Uptheboro | Fans View

Josh Hollis gives his view on the Tuesday debacle and where it has all gone wrong.

Tuesday afternoon. The mood around the riverside is buoyant despite winter’s bite, a five-star display against a strong QPR side has re-kindled hope, could now be the night for a long overdue strong performance at home? In short, No. In fact it was probably the worst defensive performance since the disaster against West Brom, and nobody would have believed it was the same set of players! Sean St Ledger and Wheater looked completely lost against a lone striker, putting in woeful tackles and poor marking all game; Adam Johnson barely registered in the game in the way he was earlier in the season and movement up front was very predictable at best.
The only player I believe was blameless in this mess was the one who became the North Stand’s scapegoat as soon as just after the first goal: Brad Jones. Now he’s never really been a fan’s favourite but there was nothing he could do when beaten from six yards after some of the poorest defending you will see anywhere! Maybe he should have been more vocal, but St Ledger is an experienced international and this is David Wheater’s third campaign, they had no excuse. Maybe it is time to start picking defenders on form rather than reputation.
The same goes for ‘magic man’ Adam Johnson, who has not had an influential game at the riverside in a long time. Even if he hadn’t been in poor form, to walk straight back into the side at the expense of Mark Yeates (immense on Saturday) is a travesty. Yeates was at the centre of everything we did right at the weekend and although many people, including myself, have doubted him since he arrived, a performance like that at least merits a chance from the start. He proved that with a lively display after his introduction.
But instead Strachan persisted with the ultimate square-peg round-hole approach: Julio Arca at right midfield! He doesn’t look comfortable there and this game was crying out for two wingers. I am aware that a team with two natural wide men can be left exposed at times, so that’s why a Boateng style holding player is essential to keep it tight. And I believe that, although limited, either Isiaah Osbourne or Rhys Williams are best suited for that role. Gary O’Neil and Didier Digard lack the discipline to do the task and are better utilised further up the pitch as the creative central player. As I have previously pointed out a lot of goals in this division come from crosses; and playing three holding midfielders clearly isn’t the way to do that!