My worry about last night's performance

[Jim Smith 2,654]

I''m not fussed about being out of the Carling Cup. To be honest we embarrass ourselves in it every year and (whilst i would like to see us have a cup run at some point in the rest of my life - FA Cup this season maybe?) it doesn''t do us any harm to have less distractions again this season.

For me though the worry is what was behind that abject performance and as I see it there are three possible causes:

1. The rest of the squad simply isn''t as good as we think it is. I don''t buy this. That team last night should have had enough about it to see them off. It wasn''t far off the side we put out in the champ last season and which got us promoted.

2. Lambert simply didn''t care about the game. This is i hope the real ereason we played so badly. His comments beforehand about Brum (and us in 85) being relegated made it clear he was not bothered and if thats how he came across in the dressing room then maybe its no wonder the players (with half an eye on not getting injured ahead of big prem games) played as they did.

3. The players in question had a bit of a sulk about being in the "reserve" team and having to play in the Carling Cup. I sincerely hope this is not the reason as we will need several of these players to step in throughout the season. It will also mean lambert has the first real test of his ability to man manage a 25 man squad most of whom would regard themselves as first teamers rather than an 18 including some kids.

As said above I really hope that its the second reason and that we just were not bothered. It still would not have done us any harm though to get a win ahead of going to Chelsea. Winning breeds confidence and its now quite likely we won''t get a win in August.

[a1canary 0]

I think it''s telling that 4 premier league teams, including all the promoted ones, lost last night. There''s clearly something psychological going on that has effected not just us. Probably something to do with all the stress and strains and excitements of the build up to the premier league season. Focus has been entirely on premier league and on the teams we will play in it. Then along comes a team from a division we''ve left behind, who are well up for causing an upset, and our players are really just not that interested, no matter how much they try to be. It''s just not what they''re here for. They played MK Dons two years ago, that''s league 1, been there done that...It''s not an excuse, don''t anyone start that, it''s not about how much they''re paid either. Just put yourself in their shoes, and QPRs and Swanseas, and you can see why it''s not easy to get up for.My worry is how much of an effect this will have had on their confidence, which after all, is not sky high, if not rock bottom. It might knock it a bit. I guess in that respect maybe Chelsea are a good side to be playing next if it gets them up.

[ChelmsfordCanary 0]

Totally agree,

Players who think they are too big for the reserve Carling cup game and obviously the management were not bothered by the game and thus that filtered through to the players,

Good post

[Jim Smith 2,654]

[quote user="a1canary"]I think it''s telling that 4 premier league teams, including all the promoted ones, lost last night. There''s clearly something psychological going on that has effected not just us. Probably something to do with all the stress and strains and excitements of the build up to the premier league season. Focus has been entirely on premier league and on the teams we will play in it. Then along comes a team from a division we''ve left behind, who are well up for causing an upset, and our players are really just not that interested, no matter how much they try to be. It''s just not what they''re here for. They played MK Dons two years ago, that''s league 1, been there done that...It''s not an excuse, don''t anyone start that, it''s not about how much they''re paid either. Just put yourself in their shoes, and QPRs and Swanseas, and you can see why it''s not easy to get up for.My worry is how much of an effect this will have had on their confidence, which after all, is not sky high, if not rock bottom. It might knock it a bit. I guess in that respect maybe Chelsea are a good side to be playing next if it gets them up.[/quote]

Not sure this game in isolation or indeed losing at Chelsea will have too much impact on confidence. If, however, we''ve still not managed a win after the West Brom and Bolton games then maybe confidence will start to dip.

Chelsea is in many ways a no pressure game for us. We are not expected to get anything from these sort of games. Unless we get absolutely humiliated then we really have very little to lose and all to gain if we can somehow get something out of the game.

[Jim Smith 2,654]

[quote user="ChelmsfordCanary"]Totally agree,

Players who think they are too big for the reserve Carling cup game and obviously the management were not bothered by the game and thus that filtered through to the players,

Good post[/quote]

Thats going to be one of Lambert''s biggets challenges this season though, keeping all these players happy when many of them will not be in the starting line up. he''s done well over the first two league games to involve as many as he has but over a season will be tough.

[Rudolph Hucker 0]

Top post, Jim. I suspect it is reason 2 also.

I''m sure PL will learn plenty from last night and use the episode to positive effect with his squad.

Colin at QPR is shooting from the lip over his sides defeat which his opponent is regarding as sour grapes, PL is unlikely to let his true feelings be as publicly known.

I felt justified in making criticisms last night and having done so now want to move on. The team need to do this too as that is a key to playing in the big league. I''m sure they will.