A Need For Speed

Time is now of the essence if we are to avoid an embarrassing battle to survive in the second tier of English football.

Let's avoid all the ludicrous comments like we a too good to go down or too big a club to get...

STOP!!!

The simple equation is that under Mr Pardew we have not been good enough. Forget the fact that he could not keep us up post Iain 'I wanna go back up north' Dowie. Ignore the issues that he had to sell players after dropping to the Championship. Forget the lack of money to bring in players this season. His decisions have not been good enough.

Compounded at the start of this season, where we went into a supposed promotion bid with just TWO recognised central defenders. He cannot blame the sale of Bougherra on deadline day because this was always a possibility. The decisions that followed were equally obscure. Getting a young right back on loan to cover the central position was wrong. We already had two options for right back in Moutaouakil and Semedo. Then to bring in a crocked centre back who is just off of the scrap heap on loan was just stupid.

Then there is team selection. We can all pick teams and I appreciate that football managers have more about them than just this task but surely he watches the matches.

Nicky Weaver is a good keeper but until we sort out the side I feel it is unfair to fully judge him.

Basey looks good long term, as does Yassin Moutaouakil. Let's stick with them for a period. Youga is a liability in defence and needs to improve to warrant a place. Hudson and Fortune could be a good partnership when Fort's is fully fit but we need cover. Primus will be gone soon and Crainie is only a short term fix.

Shelvey looked like he was going to get the nod to start in midfield but only got one chance. We need to persevere with the younger players. Bailey has come in but the jury is still out there. Holland is great for cover and experience. Sinclair and Racon will give options once available and Semedo is a good bet for a holding role. Josh Wright will get there but it is about managing the time for him and it is crazy to place such responsibility on him at this time. Bouazza looks good but unless we have plans to keep long term then other players need to take priority. Lloyd Sam needs a run in the team and youngsters like Martin Christensen need to be introduced. Ambrose is done. He still looks good in parts but not as a winger any more. I would prefer to stick Luke Varney out wide and utilise the striking roles by other players.

A fit Todorov would be an asset to the side but can he make it back. Andy Gray is struggling and how we miss 'big' Chris Iwelumo. Izale McLeod is fit and should get more time in the team to impose himself. Dickson and Fleetwood need to be tried and them either promoted to the team or let go.

My eleven at the present for the Plymouth game has to include some realism and availability but would be:

Weaver; Moutaouakil, Basey, Hudson, Crainie; Bouazza, Semedo, Bailey, Sam; Todorov, Gray. Subs: Elliott; Primus, Shelvey, Varney, McLeod.

I would love to have included more younger players but it cannot happen overnight. The start of the season would have been good.

One to watch for the game will be Grant Basey. He had an awful game at home to Barnsley but we should not keep discarding players after a bad match.

We desperately need points away from home and perhaps have to accept Pardew is not going anywhere at the moment. Keep the campaign going but not lose sight of the reality of the upcoming games.

Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Let's keep searching!