Changes needed

The Cherries suffered a heavy defeat at the County Ground on Saturday, with the squad returning to the south coast on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline.

Former AFC Bournemouth transfer target Matt Ritchie opened the scoring after just ten minutes and after Andy Williams made it 2-0 after 25 minutes, the Cherries never looked like getting back into the game.

Ritchie scored his second of the game on 70 minutes, while Adam Rooney completed the rout with 5 minutes remaining.

The Cherries have now conceded nine goals away from home over the past three away fixtures.

The result leaves Paul Groves side 17th in League One, with just eight points from the opening eight games of the campaign.

Once again sections of the Cherries support called for Paul Groves to be relieved of his position, whilst the Swindon fans mocked with chants of 'You're getting sacked in the morning.'

Probably the first to get home so here's my summary of the game.

Got there and thought we're on trouble today no shape to the midfield.

1-0 Fogden gave the ball away and Ritchie crashed home from 25 yards.

2-0 Partington gave the ball away ball laid wide and with a great cross Williams headed home.

First half ends no shots on target.

Second half give away free kick. 3-0 direct from free kick defenders and keeper miss it and goes straight in.

First chants of 'we want groves out' start. Gets worse and worse chants continue mixes with 'getting sacked in the morning'. 4-0 no idea what happened but by then didn't care and left. In all honesty Swindon could have had 8 and we couldn't have moaned. Felt for all those that lashed out £25 quid and travelled up from Bournemouth. At least I only had a 20 mile journey and was home by quarter to six.

Never have I witnessed such a spineless clueless performance it was truly dire. My lad has toldme never to buy tickets without asking him as he's got better things to do on a Saturday. Sadly I agree with him. After sitting through that abomination of a performance today and not too much else memorable this season (apart from MK Dons first half), it is as obvious as the nose on my face that not only does the management need to change but formation and some players too.

In years gone by when things weren't happening we could always resort to plan B and stick Supa up top, pump long balls to him and try to feed off of his flicks and knock downs. PG can't even grasp that simple ploy to try and change things.

Also whether its because of injuries or not there seems to be a lot of tinkering with the starting line-up every game, is he just trying to keep all the squad happy or does he still not know who he wants to play?
Today showed what having a passionate, driven manager is like...........for Swindon. Watching PG's reactions and contribution is nonexistant, so how can that inspire any players, team or fans. Whereas Dicanio kicked every ball today and was constantly involved. Whether you like that or not, just look at the response he gave the fans and they gave him after the game.

Now the tactics.
Lets go back to a conventional 4-4-2, most players can handle this as they've played it most of their lives, everyone knows it and what they are supposed to be doing. Being a fairly new bunch of players this should be the quickest way to get them 'gelling'. Our midfield today was shocking, it had very little shape, very little width and they spent most of the afternoon chasing shadows. Which in turn meant that Tubbs and Grabban had very little service.

Now for the players.
Jalal - its just like having the new David James. Can be brilliant at times but can be equally calamitous. (Pompey and Brentford key examples of this) Lets hope Buchel is a diamond find???
Addison - is slow, never moves forward, and seems to be uncertain of what to do with the ball if there is no 5 yard pass to play. Not a captain either.
Daniels - just seems disinterested.
McQuoid - Same as.
Grabban - Seems to be struggling with the step up, easily found out by defenders, i think he will improve though.
Partington - Not up to it at all.
O'Kane - not ready yet, has promise but can be very naive at times on the ball.

On the plus side I thought Wakefield looked promising when he came on.

I think that its clear that Barnard and Tubbs will score you goals and supported by Pugh, Grabban, Hughes, McDonald etc we should be a force to be reckoned with, in the right hands.

Lets also hope that Davids and Demouge turn out to be quality signings, maybe they can inject some Dutch 'Sexy Football' into Dean Court.

Here's hoping for changes!

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