Birmingham City v BORO 0-1 (McGree)

[TheJew 3,651 6.1k]

Just now, Norman_Conquest said:

Yo need to read that again mate.

 

Carrick picked Engel to play on the left of a back three against Chelsea at home with Bangura left wing back until his injury.

I think you're a little confused tonight and perhaps on an even bigger downer than me.

Can I just ask, is defeat inevitable?

[LinoJo3 5,505 13.2k]

McNair is so weird imo like he will disappear for ages making you think the manager doesn’t fancy him and maybe ‘somethings gone on’. Then a player will get an injury and he’ll come in and play like he’s never been out, get a run for a few months then disappear again.

I think this formation does suit his ‘not quite a defender, not quite a midfielder’ talent he has. If we plan on going back to 4 at the back next season I don’t see a point keeping him.

[Redcar Rioja 8,855 8.7k]

Just back into hotel from a work evening and kept sneaking glances at the phone for updates. Seems like we bored the backsides off many but the three points effectively means we definitely aren't going down regardless of what happens now.

Keeping clean sheets builds confidence, wins and 3 points reinforce that further. We were in a state and in danger of free falling, now we are talking about 5 points from the Play Offs, not that I think it'll happen.

Finishing the season strong will help us to attract better players and maybe get an additional season out of one or two still here.

Winning ugly isn't great entertainment but it's better than losing pathetically. Knowing we aren't leaking like a sieve will in time build the confidence to try more cheeky and complex moves at the other end.

[TheJew 3,651 6.1k]

1 minute ago, LinoJo3 said:

McNair is so weird imo like he will disappear for ages making you think the manager doesn’t fancy him and maybe ‘somethings gone on’. Then a player will get an injury and he’ll come in and play like he’s never been out, get a run for a few months then disappear again.

I think this formation does suit his ‘not quite a defender, not quite a midfielder’ talent he has. If we plan on going back to 4 at the back next season I don’t see a point keeping him.

It's the wages issue that'll be the issue. Whilst a decent player and good servant, I'm not sure his large wages are justifiable.

[Norman_Conquest 36 46]

1 minute ago, TheJew said:

I think you're a little confused tonight and perhaps on an even bigger downer than me.

Can I just ask, is defeat inevitable?

I am with that comment, not sure what you mean or what you are trying to get at.

But hey, life's like a hen house ladder, too short and sh1ty to argue about something out of our control. 

[TeaCider24 17,814 22.9k]

6 minutes ago, LinoJo3 said:

McNair is so weird imo like he will disappear for ages making you think the manager doesn’t fancy him and maybe ‘somethings gone on’. Then a player will get an injury and he’ll come in and play like he’s never been out, get a run for a few months then disappear again.

I think this formation does suit his ‘not quite a defender, not quite a midfielder’ talent he has. If we plan on going back to 4 at the back next season I don’t see a point keeping him.

I've never understood the conspiracy theories about him.

He was dropped for a handful of games at the start of the season, came back in to the team and played well, but he was out injured for months with a publicly disclosed foot issue after that, we all saw him go off with the injury, we then took time bringing him back from it to avoid a recurrence, that clearly carried over to his time with Australia too as they used him sparingly despite being a key player.

As soon as he was fully fit again, he's started every single match he's been available for.

[TheJew 3,651 6.1k]

1 minute ago, Norman_Conquest said:

I am with that comment, not sure what you mean or what you are trying to get at.

But hey, life's like a hen house ladder, too short and sh1ty to argue about something out of our control. 

Is defeat inevitable though?

[Norman_Conquest 36 46]

3 minutes ago, TheJew said:

Is defeat inevitable though?

Defeat is not always inevitable. While it's true that setbacks and challenges are part of life, the outcome often depends on various factors such as determination, resilience, strategic planning, adaptability, and sometimes luck.

 

However, it's essential to acknowledge that not all situations can be controlled, and sometimes defeat may occur despite one's best efforts. The key is to maintain a positive mindset, learn from mistakes, and keep striving towards goals despite obstacles.

 

[LBP 4,113 6.6k]

2 minutes ago, Norman_Conquest said:

Defeat is not always inevitable. While it's true that setbacks and challenges are part of life, the outcome often depends on various factors such as determination, resilience, strategic planning, adaptability, and sometimes luck.

 

However, it's essential to acknowledge that not all situations can be controlled, and sometimes defeat may occur despite one's best efforts. The key is to maintain a positive mindset, learn from mistakes, and keep striving towards goals despite obstacles.

 

ChatGPT has joined the forum?

[TheJew 3,651 6.1k]

2 minutes ago, Norman_Conquest said:

Defeat is not always inevitable. While it's true that setbacks and challenges are part of life, the outcome often depends on various factors such as determination, resilience, strategic planning, adaptability, and sometimes luck.

 

However, it's essential to acknowledge that not all situations can be controlled, and sometimes defeat may occur despite one's best efforts. The key is to maintain a positive mindset, learn from mistakes, and keep striving towards goals despite obstacles.

 

Defeat is always inevitable. Apart from tonight, and maybe the 2 previous matches. Possibly.

[OldManGravz 2,305 6.3k]

15 minutes ago, TheJew said:

Happy Birthday 🎂 

Thank you mate

13 minutes ago, Norman_Conquest said:

First of all, happy Birthday.

You only have to look at the formation against Chelsea to answer that, Carrick choose Engel ahead of him.

Thanks bud.

I think Engel works better as a LB in a 4 than a LCB in a 3, I think Clarke is better suited in that spot.

As McNair is leaving, Clarke Fry VdB and Lenihan leaves us with 4 defenders, so I wouldnt be letting any of them go to be honest especially after seeing how injuries have affected this season, 2 for every spot is necessary. Even without injuries, playing twice a week to a top level is damaging over a sustained period, look at how knackered some of our players this season when they had to play as the alternatives were injured. 

If we switch to a back 3 permanently I'd say theres an argument for getting another CB in too as we would need at least 5 in the squad (unfortunately for McNair unless he takes a massive payout I don't see him staying as he is meant to be on a bomb).

[Norman_Conquest 36 46]

2 minutes ago, TheJew said:

Defeat is always inevitable. Apart from tonight, and maybe the 2 previous matches. Possibly.

Have I done something to upset you?

[LinoJo3 5,505 13.2k]

10 minutes ago, TeaCider24 said:

I've never understood the conspiracy theories about him.

He was dropped for a handful of games at the start of the season, came back in to the team and played well, but he was out injured for months with a publicly disclosed foot issue after that, we all saw him go off with the injury, we then took time bringing him back from it to avoid a recurrence, that clearly carried over to his time with Australia too as they used him sparingly despite being a key player.

As soon as he was fully fit again, he's started every single match he's been available for.

If all CBs were available and we were playing 2 at the back do you really think he’d be starting every game? 

[TeaCider24 17,814 22.9k]

1 minute ago, LinoJo3 said:

If all CBs were available and we were playing 2 at the back do you really think he’d be starting every game? 

Woops, I thought you said McGree 😂

[BoroSmoggie 3,995 4.3k]

1 minute ago, LinoJo3 said:

If all CBs were available and we were playing 2 at the back do you really think he’d be starting every game? 

I’d probably choose VDB and Lenihan if all are fit. Be interested what other posters think our first choice pairing will be next year (presuming they all are still here).