JUST MY VIEW AND OPEN TO DEBATE

This how I now see it…

Erol Bulut (bar an alarming upturn in results) is a dead man walking in football terms…

His tactics and style were questioned last season but most persevered because of the upturn of results and our dalliance with the play off places for a large part of the season…

It beggars the question, “What has changed on the field from last season?” and the answer is remarkably simple; we had a potent ‘set-piece’ plan and in the main it worked! This season it hasn’t; mainly because we haven’t had the opportunities or (when we do) the service…

Indeed, our attacking players are pretty bereft when it comes to getting crosses in and their ratio of good to bad crosses on either side is less than 1 in 5…

Equally, our build up is so slow and predictable, we allow opposition defenders to get back and park the proverbial bus by the time a decent cross comes in; and often we have no one in a decent position to take advantage anyway…

I honestly believe we have a better squad than last season but it’s just not clicking and it is seemingly down to the management of the squad, tactics and togetherness…

It’s not that Erol Bulut is ‘wrong’ in being ‘defence first’ (Jose Mourinho was a legend of it) but we still need to create opportunities for our front line but we don’t and that reduces opportunities down to scraps or luck when they are expected to score two or three goals from two or three opportunities; those figures couldn’t be matched by Manchester City!

We changed the coach in the summer and he came with a very good reputation; and he’s been a manager in his own right. But like most of us, he has to follow the wishes/orders of the manager, so is he being restricted, too?

Time will tell; but I no longer believe change will not occur and I believe the next manager will come from within; but thankfully, it won’t be Darren Purse…

We should have beat leicester at their place last season. We lost it due to fitness levels. We then found ourselfs in a top 6 and a better fitness. Then nothing.

We were like a tire with a slow puncher. Now we are deflated and in shock now its all turned out. Action required but what?

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

Yep, take the set piece goals out of the equation last year and I reckon we’d have been relegated. I’m sure someone much more stat oriented than me can actually do that

Yep, take the set piece goals out of the equation last year and I reckon we’d have been relegated. I’m sure someone much more stat oriented than me can actually do that

Reason for failing to have same effect at deadball situations is we are like our football very predictable in how crosses are delivered all go near penalty spot at very slow pace almost impossible to score from them but easily to defend.... and why oh why do we need 11 players defending corners ect

Pretty much spot on Chris

Can’t argue with this analysis.

This how I now see it…

Erol Bulut (bar an alarming upturn in results) is a dead man walking in football terms…

His tactics and style were questioned last season but most persevered because of the upturn of results and our dalliance with the play off places for a large part of the season…

It beggars the question, “What has changed on the field from last season?” and the answer is remarkably simple; we had a potent ‘set-piece’ plan and in the main it worked! This season it hasn’t; mainly because we haven’t had the opportunities or (when we do) the service…

Indeed, our attacking players are pretty bereft when it comes to getting crosses in and their ratio of good to bad crosses on either side is less than 1 in 5…

Equally, our build up is so slow and predictable, we allow opposition defenders to get back and park the proverbial bus by the time a decent cross comes in; and often we have no one in a decent position to take advantage anyway…

I honestly believe we have a better squad than last season but it’s just not clicking and it is seemingly down to the management of the squad, tactics and togetherness…

It’s not that Erol Bulut is ‘wrong’ in being ‘defence first’ (Jose Mourinho was a legend of it) but we still need to create opportunities for our front line but we don’t and that reduces opportunities down to scraps or luck when they are expected to score two or three goals from two or three opportunities; those figures couldn’t be matched by Manchester City!

We changed the coach in the summer and he came with a very good reputation; and he’s been a manager in his own right. But like most of us, he has to follow the wishes/orders of the manager, so is he being restricted, too?

Time will tell; but I no longer believe change will not occur and I believe the next manager will come from within; but thankfully, it won’t be Darren Purse…

As you say Svan. Defence is fine. But you’ve then got to have a very strong and fast counter attack. Which isn’t there

This how I now see it…

Erol Bulut (bar an alarming upturn in results) is a dead man walking in football terms…

His tactics and style were questioned last season but most persevered because of the upturn of results and our dalliance with the play off places for a large part of the season…

It beggars the question, “What has changed on the field from last season?” and the answer is remarkably simple; we had a potent ‘set-piece’ plan and in the main it worked! This season it hasn’t; mainly because we haven’t had the opportunities or (when we do) the service…

Indeed, our attacking players are pretty bereft when it comes to getting crosses in and their ratio of good to bad crosses on either side is less than 1 in 5…

Equally, our build up is so slow and predictable, we allow opposition defenders to get back and park the proverbial bus by the time a decent cross comes in; and often we have no one in a decent position to take advantage anyway…

I honestly believe we have a better squad than last season but it’s just not clicking and it is seemingly down to the management of the squad, tactics and togetherness…

It’s not that Erol Bulut is ‘wrong’ in being ‘defence first’ (Jose Mourinho was a legend of it) but we still need to create opportunities for our front line but we don’t and that reduces opportunities down to scraps or luck when they are expected to score two or three goals from two or three opportunities; those figures couldn’t be matched by Manchester City!

We changed the coach in the summer and he came with a very good reputation; and he’s been a manager in his own right. But like most of us, he has to follow the wishes/orders of the manager, so is he being restricted, too?

Time will tell; but I no longer believe change will not occur and I believe the next manager will come from within; but thankfully, it won’t be Darren Purse…

As you say Svan. Defence is fine. But you’ve then got to have a very strong and fast counter attack. Which isn’t there

I’d disagree the defence is fine, we’re leaking awful goals left, right and centre.

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Those 5 can do that. If they’re allowed to. But if the instructions are to have a slow build up. It stops them.

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Those 5 can do that. If they’re allowed to. But if the instructions are to have a slow build up. It stops them.

We have very good players more grand capable of unlocking any defence...look at Swansea goal won't find better goal than that for switching defence to attack..... they just need to loose the shackl.

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Those 5 can do that. If they’re allowed to. But if the instructions are to have a slow build up. It stops them.

Agreed that's what I was trying to say, they should be more than capable but it's not working at the moment, I also agree it's the slow build up that's the problem.
Bulut has to go if all of us can see it why can't he?

I have no idea what Bulut thought he got over the summer especially if he is hell bent on 4231. Willick andElghazi look to play in the inside channel rather than wide out wingers.
COD is a 442 winger or wingback, he is not a specialist full back or wide forward. It’s a mess but he’ll have to change to a 3421 as we don’t have the players for 4231

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Those 5 can do that. If they’re allowed to. But if the instructions are to have a slow build up. It stops them.

Agreed that's what I was trying to say, they should be more than capable but it's not working at the moment, I also agree it's the slow build up that's the problem.
Bulut has to go if all of us can see it why can't he?

Spot on mate. This is exactly my point on Bulut. The transition is so fast in the Championship. And he’s not adjusting to it. And then all we hear publicly is the players have to do more work off the ball when we’re out of possession. It’s too one dimensional.

Chris one thing that is not apparent is we do have possession in final third of pitch more times generally than opposition! BUT we fo not take ball any further simply because our attacking wide men do not go forward they stay in a defensive position so leaving Kanga or whoever is upfront on their own to fight 2/3 defenders it simply doesnt work ..... we are better side than last season but are not allowed to show it..... only need to look at Wales to see what happens when ho from defensive tactics to attacking one.... New coach suspect be buluts assistant which I suspect will be ok to players otherwise wouldn't be considered given opposition to buluts tactics.... won't be 1st time an assistant proves better than 1st team coach.

No one to unlock the defence and pass the killer ball through, I thought Ramsey, Colwill, O'Dowda, Willock and El Ghazi should have been able to, but as people have already said we get the ball from front to back to slowly allowing them all to get back behind the ball and kill off out attacks.

Those 5 can do that. If they’re allowed to. But if the instructions are to have a slow build up. It stops them.

Agreed that's what I was trying to say, they should be more than capable but it's not working at the moment, I also agree it's the slow build up that's the problem.
Bulut has to go if all of us can see it why can't he?

Spot on mate. This is exactly my point on Bulut. The transition is so fast in the Championship. And he’s not adjusting to it. And then all we hear publicly is the players have to do more work off the ball when we’re out of possession. It’s too one dimensional.

Yep, take the set piece goals out of the equation last year and I reckon we’d have been relegated. I’m sure someone much more stat oriented than me can actually do that

Add to that a few last kick of the game victories influenced by the rescue squad off the bench and you could argue 3 derby wins where the opposition simply didnt turn up.

Yes last seasons points haul massively papered over the cracks. We can highlight all the shortcomings until we are blue in the face, I have been doing it on here for a very long time, but the fact remains the football was dire, and many bang average teams were there for the taking and we never went for it, never lost a CDM for an extra attacker for example, rigid and stubborn. We should have won those games, many of them at home too.

Hes a poor, predictable, uninspiring and very stubborn unaccountable manager. Hes Dalmans mate. We deserve so much better than this.

For me the team is shot of any confidence at the moment, which isnt surprising after our start.

The defence (inc keeper) is letting in on avg 2 goals a game, both keepers look uncomfortable with the ball at feet, and i cringe everytime they try and play out from the back. Dalmann and Chambers need to be first pick in CD

The midfield is held back as he persists in playing Sio, who currently runs around like a headless chicken, how he hasn’t been sent off yet is beyond me. We have some great talent in the midfield but he doesn’t seem to know what the best 3 are ?

Wintle is an interesting one for me, a lot of the pundits like him, I dont think he has ever set the world alight for City, but he has been steady (similar to Ralls) its clearly a falling out, which seems to now be coming back to haunt EB if some of the news on here today is anything reliable.

Our strongest position is probably the number 10 role with Rambo and Rubin plus others that can play there, but the 10 position is getting pressed too easily with the time it takes to get the ball to them. I watched an interview once with Matt LeTiss and he said at the time he hadn’t been playing much and the team were not great, a new manager came in (I think it may have been Strachen not 100% sure) and he held a team meeting after the first coaching session and basically said, if you have the ball you give it to LeTiss, if that pass is not on pass it to someone that can give it to LeTiss, and LeTiss was to simply direct the attack from there, LeTiss said the ball was coming to him a lot earlier giving him both space and time and that was what made him into the player he was, we should be doing that with Rambo and or Colwill

Our wingers are very good at this level, Odowda, Willock, ElGazi, but as everyone says the shackles are on, looking back at the Warnock promotion our wingers were on fire, our wingers are as good as NML & Hoilett in my opinion, let them go forward and beat their man like we used to, that’s what the fans want to see.

Robinson and Kanga would have so much more service if we went forward as in the last two points, and more goals would come from either one of them or from others arriving in the box.

EB (I’m sorry to say) is a one trick pony and has been sussed out, it appears to me by the sound of it he has now lost the dressing room, which will only compound the situation with the confidence.

Personally as much as I think 5 games is too early I do feel as though the inevitable is on the cards now, and I hope in the mean time the spin doctor and the dictator are looking for EB’s replacement ? Who that should be is another topic in itself.

(Rant over lol)

Some great replies here, folks…!

I am hearing that Vincent Tan is very unhappy with the situation; particularly since he was convinced to shell out a two-year contract in the summer. I’m not sure if there is a ‘get out’ clause but if/when Bulut goes, the replacement will come from within and it won’t be Darren Purse…

Omar Riza is a coach of some renown and also has managerial experience; so my question now is ‘Has he been restricted up until now by the existing manager and should he be given a chance…?

In my opinion, why not? Results couldn’t get any worse and there is plenty of time this season that we can see how it goes for a few games first…

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Some great replies here, folks…!

I am hearing that Vincent Tan is very unhappy with the situation; particularly since he was convinced to shell out a two-year contract in the summer. I’m not sure if there is a ‘get out’ clause but if/when Bulut goes, the replacement will come from within and it won’t be Darren Purse…

Omar Riza is a coach of some renown and also has managerial experience; so my question now is ‘Has he been restricted up until now by the existing manager and should he be given a chance…?

In my opinion, why not? Results couldn’t get any worse and there is plenty of time this season that we can see how it goes for a few games first…

I was thinking about Omer Rosa earlier. He’s supposed to be an attacking coach. And he’s officially our 1st team coach. But we aren’t seeing any attacking. My question is, do we think he is doing his job too?

For me the team is shot of any confidence at the moment, which isnt surprising after our start.

The defence (inc keeper) is letting in on avg 2 goals a game, both keepers look uncomfortable with the ball at feet, and i cringe everytime they try and play out from the back. Dalmann and Chambers need to be first pick in CD

The midfield is held back as he persists in playing Sio, who currently runs around like a headless chicken, how he hasn’t been sent off yet is beyond me. We have some great talent in the midfield but he doesn’t seem to know what the best 3 are ?

Wintle is an interesting one for me, a lot of the pundits like him, I dont think he has ever set the world alight for City, but he has been steady (similar to Ralls) its clearly a falling out, which seems to now be coming back to haunt EB if some of the news on here today is anything reliable.

Our strongest position is probably the number 10 role with Rambo and Rubin plus others that can play there, but the 10 position is getting pressed too easily with the time it takes to get the ball to them. I watched an interview once with Matt LeTiss and he said at the time he hadn’t been playing much and the team were not great, a new manager came in (I think it may have been Strachen not 100% sure) and he held a team meeting after the first coaching session and basically said, if you have the ball you give it to LeTiss, if that pass is not on pass it to someone that can give it to LeTiss, and LeTiss was to simply direct the attack from there, LeTiss said the ball was coming to him a lot earlier giving him both space and time and that was what made him into the player he was, we should be doing that with Rambo and or Colwill

Our wingers are very good at this level, Odowda, Willock, ElGazi, but as everyone says the shackles are on, looking back at the Warnock promotion our wingers were on fire, our wingers are as good as NML & Hoilett in my opinion, let them go forward and beat their man like we used to, that’s what the fans want to see.

Robinson and Kanga would have so much more service if we went forward as in the last two points, and more goals would come from either one of them or from others arriving in the box.

EB (I’m sorry to say) is a one trick pony and has been sussed out, it appears to me by the sound of it he has now lost the dressing room, which will only compound the situation with the confidence.

Personally as much as I think 5 games is too early I do feel as though the inevitable is on the cards now, and I hope in the mean time the spin doctor and the dictator are looking for EB’s replacement ? Who that should be is another topic in itself.

(Rant over lol)

Very well put.

This how I now see it…

Erol Bulut (bar an alarming upturn in results) is a dead man walking in football terms…

His tactics and style were questioned last season but most persevered because of the upturn of results and our dalliance with the play off places for a large part of the season…

It beggars the question, “What has changed on the field from last season?” and the answer is remarkably simple; we had a potent ‘set-piece’ plan and in the main it worked! This season it hasn’t; mainly because we haven’t had the opportunities or (when we do) the service…

Indeed, our attacking players are pretty bereft when it comes to getting crosses in and their ratio of good to bad crosses on either side is less than 1 in 5…

Equally, our build up is so slow and predictable, we allow opposition defenders to get back and park the proverbial bus by the time a decent cross comes in; and often we have no one in a decent position to take advantage anyway…

I honestly believe we have a better squad than last season but it’s just not clicking and it is seemingly down to the management of the squad, tactics and togetherness…

It’s not that Erol Bulut is ‘wrong’ in being ‘defence first’ (Jose Mourinho was a legend of it) but we still need to create opportunities for our front line but we don’t and that reduces opportunities down to scraps or luck when they are expected to score two or three goals from two or three opportunities; those figures couldn’t be matched by Manchester City!

We changed the coach in the summer and he came with a very good reputation; and he’s been a manager in his own right. But like most of us, he has to follow the wishes/orders of the manager, so is he being restricted, too?

Time will tell; but I no longer believe change will not occur and I believe the next manager will come from within; but thankfully, it won’t be Darren Purse…

I completely agree with you, and it’s frustrating to see how things have unfolded. I felt there was so much hope at the start of last year, and it felt like we had finally turned a corner. Now, it just seems like he’s out of ideas and sticking to a style that clearly isn’t working anymore. With the squad we have, there’s no reason we couldn’t be playing a much more attractive, attacking style of football.

I also think the international break was the perfect time to make a change. But if the results don’t improve soon, it’s hard to see him lasting much longer – maybe they’ll finally act before the next break. Here’s hoping we don’t wait too long and waste another chance to turn things around.

Very good post Chris.

Would Riza want the job though?

And is it too much of a step up for him?

His management experience has been Chesterfield and Leyton Orient, with his last management gig being 7 years ago.

That being said, it can't get any worse, can it?

Hes an attacking coach who no doubt is being suffocated by Buluts tactics.

He may be an unknown that could get the players playing good, attacking, clinical football.

I'd be happy to give him a go.

Bulet plays one formation 4 2 3 1, that’s it. Never changes!

Bulets last eight league games lost 6 drawn 1 won 1
This is the kicker goals
For 5
AGAINST 24

Across the season this would be equivalent to:
28 goals for
138 AGAINST!!!!!!!!!!

This how I now see it…

Erol Bulut (bar an alarming upturn in results) is a dead man walking in football terms…

His tactics and style were questioned last season but most persevered because of the upturn of results and our dalliance with the play off places for a large part of the season…

It beggars the question, “What has changed on the field from last season?” and the answer is remarkably simple; we had a potent ‘set-piece’ plan and in the main it worked! This season it hasn’t; mainly because we haven’t had the opportunities or (when we do) the service…

Indeed, our attacking players are pretty bereft when it comes to getting crosses in and their ratio of good to bad crosses on either side is less than 1 in 5…

Equally, our build up is so slow and predictable, we allow opposition defenders to get back and park the proverbial bus by the time a decent cross comes in; and often we have no one in a decent position to take advantage anyway…

I honestly believe we have a better squad than last season but it’s just not clicking and it is seemingly down to the management of the squad, tactics and togetherness…

It’s not that Erol Bulut is ‘wrong’ in being ‘defence first’ (Jose Mourinho was a legend of it) but we still need to create opportunities for our front line but we don’t and that reduces opportunities down to scraps or luck when they are expected to score two or three goals from two or three opportunities; those figures couldn’t be matched by Manchester City!

We changed the coach in the summer and he came with a very good reputation; and he’s been a manager in his own right. But like most of us, he has to follow the wishes/orders of the manager, so is he being restricted, too?

Time will tell; but I no longer believe change will not occur and I believe the next manager will come from within; but thankfully, it won’t be Darren Purse…

A very good post. I do however think Bulut's "defence first" tactics is outdated. As you said Mourinho WAS a legend at it. He's not as successful as he used to be.

I'd be happy with Omer Riza taking over, he'll have experienced players in Ramsey, Ralls, Chambers and El Ghazi to help him.

Despite many (especially in here) saying "we don't want you to go", I honestly made up my mind on Bulut mid way through last season. For us to have any chance of remaining in this league he has to go, because I don't believe he is capable of changing his stubborn arse ways.

Every side we play know from the off to press us high. Put us under pressure and we inevitably crumble and make a stupid mistake. Yet we in response don't press at all? Completely nuts. I have never known a side to have literally problems all over the park. In some areas yes of course, but not in every position.

Both keepers nervous with the ball at their feet.
Defenders too slow, lose their man and concede too easily.
Midfield also too slow. No counter attack threat but like defence happy to play sideways and backwards allowing opposition to regroup and defend.
Wingers who don't attack the fullback and cross the ball (you could say what's the point with no bugger in the middle).
Playing with a lone striker. We are a strikers graveyard because they have little or no support. Give them some company and play a 4-4-2 ffs

Dare I say we need a nasty b*stard as manager. Someone like Bellers or Dyche. Someone who will quicken us up, play less narrow, press the ball and make us a more attacking threat. I liked Dave Mr Personality Jones, but think his time has gone. As the saying goes... never go back.

It's not all doom and gloom though. I truly believe we have the makings of a fantastic side.
Just need the change of management. Getting shot of Bulut, Dalman and the Car dealer Choo. I don't include Tan in that as with all his faults he has backed every manager financially. I can't and will never forgive the red, but am grateful that we do have an owner who has dug deep into his pockets.