Reverting to type

[Making Plans 936]

Today''s performance shouldn''t be a surprise to anybody because we simply performed to our normal level - no confidence, poor passing, poor finishing, poor crosses, lack of desire, no intensity etc etc.And that after taking the lead & looking comfortable for 25 minutes until, at the slightest hint of adversity. we capitulated - no leadership, no calming influence, no control, just complete & utter panic all over the pitch.One goal & we go from being in charge to being over run.Sure we play better in the odd game here & there but we are unable to sustain that sort of performance for more than a couple of games because the bottom line is, we''re simply not good enough.Let''s be honest, Villa were no great shakes but they made us look like a rabble. And in truth, we are.Like so many times before, last Sunday''s win, good that it was, was just another in a long line of false dawns that has done nothing more than delay the inevitable for another week.

[im spartacus canary 0]

pretty much sums up how things are, i am incredibly disappointed in the players today they were to a man pathetic

[Canary02 IV 0]

Can''t argue. We looked good for 20 mins, but as soon as we concede the heads go down.

Whilst most of the players appear to back the manager this is a far from happy group. Wes'' lack of celebration, whilst not as major a revolt as some try to make it, was not the mark of a happy man. Fox spent the week before last at Centre Parcs rather than training for the job he''s paid for and is by all accounts, desperate just to play football. Whitts and Garrido are equally unsettled apparently although reserves not being pleased at missing games is standard for most clubs.

However the biggest indicator is how they perform as a group. The big performances only come in must win games. The default setting is caution mixed with fear, and a "Can''t Do" attitude to scoring goals and attacking teams.

"It''s not Hughton''s fault when the players capitulate" was the cry from some today. Certainly until Villa equalised he looked like he had his tactics correct. However, Lambert, a far more proactive and reactive tactician tinkered with Villa''s formation, nullified the space Wes in particular, was using, and went on from there. Hughton had no Plan B. No countermeasures to take us back on the offensive. The tactic after half time appeared to be to not concede more than the 4 because that would have given the crowd even more to criticise.

Ironically, the one area Hughton''s tactics excel in is playing at home against the elite sides. As such, with the run in we have, he may still provide our best hope of staying up.

Games like today are overwhelming evidence however, of why we can''t allow him to stay after May.