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Post by OohMac on May 3, 2021 7:46:55 GMT
I dont expect us to win at Crawley. I just dont think we're capable of putting in two halves of winning football.
Imagine this and last season of uncertainty has left huge squads on short contracts so dont think that any team "has nothing to play for" imagine there will be players wanting better terms, similar terms, permanent deals, extensions, another chance, etc. Plus most managers want the same and to end the season high. Bolton will always have that target. I believe the match is televised so Crawley will be well up for this. The double on Bolton.
Expect Morecambe to win but expected Cambridge to win thier last games and expected us to be up already. So it is huge we get a point but really has to be go and get those 3 or 4 goals needed to ensure a win.
Our record on Tuesday(midweek) games is remarkable. Why is that? For me its the lack of over coaching in Lostock from 'Pep in his head'and players doing it on thier terms.
I hope training sessions this week are back to basics. Crossing. Shooting.
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Post by whitesince63 on May 3, 2021 8:58:28 GMT
I do expect us to win OM, Crawley are nothing special and though they won’t just fall over for us, I doubt they will have the same fighting spirit that Exeter showed. What disappointed me most though, was why we didn’t also show a fighting spirit? It’s not the first time we’ve gone back into our shell and it illustrates a worrying weakness in the mentality of the squad generally. Gillo’s comments about the players being silent for 90 minutes after also bothers me because I’d have been livid and would have shown it. Sitting there sulking isn’t what I want to hear and unless they find some courage next week your lack of confidence may well be justified. The most puzzling thing for me though is why our players just seem to fear shooting. Every game we have numerous opportunities yet completely ignore them, preferring to pass instead. I don’t expect 40 yarders but I do expect players who’s job is to score goals to at least attempt it when in and around the box. I don’t know whether this is against Evatt’s passing system, or just the players lacking the confidence to do it. If you consider Saturday, their keeper had nothing to do in the second half and he’s not the first one. How many keepers have had a busy time visiting here? To be honest, most of the saves I’ve seen have been from Gilks, we’re just not working opposition keepers enough for me. I recall before he came here how in his Barrowcelona podcast he stated that when his teams scored, he liked them to score a second, then a third and kill the game off but so far I’ve seen none of that and quite the reverse in fact. Of course IE may be just as frustrated as us but can’t do much about it until the summer, so let’s hope that he can at least motivate them to one last hurrah at Crawley then we can deal with that later.
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Post by OohMac on May 3, 2021 11:27:43 GMT
May think this is a bit knee jerk but in all honesty im luke warm at best to Evatt still. Lessons dont get learnt.
Had Delaney not got injured he may still have kept his 3 at the back with a RB playing left wing back. Crellin stayed in the squad a good 6 weeks later than he should. Doyle has been ever present and the same interchangeable selections. No one has done well in those wide attacking roles but wont change it. Set pieces awful all season. Getting worse if anything. Says we practise them. No manager should have to flag that we are practising them.
Hes not once taken any blame. Each defeat is too many players sub par. Yeah, we know.
Lets face it on Evatts CV is promotion with Barrow but he wasnt there at the end winning those games to get them over the line. At crunch time it was PPG that crowned them. If weve seen anything this year its never expect results.
I know he got us from 19th to 3rd but maybe another manager who has beans to spend like Duff, Taylor even Derek Adams would be saying with that squad I would never be in 19th. Then give me Kieran Lee, Declan John, Dapo, to go along with Doyle, Santos, Ghanoua and Miller and I would win 15 out of 20. Difference being i'd be hitting teams for 4 and 5!
Will never know but think Evatt lives Derby(shire). Operation Rooney is a flop. It wouldnt worry me and it may be a good move all around if we could double our compo money take £500k for the pair and start again and let him progress with Pepball elsewhere.
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Post by davidm on May 3, 2021 13:22:18 GMT
It’s hard to believe the amount of negativity on here.
Yes, we lost on Saturday when it was in our hands but, everybody, look at the league table. We are 3rd, one win from promotion.
Give the manager some praise. He started terribly and appeared stubborn but, regardless of how or why he changed, he has got us in an excellent position. 3 defeats in the last 20+ games.
Looking ahead to Saturday, again Yes we played poorly on Saturday but look at the form table.
Last 10 games, 6 wins and a draw, Crawley – 2 wins 4 draws and 4 defeats.
Last 6 aways, 4 wins and 2 defeats – beating Forest Green, Salford & Morecambe.
Crawley last 6 homes, 2 wins, 2 draws & 2 defeats.
So why are we all so down?
Chins up, a good win on Saturday and we can plan (and worry about) next season.
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Post by riochforthereebok on May 3, 2021 13:50:09 GMT
Some might say, what if? I’m saying it.
What if?
What if we fall at Crawley and what if we fall in the play offs. Yes davidm I totally agree, there is some negativity on here, not least from myself What would be the business reaction from our owners? What will be the business reaction from this BooHoo news? What would happen to Evatt? What would happen to the squad of misfits?
After the first 5 games, there were comments of “well at least we’ve still got a club” and “I’d be happy to avoid the drop” and now as we sit on the cusp of promotion one more time, we’re all so doom and gloom save for the odd one (W63 and yourself dm)
I just think that this Exeter result has gotten to us all, including the positive amongst us.
We had a foot in League One.
I’m thinking, 15,000 gates, better football, more sponsorship, better players, yes, we took to the field with one simple target in mind, the same as Exeter’s, win this game at all costs. We’re at home ffs, we have home advantage (ok, no fans, but home advantage) We should have taken Exeter by the scruff of the neck and buried them in glorious style, but sadly, that’s not our ‘brand’ of football And then we take to the field and fail miserably, so why should I go into the Crawley game with any positivity I’ll say it one more time COYWM ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ Let’s do this🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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Post by whitesince63 on May 3, 2021 15:12:26 GMT
I think it’s probably more frustration than negativity David. Like you I think we sometimes overlook where IE has taken us from in such a relatively short time. Even the very best managers didn’t turn things round overnight and they did it without embargo’s and penalties. My personal complaint isn’t against IE, I’m 100% behind him and don’t share the major concerns OM does, it’s against some of our players who I feel are letting him down. I admire the fact that even in adversity he’s stuck to his principles giving every player chance to convince him they should be in the team. The Billy Crellin situation is one side but Rico is the other. Some wanted Rico dropped but IE kept faith with him and it’s paid dividends. I think it’s players like Fonz and Doyle that have let him down most because both should be performing far better. He signed Isgrove as the provider for Doyle but I can’t actually remember one assist for him so far and as for Dapo, he seems to be going backwards. Sadly IE is stuck with what he’s got and to be fair to him, he has tried to mix it up to get better from the team. I think Saturday really disappointed him and will give him food for thought in the summer because he obviously can’t rely on players he believed he could. Between now and the weekend he’s got to work out who he thinks he can rely on and who he now knows he can’t and it wouldn’t surprise me if there were a few changes made but he is limited in that so like it or not he’s got to try and encourage one last performance from them. It’s all part of his learning process and I think it will benefit us in the long term as long as we can hold onto him.
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Post by whiteofthesouth on May 3, 2021 15:42:02 GMT
Obviously, very much not the result we were hoping for, but everything is still in our hands. Surely a better position to be in than Morecambe. However, win or lose next week, and win or lose in the playoffs if the latter happens, I’m confident about a few things: . The owners will stick with the project and see it through. They won’t have been so presumptuous as to rely on us getting promoted first time around. They’re smart people and will have made plans, financial and otherwise, to cover either going up or staying down. I think they’ve already proven they’re not in it for a fast buck. . We won’t need outside funding providing we can get a decent number of fans back in the stadium. I think the Kamanis are a red herring, at least for now. . Ian Evatt will still be here next season. The owners have backed him. He’s still learning, but I reckon he feels he can go all the way with us. He’s had to cope with a squad someone else recruited, but next year it’ll be his own. . The recruitment over the summer will be much better than this season. I have no doubt there will be a shake up and even a clean out of the squad. Obviously, with the end of the embargo, player trading will be possible, but we may not even need it if more end-of-contract and loans deals can be done. I see this January as a precursor of that potential. Higher division clubs like to see their loanees go out to a proper football club! I don’t see Saturday being a walk over, but they’ve got nothing much to play for whereas we have everything. For one, I’m looking forward to it.
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Post by whitesince63 on May 3, 2021 17:17:40 GMT
Well said White, exactly my thoughts. Though Saturday was more than disappointing, it wasn’t actually decisive because we have another go this weekend. Nerves obviously affected the players on Saturday, too few of them delivered, especially the senior ones like John, Doyle and Fonz who again went missing and I think IE too felt that strongly and really let down. I’m sure that will impact his choices for Saturdays game and we may see the likes of Jackson, Brockbank and Zebedee return to the squad. I’m unsure about Sarce who just basically didn’t look fit to me so I’d be surprised if he started again, maybe an impact sub role if needed might be best. It’s always natural to think that your experienced players are the ones to turn to in situations like this but sometimes, young players without fear and full of exuberance and energy can perform better. I wonder if Delfouneso will even make the squad? I hope not this time because for me he’s been the single biggest disappointment of the season, all that ability but an attitude and work rate that stinks. Evatt learned some home truths I think on Saturday and there may be some surprises in the line up at the weekend. Could Ronan finally get a chance?
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Post by andyl on May 3, 2021 17:55:52 GMT
Although I doubt he will think this way I do think there's an argument for really getting to grips with midfield and not bothering with flaky wingers. Options could include:
Playing both John and Jackson on the left and omitting Dapo
Playing Brockbank in a central five and allowing Santos to move forward at will or playing Brockbank on the right of a midfield three or at full back with Jones moving forward
Going 4-4-2 and playing both Miller and Doyle
Going 4-5-1 much as above, omitting the wingers and Doyle and leaving Elbouzedi's pace upfront
Whatever team he goes with we must have all of it trying for the whole game. If Delfouneso, Sarcevic, Isgrove and Dapo all start we are in the play offs for sure
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Post by riochforthereebok on May 3, 2021 18:15:46 GMT
Although I doubt he will think this way I do think there's an argument for really getting to grips with midfield and not bothering with flaky wingers. Options could include: Playing both John and Jackson on the left and omitting Dapo Playing Brockbank in a central five and allowing Santos to move forward at will or playing Brockbank on the right of a midfield three or at full back with Jones moving forward Going 4-4-2 and playing both Miller and Doyle Going 4-5-1 much as above, omitting the wingers and Doyle and leaving Elbouzedi's pace upfront Whatever team he goes with we must have all of it trying for the whole game. If Delfouneso, Sarcevic, Isgrove and Dapo all start we are in the play offs for sure I like the 4-5-1 option AndyL and your last paragraph really nails it for me. Sarce, Dapo as subs but Isgrove to start as I think he can make the right impact, although service to one man up front worries me. Maybe go with 4-4-2 Doyle Miller, maybe try Jackson and GT to start and who knows!! COYWM ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ He’s tried everything else and it’s so or die time
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Post by kenglowhite on May 3, 2021 19:10:16 GMT
Yes, as I said earlier on this thread - make the midfield secure to cover the defence and juggle the attack and subs as necessary during the course of the game. Some are saying it's on Sky. Anyone able to confirm that ?
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Post by davidm on May 3, 2021 20:17:30 GMT
Yes, as I said earlier on this thread - make the midfield secure to cover the defence and juggle the attack and subs as necessary during the course of the game. Some are saying it's on Sky. Anyone able to confirm that ? Yes it's on Sky Sports Football from 2:45. Which means that it is NOT on iFollow
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Post by OohMac on May 4, 2021 6:09:44 GMT
Well said White, exactly my thoughts. Though Saturday was more than disappointing, it wasn’t actually decisive because we have another go this weekend. Nerves obviously affected the players on Saturday, too few of them delivered, especially the senior ones like John, Doyle and Fonz who again went missing and I think IE too felt that strongly and really let down. I’m sure that will impact his choices for Saturdays game and we may see the likes of Jackson, Brockbank and Zebedee return to the squad. I’m unsure about Sarce who just basically didn’t look fit to me so I’d be surprised if he started again, maybe an impact sub role if needed might be best. It’s always natural to think that your experienced players are the ones to turn to in situations like this but sometimes, young players without fear and full of exuberance and energy can perform better. I wonder if Delfouneso will even make the squad? I hope not this time because for me he’s been the single biggest disappointment of the season, all that ability but an attitude and work rate that stinks. Evatt learned some home truths I think on Saturday and there may be some surprises in the line up at the weekend. Could Ronan finally get a chance? This is what i dont get Whites. This is your PoV but it is almost the antithesis of the way Evatt thinks/does things Off the boil Doyle - starts every single game. Usually gets subbed last off around 80m. Sarcevic - hasnt looked match fit all season. Hopes raised at Morecambe but then we saw his usual game at Exeter. He doesnt create, he doesnt score that many. He has been a big disappointment. Delfouenso - started as a striker to partner Doyle, realised he couldnt do thay role. Shoved out on wing, realised he couldnt do that role. No 10 to replace Realised he couldnt do that role. Stop shoehorning your old chum in and realise hes not got it and hes robbing the likes of Darcy the chance. Mr Darcy - As you said sometimes there is a case for a fearless young confident player to go and think "what fuss" and play thier best game. Its embarrassing that these young lads turn up to do a warm up around 1pm before senior players and thats thier peak of the footballing week. When Evatt picks a winning team he can leave Darcy locked in the attic. As soon as he loses the questions always Wheres Darcy?
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Post by beenheresince53 on May 4, 2021 10:19:01 GMT
I think it’s to late in the season for experimenting with youngsters I can’t forget Dougie Freedman playing Rob Hall against Blackpool at home in 2013 what a mistake we were 0-2 down in the first 20 minutes or so the young Hall had little first team experience after he was subbed we ended up with a 2-2 draw and pipped by Leicester City. We should stick with the team that has got us into 3rd in the league now isn’t the time to chop and change. I’m in the positive camp and think we can pick our selves up after the Exeter disappointment.
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Post by whitesince63 on May 4, 2021 10:39:10 GMT
I fully agree with that 53, now is not the time for drastic changes in either system or personnel. These players and this system since January have got us to where we are and like it or not, have to be trusted to take us all the way. There are exceptions of course and I include Fonz, who shouldn’t even be in the squad and Sarce who should at best be on the bench. The only concession I’d make to that would be trying Jackson in the midfield role left by Lee’s absence. Down that left side, John, Jacko and Dapo could prove a major threat and with Isgrove and Jones piling down the right we might carry a bit more threat. We have to stick with Doyle I’m afraid because he’s the only true scorer we’ve got and I’m not personally a fan of Miller. I don’t think it needs anything dramatic, this team if it plays anywhere near potential would be far too good for Crawley. The only fear I have is our lack of finishing and I’d like to see us try to get shots off quicker than we currently do. According to stats I understand we had 14 shots at Exeter with only two on target. I recall the two on target but I must have been asleep for the other twelve, as I must have every week when similar stats appear, because I don’t see these shots. I don’t know exactly what constitutes a shot but it appears our were all blocked!! That’s because we’re too slow shooting, not good defending by the opposition. I just wish they would open up to shoot, make room to shoot, rather than delay so long it does get blocked. When we do shoot properly, we score a la John earlier in the season and Jackson recently. We have lots of players who can shoot but they just don’t and if you don’t you won’t score. Surely it isn’t rocket science is it?
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