It seems to me that Adkins has gone down the same rabbit hole as Bowyer. They both over complicated what should be a simple game and the players don't know what to do.
I still say our squad should be top half at the very least, so the dire position is down to a combination of TS, GR, NA and possibly SG, although I feel he was more instrumental in the negotiations than identifying targets.
If he goes, I think JJ has to go with him. He is responsible for defence and set pieces. Organisation of both has been poor for a long time. No invention with set pieces and so predictable. Yes we scored from one today, but that probably goes down to law of averages.
If it is in house it should be Jason. Knows the youth set up and was very successful. Deserves a chance IMO.
I still have not seen anything to change my mind that 4-4-2 is the best way to get out of this dismal run.
I know it sounds odd but I am glad we didn't scramble a last minute equaliser, it would have been a platform for excuses, and it would not have papered over the cracks we have as wide as the Grand Canyon.
I don’t know about anyone else but I’m finding it hard to take two consecutive defeats to sides that were playing non-league football not so long ago.
What gets me more is the WAY we are losing.
It's somehow easier to take losing to "smaller sides" if you can come out feeling that you were the footballing side, bullied physically by a rough lower league side, with a weak ref, bobbly pitch, howling gale and rain etc. Like the classic FA Cup giant killing type of game.
But that's not the case. These so called smaller sides are playing better football than us, passing and moving the ball around nicely, while we hoof it up the pitch
Posting without reading, watching, following the match on Twitter, listening to the radio .. Just seen the score. Did anyone expect anything else? Lose the next two and he’ll be gone by this time next week
I know it sounds odd but I am glad we didn't scramble a last minute equaliser, it would have been a platform for excuses, and it would not have papered over the cracks we have as wide as the Grand Canyon.
It’s a baffling situation we are in. It’s 50 per cent nigel’s fault for his formation and tactics, and 50 percent down to the players. The squad is absolutely good enough so why on earth is is floundering so badly?
I know it sounds odd but I am glad we didn't scramble a last minute equaliser, it would have been a platform for excuses, and it would not have papered over the cracks we have as wide as the Grand Canyon.
You will regret saying that if we go down by one point! :-)
Old man Gunter as a wing back? is Matthews injured? No? Adkins has taken leave of his senses and the squad clearly know they’ve been served a duffer He rightly sacked off the shameless shirking Kirk and DJ but after that he’s got nuthin TS may pull the trigger sooner but if Gills and Pompey yield fewer than 4 points Nige is history JJ has a 100% record after all
Ain’t seen less coherence since Karel Fraeye FFS!!! 🤬😡🤯 Ainsworth is a gobby chancer but he must be laughing his cock off that his ramshackle cabal sewed that up so comfortably in 80 minutes
I keep saying it 4-4-2 with Stockley and Leko upfront.
FFS, he took Leko off - the fans let NADS know that was a mistake.
NADS will be gone by the end of the month.
100% this. We've looked a different team in the short spells we've played 442 this season.
Stockley & Leko would be a top pairing at this level.
Stockley needs dropping. We looked better without him, and our best spells were when we stopped hammering it in his general direction. When he does get the ball at his feet he has little to offer. Sorry, but he's part of the problem, not the solution. Leko came off because he was knackered, it wasn't tactical.
That was such a weird game. It was mate's first attendance of the season. After twenty minutes he said he didn't know what I was going on about when I said how useless we've been so far this season. Dobson was much improved, Soare looked useful, and Arter had a reasonable debut, all things considered. We played some decent stuff, considering it was Arter's debut, Soare's first start, and a new formation, with the back three. The away support was excellent, while we were making a decent fist of it. But yes, even during that spell Wycombe created better chances, out of not very much, with Garath McCleary a real handful (thanks for scouting him for us @louismend). Then we were crap, and they scored. Second half we were still crap but you could see we were trying to play to feet a bit more. A glimmer of hope, but then we were crap again, and it was only a matter of time before they scored the second. Then after the second (where our defending was crap), we were really crap, and the players started shouting at each other, which was also crap, Then the fans started shouting at the players and at Adkins. Which was crap for Adkins. But then Blackett-Taylor came on, Vokes went off, and we started to play ok. Every time CBT got the ball something happened, and we looked like we could score. Then McCleary was subbed, and suddenly Wycombe were crap. Really crap. We had more attempts on goal in the last ten or fifteen minutes than in all the previous matches combined. And one of them even went in. Sitting behind the goal we had a great view when twice shots were blocked on the line, when it might have been easier to score. Make no mistake, we should have equalised - it would have been the strangest 2-2 ever. But we didn't. Which was crap for us all.
Obviously everyone seems to want Adkins gone, and possibly he should go, but a lot of the fault was with the late recruitment, and perhaps he should have two or three more matches to see if he can make the new system work, and the new players gell. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, but we're still a bit crap. I think we might beat Gillingham though, and then our season can start. Despite the defeat, an oddly enjoyable day out.
Just go just got back. I don’t believe things will click into place and we kick on. We are fecked (and I like Nige) and this is like the days of Fraeye. Something dramatic needs to happen.
I wasn’t there but I’ll go with what you posted Seth. This has all the hallmarks of Luzon’s first full season in charge and as you say, even a touch of the Karel Fraeye’s about it.
It’s quite astounding how bad and how quickly it’s gone wrong. I think Adkins (as much as I wanted him to succeed), is in an untenable position, but the players just don’t give a shit at the moment imo. I think they’re going through the motions for whatever reason and it’s unacceptable.
I can’t stand we’ve got the likes of Gunter playing every game. I don’t care for however many caps Wales have given him, he’s been diabolical in his time here and should’ve offered much more. Watson is blatantly taking his last decent wage and probably couldn’t believe his luck triggering a contract extension. DJ, Kirk, massively out of their depth. Morgan, young and naive pretending to play like some sort of Beckham reincarnate when he can’t even play a simple pass.
Today shows just how bad it is because Adkins, to his credit, made some changes, but got nothing in return. When you drop so many after last week like he did (quite rightly), there has to be a response, there wasn’t. Even if we get a win at Gillingham, unless it’s a convincing one, I can’t see any way back now
For me, and I didn’t want to go down this route, because I think we romanticize former players too much sometimes, Jackson is the only viable option if Adkins doesn’t turn it around. A) I don’t know who else at this level is available that I would think, that’s a great appointment, and b) that’s another rebuild. At least Jackson has an affinity with the club and was an intelligent footballer who has done his coaching badges and wants to be a manager, it may count for something.
But to be saying this after 7 games is mental. I think most of us on here, even if they didn’t like him, wanted Adkins to do well and try and bring about a change in ownership and a new start. None of us wanted this, and speaking to my old man who is 68, this is the lowest he’s ever seen us in his lifetime, so I imagine that I can say with almost 100% certainty, there’s no one alive today that has seen us any lower than we are tonight.
I’m grateful for a football club, I’m grateful for TS’ ownership, even if there are serious questions about the competency of how he is running things structurally, but never did I think I could say I’m alive to see Charlton’s lowest position in almost 100 years. Bad times.
It’s a baffling situation we are in. It’s 50 per cent nigel’s fault for his formation and tactics, and 50 percent down to the players. The squad is absolutely good enough so why on earth is is floundering so badly?
Totally understand this point, but surely players of this standard should still be showing some sort of ability, even if they're being played out of position. There should be signs of some sort of cohesion in the team. We ain't seeing hardly any of that accept for maybe that 15 odd minutes in the first half today. And then for about 3 minutes from the 92nd minute to the final whistle...
Been to all 9 games so far this season and if we do not make a change we are going down. All the games we have lost have been deserved defeats, we simply do not have any effective game plan, the attacking plan seems to be just hoof it up to Stockley and the defence is only held together by the keeper bailing them out. What is the formation we are playing, as in the last 4 games league and cup we have changed the formation for every game
Adkins was a logical appointment but it is simply not working. To change formation today resulting in the 2 wingers we have signed on long term deals are not required in the 18 man squad shows that the recruitment and the team are miles apart.
Roddy needs to go as well. We are a very low place 3rd division club. It needs to be rebuilt properly, not with people who have never done this sort of job before. Full Time Woman's teams and applications for Category One Academy status come when you have a settled 1st team, 1st Team Manager and you are at the very least back in the Championship. That is on top of the fact we don't even own our ground.
The club is a right mess, we have an enthusiastic owner but it looks like he is being advised badly it seems. Mistakes happen but they need to be put right very quickly and start growing this club again with more common sense based around on where we are currently at and not we are aspire to be in . If we don't then we are looking at the 4th Division.
Hear hear !!
Firstly I wont dwell on the faults of our transfer policy as I think you all know my thoughts on that.
But echoing the above post what really staggers me is that when we finally do sign some players they are bombed out of the side after just one poor game. And not only out of the side but out of the 18 man squad.
I cant believe Adkins when he says that his method is a passing game, when all the decent ball players are sitting in the stands. If you want an exciting, attacking team then play wide men/wingers who run at defenders with the ball. Blackett-Taylor today showed how it can be done and was the main reason why we looked more threatening in the last 10 mins. We have him, DJ, Kirk and Leko who are good running at defenders - so why are we playing with a 6ft 4 striker whose main attribute is his head. Of course the default play will be to launch it up to him. The top team tonight in the 92 league club pyramid do not play hoof ball. Get the ball on the floor and play.
I do not like seeing managers sacked but if Adkins cant see that by not playing attack-minded players it means we just hoof it forward then he has to go. I quite like 5 at the back, but only if the 2 wingbacks can get forward & can put decent crosses in. Today showed we dont (yet) have the personnel for that & the players we have at our disposal would be more suited to 4-4-2. Play Washington & Lee up top, with Kirk one side & DJ the other. Arter & Gilbey (when fit) - either Morgan Dobson or Clare can fill in for now. Pearce should be nowhere near the side with defenders being Matthews, Lavelle, Famewo & Purrington (when fit).
Anyway - I defer team selection to the manager as he sees them in training. What isn't in dispute is our complete lack of firepower. Game after game we see just 1 or 2 shots on target and any build up play faultering long before we get in range of goal. I have never witnessed such a poor attack minded team - not helped by the fact we never replaced last seasons top goalscorer. Again, I wont say I told you so with regards to our strikeforce but relying on Stockley to be the main focal point of your promotion is akin to relying on Southeastern to get you to work on time.....every day for a year. Guess what - it ain't going to happen.
So summing up. We are in the shit. I still don't think we will get relegated but boy, this isn't going to be the season that so so many had been looking forward to. I don't know if a change of manager is needed just yet, but if so I wouldn't want JJ or Euell taking over. Maybe in a caretaker capacity for a few weeks - firstly to see if they were up to the job - but more so we could actually take our time for once & pick a manager who can instill some belief & tactical nous into this team.
We have some decent players- certainly far far better than joint bottom. Dont think we are good enough for top 6, but top 10 should be worse case from here.
After a slightly shambolic drive to the ground I got there in time to have a nice walk in the woods above Adams Park, it's a really nice area, and a friendly club as well. I had a beer in the main "clubhouse" bar.
After the game I popped down to Marlow to get some draught beer from the Rebellion Brewery
Unfortunately, in between was a football match. For 10 minutes we were ok, then Wycombe sussed us out, our weaknesses down the flanks, and the complete lack of pressure we put on their players, who were able to pass the ball around our penalty box to their heart's content. The first goal was inevitable, and since Nigel made no changes to the side or formation at HT, the second was no surprise either
We could have snatched something in the last 10 minutes as Wycombe subbed their best attackers, and CBT came on for a very decent cameo for us - he looked very lively and tested their defence with his control and directness. It would have been a travesty if we had snatched a draw though.
Very worrying. Endless changes of personnel and formation, but we still look too open defensively and toothless going forward, where we were still hoofing it to Stockley or knocking aimless passes over the top. We pack our squad with wingers, then play a system with wingbacks instead. I see a group of players lacking confidence and not working hard enough but also struggling to play in the systems Nigel is choosing.
You can play wingbacks and still use a winger. Leko was sort of on the wing, and CBT certainly was; I think he'll link up well with Soare. I'd drop Stockley and have CBT wide and Leko with Washington or Davison in the middle v. Gills.
I know it sounds odd but I am glad we didn't scramble a last minute equaliser, it would have been a platform for excuses, and it would not have papered over the cracks we have as wide as the Grand Canyon.
You will regret saying that if we go down by one point! :-)
Yeah I know, but the thing is we didn't get the equaliser anyway, maybe going down will actually rest on the point we don't get on Tuesday.
Assuming Adkins is going to remain in charge and I think he will then I would advise him to decide on a formation and a style he wants the players to play and stick with it with as few personnel changes as possible for now. Get the players used to it and comfortable with it and then allow some of the undoubted talent we have to shine through. At present we’re all over the shop and players are lacking confidence in what they’re doing. Back to basics if you like. What worries me is that I’m not sure NA has the gravitas with the players to get them signed up. Curbs is a decent bloke but when needed he could be a tyrant. Not sure Nigel has it in him ?
Been to all 9 games so far this season and if we do not make a change we are going down. All the games we have lost have been deserved defeats, we simply do not have any effective game plan, the attacking plan seems to be just hoof it up to Stockley and the defence is only held together by the keeper bailing them out. What is the formation we are playing, as in the last 4 games league and cup we have changed the formation for every game
Adkins was a logical appointment but it is simply not working. To change formation today resulting in the 2 wingers we have signed on long term deals are not required in the 18 man squad shows that the recruitment and the team are miles apart.
Roddy needs to go as well. We are a very low place 3rd division club. It needs to be rebuilt properly, not with people who have never done this sort of job before. Full Time Woman's teams and applications for Category One Academy status come when you have a settled 1st team, 1st Team Manager and you are at the very least back in the Championship. That is on top of the fact we don't even own our ground.
The club is a right mess, we have an enthusiastic owner but it looks like he is being advised badly it seems. Mistakes happen but they need to be put right very quickly and start growing this club again with more common sense based around on where we are currently at and not we are aspire to be in . If we don't then we are looking at the 4th Division.
Hear hear !!
Firstly I wont dwell on the faults of our transfer policy as I think you all know my thoughts on that.
But echoing the above post what really staggers me is that when we finally do sign some players they are bombed out of the side after just one poor game. And not only out of the side but out of the 18 man squad.
I cant believe Adkins when he says that his method is a passing game, when all the decent ball players are sitting in the stands. If you want an exciting, attacking team then play wide men/wingers who run at defenders with the ball. Blackett-Taylor today showed how it can be done and was the main reason why we looked more threatening in the last 10 mins. We have him, DJ, Kirk and Leko who are good running at defenders - so why are we playing with a 6ft 4 striker whose main attribute is his head. Of course the default play will be to launch it up to him. The top team tonight in the 92 league club pyramid do not play hoof ball. Get the ball on the floor and play.
I do not like seeing managers sacked but if Adkins cant see that by not playing attack-minded players it means we just hoof it forward then he has to go. I quite like 5 at the back, but only if the 2 wingbacks can get forward & can put decent crosses in. Today showed we dont (yet) have the personnel for that & the players we have at our disposal would be more suited to 4-4-2. Play Washington & Lee up top, with Kirk one side & DJ the other. Arter & Gilbey (when fit) - either Morgan Dobson or Clare can fill in for now. Pearce should be nowhere near the side with defenders being Matthews, Lavelle, Famewo & Purrington (when fit).
Anyway - I defer team selection to the manager as he sees them in training. What isn't in dispute is our complete lack of firepower. Game after game we see just 1 or 2 shots on target and any build up play faultering long before we get in range of goal. I have never witnessed such a poor attack minded team - not helped by the fact we never replaced last seasons top goalscorer. Again, I wont say I told you so with regards to our strikeforce but relying on Stockley to be the main focal point of your promotion is akin to relying on Southeastern to get you to work on time.....every day for a year. Guess what - it ain't going to happen.
So summing up. We are in the shit. I still don't think we will get relegated but boy, this isn't going to be the season that so so many had been looking forward to. I don't know if a change of manager is needed just yet, but if so I wouldn't want JJ or Euell taking over. Maybe in a caretaker capacity for a few weeks - firstly to see if they were up to the job - but more so we could actually take our time for once & pick a manager who can instill some belief & tactical nous into this team.
We have some decent players- certainly far far better than joint bottom. Dont think we are good enough for top 6, but top 10 should be worse case from here.
How many games would you give him before you would want a change?
Having had some alcohol and time to calm down here my 2 cents worth
Dobson had his best game for us today, I was impressed with his desire to win the ball and look to switch play and make something happen. Arter clearly still a classy player but unfit. Defence was abysmal, has been all season and we are suffering for not having a keeper who claims anything. I was impressed with Soare who, like the others showed an intent in the first 15 minutes then just wilted and reverted to type.
CBT ran the arse off their bang average right back who we made look like Cafu most the game, Wycombe are not even a good side in the sense that they play attritional, percentages and are the most cynical side we've played. Couple of really cheap and nasty tackles including going in on Soare when their guy had no right to go for that ball, and the stamp on Arter not to mention Jacobson up to his usual tricks. Hoped we'd look them in the eye and compete at least but allowed McCleary space all game as well as the amount of time Scowan got.
I don't care if its the players or the manager, I was convinced it was the players last season and we still have a big chunk of them at the club, the shit ones anyway with big reputations and pedigree unfortunately the club can't just bin them off.
The whacking it long to Stockley really pisses me off, he is a genuinely good number 9 but if we are going to commit to that style of play at least do what sides who are successful at that rotten style of football do and get players round the big target man to feed off him. It can work but if it was easy everyone would do it.
Tuesday is the litmus for me, that is a game where technical ability goes by the wayside and guts are needed, whilst I'm going and would like to see an end to end, free flowing game where the right side wins I'd rip arms off for a nil nil right now.
I'd be inclined to go 2 up top but with a much narrower midfield. Lee, Dobson, Arter and Morgan would be my midfield with Connor up top with Stockley dropping deep when out of possession to maybe discourage the punts but also because he is capable of playing deeper which would hopefully drag Tucker out of position
Now I hate targeting individuals but Gunter has been a problem and a day dreamer costing us goals since about November last season, McGilvery is a class shot stopper but does not command the box at all and leaves so many balls he should be flying out to claim which sets our centre halves on edge and Famewo is not the player he was last season which must be something mental as physically he is in great shape and has the attributes I think Gunters daydreaming is catching
'Play Washington & Lee up top, with Kirk one side & DJ the other.' Golfie, agree with dropping Stockley, and Washington and Lee up top may be worth a shot (although neither is pacey), but Kirk has shown nothing, and his skill isn't taking players on, it's more about short passing. DJ has shown very little this season really. Surely CBT looks more threatening out wide? More excitement from him in his 27 minutes than I've seen all season. Leko might be worth a pop up top?
What is clear is that too many of our players are taking the easy options as they are frightened to be the reason our play breaks down. This coward's way of playing does not win you football matches. I would rather see us cocking it up having a go than this tame mediocrity. Actually mediocrity is being generous.
Dont know if its been discussed elsewhere and i know its a sensitive subject for some people and i dont want to start a debate but we've really missed Gilbey ...was he not vaccinated? .....why are players not vaccinated? ...seems like a simple bit of admin to stop the season going tits up
Comments
They both over complicated what should be a simple game and the players don't know what to do.
I still say our squad should be top half at the very least, so the dire position is down to a combination of TS, GR, NA and possibly SG, although I feel he was more instrumental in the negotiations than identifying targets.
If it is in house it should be Jason. Knows the youth set up and was very successful. Deserves a chance IMO.
I still have not seen anything to change my mind that 4-4-2 is the best way to get out of this dismal run.
It's somehow easier to take losing to "smaller sides" if you can come out feeling that you were the footballing side, bullied physically by a rough lower league side, with a weak ref, bobbly pitch, howling gale and rain etc. Like the classic FA Cup giant killing type of game.
But that's not the case. These so called smaller sides are playing better football than us, passing and moving the ball around nicely, while we hoof it up the pitch
is Matthews injured? No?
Adkins has taken leave of his senses and the squad clearly know they’ve been served a duffer He rightly sacked off the shameless shirking Kirk and DJ but after that he’s got nuthin
TS may pull the trigger sooner but if Gills and Pompey yield fewer than 4 points Nige is history
JJ has a 100% record after all
Ain’t seen less coherence since Karel Fraeye FFS!!! 🤬😡🤯 Ainsworth is a gobby chancer but he must be laughing his cock off that his ramshackle cabal sewed that up so comfortably in 80 minutes
Leko came off because he was knackered, it wasn't tactical.
That was such a weird game. It was mate's first attendance of the season. After twenty minutes he said he didn't know what I was going on about when I said how useless we've been so far this season. Dobson was much improved, Soare looked useful, and Arter had a reasonable debut, all things considered.
We played some decent stuff, considering it was Arter's debut, Soare's first start, and a new formation, with the back three. The away support was excellent, while we were making a decent fist of it. But yes, even during that spell Wycombe created better chances, out of not very much, with Garath McCleary a real handful (thanks for scouting him for us @louismend).
Then we were crap, and they scored.
Second half we were still crap but you could see we were trying to play to feet a bit more. A glimmer of hope, but then we were crap again, and it was only a matter of time before they scored the second. Then after the second (where our defending was crap), we were really crap, and the players started shouting at each other, which was also crap, Then the fans started shouting at the players and at Adkins. Which was crap for Adkins.
But then Blackett-Taylor came on, Vokes went off, and we started to play ok. Every time CBT got the ball something happened, and we looked like we could score. Then McCleary was subbed, and suddenly Wycombe were crap. Really crap.
We had more attempts on goal in the last ten or fifteen minutes than in all the previous matches combined. And one of them even went in.
Sitting behind the goal we had a great view when twice shots were blocked on the line, when it might have been easier to score. Make no mistake, we should have equalised - it would have been the strangest 2-2 ever.
But we didn't. Which was crap for us all.
Obviously everyone seems to want Adkins gone, and possibly he should go, but a lot of the fault was with the late recruitment, and perhaps he should have two or three more matches to see if he can make the new system work, and the new players gell.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, but we're still a bit crap. I think we might beat Gillingham though, and then our season can start.
Despite the defeat, an oddly enjoyable day out.
I can’t stand we’ve got the likes of Gunter playing every game. I don’t care for however many caps Wales have given him, he’s been diabolical in his time here and should’ve offered much more. Watson is blatantly taking his last decent wage and probably couldn’t believe his luck triggering a contract extension. DJ, Kirk, massively out of their depth. Morgan, young and naive pretending to play like some sort of Beckham reincarnate when he can’t even play a simple pass.
For me, and I didn’t want to go down this route, because I think we romanticize former players too much sometimes, Jackson is the only viable option if Adkins doesn’t turn it around. A) I don’t know who else at this level is available that I would think, that’s a great appointment, and b) that’s another rebuild. At least Jackson has an affinity with the club and was an intelligent footballer who has done his coaching badges and wants to be a manager, it may count for something.
But to be saying this after 7 games is mental. I think most of us on here, even if they didn’t like him, wanted Adkins to do well and try and bring about a change in ownership and a new start. None of us wanted this, and speaking to my old man who is 68, this is the lowest he’s ever seen us in his lifetime, so I imagine that I can say with almost 100% certainty, there’s no one alive today that has seen us any lower than we are tonight.
Firstly I wont dwell on the faults of our transfer policy as I think you all know my thoughts on that.
But echoing the above post what really staggers me is that when we finally do sign some players they are bombed out of the side after just one poor game. And not only out of the side but out of the 18 man squad.
I cant believe Adkins when he says that his method is a passing game, when all the decent ball players are sitting in the stands. If you want an exciting, attacking team then play wide men/wingers who run at defenders with the ball. Blackett-Taylor today showed how it can be done and was the main reason why we looked more threatening in the last 10 mins. We have him, DJ, Kirk and Leko who are good running at defenders - so why are we playing with a 6ft 4 striker whose main attribute is his head. Of course the default play will be to launch it up to him. The top team tonight in the 92 league club pyramid do not play hoof ball. Get the ball on the floor and play.
I do not like seeing managers sacked but if Adkins cant see that by not playing attack-minded players it means we just hoof it forward then he has to go. I quite like 5 at the back, but only if the 2 wingbacks can get forward & can put decent crosses in. Today showed we dont (yet) have the personnel for that & the players we have at our disposal would be more suited to 4-4-2. Play Washington & Lee up top, with Kirk one side & DJ the other. Arter & Gilbey (when fit) - either Morgan Dobson or Clare can fill in for now. Pearce should be nowhere near the side with defenders being Matthews, Lavelle, Famewo & Purrington (when fit).
Anyway - I defer team selection to the manager as he sees them in training. What isn't in dispute is our complete lack of firepower. Game after game we see just 1 or 2 shots on target and any build up play faultering long before we get in range of goal. I have never witnessed such a poor attack minded team - not helped by the fact we never replaced last seasons top goalscorer. Again, I wont say I told you so with regards to our strikeforce but relying on Stockley to be the main focal point of your promotion is akin to relying on Southeastern to get you to work on time.....every day for a year. Guess what - it ain't going to happen.
So summing up. We are in the shit. I still don't think we will get relegated but boy, this isn't going to be the season that so so many had been looking forward to. I don't know if a change of manager is needed just yet, but if so I wouldn't want JJ or Euell taking over. Maybe in a caretaker capacity for a few weeks - firstly to see if they were up to the job - but more so we could actually take our time for once & pick a manager who can instill some belief & tactical nous into this team.
We have some decent players- certainly far far better than joint bottom. Dont think we are good enough for top 6, but top 10 should be worse case from here.
I'd drop Stockley and have CBT wide and Leko with Washington or Davison in the middle v. Gills.
Dobson had his best game for us today, I was impressed with his desire to win the ball and look to switch play and make something happen. Arter clearly still a classy player but unfit. Defence was abysmal, has been all season and we are suffering for not having a keeper who claims anything. I was impressed with Soare who, like the others showed an intent in the first 15 minutes then just wilted and reverted to type.
CBT ran the arse off their bang average right back who we made look like Cafu most the game, Wycombe are not even a good side in the sense that they play attritional, percentages and are the most cynical side we've played. Couple of really cheap and nasty tackles including going in on Soare when their guy had no right to go for that ball, and the stamp on Arter not to mention Jacobson up to his usual tricks. Hoped we'd look them in the eye and compete at least but allowed McCleary space all game as well as the amount of time Scowan got.
I don't care if its the players or the manager, I was convinced it was the players last season and we still have a big chunk of them at the club, the shit ones anyway with big reputations and pedigree unfortunately the club can't just bin them off.
The whacking it long to Stockley really pisses me off, he is a genuinely good number 9 but if we are going to commit to that style of play at least do what sides who are successful at that rotten style of football do and get players round the big target man to feed off him. It can work but if it was easy everyone would do it.
Tuesday is the litmus for me, that is a game where technical ability goes by the wayside and guts are needed, whilst I'm going and would like to see an end to end, free flowing game where the right side wins I'd rip arms off for a nil nil right now.
I'd be inclined to go 2 up top but with a much narrower midfield. Lee, Dobson, Arter and Morgan would be my midfield with Connor up top with Stockley dropping deep when out of possession to maybe discourage the punts but also because he is capable of playing deeper which would hopefully drag Tucker out of position
Now I hate targeting individuals but Gunter has been a problem and a day dreamer costing us goals since about November last season, McGilvery is a class shot stopper but does not command the box at all and leaves so many balls he should be flying out to claim which sets our centre halves on edge and Famewo is not the player he was last season which must be something mental as physically he is in great shape and has the attributes I think Gunters daydreaming is catching
Golfie, agree with dropping Stockley, and Washington and Lee up top may be worth a shot (although neither is pacey), but Kirk has shown nothing, and his skill isn't taking players on, it's more about short passing. DJ has shown very little this season really. Surely CBT looks more threatening out wide? More excitement from him in his 27 minutes than I've seen all season. Leko might be worth a pop up top?