Narrow Minded

Another bad day at the office in this most dreadful of seasons. There have been some bad ones but this one is right up there and should things carry one in the same vein it may secure a place in the top 5. There's little joy to be found with the Addicks at the moment.

Possession and all the other stats count for nothing at the end of the day and as we know the only stat that really matters is goals scored and conceded. Although we didn't deserve to lose, if we don't score and especially at home then we're unlikely to get anything and so it proved. That we were denied on several occasions by an ex-Addick made it slightly more galling.

Birmingham looked as poor as any team that have visited The Valley this season and should have been beaten. It's looking increasingly bleak and I'm struggling to see a way out. I think if Chris stays in charge then sadly we're doomed whatever.

As I've said before I love the man and always believed he was the best man for the job and that he would just get better and better as he grew into the role. Sadly that doesn't seem to be happening or at least not at the rate that we require. I don't think we've got that much time available.

Relegation doesn't bear thinking about and we will surely lose players such as Cousins and Poyet to name but two. That would be dreadful as the emergence of them and to a lesser extent Lennon is one of the few pluses this term. We've got to hold on to Championship status and look to move forward with them next term.

Chris is not using his resources to his best advantage. Cousins was again on the right and as such offered little all afternoon. Seemingly this is to allow Skip to play. Wilson was at right back but would probably have been better deployed in right midfield. Nego could have played right back.

I'm probably in a minority in that I thought Sordell did ok without pulling up any trees. I thought he linked up well with others. He can't play with Reza on the evidence of yesterday though as the rather comic collision proved only too well.

One has to question the use of the subs again. Wrong choices for me and all of them took too long to make. Why was every sub kept waiting on the sidelines for at least 5 minutes ? Why Piotr didn't come on when Church did I just don't know. We needed a goal and Simon is unlikely to give you that.

We lacked width again and this needs to be addressed. Ajdarevic looked good and I believe was meant to be playing wide left but he played as though he had a free role. Fair play upto a point and he may well be better suited to playing as an attacking midfielder.

As has been suggested elsewhere we may be better advised to go for a 4-2-3-1 formation. That would be with Poyet and Cousins in front of the back four with AA in the middle of the three. Reza could from part of the three too with Piotr up front.

With next week's cup game allowing a break from the trials of the league it offers the chance to try something different and since we're drinking in the last chance saloon then there's no better time to try it or something like it anyway.

As I observed last week Chris, isn't helping himself by repeating the same mistakes. These can't be blamed on previous or current owners. These are decisions that he and his team make. I'm not sure on the thinking. I can only think that a change is required I'm afraid. Some will cite Chris's abilities as a motivator and a man manager and this is undoubtedly true but I'm afraid set against the background of the weaker aspects of his management it is not enough.  

There are some good managers out there or in the case of Nathan Jones a potential manager that would offer fresh impetus and renewed hope I believe.

I hate writing this but sadly I believe it's in the club's best interests. I'd love Chris to prove me wrong, I think we all would but I don't believe he will.