30 Apr 2026 21:06:46
Read a few posts about starting eleven against Motherwell, who was fit etc etc.
That wasn't the main issue at the weekend. Everyone in that stadium could see the LHS wasn't working due to Gassama's total lack of desire or workrate. And should have been hooked after 20mins. That is 100% on Rohl.
Also everyone in the stadium could see Motherwell wanted us to press them so they could pass it round us, and they did it time and time again. McInnes worked that out after 10mins. Rohl didn't work it out the entire 90mins. Again 100% on Rohl.
I personally don't think it's stubbornness. I just think that either himself or his staff (or both) didn't see it early enough to react or maybe at all.
30 Apr 2026 21:40:44
Interesting, as from what I could see, Gassama and Chermiti were holding their positions perfectly, splitting the defence and creating the traps that should trigger the press.
Unfortunately, Meghoma and Miovski were continually out of position, running around like the proverbial headless chickens, which left Motherwell with an easy out on the left.
On the right, Thelo was holding his position well, but was often slow to react and press when the trap was triggered.
Our press was much better when it was Moore, Chermiti and Gasamma, with Thelo operating just behind - where there was less demand on him as his role in the press was to split the space.
30 Apr 2026 22:51:59
The come down to Meghoma from Rommens is massive. Hope Rommens is back for Monday, as without him the left side is torture.
30 Apr 2026 23:12:29
Think we have a few more naive or less aware players in our squad. Got curious, and did a bit of digging and found we have the lowest average age for starting 11 over this season in SPL of 24.6.
The 2 teams with the highest are Celtic and Hearts on 28.5. Average overall is 26.8. I do think it shows at times in games and is why we aren't consistent throughout 90mins.
30 Apr 2026 23:35:40
EHL, I really do appreciate your posts when you give your analysis and insights on our games and how players performed on and off the ball.
It is very much appreciated along with snippets of what is happening behind the scenes. Well done.
30 Apr 2026 23:51:15
EHL, I take your point regarding Miovski, but can't accept your view on Gassama. The lad was way way off it. He didn't hold his position on countless occasions, sometimes not even trying to get back into position.
When he got in the ball, he offered nothing, and also, anytime Meghoma went to support him, he kept giving him the ball at the wrong moment, making him ineffective. He should have been taken off after 20mins.
One question, though, and you're probably in a great position to answer this. Hearts beat Motherwell not a few weeks ago by not pressing them high, congesting the middle of the park and picking up 2nd balls. Why would Danny Rohl not try and do the exact same thing? Instead, he tries to press, and Motherwell break the press with ease time and time again.
And also, why would he stick to the same plan when it was clear as day not working?
01 May 2026 02:14:04
Anyone else pine for the days of normal football speak instead of all the babbling about presses being triggered, low blocks, xg, 6s, 8s and 10s, false 9s and 2nd balls? No, just me then.
01 May 2026 02:53:09
Neil McCann, George Albertz.
Amato and Cannigia.
Or Overmars and Giggs, Damien Duff and Ginola.
442.
Managers that strangle players if they're out of hand.
I miss late 90s and early to late 00s.
Mourinho and Pep ruined football. It's not an enjoyable game to watch anymore.
Komoany had Burnley playing Barcelona tiki taki. That's wrong.
Don't enjoy football much anymore.
01 May 2026 05:59:30
Jackboy, exactly. No wonder players do not have a clue what they are doing, getting all these messages & manager not happy if they don't follow.
Motherwell defeat down to Rohl & wrong team & tactics, he never seems to learn from previous games, that is going to cost us big time.
01 May 2026 06:50:00
Zikos, this is just my guess, however I assume Rohl set us up that way as he was trying to make the most out of what's available to him.
If Moore, Dio or Barron were fit to start, I'd like to imagine it would have been different.
01 May 2026 07:35:57
EHL, for me, mate, Barron, Dio and Moore are a must to start against Hearts on Monday and hopefully Rommens is fit. ?
01 May 2026 08:13:58
Sws, I agree and I'd add Tav and Souttar to that.