I remember losing my head during and after a 2-2 draw at Gillingham in August 1999. It was the apathy and indifference that led to my exasperation. It feels as if nothing's changed in a quarter-of-a-century. I try but I will never understand the collective sigh and shrug-of-the-shoulders after a performance like today's.
As expressed by the likes of @floyd, it feels a bit brattish to complain about losing after a 19-match unbeaten league run. Very much the ungrateful teenager who has been given the wrong colour iPhone as a Christmas present. However, that performance today was a long way short of the standard those players have set for most of the season so far.
I guess it doesn't really matter how irksome the fans response is, as long as the players, and most importantly the manager, recognise the array of red flags all over the place and act appropriately, calmly and decisively, I don't envy Matt Bloomfield one bit, because he faces a huge task to keep this team in top six over the next couple of months.
As a striker myself (once upon a time), I'd actually say that, as far as finishing goes, that's a relatively easy finish. I'd be pretty annoyed with myself if I missed that one. It's basically a clipped pass into someone's feet, although the "feet" are the size of a goalpost.
It takes 2 to tango. We didn’t play poorly, we were made to play poorly. When you look at teams we have smashed it’s because they gave us space and we tore them up. I don’t care if you are Liverpool or Wycombe if a team closes and harasses you enough you will struggle. Regardless of how committed you are or technically good competent.
It’s up to the coaches to find strategies that can work when we get smothered like today. 4-3-3 is preferred and I’m not in a place to disagree but maybe a change of shape would have helped today.
In the next couple of weeks we will have different options in the form of Vokes and Sadlier available to us and maybe that’s what we need.
Let’s face it today was always going to happen. An amazing bit of history and one to be proud of. Exeter will be the proof I guess
Yep, to my mind being philosophical about taking today’s result on the chin is a different planet from “not caring” about the result - but it has to be taken in the wider context of the season.
Mr Catchpole’s excellent interview with the manager alludes to negative reaction on social media and whether that “drives him on” (MB) - I can’t bear to scan Twitter or Facebook for what he may be referring to, but anyone wetting the bed after this result needs a good hard slap.
I think it's because most people realise that losing one game in 20 and accumulating 47 points in those games is worthy of praise, not a tantrum
You're entitled to react as you like. You are not entitled to label the way others choose to react as apathetic.
I'm proud of what these players and this manager has achieved so far this season. That's the message I'd like them to hear, not collective bed-wetting from fans that have become entitled
There are far too many variables with the January transfer window. We could lose Caleb Taylor, Joe Low, Aaron Morley and Richard Kone. Ask me again on February 4.
Nah, I don't agree. Today wasn't always going to happen, unless we allowed it. We've dictated the play in so many games this season. We're responsible for that as a team, just as we allow the opponent to do it, as we did today.
I would argue that Nathan Jones is the first manager to do a job on us. He found a way to stop us playing and at the same time his attack was a real handful.
It was definitely a penalty. Their defender booted Kodua (or Udoh?) in the shins. Right in front of me. Our player then theatrically dived, but the foul was as clear as any you'll ever see
The two aren't mutually exclusive. You can be proud of the achievements and performances so far this season and still be disappointed and frustrated with today's performance.
You have developed a habit of describing any criticism or expression of disappointment as a 'tantrum or 'bed-wetting' recently. Is that not labelling the way others react too?
Let’s see how we perform on New Year’s Day - which will be an interesting game too as Exeter have been the only other side to seriously worry us recently.
Nice to see that despite the team being top of the table, the middle of the table or just out of the relegation spots, the Gasroom remains much the same.
This January, it seems, will be the most important since...well last January.
You have to give Charlton and the Rev some credit for the second half...after a pretty even (if dull) first half...much as I would not like to.
Had we been 0-0 bringing Kone on at 60 minutes makes perfect sense. Even chasing the game I still had hope, but we had to lose some time.
Two things I enjoyed from Matt’s post match interview:
1) when asked if criticism on social media ‘drives him on’ he paused, and said “no - getting up at 4.30am to provide for my girls drives me on. Spending 21 years at this football club and wanting the best for each and every one of our fans drives me on.”
2) The cheeky smile right at the end when he said “who knows what this window will bring?”
I’m both proud of the achievements this season and frustrated about today. However I have got over today fairly quickly because I don’t expect my team to win every game and know that it’s about how they react that is important. That doesn’t make me apathetic.
Comments
This sounds exciting.
I sincerely hope you are right 👍.
Yep, more than likely @eric_plant 🤣
As crazy as Rav's positioning was, that's not an easy finish.
Nothing more than a hunch, mind you
Don't spoil it.
(Lights pipe)
Aston Villa won the league in the 1980/81 season with just 14 players who between them played 42 games.
No PlayStation 5s and TikToks in those days. Just men who got the job done.
And who were probably doped off their tits(Drops pipe in lap. Sets fire to himself)
Well yes, there were probably players in the 1930s playing eleventy games a week too.
The pace has ever so slightly increased. And today's players might still be walking at 50.
I remember losing my head during and after a 2-2 draw at Gillingham in August 1999. It was the apathy and indifference that led to my exasperation. It feels as if nothing's changed in a quarter-of-a-century. I try but I will never understand the collective sigh and shrug-of-the-shoulders after a performance like today's.
As expressed by the likes of @floyd, it feels a bit brattish to complain about losing after a 19-match unbeaten league run. Very much the ungrateful teenager who has been given the wrong colour iPhone as a Christmas present. However, that performance today was a long way short of the standard those players have set for most of the season so far.
I guess it doesn't really matter how irksome the fans response is, as long as the players, and most importantly the manager, recognise the array of red flags all over the place and act appropriately, calmly and decisively, I don't envy Matt Bloomfield one bit, because he faces a huge task to keep this team in top six over the next couple of months.
As a striker myself (once upon a time), I'd actually say that, as far as finishing goes, that's a relatively easy finish. I'd be pretty annoyed with myself if I missed that one. It's basically a clipped pass into someone's feet, although the "feet" are the size of a goalpost.
Where do you think we'll finish @glasshalfempty ?
And more importantly, what is the correct response to an underwhelming performance and result like today?
All storming the training ground tomorrow demanding answers?
With bedsheets
I believe Mr GFE is a founder member of the infamous Banner Gang, so does have form for producing little sheets with protests on.
The level of protest that 'third with a game in hand' deserves.
It takes 2 to tango. We didn’t play poorly, we were made to play poorly. When you look at teams we have smashed it’s because they gave us space and we tore them up. I don’t care if you are Liverpool or Wycombe if a team closes and harasses you enough you will struggle. Regardless of how committed you are or technically good competent.
It’s up to the coaches to find strategies that can work when we get smothered like today. 4-3-3 is preferred and I’m not in a place to disagree but maybe a change of shape would have helped today.
In the next couple of weeks we will have different options in the form of Vokes and Sadlier available to us and maybe that’s what we need.
Let’s face it today was always going to happen. An amazing bit of history and one to be proud of. Exeter will be the proof I guess
Yep, to my mind being philosophical about taking today’s result on the chin is a different planet from “not caring” about the result - but it has to be taken in the wider context of the season.
Mr Catchpole’s excellent interview with the manager alludes to negative reaction on social media and whether that “drives him on” (MB) - I can’t bear to scan Twitter or Facebook for what he may be referring to, but anyone wetting the bed after this result needs a good hard slap.
https://x.com/wwfcofficial/status/1873482076147667226?s=46
Wet bed sheets
I think it's because most people realise that losing one game in 20 and accumulating 47 points in those games is worthy of praise, not a tantrum
You're entitled to react as you like. You are not entitled to label the way others choose to react as apathetic.
I'm proud of what these players and this manager has achieved so far this season. That's the message I'd like them to hear, not collective bed-wetting from fans that have become entitled
There are far too many variables with the January transfer window. We could lose Caleb Taylor, Joe Low, Aaron Morley and Richard Kone. Ask me again on February 4.
He's referring to the reaction on Twitter following our defeat at Exeter City on Boxing Day 2023.
Nah, I don't agree. Today wasn't always going to happen, unless we allowed it. We've dictated the play in so many games this season. We're responsible for that as a team, just as we allow the opponent to do it, as we did today.
I would argue that Nathan Jones is the first manager to do a job on us. He found a way to stop us playing and at the same time his attack was a real handful.
It was definitely a penalty. Their defender booted Kodua (or Udoh?) in the shins. Right in front of me. Our player then theatrically dived, but the foul was as clear as any you'll ever see
The two aren't mutually exclusive. You can be proud of the achievements and performances so far this season and still be disappointed and frustrated with today's performance.
You have developed a habit of describing any criticism or expression of disappointment as a 'tantrum or 'bed-wetting' recently. Is that not labelling the way others react too?
We could also keep all four and also add even more quality.
Very well put.
Let’s see how we perform on New Year’s Day - which will be an interesting game too as Exeter have been the only other side to seriously worry us recently.
Nice to see that despite the team being top of the table, the middle of the table or just out of the relegation spots, the Gasroom remains much the same.
This January, it seems, will be the most important since...well last January.
You have to give Charlton and the Rev some credit for the second half...after a pretty even (if dull) first half...much as I would not like to.
Had we been 0-0 bringing Kone on at 60 minutes makes perfect sense. Even chasing the game I still had hope, but we had to lose some time.
Two things I enjoyed from Matt’s post match interview:
1) when asked if criticism on social media ‘drives him on’ he paused, and said “no - getting up at 4.30am to provide for my girls drives me on. Spending 21 years at this football club and wanting the best for each and every one of our fans drives me on.”
2) The cheeky smile right at the end when he said “who knows what this window will bring?”
You’ve got to love him.
I’m both proud of the achievements this season and frustrated about today. However I have got over today fairly quickly because I don’t expect my team to win every game and know that it’s about how they react that is important. That doesn’t make me apathetic.