Confidence (2 Viewers)

[shmmeee]

I've missed a few games this season, only managed to get to Leicester, Watford and Blackpool at home so far. But what has struck me in the last two games I saw is the difference in the team when we get on the scoresheet.

The way we play is so reliant on confidence, it requires players to take risks to make space and to play further up the field to protect our defence. Today was a classic example, up until the first Blackpool goal and after Deegan's goal we looked easily the better team, but as soon as we were behind our heads dropped and as soon as we went ahead we went into protection mode when we should have kept going at them.

Two points that I take away from this:

- We're on such a knife edge between being a decent mid table side and relegation fodder.

- Considering this, cheering your own players when they are subbed is the most counterproductive thing the fans can do. Players need our support.

Hussey was shit today, utter garbage, worst fullback performance I can remember for City. But you don't boo your own players, he's our only left back and what good is destroying a young lad's confidence going to do?

While I'm here: if Richard Keogh keeps doing that stupid fucking "I'm Ronaldo and instead of whipping a cross in when I get to the final third, I'll try and beat 3 men. Oh crap I've lost the ball" shit that he's done every fucking game since he arrived, I won't be responsible for my actions.

 

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[pusbccfc]

You can not give keogh stick for tonight, or all season!
The cheering when going of was because of deegan coming back!

 

[BenInTurin]

While I'm here: if Richard Keogh keeps doing that stupid fucking "I'm Ronaldo and instead of whipping a cross in when I get to the final third, I'll try and beat 3 men. Oh crap I've lost the ball" shit that he's done every fucking game since he arrived, I won't be responsible for my actions.

I think they were talking about this on the radio: he can't cross to save his live so he ends up looking to lay it off to someone who can.

 

[shmmeee]

I think they were talking about this on the radio: he can't cross to save his live so he ends up looking to lay it off to someone who can.

No, he doesn't. I'd have no problem if this was the case. This is what happens EVERY GODDAM TIME.

Keogh given the ball on the wing.

Keogh runs at fullback.

Keogh gets chance to cross, instead decides to take on fullback.

Can't take on full back, does little shimmy thing. Loses the ball.

If he manages to beat his man, does the same bloody thing until he loses the ball.

It drives me crazy. Fine he can't cross, but he can't beat 3 men and slot the ball in either. If you're that bad at crossing (and it doesn't stop Hussey) then by all means lay it off to someone who can, but stop trying to beat 3 men every single time!

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

You can not give keogh stick for tonight, or all season!
The cheering when going of was because of deegan coming back!

I really don't think it was tbh. People were cheering when they heard David Bell's name before Deegan had even been mentioned.

 

[shmmeee]

You can not give keogh stick for tonight, or all season!
The cheering when going of was because of deegan coming back!

Deegan came on for Bell. It was Christie who came on for Hussey, or are you implying the fans were so happy that Deegan had come back on that they randomly decided to cheer 3 minutes later and it was pure coincidence that Hussey happened to be coming off at the time?

Not giving Keogh stick defensively, but his insistence on trying and failing to take on the fullback instead of releasing the ball drives me nuts. He's done it every game at fullback since he arrived and never once have I seen it come off.

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

Well he took his time tonight delivering the ball when people were screaming "get it in!". Result: goal. Keogh knows best, methinks.

I thought he brought another dimension to our play at RB tonight, and a major part of that was that he ran at defenders. He clearly has no idea what he's gonna do, but neither do the opposition! Also, rewind to last season-Keogh got an assist the last 2 times he played at RB with beautiful, shaped crosses. I think he should carry on doing exactly what he is doing-he causes mayhem in defences, and that's 3 assists in 3 from RB! Crikey, talk about always having to have a scapegoat...

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

That said..completely agree with the OP about confidence. That's another thing Deegan adds (almost arrogance in his case, coool!). Thomas in particular was unplayable once we scored; he was good before, but after that he was buzzing, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

Unfortunately we just have to accept with so many young players in the side, they will be a bit fragile mentally and prone to having their heads drop. This was massively obvious to me from both Cyrus and Bigi's deterioration after Leicester equalised, and it was rammed home against Ipswich. A couple of wins and we could be a different side-and a glimmer of hope means youthful enthusiasm comes flooding back. The concern is that too many kicks in the teeth like tonight, Palace and Reading will break their spirit. I think AT is just the bloke to prevent that happening.