Who`s to blame? Joe Kinnear

Focusing on who should burden the blame for the 2-1 defeat to the mackems, we switch our attention to Joe Kinnear.

Ultimately Kinnear picked the side and is paid well for it. However yesterday I think he dropped some huge, huge clangers.

Geremi`s inclusion on paper seemed a sane one but in reality it really has to be the end of the line for the midfielder. His legs are gone, his deadball ability is a one in ten success and he offers no tackling or fluidity in midfield. How Kinnear continues selecting him remains a mystery. Surely even Duff switched to the right would have been better?

The biggest gripe I have is the non-inclusion of N`Zogbia. The lad has been a perennial thorn in the side of the mackems, scoring a cracker in the 4-1 win a few years ago and generally attacking well and, most of all, he knows what it means. Kinnear`s choice to opt for Duff and Geremi ahead of him was a shocker.

Kinnear`s choice of substitutions was also puzzling. Butt was obviously struggling, Guthrie looked like little boy lost and Geremi was out on his arse by half time. However he waited until 75 and 80-odd minutes to make his change. Unbelievable thinking.

Barton and Jonas both offered interesting contributions as neither shied away from the tackle or the ball. How we would have faired with these two on for an additional 15 - 30 minutes is a question we`ll never have the answer for unfortunately.

Lastly - Jose Enrique? Surely some physical presence from Xisco would have been more beneficial going for an equaliser?

Overall it sums up the reason why Kinnear is interim rather than full time manager. He lacked the ambition to win the game, much like Allardyce, and paid.

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