It’s been a few games and weeks of training and MD has had to hit that ground sprinting! Sure, it’s not a good result but let’s see how we get on over the next 3-4 games.
Time now for all-in Doddsball and for him to be more brave and be that Number 1!
I’d never heard of him and it was a bit of a disappointing / underwhelming appointment with people like Schumacher available but we are where we are.
Like @flymofrank I am very nervous about this. We saw how Bloomfield struggled to implement his philosophy of silky football played out from the back when Stryjek was in goal - an impressive shot-stopper undoubtedly, but too quick and impetuous with releasing the ball, which too often went too high up the pitch, was picked up by ease by opponents, and came straight back at us. Our season picked up a year ago when Ravizolli finally got the nod, saving Bloomfield's job in the process. This year, all our best play started with Rav getting the ball to Morley (often via the defenders) and then onwards. The poor form really kicked in when we lost Morley, sure, but with Simmons I hoped we'd be able to get back on track, playing attractive short passes through the thirds once more. But even if he starts from Tuesday onwards, he's going to struggle being as effective as we want him to be if the ball keeps sailing over his head because Norris is kicking it long -- especially as Norris's accuracy didn't seem that much better than Stryjek's.
I can't see a world in which Norris wasn't brought in with the intention of making him number one. But I'm quite concerned about what this means for the way we'll continue to play from now on.
Fully agree. It was so frustrating watching Skura today. His passing completion rate must've been terrible, and so many attacks broke down or lost momentum when it got to him. Not his fault at all - he's probably a League Two standard centre back having to play RB for a top of League One team. But it's astonishing that we're having to play him there after all of the additions we've made to the squad
Very disappointing result. Points definitely dropped. Have to say surprised Dodds left it so long to make subs. How are they supposed to have any impact?
Don't understand why? Can any of the downvoters explain? During our best spell this season our tactics necessitated the full backs bombing forward. Skura has no attacking impetus or talent at all. He's an inexperienced CB with potential to be a solid League One player. He's not an attacking RB. And it severely hampers the team
I think both Luton and us have the same problem - Kone. We miss him desperately up front and Luton put all their eggs in one basket in trying to sign him, when they should have had an alternative target.
He's filling a job in a hopefully short period where Grimmer seems to have an on off niggle and Pattenden has a few weeks out.
We probably couldn't bring another big right back in on top of all the other signings, and presumably Back is not quite deemed to be Skura levels either.
I must admit I never quite feel comfy with Skura in the middle right now, so it feels like out wide takes the pressure off and lets him learn the game. Although I have doubts he'll ever have the aerial prowess I for one love in a centre back, and that we see in the current other options.
Morley has been a starter since being recalled. Personally, I would have invested in him as he’d bedded in. No idea of price (maybe a couple of Danes) so we went for the 2 for 1 deal 😂
For a young 4th choice right back signed for nothing and getting into pro football he's fine, he's not been getting forward and that's not really his game.
Would question why though if we really signed a right back way off fitness with our first two right backs already injured.
We nearly signed Roman Dixon on loan from Everton at the end of the transfer window. He's a right back, he's also on the bench today against Crystal Palace.
Failing to register a win in the last three weeks against Northampton, Cambridge and Crawley, all who are in the bottom 5.
We have spent huge sums on players who can’t even make the bench having been here 37 and 30 days.
Not one of our new signings has been an improvement on what we already had, Bradley has been superb but then so was Taylor and you could argue Bradley was the only player brought in who didn’t fit the data or added value. Great work by Matt to bring him in.
Our recruitment and retention of Kone and Low was very encouraging but why do I feel like we’ve had such a poor window for those coming in. Is it just me??
Comments
Don't panic . We now have Shuttleworth ,who cut his cloth as Wayne Rooney's no2 at DC United , Birmingham and Plymouth .
It’s been a few games and weeks of training and MD has had to hit that ground sprinting! Sure, it’s not a good result but let’s see how we get on over the next 3-4 games.
Time now for all-in Doddsball and for him to be more brave and be that Number 1!
I’d never heard of him and it was a bit of a disappointing / underwhelming appointment with people like Schumacher available but we are where we are.
3 points needed on Tuesday as a must.
Like @flymofrank I am very nervous about this. We saw how Bloomfield struggled to implement his philosophy of silky football played out from the back when Stryjek was in goal - an impressive shot-stopper undoubtedly, but too quick and impetuous with releasing the ball, which too often went too high up the pitch, was picked up by ease by opponents, and came straight back at us. Our season picked up a year ago when Ravizolli finally got the nod, saving Bloomfield's job in the process. This year, all our best play started with Rav getting the ball to Morley (often via the defenders) and then onwards. The poor form really kicked in when we lost Morley, sure, but with Simmons I hoped we'd be able to get back on track, playing attractive short passes through the thirds once more. But even if he starts from Tuesday onwards, he's going to struggle being as effective as we want him to be if the ball keeps sailing over his head because Norris is kicking it long -- especially as Norris's accuracy didn't seem that much better than Stryjek's.
I can't see a world in which Norris wasn't brought in with the intention of making him number one. But I'm quite concerned about what this means for the way we'll continue to play from now on.
We have been long ball for weeks now .
Why sign Morley when instead you could sign two Danes who can’t make the matchday squad after a month
Fully agree. It was so frustrating watching Skura today. His passing completion rate must've been terrible, and so many attacks broke down or lost momentum when it got to him. Not his fault at all - he's probably a League Two standard centre back having to play RB for a top of League One team. But it's astonishing that we're having to play him there after all of the additions we've made to the squad
Very disappointing result. Points definitely dropped. Have to say surprised Dodds left it so long to make subs. How are they supposed to have any impact?
Good job Bloomfield proved instantly he was the best manager ever and won all his first games, otherwise we might pre-judge Mike Dodds
Judging by the downvotes, this is an unpopular opinion.
Skuras passing accuracy was 50% according to fotmob. 19/38
3/10 long balls
0/2 crosses.
Dodd effect in full swing expect us to not only not go up but miss the play offs too.
Possibly because they were asking for a fee far north of what the 2 Danes (and other signings) were?
But the time we all hoped Westergaard was the ready made replacement seem well gone. Not fit, different position!
Don't understand why? Can any of the downvoters explain? During our best spell this season our tactics necessitated the full backs bombing forward. Skura has no attacking impetus or talent at all. He's an inexperienced CB with potential to be a solid League One player. He's not an attacking RB. And it severely hampers the team
I think both Luton and us have the same problem - Kone. We miss him desperately up front and Luton put all their eggs in one basket in trying to sign him, when they should have had an alternative target.
How much was Morley available for?
Skura is a gasroom golden boy is why.
He's filling a job in a hopefully short period where Grimmer seems to have an on off niggle and Pattenden has a few weeks out.
We probably couldn't bring another big right back in on top of all the other signings, and presumably Back is not quite deemed to be Skura levels either.
I must admit I never quite feel comfy with Skura in the middle right now, so it feels like out wide takes the pressure off and lets him learn the game. Although I have doubts he'll ever have the aerial prowess I for one love in a centre back, and that we see in the current other options.
Someone half jokingly at the time of the big bids said something about he could get injured so it might be a risk turning it down.
Didn't think that'd happen so soon after!
The idea that nothing much needs to change because these are the players that got us here is nonsense.
Since the Stevenage game on Boxing Day it's been pretty turgid.
Left wing is a major issue and we need to bring in Sadlier/Berry asap.
A 5 minute cameo from Simons showed that he should be straight in and Leahy should be our back up Left back.
The sooner Grimmer and/or Pattenden are back fit and in for Skura the better.
Needless to say the same for Kone.
Taylor should be starting as he helps bringing the ball out of defence.
Signed 2 Danes for big bucks and neither anywhere to be seen today.
We need to shake things up starting Tuesday.
The overreaction on here is ridiculous. Today was exactly the same type of performance we’ve been seeing for weeks and weeks.
and Crawley are certainly no mugs and reckon they’ll comfortably stay up
Morley has been a starter since being recalled. Personally, I would have invested in him as he’d bedded in. No idea of price (maybe a couple of Danes) so we went for the 2 for 1 deal 😂
Not Impressed.
For a young 4th choice right back signed for nothing and getting into pro football he's fine, he's not been getting forward and that's not really his game.
Would question why though if we really signed a right back way off fitness with our first two right backs already injured.
At the moment it does seem we have recruited based on next season, rather than on players who can make an immediate impact.
But it's never going to be a positive evening of posting after a performance and result like that.
Will see if we earmarked a lot of changes for Tuesday that will become apparent.
13 points in 8 games since that Stevenage game. We are going backwards.
We nearly signed Roman Dixon on loan from Everton at the end of the transfer window. He's a right back, he's also on the bench today against Crystal Palace.
We have been far too average for far too long.
Failing to register a win in the last three weeks against Northampton, Cambridge and Crawley, all who are in the bottom 5.
We have spent huge sums on players who can’t even make the bench having been here 37 and 30 days.
Not one of our new signings has been an improvement on what we already had, Bradley has been superb but then so was Taylor and you could argue Bradley was the only player brought in who didn’t fit the data or added value. Great work by Matt to bring him in.
Our recruitment and retention of Kone and Low was very encouraging but why do I feel like we’ve had such a poor window for those coming in. Is it just me??
Team struggling for points frustrates team at top...when did this start happening in football?
We all thought with the money and teams in this league we would be promoted by now.
X is league Two standard at best (might explain downvotes)
I don't see the players in training or know how fit they are so have no idea why the player that would have won this game for us was not playing.
I predicted a draw and I'm no Mike Dodds.
Still second.
We haven’t been the same team since Morley left, which was going to cause enough of an issue by itself, without everything else that’s happened.
I reckon Simons will solve that problem, surely he’ll start the majority of games from now on.
As for today, a point is a point. Sometimes you’ve got to respect the point, as someone used to say.
Even Kone will struggle with us reverting to long ball .