Wow! I was so excited about going back to the stadium that I didn’t think I was all that bothered about the result. Yet Town still managed to throw away all that goodwill that was available by turning in one of those performances like we saw at Norwich, Bournemouth and Blackburn last season.
We’d been encouraged to believe that the new signings we’ve brought in this season would mean we didn’t meekly surrender to opponents any more. Yet it happened again yesterday and will most likely continue to happen this season unless something significantly changes.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the game and what it means for Town.
A glorious day was quickly spoiled
Regardless of the results, it did feel very good to be back inside the stadium again. As much as the game was painful to watch, it would have been far worse to experience it through iFollow. Just being surrounded by those familiar sights, sounds and smells was a genuine treat
But then the game kicked off and it was back to business as usual when a calamitous series of mistakes gave Fulham a lead they could probably have attained without such generosity from their hosts and the officials.
I knew that defeat was likely against Fulham but I really wasn’t expecting to suffer such an embarrassing annihilation. Each player (with the notable exceptions of Colwill and High) played well below the level they are capable of reaching and individual battles were lost in all areas of the pitch.
Fulham were very good but only because we allowed them to be
It’s hard not to be impressed with how nicely Fulham played against us yesterday. They played some lovely, flowing football at times and their passing in the final third turned us inside out. But we gave them the platform to do that.
When Fulham’s defenders had the ball we tended to push up and put them under pressure but once they passed through that initial pressure we didn’t continue to press, instead we stood off and let them have possession. We picked a fairly defensive formation and starting eleven but did very little to make things uncomfortable for them.
The sad truth is that we can’t compete on equal terms with sides like Fulham because our players aren’t good enough. When that’s the case you need a plan to limit your opponent and play to your own strengths. I suspect this was the game plan yesterday but it’s hard to know because the players weren’t able to carry out the coaches plans (more on this later).
We need to talk about Ryan
I like Ryan Schofield and am probably one of the few Town fans that thinks he has a future at the club. But even his most loyal supporters would struggle to see it as anything but cruel to persevere with him in the team. Loaning him out and bringing in some experience would be the best for everyone involved.
His confidence looks absolutely shot and it’s seriously hampering his decision making. Sorba Thomas’ back pass was shocking but any other keeper would have let it go for a corner and then absolutely roasted the player that sent such a suicidal ball back to him.
Having watched the replay it is now clear the goal shouldn’t have stood because the ball was out of play when Schofield scuffed his clearance at Mitrovic but we shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.
It was obvious from the stands that Schofield’s head had gone after that blunder but I was surprised how little his teammates helped him through this game. Instead of only passing back in absolute emergencies, we kept on giving him the ball, often putting him under pressure and he continued to look like an accident waiting to happen.
I personally believe that he’ll develop into a very good keeper but I have to concede that his current weaknesses make him unsuitable to play at this level. But it’s already confirmed that Nicholls will be out of contention for Tuesday night so we may have at least one more 90 minute spell for the young stopper to make it through.
“They didn’t do what I told them to do” isn’t good enough
Corberán said to Radio Leeds after the game: “We wanted to do something totally different than we did today on the pitch.” Which at least confirms he isn’t literally telling them to go out and play like they had a skinful the night before but it brings up its own concerns.
Alongside the dreaded statement of support from the chairman, one of the most common signs a manager is on his way out is a rumour that he’s “lost the dressing room”. I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes at Town but I do know that it’s a bad sign when players aren’t carrying out your instructions on the pitch.
Carlos was brought in to be the architect of a style of play that would, we were promised, run throughout the club and be replicated by the B Team and academy. Is that still the big plan? Because the current evidence suggests that we’re not able to play this type of football with our best players and when a few are missing from the matchday squad we’re in all sorts of trouble.
If Carlos had a plan for yesterday’s game and the players couldn’t execute it then it’s either the coach or the players that are wrong. If it’s the players then we must invest in players of a high enough quality to be able to play how the coach wants them to play. If the coach’s plan is wrong then sooner or later he’ll be out the door.
Is Carlos a dead man walking?
Sacking your manager in August or September is usually a sign of a club in crisis. If there were doubts about Carlos we should have sacked him in May but instead Phil went on the radio and told us all he was “bleep bleep hot, mate” according to a player that text him about the coach.
I think Carlos’ record in the league since Christmas (three wins in 21 games I think) is bad enough to justify sacking him. The generous new contract he was given before Christmas is most likely a large factor in him continuing in his job as the payoff he’d receive would most likely be more than we’ve paid out in transfer fees lately.
I also think the board don’t want to accept that they made a mistake in dismissing the Cowleys in order to bring in Corberán and this brave new world of sexy football. So that gives him even more time to turn things around.
A third reason I think he’s safe for now is his willingness to tow the company line and not publicly demand more investment (Danny Cowley would be screaming this from the rooftops by now if he’d stayed). Carlos can even act as a lighting rod for criticism which means those higher up avoid some of the blame despite most of the issues Town are currently facing being the responsibility of those above Carlos in the pecking order.
There’s surely a limit to the amount of time Carlos will be given to turn things around even with the mitigating factors listed above. There were problems beyond his control that led to our struggles last season but most of them are removed this time around and we’re still seeing the same mistakes.
I really want Carlos to be a success but I’m getting less and less convinced that he will be. My fear is that he’s not able to play his kind of football with the players he’s been given. I would love to be wrong though, we will have to see what the next few games bring us. I can’t see him lasting much longer if results don’t pick up soon.
Don’t blame Sorba Thomas for the back pass when it was clearly aimed away from the goal and going for a corner. It was a major cock up by Ryan Schofield not to let it go out of play. He’s no physical presence and unless he dramatically changes we can’t play him again.
Sorba Thomas has to take some responsibility for a back pass that was more akin to a mis-hit shot. I agree Schofield should have let it go for a corner, which in fact it did do, but you can’t blame a player for trying to avoid giving away a corner. The assistant referee should be equally ashamed of himself.
Don’t blame Thomas for saving a throw on the half-way line at the expense of a corner? However ‘clearly directed’.
Are you sure?
Lets be honest the standard of player we have brought in to fill the gaps created by letting players go and being left with kids isnt that great.
Theyve scouted and brought in players who struggled in teams in the Championship and got relegated or brought in League 1 players who have to make the transition to the next level.
I feel for Corboran, he has been installed as a coach to get on and train a squad and field a team expected to play his brand of football. Thats all well and good when the players you have are of a certain ability which i think we can agree our squad simply arent.
People crying out for him to be sacked will get what ?, another assistant coach from elsewhere with no proven track record, which seems to be our go to at the moment. Why, because its cheap, theyre happy to have a go and not get the input a manager would like, because theyve been given a chance.
Anyone thinking we will get a manager in are in cuckoo land, and i despair at redeading we need a new manager, because we wont get one, its a coach because they get what theyre given to work with.
Now I realise we are living in exceptional times, but our downfall began prior to Covid and what its brought to finances everywhere.
Hoyle didnt need to get his money back out of the club on the back of fire sales and asset stripping, i realise its his money and hes loaned it to the club instead of putting it in, he is basically walking away having handed it over to someone who by the looks of it now cant afford to run the club with proper investment, I think we know that by his statements regarding personal business and how its been effected.
The money needed paying back quickly because we all know the club wont have 2 pennies to rub together to pay it back after the parachute payments end and the players worth anything got sold.
Not only this but Hoyle has been responsible for the debt and the poor mis-management of the finances when we were promoted, the players brought in, the fees and the wage structure.
To know youll get relegated and build a debt up of around 40 odd million is reckless, unless you always knew how youd get it back, which is strip the club to nothing and give it a new build from nothing.
The Chairman now is fancy words, i remember prior to Billing, Kongolo, Mounie etc all going, whoever we sell we shall replace like for like, yes that happened.
Same as the new one, if we sell thats when players who get bums off seats will be bought, of course it will Phil, lets sell a Ferrari and go the local garage and see if we can get something for 5% of the cost which will do the same job.
Spending 5% is a far fetch these days, who has cost a fee recently apart from Pipa at 500k
Phil decided he wanted a coach, Phil assembled his scouting team, Phil brought Carlos in and gave him nothing to work with.
He cant take the club forward, i doubt he can even let us stand still, its a disgrace from top to bottom.
As for Schofield, all goalkeepers these days are great shot stoppers in general, the decision making is what sets them apart, he is the worst weve had since the 90s.
I realise he is young but this is judged on his ability and what he brings to the team now, and its not good enough for a Championship squad.
Its all well and good saying a loan move, but who the hell would take him ?, from what ive seen hes a liability at any professional level and i dont see him as an addition to any squad at the minute in any division in the EFL
Forgot to say in mid rant, keep up the good work TS lol
Always a good read, and very well balanced and sensible.
Thought your dads piece was an excellent read also
I presume TS you delayed publication to ensure a balanced article on your part, you succeeded. I too want CC to prosper and do well. I was struck by your three reasons for the coach staying, especially the lightning rod for criticism protecting those above the coach running, should that be ruining the club.
I too thought long and hard about yesterday afternoon. but where do you start? When do you finish?
Schofield’s error was unfortunate and unlucky, but not in the least bit surprising. His subsequent berating of Thomas unnecessary, nor a good look, neither were his skills with ball in hand or at his feet, slow to release and inaccurate, often dithering sending out a message of incompetence, he lacks footballing intelligence; his shot stopping and saves were high quality probably beguiling his coaches into the award of yet another contract.
The spine of the team in midfield contains attacking and defensive players both of whom are too slow and therefore easily dispossessed, cannot pass the ball under the slightest pressure, are incapable of marking properly but good at ball watching; did either of them complete a successful tackle? One is club captain who was bafflingly given a two year contract last season, the other was deemed not good enough a few years ago but then re-recruited from another failing club. Why Vallejo was taken off rather than either of these two was a cause for concern.
The front part of the spine is a further example of failure in recruitment.
Those, by implication, not mentioned were not immune from criticism, but if the team are attempting to compensate for four malfunctioning members it’s difficult to shine. The only hope is that any opposition team watching this tripe, will be lulled into a false sense of security and gift us goals and/or points, the evidence supplied yesterday would suggest Town would be incapable of accepting them, in addition the team now has the debilitating recent memory of its collective incompetence and for those long standing players they would have felt this repeatedly in recent months.
This was a recurrence of the worst of last season but with many different players I suppose the common theme is the coach, on the field there were so many things so wrong yesterday, but it’s the people behind the scene, those responsible for providing the players to implement CC’s style of play (the stated reason for his appointment) who should be held to account, but how is this achieved?
Until Scott High came on barely a player made an effort to create space or make himself available at our throw-ins. It was like watching Sir Antony Gormley’s “Another place”, statues on Crosby beach trying to play football. Another place was where I wish I had been yesterday afternoon.
Not a lot of communication at this club, Pipa on the bench , why on the bench if not fit enough to play ? Aaron’s will manage the injury ? Goalkeeping coach must have question marks against him, Ward not going to contribute much this season and Rhodes perhaps the same. I can see some of Lewis’s transfer fee paying off Carlos, then the rest going to Dean, and the merry-go-round starts again. If the season cards were not so reasonable then I could not see many supporters watching the trash that is served up no matter who’s in the squad. And let’s face it nothing is changing, negative goal difference , and anybody scoring apart from the strikers. Let’s hope we get a result against Preston for everybody concerned.
I think your comments are spot on. I have always wanted to see the positive side of Phil’s project but performances like yesterday make it difficult. The players obviously find it difficult to play his style of football, so we should be looking at playing to the strengths of what we have got. Sadly that probably means another manager/coach. I watched the Brentford game on Friday and my mind was transported back to the Wagner revolution. His key to success was partly due to players understanding exactly what they needed to do, tactics that the team understood and MOTIVATION. Coberan always looks like a rabbit in headlights to me and I think that feeds through to the players. In that promotion season, Ward, Mooy and Schindler apart, the squad was not too different in quality to the one we have now, so I do think there is some potential but we need reinforcements in the shape of a creative midfielder and a striker. If we have to sell Lewis O’Brien to get that, so be it.
If there is no tangible improvement against Preston, I would get the P45 out.
I completely agree with you that Schofield has a future at the club.
Spent 15 minutes queuing to get served in the Legends bar with only one person serving.
The rot started before the second season in the PL with absolute disasterous recruitment and this has continued throught the ensuing years. It’s the recruitment team that need looking at and not necessarily Carlos. He can only play with what he’s given.
I can remember thinking, after surviving that first season, now is the time and chance for us to become another Burnley, a club of similar size and stature, and establish ourselves in the PL for maybe a good few years. The atmosphere at the Stadium amongst the fans was one of expectation. A belief that the club was in great hands and with the correct signings could go on and challenge for at least a mid table slot. What happened with recruitment then was just mind blowing madness. The rest is history,
I’ve no real faith in the Coaching system from the bottom up either. None of them seem to be able to motivate the players, especially at Youth level. You always know when the Academy team or B Team have taken a stuffing because the club never release the score. Just some comment from the coach saying something along the lines of “the players reacted well and learned a lot”
Everything that’s happening mirrors the huge decline we suffered in the 70’s. Yes I’m old enough to have seen us play in the Top flight the previous time round. Dreadful or No recruitment plagued us then with the board unwilling to take a gamble and it’s just the same now.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect us to splash the millions anymore but until the recruitment issue, which I firmly believe is at the root of our problems, is tackled by Phil then the decline will continue unabated.
To close, I can’t let Carlos off the hook completely as one of the current issues has to be round his training methods. How many times have players come in only to be injured before they’ve kicked a ball in anger due to his alleged mrderous training regime. Even seasoned players seem to struggle with many picking up injuries week in week out.
Can it get any worse? I certainly hope not, but hey it’s Huddersfield Town we’re talking about. We are a laughing stock, a pushover, glad I’m retired so I don’t have to go into work anymore, I feel for those who do. The Preston game won’t change anything as some players will still be out, I really think Bacuna is worth a place in the side, play him and Mbenza if there are no offers, stupid stubbornness. Please don’t put Schofield in a Town shirt ever again, as a certain Yorkshire great used to say, “ my grandmother could do better”. Over 50 years of supporting them and it doesn’t get any easier !
You are as ever extremely measured, TS, and I’m frankly surprised (delighted?) that you seem to have so many measured respondents.
I’m not so measured, reasonable or tolerant. It was self-evident to me that Carlos had lost the plot well before the end of last season. I was one of those calling for his P45 before we got to the summer transfer window.
And you have a lot of good grace to say that maybe you were wrong in your assessment & support of Schofield. He’s one I said many moons ago that I hope I’ll never see him between the sticks again. That view hasn’t changed either. I’m free on Tuesday and would probably do a better job if they’re stuck?! This is not a confidence thing – he’s just a rubbish goalkeeper! Did you see his positioning for the 3rd goal? He was in his favoured position – stuck on his goal line. He gave himself precious little chance of saving it whereas just one pace forward and the reduced angle makes it saveable.
I can’t comment further not having seen the match. I’m once again embarrassed by my team’s performance.
Looks like you and I are of an age Keith, Schofield can’t start again, how many times has he given the opposition a start, the way we are going can see the headline on Wed. “Danny Schofield made caretaker manager” or will they bring Mark Lillis out for the fourth or is it fifth time, I think they have made some good signings but every Town fans know we are different side without Schofield. Fulham good Town awful.
Looks like Carlos rang Bielsa on sat morning and agreed to do exactly like L—s. between them they ruined the whole of West Yorks saturday night, UTT
Not easy to say but if we can get rid of Corberan by losing to Preston then it will be worth it. Even if we win it’ll just be temporarily papering over the cracks and his departure is still inevitable. It is just when. Soon I hope before he inflicts more damage.
I agree that Schofield is struggling, but aside from the first goal (which should have been awaedes as a corner) he is being made scapegoat for awful defending which allowed Fulham the chances in the first place.
By the time Our chairman gets rid of Carlos we’ll be doomed for Div1 next season. Nows the time both for him and Corberan to go. When you speak to office staff about what has gone on in covid about how HODGKINSON has treated staff ,backroom staff and players no wonder why we are in this mess.
Nothing has changed from last season and trying to plug gaps with other people’s cast offs is not right way forward or to correct last year’s problems.
Sorba should have just put ball out for throw in .
I feel a bit guilty for not renewing my season card this season, but it was something I did in the aftermath of burying my dad back in 2013. Barely 2 months ago I buried my mum, and it almost feels prophetic that it was the time to call time on the season card. These first few games of the new season have certainly done nothing to think me unlike the Powell and more so Wagner years, going week in week out to Town games will be anything positive for my mental health :/
There are still reasons to think Town have a chance this season. But my optimism is spent right now and I don’t want to be part of a self fulfilling negativity cycle for the club.
I have been a Huddersfield town supporter for many years going back to the Ray Wilson era , this manager is useless , he was no good last season and will be hopeless this term , he is completely clueless and could no even run a bath , my grannie could do a better job , my thoughts also apply to the chairman who is equally clueless .
I don’t quite go back to Ray Wilson, Peter; another excellent left back in Bob McNab had the number 3 shirt in 63/64 when I started out on my Town journey. Over the years, you get a nose for when things are in total disarray; and this is one of those times. When supporters start saying “I hope we lose the next match so the manager gets the sack”, well you know things are in a very bad place.
We need a good manager and a coach some one like Mick Buxton and John haslden who did not spend millions but got some good signings Steve kindon etc and we had a good chairman and directors so get rid of cc and pH and his directors Portsmouth go top congratulations congratulations Danny and Nicky enough said ray
Let’s be honest Fulham will be there at the end of the season.they have spent millions,we need to bully teams like they bully us,last time we played Fulham they were the same,hopefully Tuesday night will be successful,let’s hope we have a few million to spend by Friday,we need a goal scorer soon.💪💪💪💪
Just going back to the Fulham match I am pretty sure that with someone other than Schofield in the team we would have at least drawn. It doesn’t take much for Town to lose confidence and Schofields mistake letting in the first goal had a major effect on how Town played the rest of the match. After the goal they were already in the mindset to lose and Schofield continued to make mistakes throughout the match compounding the situation. How the goalkeeper conducts himself permeates through the whole team and the team have no confidence in him at all. When Nicholls played the whole team radiated much more confidence which was reflected in much improved performances.
As I didn’t see the match other than highlights, I can’t really comment whether a draw was a reasonable aspiration. But in principle I agree with you, John – to defend effectively when you know you’ve got an accident-prone keeper who stays rooted to his line is impossible.
I haven’t renewed my season card this time. The past few years have not been entertaining. However, I still listen to the game and support Town, as I have since the mid 50s. Over the past few seasons, my feelings are that we have bought poorly. The team has not been strengthened by these signings. We have been persisting with a style of football which has not brought us results, so why have we persisted in this style of play? Is the manager up to the task, I have my doubts. As a fan there are too many unknowns on what is truly happening at our club, there are many rumours. We are in a results business along with entertaining the fans, here’s hoping things improve, fast. UTT.
Why do people seem to presume that we will buy a striker because we see the supporters see the need to have one ?
Does anyone seriously expect if Lewis leaves they will strengthen the front line position.
All i seem to read is supporters saying hopefully a new striker along with a proven goalkeeper and playmaking midfielder.
Midfielder may come in, although the piece in the Yorkshire Post when he was brought in was basically going along the lines of Sinani could be the man to fill this position
Goalkeeper preety much no chance now we have been told we have 2 number 1s
As for strikers he is backing them again, so given we have recently brought in Danny Ward and Jordan Rhodes, I feel the powers that be will see that as enough forwards and theres no chance
Relegation is a certainty under this current coach and chairmans regime, i see what we offer and its nothing much.
We are so predictable, we are so soft at the back, and up front
You watch other teams on highlights and they move the ball with so much more purpose and belief
I suppose if we had everyone fit it may help, but thats not happened in 18 months so why would it start to alter
I am prepared already for life in League 1, and the next summers transfer window where we take cast offs from League 2 and players relegated from League 1, and hope its enough to not drop into the basement