Jimmy Hill's Chin
Well-Known Member
Last night was the first game I have watched live this season. I had a season ticket for decades but I now live in the South and frankly I'm not going to spend a hundred pounds every fortnight to watch us in our current state. That being said I went to Griffin Park with some naive optimism that we would at least get a result. I came away with the following thoughts:
Many of the players look seriously unfit and overweight. There is no excuse for this, they are professional athletes. In particular, Jennings, Ball, Cameron and Fleck look too fat to be professional footballers. All four looked knackered as the game went on.
Brentford were much faster and sharper than us.
We don't appear to have anyone (save McGoldrick) who has the ability or pace to run at players. In contrast Brentford did to good effect.
The midfield is abject. Moussa offered nothing, Jennings looks unfit and lacking in ability. Fleck looks talented but is an individual and plays in fits and starts. Hussey is Hussey. All in all it's a very weak midfield, lacking in both creativity and bite.
The marking across the defence was very poor. Brentford players frequently had acres of space in our penalty box. Cameron was dreadful. Wood is a decent player at this level but needs more support. Jordan Clarke is a waste of space and too lightweight. Cameron should be told to shape up or ship out, Clarke should just ship out - not good enough. Reckord was largely anonymous.
McGoldrick is a class apart from all of our other outfield players and his goal was the only high point of a lethargic performance. Where are the goals going to come from when he leaves? Isn't Richard Wood our second highest scorer which says it all?!
We are seriously being let down by the senior pros in this squad - and yes I mean McSheffrey, Baker, Bell and Kilbane. All of these four should be top players at this level. If they can't cut it, please get rid in January of them and free up their wages. If necessary pay them off as their lack of commitment and passion is killing the club.
We are very lucky to have Murphy. Without him last night it could have been 5 or 6 without any exaggeration. Fans who say he is to blame or should be dropped don't know what they are talking about.
In short - based on last night we have 2 good players at this level (McGoldrick and Murphy), 2 decent players (Wood and Fleck) and the rest of the team are an embarassment. Relegation to League 2 has to be a real possibility especially if we lose McGoldrick as no idea where the goals will come from and the defence is as leaky as a sieve.
None of this nonsense about us being in our rightful place now. We are a bigger club than the likes of Brentford, Shrewsbury and Carlisle and we are deluding ourselves to think otherwise. We have a better ground, more recognised players, a bigger squad, more resources, a far larger catchment area and a far superior heritage as a football club. The attitude of the current squad is a disgrace and has to change.
PUSB
Many of the players look seriously unfit and overweight. There is no excuse for this, they are professional athletes. In particular, Jennings, Ball, Cameron and Fleck look too fat to be professional footballers. All four looked knackered as the game went on.
Brentford were much faster and sharper than us.
We don't appear to have anyone (save McGoldrick) who has the ability or pace to run at players. In contrast Brentford did to good effect.
The midfield is abject. Moussa offered nothing, Jennings looks unfit and lacking in ability. Fleck looks talented but is an individual and plays in fits and starts. Hussey is Hussey. All in all it's a very weak midfield, lacking in both creativity and bite.
The marking across the defence was very poor. Brentford players frequently had acres of space in our penalty box. Cameron was dreadful. Wood is a decent player at this level but needs more support. Jordan Clarke is a waste of space and too lightweight. Cameron should be told to shape up or ship out, Clarke should just ship out - not good enough. Reckord was largely anonymous.
McGoldrick is a class apart from all of our other outfield players and his goal was the only high point of a lethargic performance. Where are the goals going to come from when he leaves? Isn't Richard Wood our second highest scorer which says it all?!
We are seriously being let down by the senior pros in this squad - and yes I mean McSheffrey, Baker, Bell and Kilbane. All of these four should be top players at this level. If they can't cut it, please get rid in January of them and free up their wages. If necessary pay them off as their lack of commitment and passion is killing the club.
We are very lucky to have Murphy. Without him last night it could have been 5 or 6 without any exaggeration. Fans who say he is to blame or should be dropped don't know what they are talking about.
In short - based on last night we have 2 good players at this level (McGoldrick and Murphy), 2 decent players (Wood and Fleck) and the rest of the team are an embarassment. Relegation to League 2 has to be a real possibility especially if we lose McGoldrick as no idea where the goals will come from and the defence is as leaky as a sieve.
None of this nonsense about us being in our rightful place now. We are a bigger club than the likes of Brentford, Shrewsbury and Carlisle and we are deluding ourselves to think otherwise. We have a better ground, more recognised players, a bigger squad, more resources, a far larger catchment area and a far superior heritage as a football club. The attitude of the current squad is a disgrace and has to change.
PUSB
