New Year's Day - 5 points outside the play-offs (6 Viewers)

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

We had enough chance to win the game for sure, didn't play very good though

 

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[Grendel]

Start of August I expected top 2, would have settled with top 6.
By mid September I thought mid table.
By September 20th I thought top six again.

So today I am happy

Any team that has the team in 19th place do the double on them and has failed to win home matches against bury and Scunthorpe can only view themselves as promotion candidates.

At least we now know top 2 is gone but even top 6 looks a task beyond now.

 

[Grendel]

We had enough chance to win the game for sure, didn't play very good though

No we didn't. Most chances were long range and murphy made more saves. We were not great.

 

[stupot07]

Happened nearly every home game that against us.

We are not good against counter attacking.

Yeah agree with that but 16 chances 9 on target is terrible at home. If we defend like that against spurs we'll e looking at another tonking.

I completely agree with your analysis of fleck, I thought he looked good on the ball but awful without it today.

 

[Otis]

And I've always said i would settle for mid-table with a promotion push next year.

Going to take time and maybe a change of personnel to get us to be a much better home team. We simply struggle to break teams down.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

No we didn't. Most chances were long range and murphy made more saves. We were not great.

No we were poor, didn't play at all well enough imo. But we did have chances though

 

[Otis]

Yeah agree with that but 16 chances 9 on target is terrible at home. If we defend like that against spurs we'll e looking at another tonking.

I completely agree with your analysis of fleck, I thought he looked good on the ball but awful without it today.

Do think the Shrewsbury shot total is slightly distorted, as later on they just decided to take pot shots from distance, as much as to waste time as owt else, and to see if they could bag another goal.

They were hitting many shots way over the bar. Would say our chances were much better and closer to being goals overall. The 2 Sheff ones, 2 Baker ones, the Clarke header and the Clarke shot off the line.

Shrewsbury did have a fair few shots, but a lot of them came quite late on when we were pressing and they were just trying pot luck.

Still too many though.

 

[Otis]

No we were poor, didn't play at all well enough imo. But we did have chances though

We will have to disagree then, cos at times i thought we played very well and it's the best i've seen us play at home this season pretty much (Missed Walsall and Brum).

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

We will have to disagree then, cos at times i thought we played very well and it's the best i've seen us play at home this season pretty much (Missed Walsall and Brum).

I see.......


Can you stay away from the Ricoh more often please

 

[Otis]

That's what my missus says!

I might have to not go up more often!

 

[stupot07]

Do think the Shrewsbury shot total is slightly distorted, as later on they just decided to take pot shots from distance, as much as to waste time as owt else, and to see if they could bag another goal.

They were hitting many shots way over the bar. Would say our chances were much better and closer to being goals overall. The 2 Sheff ones, 2 Baker ones, the Clarke header and the Clarke shot off the line.

Shrewsbury did have a fair few shots, but a lot of them came quite late on when we were pressing and they were just trying pot luck.

Still too many though.

They had 4 great chances first half though Otis, 2 1-1's one of which Murphy got injured, also a left hand cross which Marvin slid in and put wide, and also their sub midfielder (15?) put a free header wide and that was first half.

I agree we shaded the better of the chances but we gave them far too many decent opportunities.

To be honest it is a game which could have finished 5-4.

 

[Grendel]

We will have to disagree then, cos at times i thought we played very well and it's the best i've seen us play at home this season pretty much (Missed Walsall and Brum).

The trouble is though there was little in the way of sustained pressure. Yes there were chances and if we scored then I think we would have won.

Lots of our chances were long range and also Shrewsbury had 3 gilt edged chances in the first half.

We are hugely reliant on the first 11 playing well as the back up squad remains poor. Fleck as a central midfielder is a no no. Too slow plays like a skilful 36 year old whose day has gone. So slow its amazing really.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Certain parts were impressive. Much more common though were lazy punts up the field which were swallowed up with ease and kept Baker and McG out of the game. Played right into the opposition's hands and unforgiveable in my opinion.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

And I've always said i would settle for mid-table with a promotion push next year.

Going to take time and maybe a change of personnel to get us to be a much better home team. We simply struggle to break teams down.

We'd have more joy if we didn't go long ball against 6 foot centre halves.

 

[dongonzalos]

Any team that has the team in 19th place do the double on them and has failed to win home matches against bury and Sc-unithorpe can only view themselves as promotion candidates.

At least we now know top 2 is gone but even top 6 looks a task beyond now.

5 point away, a task beyond, from the team with one of the best form over the last 10 games?

 

[dongonzalos]

Certain parts were impressive. Much more common though were lazy punts up the field which were swallowed up with ease and kept Baker and McG out of the game. Played right into the opposition's hands and unforgiveable in my opinion.

Who was punting it?

Very disappointed to hear that?

Total waste of time

 

[Grendel]

5 point away, a task beyond, from the team with one of the best form over the last 10 games?

With one if the worst home records in the league I'd say yes. Not too bothered if the owners continue to invest. Think we can ditch a lot of the squad and be a real force next season.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Who was punting it?

Very disappointed to hear that?

Total waste of time

Take your pick. So often the ball wilfully sent back to Murphy for an aimless hoof to Baker who never had a hope of winning the header. We looked a lot better when the ball was on the deck and our midfield got a look in.

 

[Otis]

They were very big and strong. Don't know why Murphy resorted to long punts upfield.

 

[Grendel]

Take your pick. So often the ball wilfully sent back to Murphy for an aimless hoof to Baker who never had a hope of winning the header. We looked a lot better when the ball was on the deck and our midfield got a look in.

Problem was we are are used to having bailey in CM. today we effectively had only Jennings who was exposed without baileys industry. I think robins felt he owed fleck a start but hopefully he will be back in the bench next week.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Problem was we are are used to having bailey in CM. today we effectively had only Jennings who was exposed without baileys industry. I think robins felt he owed fleck a start but hopefully he will be back in the bench next week.

Think you hit the nail earlier-Fleck is good on the ball but crap off it. Which most who saw him in Scotland would have told you when he signed.

 

[Grendel]

Think you hit the nail earlier-Fleck is good on the ball but crap off it. Which most who saw him in Scotland would have told you when he signed.

Except Walter smith, fergie and mccoist according to don. Why we agreed a 3 year contract defeats me. He is far too slow to make it in the game.

 

[Deleted member 4439]

Take your pick. So often the ball wilfully sent back to Murphy for an aimless hoof to Baker who never had a hope of winning the header. We looked a lot better when the ball was on the deck and our midfield got a look in.

The frustrating thing for me - and what the stats don't capture - was the number of balls we squared into the box without any result (e.g. even the second ball). I was hoping that, after we'd failed to connect on a header for the umpteenth time, we'd might change to drilling it hard and low instead.

I do think Robbins has to come up with a better game plan - or with the players - who can break down defences that play behind the ball.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

It is going to be incredibly tough to make play offs still but possible if we sort out our home form

Tranmere, Sheff Utd, Brentford and Doncaster are looking pretty solid in the top 4 and then Swindon and Bournemouth are playing fantastic from the chasing pack an then you still have MK Dons who many would have said were certainties for the play offs at the start of the season. Think we will finish ahead of Stevanage, Notts, Crewe, Yeovil and Crawley but those 7 teams mentioned above are going to be hard to overhaul

 

[SkyBlueBlood]

We are now in the pack chasing the play offs.

I don't know where all these "I was expecting us to be in the play offs not close at the beginning of the season" came from, because all I remember of pre-season was that we had lost all our best players, missed our initial targets and were so skint that we would probably be facing another relegation battle, with mid-table being optimistic.

We now have the best squad in this league, easily the best manager, easily the best away support and will be chasing the play offs with a chance of 2 trips to Wembley.............

This is the best we have had it for some time, get behind the lads.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Except Walter smith, fergie and mccoist according to don. Why we agreed a 3 year contract defeats me. He is far too slow to make it in the game.

By no means comparing the 2, but on that logic, wouldn't Xavi be too slow to make it!? If you seen the 3 magnificent balls he played today, you'd think pace isn't needed here, the lad has pure footballing ability, last 2 games has been either our best player, or one of our best players.

That end comment would suggest to me, that you're still holding on to the 80s when football was more physicality than actual skill, when fitness, pace and strength ruled over technicality, vision etc. the epoch of 4-4-2.

 

[Otis]

Think you hit the nail earlier-Fleck is good on the ball but crap off it. Which most who saw him in Scotland would have told you when he signed.

Spot on that.

Watch Fleck when he doesn't have the ball. He's like a supporter at times, merely standing and watching all going on around him.

His failure to track and mark and tackle are clearly apparent and when we have the ball he's fine, when we don't he's a bit of a liability.

 

[Grendel]

By no means comparing the 2, but on that logic, wouldn't Xavi be too slow to make it!? If you seen the 3 magnificent balls he played today, you'd think pace isn't needed here, the lad has pure footballing ability, last 2 games has been either our best player, or one of our best players.

That end comment would suggest to me, that you're still holding on to the 80s when football was more physicality than actual skill, when fitness, pace and strength ruled over technicality, vision etc. the epoch of 4-4-2.

That is hilarious. The player we are talking about is in his early 20's and has less pace than Kilbane.

Manchester Utd success has been bred an an ethic of energy hard work and commitment as much as skill. A player like fleck would never be considered for their team as work and team ethics are top of Fergies agenda.

You're right I am in the past though. I make my judgements watching actual games not stuck in some silly football manager virtual existence which makes me think I know about winning formations..

 

[dongonzalos]

We are now in the pack chasing the play offs.

I don't know where all these "I was expecting us to be in the play offs not close at the beginning of the season" came from, because all I remember of pre-season was that we had lost all our best players, missed our initial targets and were so skint that we would probably be facing another relegation battle, with mid-table being optimistic.

We now have the best squad in this league, easily the best manager, easily the best away support and will be chasing the play offs with a chance of 2 trips to Wembley.............

This is the best we have had it for some time, get behind the lads.

I was one of those expecting top two

Yes I agree we missed out on our first choices due to that stupid embargo. One of them has now scored 12 goals.

Yes we also lost players.

However we signed 9 people I think DMC was also on the cards.

My own few was bit of time to settle down have a strong 11 uses kids sparingly instead of depending on them.

20k at the Ricoh. I was hoping for automatic but would have not moaned too much by top six.

I appreciate they were all free transfers and loaners bar one.

However I was gob smacked that SISU allowed even that. I was full of hope.

Now it is something like 15/16 signings including a bloke who has scored 11. Yes DMC is probably off ski however I think there will be more incomings.

So I am full of hope again Top six bit of aminimum with this lot for me.

 

[Grendel]

So I am full of hope again Top six bit if a minimum with this lot for me.

Or what? Sack robins?

If we had Collins we would never have had the budget to get mcgoldrick anyway and are you saying if we did you would play both? Where ?

 

[dongonzalos]

Or what? Sack robins?

If we had Collins we would never have had the budget to get mcgoldrick anyway and are you saying if we did you would play both? Where ?

That is a possibility, as I don't think they would have expected that tribunal fee.
SISU are probably relieved it didn't happen

 

[dongonzalos]

Or what? Sack robins?

If we had Collins we would never have had the budget to get mcgoldrick anyway and are you saying if we did you would play both? Where ?

No we have had more managers than years out of the prem sacking managers is stupid.

If we don't get in the top six this season. Sack TF and Wag would be my solution.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

That is hilarious. The player we are talking about is in his early 20's and has less pace than Kilbane.

Manchester Utd success has been bred an an ethic of energy hard work and commitment as much as skill. A player like fleck would never be considered for their team as work and team ethics are top of Fergies agenda.

You're right I am in the past though. I make my judgements watching actual games not stuck in some silly football manager virtual existence which makes me think I know about winning formations..

Kilbane probably isn't as fast as Fleck, in fact, I wouldn't say there isn't much in it between Fleck and McSheff. If you compare Fleck and McSheff, from what you watch, would justify starting McSheff over Fleck!? As I say, you don't need to be 100mph to be a good footballer, you need skill, Fleck is definitely one of our best players in the passing department, set pieces etc.

Work ethic and commitment are important, but, you criticise Fleck for this, but does McSheff excel in these? No for work ethic, commitment yes, but the same applies to Fleck.

You choose Man U, but Barcelona, a more successful team, has influenced Spain, probably (definitely arguably) the best international and club teams. Who place emphasis on keeping the ball and both teams aren't as physical nor have a higher work rate than Man U or England, both are more successful.

I have a ST, been to every league game (bar Pompey) and hadn't missed a home game for 2 season (gutted oh well). There's no evidence I made opinions based off virtual games, which, btw, I haven't.

Where have I got my opinions from? Well, we come from different generations so look at things differently, you've seen 4-4-2 succeed for both CCFC + England, have I? That's a big fat no. Whilst the successful teams have played 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 playing it on deck with less emphasis on physicality. Don't be so ignorant Grendel.

One thing that will always annoy me about Thorn, we were so, so dogmatic in throwing the ball forwards (when going backwards was an option) which we lost the ball 9/10, we played Platt, and hoofed it up to him when proclaiming we're a passing team, fitness, subs, always too late or not made, and as with most of the past CCFC managers, 11 back at set pieces.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Or what? Sack robins?

If we had Collins we would never have had the budget to get mcgoldrick anyway and are you saying if we did you would play both? Where ?

That wouldn't happen, considering the first 8 games cost us badly.

 

[dongonzalos]

By no means comparing the 2, but on that logic, wouldn't Xavi be too slow to make it!? If you seen the 3 magnificent balls he played today, you'd think pace isn't needed here, the lad has pure footballing ability, last 2 games has been either our best player, or one of our best players.

That end comment would suggest to me, that you're still holding on to the 80s when football was more physicality than actual skill, when fitness, pace and strength ruled over technicality, vision etc. the epoch of 4-4-2.

Somehow our highest assist player and has played half the games. It's amazing how many flukey passes you can make that leads to a goal
G man you loves stats how can you ignore that one