Lampard (2 Viewers)

RoboCCFC90 · Apr 26, 2025

I do like Frank and he’s done a great job getting us to where we are given where we were when we took over, but I have to question his decision making recently. Persisting with Collins and the 433 just don’t seem to be working. Is it a case that he doesn’t see it the same as the rest of us or is he just too stubborn to change his ways?

Either way it could undo all the hard work all the players and staff have put in to get to the position we are in.

In terms of questioning decisions off the officials or lack of the right decisions, I think he needs to mention this at the right times because the officiating standards in this country are piss poor and it should be better at this level.

TomRad85 · Apr 26, 2025

clint van damme said:
We've been poor tactically in a few games in the last few weeks.
I'm not getting bent out of shape about it because when you go on the run we were on teams look at how to stop you and that's happened in a few games, we need to counteract it but there's nothing to say we won't.

But it is undeniable that teams have found a way to play against us.

Away from home they have a bit. Our home form is class.

clint van damme · Apr 26, 2025

TomRad85 said:
Away from home they have a bit. Our home form is class.

But that's where my original comment stems from, the Portsmouth game was a warning.
To be fair, we changed our style and it paid dividends but we need to be prepared to do that more often, and probably earlier in games, definitely away, but also at home if need be

Sick Boy · Apr 26, 2025

His win percentage with us is over 50%. A bit of perspective is needed at this point.

shmmeee · Apr 26, 2025

bigfatronssba said:
Really??

We had an off game against Derby

We the lost away to one of the best teams in the division against Sheffield Utd

We lost to Burnley because of Collins
We lost to Plymouth because of Collins
We lost to Luton because of Collins

Criticise Lampard all you want for his choice of keeper, but that isn’t the same thing as tactical nous.

If it wasn’t for Collins’ cock up, today he got it spot on

We didn’t lose to Plymouth and Luton because of Collins. We lost because we got bullied by both as a team.

bigfatronssba · Apr 26, 2025

shmmeee said:
We didn’t lose to Plymouth and Luton because of Collins. We lost because we got bullied by both as a team.

Collins errors led to their goals

Sky Blue Goblin · Apr 26, 2025

shmmeee said:
We didn’t lose to Plymouth and Luton because of Collins. We lost because we got bullied by both as a team.

Plymouth granted but it’s hard to keep in a game when you go down to ten men so early. Felt we dug in well today against a team desperate for a win to have a chance. Just a shame the shit at the end happened

Sky Blue Goblin · Apr 26, 2025

bigfatronssba said:
Collins errors led to their goals

More MVE for Plymouth although he should been saving them.

shmmeee · Apr 26, 2025

bigfatronssba said:
Collins errors led to their goals

Yeah but they were all over us and we offered little threat at the other end. Collins didn’t stop us beating Sunderland. Today he kept goals out before throwing it away. Our problem was we were camped in our area for 80 mins.

long way home · Apr 26, 2025

I like FL but the blind faith in Collins is on him..

clint van damme · Apr 26, 2025

bigfatronssba said:
Collins errors led to their goals

Anyone saying different is one of 3 things:

Mad
A contrarian
A mad contrarian

AJB1983 · Apr 26, 2025

Mucca Mad Boys said:
I said that with Plymouth in mind where, for each goal, there were clear defensive errors before Collins got involved. That obviously doesn’t absolve him, far from it.

Today, I’ve laid the blame at Collins’ feet because it was an unforced error from him.

Yeah Plymouth I don’t think Collins was at fault for any of the goals really. Milan for 2, possibly all three depending on who’s lost their man at the corner for the first. The second goal was scored from our corner after all.

Today certainly it’s on him - unless he did shout and kitch ignored it, of course we’ll never know.

robbiethemole · Apr 26, 2025

Mucca Mad Boys said:
He has. Against Plymouth Collins wasn’t our worst rated player which should tell you something.

If the defence is doing its job properly, a GK shouldn’t have anything to do. The positions we were in for Collins to mess up were because of v basic defensive errors. He made his errors but the defence did also.

only one wanker made a mistake today, Kamikaze Coliins

Mucca Mad Boys · Apr 26, 2025

robbiethemole said:
only one wanker made a mistake today, Kamikaze Coliins

It’s not unfair to point out that Binks could’ve done better if he doesn’t trip over himself.

The first and most egregious mistake was obviously Collins but that clearance is fairly routine imo.

robbiethemole · Apr 26, 2025

Mucca Mad Boys said:
It’s not unfair to point out that Binks could’ve done better if he doesn’t trip over himself.

The first and most egregious mistake was obviously Collins but that clearance is fairly routine imo.

he's left footed, why try to clear it with his right?

Cally Fedora · Apr 26, 2025

Can’t get to down on Lampard, he’s worked wonders. Grimes is his only signing. He’s worked miracles with the unbalanced squad he inherited

Mucca Mad Boys · Apr 26, 2025

Cally Fedora said:
Can’t get to down on Lampard, he’s worked wonders. Grimes is his only signing. He’s worked miracles with the unbalanced squad he inherited

I don’t think the squad is unbalanced, it just needs a bit more quality in a couple of areas. We have been v unlucky with injuries in this stretch too.

Cally Fedora · Apr 26, 2025

True. But we did end up with numerous forward options and basically one RB. Agree re injuries. If Dovin and Thomas stay fit we’re play offs already. Guess that’s the game though.

Hobo · Apr 26, 2025

long way home said:
I like FL but the blind faith in Collins is on him..

I have never rated Collins from the first time I saw him in a City shirt, I felt he was an accident waiting to happen.

However, FL blind faith in Collins? I am not sure us fans know the full picture with Wilson and his recovery from his injury. I suspect he isn't game ready yet despite being on the bench.

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Apr 26, 2025

He's done a phenomenal job to get us still in with a chance of the play-offs. But a lot of that is from an almost unbelievable run of form. Now that's tailed off we can start to see the problems.

His choice of 4-3-3 is making it a lot easier for teams to plan against us. He has changed it in games but by then we're already on the back foot and it's hard to get yourself out of that. Playing a high line has also caused us problems. The opposition can see it and try to take advantage of it, so why can't he? Is he playing the system he wants without factoring in the players he has?

The decision to stick with Collins is utterly baffling.

Although I don't think he's as bad as MR, his subs also leave much to be desired. Take today. They get a player sent off and we're back to the same number of players, but we've spent almost an hour with one less player and the players are clearly tired. So you bring on fresh legs to even that out. We didn't do that.

Possibly linked with that as well is injuries. While some injuries have been unlucky, the number we're getting suggest that actually we're overworking the players, and Frank's playing style suggests this could be a factor. We're supposed to have a medical/physio team who can see when players are running at greater risk of injury, so why are we getting so many? This needs assessing at the end of the season.

I look forward to seeing what he can do with the squad over the summer, but I think he needs to show more flexibility and less stubbornness for us to maintain this level.

Mucca Mad Boys · Apr 26, 2025

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
He's done a phenomenal job to get us still in with a chance of the play-offs. But a lot of that is from an almost unbelievable run of form. Now that's tailed off we can start to see the problems.

His choice of 4-3-3 is making it a lot easier for teams to plan against us. He has changed it in games but by then we're already on the back foot and it's hard to get yourself out of that. Playing a high line has also caused us problems. The opposition can see it and try to take advantage of it, so why can't he? Is he playing the system he wants without factoring in the players he has?

The decision to stick with Collins is utterly baffling.

Although I don't think he's as bad as MR, his subs also leave much to be desired. Take today. They get a player sent off and we're back to the same number of players, but we've spent almost an hour with one less player and the players are clearly tired. So you bring on fresh legs to even that out. We didn't do that.

Possibly linked with that as well is injuries. While some injuries have been unlucky, the number we're getting suggest that actually we're overworking the players, and Frank's playing style suggests this could be a factor. We're supposed to have a medical/physio team who can see when players are running at greater risk of injury, so why are we getting so many? This needs assessing at the end of the season.

I look forward to seeing what he can do with the squad over the summer, but I think he needs to show more flexibility and less stubbornness for us to maintain this level.

1) formation - there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. The issue is tactically because we leave a lot of gaps between the lines. Today, we were a lot closed and didn’t give away any real clear cut chances with 10 men.

2) Goalkeeper - agreed on Collins but Wilson is ranked in the bottom 10 or 15 of GKs this season. It isn’t a guarantee Wilson would have done much better. Dovin was Top 6 in comparison and it can’t be helped he’s done his ACL - that’s an uncontrollable.

3) Subs - there are areas in the team where the depth isn’t good enough. Specifically, wingers. There just weren’t many subs that we could’ve brought on today and the last few games that would actually change the game. I touched on it in other threads, but the squad needs bolstering to withstand a 46 game season.

4) injuries - it’s just part and parcel of the game and there’s been quite a few players fighting through injuries this season.

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Apr 26, 2025

Mucca Mad Boys said:
1) formation - there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. The issue is tactically because we leave a lot of gaps between the lines. Today, we were a lot closed and didn’t give away any real clear cut chances with 10 men.

2) Goalkeeper - agreed on Collins but Wilson is ranked in the bottom 10 or 15 of GKs this season. It isn’t a guarantee Wilson would have done much better. Dovin was Top 6 in comparison and it can’t be helped he’s done his ACL - that’s an uncontrollable.

3) Subs - there are areas in the team where the depth isn’t good enough. Specifically, wingers. There just weren’t many subs that we could’ve brought on today and the last few games that would actually change the game. I touched on it in other threads, but the squad needs bolstering to withstand a 46 game season.

4) injuries - it’s just part and parcel of the game and there’s been quite a few players fighting through injuries this season.

1. If we leave gaps between the lines then that's an issue with the formation and how it is set up. I'm not saying we shouldn't play it, I'm saying that opposition coaches can pretty much assume that is how FL will set up and so more easily plan for it.

2. I agree Wilson is hardly the best keeper in the world, but playing a keeper who is literally costing you at least a goal a game is madness. Take today - he was pretty decent for 85 minutes but deep down you just knew that inexplicable fuck up was coming.

3. Again, fair point. The bench is quite a drop off in standard from the first team, especially at the moment with the injuries. But then if the players are tired (which they clearly have been) then that makes it all the more likely that you won't be making the choice of bringing on those players in future games because they'll have to start.

4. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and some are unavoidable. But others most definitely are and the fact we're seeing so many now just suggests that they're being pushed beyond their physical capabilites. I don't think the fitness of the squad has been managed well lately, and that itself was probably built up over months of workload where minor issues slowly become more severe.

Mucca Mad Boys · Apr 26, 2025

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
1. If we leave gaps between the lines then that's an issue with the formation and how it is set up. I'm not saying we shouldn't play it, I'm saying that opposition coaches can pretty much assume that is how FL will set up and so more easily plan for it.

2. I agree Wilson is hardly the best keeper in the world, but playing a keeper who is literally costing you at least a goal a game is madness. Take today - he was pretty decent for 85 minutes but deep down you just knew that inexplicable fuck up was coming.

3. Again, fair point. The bench is quite a drop off in standard from the first team, especially at the moment with the injuries. But then if the players are tired (which they clearly have been) then that makes it all the more likely that you won't be making the choice of bringing on those players in future games because they'll have to start.

4. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and some are unavoidable. But others most definitely are and the fact we're seeing so many now just suggests that they're being pushed beyond their physical capabilites. I don't think the fitness of the squad has been managed well lately, and that itself was probably built up over months of workload where minor issues slowly become more severe.

On point 1, there were games where we played 5-3-2 that we were really open. It’s tactical decision from the management because we try to win the ball high up and when it works well, we look quality as we did v Sunderland and WBA. It’s the opposite of Robins, where he wanted to be more cautious and retreat into a more defensive shape.

Against the weaker teams, they’re happy being penned in and keeping things tight defensively and hitting teams with quick counters. We just need to tweak the tactics for away games to strike a middle ground. Today, we defended mostly very well.

My issue is that we haven’t found a way to break down those stubborn defences away from home. My view is that we need wingers who are happier taking players on with a stronger track record scoring goals.

SkyblueTexan · Apr 26, 2025

shmmeee said:
Yeah but they were all over us and we offered little threat at the other end. Collins didn’t stop us beating Sunderland. Today he kept goals out before throwing it away. Our problem was we were camped in our area for 80 mins.

Collins didn’t play against Sunderland. Otherwise it would have been a 0-3 loss.

SkyblueTexan · Apr 26, 2025

stevefloyd said:
He hasn't improved Simms so that goes with number 1 in cons..

Both Collins and Simms can fuck off in the summer for all I care.

shepardo01 · Apr 26, 2025

shmmeee said:
We didn’t lose to Plymouth and Luton because of Collins. We lost because we got bullied by both as a team.

All goals had an element of fault laid at Collins door.
Said it before - we have a competent Championship Keeper in goal, we get a point at Plymouth, a point today, we are lauding well ground out points and only need a point next week.

Evo1883 · Apr 26, 2025

RoboCCFC90 said:
I do like Frank and he’s done a great job getting us to where we are given where we were when we took over, but I have to question his decision making recently. Persisting with Collins and the 433 just don’t seem to be working. Is it a case that he doesn’t see it the same as the rest of us or is he just too stubborn to change his ways?

Either way it could undo all the hard work all the players and staff have put in to get to the position we are in.

In terms of questioning decisions off the officials or lack of the right decisions, I think he needs to mention this at the right times because the officiating standards in this country are piss poor and it should be better at this level.

The 433 works at home , he has to be more pragmatic away

Brighton Sky Blue · Apr 26, 2025

Evo1883 said:
The 433 works at home , he has to be more pragmatic away

Surely one of his coaches or analysts has brought it up?

RoboCCFC90 · Apr 26, 2025

Evo1883 said:
The 433 works at home , he has to be more pragmatic away

I agree it has worked, but with EMC out and Saka out of form I feel it would be much better to switch to a 532.

This setup also seemed to get the better out of Simms earlier in the season and we looked more defensively sound.

Ashdown · Apr 27, 2025

The jury is out with me on Frank. He’s likeable, attracts the media to the club. Players seem to like him and have respect. Love his interaction with the fans.
Is he a bit stubborn, yes I think so and his actual tactical nous at times has been questionable. His entire reputation right now could be trashed by sticking with one player…If he picks him and If that said player fucks up badly again!?

Samueljames1991 · Apr 27, 2025

Ashdown said:
The jury is out with me on Frank. He’s likeable, attracts the media to the club. Players seem to like him and have respect. Love his interaction with the fans.
Is he a bit stubborn, yes I think so and his actual tactical nous at times has been questionable. His entire reputation right now could be trashed by sticking with one player…If he picks him and If that said player fucks up badly again!?

How would it trash his reputation?

He got us from 17th to the playoffs with our longest winning run in history. He's been incredibly unlucky with injuries towards the end of the season.

I genuinely think Wilson isn't fit or he would be playing

steve cooper · Apr 27, 2025

Samueljames1991 said:
How would it trash his reputation?

He got us from 17th to the playoffs with our longest winning run in history. He's been incredibly unlucky with injuries towards the end of the season.

I genuinely think Wilson isn't fit or he would be playing

What could be wrong with him for so long? if it was something long term we would know.

duffer · Apr 27, 2025

shmmeee said:
We didn’t lose to Plymouth and Luton because of Collins. We lost because we got bullied by both as a team.

Unless I missed something, Luton's winner came about because Collins completely lost his head, ran out of his goal, and clattered his defender. So the only goal in the game came about from his incompetence.

Yes, we got bullied. Yes Luton looked better than us for large parts of the game. But it was that single act that led to the goal that cost us the game.

I can't see any reason to defend the bloke or put it on anyone else, except perhaps Lampard. With anyone else in goal, that doesn't happen; it's a critical individual error, and it's not his first.

Skyblue Bangkok · Apr 27, 2025

duffer said:
Unless I missed something, Luton's winner came about because Collins completely lost his head, ran out of his goal, and clattered his defender. So the only goal in the game came about from his incompetence.

Yes, we got bullied. Yes Luton looked better than us for large parts of the game. But it was that single act that led to the goal that cost us the game.

I can't see any reason to defend the bloke or put it on anyone else, except perhaps Lampard. With anyone else in goal, that doesn't happen; it's a critical individual error, and it's not his first.

Not sure how Binks didn't clear the shot it was hardly hit with force. All he had to do was block rather than trying to kick it. Lampard is to blame for constantly picking the clown in goal.

Sick Boy · Apr 27, 2025

Ashdown said:
The jury is out with me on Frank. He’s likeable, attracts the media to the club. Players seem to like him and have respect. Love his interaction with the fans.
Is he a bit stubborn, yes I think so and his actual tactical nous at times has been questionable. His entire reputation right now could be trashed by sticking with one player…If he picks him and If that said player fucks up badly again!?

He’s been in charge for 30 games and has a win percentage of 50%.

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