A lose but

[Thorney]

We need to face up to being in trouble now. With a few exceptions the table is broadly shaking out as expected on budget lines broadly. If we ended up in 18th that would again be a decent season for us. This is a league with some big budgets and very talented players. Keeping our head above water come May would be fine outcome.

Some of our fanbase are already questioning whether mcann should still be in a job.
If we finish 18th then how manynof them will go from questioning to screaming

Really - not heard any disquiet

Seen a post on X claiming that he should have 1 more game and if we lose then meetings should be happening.

Once it starts then many will follow

[GazLaz]

I thought we were the better team today. Gibson and Senior missed great chances in the second half. That’s the reason we lost. Not the referee.

[selby]

   We are now in the scrap I expected from the off. 
   Their goals were from picking the ball up well in their own half and ran straight at us, where we lack pace and played through us.
    We played the first few games, they looked and now go for our weakness. and we help them by getting the full backs in front of the wide men.
  Watch Arsenal, Chelsea etc they have four what are really central defenders strung across the back who have pace.
 Both Grehan and their right back were had for toast and were exposed by pace just running past them, the difference was their right back never tried to get forward, Grehan did and left space.
  We need some cavalry at new year with pace, and a goal scorer with Billy.

[Spud]

If we were playing badly & getting beat I'd be worried, as it is it's just concerning we aren't putting chances away. Hopefully the goals & results come before the confidence & performances dip.

[Chris Black come back]

Many of the distance balls from Broadbent today were outstanding.

[CJK]

As good as Moly was, or improved on recent form, he was very wasteful. He made some good runs and got in good positions but too often, the final ball came to nothing. Same at set pieces. But that said, he looked better on the whole.

Gibson hit the post then should score that chance in the second half. Senior has to do better with that chance, whether he shoots or holds it and finds a pass.

Disappointing to concede those two goals. For me, Kelly was the standout for them and someone has to haul him down  before he passes to Keillor Dunn, they would have done, as they did on quite a few occasions, for example when Clifton was hauled down.

But it comes back to the recruitment up top, it's really costing us now. Plenty of chances created which is positive, just a shame we couldn't put another one or two away.

[Ian Nimmo]

The ref was totally useless from the off, our players were being brought down when breaking clear and whilst he gave the fouls, they should have been yellow carded, early in the game this would have made a real difference.
We played well, but we have to be clinical when we are playing well, we had the opportunity to go in at half time with a reasonable lead.
The striker position is the worst I have seen for a few years now, but I don’t except any criticism of Billy, yes he failed with a tame shot in the second half, however mols had got too close to him which forced Billy wider.
Mols was tremendous today, although seemed to tire a little in the last few minutes, but great to see his performance today.
Sorry to have to say this, and I know some will say he only got a few minutes, but Hanlan just just not look like a footballer anywhere near the standard required for L1. At best he is no better than non-league.
Whatever money we can come up with, has to be spent on 1 or even 2 decent strikers, Olusanya’s contract should not be renewed, Ajayi should be sent back, and we should try and get Hanlan and Sabarra out on loan to try and free up some cash.

[drfchound]

Thought that was as good as we have played for quite a while in the league.

The officials today were really poor.

There were also at least four occasions in the match when we had players running past defenders into very good attacking positions but had their shirts pulled enough to stop them and prevent the play developing.
Some of them ended with a yellow card but the Barnsley defenders would happily have taken them to prevent what could have turned into good goal scoring opportunities.
There should be some looking into this “taking one for the team” thing, maybe five minutes sin bin because it is just blatant cheating.

[GazLaz]

Thought that was as good as we have played for quite a while in the league.

The officials today were really poor.

There were also at least four occasions in the match when we had players running past defenders into very good attacking positions but had there shirts pulled enough to stop them and prevent the play developing.
Some of them ended with a yellow card but the Barnsley defenders would happily have taken them to prevent what could have turned into good goal scoring opportunities.
There should be some looking into this “taking one for the team” thing, maybe five minutes sin bin because it is just blatant cheating.

McCann said in his interview he wants us to do that more.

[Spud]

Thought that was as good as we have played for quite a while in the league.

The officials today were really poor.

There were also at least four occasions in the match when we had players running past defenders into very good attacking positions but had there shirts pulled enough to stop them and prevent the play developing.
Some of them ended with a yellow card but the Barnsley defenders would happily have taken them to prevent what could have turned into good goal scoring opportunities.
There should be some looking into this “taking one for the team” thing, maybe five minutes sin bin because it is just blatant cheating.

McCann said in his interview he wants us to do that more.

Under the current rules we probably should, maybe he wouldn't think so if the rule hound suggests was in force.

[Sprotyrover]

We haven’t replaced Street and likewise Goalies aren’t  brilliant.

[In the box]

All this talk of strikers not performing it was Billy with the assist and Billy that was fouled for the blatant penalty.
We do need strengthening for sure, but let's not say we don't have a striker. Billy is playing very well.

What happens if Billy is unavailable.. who steps up then .. ?

[Spilsby Red]

How about Hanlan. Give him a chance

[Ldr]

Could have prime Alick Jeffrey, in the box would still whine

[scawsby steve]

Really struggling for form. 1 win in 8 as well and now 3 points off bottom 4.

It's not 1 win in 8 in the league. The last 8 games in the league are winless; 6 defeats and 2 draws.

With the daunting fixtures we've got coming up, I'd say we're in a bit of trouble now. You can't win games if you can't score goals, and we just look clueless at the moment in front of goal.

Terry's always helped us out in January. It's looking like he might have to dig deep just to keep us up this season. Good strikers don't come cheap, and IMO we need a better keeper than the 2 we've got.

[Pancho Regan]

Is the difference that they can afford more talented individuals? Sounded as though we played better as a team, but they had classy players who could do it on their own. Fast breaks by individuals rather than the better teamwork.

To quote the BBC Live Text:
Vimal Yoganathan (Barnsley) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Reyes Cleary following a fast break.
Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Kelly following a fast break.

You might also deduce that their shooting was more accurate than ours from the stats.

Enthusiasm can be a substitute for skill, but not in equal measure.

You’re quoting BBC text.
Were you at the game?

If not I think it’s a bit embarrassing to post on a match thread.

[Pancho Regan]

I’m hurting after that defeat, as I’m sure are many of my fellow fans.

But we played well today and it was a really enjoyable match. Credit due to both teams for putting on a very positive performance with lots of attacking play and end-to-end stuff.

Great endeavour from both teams and although it kills me to say it, congratulations to Barnsley for their win.

I cannot, and will not, criticise a single thing about our performance today.
Moly was back to his best and it was a pleasure to watch him. I’m so chuffed that he got the goal he deserved.
Billy, as usual, put in a superb shift and laid Moly’s goal on a plate for him.

We’ll be OK this season. We won’t get promoted but that was always a pipe-dream.

Well done today Rovers. The players will be hurting as much as I am but if we all stick together we’ll be ok.

[ForsolongaRover]

I’m hurting after that defeat, as I’m sure are many of my fellow fans.

But we played well today and it was a really enjoyable match. Credit due to both teams for putting on a very positive performance with lots of attacking play and end-to-end stuff.

Great endeavour from both teams and although it kills me to say it, congratulations to Barnsley for their win.

I cannot, and will not, criticise a single thing about our performance today.
Moly was back to his best and it was a pleasure to watch him. I’m so chuffed that he got the goal he deserved.
Billy, as usual, put in a superb shift and laid Moly’s goal on a plate for him.

We’ll be OK this season. We won’t get promoted but that was always a pipe-dream.

Well done today Rovers. The players will be hurting as much as I am but if we all stick together we’ll be ok.

I was going to come back to you on the reprimand you delivered to me for quoting from the BBC, and I’m not sure why I have upset you, but I did listen to the sound commentary and I live 200 miles away and can’t get to many matches now through personal circumstances. If you stopped people who can’t get to matches from commenting, the forum would be poorer for it. I quoted the BBC text because the words used illustrated my point precisely. I’m upset at the result, just like you, but I’m not clear where the “embarrassment” comes in.

 

[Pancho Regan]

I’m hurting after that defeat, as I’m sure are many of my fellow fans.

But we played well today and it was a really enjoyable match. Credit due to both teams for putting on a very positive performance with lots of attacking play and end-to-end stuff.

Great endeavour from both teams and although it kills me to say it, congratulations to Barnsley for their win.

I cannot, and will not, criticise a single thing about our performance today.
Moly was back to his best and it was a pleasure to watch him. I’m so chuffed that he got the goal he deserved.
Billy, as usual, put in a superb shift and laid Moly’s goal on a plate for him.

We’ll be OK this season. We won’t get promoted but that was always a pipe-dream.

Well done today Rovers. The players will be hurting as much as I am but if we all stick together we’ll be ok.

I was going to come back to you on the reprimand you delivered to me for quoting from the BBC, and I’m not sure why I have upset you, but I did listen to the sound commentary and I live 200 miles away and can’t get to many matches now through personal circumstances. If you stopped people who can’t get to matches from commenting, the forum would be poorer for it. I quoted the BBC text because the words used illustrated my point precisely. I’m upset at the result, just like you, but I’m not clear where the “embarrassment” comes in.

Fair comment, sorry.
I’m hurting so I was probably out of order there.

[Pliskin]

Looking at the fixtures, there's a fair chance now that we'll be in the bottom 4 by the time the transfer window opens.

Only two sides have scored fewer than us, only four have conceded more. No league win in two months.

We are just so lacking in quality in the areas of the pitch that matter.

If we don't meaningfully strengthen the squad in January then I can't see how we don't end up going straight back down.

[Lesonthewest]

Really enjoyed the game yesterday, thought we played well & unlucky not to come away with a point. Thought Mollyneux was excellent & easily our MOTM. Don't think there's any panic yet, & hopefully we have irons in the fire for January to steady the ship. We are not far away from being a good side at this level, but recruitment has to be better.

Every manager has their critics when on a bad run, & I'm sure there will be some, but we can't lose sight of the mess we were in before he took over, & the progression we have made since. The manager & players will get us moving up the table again I'm sure, there were some real positives to take from yesterday.

 Owen Bailey's purple patch early season has just papered over the cracks of where we are struggling, we can't keep relying on a 39 year old, as good as he has been, to lead the line week in week out. Recruitment hasn't been good enough in that department. Clubs don't like losing players in January, but we have to bring in better than we currently have.

[Chris Black come back]

Really enjoyed the game yesterday, thought we played well & unlucky not to come away with a point. Thought Mollyneux was excellent & easily our MOTM. Don't think there's any panic yet, & hopefully we have irons in the fire for January to steady the ship. We are not far away from being a good side at this level, but recruitment has to be better.

Every manager has their critics when on a bad run, & I'm sure there will be some, but we can't lose sight of the mess we were in before he took over, & the progression we have made since. The manager & players will get us moving up the table again I'm sure, there were some real positives to take from yesterday.

 Owen Bailey's purple patch early season has just papered over the cracks of where we are struggling, we can't keep relying on a 39 year old, as good as he has been, to lead the line week in week out. Recruitment hasn't been good enough in that department. Clubs don't like losing players in January, but we have to bring in better than we currently have.

Agree with this, very fair summary. There were periods in the second half where we were crucifying them but just couldn't put them away. Result would have been different if we had. Still some clear capability gaps in the squad that haven't been addressed since May. We are good enough to avoid relegation, it just needs a bit more focus where it matters.

[i_ateallthepies]

It's been said by others but our work in the final third is woeful.  Somebody commented that some chances just didn't drop for us but the reality is we are just so poor at creating clear-cut chances.  Middleton excepted, the crossing from the wings and from dead ball situations is just criminal.

[mushRTID]

I’m not having a go at Timmy here because I rate him.

But both goals were low shots accross him into the far corner.

Does he have a problem getting down to these? And if so have teams now worked this out?

[GazLaz]

I’m not having a go at Timmy here because I rate him.

But both goals were low shots accross him into the far corner.

Does he have a problem getting down to these? And if so have teams now worked this out?

The second went through the defenders legs. Keepers generally never save those.

[mushRTID]

I’m not having a go at Timmy here because I rate him.

But both goals were low shots accross him into the far corner.

Does he have a problem getting down to these? And if so have teams now worked this out?

The second went through the defenders legs. Keepers generally never save those.

That’s fair enough.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

There was alot more positive about the performance than negative but as is the way with some footy fans after defeats, they hunt for scapegoats.

I think the majority can assess a game fairly and understand what they key moments were.

We know the players are capable of playing better than this recent run. Signs of improvement in the last three games. All part of that is converting more chances whoever they fall to. We've seen improvement in the last two seasons and yes, maybe will a bit of refining in January, we can complete with most teams.. We've already shown we can.

I trust McCann and the players to continue improving until such time as he can change it.

[monkeytennis]

I’m not having a go at Timmy here because I rate him.

But both goals were low shots accross him into the far corner.

Does he have a problem getting down to these? And if so have teams now worked this out?

The second went through the defenders legs. Keepers generally never save those.

Yep the replay clearly showed Pearson nutmegged for the goal.

[CJK]

What do we think of Pearson by the way? He's pretty slow. There was a phase of play early in the first half where he looked favourite to win the ball but their player got it and nipped it away, he then went for a full blooded tackle but was so late he missed the player altogether. It looked very erratic at the time. Good job he was so slow as if he'd connected, he'd have been in trouble.

[drfchound]

I’m not having a go at Timmy here because I rate him.

But both goals were low shots accross him into the far corner.

Does he have a problem getting down to these? And if so have teams now worked this out?

The second went through the defenders legs. Keepers generally never save those.

Yep the replay clearly showed Pearson nutmegged for the goal.

To be fair to Pearson there are lots of goals every weekend which go into the net through defenders legs, it isn’t unusual at all.