Fans unhappy with lack of passion
Last updated : 19 February 2005 By The Chairman
Before the game everything looked rosey. Two new defenders to rebuild a leaky defence and supporter optimism was high. The result - a 1-2 defeat at home to the bottom team in the division.
Brian Talbot gave the following quote to the official website after the humiliating defeat at home to Stockport County, “To be honest, you look at the fixtures that you've got to play and this is one that you've got to win. We haven't and obviously everyone's disappointed in the dressing room. I'm not saying that we deserved to lose today but we did miss some chances. I wouldn't say their goalie made some good saves, they were right at him, but we did have 3 or 4 good chances by half time. They broke away and we gave them the goal. No question about it. We've given far too many goals away this season.”
“Second half, let's be honest, we were pressing. They broke away from our throw-in and scored. We huffed and puffed and didn't really create as many clear-cut chances second half as we did first. Overall we had more of the ball but we're maybe disappointed with our last third play. I think it's a lack of confidence. I think the team were nervous today. I really do. I was trying to get them to relax and play. They obvously know there's pressure on them with football and winning the game.”
“It was my best team, no question. That was the best team we could play at the club. On the day we lost the game and as time goes on it'll get more nervewracking. We've got to win some games, no-one won round us (in the League) but we're right in it and it's a dogfight now. We give too many goals away and we don't take our chances. That sums it up. That's why we're in the position we're in. Are we going to win a game of football? Are we going to go down? I suppose everyone will be talking and saying that. What are they going to do about it. A lot of people will be saying you've got to change the Manager. People have got their opinions. All you can do is work hard, do your best and hope that the players perform to the best of their ability.”
“If it was my team I would say that (it's time to change the Manager) but it's not my team. I inherited a lot of problems on and off the pitch here. We're sorting them out but 7 of the team that started, were here when I arrived. So I wouldn't say it was my team, would you?”
Why does Mr. Talbot always say, “To be honest?” Does this mean that he is not usually honest? Another of his favourite words is “obviously” so why does he tell us stuff that is obvious? Does he not know what to say?
His statement of “If it was my team,” is a worrying fact. When he took on the job as manager, he knew what he was inheriting and he knew the fight that was before him and the resources at his availability. As the team manager it is his job to to get the best out of what he has. The fact is that he has signed 17 players since he arrived, some on loan. If he can’t pick 11 starters out of 17 of his own signings then he is in the wrong job. Okay, some have left but that was his decision. He brought players that didn’t work out, Arbour being a prime example. Mr. Talbot must carry the blame for his own wrong decisions.
Many fans are “obviously” upset with the way that we have turned from a great team on a great unbeaten run, to one which rolls over and plays dead, and one which is quickly heading on a downward spiral towards the obscurity of bottom league football. They are not happy with the attitude of the players and the general feeling is that they are not motivated enough and don’t want to play for the manager or the team with the required passion. When those players pull on the blue shirt they should be prepared to die for the team and there’s just not enough of that feeling in the squad.
We need an immediate upturn in fortunes or this season is going to be disasterous for the long term future of our beloved club. Fans care and deserve more.
