I just don't understand why we go into games like this with just one player up front.
In the first half, May was completely isolated and didn't get a look in. He couldn't hold the ball up and it just kept coming back, putting us under constant pressure. Throw in that Campbell, playing the 10 role, and Leaburn, out on the wing, both looked completely lost and that first half was shambolic and Appleton should take much of the blame for that.
At least when we had Tedic and Aneke up front in the second half we looked as if we might score.
I can't make my mind up about Isted. A number of really good saves but he nearly gets beaten from inside the Shrewsbury half (he was so lucky the ball bounced over after he had got his hands to it), he tries to dribble past a Shrewsbury and loses the ball and has to bring him down and his good save in the last minute was from a kick out he put straight to a Shrewsbury player. Its not going to be boring with him in goal, that's for sure.
The formation didn't change when the subs came on, it was more having round pegs in round holes...
If the starting lineup had been Miles up front, May in the attacking No 10 role and TC right wing, it would surely have been more effective?
In fact, for the last 15 minutes of the first half Appleton changed it and that was pretty much how we played.
I just don't understand why we go into games like this with just one player up front.
In the first half, May was completely isolated and didn't get a look in. He couldn't hold the ball up and it just kept coming back, putting us under constant pressure. Throw in that Campbell, playing the 10 role, and Leaburn, out on the wing, both looked completely lost and that first half was shambolic and Appleton should take much of the blame for that.
At least when we had Tedic and Aneke up front in the second half we looked as if we might score.
I can't make my mind up about Isted. A number of really good saves but he nearly gets beaten from inside the Shrewsbury half (he was so lucky the ball bounced over after he had got his hands to it), he tries to dribble past a Shrewsbury and loses the ball and has to bring him down and his good save in the last minute was from a kick out he put straight to a Shrewsbury player. Its not going to be boring with him in goal, that's for sure.
The formation didn't change when the subs came on, it was more having round pegs in round holes...
If the starting lineup had been Miles up front, May in the attacking No 10 role and TC right wing, it would surely have been more effective?
We looked like we switched to 4-4-2 toward the end of the first half. We struggled to get a grip on the game.
I mean if we're going to start May we need someone else up front with him. I think the Miles RW and TC 10 experiment isn't worth how it leaves us short elsewhere.
I expect 3-5-2 on Tuesday, Edun and Assimwe WBs, Leaburn and May up front. CBT and Campbell off the bench.
Edun is injured. I doubt Tenai will be dropped for Assimwe.
V disappointed, we played as if we had lost the last 3. Where was the confidence, conviction? Shrewsbury looked beatable when we got going. I've been prepared to try TC in that new role but tbf doesn't seem to be working. Does MA twist or stick?
Just read Apples views on the main website and I like what he said and the slight venom behind it. We need this, for many many years our attitude to games has been powder puff... To get out of this league we need to have an attitude and let the teams know this. Fingers crossed for the next two games and I wonder which individuals got an uncomfortable half time chat?
Aneke made a big difference. Campbell wasn't working. One thing I noticed and had to keep reminding myself this is League One, but we often had opportunities to make a quick pass but delayed it and allowed the press to happen. I suppose our touch was so poor at times that we didn't back ourselves to make the pass. I don't know.
Not seen enough today to convice me we will challenge but haven't ruled it out yet. The fact is, two wins and two draws from our last four is progress but with a bit of bad luck or mistakes, which we still have in us, we could have lost them all. Yes we could have won them all but we have to start taking control of games as the better teams do. That first half was unacceptable.
Also, Shrewsbury ought to sell all that grass they aren't using to a garden centre.
Appleton needs to move his half-time rollockings forward to pre-match. Yet again we were very poor in the first half but picked it up in the second and created enough good chances to win.
Isted finally showed what a good keeper he can be, with some important saves. Tennai Watson impressed again and the Hector:Jones double act is starting to look much more solid. Terell Thomas looks steady enough in defence now but offers nothing going forward and i remain of the opinion that Tayo Edun is a better all round option for us in the left back position.
Of all the midfield and attacking players on the pitch in the first half, only Dobbo acquitted himself well The rest were simply poor, with Alfie May and Tyreece Campbell looking particularly jaded and CBT having a rare ineffective game. Louie Watson, despite a couple of bad errors near the end of the game, gave us a composure and mobility in midfield that had previously been lacking. Then Chuks and Tedic added a more potent threat and we dominated much of the last half hour.
Overall, the game was a pretty accurate representation of third division football. Determination, strength and energy largely outweighed the skill factor.
Another game unbeaten and an away point looks ok on paper, but Appleton will know that was nowhere near good enough. We’ve got to do much better if we want to rise above mid-table obscurity.
Saved me typing on my phone with one finger. Spot on..
1. MA stated after the games that he learned a lot and is closer to knowing his starting line up. Let’s hope one of the players who will benefit will be… 2. Louie Watson. I really like him. He should start from now on. Yes, he made two mistakes near the end, but I’m hoping they were blips.
3. We now know Isted can make saves, albeit unconventionally.
4. Tenai Watson is a solid enough right back 5. Jones is improving with every game.
If you want to avoid football scores until 10.30pm I graciously would say that you avoid a football forum.
I have to hold my tongue/fingers during the game as I've been "told off" before about posting Premier League scores as they happen but I dont see why the minority have to hold sway over the majority.
I think it's time those who don't want to know the scores before MOTD should "look away now" (as they say on the news).
If you want to avoid football scores until 10.30pm I graciously would say that you avoid a football forum.
I have to hold my tongue/fingers during the game as I've been "told off" before about posting Premier League scores as they happen but I dont see why the minority have to hold sway over the majority.
I think it's time those who don't want to know the scores before MOTD should "look away now" (as they say on the news).
So there are still people who watch MOTD!.., gave that up in 2007...🙄
Appleton is showing why he is just like Holden, Garner, Adkins.....etc etc.
No idea how to set us up & then moans at the players when they dont deliver his stupid tactics.
I wasn't there or watch a stream but by the sounds of it we didnt play that well. A defeat could have put us 17th & only because of teams carrying points deductions could have been even lower.
I dont see drawing 0-0 away from home as an achievement as some people do. Yes we didnt lose but that's 2 draws out of 3 and this season is slowly becoming just like last year. No hope of getting close to the top 6 & game after game goes by where we play insipid uninspiring football that leads nowhere.
Appleton is showing why he is just like Holden, Garner, Adkins.....etc etc.
No idea how to set us up & then moans at the players when they dont deliver his stupid tactics.
I wasn't there or watch a stream but by the sounds of it we didnt play that well. A defeat could have put us 17th & only because of teams carrying points deductions could have been even lower.
I dont see drawing 0-0 away from home as an achievement as some people do. Yes we didnt lose but that's 2 draws out of 3 and this season is slowly becoming just like last year. No hope of getting close to the top 6 & game after game goes by where we play insipid uninspiring football that leads nowhere.
Another wasted season.
Leaburn spent a decent amount of time playing through the middle and wasn’t particularly effective there either.
We don’t have the players with physicality or experience to go with a two in the middle 4-4-2 so it’s either this 4-3-3 or it’s 3-5-2. We would’ve played even worse today with that formation.
One option doesn’t have CBT in his best position, the other doesn’t have Leaburn in his best position.
Appleton is showing why he is just like Holden, Garner, Adkins.....etc etc.
No idea how to set us up & then moans at the players when they dont deliver his stupid tactics.
I wasn't there or watch a stream but by the sounds of it we didnt play that well. A defeat could have put us 17th & only because of teams carrying points deductions could have been even lower.
I dont see drawing 0-0 away from home as an achievement as some people do. Yes we didnt lose but that's 2 draws out of 3 and this season is slowly becoming just like last year. No hope of getting close to the top 6 & game after game goes by where we play insipid uninspiring football that leads nowhere.
Another wasted season.
What!! another 37 matches left last time i looked...give the guy a chance..🤔
I was led to believe there was some sort of incredible highlight involving a shot from a very long way out? Sky haven't seen fit to include it in their package, but they have included a routine catch from a flicked header. I guess I'll never know
Re the ref, who overall was one of the better ones. If you didnt have the stream, you may not be aware of the following
1. L. Watson’s yellow. He just failed to keep a loose touch from running out of play and in frustration kicked the ball straight against the ad-board. It richocted straight back to the touchline. He was booked for…what? Time-wasting? The ball was available more quickly than if he’d left it. Dissent? What, dissent against his own failure?
2. 8 mins were added (yes I know it’s a minimum). When Isted made his final save the clock showed 98.45. There were no subs, nor injuries in the 8 mins.
I have some sympathy for the ref as he was in both cases trying to follow instructions from “above”. Well it’s about time “above” showed their faces and are asked to account publicly for this chaos. Mark my words, before the end of the season there will be a serious injustice which will change the outcome of a club’s season. Probably not us, but that’s not the point.
I was led to believe there was some sort of incredible highlight involving a shot from a very long way out? Sky haven't seen fit to include it in their package, but they have included a routine catch from a flicked header. I guess I'll never know
Speculative lob by the Shrewsbury striker from the halfway line after he spotted Isted out of the box, which somehow he got back into the goal to tip round the post, resulting in a leg injury, it was a good recovery save...but typical of Sky not to show important stuff...
Appleton is showing why he is just like Holden, Garner, Adkins.....etc etc.
No idea how to set us up & then moans at the players when they dont deliver his stupid tactics.
I wasn't there or watch a stream but by the sounds of it we didnt play that well. A defeat could have put us 17th & only because of teams carrying points deductions could have been even lower.
I dont see drawing 0-0 away from home as an achievement as some people do. Yes we didnt lose but that's 2 draws out of 3 and this season is slowly becoming just like last year. No hope of getting close to the top 6 & game after game goes by where we play insipid uninspiring football that leads nowhere.
Another wasted season.
The real issue is that it’s glaringly obvious Leaburn needs to play as does May…
however, it’s how you fit May, leaburn, dobson, CBT & Watson/Fraser/camara into a team elbowing you want them there as they’re the top players - it just doesn’t work!
Leaburn and may will start together at some point (May even be Tuesday) but it’s who you want behind them that causes the issues. I don’t think T Campbell has done enough to continue as a 10, and presumably you rather 2 wingers/wide players in CBT & one of the Campbells- knowing you need Dobson central with a playmaker
And am I understanding right? , Shrewsbury narrowed the plitch before this game? Before CBT comes to town? And that’s alright, is it?
But sure, let’s get “tough” with “time-wasting”.
Kind of looked like they did, if you look at the nearside touchline, there is about 20 feet of runoff, and a clear dark line where the touch line was erased, CBT was never really in the game, and lack of width was an issue imo...
If you want to avoid football scores until 10.30pm I graciously would say that you avoid a football forum.
I have to hold my tongue/fingers during the game as I've been "told off" before about posting Premier League scores as they happen but I dont see why the minority have to hold sway over the majority.
I think it's time those who don't want to know the scores before MOTD should "look away now" (as they say on the news).
As an international fan , the first thing I do when I wake up is check in here. I then scratch my balls, have a wee and then watch premiership highlights. So assuming other international fans are the same (excluding scratching my nads), it would be awesome if the thread each week could be about this game only.
Comments
It’s concerning how dependent we are on our substitutions to get us properly firing - Chuks in particular.
Was my first time visiting the Shrewsbury stadium. About as bland as they come.
Our corners still don’t clear the first defender enough times.
I doubt Tenai will be dropped for Assimwe.
Fingers crossed for the next two games and I wonder which individuals got an uncomfortable half time chat?
Not seen enough today to convice me we will challenge but haven't ruled it out yet. The fact is, two wins and two draws from our last four is progress but with a bit of bad luck or mistakes, which we still have in us, we could have lost them all. Yes we could have won them all but we have to start taking control of games as the better teams do. That first half was unacceptable.
Also, Shrewsbury ought to sell all that grass they aren't using to a garden centre.
1. MA stated after the games that he learned a lot and is closer to knowing his starting line up. Let’s hope one of the players who will benefit will be…
2. Louie Watson. I really like him. He should start from now on. Yes, he made two mistakes near the end, but I’m hoping they were blips.
5. Jones is improving with every game.
I have to hold my tongue/fingers during the game as I've been "told off" before about posting Premier League scores as they happen but I dont see why the minority have to hold sway over the majority.
I think it's time those who don't want to know the scores before MOTD should "look away now" (as they say on the news).
So there are still people who watch MOTD!.., gave that up in 2007...🙄
Appleton is showing why he is just like Holden, Garner, Adkins.....etc etc.
No idea how to set us up & then moans at the players when they dont deliver his stupid tactics.
I wasn't there or watch a stream but by the sounds of it we didnt play that well. A defeat could have put us 17th & only because of teams carrying points deductions could have been even lower.
I dont see drawing 0-0 away from home as an achievement as some people do. Yes we didnt lose but that's 2 draws out of 3 and this season is slowly becoming just like last year. No hope of getting close to the top 6 & game after game goes by where we play insipid uninspiring football that leads nowhere.
Another wasted season.
Thomas is terrible going forward. Jones was immense. Hector didnt fuck about either.
Terry Taylor needs games to get fit as he's looking McGrandles-esque. L Watson was very tidy when he came on.
CBT had the width liberally cut by the Shrewsbury groundstaff. Tyreece Campbell isn't a 10.
May needs somebody alongside him. Leaburn looked poor out wide.
Dobson never shirked and always shows even when he doesn't have his best game. Aneke has made a difference each time he comes on.
The ref had a good first half and shocking second half. I'd like us to start the game in the 1st minute not the 46th.
We were outfought and outpressed first half- that simply isn't acceptable.
We don’t have the players with physicality or experience to go with a two in the middle 4-4-2 so it’s either this 4-3-3 or it’s 3-5-2. We would’ve played even worse today with that formation.
One option doesn’t have CBT in his best position, the other doesn’t have Leaburn in his best position.
1. L. Watson’s yellow. He just failed to keep a loose touch from running out of play and in frustration kicked the ball straight against the ad-board. It richocted straight back to the touchline. He was booked for…what? Time-wasting? The ball was available more quickly than if he’d left it. Dissent? What, dissent against his own failure?
I have some sympathy for the ref as he was in both cases trying to follow instructions from “above”. Well it’s about time “above” showed their faces and are asked to account publicly for this chaos. Mark my words, before the end of the season there will be a serious injustice which will change the outcome of a club’s season. Probably not us, but that’s not the point.
however, it’s how you fit May, leaburn, dobson, CBT & Watson/Fraser/camara into a team elbowing you want them there as they’re the top players - it just doesn’t work!