Bigger, faster and taller....

[malcolmsmoustache]

It was very apparent after about five minutes of today’s shambles that Wigan were physically bigger than us.
They were also stronger and much faster.
Is that because:
A) They are basically a Championship team (I thought we were disgraceful, but they were outstanding for L1), and Championship players are generally better athletes, or:
B) Pep has recruited lightweights to fit in with the failed tippytappy nonsense, or:
C) We are just not very good.......

 

[CheltenhamYellow]

It was very apparent after about five minutes of today’s shambles that Wigan were physically bigger than us.
They were also stronger and much faster.
Is that because:
A) They are basically a Championship team (I thought we were disgraceful, but they were outstanding for L1), and Championship players are generally better athletes, or:
B) Pep has recruited lightweights to fit in with the failed tippytappy nonsense, or:
C) We are just not very good.......

We lack pace and power. We get bullied. Pep’s style doesn’t suit this league - certainly not with the players he’s recruited to play it...

 

[Yellow River]

Every time we line up before a game we look like a bunch of misfits, while the majority of opponents look like a team of athletes.

 

[MJB]

Sounds like a Daft Punk b-side

 

[werthersoriginal]

Our lack of physicality’s a big part of the problem. Would you be worried about offending any of our midfield in a pub? They seem like nice young men who are skilful at football but who lack determination, pace and power.

 

[DenisSmithsWig]

I wouldn't call Tiendalli an athlete, the guy looks like a pub player and plays like one too! It could be classed as bullying sticking him on a football pitch and letting over 7000 people watch him pretend to be a professional footballer.

 

[Marked Ox]

They weren't just quicker, faster and taller; they were also quicker in thought as well.

 

[Ox4Eva]

When was the last time we won the majority of 50/50 tackles?

That is why we get over run and bullied by physical well organised sides!

 

[ToTheManorBorn]

This really is something of a issue. We are physically poor. - small, weak and lacking in determination.

Players work hard (much of the time) but are simply not strong enough or determined enough to hold on to or win the ball.

Tiendalli - Slow, short and poor judgement about when to commit or not (largely because he is not sure he has the pace to get there and thinks he'll get skinned so hangs off) Although to be fair to him he made a couple of crunching tackles yesterday.

Martin - unsteady and too lightweight for a dominating CB. Looks like Bambi on ice at times!

Payne - lovely to watch but physically too lightweight - and gets knocked off the ball - particularly when he has run into a corner or becomes surrounded by 2 or 3 opposition players. Guess that's why he's here and not with Huddersfield.

Thomas - Very weak. He's not a small bloke but lacks robustness and determination. Prima Dona comes to mind. Falls over at the lightest touch and then gets in a complete 6 year old girl's tizz when he doesn't get a decision in his favour. Someone needs to feed him some red meat and tell him to grow a pair!

GVK - Weak and no great footballing brain. Lazy too. Fails to look up (yesterday's breakaway situation was criminal) but also generally is a bit of a hit and hope player.

So what?

Get them in the gym to build muscle and bulk.
Tell them to stay on their feet and fight for the ball.
Pep/Faz need to give them a rocket - while the game is going on - to remind them that they are being paid to commit to the team.
Hope Dickie can add a bit of steel at CB (with Mous) and next year with Nelson.

 

[Colin B]

I'd add to the above that Obika in particular never seems to get off the floor and jump when a clearance from Eastwood, or a goal kick, is heading his way. The opposition centre half wins it every time.

Thomas and van Kessel are no better in this respect, but I find it particularly frustrating in Obika's case as he's a bit of a unit and should put himself about a bit more and give the centre half a harder time.