Process Update - First Half Stats

[BillyStubbsTears]

Alright I’d go for a 442 keep the lines between midfield and defence nice and compact and have Agard with Goodman up top so we have an out ball if under pressure by just playing into the right areas, corners etc. from restarts I’d go long and wide if we can’t win the 1st, which we won’t, then squeeze the pitch for 2nd ball and play from there. Priority is the game should be played in the opposition half. With the players available it’s pointless for us to have possession on the edge of our own box where we’ll do more harm than good

I don’t think anyone needs to come up with grand solutions it’s just go back to basics give yourself a out ball and try to get the ball into the opponents half to play.

Would we win tonight? probably not but if we’d done this since the injuries came in the performances would feel less self destructive

You'd go long and wide? So you'd effectively give up possession every time you had it, because there wasn't a single player on our side capable of winning physical battles with the Stevenage defence.

Now I'm going to be REALLY controversial.

The ONLY way that XI tonight could possibly have taken something from that game was how we tried for some of the second half.

Stevenage play a manically aggressive high press. They want you to shite it and hit it long, because they have a strong, physical defence.

We fell into exactly that trap in the first half because with three kids at the back, there was no composure.

It was significantly better in the second half because, for all his shortcomings, Williams is our best centre back on the ball, possibly baring Olowu.

Williams was central to us having a bit of belief and composure to beat that aggressive high push. It gained us a bit of space to start attacks.

Did it hurt them? No, because we had nothing up front anyway.

Was it perfect? Of course not. Williams played a couple of very poor balls out of defence.

Could we have done any better at all with the players available? I'm still waiting to hear ideas.

You want my take? That second half STYLE (not performance, obviously) with the full squad available, would have hurt Stevenage. They have one idea. Get in your face and deny you time. IF you're composed enough to pass around that, AND you have some quality up front, you can take that apart. That is what I genuinely think Schofield is trying to produce. Will he succeed? I don't know. But to berate him for tonight's performance is just indulgence.

[normal rules]

If you’ve decided you don’t want schofield then you’re not going to change your mind unless we win 10 games on the spin next season.
But to get your knickers in a twist over tonight is ridiculous, look at the line up.
The second half at least we showed some b*llocks and had a bit of heart, the first half was pathetic and the second half was the bare minimum that they should be showing every game.
Everyone was predicting a hammering due to what we have available and how good stevenage are at home, then we lose 1-0 and everyone loses their shit, it’s all a bit daft

dickos, 5 of the first half players will still be here next season. only 2 of them id have in any rovers side. its not the loss, its the abject performance overall that is the most galling. i dont think ive seen a bunch either not willing or not able to play for each other in a long long time.

[Lincoln Rover]

I’m not sticking up for DS, but who thought we’d get anything tonight?
The squad is decimated & there’s probably 3/4 first teamers playing tonight.
It’s garbage, it’s truly utter garbage, but what can he do with that squad he has right now.
Again I’m not supporting DS.
Pep Guadiola/ Alex Ferguson /Neil Warnock couldn’t do anything with this lot.

[dickos1]

Alright I’d go for a 442 keep the lines between midfield and defence nice and compact and have Agard with Goodman up top so we have an out ball if under pressure by just playing into the right areas, corners etc. from restarts I’d go long and wide if we can’t win the 1st, which we won’t, then squeeze the pitch for 2nd ball and play from there. Priority is the game should be played in the opposition half. With the players available it’s pointless for us to have possession on the edge of our own box where we’ll do more harm than good

I don’t think anyone needs to come up with grand solutions it’s just go back to basics give yourself a out ball and try to get the ball into the opponents half to play.

Would we win tonight? probably not but if we’d done this since the injuries came in the performances would feel less self destructive

You'd go long and wide? So you'd effectively give up possession every time you had it, because there wasn't a single player on our side capable of winning physical battles with the Stevenage defence.

Now I'm going to be REALLY controversial.

The ONLY way that XI tonight could possibly have taken something from that game was how we tried for some of the second half.

Stevenage play a manically aggressive high press. They want you to shite it and hit it long, because they have a strong, physical defence.

We fell into exactly that trap in the first half because with three kids at the back, there was no composure.

It was significantly better in the second half because, for all his shortcomings, Williams is our best centre back on the ball, possibly baring Olowu.

Williams was central to us having a bit of belief and composure to beat that aggressive high push. It gained us a bit of space to start attacks.

Did it hurt them? No, because we had nothing up front anyway.

Was it perfect? Of course not. Williams played a couple of very poor balls out of defence.

Could we have done any better at all with the players available? I'm still waiting to hear ideas.

I don’t think Williams is anywhere near as good as Nelson on the ball, but what made the difference was he did everything 20 times quicker, he showed a bit of urgency, Nelson dawdles on the ball and causes problems, Williams controlled it and passed it which enabled us to find some space .

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

So. Plenty of bile and no solutions?

1. Hire SOMEONE in the on field side of the club with experience. If they will not ditch DS, then bring someone experienced in to guide him
2. If its the Board stipulating the style of play (see GMc's sacking and the Job Advert) then retract that and allow DS the option of trying to finish this season with some sort of positive momentum
3. Listen to the fans about what they saying about the onfield matters. The club may not like what it hears, and might not agree with it, and following the repeated statements that present a 'we know best' air over the past couple of years lets try and heal the divide. Pretending they don't exist and ignoring them won't heal the toxicity in our club and fanbase. And just offering discounts does not resolve the underlying cause of the problems.
4. In future when appointing a manager, dof or assistant, please ensure ONE of these have the necessary experience of management to help guide decision making. Surrounding a novice with novices isn't a strategy for success.

I'm not here to throw bile around - but yes I am frustrated at seeing what I've had to endure for 2 solid years. But covering our eyes and pretending it will magically fix itself isn't the right answer either.

I'm talking about that match. Tonight.

What is any manager supposed to do with the first team squad that was available tonight?

We have people saying "Stop being clever and go back to basics".

What does that mean?

Launch the ball from the back? We don't half a striker who can put in any sort of physical challenge so the ball just comes back.

Get stuck into them? We don't have a single player in that team tonight who could match the aggression of Stevenage.

So. I'll ask again. What EXACTLY do people think we should have done tonight, with the players available?

Here's a few.

Firstly not do the same thing that hasn't worked for months.

Stick an extra man up top, they may not win it but they may nick a second ball, there's double to aim at and it's tougher for the opposition defence.

Or, stick an extra body in midfield to try and keep the ball a lot better.

Christ even just tell them to press like mad, anything to change something.

But absolutely do not keep doing what we have been doing.

I do accept we've a lot of players out, funny how that though happens when teams are out of form and things aren't going well.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Alright I’d go for a 442 keep the lines between midfield and defence nice and compact and have Agard with Goodman up top so we have an out ball if under pressure by just playing into the right areas, corners etc. from restarts I’d go long and wide if we can’t win the 1st, which we won’t, then squeeze the pitch for 2nd ball and play from there. Priority is the game should be played in the opposition half. With the players available it’s pointless for us to have possession on the edge of our own box where we’ll do more harm than good

I don’t think anyone needs to come up with grand solutions it’s just go back to basics give yourself a out ball and try to get the ball into the opponents half to play.

Would we win tonight? probably not but if we’d done this since the injuries came in the performances would feel less self destructive

You'd go long and wide? So you'd effectively give up possession every time you had it, because there wasn't a single player on our side capable of winning physical battles with the Stevenage defence.

Now I'm going to be REALLY controversial.

The ONLY way that XI tonight could possibly have taken something from that game was how we tried for some of the second half.

Stevenage play a manically aggressive high press. They want you to shite it and hit it long, because they have a strong, physical defence.

We fell into exactly that trap in the first half because with three kids at the back, there was no composure.

It was significantly better in the second half because, for all his shortcomings, Williams is our best centre back on the ball, possibly baring Olowu.

Williams was central to us having a bit of belief and composure to beat that aggressive high push. It gained us a bit of space to start attacks.

Did it hurt them? No, because we had nothing up front anyway.

Was it perfect? Of course not. Williams played a couple of very poor balls out of defence.

Could we have done any better at all with the players available? I'm still waiting to hear ideas.

I don’t think Williams is anywhere near as good as Nelson on the ball, but what made the difference was he did everything 20 times quicker, he showed a bit of urgency, Nelson dawdles on the ball and causes problems, Williams controlled it and passed it which enabled us to find some space .

That's what Williams does. That's why he's our best centre back on the ball.

Nelson LOOKS like he has time, but he shites it as much as anyone (OK, not as much as Long) against an aggressive, high press.

Schofield's football depends on us having confidence to defeat a high press through sharp, accurate passes. Williams showed tonight that it could work.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Having a second striker would help play quicker. When you look forwards at the moment there’s not enough to hit so naturally it can get slowed down

[dickos1]

If you’ve decided you don’t want schofield then you’re not going to change your mind unless we win 10 games on the spin next season.
But to get your knickers in a twist over tonight is ridiculous, look at the line up.
The second half at least we showed some b*llocks and had a bit of heart, the first half was pathetic and the second half was the bare minimum that they should be showing every game.
Everyone was predicting a hammering due to what we have available and how good stevenage are at home, then we lose 1-0 and everyone loses their shit, it’s all a bit daft

dickos, 5 of the first half players will still be here next season. only 2 of them id have in any rovers side. its not the loss, its the abject performance overall that is the most galling. i dont think ive seen a bunch either not willing or not able to play for each other in a long long time.

Exactly, we’ve played probably the hardest fixture we possibly could with a line up that’s nowhere near ready for this level.
We were shite, proper shite in the first half but I thought in the second half we did everything you can do when you’re not good enough, showed a bit of heart

[BillyStubbsTears]

Christ, the number of people shouting "Stick two up top!"

We haven't got ONE striker who would cut it at Conference level! Why do people think having two on the pitch would make us better?

[Dare to dream!]

‘Tonight showed that could work’

HOW?

Why has not Williams been playing the last two months then? Another Schofield masterclass?

If it works why are bottom in the form table?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Having a second striker would help play quicker. When you look forwards at the moment there’s not enough to hit so naturally it can get slowed down

Neither striker won a single ball in a physical challenge  with defenders for a long ball tonight.

Not one.

IF we had both of them on and went long, what on earth makes you think they'd win a challenge then?

[Filo]

Schofields initial reaction, he was proud of that second half, oh my god!!!

[Alan Southstand]

Let him try it somewhere else, then!

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Christ, the number of people shouting "Stick two up top!"

We haven't got ONE striker who would cut it at Conference level! Why do people think having two on the pitch would make us better?

I answered that point, bodies close to each other. You don't need top talent to make that work if they can just put theirselves about a bit.  Absolutely not the long term answer but in a crisis just do something different with what you do have.

[Bessie Red]

So. Plenty of bile and no solutions?

1. Hire SOMEONE in the on field side of the club with experience. If they will not ditch DS, then bring someone experienced in to guide him
2. If its the Board stipulating the style of play (see GMc's sacking and the Job Advert) then retract that and allow DS the option of trying to finish this season with some sort of positive momentum
3. Listen to the fans about what they saying about the onfield matters. The club may not like what it hears, and might not agree with it, and following the repeated statements that present a 'we know best' air over the past couple of years lets try and heal the divide. Pretending they don't exist and ignoring them won't heal the toxicity in our club and fanbase. And just offering discounts does not resolve the underlying cause of the problems.
4. In future when appointing a manager, dof or assistant, please ensure ONE of these have the necessary experience of management to help guide decision making. Surrounding a novice with novices isn't a strategy for success.

I'm not here to throw bile around - but yes I am frustrated at seeing what I've had to endure for 2 solid years. But covering our eyes and pretending it will magically fix itself isn't the right answer either.

I'm talking about that match. Tonight.

What is any manager supposed to do with the first team squad that was available tonight?

We have people saying "Stop being clever and go back to basics".

What does that mean?

Launch the ball from the back? We don't half a striker who can put in any sort of physical challenge so the ball just comes back.

Get stuck into them? We don't have a single player in that team tonight who could match the aggression of Stevenage.

So. I'll ask again. What EXACTLY do people think we should have done tonight, with the players available?

We could have played with two up front and played balls into channels thus turning their full backs and pulling the CB's out of their comfort zone. Whilst doing this push the midfield further forward to keep pressure on the back line. So no, not launch aimless balls down the throats of the 2 CB's and no  not try and meet them with aggression  but with better thinking.

[dickos1]

Schofields initial reaction, he was proud of that second half, oh my god!!!

It depends in what respect though,
I think the number of young inexperienced players we had, that second half was one that could make you proud in terms of effort and showing some
Balls.
He obviously didn’t mean he was proud of the football we produced or the chances we created

[BillyStubbsTears]

Christ, the number of people shouting "Stick two up top!"

We haven't got ONE striker who would cut it at Conference level! Why do people think having two on the pitch would make us better?

I answered that point, bodies close to each other. You don't need top talent to make that work if they can just put theirselves about a bit.  Absolutely not the long term answer but in a crisis just do something different with what you do have.

Did you watch the game tonight? "Put themselves about a bit"? Sheesh. One spent old man and one willing, naive kid. Never came close to posing any sort of physical challenge.

[Pliskin]

Strikers don't score goals and are largely passengers in Schofield's teams, injuries or not. Playing two up front would be like playing with 9 men rather than the usual 10.

[Branton Red]

Christ, the number of people shouting "Stick two up top!"

We haven't got ONE striker who would cut it at Conference level! Why do people think having two on the pitch would make us better?

No true. But a MAJOR flaw with the system used is how isolated the lone centre forward is and how slow the, so called, attacking midfielders/wingers are to get forward to support him when Rovers have possession.

The gap between the forward and the midfield is far too big. And this is a theme every game. Even before the injuries kicked in. It is absolutely key to why Rovers fail to keep the ball upfield, have enough meaningful attacks, create enough chance, score enough goals or get the supporters on the edge of their seats.

What chance did young Goodman have today in the 2nd half against senior pros at centre half - even when Rovers were looking to play some football around Stevenage and get forward??

[BillyStubbsTears]

So. Plenty of bile and no solutions?

1. Hire SOMEONE in the on field side of the club with experience. If they will not ditch DS, then bring someone experienced in to guide him
2. If its the Board stipulating the style of play (see GMc's sacking and the Job Advert) then retract that and allow DS the option of trying to finish this season with some sort of positive momentum
3. Listen to the fans about what they saying about the onfield matters. The club may not like what it hears, and might not agree with it, and following the repeated statements that present a 'we know best' air over the past couple of years lets try and heal the divide. Pretending they don't exist and ignoring them won't heal the toxicity in our club and fanbase. And just offering discounts does not resolve the underlying cause of the problems.
4. In future when appointing a manager, dof or assistant, please ensure ONE of these have the necessary experience of management to help guide decision making. Surrounding a novice with novices isn't a strategy for success.

I'm not here to throw bile around - but yes I am frustrated at seeing what I've had to endure for 2 solid years. But covering our eyes and pretending it will magically fix itself isn't the right answer either.

I'm talking about that match. Tonight.

What is any manager supposed to do with the first team squad that was available tonight?

We have people saying "Stop being clever and go back to basics".

What does that mean?

Launch the ball from the back? We don't half a striker who can put in any sort of physical challenge so the ball just comes back.

Get stuck into them? We don't have a single player in that team tonight who could match the aggression of Stevenage.

So. I'll ask again. What EXACTLY do people think we should have done tonight, with the players available?

We could have played with two up front and played balls into channels thus turning their full backs and pulling the CB's out of their comfort zone. Whilst doing this push the midfield further forward to keep pressure on the back line. So no, not launch aimless balls down the throats of the 2 CB's and no  not try and meet them with aggression  but with better thinking.

Right.

So you're saying you want Agard to continuously make penetrating runs into the channels. And our defence and midfield (THOSE defence and midfield that played tonight) to pick him out while under constant pressure from a high, aggressive press?

Maybe a tad optimistic wouldn't you say?

[andyst79]

https://youtu.be/NN2rngoO1p8

[sedwardsdrfc]

Having a second striker would help play quicker. When you look forwards at the moment there’s not enough to hit so naturally it can get slowed down

Neither striker won a single ball in a physical challenge  with defenders for a long ball tonight.

Not one.

IF we had both of them on and went long, what on earth makes you think they'd win a challenge then?

You don’t just have to smack it up to them for headers though do you. Having 2 players higher makes space for others and themselves. That’s what it’s about. Forward passes would be easier and that doesn’t just mean long ones. I don’t think not having good forwards means we should only play one. If anything that will just make the lack of quality more telling.

Listen your obviously a lot smarter than everyone else and have clearly played at a good level I’m not going to try convincing you. But to say there is no alternative to what we’re seeing is wrong

[Retdon1]

If you’ve decided you don’t want schofield then you’re not going to change your mind unless we win 10 games on the spin next season.
But to get your knickers in a twist over tonight is ridiculous, look at the line up.
The second half at least we showed some b*llocks and had a bit of heart, the first half was pathetic and the second half was the bare minimum that they should be showing every game.
Everyone was predicting a hammering due to what we have available and how good stevenage are at home, then we lose 1-0 and everyone loses their shit, it’s all a bit daft

dickos, 5 of the first half players will still be here next season. only 2 of them id have in any rovers side. its not the loss, its the abject performance overall that is the most galling. i dont think ive seen a bunch either not willing or not able to play for each other in a long long time.

Exactly, we’ve played probably the hardest fixture we possibly could with a line up that’s nowhere near ready for this level.
We were shite, proper shite in the first half but I thought in the second half we did everything you can do when you’re not good enough, showed a bit of heart

6 of that side get in our strongest 11

[Alan Southstand]

Dickos is the new interpreter for DS. Obviously!

[BillyStubbsTears]

Schofields initial reaction, he was proud of that second half, oh my god!!!

I think he means that at half time he asked them to have confidence in themselves to beat the high press.

It took some spirit from the players to do that after that car crash first half. Tiny, baby steps, and a poor choice of words, but I do get what he is meaning here?

[sedwardsdrfc]

So. Plenty of bile and no solutions?

1. Hire SOMEONE in the on field side of the club with experience. If they will not ditch DS, then bring someone experienced in to guide him
2. If its the Board stipulating the style of play (see GMc's sacking and the Job Advert) then retract that and allow DS the option of trying to finish this season with some sort of positive momentum
3. Listen to the fans about what they saying about the onfield matters. The club may not like what it hears, and might not agree with it, and following the repeated statements that present a 'we know best' air over the past couple of years lets try and heal the divide. Pretending they don't exist and ignoring them won't heal the toxicity in our club and fanbase. And just offering discounts does not resolve the underlying cause of the problems.
4. In future when appointing a manager, dof or assistant, please ensure ONE of these have the necessary experience of management to help guide decision making. Surrounding a novice with novices isn't a strategy for success.

I'm not here to throw bile around - but yes I am frustrated at seeing what I've had to endure for 2 solid years. But covering our eyes and pretending it will magically fix itself isn't the right answer either.

I'm talking about that match. Tonight.

What is any manager supposed to do with the first team squad that was available tonight?

We have people saying "Stop being clever and go back to basics".

What does that mean?

Launch the ball from the back? We don't half a striker who can put in any sort of physical challenge so the ball just comes back.

Get stuck into them? We don't have a single player in that team tonight who could match the aggression of Stevenage.

So. I'll ask again. What EXACTLY do people think we should have done tonight, with the players available?

We could have played with two up front and played balls into channels thus turning their full backs and pulling the CB's out of their comfort zone. Whilst doing this push the midfield further forward to keep pressure on the back line. So no, not launch aimless balls down the throats of the 2 CB's and no  not try and meet them with aggression  but with better thinking.

Right.

So you're saying you want Agard to continuously make penetrating runs into the channels. And our defence and midfield (THOSE defence and midfield that played tonight) to pick him out while under constant pressure from a high, aggressive press?

Maybe a tad optimistic wouldn't you say?

That’s why you play 2 up. Agard goes short and Goodman would go into the channel.

[normal rules]

schofield has indeed engaged "full throttle"

to the bottom of the lge 2 form table .

not over the last 3 or 5 or 7 games but over the last 10. nearly a quarter of the season.
scoring the joint lowest amount of goals in those 10 games and conceding the most in lge 2.
how much worse will this get?
when will it end ?

[Alan Southstand]

Jesus, BST, you’ll be voting for him to stay next!

[Branton Red]

schofield has indeed engaged "full throttle"

to the bottom of the lge 2 form table .

not over the last 3 or 5 or 7 games but over the last 10. nearly a quarter of the season.
scoring the joint lowest amount of goals in those 10 games and conceding the most in lge 2.
how much worse will this get?
when will it end ?

6 points in the last 13 games.

Equivalent to 21 points over a whole season.

The 97/98 squad of part-timers and youth teamers featuring next door neighbours and schoolboys managed 20 points in a season at this level.

[danumdon]

Schofields initial reaction, he was proud of that second half, oh my god!!!

It depends in what respect though,
I think the number of young inexperienced players we had, that second half was one that could make you proud in terms of effort and showing some
Balls.
He obviously didn’t mean he was proud of the football we produced or the chances we created

He defiantly couldn't say he ws proud of the the football produced.

He's the one whom has instilled this awful process of playing it around at the back until either the defender makes a mess or worse he passes back to Mitchell to do so.

How can people come on here and start to talk about how this system could work,? we don't have the strength commitment or numbers in midfield to receive a pass from a beleaguered defence, there is no outlet and the wing backs are not good enough to get forward or even create an overlap we are so poor.

The fact the club is looking to persevere with this management, with its defective system but hope to improve with better players is for the birds, we will just limp on till the end of the year where we have to get rid because there will be no one in the ground bar the away support.

The Stevenage commentator said it all " I’ve said it to death, it just does not work at this level”

With the players that we can afford at this level, against big strong and physical sides like Stevenage hen there will always only be one winner, and it wont be us.