Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on March 17, 2021, 09:10:48 am
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After the display in the first half last night being positive is becoming harder and harder by the game, the one positive in this upcoming game the fact that I will not be trailing down with little hope of a good result all the way to one of Britain's prettiest towns Gillingham, and the joy of watching a well drilled in the dark arts of winning a football game led by one of the games great personalities Fatty Evans, at a place we rarely do well even in seasons when we do well.
With in my mind the unwarranted clamour against Butler gaining popularity among the supporters, the club as a whole and the team especially have come to somewhat of a cross roads. Nothing that a little run of good results cannot put right, but at the moment our confidence and fitness of the squad does not bode well for that to happen, least of all at a resurgent Gillingham.
What do you think?
One bright spot for me last night was the first game at league level for Brandan Horton, especially as he originates from the Askern area, who did his reputation no harm at all when coming on and shows potential, good luck for the future young man, and with Jones and Grieves formed a trio of academy graduates who were not the worst players on the night we had on view, Again what do you think?
Hopefully a couple of our walking wounded could be returning to fitness, What team would you pick?
Is the already criticism of Butts warranted? (I will hang my coat on the peg of I don't think it is by the way)
Can we actually get a result and lift some of the gloom?
Lots to discuss about this game, please have your say.
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Unless we get the likes of Bogle and Bostock back we’ll get nothing from the game
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Selby, that line about Gillingham being one of Britain’s prettiest towns really had me laughing.
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Why? or have I got it mixed up with Windsor Hound? I will have to look at the map.
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Nothing more than a draw if we are lucky. I think that even with Bogle and Bostock back we are flawed with how we are trying to play at the minute. Fatto Evans will be rubbing his hands at this one and want to make our fall from grace even harder
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I’d have Wright at Right back & bring Cam John in alongside Anderson with Amos continuing at left back - play Halliday right midfield might be a bit more solid than powderpuff as it was at Oxford
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We need James for left back, we need Bostock for centre midfield and we need Bogle for the front with Okenabirhie on the left. Sims won’t be available I believe but would be good if he was. This is a game we aim not to lose and we hope we can win.
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Bostock out on Saturday. Bogle, Sims and Robertson have a chance.
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Selby, that line about Gillingham being one of Britain’s prettiest towns really had me laughing.
The Medway towns have certainly got nothing to do with the garden of Kent.
My least favourite away day of all. I hate it so much i haven’t been to our last 3 league games there and i also missed our FA Cup game last season.
On the 6 occasions i have had the misfortune to visit the Priestfield we have 5 defeats and one draw.
All league games.
They are our 2nd worst bogey team to Reading in the entire EFL. Although our record against them is somewhat better since our return to the League in 2003 ( it could not be much worse ) than it was in previous decades, which was quite appalling.
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I'd have......
Jones
Halliday Anderson Butler James
Wright
Lokilo Smith Robertson Sims
Bogle
Should give Brad a fighting chance. :)
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If injuries allow I would play this team but I doubt we will have all them back available.
Jones
Halliday Anderson John James
Bostock Robertson
Sims Copps Feji
Bogle
If we had some more competition at right back I would drop Halliday and I think Smith could do with a rest.
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I'd have......
Jones
Halliday Anderson Butler James
Wright
Lokilo Smith Robertson Sims
Bogle
Should give Brad a fighting chance. :)
Butts has retired.
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Isn't Seaman eligible?
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I'd have......
Jones
Halliday Anderson Butler James
Wright
Lokilo Smith Robertson Sims
Bogle
Should give Brad a fighting chance. :)
Butts has retired.
still the best we got !
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Isn't Seaman eligible?
I was wondering that too. He might be worth a try.
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I rate Gillingham as a place much like I rate Chatham. The birthplace of the shell suit and home of the slapper.
Orrible southern toilet.
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Does that mean that Gillingham House Rules, as devised by Steve Evans, can be summarised as ‘what is in the brown envelope stays in the brown envelope’
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I rate Gillingham as a place much like I rate Chatham. The birthplace of the shell suit and home of the slapper.
Orrible southern toilet.
To be fair, they do have a stunning looking WPC.
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I’d be tempted to play Wight right back give John a run at centre half, where he belongs, and play Halliday right midfield he has energy and his strength is going forward (better than the wingers we have available).
Even if we are struggling with injuries again we need to be harder to beat. If we’re picking a poor team (like Tuesday) let try to forget playing out from the back and play for a bit of territory. No good brining teams onto us when we’re lacking confidence and quality. Hoping AB is pragmatic enough to see that and play for a result
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I’d be tempted to play Wight right back give John a run at centre half, where he belongs, and play Halliday right midfield he has energy and his strength is going forward (better than the wingers we have available).
Even if we are struggling with injuries again we need to be harder to beat. If we’re picking a poor team (like Tuesday) let try to forget playing out from the back and play for a bit of territory. No good brining teams onto us when we’re lacking confidence and quality. Hoping AB is pragmatic enough to see that and play for a result
100% agree with this.
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If injuries allow I would play this team but I doubt we will have all them back available.
Jones
Halliday Anderson John James
Bostock Robertson
Sims Copps Feji
Bogle
If we had some more competition at right back I would drop Halliday and I think Smith could do with a rest.
Where's Charlie Seaman?
Wasnt he next in line at right back?
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If injuries allow I would play this team but I doubt we will have all them back available.
Jones
Halliday Anderson John James
Bostock Robertson
Sims Copps Feji
Bogle
If we had some more competition at right back I would drop Halliday and I think Smith could do with a rest.
Where's Charlie Seaman?
Wasnt he next in line at right back?
He was out on loan but assume that after the non league season closed he'd be available. Maybe it's a similar covid thing that stops the youth team been available. If not it's a pointless signing if he can't make the bench even with the injuries we've got now
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Tbh I forgot about Seaman but assume he is available for selection as other week he was pictured on website with the other players arriving at Keepmoat for the game.
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This teams mentality still has some falling to do before individuals realise that they are not “ step up “ material just yet.....
They are not cohesive at all, just going through the motions individually and trying not to make mistakes..( .shackled and whipped)
Smith in my opinion is the weak link....he is over ambitious, over confident and playing the wrong percentages in a team that is being mentally tortured by much better players and seemingly many more of them than we have in our team..
It’s time to shut up shop, play hard and mean, and stop thinking that the play offs is a real shot at anything.....we are not equipped for a concerted run at the Championship, so it should be removed from the plan, yes we have injuries but why and how have we so many? ...we aren’t a hard physical team therefore we must be a team full of powder puff casualties...
AB can show passion, heart and loyalty, but I doubt he can patch up this wobbly thing and give it a direction, maybe I’m being a little too negative...
Gillingham will score 3-4 goals if allowed....
We must stop that happening first then try and work out how to get one......and hold onto it
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This teams mentality still has some falling to do before individuals realise that they are not “ step up “ material just yet.....
They are not cohesive at all, just going through the motions individually and trying not to make mistakes..( .shackled and whipped)
Smith in my opinion is the weak link....he is over ambitious, over confident and playing the wrong percentages in a team that is being mentally tortured by much better players and seemingly many more of them than we have in our team..
It’s time to shut up shop, play hard and mean, and stop thinking that the play offs is a real shot at anything.....we are not equipped for a concerted run at the Championship, so it should be removed from the plan, yes we have injuries but why and how have we so many? ...we aren’t a hard physical team therefore we must be a team full of powder puff casualties...
AB can show passion, heart and loyalty, but I doubt he can patch up this wobbly thing and give it a direction, maybe I’m being a little too negative...
Gillingham will score 3-4 goals if allowed....
We must stop that happening first then try and work out how to get one......and hold onto it
Doesn’t that last paragraph apply to all teams that play every week.
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Only Bostock not ready, according to DROS;
https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/four-set-to-return-for-gillingham-trip/
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So James,Robertson, Sims and Bogle all available for tomorrow also Greaves is also recovered.
Now it’s up to AB to pick the right team not just his favourites but a team to win the game. It’s up to him to motivate all the players we have whether permanent or loans.
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Flipping eck! You're not giving him much leeway are you! Honeymoon period we'll and truly over.
I do think it will change the dynamic bringing Bogle back in but there's more to it than that as we know.
I think Smith has been caught between a rock and a hard place not really producing any sort of consistency being surrounded by different faces all the time.
Good that James, Copps, Sims, Robertson are all available again and I wonder whether Copps might get the nod above Richards again to show how best to manage that position.
We may see more of the positive side of Fej with Bogle to take the heat off him.
Whatever starting IX he picks, it's likely to be an improvement on Tuesday.
Once again, basics count for alot so we need to avoid doing daft things too often or any team will capitalise just as Oxford did.
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This teams mentality still has some falling to do before individuals realise that they are not “ step up “ material just yet.....
They are not cohesive at all, just going through the motions individually and trying not to make mistakes..( .shackled and whipped)
Smith in my opinion is the weak link....he is over ambitious, over confident and playing the wrong percentages in a team that is being mentally tortured by much better players and seemingly many more of them than we have in our team..
It’s time to shut up shop, play hard and mean, and stop thinking that the play offs is a real shot at anything.....we are not equipped for a concerted run at the Championship, so it should be removed from the plan, yes we have injuries but why and how have we so many? ...we aren’t a hard physical team therefore we must be a team full of powder puff casualties...
AB can show passion, heart and loyalty, but I doubt he can patch up this wobbly thing and give it a direction, maybe I’m being a little too negative...
Gillingham will score 3-4 goals if allowed....
We must stop that happening first then try and work out how to get one......and hold onto it
Doesn’t that last paragraph apply to all teams that play every week.
I don’t support all teams....this is my view on DRFC under the current situation we find ourselves in.....I guess you agree with it in principle then...
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I reiterate that Smith is a real top player, but could do with a brief rest. Anything like his usual form and he is first on team sheet.
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This teams mentality still has some falling to do before individuals realise that they are not “ step up “ material just yet.....
They are not cohesive at all, just going through the motions individually and trying not to make mistakes..( .shackled and whipped)
Smith in my opinion is the weak link....he is over ambitious, over confident and playing the wrong percentages in a team that is being mentally tortured by much better players and seemingly many more of them than we have in our team..
It’s time to shut up shop, play hard and mean, and stop thinking that the play offs is a real shot at anything.....we are not equipped for a concerted run at the Championship, so it should be removed from the plan, yes we have injuries but why and how have we so many? ...we aren’t a hard physical team therefore we must be a team full of powder puff casualties...
AB can show passion, heart and loyalty, but I doubt he can patch up this wobbly thing and give it a direction, maybe I’m being a little too negative...
Gillingham will score 3-4 goals if allowed....
We must stop that happening first then try and work out how to get one......and hold onto it
Doesn’t that last paragraph apply to all teams that play every week.
I don’t support all teams....this is my view on DRFC under the current situation we find ourselves in.....I guess you agree with it in principle then...
Yes, of course I agree and I don’t support all teams either.
I was just making the point that all other teams will probably adopt the same policy.
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Brandon Horton was my MOM on Tuesday, and according to the vote, most people's. Is he worth taking a gamble on, and putting James back in midfield where he's performed so well in the past?
If so, will James partner Smith or Robertson? When Smith's on, he's brilliant; when he's off, he's garbage, continually giving the ball away.
I think we'll all be relieved that Bogle is back up front. The question is, who'll be the 3 behind him? I think most of us will agree that it'll be any 3 from Fej, Sims, Copps, and Richards.
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I don’t think all the injured players will be put straight back into the 11 however bad we played. Can see one of Sims or Fej starting with the other on the bench, Bogle up top and then maybe James midfield with Smith and then Horton or Amos LB (Horton based on Tuesdays performance but he might go with Amos or even John with them having a bit more experience)
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I reiterate that Smith is a real top player, but could do with a brief rest. Anything like his usual form and he is first on team sheet.
That’s fine if the rest of the Choir are singing from the same hymn sheet.....
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
Are you suggesting he's been picking players based on loyalty so far?
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Amos was poor, so Horton starts. James in midfield provided we have a good enough left back. This isn't John, maybe not Amos either.
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
His confidence was looking shot to be honest in the wake of him absolutely clobbering Tom Anderson.
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It's very encouraging to see the return of Bogle, James, Sims and Robertson.
This greatly increases our chances of getting a result in this game IMO.
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Woke up confident today think we might just get a win today, hoping for a decent game and 3 points
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1-2, need to stay in the top six.
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If James is fit he plays left back , smith and Robertson in mid , let’s just keep it simple round pegs round holes
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Woke up hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Think we will play better than against Oxford but gills will be more clinical and over power us. 2-0 to them and out of the playoffs for us :-(
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
Are you suggesting he's been picking players based on loyalty so far?
In some cases I believe so, also demotivating some players as well.
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Even with DM in charge there was alot of changes to the squad, brought about from necessity when you have to play twice a week, with injuries rest time etc needed. I think we have to accept a small squad doesn't allow the "best" teamn to play every match.
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
Are you suggesting he's been picking players based on loyalty so far?
In some cases I believe so, also demotivating some players as well.
Which players has he been picking out of loyalty?
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He picked Amos against Oxford you must have seen that he had a poor game Ive always said he’s not up to league 1 but you believed otherwise.
Jones to certain degree although he’s not let the side down but I believe Balcombe is a better keeper . But probably demotivated him by dropping him as well.
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He picked Amos against Oxford you must have seen that he had a poor game Ive always said he’s not up to league 1 but you believed otherwise.
Jones to certain degree although he’s not let the side down but I believe Balcombe is a better keeper . But probably demotivated him by dropping him as well.
You can hardly say he’s picked Amos out of loyalty. John had been terrible for weeks at left back and James was injured, the alternative was to play Horton who is a complete rookie - that could have really misfired.
Balcombe also suffered a dip in form after knocking Anderson out so can’t really argue with being dropped. Jones has made some good saves but doesn’t command his area at all so it wouldn’t surprise or disappoint me to see Balcombe recalled, though.
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Would like to see Balcombe back, he never did a lot wrong, and a midfield and team with energy not just AB s misguided loyalty. Best players in please
Are you suggesting he's been picking players based on loyalty so far?
In some cases I believe so, also demotivating some players as well.
Which players has he been picking out of loyalty?
I think the answer is, he hasn’t. Total nonsense imo.
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Rovers need to start wanting promotion and not just sitting the space waiting for something to happen . We had a worse side on paper when Rob Jones was playing and scoring but he kept the team ticking . Leaders on the pitch is what will get us over the line IMO Butler would be better on the pitch working with his defence rather than showing his frustration on the sideline .
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Now that is a lot stronger team and squad to the midweek also please to see Horton get a start after coming on midweek,would also like to see Halliday further forward and try moving Wright to full back if things arnt working out
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Rovers need to start wanting promotion and not just sitting the space waiting for something to happen . We had a worse side on paper when Rob Jones was playing and scoring but he kept the team ticking . Leaders on the pitch is what will get us over the line IMO Butler would be better on the pitch working with his defence rather than showing his frustration on the sideline .
That, 1969, is a perfect summary of of the reason this side will not be promoted.There are no leaders. Nada. But rather than vainly exhorting the team to start 'wanting promotion' I'd rather the boss works out how he is going to change the team for next season. Barring miracles, it's obvious this season is going to pass us by. Maybe if Simms sparks a goal glut things would change, but what else could change things to the necessary standard of 'better'?
Cheers!
BobG
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Stronger team but I think I would have put Balcombe in instead of Jones as Jones was to rickety Tuesday and kicking out was a lot naff
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A good over all performances after going 2-0 down . Take this performance in the next game and we’ll be back to where we should be !!
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Pleased we have stopped the run of away defeats but felt that second half we could have done more. First half we cut through their midfield and when Fej and Bogle were caught offside showed we could get in behind them. Second half I felt we didnt do that at all and stopped playing through midfield and just started booting it. Least in second half we defended well.
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What a horrible team to play against.
If that’s what Evans calls football then you can keep it.
Like watching pin ball. Awful. Can you imagine having to sit through watching that every week.
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Agree totally. Awful way to play the game. So frustrating to watch them get away with so much. Any half decent ref would clamp down in first 10 minutes but they were allowed to do as they liked.
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A good point especially as other games were draws.
They are queuing up now below the play off places. 7 teams below us with only 4 points separating us.
Need a coupe of wins now at Mk Dons and home to Charlton.
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Agree totally. Awful way to play the game. So frustrating to watch them get away with so much. Any half decent ref would clamp down in first 10 minutes but they were allowed to do as they liked.
There isn't a quarter decent ref in this league let alone a half decent one. Refs are ruining the game with their ineptitude!
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Pleased we have stopped the run of away defeats but felt that second half we could have done more. First half we cut through their midfield and when Fej and Bogle were caught offside showed we could get in behind them. Second half I felt we didnt do that at all and stopped playing through midfield and just started booting it. Least in second half we defended well.
Coppinger going off on the hour mark ended our attacking threat. Richards just doesn't do anywhere near enough to affect the game positively for us, and Lokilo was ineffective too today unfortunately.
I'm happy with the point after the start and the fact we had to withstand the bombardment in the second half.
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I think we can say for certain that Butts gave us the strongest starting eleven because every substitution weakened us.
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I think we can say for certain that Butts gave us the strongest starting eleven because every substitution weakened us.
Apart from the goal keeper Balcombe must start next game, which is next Saturday.
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At least we had some fighting spirit out of every player who took part in the game, and could well be a pointer that we have turned the corner.
A very poor start to the game, but a great recovery against an horrible team to play against and in good form. For the first time in weeks the team deserve some praise. Its a good point I would have taken before kick off, and a well done from me.
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Rovers need to start wanting promotion and not just sitting the space waiting for something to happen . We had a worse side on paper when Rob Jones was playing and scoring but he kept the team ticking . Leaders on the pitch is what will get us over the line IMO Butler would be better on the pitch working with his defence rather than showing his frustration on the sideline .
That, 1969, is a perfect summary of of the reason this side will not be promoted.There are no leaders. Nada. But rather than vainly exhorting the team to start 'wanting promotion' I'd rather the boss works out how he is going to change the team for next season. Barring miracles, it's obvious this season is going to pass us by. Maybe if Simms sparks a goal glut things would change, but what else could change things to the necessary standard of 'better'?
Cheers!
BobG
By the boss, Bob, I assume you mean Butts. If we don't finish in the top 6, there's no way he'll be in charge next season.
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At least we had some fighting spirit out of every player who took part in the game, and could well be a pointer that we have turned the corner.
A very poor start to the game, but a great recovery against an horrible team to play against and in good form. For the first time in weeks the team deserve some praise. Its a good point I would have taken before kick off, and a well done from me.
Absolutely Brian. We showed a fighting spirit today.
When they went 2-0 up after 4 mins I feared the worse and thought we may get hammered.
We fully deserved the draw and we were the only team that wanted to play football.
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Why not Steve? I think you will find that a number of games we lost in our recent run our manager was the much sought after and well regarded Sheffield Wednesday manager.
Yesterday our u18s team played a youth cup game at Peterborough, Butler was at the game to watch the lads play and encourage them.
To my knowledge Mr Moore never left the office building at Cantley when the u18s and very rarely for u23s games when they were played at Cantley last season and Butts has promoted and played more graduates in the last month than Mr Moore played in games in his whole tenure here.
There is more to managing a football club at our level than just the first team if it wants to progress, contrary to you I think we have stumbled on the right person and will judge him on guiding the whole club through this problematic time not just the first team.
As the old sayings went all that glitters is not gold, and don't judge a book by its cover.
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Jones is usually so far away from the action in the box that he effectively disassociates himself from responsibility for what goes on in front of him. “Jones seemed to have got a hand to it” is about the best he ever does. At least there was no dangerous passing the ball around at the back today.
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Whether it is a strategy or a failing, it is true that Jones never leaves his line for crosses.
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Why not Steve? I think you will find that a number of games we lost in our recent run our manager was the much sought after and well regarded Sheffield Wednesday manager.
Yesterday our u18s team played a youth cup game at Peterborough, Butler was at the game to watch the lads play and encourage them.
To my knowledge Mr Moore never left the office building at Cantley when the u18s and very rarely for u23s games when they were played at Cantley last season and Butts has promoted and played more graduates in the last month than Mr Moore played in games in his whole tenure here.
There is more to managing a football club at our level than just the first team if it wants to progress, contrary to you I think we have stumbled on the right person and will judge him on guiding the whole club through this problematic time not just the first team.
As the old sayings went all that glitters is not gold, and don't judge a book by its cover.
Brian, you're taking this purely from a personal view. I admire Butts just as much as you do, but I'm taking it from the point of view of the board's ambitions.
The aim of the board for the last 5 years has been to eventually achieve sustainability in the Championship, and as such, the remit to every manager since, has been to achieve at least a top 6 finish.
Butts has taken over a team that's in the top 6. If he fails to keep us there, coupled with the fact that he's relatively inexperienced in football management, and there are managers out there that have achieved promotion from League 1 before, can you honestly see him being offered the job next season?
I'm just being realistic here, mate.
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Jones is usually so far away from the action in the box that he effectively disassociates himself from responsibility for what goes on in front of him. “Jones seemed to have got a hand to it” is about the best he ever does. At least there was no dangerous passing the ball around at the back today.
I noticed that today, about the short passing around our box.
It rarely happened and when things got tough in that area we were happy to hit the ball forward and regroup.