This has been goin on for phuckin months, and it does fowks haeds in.

It has been going on for months as you say Billy which makes me think Robbie is sending his team out this way. I can't understand why we would choose to play this way and expect our defenders to be more creative than the midfield as the ball is constantly played back to them and eventually a 40 yard pass is attempted to the forwards and we know how many times that works out.

The ghost of Adam Barton is alive and well.

We have been desperate for a creative midfielder for so long now as well as pacy wide players who can actually cross a ball.

Overall, all matches so far this season, United have won 61% of games, and drawn 18%.

Won 73% of our games with Nicky Clark playing, 36% without. The figures for the departed Sam Stanton are exactly the same. We are missing both players, according to these statistics.

Won 68% of our games with Calum Butcher playing, 20% without.
Won 62% of our games with Ian Harkes playing, 50% without.

Won 25% of our games with Dillon Powers playing, 72% without.
Won 40% of our games with Peter Pawlett playing, 78% without.

Won 14% of our games with Powers and Pawlett both playing, 73% without.

Figures taken from:
https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=740&season_id=152&teamTabs=results
 

PatReilly wrote:

Overall, all matches so far this season, United have won 61% of games, and drawn 18%.

Won 73% of our games with Nicky Clark playing, 36% without. The figures for the departed Sam Stanton are exactly the same. We are missing both players, according to these statistics.

Won 68% of our games with Calum Butcher playing, 20% without.
Won 62% of our games with Ian Harkes playing, 50% without.

Won 25% of our games with Dillon Powers playing, 72% without.
Won 40% of our games with Peter Pawlett playing, 78% without.

Won 14% of our games with Powers and Pawlett both playing, 73% without.

Figures taken from:
https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=740&season_id=152&teamTabs=results
 

The Management have to be looking at these stats as well and must see the impact certain players or how they have to adjust tactics.

Have watched a lot of games on TV recently and none of the teams seem to have the slow build up we adopt, i am not saying we shouldn't do it but mix it up and stop making us predictable and allow our strikers and creative players to find space.

For me, Pawlett is the one who needs taken out of the team. I have nothing against him, but he is much more of an impact sub in my opinion. If we were 1-0 down with 20 mins left I'd love to have Pawlett on the bench to come on and make a difference, and I believe he would. But for me, he has been far too ineffective since his return. I think he'll be dropped tonight along with Bingham (as per my team in the Ayr thread). 

It cant be underestimated how massive a loss Butcher is. Powers is not a similar player to Butcher in any way (even though some fans still compare them) they are worlds apart. Powers is actually closer to Harkes in terms of style of play. A proper box-to-box midfielder (Scott Robertson type) is something we are really missing. Someone who can get involved in the physical side of the game, but when they break the lines, can still be an effective attacking force. I wonder if we have one in our academy. I've heard good things about Jake Davidson. He is also turning 20 this year so if he is ever going to make it  in our first team, it would likely have to happen soon.