CHRIS_SUTTON9
29 Aug 2002, 03:28 PM
The players, Martin O'Neill and the rest of the management team have to all the blame for the defeat by FC Basel.
After the defeat by Rangers in The Scottish Cup Final, I thought surely the management team would learn from this. Our defence and centre of midfield can't handle pace. I also felt let down by Lambert and Lennon who clearly were not fit.
Then came the first leg against Basel, they started coming at us with pace, quick passing, stretching Balde and Valgaeren out wide, Lambert and Lennon chasing shadows, which therefore meant no support to Larsson and Sutton. I still find it hard to believe we won 3-1. Larssons penalty miss I see as pretty crucial. Its gone though if not forgotten.
Now, to stop this happening, we all at one time or another have mentioned a 4-4-2. But to play Ulrik Laursen and Joos Valgaeren as fullbacks, I'm still finding hard to understand. Surely if your playing fullbacks Jackie McNamara and Stephen Crainey should be playing. And theres a fair arguement to say Craineys more experienced at this level than Laursen anyway.
Lambert went of with a knock, fair enough, but theres no way he's been fit. As for Lennon, he's been breathing out his arse for about 6 months. Its not like there isnt cover for him to recover from his knee problem. Although, his cover Colin Healy is moving, little wonder considering he's seeing half fit players, playing in front of him.
When we play Rangers in the League next, whats Martin going to do about Lovenkrands. I say he'll play three at the back, and the little turd will rip us apart again.
Another thing, fair enough we have the UEFA Cup, but we've a pretty big squad. Well apart from against Rangers do we even need a goalie? We have four centre backs who now double up as fullbacks! About five forwards and plenty midfielders. So Maloney and co might get 10 minutes action a month. Hartson might get 90 minutes a month if hes lucky. Fernandez will want a move back to Livi to get a game. Healy will be picking up player of month awards in the Premiership. And Sylla, Thompson, Petta, Crainey, Smith, Guppy, McNamara and co. will have a hand full of games between them.
A big squad for the SPL suddenly becomes a problem. Dare say paying the wages might become a slight problem now.
And I dont buy the excuse we are playing in a poor standard of league and that hinders us in Europe. We've just been beaten by the Swiss Champions, Swiss!! Rosenberg last season, Norway!!
What are the Swiss and Norwegians doing that we are doing wrong?
After the defeat by Rangers in The Scottish Cup Final, I thought surely the management team would learn from this. Our defence and centre of midfield can't handle pace. I also felt let down by Lambert and Lennon who clearly were not fit.
Then came the first leg against Basel, they started coming at us with pace, quick passing, stretching Balde and Valgaeren out wide, Lambert and Lennon chasing shadows, which therefore meant no support to Larsson and Sutton. I still find it hard to believe we won 3-1. Larssons penalty miss I see as pretty crucial. Its gone though if not forgotten.
Now, to stop this happening, we all at one time or another have mentioned a 4-4-2. But to play Ulrik Laursen and Joos Valgaeren as fullbacks, I'm still finding hard to understand. Surely if your playing fullbacks Jackie McNamara and Stephen Crainey should be playing. And theres a fair arguement to say Craineys more experienced at this level than Laursen anyway.
Lambert went of with a knock, fair enough, but theres no way he's been fit. As for Lennon, he's been breathing out his arse for about 6 months. Its not like there isnt cover for him to recover from his knee problem. Although, his cover Colin Healy is moving, little wonder considering he's seeing half fit players, playing in front of him.
When we play Rangers in the League next, whats Martin going to do about Lovenkrands. I say he'll play three at the back, and the little turd will rip us apart again.
Another thing, fair enough we have the UEFA Cup, but we've a pretty big squad. Well apart from against Rangers do we even need a goalie? We have four centre backs who now double up as fullbacks! About five forwards and plenty midfielders. So Maloney and co might get 10 minutes action a month. Hartson might get 90 minutes a month if hes lucky. Fernandez will want a move back to Livi to get a game. Healy will be picking up player of month awards in the Premiership. And Sylla, Thompson, Petta, Crainey, Smith, Guppy, McNamara and co. will have a hand full of games between them.
A big squad for the SPL suddenly becomes a problem. Dare say paying the wages might become a slight problem now.
And I dont buy the excuse we are playing in a poor standard of league and that hinders us in Europe. We've just been beaten by the Swiss Champions, Swiss!! Rosenberg last season, Norway!!
What are the Swiss and Norwegians doing that we are doing wrong?