[tommcneill]

No it is not illogical, as you call it.
It makes perfect sense.
Same squad. pooh first half of season. Managers fault (AI).
Same squad. Even worse 2nd half of season. Different manager, but now it seems to be the players fault. Yeah, right.
Give me some credit.
Time for Mr Pulis to move on and ruin someone else's club

What a load of nonsense

these are the same players from 2 years ago basically.....nothing has changed, AI was at fault because he was just a terrible manager, great coach and a lovely bloke but plain utter garbage as a manager.

Pulis has come in and these same players still seem to get in......now Pulis isn't blameless at all but this squad needs a major overhaul, we should've done it over the years but instead we got complacement and believed our own hype regarding the model we used...it hasn't worked for years and the players we still play from a few years down the line are nowhere near good enough.

Im angry at Pulis as his subs yesterday were nothing short of shocking, it was obvious we needed some pace and people who could pick up the ball and run with it to take the pressure off us instead he bought another centre half on we resorted to lumping it away.

[VVVAlbion]

Our results and performances have gotten worse under Pulis. Maybe the players aren't his players but they are the same as those that were available to his predecessor and have added quality in Fletcher.
The decision to release or not play certain players is his and our seemingly lack of options are partly of his making.
The squad we had was/is capable of keeping us up and have shown this on a number of occasions under both coaches this season.
Trying to stop teams from scoring without offering an attacking threat is not going win us any matches between now and the end of the season. Stick players in their natural positions,  push the midfield further up to support the strikers and offer an outlet
and look at bringing some pace (which we do have) into the side.

If we don't play natural pacey fullbacks against Palace be prepared for another high scoreline.

[Dan]

What a load of nonsense

these are the same players from 2 years ago basically.....nothing has changed, AI was at fault because he was just a terrible manager, great coach and a lovely bloke but plain utter garbage as a manager.

Pulis has come in and these same players still seem to get in......now Pulis isn't blameless at all but this squad needs a major overhaul, we should've done it over the years but instead we got complacement and believed our own hype regarding the model we used...it hasn't worked for years and the players we still play from a few years down the line are nowhere near good enough.

Im angry at Pulis as his subs yesterday were nothing short of shocking, it was obvious we needed some pace and people who could pick up the ball and run with it to take the pressure off us instead he bought another centre half on we resorted to lumping it away.

If we let Pulis overhaul the squad it'll just be the same players he uses now plus a load more like that. The only players outside yesterdays starting 11 he isn't loath to use are Olsson, Baird, and sometimes Anichebe which says it all. Forget anyone with talent actually being signed and use. It'll just be a load of 6ft+ players who will do what he wants for vastly inflated prices.

As his time at Stoke showed he also has a penchant for spending a lot of money on players he never, ever gives a chance too. Which we're seeing with Callum McManaman really.

Hopefully we won't bow down to him and will annoy him enogh to walk like Palace did because I would have deep misgivings about letting someone who thinks Chris Baird is good enough to play central midfield in the premier league continue spending any money.

[Pulisisabaggie]

Pulis will keep us up thats a certainty after that summer clearance from front to back.Some of the defending yesterday was sunday league at best both Mac and Lescott had mares just common sense mistakes how can that be Pulis's fault.

[we8seals]

Pulis will keep us up thats a certainty after that summer clearance from front to back.Some of the defending yesterday was sunday league at best both Mac and Lescott had mares just common sense mistakes how can that be Pulis's fault.

I what way is it a certainty?? I admit I thought that until couple of weeks ago. But now I can't see us getting another point. We are truly terrible. No certainty we have enough points

[Pulisisabaggie]

I what way is it a certainty?? I admit I thought that until couple of weeks ago. But now I can't see us getting another point. We are truly terrible. No certainty we have enough points

He has never tasted relegation before its not rocket science is it?

[we8seals]

He has never tasted relegation before its not rocket science is it?

I had never crashed a car until the first time I did it.

And is staying up the be all and end all - if you are happy watching the utter bilge we are subjected to week after week - even worse away from home - then good luck to you. I'm not and voting with my feet and my wallet

[mrmojorisin]

Although Pulis might not be to everyone's taste, he is an effective manager/head coach.

The reason for the parlous state we find ourselves in - and I now fear that whether or not we escape relegation is entirely down to other teams failing - I put squarely on the shoulders of the players for the following reasons:
1.  They show no desire or urgency.  There may be many factors influencing this but I feel that the majority are just going through the motions (literally as well as figuratively!)
2. They are far too many individual errors at both ends of the pitch, but particularly in defence.  Our players are experienced professionals and I am at a loss as to why they make so many crass mistakes, both of judgement and execution.
3.  They are incapable of putting in a full shift.  It is very rare that we see a full 90 minute plus performance.  Too many times they don't seem to wake up for the first half, or switch off in the second half, or other lapses.  How many times have we seen leads slip away or concede in the latter stages.

Whatever you think of Pulis you must agree that he organises defences well - they are well-drilled and structured.  Then ask yourself if you have ever known any other Pulis side concede a total of 7 goals in two consecutive home games - especially against teams who have hardly set the world alight all season.

I rest my case, m'lud.

[Pulisisabaggie]

I had never crashed a car until the first time I did it.

And is staying up the be all and end all - if you are happy watching the utter bilge we are subjected to week after week - even worse away from home - then good luck to you. I'm not and voting with my feet and my wallet

No i dont like what I see weekly thats why in my above post I stated SUMMER CLEARANCE it no secret the squad is and was always poor but I am willing to give the gaffer a chance to build something.If after that its the same thing then by all means fire him.

[Lego]

The true test for Pulis is from now until the end of the season. His tried and tested formula is now not working, so does he stick or twist with the players available. I'd like to see him bring in a bit of pace I.e Poco and Gamboa but he has shown he doesn't rate them. If Macca not fit, Sess not really adapting to the 442, what does he do? I'd guess it will be much the same next game and he'll hope the breaks fall our way. It may work if we cut out the errors and his preferred players show some bottle, but I must admit I'm not as confident as I was about staying up.

[mrmojorisin]

The problem is that it is now too late to introduce Poco and Gamboa.  They must be thoroughly inebriated off with being left out, cannot be match fit and know they are on their way out.

[Pulisisabaggie]

Although Pulis might not be to everyone's taste, he is an effective manager/head coach.

The reason for the parlous state we find ourselves in - and I now fear that whether or not we escape relegation is entirely down to other teams failing - I put squarely on the shoulders of the players for the following reasons:
1.  They show no desire or urgency.  There may be many factors influencing this but I feel that the majority are just going through the motions (literally as well as figuratively!)
2. They are far too many individual errors at both ends of the pitch, but particularly in defence.  Our players are experienced professionals and I am at a loss as to why they make so many crass mistakes, both of judgement and execution.
3.  They are incapable of putting in a full shift.  It is very rare that we see a full 90 minute plus performance.  Too many times they don't seem to wake up for the first half, or switch off in the second half, or other lapses.  How many times have we seen leads slip away or concede in the latter stages.

Whatever you think of Pulis you must agree that he organises defences well - they are well-drilled and structured.  Then ask yourself if you have ever known any other Pulis side concede a total of 7 goals in two consecutive home games - especially against teams who have hardly set the world alight all season.

I rest my case, m'lud.

Thank you sir how can seasoned pro like our center halves poor mistakes be blamed on the manager ?

[darbolina]

The players aren't good enough that's clear. Their mental strength, concentration levels, decision making and consistency is overall just above Champ level but below prem level. Peace can see this hence him wanting to sell before the next owner has to seriously invest to improve this squad. I don't blame Pulis for the squad problems but his decision making yesterday was poor, his team selections becoming a bit odd . This probably shows he lacks faith in our strikers and midfield.

He's going to have to go back to basics and somehow reinstill the urgency and organisation we had for a spell in Jan and Feb.

If we manage to stay up, then I'm interested to see what he could build given some financial support. Most of Stokes current team were his signings and Palace have benefitted from his spell there.

Personally, I'll begin to properly assess him in the summer rather than game by game. A few games ago he looks to have found a formula with these players however like others before him, he probably realises now these players just aren't good enough.

[Lego]

The problem is that it is now too late to introduce Poco and Gamboa.  They must be thoroughly inebriated off with being left out, cannot be match fit and know they are on their way out.

Fair point although a professional footballer should be fit enough to play, Poco has been making the bench so would presume he's ready. In terms of attitude maybe they have a point to prove or looking to impress other clubs.

[VVVAlbion]

Thank you sir how can seasoned pro like our center halves poor mistakes be blamed on the manager ?

Seasoned pros make mistakes when they are under pressure.  Our defense is under constant pressure because we defend too deep and do not have an outlet to relieve that pressure. These are our coaches instructions.

[wodenson46]

Seasoned pros make mistakes when they are under pressure.  Our defense is under constant pressure because we defend too deep and do not have an outlet to relieve that pressure. These are our coaches instructions.

Just posted similar - wish I had phrased it this way

[ronny boy]

I agree with Poc.

I don't think McManaman would gave been anywhere near match fit to play  a full game of yesterday's importance.

Gamboa?  No idea.  I haven't seen him play since Costa Rica.  Neither Irvine nor Pulis can rate him based on what they see in training.

Letting Varela go was the big mistake

I think the majority of us fans would have Poc in at LB.

McManaman is coming back from injury and 15-20mins game time yesterday would of been great for his recovery, plus we had 1 sub left if he did have a reaction.

Gamboa's a mystery, maybe he's just not settling in England... plus he's not tall enough for set pieces!

I would give Wisdom another chance and move Dawson to CB. It looks to me that both Gmac and Lescott's legs have gone and there's no coming back from that. I'd drop either or both of them and partner Dawson with Ollson or Lescott.

There's got to be more to Varella than meets the eye. Lazy? Disruptive? Unsettled?

[overseas baggie]

I think the majority of us fans would have Poc in at LB.

McManaman is coming back from injury and 15-20mins game time yesterday would of been great for his recovery, plus we had 1 sub left if he did have a reaction.

Gamboa's a mystery, maybe he's just not settling in England... plus he's not tall enough for set pieces!

I would give Wisdom another chance and move Dawson to CB. It looks to me that both Gmac and Lescott's legs have gone and there's no coming back from that. I'd drop either or both of them and partner Dawson with Ollson or Lescott.

There's got to be more to Varella than meets the eye. Lazy? Disruptive? Unsettled?

I agree with all of that except Ollson.  I think his legs already went about 2 years ago

[ronny boy]

I agree with all of that except Ollson.  I think his legs already went about 2 years ago

Watching the 3 of them yesterday was as though they were running through water

[pointergeorge]

Lescott is a snail.

[AlbionFan]

IMHO, TP has no confidence, trust or belief in these players, probably with the exception of Fletcher.

I think that's why he sets tactics as simply as possible for them, no expansive play, just tight, compact, good defensive shape, two banks of four all to contain the opposition.

It isn't working at the moment as some of the players are ageing and running out of steam at this time of the season and we don't have players to step up to do what TP wants.

So, we have to rely on them and so does TP until the end of the season and hope they can keep us up.

TP doesn't trust them and I think that is something fans may have in common with him

[lewisant]

I went up yesterday from sunny Kernow for what I hoped would be a memorable day but I left with bitter feeling and an understanding of why some are struggling to feel the same affinity for the club that they used to.

I go up because I love the club and win, lose or draw I genuinely enjoy it, usually. I haven't seen us win since 2005 but the last few times I've been, most the players have shown no passion or fight whatsoever. Yesterday we looked like a team of 11 people who had never met each other, had no competitive spirit and no self-belief.

I genuinely think that performance was like ones we saw under Buckley, useless long balls, hopeful yet aimless punts down the line and hoofs up to the target man that we don't have. What happened to that great football we saw v West Ham and Swansea?

Was it Pulis? The players? I think both. Pulis was far too negative and we sat on 2-2 with 10 mins to go in our last winnable game and that was a huge mistake. We messed up big time yesterday by not going for a third at 2-1 and 2-2. It was far too negative and that was Pulis' fault.

BUT, and it's a big but, those players were horrendous yesterday. They need to go back to basics and when I say basics I mean learning how to kick and control the ball. It was embarrassing. I've seen my girlfriend kick a ball with more conviction than those lot.

I was disgusted yesterday and I still have a feeling of not wanting to go back for a long time. Not until I see those players AND the manager doing the basics well. If we're going to play defensively that's great and I don't mind, but defensively whilst conceding SEVEN against the bottom two is torture.

[baggie38]

Lescott is a snail.

Regardless of his pace Lescott has been our best players this season alongside and just as important as Berahinio. A natural leader with bags of experience granted he hasn't been his usual self the past couple of weeks but for me I don't see why you've made this observation because he has never been one who's had bags of pace not even in his younger days. I'm pleasently shocked we managed to attract him in the summer (like wise Fletcher in the January transfer window) he is a player we should enjoy seeing in the famous stripes while he is here.

[sconesy]

Lescott is a snail.

Very good. Your comment is 'sluggish' and soft - lacking a hard exterior. If this is the 'trail' you intend to leave - maybe you should escargot! 

[overseas baggie]

Saw a comment today that Brown Ideye was so bad yesterday he didn't look capable of even controlling his own bladder

Made me laugh anyway