be taught through debate and discussion.
You obviously tick the box from my comment so if I offended you I apologise.
LessoftheLip
Well-known member
No need to apologise to me fella. I go to the game, don't rant and rave, stay until the end and recognise when the players have put a shift in.
Yes there's the radio phone in characters and the exiles home for their one game a season but I think generally Boro fans are a pretty tolerant lot
indeedido
Well-known member
We've played Cov 5 times under Carrick. They've won 3 of them, drawn the other 2 and we've scored just twice.
I'd suggest Mark Robbins has played his cards much better.
He certainly did today.
Ravshoutsatbeck
Well-known member
They could have been 4 nil down before they had a chance...
We fell apart, but I can't believe Robins plan was to expect a goal line clearance, a couple of blocks and 4 good saves to keep them in it.
I've got to admit - I'm not sure if he made changes I couldn't see in the second half or the games over Christmas with no ability to rotate caught up with us
Diego
Well-known member
Not sure Carrick had much cards to play today to be fair. It’s the worst bench we have had for a long time
TeaCider
Well-known member
Robins basically admitted that they were fortunate to even still be in the game at half time and fully acknowledged how badly injuries limited our side and allowed them to change things in the second half.
Craggsy2
Well-known member
I think replacing Greenwood with Bangura early in the second half was the main mistake and could have made a difference to our collapse.
Diego
Well-known member
Yeah possibly should have been done. But I still think it wouldn’t have made much of a difference. He was on a hiding to nothing with that bench.
Laughing
Well-known member
I doubt it would have made much difference either. Had we gone ahead or maintained our goal advantage it may have given the players some extra energy but I doubt that too.
It's not just about which players are on the pitch though. It's the way we set the team up and way we play. I think @indeedido has a point.
Coventry have stifled Boro more often than other teams over the last 18 months.
Yes we had a good first half an hour yesterday but Robins soon switched the way they played to address their problems. Two quite obvious changes they made:
They targeted our left side in the second half.
They pressed us higher up the pitch from goal kicks and restarts and made sure Barlaser wasn't given the time to waltz out of defence and pick his pass. (Something I'm surprised more teams don't do).
I think we can all agree the players looked tired in the second half but it's not like Carrick or anyone in the stadium doesn't know that we are running on the absolute bare bones. So baring that in mind is the correct strategy for us to press and close down with the intensity we did in the first half? Yes, we played well for those 45 mins but then we were garbage for the second because we didn't have the players to bring on and maintain it. I'm not saying it is or it isn't but it's something we should be considering.
asredastheycome
Well-known member
Where was the one game a season fans. Gate was not much higher than normal. Saw some leaving that had been sat near me since we moved to Riverside. Its up to team to generate the performance to create the atmosphere.