Easy to get dejected and depressed, following that, and our start generally. The fact is, without the injuries and with a couple of additions, we have the makings of a hell of a good side. In Asiimwe, Anderson, Leaburn & Kanu we have the best crop of youngsters coming through at the same time, that I have seen in my 55 years of watching us. Added to that, CBT seems to be getting better every game and is now unplayable, he just needs to add a bit of composure to his final ball.
Dobson is Championship/ lower Prem quality.
We need cool heads both on and off the pitch.
We need an experienced General on the pitch, someone to quide the youngsters, to dictate play, and be a focal point, someone for the youngsters to look to when things are going against us.
Great player that Dobson is, he isn't that man.
Probably the best option would be a highly experienced Centre Half in the twilight of his career who we might be able to pickup cheaply from somewhere. I thought Hector would be that man, but he's too error prone.
That defeat was totally avoidable, and Holden needs to take the blame for keeping a totally knackered Asiimwe on the pitch. Any player with two legs, that could run, would have been a better option at that stage.
Easy to get dejected and depressed, following that, and our start generally. The fact is, without the injuries and with a couple of additions, we have the makings of a hell of a good side. In Asiimwe, Anderson, Leaburn & Kanu we have the best crop of youngsters coming through at the same time, that I have seen in my 55 years of watching us. Added to that, CBT seems to be getting better every game and is now unplayable, he just needs to add a bit of composure to his final ball.
Dobson is Championship/ lower Prem quality.
We need cool heads both on and off the pitch.
We need an experienced General on the pitch, someone to quide the youngsters, to dictate play, and be a focal point, someone for the youngsters to look to when things are going against us.
Great player that Dobson is, he isn't that man.
Probably the best option would be a highly experienced Centre Half in the twilight of his career who we might be able to pickup cheaply from somewhere. I thought Hector would be that man, but he's too error prone.
That defeat was totally avoidable, and Holden needs to take the blame for keeping a totally knackered Asiimwe on the pitch. Any player with two legs, that could run, would have been a better option at that stage.
As much as we do admire our captain for his never say die attitude and desire, there's no way is Dobson a quality championship, lower prem player.
1st game watched this season due to work. I was so looking forward to seeing how we shape up with the new lads, yet we have signed players not yet fit enough to play, 4 games into a season!? That's just bonkers. I know we have suffered a terrible start with injuries too.
But a slow start to a season due to this, is not the way to begin, and hoping that the signings, once fit, will turn losses into wins, as squad confidence will be shot, is risky. It's not that simple.
So the only bright points of yesterday was May opening his league account, and the performances of our academy players. I thought Anderson was bloody excellent considering his age and lack of experience.
Asiimwe was also really impressive, shame about the 3rd goal, but the experienced players leaving him 1 on 1 at that stage of the game was criminal, and I hope the lad isn't too hard on himself.
3 goals for Kanu is a great start for him in his first full season, he looks a bit uncoordinated, yet knows how to score.
I also blame Holden for that 3rd goal. I couldn't see it on the stream, but plenty of you did, as well as brownie and curbs, that the lad was done 10 mins before, yet DH didn't make the change until after the goal. And if he was happy to leave him on, why did he not see that he was exposed, and drop another defender back with him?
I really like the cut of Holden, I also liked Garner and Adkins before him, I'm a big advocate for the mental health side of life, and the way these 3 are very aware of the power of positive mindsets resonates with me.
This does not, however, mean they are good tactical coaches. And they are there to win football matches. I'd say that Adkins and Garner have had success due to a strong, experienced number 2 and 3 next to them in their successful periods. Dean has 2 academy coaches. This is one area that, to my mind, needs fixing immediately. Our set pieces are dire, both in attack and defence. This is purely down to coaching. It's a very inexperienced team.
As for the new regime, and the soundbites from them around getting back to the championship at the earliest opportunity, as this club should be minimum, they most certainly have not provided a squad to achieve this. Not even close. Yes it's good to play our academy prospects, but not as starters for the season. The famous saying, you don't win things with kids, may not apply to a club like man utd, but it definitely does in league 1.
Unless we bring in 4 -5 signings that really improve what we have, we are in trouble already. And that's a feckin horrible thing to have to write down mid August.
Totally pissed off. We now have to win the next five in a row to get back on track!
If 92 points is the target, during the past 3 seasons, only in the last would that not have secured automatic promotion. It seems unlikely we'll put together a winning run having just lost four on the spin. If Curbs was in charge, he'd be parking the bus next week to stop the losing run.
Without transferring in fit reinforcements, and with our continued over reliance on youngsters, whose playing time is being mismanaged, my optimism has all but gone that this season will be anything but a struggle with another managerial casualty, but I hope I'm wrong.
some thoughts at the end and managed to get both our goals and their first for anyone interested.
Basically I thought everyone was pants bar the youngsters and some of the usual suspects & I don't see our fortunes changing until at least Fleetwood at home.
Yet again, I don't think we were that bad but there is a kamikaze element to us that needs to be sorted quickly, as in now. Kanu was a big positive. The lad knows where the goal is which is more than you can say for a lot of his team mates. We all need calm heads at this time and the owners need to strengthen in a few places.
May had a good game, but I wasn't convinced by his penalty. Him taking them is an accident waiting to happen although it did get him off the mark, which was needed, I suppose.
I have been more positive than most over the last week as had seen signs of a good base but yesterday I could not even see that.
I’m gonna hold off saying too much and see how the rest of the window pans out but am concerned that we are only gonna get 2 in when we need 4-5.
Feel sorry for the young lads who have been a credit to themselves and not let anyone down that they are being asked to play as much as they are and with players not yet up to speed.
A number of fans attacked me for my comments over the last few days.
My message top those fans is simple - keep watching that crap and hope it will improve.
It will not because…
- the ownership are clearly clueless [even though new] - the manager and his team are not up to it - the playing squad is not good enough
2 options left
1) STFU and keep spending hard earned on this shit 2) stay away
Option 2 for me - I have given these clowns 3 games and that is enough.
CAFC has never been a team for those in need of instant self gratification, you have made the right choice for you. Those of us with more expeience of long term suffering will discus possible solutions, praise what was good, complain about what was bad bad and carry on supporting the team that was burnt into our psyvhe at a young age by generations of CAFC support before us. We wont STFU nor will we abandon our team.
Another game that we played well and should have won, you can not legislate for absolute individual errors, very disappointing start, hopefully the coming days we will get the players we need in, not gonna panic til window is shut, as much as it’s been disappointing we have the makings of a good team.
Easy to get dejected and depressed, following that, and our start generally. The fact is, without the injuries and with a couple of additions, we have the makings of a hell of a good side. In Asiimwe, Anderson, Leaburn & Kanu we have the best crop of youngsters coming through at the same time, that I have seen in my 55 years of watching us. Added to that, CBT seems to be getting better every game and is now unplayable, he just needs to add a bit of composure to his final ball.
Dobson is Championship/ lower Prem quality.
We need cool heads both on and off the pitch.
We need an experienced General on the pitch, someone to quide the youngsters, to dictate play, and be a focal point, someone for the youngsters to look to when things are going against us.
Great player that Dobson is, he isn't that man.
Probably the best option would be a highly experienced Centre Half in the twilight of his career who we might be able to pickup cheaply from somewhere. I thought Hector would be that man, but he's too error prone.
That defeat was totally avoidable, and Holden needs to take the blame for keeping a totally knackered Asiimwe on the pitch. Any player with two legs, that could run, would have been a better option at that stage.
Whilst agreeing with the sentiment of this post, I agree with the poster above regarding Dobson and although CBT might look unplayable, his final decision making is poor. He should have so many more assists to his name.
I hope Holden learns from the Asiimwe error and doesn't leave knackered players, particularly defenders, on the pitch. He brought Thomas on for Edun and I'm sure Ness could have done a job at RB for the last quarter of the match.
However, one look at yesterday's bench shows the lack of depth in the squad with three or four of the players allegedly on the way out.
I feel things will click into place. Yes, we need some additions and maybe we are starting too many youngsters together where using them from the bench if we could would be better, they are fine prospects, but I think Holden needs a bit of support to turn it round from us and the owners.
I feel things will click into place. Yes, we need some additions and maybe we are starting too many youngsters together where using them from the bench if we could would be better, they are fine prospects, but I think Holden needs a bit of support to turn it round from us and the owners.
I agree they need our support I don't agree things will click into place!
Any idea on the (actual) attendance yesterday? Seemed much more sparsely populated than against Orient.
Looked to be more sparsely populated than Tuesday night against rovers. It is holiday season but i fear that some of the attendees for the orient match will now be on extended vacation.
Just seen the highlights,makes you wonder why you bother.All 3 goals,ridiculous defending,the worse was the 3rd,just look at the lack of effort to get a team mate out of trouble,just a slow jog back,if I was manager,I would have made all those responsible line up and apologise to Akinsinwe. Also seen the Port Vale video on the CBT tackle,impossible to not give a foul and a red card,the ref had a clear view,tosser,but I though our penalty was soft,so I think he was evening things up.
Just seen the highlights,makes you wonder why you bother.All 3 goals,ridiculous defending,the worse was the 3rd,just look at the lack of effort to get a team mate out of trouble,just a slow jog back,if I was manager,I would have made all those responsible line up and apologise to Akinsinwe. Also seen the Port Vale video on the CBT tackle,impossible to not give a foul and a red card,the ref had a clear view,tosser,but I though our penalty was soft,so I think he was evening things up.
Asiimwe is an unusual name for sure, but Akinsinwe? WTF.
Our penalty was soft but the foul immediately before it was ignored and that was infuriating especially when I thought Kanu had then gone over easily and was at risk of a booking. The ref then started booking us for minor things and that screwed our drive a bit.
So, two consecutive matches where the opposition should have been down to ten men. But we are not unlucky, just bad?
Sorry, I know it won't be a popular opinion, but we are gobsmackingly unlucky. I know defensive cock ups don't manufacture themselves, but PV made as many as us and the ball always fell to one of theirs, or ran just behind one of ours. Similar with Bristol.
I think we deserved to win yesterday and deserved draws with both Rovers and Peterborough.
Any idea on the (actual) attendance yesterday? Seemed much more sparsely populated than against Orient.
I’d have put Tuesday night at 8-9,000 and yesterday at a bit less. People will point up holidays but actually you benefit from the kids being off and good weather which pretty much negates that. Midweeks are a problem generally but that was a very poor Saturday crowd, evidently bolstered by some freebies, and very much at odds with the surprisingly good turnout for Orient.
Any idea on the (actual) attendance yesterday? Seemed much more sparsely populated than against Orient.
I’d have put Tuesday night at 8-9,000 and yesterday at a bit less. People will point up holidays but actually you benefit from the kids being off and good weather which pretty much negates that. Midweeks are a problem generally but that was a very poor Saturday crowd, evidently bolstered by some freebies, and very much at odds with the surprisingly good turnout for Orient.
Yesterday I come away feeling absolutely gutted watching us it wasn't down to the lack of effort because I do think the players are given their all But watching us make the same mistakes that we have been doing for far to long I know we lack a decent squad with players out & not enough signings It feels like nothing is being addressed by our manager to fix simple defensive errors that's got to be down to bad management & once again it feels like the club is taking us for granted They gave us all the talk to promote ST sales & we have got a manager & players who is not up for the job
I cannot believe I said I would do the 46. 4 games in and I wanted to throw my camera on the pitch. That game has actually made me miserable.
I will it say now, take the kids out of it. They were our best players and they don't deserve to have their confidence ruined. Playing them will only hinder them, I think it would be irresponsible of Holden to start them next game as you can just tell the atmosphere is gonna get toxic.
Genuinely getting concerned we have been sold a dud. No transfer activity in 20+ days or so, no signs of any signings other than a right back, manager doesn't seem to know how to organise a team. We are just a weak club. How many teams have come to the Valley and rolled us over now? Holden says all this stuff about wanting to make the Valley a fortress? Nonsense. More empty seats than filled seats (not that I blame people not attending), the football isn't good enough to get the crowd off their seats & we don't have the experienced players to win games like that. It's so morbid.
I said we were unlucky the last two games and we were, today we weren't. Tactically inept. No one can use the excuse of squad strength, no disrespect, it's Port Vale. I spoke to about 10 Port Vale fans before the game, not one of them fancied their chances, all hoped for a draw at best. They put 3 past us.
AMB - Terrible, probably not too wise to start a keeper who maybe has 10-20% of his vision blocked. I ain't being dramatic because I said it before, I don't remember a worse keeper than him in recent years, obviously excluding keepers like Harness who never got a chance.
Defenders - all unprofessional, I couldn't stand washed up Pearce, he walks in to this side. Only Asiimwe gets any credit, and the last goal wasn't his fault, I blame AMB and poor tactical decisions more.
Midfielders - non existent. Karoy is a talent but a kid, Dobbo had a bad game where he looked like he was trying too hard, Terry Taylor came with a lot of promise but looks average early doors
Forwards - May just runs about, system doesn't suit him, Kanu looked decent, CBT same old, no end product.
I can't believe we lost that, they looked so so ordinary. If you told even their fans they'd score 3 second half they wouldn't believe you.
Miserable, just miserable. We won't get anything at Oxford either, bogey side. I didn't believe that before the season started that we would get points at Oxford, now I am 100% confident we won't.
The owners have 2 weeks to get this right. If not they have some explaining to do, cause this is unacceptable and we are gonna find ourselves on a downward trajectory to relegation, the only shining light is that there are some really poor sides in this league so league 1 safety should be safe..what a time
I think digging out AMB is a bit harsh, his decision making can be poor but when he’s played he’s made some ridiculous saves which I’m not sure other keepers would have. As for the third goal, unfortunately it was Asiimwe’s fault. I agree he was shattered and probably he should have been off before it. Hopefully he and Holden learn from it. Not sure how AMB cans take the blame for it. He makes a great save but unfortunately our defence is non existence for the rebound and it’s tapped in
Could GK experts please inform me- couldn't he try to parry those shots out of play- he well in front of the post?
Any idea on the (actual) attendance yesterday? Seemed much more sparsely populated than against Orient.
I’d have put Tuesday night at 8-9,000 and yesterday at a bit less. People will point up holidays but actually you benefit from the kids being off and good weather which pretty much negates that. Midweeks are a problem generally but that was a very poor Saturday crowd, evidently bolstered by some freebies, and very much at odds with the surprisingly good turnout for Orient.
Tuesday first then Saturday below.
Felt like Tuesday was busier, but can't blame for people not bothering yesterday
Any idea on the (actual) attendance yesterday? Seemed much more sparsely populated than against Orient.
I’d have put Tuesday night at 8-9,000 and yesterday at a bit less. People will point up holidays but actually you benefit from the kids being off and good weather which pretty much negates that. Midweeks are a problem generally but that was a very poor Saturday crowd, evidently bolstered by some freebies, and very much at odds with the surprisingly good turnout for Orient.
Tuesday first then Saturday below.
The area of the north upper that I sit in is normally pretty packed, even for midweek games, but there were lots of empty seats yesterday.
Easy to get dejected and depressed, following that, and our start generally. The fact is, without the injuries and with a couple of additions, we have the makings of a hell of a good side. In Asiimwe, Anderson, Leaburn & Kanu we have the best crop of youngsters coming through at the same time, that I have seen in my 55 years of watching us. Added to that, CBT seems to be getting better every game and is now unplayable, he just needs to add a bit of composure to his final ball.
Dobson is Championship/ lower Prem quality.
We need cool heads both on and off the pitch.
We need an experienced General on the pitch, someone to quide the youngsters, to dictate play, and be a focal point, someone for the youngsters to look to when things are going against us.
Great player that Dobson is, he isn't that man.
Probably the best option would be a highly experienced Centre Half in the twilight of his career who we might be able to pickup cheaply from somewhere. I thought Hector would be that man, but he's too error prone.
That defeat was totally avoidable, and Holden needs to take the blame for keeping a totally knackered Asiimwe on the pitch. Any player with two legs, that could run, would have been a better option at that stage.
As much as we do admire our captain for his never say die attitude and desire, there's no way is Dobson a quality championship, lower prem player.
Did you hear Curbs say that he's the only one of this team that would make it into one of his Premier League squads?
His game has improved tremendously since joining us. No longer just a "spoiler" his ball carrying, passing, vision and attacking the box, have come on leaps and bounds.
Comments
The fact is, without the injuries and with a couple of additions, we have the makings of a hell of a good side.
In Asiimwe, Anderson, Leaburn & Kanu we have the best crop of youngsters coming through at the same time, that I have seen in my 55 years of watching us.
Added to that, CBT seems to be getting better every game and is now unplayable, he just needs to add a bit of composure to his final ball.
Dobson is Championship/ lower Prem quality.
We need cool heads both on and off the pitch.
We need an experienced General on the pitch, someone to quide the youngsters, to dictate play, and be a focal point, someone for the youngsters to look to when things are going against us.
Great player that Dobson is, he isn't that man.
Probably the best option would be a highly experienced Centre Half in the twilight of his career who we might be able to pickup cheaply from somewhere.
I thought Hector would be that man, but he's too error prone.
That defeat was totally avoidable, and Holden needs to take the blame for keeping a totally knackered Asiimwe on the pitch.
Any player with two legs, that could run, would have been a better option at that stage.
But a slow start to a season due to this, is not the way to begin, and hoping that the signings, once fit, will turn losses into wins, as squad confidence will be shot, is risky. It's not that simple.
So the only bright points of yesterday was May opening his league account, and the performances of our academy players. I thought Anderson was bloody excellent considering his age and lack of experience.
Asiimwe was also really impressive, shame about the 3rd goal, but the experienced players leaving him 1 on 1 at that stage of the game was criminal, and I hope the lad isn't too hard on himself.
3 goals for Kanu is a great start for him in his first full season, he looks a bit uncoordinated, yet knows how to score.
I also blame Holden for that 3rd goal. I couldn't see it on the stream, but plenty of you did, as well as brownie and curbs, that the lad was done 10 mins before, yet DH didn't make the change until after the goal. And if he was happy to leave him on, why did he not see that he was exposed, and drop another defender back with him?
I really like the cut of Holden, I also liked Garner and Adkins before him, I'm a big advocate for the mental health side of life, and the way these 3 are very aware of the power of positive mindsets resonates with me.
This does not, however, mean they are good tactical coaches. And they are there to win football matches. I'd say that Adkins and Garner have had success due to a strong, experienced number 2 and 3 next to them in their successful periods. Dean has 2 academy coaches. This is one area that, to my mind, needs fixing immediately. Our set pieces are dire, both in attack and defence. This is purely down to coaching. It's a very inexperienced team.
As for the new regime, and the soundbites from them around getting back to the championship at the earliest opportunity, as this club should be minimum, they most certainly have not provided a squad to achieve this. Not even close. Yes it's good to play our academy prospects, but not as starters for the season. The famous saying, you don't win things with kids, may not apply to a club like man utd, but it definitely does in league 1.
Unless we bring in 4 -5 signings that really improve what we have, we are in trouble already. And that's a feckin horrible thing to have to write down mid August.
Foul on CBT
Without transferring in fit reinforcements, and with our continued over reliance on youngsters, whose playing time is being mismanaged, my optimism has all but gone that this season will be anything but a struggle with another managerial casualty, but I hope I'm wrong.
some thoughts at the end and managed to get both our goals and their first for anyone interested.
Basically I thought everyone was pants bar the youngsters and some of the usual suspects & I don't see our fortunes changing until at least Fleetwood at home.
May had a good game, but I wasn't convinced by his penalty. Him taking them is an accident waiting to happen although it did get him off the mark, which was needed, I suppose.
as much as it’s been disappointing we have the makings of a good team.
I hope Holden learns from the Asiimwe error and doesn't leave knackered players, particularly defenders, on the pitch. He brought Thomas on for Edun and I'm sure Ness could have done a job at RB for the last quarter of the match.
However, one look at yesterday's bench shows the lack of depth in the squad with three or four of the players allegedly on the way out.
I don't agree things will click into place!
Also seen the Port Vale video on the CBT tackle,impossible to not give a foul and a red card,the ref had a clear view,tosser,but I though our penalty was soft,so I think he was evening things up.
Our penalty was soft but the foul immediately before it was ignored and that was infuriating especially when I thought Kanu had then gone over easily and was at risk of a booking. The ref then started booking us for minor things and that screwed our drive a bit.
Sorry, I know it won't be a popular opinion, but we are gobsmackingly unlucky. I know defensive cock ups don't manufacture themselves, but PV made as many as us and the ball always fell to one of theirs, or ran just behind one of ours. Similar with Bristol.
I think we deserved to win yesterday and deserved draws with both Rovers and Peterborough.
Tuesday first then Saturday below.
But watching us make the same mistakes that we have been doing for far to long
I know we lack a decent squad with players out & not enough signings
It feels like nothing is being addressed by our manager to fix simple defensive errors that's got to be down to bad management & once again it feels like the club is taking us for granted
They gave us all the talk to promote ST sales & we have got a manager & players who is not up for the job
His game has improved tremendously since joining us. No longer just a "spoiler" his ball carrying, passing, vision and attacking the box, have come on leaps and bounds.