I always stick up for Slade but...

When we are getting outplayed and dominated from start to finish, why doesn't he change it? I'm delighted with the point, but let's be honest, we were second best the whole game.

We hit them early on with a sublime ball from Whittingham and a great cross from Malone and great finish from Mason. Apart from Ameobi's effort at the end, we defended the whole game and Brighton should have hammered us!

We somehow managed to get away with it today, but we won't keep getting away with it. Slade needs to learn that when getting outplayed, he needs to take Mason off, who let's be honest, is a luxury player who doesn't contribute, put Gunnarsson on and go 4-5-1.

Sometimes, you have to jam it up, be organised, get an extra body in the middle and try to at least get some sort of control in the game where we can keep the ball, string a few passes together and most importantly when hanging on away from home,take the sting out of the game. We could do none of that sticking to 4-4-2.

You all know how much I stick up for Slade. But today, we were outplayed all game because of Slade "sticking to his principles" persisting with 4-4-2 when it wasn't working. The same happened at Rotherham. We robbed Brighton today, and we were very, very lucky to nick a point.

He is tactically inept that's why and against any decent team he gets found out and we ride our luck until an injury is forced upon us to make changes.

We were playing against a top of the table side so I expected us to be outplayed a bit and but we have ended their 100% home record and got a great point so I wouldn't complain.

I agree with Tonteg, we seem to stick to one way of playing, even when we are being outplayed. We are now one point away from mid table, and my concern is that unless we are capable of changing tactics and formation when things are obviously not working, we are going to be just a mid table team as many predicted we would be at the start of the season. Still too early to read much into the tables yet, and things could still go either way.

Agree with a lot but the main stat was 1-1 and you say we wint keep getting away with it, well correct me if am wrong but if we take out the Rotherham game against ten men isn't that the first game we have been outplayed? It is from what I have seen, lots of things need to be improved and the obvious lack of pace to complement our possession in midfield is a must

Slade out then!!!!!!!Big name manager in. Lol,lol

I agree with Tonteg, we seem to stick to one way of playing, even when we are being outplayed. We are now one point away from mid table, and my concern is that unless we are capable of changing tactics and formation when things are obviously not working, we are going to be just a mid table team as many predicted we would be at the start of the season. Still too early to read much into the tables yet, and things could still go either way.

agree, I'll give him a chance but I think he will have us finishing mid table at best,the club wants promotion really cant see that under Slade , I'd love him to prove me wrong but as above says he only plays one way and wont change it when we are getting outplayed (we need a Slade on the fence smiley)

I agree with Tonteg, we seem to stick to one way of playing, even when we are being outplayed. We are now one point away from mid table, and my concern is that unless we are capable of changing tactics and formation when things are obviously not working, we are going to be just a mid table team as many predicted we would be at the start of the season. Still too early to read much into the tables yet, and things could still go either way.

We've changed things at home it works, away its not as easy as opponent's are set up totally different? 1 point from mid table 3 from top 6 ! Onry thing in our favour is consistency, 4 defeats in 19 game's says a lot

And that is why promotion this season is highly unlikely

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

I think Slade does need to alter the team and tactics when we play better teams . Jones can be very effective against weaker teams, like Charlton, but as against Hull and today, he has neither pace or movement to make an impact against better sides. We need a bit of pace away from home to play on the break and try 4-2-3-1. Pace has to mean Ameobi starting.

5 goals in 10 games thats an excellent return never mind the work off the ball he does

Too many passengers again today.

Whitts, Pilkington, Dikgacoi, Kenwyne.

None of them were really involved in the game although in fairness to Whitts it was a great ball to Malone which led to our goal.

Still, would have definitely taken a point before kick-off.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

Echo gave him a 4 or 5 out of 10.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

Echo gave him a 4 or 5 out of 10.

That sounds about right and not many other managers will get higher than that at ours this season. Steve Bruce got 1-10 by their fans

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

Echo gave him a 4 or 5 out of 10.

That sounds about right and not many other managers will get higher than that at ours this season. Steve Bruce got 1-10 by their fans

Gave Kenwyne Jones 4/5 out of 10.

When we are getting outplayed and dominated from start to finish, why doesn't he change it? I'm delighted with the point, but let's be honest, we were second best the whole game.

We hit them early on with a sublime ball from Whittingham and a great cross from Malone and great finish from Mason. Apart from Ameobi's effort at the end, we defended the whole game and Brighton should have hammered us!

We somehow managed to get away with it today, but we won't keep getting away with it. Slade needs to learn that when getting outplayed, he needs to take Mason off, who let's be honest, is a luxury player who doesn't contribute, put Gunnarsson on and go 4-5-1.

Sometimes, you have to jam it up, be organised, get an extra body in the middle and try to at least get some sort of control in the game where we can keep the ball, string a few passes together and most importantly when hanging on away from home,take the sting out of the game. We could do none of that sticking to 4-4-2.

You all know how much I stick up for Slade. But today, we were outplayed all game because of Slade "sticking to his principles" persisting with 4-4-2 when it wasn't working. The same happened at Rotherham. We robbed Brighton today, and we were very, very lucky to nick a point.

At the end of the day its a results game and Slade got a result!

You set out a great scenario which in theory could work, but there again football is not an exact science and nothing about your theory is guaranteed. One flaw could be what would happen if Brighton had taken the lead and we had taken off our top scorer? Just how are we then supposed to get back into the game?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but that doesn't mean the opinion is right. The way I look at is Slade by hook or crook is getting the job done and therefore I put my trust in him.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

But what would happened had Brighton scored again after taking Mason off? Slade would have been crucified for subbing the one player who ATM can put the ball in the net.

OK you were at the game and somehow that gives your view extra prominence but those of us who weren't there will probably take more notice of 1-1 score line (with Mason netting) which has earned us an excellent away point.

Honestly Carl you are generally pretty objective but this time it seems to come down to Slade not doing what you wanted so he was some how wrong.

The brutal truth is however you look at it Slade got the result and that's what we should concentrate on.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

Echo gave him a 4 or 5 out of 10.

When we are getting outplayed and dominated from start to finish, why doesn't he change it? I'm delighted with the point, but let's be honest, we were second best the whole game.

We hit them early on with a sublime ball from Whittingham and a great cross from Malone and great finish from Mason. Apart from Ameobi's effort at the end, we defended the whole game and Brighton should have hammered us!

We somehow managed to get away with it today, but we won't keep getting away with it. Slade needs to learn that when getting outplayed, he needs to take Mason off, who let's be honest, is a luxury player who doesn't contribute, put Gunnarsson on and go 4-5-1.

Sometimes, you have to jam it up, be organised, get an extra body in the middle and try to at least get some sort of control in the game where we can keep the ball, string a few passes together and most importantly when hanging on away from home,take the sting out of the game. We could do none of that sticking to 4-4-2.

You all know how much I stick up for Slade. But today, we were outplayed all game because of Slade "sticking to his principles" persisting with 4-4-2 when it wasn't working. The same happened at Rotherham. We robbed Brighton today, and we were very, very lucky to nick a point.

At the end of the day its a results game and Slade got a result!

You set out a great scenario which in theory could work, but there again football is not an exact science and nothing about your theory is guaranteed. One flaw could be what would happen if Brighton had taken the lead and we had taken off our top scorer? Just how are we then supposed to get back into the game?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but that doesn't mean the opinion is right. The way I look at is Slade by hook or crook is getting the job done and therefore I put my trust in him.

Mason a luxury player? He scored our only goal. From what I hear KJ was the luxury player today.

What you heard ?

Where did you hear this ?

Off friends who were at the game ?

On the radio perhaps Neil ?

I don't know where you heard it but being at the game I was hoping that Slade would have taken Mason off and tried Jones with Ameobi up front.

It weren't happening for Joe today, despite him scoring early on, he just couldn't get himself involved for the remainder, he struggled to make an impression after hitting the net, the truth is he did little else than that so I agree with Tonteg that Mason should have been taken off.

But what would happened had Brighton scored again after taking Mason off? Slade would have been crucified for subbing the one player who ATM can put the ball in the net.

OK you were at the game and somehow that gives your view extra prominence but those of us who weren't there will probably take more notice of 1-1 score line (with Mason netting) which has earned us an excellent away point.

Honestly Carl you are generally pretty objective but this time it seems to come down to Slade not doing what you wanted so he was some how wrong.

The brutal truth is however you look at it Slade got the result and that's what we should concentrate on.

Tony, you have misunderstood my reply to maccydee and the reasoning behind my post.

Maccydee said from what he heard is that KJ was a luxury player yesterday, I challenged that statement from what I saw.

With regards to Mason, he is a player that I picked to be in my choice of eleven before a ball was kicked this season, I don't think you will find that many who chose Joe in their team. I have also said I believe he is a 20 goal a season striker and again I don't think there are many who share that view either.

Regarding Slade, I never said he was wrong by not taking Mason off but said I had hoped, when the substitution was made, that Slade would have tried Jones and Ameobi together. I say tried as they have not been paired together yet, and the game was very much one which saw us kick the ball long from the back more and more as the game went on, I believe Jones' height and Ameobi's pace could have been productive in that sense.

Mason's lack of pace was an issue yesterday because of how the game was panning out. Mason is an intelligent player but needs the gameplay to be tight and short but when it is long balls he is always going to suffer.

It was not a criticism of Russell Slade just an observation I made to friends at the time and followed it up with a reply that I agreed with the original poster.

Surprisingly in a thread started by someone who is very much in the support Slade camp, you have taken my reply which was in no way a dig at Slade as a underhanded attack on the manager and that disappoints me. I have been supportive of Russell Slade, especially since the first game of this season, I guess you have not read a lot of what I have written this season otherwise you will have noticed that I have defended the manager on performances so far.

I always try to be objective, fair and balanced and I am surprised that you somehow read my reply as anything but.