Subs made a huge difference tonight

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Watters stayed sat in the stands on his own and didn't go in with the team at HT so not sure what you're basing this on.

Personally I've got no problem with the fact that he had to rest a bunch of players but not waiting the extra 9 minutes until half time to sub Watters was completely unnecessary and an absolute dick move. Although still harsh you could kind of understand it if a centre back was having an absolute shocker and making mistakes that were almost giving goals away but Watters a) is a striker and b) he wasn't having THAT bad a game, it's not his fault the midfield were having rings run round them.

He's doing an ok job but Morison consistently comes across as an incredibly unlikeable person. Yes I know he's not here to be liked but being that he's the figurehead for our club it is a shame

Thing is, being likeable is actually part of the job. He's a manager. He will need to recruit heavily in the summer, likely unproven players at this level. His stance of happily throwing youngsters under the bus is not exactly going to help.

I actually don't mind the substitution itself. I think he's a decent game manager and tactician, and i like that he's willing to do things like that if it is not working. But he isn't just a coach or a tactician any more, he is supposed to be a manager. You simply do not hang your players out to dry like he did tonight. It doesn't help the player, the squad, or the future recruitment drive. It's an ego-driven short-term decision thing that someone trying to prove a point does, not someone who is actually in control.

He was asked how the game went. He said something like "pretty well from the 37th minute". He couldn't even wait for the inevitable question about the substitution before sticking the boot in. And when asked about the substitution, he blamed Watters for not doing anything right and listed all the things he did wrong. Even said that Watters had come with a price tag. Why? The correct answer here is to say he wanted to make a tactical change and while he was really sorry about it blah blah blah, he felt that was the right time to do it. Or, if he had a pair, he'd say that he got the starting line up wrong (he did) and had asked Watters to play a role that he's not cut out for (he did) and while it's not Watters' fault, he had to correct it when it became apparent etc. The interviewer even gave him a chance to redeem himself and asked what they would to in order to restore his confidence, but he just wanked on about how great his coaching staff is. It's an utterly stupid way to deal with the player. He even said he wanted him to hurt. FFS Steve, he is obviously humiliated already. In the interview your job is to circle the wagons, give cliche answers and/or deflect the blame away from the lad. I hope Watters chins him in training. What a whopper.

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

I really don't know what game people are watching sometimes. Vaulks played well tonight and was in the team probably because Ralls and Doyle were being rested. Its a squad game, especially with 3 games in 7 days.

Sky gave Vaulks man of the match I think. I thought he had a good game.

[Hilts]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Sky gave Vaulks man of the match I think. I thought he had a good game.

Sky gave Vaulks man of the match. Seriously??

Bagan by a mile for me.

[dml1954]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Completely wrong midfield set up to accommodate a striker like Watters, he was pointing out that he wanted the ball played through on the deck. Ok he should have put that header away but his hooked shot that hit the ‘keeper wasn’t a bad effort. Morison’s initial team selection was decidedly iffy and can anyone, hand on heart, say they thought it was a convincing set up pre match? Not a nice way to substitute a young player, half time was less than ten minutes away. Morison could have bollocked Watters privately if he hadn’t carried out his instructions and diplomatically carried the can publicly for his initial team selection especially as he could bask in the ‘master stroke’ changes resulting in a 2-0 win.

After our recent turnaround, Morison should be receiving 100% glowing reports from us, the fans, unfortunately through his own doing he’s dividing the fan base. Very sad.

What is sad is that some fans are not backing a young, British track suited manager who is doing a good job. Any player would get the hump at being brought off after 37 minutes but it had to be done and worked. To leave the substitution until half time, just so as to not upset the player, is a stupid suggestion. We could have been one down by then or worse. Watters was not pressing enough and the ball was bouncing off him. I think there is a good player in there but he needs to modify the way he plays to suit the new system. If he cant, then it will be unfortunate but he will fall by the wayside here - thats the way football works.

[Tuerto]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

There's a connection with players who morison doesn't believe work hard enough out of possession. reading between the lines that was why he slagged off Davies, that's why Watters was hooked, and i believe that work rate is his problem with Colwill.

[jon1959]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

There's a connection with players who morison doesn't believe work hard enough out of possession. reading between the lines that was why he slagged off Davies, that's why Watters was hooked, and i believe that work rate is his problem with Colwill.

But Davies has trained and played his way back into the starting 11.

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

What is sad is that some fans are not backing a young, British track suited manager who is doing a good job. Any player would get the hump at being brought off after 37 minutes but it had to be done and worked. To leave the substitution until half time, just so as to not upset the player, is a stupid suggestion. We could have been one down by then or worse. Watters was not pressing enough and the ball was bouncing off him. I think there is a good player in there but he needs to modify the way he plays to suit the new system. If he cant, then it will be unfortunate but he will fall by the wayside here - thats the way football works.

I agree with all of that, and in particular the idea that he shouldn't waste 8 minutes of the first half when he's decided to make the change. It was a good change. But the way he dealt with it was dreadful. Stick an arm around him, shoulder the blame but don't blame the player. He can make the change and effect the game and he did, which was good. But there are things he can do to mitigate the humiliation for the player he brought off.

[dml1954]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Thing is, being likeable is actually part of the job. He's a manager. He will need to recruit heavily in the summer, likely unproven players at this level. His stance of happily throwing youngsters under the bus is not exactly going to help.

I actually don't mind the substitution itself. I think he's a decent game manager and tactician, and i like that he's willing to do things like that if it is not working. But he isn't just a coach or a tactician any more, he is supposed to be a manager. You simply do not hang your players out to dry like he did tonight. It doesn't help the player, the squad, or the future recruitment drive. It's an ego-driven short-term decision thing that someone trying to prove a point does, not someone who is actually in control.

He was asked how the game went. He said something like "pretty well from the 37th minute". He couldn't even wait for the inevitable question about the substitution before sticking the boot in. And when asked about the substitution, he blamed Watters for not doing anything right and listed all the things he did wrong. Even said that Watters had come with a price tag. Why? The correct answer here is to say he wanted to make a tactical change and while he was really sorry about it blah blah blah, he felt that was the right time to do it. Or, if he had a pair, he'd say that he got the starting line up wrong (he did) and had asked Watters to play a role that he's not cut out for (he did) and while it's not Watters' fault, he had to correct it when it became apparent etc. The interviewer even gave him a chance to redeem himself and asked what they would to in order to restore his confidence, but he just wanked on about how great his coaching staff is. It's an utterly stupid way to deal with the player. He even said he wanted him to hurt. FFS Steve, he is obviously humiliated already. In the interview your job is to circle the wagons, give cliche answers and/or deflect the blame away from the lad. I hope Watters chins him in training. What a whopper.

So what you are saying is that you want the manager to lie to the media and ‘big up’ players that have poor games - which is exactly what Warnock got criticised for doing all the time by the way. I think players will give more respect to and work harder for a manager who says it like it is and works with them to improve themselves, which is what Morison has done with Watters (and Davies) both in the Under 23’s when he had him there and now in the first team squad. All this ‘mock indignation’ at the way Morison talks about players is ridiculous. Team morale and recent performances and results indicate that the players are right behind the manager and the way he is doing things.

[Tuerto]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

But Davies has trained and played his way back into the starting 11.

Yeah, i said that is why he slagged him off on that occasion, because Davies wasn't working hard enough in Morisons eyes, on that given day, not in general.That's how i saw it.

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Sure as night follows day, he's said Watters wasn't good enough. It was Morison's fault, not Watters. He's an absolute tosser.

He's absolutely right. Watters is not good enough. The only thing I'll say against Morison is he shouldn't have picked him in the first place.

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

I agree, why is there an anti morrison vibe on here.
It's not flower arranging it's professional football. The players have to harden up a bit .
Morrison got the sub spot on, we could have been 2 0 down at half time.
People should stop thinking players are precious souls

Totally agree. Some on here are so precious. If the players aren't mentally tough enough to cope with Morison they're not good enough to succeed at this level.

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

So what you are saying is that you want the manager to lie to the media and ‘big up’ players that have poor games - which is exactly what Warnock got criticised for doing all the time by the way. I think players will give more respect to and work harder for a manager who says it like it is and works with them to improve themselves, which is what Morison has done with Watters (and Davies) both in the Under 23’s when he had him there and now in the first team squad. All this ‘mock indignation’ at the way Morison talks about players is ridiculous. Team morale and recent performances and results indicate that the players are right behind the manager and the way he is doing things.

Not at all - who mentioned bigging anyone up? I am saying I don't want him needlessly slagging off his players, especially one who has just been humiliated by being dragged off in the first half. The players will know what he thought of Watters performance. Everyone did, even before the interview. And he can say what he likes behind closed doors. No need to kick him again, publicly, when he's down. I'd argue that a player staying on the bench during half time would suggest that not all of the players are right behind him by the way.

For what it's worth: I think he is tactically good, and doing a good job under the circumstances. The team is certainly a better one than the one he inherited, and the direction we are moving in provides some hope for the future and that is down to him. I am also generally a fan of people talking straight and taking action quickly. But there are times when there really is no need to stick the boot in, but Morison goes for it anyway. It's pointlessly hostile.

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Watters stayed sat in the stands on his own and didn't go in with the team at HT so not sure what you're basing this on.

Personally I've got no problem with the fact that he had to rest a bunch of players but not waiting the extra 9 minutes until half time to sub Watters was completely unnecessary and an absolute dick move. Although still harsh you could kind of understand it if a centre back was having an absolute shocker and making mistakes that were almost giving goals away but Watters a) is a striker and b) he wasn't having THAT bad a game, it's not his fault the midfield were having rings run round them.

He's doing an ok job but Morison consistently comes across as an incredibly unlikeable person. Yes I know he's not here to be liked but being that he's the figurehead for our club it is a shame

Watched a different game to me then. Missed a sitter in the first few minutes and contributed nothing afterwards. Deserved to come off.

[SunderlandBluebird]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

No reason he couldn’t have waited until half time to make that change. It wasn’t a right back getting torn apart about to cost us a goal. He had just had a great chance from a nice run. Morrison got it wrong initially so it’s not some great move to make it right. Was a baffling decision to start and he’s thrown Watters under the bus. It wouldn’t have been a story at all had the sub been made.

He’s done a good job since the end of the window there is no denying that but he’s a twat. Still hope we go after Nathan Jones in the summer. Morrison came across a wanker as a player and nothing he does seems any different as a manager. That substitution and interview was for the sky cameras.

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Subs made a huge difference tonight

Don't care if he's a wanker as long as he's a success. We've had enough wankers for managers recently.