How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
I agree,although a lot of teams look pretty average,we have seen a lot of really good players in this division,who could easily play at a higher level.Even last night ,Northampton not the best side we have seen,had one or two lads who I did not want to get on the ball too often.There is every chance teams above us will stumble,it always happens,teams get up there by going on a run,then the reverse happens,like us,and they struggle.I honestly think that the smaller clubs now in the top 6 will begin to feel the pressure,with their smaller squads,just hope we can take advantage.
How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
We shall have to agree to disagree. The football I've watched this season has been mainly crap.
How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
We shall have to agree to disagree. The football I've watched this season has been mainly crap.
This. Even during the 6 game winning run, we didnt dominate any teams. We are not exciting to watch and I have not seen any opposition team that has stood out to be a very good team.
The quality of League 1 football is not as high as it was two years ago.
I think that Sunday off could of been the best thing for them and something that was needed. I must admit after the Blackpool game I turned and thought Bowyer had lost the dressing home and needed to go and have a rest, however the last 3 games despite not being amazing performances he has managed to stop the rot which I just could not see happening.
He has done something I think he should of done earlier and gone back to basics. The players look more comfortable with what they are being asked to do and it shows. I think Ben Amos mentioned it pre match about being caught in different ways of playing. Now it looks like that's all been stripped back and the players are asked to play it simple not over thinking other teams and adapting to them.
Now a few better performances does not mean the last few months are forgotten but if Bowyer manages to carry on like this and turn the rot and toxic feeling around then you have to give massive credit and then start to think has over come a massive bump in the road that will make him a much better manager/coach and we could benefit from that if TS carries on supporting him. Only time will tell for me but all the time the players are battling then they have my support and may make me eat my words.
To the game I think everyone was sold and did ok and never really looked in trouble. I have moaned at Pearce but credit to him he has put in some very good performances.
JFC and Watson the best 2 players on the pitch for me. I thought Albie looked poor and the game passed him by but Bowyer was full of praise for him so maybe he was doing what Bowyer wanted out wide and being solid rather than spectacular. Washington worked so hard for the team he does not stop running and doing the hard work, he has a very good close control and must be hard to pick up as he drags defenders all other the place.
All in all I am happy. We have gone back to basics, we are not good enough to play any other way but the end results are 3 points and that is all that matters.
keep picking up points and we will put pressure on the other teams, some of which are now have their period of struggling.
Pratley and Watson does work, as long as Pratley plays at the back like last night.
The penalty was an odd one. It looked to me as if the two players collided with each other. Curbishley and Fortune weren't convinced by it either.
Anyway, Washington tucked it away nicely and scored a very well set-up and taken second. Like the team, his confidence has been building gradually in the last three matches and that seems to have come from sheer hard work.
Overall it was a grim watch. A game that would have been better seeing live than on screen....but not by much! Just got to hope that we are starting to turn the corner in terms of form and that the run-in can serve up interest right to the end.
Fantastic effort and commitment last night by all players. Wasn't a classic but I never expect a classic in league 1.
How can players underperformed for a 4month period so dramatically is beyond me.
The usual suspects Pearce, Pratley, Watson we all very good last night IMO.
We got the ball forward quickly, got the ball in the box from crosses as quick as we could and closed down. No tippy tappy shit, passing backwards and backing off players. It's not rocket science, it's league one.
Them last 8 games are ridiculous but could be a roller coaster.
I think that just emphasises the small margins.
Take those three as an example. Rightly highlighted for solid, experienced performances that may have been the difference in keeping it tight and securing a victory. Yet all three have been guilty of some terrible individual mistakes and decision making that ultimately cost us goals and with it games.
Team loses, players lose confidence, defence blame midfield, midfield blame defence, manager rotates team to give others opportunity, others don’t take opportunity, individual mistake costs us game, more agg, more changes, manager piles in to try and provoke a reaction, air cleared, hit woodwork 4 times and opposition score two worldies back to square one. All of a sudden you’re in crisis.
You can see how it spirals and plays out.
We’ve said it a few times now, but hopefully we’ve turned a corner. s
Never thought we'd pick up 7 from 9 after Blackpool
I don't think we are entertaining to watch, but with Innis nearly back alongside Famewo we should continue to be hard to score against. And we always score a goal or two. Doncaster are also struggling a bit since Darren Moore walked out, so all to play for.
All about the W, i generally thought we played well and we had a decent shape. Bar Millar who isn't as effective on the right imo, Northampton were poor but still alot of positives. Fingers crossed we can turn the corner at home now and get some sort of run to challenge the playoffs (i know unlikely still).
I don't get people saying it was a dodgy penalty. If that happened in the street it would be assault.
ABH all day long. Jake sees him coming out the corner of his eye and protects himself and still gets laid flat. Why that was not a booking, only the ref knows.
We are looking like a team for the first time in a long while. It isnt pretty and It doesnt need to be if we keep picking up points.
I still need to be convinced that Bowyer is the man to take us forward personally but I have no issue admitting that, based on the last 3 games, hes turning them into a well oiled team who fight for each other.
Millar improved after the break but he is nowhere near the player he was when he first joined...Id rest him and give DJ a chance personally.
Maatsen has his best defensive game in a long time. Washington was great...never gave that defence a moments peace and got back to hassle there attackers...Strikers do more than score goals!!
Keep tight and solid and find that final ball....we could finally go on that run.
If we dont get into the play offs then so be it but we certainly need to end the season with the foundations there to build on for next season.
How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
Any team being able to beat any other says something only about their relative strengths, not how good or bad they are in absolute terms. That can only be judged by the quality of the football and that has been pretty shocking for most of the teams I've seen on Valley Pass. Even Blackpool, who did a real number on us, weren't that good, they just had a game plan, to press us really high up the pitch, that worked to perfection.
Since the Blackpool game I’ve watched the matches without the feeling that the opposition are going to score every time they get the ball in our half. Well, until the last five minutes today that is. I put that down to Watson finding a bit of form in the holding role.
Football is quite a simple game, and we’ve benefitted from going back to basics.
One point from the playoffs, teams around us dropping points. Will they allow fans in to the playoff final this year?
According to the gov:
"up to 10,000 people or 25% of total seated capacity, whichever is lower" will be allowed in stadiums for sporting events, but not before 17 May."
So potentially 10K at Wembley for a playoff final.
Find it hard to believe Northampton tonked Portsmouth. Find it hard to believe we are just one point off a play-off spot. But I do believe we are capable of keeping our current run going. Let's see what the table looks like after the next three games - think it will then give a far fairer reflection of which teams are in the mix. Actually enjoyed last night's game but can't help thinking about the silly points we have thrown away this season. Back to the game and was particularly impressed by Washington while the defence made me at my pre-match words. Onwards and upwards.
How we are only one point of the playoffs is a mystery to me. I suppose it just shows how poor this league is. I think the quality of football I've seen this season is as bad as I've seen in over 55 years supporting the club. Win our next two games and we will probably be top six (although teams have games in hand). The run in could yet suprise us.
But it’s not a poor league. It’s quite a strong league where any team can beat any other team. It’s got more than it’s fair share of ex-PL clubs, it’s got the perennial nearly teams like Peterborough and Donny and its got the usual one-season wonder teams like Accrington and Lincoln. Below that there are teams like Oxford that KR has done a pretty good job with and who, like the rest of us in that top half, are one push away from a chance at promotion still. Then there’s the teams in the bottom half who can still turn over the ones at the top. This is one strong league if you are a football fan. If it wasn’t for COVID we’d probably be enjoying every minute going to the games as the crowd added the sadly missing atmosphere
We shall have to agree to disagree. The football I've watched this season has been mainly crap.
Totally agree. We might have been in tier 3 a couple of times in the late 70's & early 80's but the football then was a bloody lot more enjoyable & exciting with lots more goal mouth action & players who could actually deliver a cross.
keeps the season alive i guess but lets be honest - if i think back to the teams that i have been old enough to properly watch get promotion, they were good sides and the current team isn't. The Lennie side, curbs side, curbs side part 2, the powell side and the bowyer side part 1. They were good sides and you knew it at the time and were gutted if they dropped points coz it would normally have been a bit of bad luck or you were playing another top side. I've got no idea what we are going to get when i watch this side - its great we've cut out the stupid mistakes but good, attacking football has been absent all year and remains absent - northampton were the most 'there for the taking' side of seen for a long time and we needed a dubious penalty to eventually break the deadlock. We are pants but i will continue to watch and support as always.
I know there's been a few pens in there, but Washington is now 1 goal away from equaling his second highest ever goal return in the Football League with 12 games still to go. He gets a fair bit of grief at times for not having enough quality, but he's actually having a really good season and we've needed his goals. He's more than just a trier and he's delivered for us since signing.
Solid performance, 3 points well deserved, bit of a shame to concede at the death, JFC, Pearce, Watson were our most important players imo and forming the spine of our team currently. Pleased. A couple points:
I know Bowyer and some posts on here praised him but I didn't think Morgan was very effective yesterday at all myself, I think the RM position would've suited him better (And Millar on the left), can someone explain what I missed? I want him to do well, I just wasn't impressed and thought he hadn't grabbed his chance like Bowyer normally says he wants players to do.
Also think we offer much more going forward with Chuks than Stockley who wins a lot of aerial battles but we seem to resort to hoofball when he's on, especially when under pressure. He doesn't seem to be able to bring it down to the deck as well, whereas Chuks can win the aerial battles, bring the ball down and turn a player and create an opportunity like he did for our 2nd. Might be unfair of me as Stockley's undoubtedly a good striker for this division and contributed well but just seems much more one-dimensional.
I'm not trying to be negative, it was one of the best performances I've watched this season, but just interested in thoughts on the above 2 points.
Still can’t understand the negativity on here. By no means are we suddenly a great team so it’s not all roses, but just believe we will do well until it’s impossible to go up via play offs.
Bowyer in, Bowyer out..., neither side of the fence are ‘right’ yet
I don’t get this doggy penalty thing. The fact he turns his back means he had no intention of playing the ball - and saw what was going to happen. It would be a foul anywhere on the pitch and a yellow at least.
There have been two recent examples in the Premiership when exactly this has happened and the player given a yellow. I also think it should have been a pen and at least a yellow, double jeopardy did not apply as there was not an attempt to play the ball.
I think it was an average game last night, with both teams intent on trying not to lose rather than ensure they win, especially in the first half, we did seem to step it up a bit more in the second half. I felt that Stockley was very under par, and almost seemed a bit lost, and we needed the injection of some muscle with Chuks, which seemed to make a big impact on our forward play. What a game Washington had, he was everywhere, and chipped in with the goals, the ref was right to give the pen, Jake was poleaxed and lucky not to get badly injured, and of course a good second, assist via Chuks. Can understand some negative comments of it being boring or pedestrian in parts, but we are slowly starting to show improvements over the last three games, and now within touching distance of Portsmouth, so onto Saturday we go on the up.
Away teams always play the same tactic against us. I think the change is that yesterday we didn't go all out to beat them in a similar way we approach away games. It isn't a great watch but we back ourselves to get a goal or two.
Under the circumstances it is understandable and we need to see where this gets us.
shows how shite this league is that given the run we've been on we are only 1 point outside the play offs.
very generous pen I thought.
Brownie on comms was great again as was Fortune in the studio, saw Matt Holland respond to a tweet asking when he's gonna be on - would be a great guest.
Curbs get's better on there every week
There’s something really endearing and heart warming about Curbs on there. He was always a bit wooden when manager but he’s now that bit older where you don’t care as much what people think. Bless him. Legend.
Pleased we have stopped the rot, Northampton didn’t shut us down and force errors that a lot of teams did before and will do in future, we won’t make playoffs because we’re not consistent enough and have too much ground to make up. But these last 3 games have a least shown that the players & bowyer have got better, hope I’m proved wrong about the playoffs.
Comments
The football I've watched this season has been mainly crap.
The quality of League 1 football is not as high as it was two years ago.
He has done something I think he should of done earlier and gone back to basics. The players look more comfortable with what they are being asked to do and it shows. I think Ben Amos mentioned it pre match about being caught in different ways of playing. Now it looks like that's all been stripped back and the players are asked to play it simple not over thinking other teams and adapting to them.
Now a few better performances does not mean the last few months are forgotten but if Bowyer manages to carry on like this and turn the rot and toxic feeling around then you have to give massive credit and then start to think has over come a massive bump in the road that will make him a much better manager/coach and we could benefit from that if TS carries on supporting him. Only time will tell for me but all the time the players are battling then they have my support and may make me eat my words.
To the game I think everyone was sold and did ok and never really looked in trouble. I have moaned at Pearce but credit to him he has put in some very good performances.
JFC and Watson the best 2 players on the pitch for me. I thought Albie looked poor and the game passed him by but Bowyer was full of praise for him so maybe he was doing what Bowyer wanted out wide and being solid rather than spectacular. Washington worked so hard for the team he does not stop running and doing the hard work, he has a very good close control and must be hard to pick up as he drags defenders all other the place.
All in all I am happy. We have gone back to basics, we are not good enough to play any other way but the end results are 3 points and that is all that matters.
keep picking up points and we will put pressure on the other teams, some of which are now have their period of struggling.
Take those three as an example. Rightly highlighted for solid, experienced performances that may have been the difference in keeping it tight and securing a victory. Yet all three have been guilty of some terrible individual mistakes and decision making that ultimately cost us goals and with it games.
Team loses, players lose confidence, defence blame midfield, midfield blame defence, manager rotates team to give others opportunity, others don’t take opportunity, individual mistake costs us game, more agg, more changes, manager piles in to try and provoke a reaction, air cleared, hit woodwork 4 times and opposition score two worldies back to square one. All of a sudden you’re in crisis.
You can see how it spirals and plays out.
We’ve said it a few times now, but hopefully we’ve turned a corner. s
I don't think we are entertaining to watch, but with Innis nearly back alongside Famewo we should continue to be hard to score against. And we always score a goal or two. Doncaster are also struggling a bit since Darren Moore walked out, so all to play for.
Is Steve Brown the greatest football analyst you've ever heard?
Choose your answer below:
Yes or Yes.
I still need to be convinced that Bowyer is the man to take us forward personally but I have no issue admitting that, based on the last 3 games, hes turning them into a well oiled team who fight for each other.
Millar improved after the break but he is nowhere near the player he was when he first joined...Id rest him and give DJ a chance personally.
Maatsen has his best defensive game in a long time. Washington was great...never gave that defence a moments peace and got back to hassle there attackers...Strikers do more than score goals!!
Keep tight and solid and find that final ball....we could finally go on that run.
If we dont get into the play offs then so be it but we certainly need to end the season with the foundations there to build on for next season.
"up to 10,000 people or 25% of total seated capacity, whichever is lower" will be allowed in stadiums for sporting events, but not before 17 May."
So potentially 10K at Wembley for a playoff final.
Actually enjoyed last night's game but can't help thinking about the silly points we have thrown away this season.
Back to the game and was particularly impressed by Washington while the defence made me at my pre-match words. Onwards and upwards.
I know Bowyer and some posts on here praised him but I didn't think Morgan was very effective yesterday at all myself, I think the RM position would've suited him better (And Millar on the left), can someone explain what I missed? I want him to do well, I just wasn't impressed and thought he hadn't grabbed his chance like Bowyer normally says he wants players to do.
Also think we offer much more going forward with Chuks than Stockley who wins a lot of aerial battles but we seem to resort to hoofball when he's on, especially when under pressure. He doesn't seem to be able to bring it down to the deck as well, whereas Chuks can win the aerial battles, bring the ball down and turn a player and create an opportunity like he did for our 2nd. Might be unfair of me as Stockley's undoubtedly a good striker for this division and contributed well but just seems much more one-dimensional.
I'm not trying to be negative, it was one of the best performances I've watched this season, but just interested in thoughts on the above 2 points.
Bowyer in, Bowyer out..., neither side of the fence are ‘right’ yet
What a game Washington had, he was everywhere, and chipped in with the goals, the ref was right to give the pen, Jake was poleaxed and lucky not to get badly injured, and of course a good second, assist via Chuks. Can understand some negative comments of it being boring or pedestrian in parts, but we are slowly starting to show improvements over the last three games, and now within touching distance of Portsmouth, so onto Saturday we go on the up.
Under the circumstances it is understandable and we need to see where this gets us.