I’m all Parkered out

[Statto]

We go into the playoffs with that attitude and tempo, and we'll soon be exiting them.

Debatable. If we can keep a clean sheet against the second most prolific attack in the league then we're going to be bloody hard to beat in the play-offs. Don't get me wrong, we should have gone hell for leather to score today, but the play-offs are invariably a much more cagey affair which will suit Parker's boring, cynical style IMO.

[Tabby]

There was little difference between our approach today and at Forest other than Arter's bomb went in and Knockaert's hit the bar.

It's pretty clear how Scott wants to play things. Hopefully, we grind past Forest and take a chance against (probably) Brentford at Wembley.

Agree with this. People keep waiting for Parker's tactics to "click" like with Jokanovic, I had some hopes early on like after the Millwall game, but I think what you see is what you get at this point.

He has gotten decent results against the top 6 at least, so it might work through the playoffs.

[Denver Fulham]

There was little difference between our approach today and at Forest other than Arter's bomb went in and Knockaert's hit the bar.

It's pretty clear how Scott wants to play things. Hopefully, we grind past Forest and take a chance against (probably) Brentford at Wembley.

Agree with this. People keep waiting for Parker's tactics to "click" like with Jokanovic, I had some hopes early on like after the Millwall game, but I think what you see is what you get at this point.

He has gotten decent results against the top 6 at least, so it might work through the playoffs.

There's nothing to click offensively. We don't create overloads on the wings, we don't hit anyone with pace on the counter and there's rarely more than one man in the box. So we can't create consistent offense. We're left with being solid defensively and hoping for a long-range shot or hopeful cross to hit paydirt. It's boring and frustrating that he's done nothing to unlock the attacking talent on this roster, but it's not impossible to grind out playoff promotion that way. We better not fall behind, though.

[Andy S]

Please do not push the panic button just yet. We are in the play offs we have two matches to give fringe players a work out which is a luxury other clubs below us do not have.west Brom were desperate for the win. It never came for them either. They are very catchable by Brentford who must be delighted tonight. 5 games unbeaten is never to be sniffed at. We now have until the play-offs to rest up and put out our best team. Whoever we get we have a very good chance of promotion

[AnOldBrownie]

There was little difference between our approach today and at Forest other than Arter's bomb went in and Knockaert's hit the bar.

It's pretty clear how Scott wants to play things. Hopefully, we grind past Forest and take a chance against (probably) Brentford at Wembley.

Agree with this. People keep waiting for Parker's tactics to "click" like with Jokanovic, I had some hopes early on like after the Millwall game, but I think what you see is what you get at this point.

He has gotten decent results against the top 6 at least, so it might work through the playoffs.

There's nothing to click offensively. We don't create overloads on the wings, we don't hit anyone with pace on the counter and there's rarely more than one man in the box. So we can't create consistent offense. We're left with being solid defensively and hoping for a long-range shot or hopeful cross to hit paydirt. It's boring and frustrating that he's done nothing to unlock the attacking talent on this roster, but it's not impossible to grind out playoff promotion that way. We better not fall behind, though.

This I agree with.   I don't think anything can improve Parker ball other than a fully healthy squad.   Kamara and Cairney at least add an additional dimension that might be effective against the 20 other teams (not named Leeds, Brentford or WB) in the division.    I'm hopeful once we reach the playoffs, but I'm not expecting anything.    It's too difficult for us to create and finish chances.

[The Rational Fan]

We go into the playoffs with that attitude and tempo, and we'll soon be exiting them.

Debatable. If we can keep a clean sheet against the second most prolific attack in the league then we're going to be bloody hard to beat in the play-offs. Don't get me wrong, we should have gone hell for leather to score today, but the play-offs are invariably a much more cagey affair which will suit Parker's boring, cynical style IMO.

Parkerball is ideal for a playoff final, given our strength in the shootout with shooters and goalkeepers.

If we can beat Forest, Cardiff, Milwall, Swansea, or whoever over 180 minutes in the playoff semi, we will make the playoff final. I think we can beat Forest over two games base on our away victory and have beaten the others over two games this season.

Once we make the playoff final three results are possible to win, lose, or penalty shootout. We aren't great at winning, but we have tactics for not losing so penalty shootout seems likely outcome.

According to someone else, we have the advantage when it comes to penalty takers and according to my statistics, we probably have an advantage with keepers too, especially against Brentford.

Goalkeeping Statistics Below 
Sam Johnstone (WBA) - 25% Penalties Saved - 8 Saved and 24 Conceded
David Raya (Brentford) - 17% Penalties Saved - 4 Saved and 19 Conceded
Marek Rodak (Fulham) - 24% Penalties Saved  - 8 Saved and 25 Conceded
Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham) - 38% Penalties Saved  - 14 Saved and 23 Conceded (5th Sub maybe)

While I wouldn't like to play Brentford if we have to win in 90 minutes, if Parker can assemble a squad that will win a shootout, Parkerball is the perfect tactic. We keep the ball moving around the field while they try to win it back, pulling them out of position to score.

The problem with Parkerball is when the other team is happy to let us pass it in non-dangerous places and let the clock tick on. If we have a clear shootout advantage, then Brentford will want to win the ball to get a result, which is playing to the strengths of Parkerball.

It would be painful to watch, but post-match celebrations of a playoff shootout victory would make up for it. Sure, there is no guarantee we will win a shootout, but right now Brentford would be favourites in the 120 minutes, while we would be favorites in the shootout so our promotions chances are still high with Parkerball.

[FulhamStu]

There are some good posts on this thread supporting Parker.  I have been critical of our tactics last night and remain so, that said I would like to make the following point.  In my opinion, our best football since the restart was during the first half at Leeds, a game we lost 3-0.  That may have had an effect on Parker in that he released the hand-break and got badly beat.

At the end of the day it goals that win games, it doesn't matter how many chances you create or concede it's the score line that counts.   Keeping a clean sheet means you get something out of every game and one goal gives you 3 points.  All stating the bleeding obvious but that attitude has won clubs many trophies.

[The Rational Fan]

There are some good posts on this thread supporting Parker.  I have been critical of our tactics last night and remain so, that said I would like to make the following point.  In my opinion, our best football since the restart was during the first half at Leeds, a game we lost 3-0.  That may have had an effect on Parker in that he released the hand-break and got badly beat.

At the end of the day it goals that win games, it doesn't matter how many chances you create or concede it's the score line that counts.   Keeping a clean sheet means you get something out of every game and one goal gives you 3 points.  All stating the bleeding obvious but that attitude has won clubs many trophies.

I suspect Parker got TK to bring in Kongolo because he was faster than Mawson or Ream, without a fast center-backs we are at incredible danger of conceding if both full-backs get forward and we get caught on a break. Given Harrison Reed is not that creative and without both full-backs booming forward. How does Parker release the handbrake? Maybe Parker is just accepting that the way to win more often than not, given the current squad, is with the handbrake being pulled frequently?

[fulhamben]

We go into the playoffs with that attitude and tempo, and we'll soon be exiting them.

Debatable. If we can keep a clean sheet against the second most prolific attack in the league then we're going to be bloody hard to beat in the play-offs. Don't get me wrong, we should have gone hell for leather to score today, but the play-offs are invariably a much more cagey affair which will suit Parker's boring, cynical style IMO.

Parkerball is ideal for a playoff final, given our strength in the shootout with shooters and goalkeepers.

If we can beat Forest, Cardiff, Milwall, Swansea, or whoever over 180 minutes in the playoff semi, we will make the playoff final. I think we can beat Forest over two games base on our away victory and have beaten the others over two games this season.

Once we make the playoff final three results are possible to win, lose, or penalty shootout. We aren't great at winning, but we have tactics for not losing so penalty shootout seems likely outcome.

According to someone else, we have the advantage when it comes to penalty takers and according to my statistics, we probably have an advantage with keepers too, especially against Brentford.

Goalkeeping Statistics Below 
Sam Johnstone (WBA) - 25% Penalties Saved - 8 Saved and 24 Conceded
David Raya (Brentford) - 17% Penalties Saved - 4 Saved and 19 Conceded
Marek Rodak (Fulham) - 24% Penalties Saved  - 8 Saved and 25 Conceded
Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham) - 38% Penalties Saved  - 14 Saved and 23 Conceded (5th Sub maybe)

While I wouldn't like to play Brentford if we have to win in 90 minutes, if Parker can assemble a squad that will win a shootout, Parkerball is the perfect tactic. We keep the ball moving around the field while they try to win it back, pulling them out of position to score.

The problem with Parkerball is when the other team is happy to let us pass it in non-dangerous places and let the clock tick on. If we have a clear shootout advantage, then Brentford will want to win the ball to get a result, which is playing to the strengths of Parkerball.

It would be painful to watch, but post-match celebrations of a playoff shootout victory would make up for it. Sure, there is no guarantee we will win a shootout, but right now Brentford would be favourites in the 120 minutes, while we would be favorites in the shootout so our promotions chances are still high with Parkerball.

youve only done goal keeper stats, now do one for penalty kick takers. Mitros only on around 60% conversion  rate isn't he, and he is supposedly out best taker. It will be the Leicester game all over again where we fail to score any in the shoot out

[rebel]

Thanks Scott, I think you've done relatively well this season, with a more than average team, but, you remind me to much of Paul Bracewell, and his negative, slow, buildup type football.

On the face of it, a draw at WBA seems a decent result, but, not when you're cemented in the playoffs, and a win gives you a slim chance of second, it's poor.

I'd have rather lost that game absolutely going for it, than playing out for a bore draw, which, however you look at it, was exactly.

It's the playoffs for us now, and I just hope that we show up with a bit more enthusiasm than that, or we'll be out before it's even started.

Hopefully the club are already looking for his replacement, because I can't stomach another season of parkerball.

:plus one:
Re we should have gone for it and not be concerned about losing - it made no difference whatsoever if we lost by 3-4 at this point!
I don't necessarily agree that we should be changing the manager though, rather he has the chance to change the tactics

WBA had 3 / 4 clear opportunities to score, so the clean sheet owed a lot to 'lady luck'. So our defending was o.k., but needs to be a lot better. Having not really attacked, missed the opportunities to score goals, had one of their opportunities gone in, then we would have lost.

[fulhamben]

Thanks Scott, I think you've done relatively well this season, with a more than average team, but, you remind me to much of Paul Bracewell, and his negative, slow, buildup type football.

On the face of it, a draw at WBA seems a decent result, but, not when you're cemented in the playoffs, and a win gives you a slim chance of second, it's poor.

I'd have rather lost that game absolutely going for it, than playing out for a bore draw, which, however you look at it, was exactly.

It's the playoffs for us now, and I just hope that we show up with a bit more enthusiasm than that, or we'll be out before it's even started.

Hopefully the club are already looking for his replacement, because I can't stomach another season of parkerball.

:plus one:
Re we should have gone for it and not be concerned about losing - it made no difference whatsoever if we lost by 3-4 at this point!
I don't necessarily agree that we should be changing the manager though, rather he has the chance to change the tactics

WBA had 3 / 4 clear opportunities to score, so the clean sheet owed a lot to 'lady luck'. So our defending was o.k., but needs to be a lot better. Having not really attacked, missed the opportunities to score goals, had one of their opportunities gone in, then we would have lost.

lady luck and that Westbroms players were to stupid, to pick a decent pair of boots with long enough studs to prevent them from slipping over in the box. I think it was twice that their footing gave way just as they were about to pull the trigger.

[SuffolkWhite]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

[rebel]

Parker is clearly a 'Marmite' manager.  I'm not even on the 'fence' on this one, I want to see some 'football' being played.

[rebel]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

It's the way the team is set up. Our attacks are 'nullified' even before they begin, we don't move opposition players out of their positions, it's so comfortable for them, we don't work the opposition keepers, all the things you need to win football matches.

[ByTheRiver]

There are some good posts on this thread supporting Parker.  I have been critical of our tactics last night and remain so, that said I would like to make the following point.  In my opinion, our best football since the restart was during the first half at Leeds, a game we lost 3-0.  That may have had an effect on Parker in that he released the hand-break and got badly beat.

At the end of the day it goals that win games, it doesn't matter how many chances you create or concede it's the score line that counts.   Keeping a clean sheet means you get something out of every game and one goal gives you 3 points.  All stating the bleeding obvious but that attitude has won clubs many trophies.

I suspect Parker got TK to bring in Kongolo because he was faster than Mawson or Ream, without a fast center-backs we are at incredible danger of conceding if both full-backs get forward and we get caught on a break. Given Harrison Reed is not that creative and without both full-backs booming forward. How does Parker release the handbrake? Maybe Parker is just accepting that the way to win more often than not, given the current squad, is with the handbrake being pulled frequently?

I agree with this and had been thinking along similar lines last nigt that maybe the way to go would be to move Odoi back to CB to partner Hector. Providing a bit more pace and possibly the Hughes to Hec's Hangeland. Now that Bryan is holding a better position and Christie is playing with confidence, this could be the way forward.

Christie  Hector  Odoi   Bryan

That said, weve gone 4 games and 92 mins without conceding so maybe best left as it is...

[OldBrownShoe]

We have been unlucky enough to have some wretched managers over time, who could ever forget amongst others, Bobby Campbell, Paul Bracewell and now Parker. Malcolm Macdonald was an inspiration continually feeding young players into the team.  Well I know the season isn't quite over and the Khans did say they would do whatever it takes.  051

[ByTheRiver]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

It's the way the team is set up. Our attacks are 'nullified' even before they begin, we don't move opposition players out of their positions, it's so comfortable for them, we don't work the opposition keepers, all the things you need to win football matches.

This. 100% this.

And then we see repeated posts that Cav is crap, Reid is crap, Knockaert is crap, etc. What will happen is they'll go elsewhere and automatically be a great player again. I think even then, some won't see the truth above and will put it down to other things.

Even Mitro - yes, he's top scorer, vut he survives off scraps. How mant chances does he get per game on average? Actual chances not half chances where he has muscled his way in front of his marker and flung himself at a ball lumped aimlessly in the box? The best way to think of it and know it was a chance is, how many chnaces does he get and you think 'should have buried that'? I'd say between 0-1 per game. Which by any metric is awful.

[Deeping_white]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

It's the way the team is set up. Our attacks are 'nullified' even before they begin, we don't move opposition players out of their positions, it's so comfortable for them, we don't work the opposition keepers, all the things you need to win football matches.

This. 100% this.

And then we see repeated posts that Cav is crap, Reid is crap, Knockaert is crap, etc. What will happen is they'll go elsewhere and automatically be a great player again. I think even then, some won't see the truth above and will put it down to other things.

Even Mitro - yes, he's top scorer, vut he survives off scraps. How mant chances does he get per game on average? Actual chances not half chances where he has muscled his way in front of his marker and flung himself at a ball lumped aimlessly in the box? The best way to think of it and know it was a chance is, how many chnaces does he get and you think 'should have buried that'? I'd say between 0-1 per game. Which by any metric is awful.

The thing that got to me last night was Odoi being at RB because he's so unadventurous it's unbelievable - most of the time when he gets the ball, he takes a touch back inside and passes to Hector, essentially stifling anything being created down the right. At least Cyrus tries to be positive in possession. I don't know how anyone can bash the wingers when they're essentially having to stand out on the touch line to get a pass that they'll instantly have to give back to the fullback because they're not in a decent position because of our slow build up play. Parker gets us playing so conservatively it rarely leads to cutting a team open with a passing move and that's my biggest issue because we've finally got quick players who would thrive off that

[fulhamben]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

It's the way the team is set up. Our attacks are 'nullified' even before they begin, we don't move opposition players out of their positions, it's so comfortable for them, we don't work the opposition keepers, all the things you need to win football matches.

This. 100% this.

And then we see repeated posts that Cav is crap, Reid is crap, Knockaert is crap, etc. What will happen is they'll go elsewhere and automatically be a great player again. I think even then, some won't see the truth above and will put it down to other things.

Even Mitro - yes, he's top scorer, vut he survives off scraps. How mant chances does he get per game on average? Actual chances not half chances where he has muscled his way in front of his marker and flung himself at a ball lumped aimlessly in the box? The best way to think of it and know it was a chance is, how many chnaces does he get and you think 'should have buried that'? I'd say between 0-1 per game. Which by any metric is awful.

ill bite. Do you honestly think our system, as bad as it may be, makes bobby miss sitter after sitter, does it make knockaert blast wide rather than try to set someone up? Does it make cav look anonymous time after time. Yes we don't play to mitros strengths, and yes he feeds off of scraps, but again, that's down to our attacking players not being very good at their jobs is it not. Bryan seems to be able to get assists, but our other attacking players can't, I wonder why that is 🤔 and yes, I really hope that Reid cav and knockaert go on to have fantastic seasons for someone else next season, and that would mean we've recouped some of the money we've wasted on them this season

[ByTheRiver]

All season we have conceded sloppy goals and not scored enough goals which is a conundrum in its self considering we are in the Play Off's, could it be the players have not been used in the right way or the players have not stepped up to the plate? The Cav's, Knock's and BDR's etc etc etc have some responsibility to.

Many of the points above are all apt, and I have said on here before I have not always enjoyed the Parkerball served up and the lack of tempo at times. But, he is a Rookie Manager learning his trade and whatever we think the squad should be achieving we don't always know what scenario's there are within a squad and what a Manager has to deal with.

Just need to be behind the team, Manager and club for the next few games and then look at the season as a whole at the end.

My two pennies anyway.

It's the way the team is set up. Our attacks are 'nullified' even before they begin, we don't move opposition players out of their positions, it's so comfortable for them, we don't work the opposition keepers, all the things you need to win football matches.

This. 100% this.

And then we see repeated posts that Cav is crap, Reid is crap, Knockaert is crap, etc. What will happen is they'll go elsewhere and automatically be a great player again. I think even then, some won't see the truth above and will put it down to other things.

Even Mitro - yes, he's top scorer, vut he survives off scraps. How mant chances does he get per game on average? Actual chances not half chances where he has muscled his way in front of his marker and flung himself at a ball lumped aimlessly in the box? The best way to think of it and know it was a chance is, how many chnaces does he get and you think 'should have buried that'? I'd say between 0-1 per game. Which by any metric is awful.

The thing that got to me last night was Odoi being at RB because he's so unadventurous it's unbelievable - most of the time when he gets the ball, he takes a touch back inside and passes to Hector, essentially stifling anything being created down the right. At least Cyrus tries to be positive in possession. I don't know how anyone can bash the wingers when they're essentially having to stand out on the touch line to get a pass that they'll instantly have to give back to the fullback because they're not in a decent position because of our slow build up play. Parker gets us playing so conservatively it rarely leads to cutting a team open with a passing move and that's my biggest issue because we've finally got quick players who would thrive off that

This is it, the position they receive the ball in. Everyone back and in position, no one going beyond (so not taking a player as dummy run or making a defender think 'will he pass it or will he cut in'), nothing. So they receive it and have two options every time - pass it back to the full back/DM or beat three men to get into a crossing/cutback/shooting position.

I hate to say it but we culd go out and buy Messi, Bale, Salah, Mane, Sane, whoever, and they would all look pretty much the same.