Well, the third, fourth and fifth divisions are all much of a muchness really. But it's ok, we just need some more generals (we really really do) But how do we get them? Put an add on Ceefax?
I think the only general material we currently have consists of Gape, Mawson, Forino and Stryjek, and that is still with some assumptions being made about personality. I could be missing someone, though.
The summer transfer window was indefensible. Regardless of what spin has been put forward by people on this board the squad was weaker at the end of the window than it was at the start. It’s as simple as that. Therefore how can we expect results to be anything but what they are? It’s not rocket science
What don't I get. Football is based on results and getting best out of players. Something is not right. How long do you give it before you say enough is enough
It's the meaninglessness of using two random next games that throws your post into the bin. For someone who's been around as long as GA the assessment should be over one or two seasons, not games.
Would you swap Mawson and Styjek for Stocko and Stewart now at their ages? The bad start was one thing but the centre mid issues then kicked in, and we should easily have won a couple out the last four.
The big issues from the summer may turn out in hindsight to be a lack of cover in certain position's, fudging the fact none of our fullbacks are anywhere near form, and not taking difficult decisions to let the likes of KaiKai and Horgan go if they aren't going to play.
As much as I have been vocal about the summer transfer window in the past, I think it’s clearer now more than ever that with the lose of Bayo, Stocko and Stewart from the side the squad dynamic really was in a transition period.
Add Blooms and Harrison leaving, that’s been mirrored in the coaching set up.
Neither of these things, except maybe Stocko leaving should have been a shock to the club, the Couhigs and GA as they would/should have understood individual goals and what players/coaches wanted out of the next year or so. Where they really blindsided by all this? Was there a lack of succession planning? Who knows?
either way, I’m confident Gaz and Dobbo can turn this around. But I think there needs to be an immediate recognition that we are in a real transition season and the dreams of promotion really were just that. Dreams.
still confident in my prediction that we’ll be ok this season. But Ok isn’t in the playoffs.
The next 2 games we should be winning, if we don't get anything from them, we will be in the relagation battle, we have a tough run of fixtures in December and January.
Regardless of league position, these turgid, defensive performances, coupled with grimly predictable tactics, will send crowds nose-diving even further.
If you talk big pre-season you just make the under achievement more visible.
It really couldn’t. I am confident that we will finish in the top half of the table, albeit probably not in the top six.
GA is part of the furniture. I’m pretty sure Rob Couhig has complete confidence in him (yes, I know what they used to say about votes of confidence from club chairmen) and would acknowledge that the extraordinarily high number and duration of injuries, judgments of officialdom on quite a few occasions and the departure of several influential individuals have conspired against him for most of this season.
GA himself is clearly convinced that the New Year will see a change of fortune. Now is not the time to throw in the towel. Be very careful indeed what you wish for.
To make any kind of step up the squad needs significant changes. We have too many players who are consistently bang average. And we have too many players who flatter to deceive. And we have too many development players who will not make it. And we have too many players who are consistently unfit.
All squads have players in all those categories. We seem to only have players in those categories.
We should have been brutal in the summer, we weren’t. We are now paying the price on and off the field.
And something is very wrong with the spirit. Maybe Wednesday might reveal some truths. Maybe not.
Especially when we've played this game already this season with Vokes, the keeper situation, the centre back situation pre Mawson, Tafa, McCleary in his 3 game ban etc
I'm surprised one of our favourite gasroom conspiracy merchants hasn't suggested we suddenly put in a terrible 4 game block of performances before this meeting to help sway the momentum to sign everything over to Rob.
Really tedious performance (again). Walsall looked like the higher division side and deserved at least a two goal margin of victory.
Having created zilch before half-time, I couldn't believe we didn't change to a back-four at the start of the second half and add an extra body in midfield to at least attempt some cohesive football. For three at the back to be effective you need better wing-backs than ours.
And as for entertainment value... this season has been a right old slog, as reflected in the attendance.
I don't know why we put such importance on the wing backs. Neither have consistent delivery, and although Obita is more of a winger than a defender I don't think it shows.
Roll on next week. We have to ditch the back 3 when we have 1 of Forino and Taf to support Mawson.
Taf will never look uncomfortable, he's too cool a customer for that, but he doesn't quite look right in the wider centre back position.
I've not seen him play for ages so am going by Transfermarkt, FM etc - which have him down as LF. So he's probably equally good with both, in which case I take back what I said!
Comments
I'm actually not sure I've ever seen a professional team so bad at crossing the ball
Well, the third, fourth and fifth divisions are all much of a muchness really. But it's ok, we just need some more generals (we really really do) But how do we get them? Put an add on Ceefax?
I think the only general material we currently have consists of Gape, Mawson, Forino and Stryjek, and that is still with some assumptions being made about personality. I could be missing someone, though.
The summer transfer window was indefensible. Regardless of what spin has been put forward by people on this board the squad was weaker at the end of the window than it was at the start. It’s as simple as that. Therefore how can we expect results to be anything but what they are? It’s not rocket science
What don't I get. Football is based on results and getting best out of players. Something is not right. How long do you give it before you say enough is enough
To be fair mate i'd say Paul Hayes,don't the players practice penalties in traing sessions?
It's the meaninglessness of using two random next games that throws your post into the bin. For someone who's been around as long as GA the assessment should be over one or two seasons, not games.
Bayo was a good pen taker too. Very confident, no matter what the situation. Did he ever miss one for us?
Would you swap Mawson and Styjek for Stocko and Stewart now at their ages? The bad start was one thing but the centre mid issues then kicked in, and we should easily have won a couple out the last four.
The big issues from the summer may turn out in hindsight to be a lack of cover in certain position's, fudging the fact none of our fullbacks are anywhere near form, and not taking difficult decisions to let the likes of KaiKai and Horgan go if they aren't going to play.
He has done a great job. But giving him to the end of the season could cost us relagation.
Worst comes to worst, if we got relegated, I wouldn't want Ainsworth to be sacked
Well that was utterly pathetic. We look a complete shambles. Very worrying.
As much as I have been vocal about the summer transfer window in the past, I think it’s clearer now more than ever that with the lose of Bayo, Stocko and Stewart from the side the squad dynamic really was in a transition period.
Add Blooms and Harrison leaving, that’s been mirrored in the coaching set up.
Neither of these things, except maybe Stocko leaving should have been a shock to the club, the Couhigs and GA as they would/should have understood individual goals and what players/coaches wanted out of the next year or so. Where they really blindsided by all this? Was there a lack of succession planning? Who knows?
either way, I’m confident Gaz and Dobbo can turn this around. But I think there needs to be an immediate recognition that we are in a real transition season and the dreams of promotion really were just that. Dreams.
still confident in my prediction that we’ll be ok this season. But Ok isn’t in the playoffs.
I'm not suggesting for a minute we don't need to improve but we are in the top half, not cut off adrift in the bottom 3.
That might change and views might but I can't imagine he's anywhere close to the chop at present.
The next 2 games we should be winning, if we don't get anything from them, we will be in the relagation battle, we have a tough run of fixtures in December and January.
Regardless of league position, these turgid, defensive performances, coupled with grimly predictable tactics, will send crowds nose-diving even further.
If you talk big pre-season you just make the under achievement more visible.
It really couldn’t. I am confident that we will finish in the top half of the table, albeit probably not in the top six.
GA is part of the furniture. I’m pretty sure Rob Couhig has complete confidence in him (yes, I know what they used to say about votes of confidence from club chairmen) and would acknowledge that the extraordinarily high number and duration of injuries, judgments of officialdom on quite a few occasions and the departure of several influential individuals have conspired against him for most of this season.
GA himself is clearly convinced that the New Year will see a change of fortune. Now is not the time to throw in the towel. Be very careful indeed what you wish for.
if we continue to play as poorly as today, i'll have to change my name to LOSER.
If “New Year” is what signposts the change in fortune, then at least we know when Josh Scowen is back.
Loser Mellost.
Can one player really make a dramatic difference? It feels terribly vulnerable to pin such all-embracing faith on one individual.
To make any kind of step up the squad needs significant changes. We have too many players who are consistently bang average. And we have too many players who flatter to deceive. And we have too many development players who will not make it. And we have too many players who are consistently unfit.
All squads have players in all those categories. We seem to only have players in those categories.
We should have been brutal in the summer, we weren’t. We are now paying the price on and off the field.
And something is very wrong with the spirit. Maybe Wednesday might reveal some truths. Maybe not.
Especially when we've played this game already this season with Vokes, the keeper situation, the centre back situation pre Mawson, Tafa, McCleary in his 3 game ban etc
I'm surprised one of our favourite gasroom conspiracy merchants hasn't suggested we suddenly put in a terrible 4 game block of performances before this meeting to help sway the momentum to sign everything over to Rob.
Really tedious performance (again). Walsall looked like the higher division side and deserved at least a two goal margin of victory.
Having created zilch before half-time, I couldn't believe we didn't change to a back-four at the start of the second half and add an extra body in midfield to at least attempt some cohesive football. For three at the back to be effective you need better wing-backs than ours.
And as for entertainment value... this season has been a right old slog, as reflected in the attendance.
He’s right footed.
I don't know why we put such importance on the wing backs. Neither have consistent delivery, and although Obita is more of a winger than a defender I don't think it shows.
Roll on next week. We have to ditch the back 3 when we have 1 of Forino and Taf to support Mawson.
Taf will never look uncomfortable, he's too cool a customer for that, but he doesn't quite look right in the wider centre back position.
I've not seen him play for ages so am going by Transfermarkt, FM etc - which have him down as LF. So he's probably equally good with both, in which case I take back what I said!
Problem with ditching the three at the back is we need a LB. JJ hasn’t performed well this season and, as stated, Obita is a winger over a LB.