Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

On 22 mins we applauded in memory of 22-year-old R's fan Finlay Hogg who
was tragically killed on the morning of the Watford game. Rest in Peace......

Swansea scored a fortunate goal (handball?) & we experienced the sudden outpouring
of the sprinklers Ilias stood on one of them to help stem the flow!!!!

Much better interplay after the break but with Sinclair being the lone Ranger,
the upfront situation needs to be urgently addressed & we really need to start
with two up top.

Eventually Charlie, Lyndon & Rayan Kolli were introduced but there were only
3 efforts in total on target.

A superb goal from Lyndon & it was even at the Loft End

Swansea were getting away with some naughty off-the ball stuff

Great team spirit but much still to do and hopefully its something to build on...

[Kerrins]

Its a shame we could not defeat poor opposition on our own ground.

I still say we should play two strikers up front...and try and get more possession

[ESSEXURs]

We desperately need two up and more possession in the games. To have consistently low possession figures at home
is unacceptable and just gives the opposition the initiative and there is always a chance they will score first and we
all know that once the opposition score it’s usually curtains.
We struggle to score one goal let alone two so it makes no sense.
I still feel Armstrong needs to be loaned out. He was getting caught offside or fouling the last man and his appalling miss
when standing on his own shows that he lacks that killer instinct when placed in a scoring opportunity.

His record does not justify his selection in such an important position and we fail to support him to improve the situation.
We obviously missed Colback and struggled against a very poor Swansea side.
We do not seem to have a plan B so how long will GA be given to improve our play as three shots on target in 100mins of
play at home is not going to keep us up this season.

[Kerrins]

Some valid concerns raised there Colin. I agree with your comment

Gareth Ainsworth style is containment strategy dig in and show fighting spirit and to hell with possession.
Fair enough we knew this before he was appointed. However I would say that surprisingly and unexpectedly
he is not quite getting the best out of our very limited squad.

At the best of times we are certainly not a force up front is an understatement. Not many goals around via the
strikers we have on the books. Matters are made worse when it is just one up front with very little support.

It makes no difference if its Armstrong Dykes Kellman or Kolli who is the lone striker. This strategy won't work.

We simply must play TWO from those four. At the moment it is unfair on the solitary striker who draws
"The Black Spot"

[Steve Russell]

I have seen Sinclair Armstrong score a few goals for the U21s/B team but
he is not an out & out striker.

He certainly puts opposing defenders on the back-foot when he bursts forward
but Gareth needs to decide which position suits him best.

Putting him upfront on his own is not beneficial to him or the team.

[ESSEXURs]

Armstrong looked totally isolated against Swansea and it looked we were playing with ten men!
His pace creates scoring opportunities in games but if we can’t rely upon him to finish them at the level he is
now playing we desperately need a mobile forward with him.
Playing one up means the opposition doesn’t need to commit as many defenders to cover him and can afford to
throw more bodies into their attacks.
This obsession in the past few seasons with midfielders has cost us so much.

[Kerrins]

Steve R and Essex. Cant argue with any of that