Up till recently Ince had done OK, but his negativity had clearly affected the players during the past couple of months - they had become scared to play, and the statuesque teams he kept picking made things worse. Noel Hunt is a positive character who may be more likely to pick a team with some ener...

I feel sorry for the players. Ince keeps picking these unbalanced teams that lack mobility. In particular, if you're going to play three at the back, at least two of them have to be reasonably quick. Leaving out the most athletic option (Mbengue), and playing Sarr, Dann and Holmes together was just ...

Hope NGW and Azeez get a run of games now. We looked much more dynamic once they came on. The starting selection had too many holding players and very little pace. The second half line up was much better balanced.

You lads can argue all you like but we’re just not very good. And when we make the same tactical mistakes over and over again that screams shit management. I’m so utterly unconvinced with our set up. This. Too many players of a similar type, coupled with an inability to adapt his gameplan to suit o...

Royal Ginger Unbelievable

Only too believable, sadly

Too much space between our centre-backs and full backs, and between the back four and the midfield. It was way too easy for the Coventry players to run at us from midfield, and get players facing up our defenders inside our box.

I IMO Pauno has criminally under utilised Aluko (and to a lesser extent Baldock) who we are all moaning about as bloating the wages of the squad. These guys are gagging for minutes and show some real urgency and endeavour to reach the by-line in the 5 minutes they are given each week. Aluko in part...

Baldock's quality cross really showed what we've been missing. We get in so many great positions, and throw them away with a lack of composure when it really matters. Has been the same story for weeks and it's probably going to cost us, unfortunately.

Midfield has been totally anonymous so far. Meite has shown some good movement, Joao might do something with better service and better footwear ! More purpose and belief needed.

The lack of tempo in the second half, as well as the all-round poor final balls & finishing, showed up a lack of conviction. Gibson & Ejaria together was asking for trouble down the left: one too slow, one prone to losing concentration. Reminiscent of the Esteves/Aluko disaster combo in the ...

No urgency or conviction since half time.

Meite now. If we could cross or shoot, we'd be quite good.

Jeez - they've got in down our left hand side four times in 15 mins. Two goals, could have been four.

I think he will start. But he has developed a mental block about his finishing, since he missed those penalties.

Poor so far, especially in midfield. But Stoke have used up a lot of energy pressing.

Missing the pen completely knocked the stuffing out of them. Made it painfully obvious how much they rely on Joao. They have to be stronger than that. It’s been a problem for years. We are so poor when we go behind. Not a good sign. I agree. Lack of mental strength seems to be a recurring theme. We...

Missing the pen completely knocked the stuffing out of them. Made it painfully obvious how much they rely on Joao.

Esteves & Aluko not a wise combination. If we're going to play the talented but inexperienced right-back, surely we need someone a bit more defensively minded in front of him ? Or if he wants Aluko, need more of an out-and-out defender at right back.

Wigan result being put in perspective now !

I could understand the wholesale changes if we were either in a relegation fight, or in the top six. But we are as mid-table as a team can possibly be. We can't be sure of making a run for the play-offs, and we have a great chance to reach at least the 5th round of the Cup. We should be giving it a ...