Don’t want to put the mockers on the lad but Philips seems to be doing pretty well.....this, despite considerable misgivings by some on here a few weeks back.
Don’t want to put the mockers on the lad but Philips seems to be doing pretty well.....this, despite considerable misgivings by some on here a few weeks back.
Uneventful, flat, lack of any inspiration, lack of anyone able to get on the ball, lack of shape, lack of imagination, lack of hope.
Until any of that changes, mid table is the very best we can hope for.
To expand on this: Under Robinson we often looked far too spread out in terms on width. With Bowyer, both at times last season and this season, we've over-corrected and now look overly stretched back to front. I know that when you're in possession you want to make the pitch as big as possible, but that only works when you have movement off the ball and look overload in areas then spread the play.
Our best attacking was playing long (low) balls to just wide of the penalty area then trying to get our forwards isolated against their men. It's when we looked most dangerous, but it's a trick that teams are getting increasingly good at defending. Even when Grant or Taylor beat their man we usually have 1-v-3 or 2-v-4 in the box. As such, we struggle to create clear cut chances.
I also think the stretched back-to-front makes out midfielders and fullbacks do more running than they need to. Bowyer has talked about the fact that he wants his midfielders doing a lot of running, and that can be a good thing, but I think there is a lot of energy that could be saved if we were tighter with our shape and smarter with our running. Part of the reason we struggle to get those overloads is that our midfield has to do so much up and back running that it's then hard to get into those dangerous pockets of space in the attacking third.
And as sage says, I think a lot of the above leads us to looking shapeless. There were definitely times today when our players seemed confused about whether they were playing a flat 4-4-2 or a diamond in midfield. I'm very much in favor of tactical flexibility and interchanging players, but it requires a good tactical understanding that I don't think we always have.
SD Addick - you sound very earnestly and unrepentantly American in your description of a “ sawwwwwkerrr” match . Have I missed anything Bud / Big Guy ?
Seen Taylor twice now, on Tuesday and today. Don't really see what the fuss is about, spends too much time focusing on drawing fouls. Just get on with it ffs.
Tuesday night was energised by Bonusgate, team and fans responding against feisty and capable opponents led by a certain villainous individual, not just a blot on the landscape but a whole landscape all to himself.
Today The Valley hosted another charmless and controversial character, whose well-drilled and pragmatic team, coached in his own image, largely controlled the game at little more than walking pace. Crispgate was an ineffectual distraction - a deflated atmosphere and an uninspired game made for a tedious afternoon.
RD's malign influence is corroding this club at a frightening pace. Prospective buyers need to up their game, admittedly not easy against the Infallible One, but it's time now for them to seize the initiative while at least the remnants of our wonderful club still exist. Otherwise the 21st century Mountsfield Park awaits.
After really enjoying the game on Tuesday this was very drab.
We aren't sharp enough and we didn't do enough to win although I'm not sure about the disallowed goal.
Some good saves by Dillon, Bauer not at his best, Sarr sloppy in possession, Marshall anonymous although out of possession, Aribo the biggest culprit of taking too many touchs.
Clearly all cards fault.
We need a spark ASAP. Four goals in five games tells its own story. Final ball often lacking and long range shooting poor.
Away following must be one of the lowest for a Saturday league game as must the home gate.
Seen Taylor twice now, on Tuesday and today. Don't really see what the fuss is about, spends too much time focusing on drawing fouls. Just get on with it ffs.
Well, if his ambition is to draw fouls from defenders he doesn't succeed too often - he hardly gets given anything, even if he's got a defender sitting on his shoulders.
What a great pile of unadulterated poo that was. Utterly insipid. Expected a barnstorming bad tempered affair like Tuesday night with Barton today’s pantomime villain after Evan’s sterling effort during the week. Instead, I snored through an utterly bland game between two awful teams and Joey stood quietly at the side and then happily posed for photos and signed autographs by the tunnel at the end. Butter wouldn’t melt.....
Highlights of the day were a swift chat over a beer with @AFKABartram in the pub beforehand and a couple of bags of crisps which filled a hole as I missed lunch and, err, that’s it folks. No dodgy ref to abuse, just an afternoon of nothingness with the faint smell of decay pervading on a pleasant late summer afternoon.
All felt surreal. Cheers Roland you weapons grade arsehole.
Seen Taylor twice now, on Tuesday and today. Don't really see what the fuss is about, spends too much time focusing on drawing fouls. Just get on with it ffs.
Yep excellent for a small club in AFC Wimbledon (No disrespect) but not so for us maybe!
All a bit pathetic really; the demo, the argument at the demo, the crisp throwing, the atmosphere, and the game. We were the better side but just not sharp enough. Bielik looks class, Sarr is the only one that passes for players to run on to rather than to feet, which slows us down. No one played badly but no one took responsibility to push us on and take hold of the game. Already getting fed up with Taylor’s posturing and petulance; he’s not half as good as he thinks he is.
Not a classic to put it mildly but at least we picked up a point. Given our nightmare situation I'd take 20th now to give us another year to find a buyer once this season is over.
Anyway the day started in the West Stand Car Park where, apart from a few Roland Outs, Just Pay the bonuses and Sell The Club, the main focus of the protesters' attention appeared to be a Jools Holland and a Thomas Driesen lookalike gesticulating from the West Stand Stairs. No idea who they were or what they had done to antagonise being a deaf old git unable to pick up diction in a crowd.
To the football: Fleetwood turned us round so we kicked to the Covered End first half which is always ominous. The game had a 'crisp' start with Lyle Taylor narrowly failing to get on the end of a low cross across goal in the first 30 seconds or so. Charlton probably had the better of the early exchanges and the deadballs, taken initially by Page, seemed better even though nothing came of them. We actually had a few shots even though they were off targetAs the half progressed Fleetwood came into it and this year's scapegoat made some smart saves. We were probably more relieved to hear the half time whistle than they were.
Second half we started well and Grant had the ball in the net only for a late offside to be given. As in the first half Fleetwood gradually came into it and it became evident that one goal would be what it took. In the 88th minute Fleetwood won a free kick just outside the box and Conor McAleny came on as sub at the same time. I metaphorically had my head in my hands thinking here comes the goal to break the deadlock. Thankfully it didn't and we went close ourselves down at the other end before the referee put us out of our misery.
Like I said not a classic. 'Scapegoat' Phillips kept us in it. Solly too had some good moments particularly when they were pressing at the end. In the first half he put in a peach of a cross on the run which nobody connected with. Grant did well and took some excellent corners in the second half. A shame arguably our most potent threat in the box appears to be the only player other than Page of hitting a reliable corner. Taylor got a bit more change out of the referee but I wish he would get on with the game rather than looking for 50:50 free kicks all the time. The others all put in a shift eithout being outstanding although I do like the look of Bielek.
It is what it is until Roland goes. We held a team who won 5-0 away earlier in the week so I guess that is good in the present circumstances.
Was it Fleetwood who opted to kick the "wrong way" or was it us knowing that the covered end goalmouth was likely to be more "affected" by the crisp protest!
Clarke, Fosu and Reeves to return / surely will make a difference.
You'd bloody hope so... and with Josh Cullen reportedly coming in, you'd hope one of them can take a set piece whether it free kick or corner!!
Because at the moment we're getting them and have no confidence we'd score from one at the moment
I find it incredible that not just this season but last as well after Holmes left and JFC took responsibility for set pieces that no one has been able to fill the void. They are professional footballers ffs; all they have ever done since they were kids is kick a ball and were best in class at it. Now they do it as their job for a fair amount of the week at the training ground yet none of them can put a decent ball into the box consistently. It just beggars belief.
Dull game between two very average teams . Couldn't believe the lack of urgency in the last 10 minutes or so to try and get a winner . Crossbar challenge was highlight of the afternoon . Please don't play Marshall anymore .
Sums up the season ahead presuming there's no takeover...plenty of potential and should haves but just not enough when it matters.
Good to see Igor back and gutted we are missing Fosu. Think Pratley did well doing the dirty work and allowing Aribo to dictate the first half. Committed performance and could and should have taken all the spoils.
Comments
Tuesday night was energised by Bonusgate, team and fans responding against feisty and capable opponents led by a certain villainous individual, not just a blot on the landscape but a whole landscape all to himself.
Today The Valley hosted another charmless and controversial character, whose well-drilled and pragmatic team, coached in his own image, largely controlled the game at little more than walking pace. Crispgate was an ineffectual distraction - a deflated atmosphere and an uninspired game made for a tedious afternoon.
RD's malign influence is corroding this club at a frightening pace. Prospective buyers need to up their game, admittedly not easy against the Infallible One, but it's time now for them to seize the initiative while at least the remnants of our wonderful club still exist. Otherwise the 21st century Mountsfield Park awaits.
We aren't sharp enough and we didn't do enough to win although I'm not sure about the disallowed goal.
Some good saves by Dillon, Bauer not at his best, Sarr sloppy in possession, Marshall anonymous although out of possession, Aribo the biggest culprit of taking too many touchs.
Clearly all cards fault.
We need a spark ASAP. Four goals in five games tells its own story. Final ball often lacking and long range shooting poor.
Away following must be one of the lowest for a Saturday league game as must the home gate.
Highlights of the day were a swift chat over a beer with @AFKABartram in the pub beforehand and a couple of bags of crisps which filled a hole as I missed lunch and, err, that’s it folks. No dodgy ref to abuse, just an afternoon of nothingness with the faint smell of decay pervading on a pleasant late summer afternoon.
All felt surreal. Cheers Roland you weapons grade arsehole.
A good point, mid table is the best we can get this year and i got a free packet of crisps.
Shame it was offside.
I also got my crisps onto the pitch from row L in the East Stand, which I was pleased about.
0-0 was as fair result, we never looked like scoring more than 1 at most, while Fleetwood clearly used up their goals on Wednesday against Scunthorpe
Puzzled why Ajose didn't feature after he made such a positive impression on Tuesday
Nobody stood out, Dillon was probably MOTM
Not surprised that he gets the reasons for it seeing he was moaning about not being able to lift the Championship trophy with Burnley at the Valley
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/crisps-stopping-play-is-a-new-experience-for-fleetwood-town-boss-joey-barton-1-9320140
Because at the moment we're getting them and have no confidence we'd score from one at the moment
Not a classic to put it mildly but at least we picked up a point. Given our nightmare situation I'd take 20th now to give us another year to find a buyer once this season is over.
Anyway the day started in the West Stand Car Park where, apart from a few Roland Outs, Just Pay the bonuses and Sell The Club, the main focus of the protesters' attention appeared to be a Jools Holland and a Thomas Driesen lookalike gesticulating from the West Stand Stairs. No idea who they were or what they had done to antagonise being a deaf old git unable to pick up diction in a crowd.
To the football: Fleetwood turned us round so we kicked to the Covered End first half which is always ominous. The game had a 'crisp' start with Lyle Taylor narrowly failing to get on the end of a low cross across goal in the first 30 seconds or so. Charlton probably had the better of the early exchanges and the deadballs, taken initially by Page, seemed better even though nothing came of them. We actually had a few shots even though they were off targetAs the half progressed Fleetwood came into it and this year's scapegoat made some smart saves. We were probably more relieved to hear the half time whistle than they were.
Second half we started well and Grant had the ball in the net only for a late offside to be given. As in the first half Fleetwood gradually came into it and it became evident that one goal would be what it took. In the 88th minute Fleetwood won a free kick just outside the box and Conor McAleny came on as sub at the same time. I metaphorically had my head in my hands thinking here comes the goal to break the deadlock. Thankfully it didn't and we went close ourselves down at the other end before the referee put us out of our misery.
Like I said not a classic. 'Scapegoat' Phillips kept us in it. Solly too had some good moments particularly when they were pressing at the end. In the first half he put in a peach of a cross on the run which nobody connected with. Grant did well and took some excellent corners in the second half. A shame arguably our most potent threat in the box appears to be the only player other than Page of hitting a reliable corner. Taylor got a bit more change out of the referee but I wish he would get on with the game rather than looking for 50:50 free kicks all the time. The others all put in a shift eithout being outstanding although I do like the look of Bielek.
It is what it is until Roland goes. We held a team who won 5-0 away earlier in the week so I guess that is good in the present circumstances.
COYR
I'll allow you the facts you will cloud with bollocks like complimentary tickets and season ticket holders not attendening.
Good to see Igor back and gutted we are missing Fosu. Think Pratley did well doing the dirty work and allowing Aribo to dictate the first half. Committed performance and could and should have taken all the spoils.