1. We have now gone 51 away games against the so-called ?Sky 4? without winning a game. Even last night's Arsenal programme made a point of saying it was the longest run by any side in the Premier League. Blackpool, Wigan, WBA, Fulham and Blackburn have won at one of these grounds. So how is that run explained in footballing terms?
Why have we never held a lead? Why have we never come from behind to win? Have we never caught any of these teams on an ?off day? unlike these others?
2. Last night we were under no more pressure going into the last 20 mins than we had been all night. Arsenal, and in particular Walcott and the RB, were not causing any real problems down our left. He then substitutes Bily for Osman. The crowd?s reaction to Billy was generally positive, recognizing that, whilst he may not have pulled up any trees, he was solid, rarely gave the ball away and formed a good defensive foil for Baines. Yes, those that can see nothing in him were not displeased but judging from the crowd?s reaction they were in the minority.
So, Osman out wide to support Baines whilst still winning and not really looking like we were about to capitulate. Why? Osman and pace are not synonymous so how was he going to support Baines in combatting their speed and movement? Bily, for all his critics, showed that a tactical brain alongside average pace can stop youthful exuberance.
3. Jagielka ? a centre-half ? on for a right-back when we are losing. Were we trying to get back into the game? Or did Moyes think we were about to concede a shedload and putting Jags in would stop that? That suggests they were marauding down our right ? sorry, I didn?t see that... so please explain. Perhaps he thought his height would be of help from set pieces ? how many goals has he scored? Perhaps he thought?? well, actually ? what could be his thinking???
4. A centre-forward who scored in the derby, again the following week in the cup, and almost scored in his 2 minute cameo against Chelsea, sits on the bench... and Anichebe comes on! What logic or rational thinking is going on here? Somebody please enlighten me.
Alongside that, Coleman is replaced, thereby depriving us of any natural width on either side of the pitch. Don?t most footballing people believe that width is the most dangerous asset when attacking? If so, does this substitution suggest appeasement and capitulation and no intention to win?
Moving from the footballing issues to the personal. Can somebody explain how anybody who comes across on TV as despondent, lacking enthusiasm and generally morose can inspire players? As human beings, we want to believe in people and want people to believe in us. The need for a positive approach is fundamental to all sportsmen; if you don?t believe you can do it, and those around you don?t believe you can do it, then you won?t.
Sport psychology (amongst other things) is based on attitude and approach and getting players to achieve at the top level relies heavily on it. It might be argued that Moyes may be more enthusiastic when off camera, but does anyone actually believe that?
The recent debacle in the transfer window appears to be reinforcing his pessimism, which is probably being translated to the players. When they see this how will they respond? Last night showed the answer ? brittle confidence and low expectations. We went one up and gradually showed less and less desire to get a second (tactics or fear?).
When we conceded, we knew a second was imminent because there was a lack of passion to stand up and be counted. Don?t get me wrong, the players tried and I have no criticism of them per se, but where was the inner belief that they could hold out? Had it been sapped by the negative vibes Moyes has shown all season and his tactics? How can people follow a leader who appears lacking in belief and lacking in ideas? The players themselves can see what is happening ? Arteta made a point of meeting Bily as he walked off as if to say ?I don?t understand it either mate?. What do they think when Neville is replaced by Jags when were losing with 10 mins to go?
So my final question is ? Where is the justification for keeping Moyes? Please don?t answer ?cos there?s nobody better? because the reality is you don?t know that. How many were jumping up and down with joy when a bloke from Preston who had managed to get to two play-offs (and lose them both ? pointer for the future?) was appointed? For me he is no longer a ?safe pair of hands? ? he?s a liability whose star is most certainly in the descendency.
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He's never challenged in the national press because we are of no interest having morphed into coventry/southampton/charlton (delete as required) under his watch and drifts under the news radar.
The Walter Smith/agent Johnson combo drained the last vestiges of passion from diehards of Nil Satis so the Moyes party piece of organised journeymen primed for defence has been tolerated.
A means to an end, but a long term strategy?
He should have went years ago, if he'd had decent judgement he would've known himself, but that's the Moyes problem-his decision making is poor.
He's a limited man who has been very very lucky.
I'd play Arteta on the left wing as I don't think he's playing well enough in the middle plus I think he's link up with Baines just like Pienaar did.
Rodwell, Fellaini and Coleman would fill the rest of the midfield.
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