Why Critchley has lost the fans?

Dougallsdouble

Dougallsdouble

Well-known member
Basically in the last few months we have all been kidding ourselves. You can be glass half full all season it still doesn't change the majority of the fans ill feeling towards Critch and certain under performing player's in our current squad.

The obvious mistakes and frustrations that we as supporters see every week most can be rectified if he was more in tune or wasn't being as stubborn as we hear he can be.

Numero uno under no illusions It wasn't a popular choice to bring NC back in the first place. Ex managers on return to BFC have statistically proven not to work.
Already from day one on a slippery slope.

He started the season playing players out of their natural position and still is wtf,?

Playing his favourites way to often CJ, Carey and Connolly who have had too many chances that have basically not stepped up and performed to their best.

The abysmal away form this season has been horrendous.
Giving away far too many goals to the opposition with stupid passing errors across the back main culprits, Marv, hubby,Norbs and Grimmy.

Most of us hate this deluded formation with negative tactics that bores everyone to death and hasn't produced the right results.

Way too much unnecessary swapping, changing and tinkering with selections within the team not keeping a consistent balance when we have winning run.

The gutless and terrible performances against bottom and lower half of the league teams.

NC constantly bigging up every opposition far too much with his pre-match TTV interviews to the annoyance of the fans. It's like he's already making excuses and warning us that if we do get beat by the opposition here's the reason why and that's even before a ball is even be kicked.

Mid table mediocrity is what Critchley and the players deserve from this season.
Im very concerned for next season. We won't be averaging 10k gates as season ticket sales will take a kicking with Critch ball guaranteed next season.

The remedy for next season to get fans back on side.
Win more games start off flying.
He's gonna have ditch a few players who we know aren't good enough.
Change his style of play and get us automatic promotion end of nothing else will do.
If we are nowhere near that by October then he has to go or we will be back down to 4-5k gates again and Bloomfield rd will be mega toxic.
 
Great summary. The sad part for me is your last paragraph.

"Change his style of play and get us automatic promotion end of nothing else will do. If we are nowhere near that by October then he has to go or we will be back down to 4-5k gates again and Bloomfield rd will be mega toxic."

Because he won't change, and we will be in the same position again in October or potentially worse. The majority of the fans can see this, so why prolong something that isn't working.
 
Dougallsdouble said:
Basically in the last few months we have all been kidding ourselves. You can be glass half full all season it still doesn't change the majority of the fans ill feeling towards Critch and certain under performing player's in our current squad.

The obvious mistakes and frustrations that we as supporters see every week most can be rectified if he was more in tune or wasn't being as stubborn as we hear he can be.

Numero uno under no illusions It wasn't a popular choice to bring NC back in the first place. Ex managers on return to BFC have statistically proven not to work.
Already from day one on a slippery slope.

He started the season playing players out of their natural position and still is wtf,?

Playing his favourites way to often CJ, Carey and Connolly who have had too many chances that have basically not stepped up and performed to their best.

The abysmal away form this season has been horrendous.
Giving away far too many goals to the opposition with stupid passing errors across the back main culprits, Marv, hubby,Norbs and Grimmy.

Most of us hate this deluded formation with negative tactics that bores everyone to death and hasn't produced the right results.

Way too much unnecessary swapping, changing and tinkering with selections within the team not keeping a consistent balance when we have winning run.

The gutless and terrible performances against bottom and lower half of the league teams.

NC constantly bigging up every opposition far too much with his pre-match TTV interviews to the annoyance of the fans. It's like he's already making excuses and warning us that if we do get beat by the opposition here's the reason why and that's even before a ball is even be kicked.

Mid table mediocrity is what Critchley and the players deserve from this season.
Im very concerned for next season. We won't be averaging 10k gates as season ticket sales will take a kicking with Critch ball guaranteed next season.

The remedy for next season to get fans back on side.
Win more games start off flying.
He's gonna have ditch a few players who we know aren't good enough.
Change his style of play and get us automatic promotion end of nothing else will do.
If we are nowhere near that by October then he has to go or we will be back down to 4-5k gates again and Bloomfield rd will be mega toxic.
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So does the hypothetical new guy have to get automatic 'end of' ?
 
Lytham_fy8 said:
So does the hypothetical new guy have to get automatic 'end of' ?
Click to expand...
Must get Automatic Promotion…

Must Live on Fylde Coast..

Must also be an ‘Entertainer’

Must have Thommo as his Assistant

Must Play 4-4-2

Must not use an IPAD

Must not say ‘Err or Erm’ or have any other repetitive speech patterns.

Must not wear a Gilet

Must be someone we know (ideally an ex-player)

Must pretend Blackpool FC is Barcelona
 
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He’s not lost the fans. He’s maybe lost a few but those fans will soon be back on side should we make the playoffs.

If we go into the last game of the season with a chance of the playoffs the fans will be on side.

The crazy thing is if we get promoted the fans criticising will be at Wembley. We lose 2/3 games on the trot next season the sane fans will be calling for his head.

League 1 is hard. Money means nothing. If Sunderland, Ipswich, Forest, Wednesday, Rovers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton with their clout got stuck down here is it *really* fair to give Critch stick for being there or there abouts but maybe missing out with Blackpool ?!
 
Dougallsdouble said:
Basically in the last few months we have all been kidding ourselves. You can be glass half full all season it still doesn't change the majority of the fans ill feeling towards Critch and certain under performing player's in our current squad.

The obvious mistakes and frustrations that we as supporters see every week most can be rectified if he was more in tune or wasn't being as stubborn as we hear he can be.

Numero uno under no illusions It wasn't a popular choice to bring NC back in the first place. Ex managers on return to BFC have statistically proven not to work.
Already from day one on a slippery slope.

He started the season playing players out of their natural position and still is wtf,?

Playing his favourites way to often CJ, Carey and Connolly who have had too many chances that have basically not stepped up and performed to their best.

The abysmal away form this season has been horrendous.
Giving away far too many goals to the opposition with stupid passing errors across the back main culprits, Marv, hubby,Norbs and Grimmy.

Most of us hate this deluded formation with negative tactics that bores everyone to death and hasn't produced the right results.

Way too much unnecessary swapping, changing and tinkering with selections within the team not keeping a consistent balance when we have winning run.

The gutless and terrible performances against bottom and lower half of the league teams.

NC constantly bigging up every opposition far too much with his pre-match TTV interviews to the annoyance of the fans. It's like he's already making excuses and warning us that if we do get beat by the opposition here's the reason why and that's even before a ball is even be kicked.

Mid table mediocrity is what Critchley and the players deserve from this season.
Im very concerned for next season. We won't be averaging 10k gates as season ticket sales will take a kicking with Critch ball guaranteed next season.

The remedy for next season to get fans back on side.
Win more games start off flying.
He's gonna have ditch a few players who we know aren't good enough.
Change his style of play and get us automatic promotion end of nothing else will do.
If we are nowhere near that by October then he has to go or we will be back down to 4-5k gates again and Bloomfield rd will be mega toxic.
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He’s not lost the fans tho or you would hear chants from the crowd.
Just a load of moaning fuckers on here. There’s more fans who like him or are happy to carry on with him or whatever. Not collectively lost the fans tho.
 
Chunkylad said:
After watching ten minutes of Celebrity Big Brother and now reading that we expect automatic no less, I’m hoping the Chinese do a better job next time round.

It time for the Chimpanzees to have a crack at ruling the Earth as we are now in the final death throes of a shit society….
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You did well to be able to watch 10 mins !
 
Neither had me nor lost me. Just want to win really, and when we do we don't have any of this. But mainly I want to feel that there's something meaningful behind it all and a plan to improve. So somewhere in the middle of still trying to get my head around what we're supposed to be as a team this season. Haven't properly replaced Jerry Yates and it's obviously creaked to breaking point by December with trying to rag a year out of Rhodes. Wonky wing backs has given way to something a bit more sensible since January but it's still all about keeping everyone behind the ball and in a shape. Hoping Dembele can do something. Very hit and miss. You know in the first minutes of a game how we're likely to be on that given day even before the opponent gets to do their thing.

Seems to have started hinting recently that he can only prepare for one game a week and needs more time on the training ground. As a method coach who isn't new in the building that doesn't seem quite right to me, unless he knows there's only so much that can be done with this squad of players. Shifted focus to trying to score from set pieces recently as a workaround, but then you think what exactly were you doing in your week in Ireland and full pre-season etc.

If we can't do anything this season. And some of this squad move on. Then every next incoming has to be a first team starter aligned with how Critchley wants to play. And his big hope Kyle Joseph has got to have a full pre-season and hit the ground running because he's effectively missed a year of his career and time with us already. What we can't have is more punting on stockpiling random U21s who never see the light of day at the same time as we have Simon Sadler complaining about how expensive a football club is to run. We're L1 not Chelsea and it's not really a cost-effective football operation.
 
Chunkylad said:
It was horrific bud. Seriously, I cannot believe that this is what society wants or needs in its life?

I bet the numbers watching that eclipses massively any news; current affairs, or politics programs?
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To be fair I don't blame them. And from the tone of your posts you've been watching too much news and politics because you are talking like the end of the world is nigh because a few people moan about football.

I catch the news but what a depressing thought sitting watching news, current affairs and politics programs. Deary me. How much war and shite government do you want to watch?
 
I don’t think he’s lost the fans, he’s come close but then we’ll pick up a couple of results and he gets a reprieve.

There’s a decent section who aren’t having him but I doubt it’s a majority, I’ve not heard a lot of discontent at games this season and you can tell when a crowd really turns on someone.

I don’t think we were ever getting rid of him whilst we still had an outside chance and I’m alright with that. I have my misgivings but it’s not quite enough for the bloke to lose his job.
 
As someone very pro-Critchley since he came back, he's losing (not lost) me due to his complete intransigence over the 5-3-2 formation, particularly away from home.

His versatility with formations, shape, and personnel first year was a huge plus for him. He's demonstrating none of that now. He needs some people and more challenging voices in his backroom team, for his own good as much as anyone else.
 
He certainly hasn't lost me, or in my opinion majority of the fan base. A few voices on an internet message board, and twitter don't speak for the majority of fans.

I get fans anger, and wanting to win every game, but football isn't all that simple. We have no divine right to win every game, and away performances are a bit iffy. That being said, there have in recent away games, been a sign that things were improving. Shrewsbury, Posh, Bristol Rovers and Northampton were all decent enough performances, and i actually thought Shrewsbury and Northampton were those "perfect away games" where we never really looked in trouble. I didn't actually watch the Wigan or Posh games, but losing Rhodes early on Saturday was always going to be a massive blow, and it apparently showed. Though if I'm honest, from the last couple of games at Wigan, I felt it was always going to be the case anyway. I get those games at Burton, Port Vale, and Stevenage were dire, but its football, and there are no doubt plenty of away games some in the top 6 would say were poor.

We are still in with a chance, and if anything has showed me while watching Blackpool for the last 25 years, we have a habit of proving doubters wrong quite a bit. I accept that is has gone the other way too many times too, but well, keep the faith and all that.

If we don't go up this season, next season is going to massive for Critch, and despite the criticism that Sadler gets, I actually have confidence he will change things if needed, my only worry there, is the grass isn't always greener, so its a big decision for him too.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
He’s not lost the fans. He’s maybe lost a few but those fans will soon be back on side should we make the playoffs.

If we go into the last game of the season with a chance of the playoffs the fans will be on side.

The crazy thing is if we get promoted the fans criticising will be at Wembley. We lose 2/3 games on the trot next season the sane fans will be calling for his head.

League 1 is hard. Money means nothing. If Sunderland, Ipswich, Forest, Wednesday, Rovers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton with their clout got stuck down here is it *really* fair to give Critch stick for being there or there abouts but maybe missing out with Blackpool ?!
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He's lost more than a few fans. Many didn't want him back and more have become disillusioned with the turgid football his team has produced. The guy's a fraud and hopefully he'll be gone by December at the latest.
 
65 & Counting said:
He's lost more than a few fans. Many didn't want him back and more have become disillusioned with the turgid football his team has produced. The guy's a fraud and hopefully he'll be gone by December at the latest.
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Unfortunately this kind of collective delusion does have a part to play. There are certainly a small number of extremely negative fans who seem determined to infect the fanbase and sow the seeds of discontent.
 
HerefordSeasider said:
He certainly hasn't lost me, or in my opinion majority of the fan base. A few voices on an internet message board, and twitter don't speak for the majority of fans.

I get fans anger, and wanting to win every game, but football isn't all that simple. We have no divine right to win every game, and away performances are a bit iffy. That being said, there have in recent away games, been a sign that things were improving. Shrewsbury, Posh, Bristol Rovers and Northampton were all decent enough performances, and i actually thought Shrewsbury and Northampton were those "perfect away games" where we never really looked in trouble. I didn't actually watch the Wigan or Posh games, but losing Rhodes early on Saturday was always going to be a massive blow, and it apparently showed. Though if I'm honest, from the last couple of games at Wigan, I felt it was always going to be the case anyway. I get those games at Burton, Port Vale, and Stevenage were dire, but its football, and there are no doubt plenty of away games some in the top 6 would say were poor.

We are still in with a chance, and if anything has showed me while watching Blackpool for the last 25 years, we have a habit of proving doubters wrong quite a bit. I accept that is has gone the other way too many times too, but well, keep the faith and all that.

If we don't go up this season, next season is going to massive for Critch, and despite the criticism that Sadler gets, I actually have confidence he will change things if needed, my only worry there, is the grass isn't always greener, so its a big decision for him too.
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You just look like you don't get it to be honest and are happy to be where we are.

The simple fact is, things haven't been working in a LOT of games. Even games that we've won we've looked poor. And he has often done absolutely nothing to change it. He's kept it exactly the same and got the same bad results and performances.
 
poolfc said:
Neither had me nor lost me. Just want to win really, and when we do we don't have any of this. But mainly I want to feel that there's something meaningful behind it all and a plan to improve. So somewhere in the middle of still trying to get my head around what we're supposed to be as a team this season. Haven't properly replaced Jerry Yates and it's obviously creaked to breaking point by December with trying to rag a year out of Rhodes. Wonky wing backs has given way to something a bit more sensible since January but it's still all about keeping everyone behind the ball and in a shape. Hoping Dembele can do something. Very hit and miss. You know in the first minutes of a game how we're likely to be on that given day even before the opponent gets to do their thing.

Seems to have started hinting recently that he can only prepare for one game a week and needs more time on the training ground. As a method coach who isn't new in the building that doesn't seem quite right to me, unless he knows there's only so much that can be done with this squad of players. Shifted focus to trying to score from set pieces recently as a workaround, but then you think what exactly were you doing in your week in Ireland and full pre-season etc.

If we can't do anything this season. And some of this squad move on. Then every next incoming has to be a first team starter aligned with how Critchley wants to play. And his big hope Kyle Joseph has got to have a full pre-season and hit the ground running because he's effectively missed a year of his career and time with us already. What we can't have is more punting on stockpiling random U21s who never see the light of day at the same time as we have Simon Sadler complaining about how expensive a football club is to run. We're L1 not Chelsea and it's not really a cost-effective football operation.
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best post on here and a lot of other threads too.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Unfortunately this kind of collective delusion does have a part to play. There are certainly a small number of extremely negative fans who seem determined to infect the fanbase and sow the seeds of discontent.
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Critchley's doing a fine job of that without the help of anyone else. Of course, those who wear tangerine spectacles may find it difficult to see.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
He’s not lost the fans. He’s maybe lost a few but those fans will soon be back on side should we make the playoffs.

If we go into the last game of the season with a chance of the playoffs the fans will be on side.

The crazy thing is if we get promoted the fans criticising will be at Wembley. We lose 2/3 games on the trot next season the sane fans will be calling for his head.

League 1 is hard. Money means nothing. If Sunderland, Ipswich, Forest, Wednesday, Rovers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton with their clout got stuck down here is it *really* fair to give Critch stick for being there or there abouts but maybe missing out with Blackpool ?!
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The ‘sane’ fans probably will yes
 
Macseasider said:
To be fair I don't blame them. And from the tone of your posts you've been watching too much news and politics because you are talking like the end of the world is nigh because a few people moan about football.

I catch the news but what a depressing thought sitting watching news, current affairs and politics programs. Deary me. How much war and shite government do you want to watch?
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lol I shall have to watch my tone!!

I’d say I watch about 1 hour of news a day across Sky Sports news and BBC news when I wake up.

It’s fair to say I cannot stand reality TV though.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
He’s not lost the fans. He’s maybe lost a few but those fans will soon be back on side should we make the playoffs.

If we go into the last game of the season with a chance of the playoffs the fans will be on side.

The crazy thing is if we get promoted the fans criticising will be at Wembley. We lose 2/3 games on the trot next season the sane fans will be calling for his head.

League 1 is hard. Money means nothing. If Sunderland, Ipswich, Forest, Wednesday, Rovers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton with their clout got stuck down here is it *really* fair to give Critch stick for being there or there abouts but maybe missing out with Blackpool ?!
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It is more than fair to give critchley stick, it's (in the main)his players, his tactics and his selections that has cost us so many away defeats, and absolutely dreadful performances,
 
HerefordSeasider said:
He certainly hasn't lost me, or in my opinion majority of the fan base. A few voices on an internet message board, and twitter don't speak for the majority of fans.

I get fans anger, and wanting to win every game, but football isn't all that simple. We have no divine right to win every game, and away performances are a bit iffy. That being said, there have in recent away games, been a sign that things were improving. Shrewsbury, Posh, Bristol Rovers and Northampton were all decent enough performances, and i actually thought Shrewsbury and Northampton were those "perfect away games" where we never really looked in trouble. I didn't actually watch the Wigan or Posh games, but losing Rhodes early on Saturday was always going to be a massive blow, and it apparently showed. Though if I'm honest, from the last couple of games at Wigan, I felt it was always going to be the case anyway. I get those games at Burton, Port Vale, and Stevenage were dire, but its football, and there are no doubt plenty of away games some in the top 6 would say were poor.

We are still in with a chance, and if anything has showed me while watching Blackpool for the last 25 years, we have a habit of proving doubters wrong quite a bit. I accept that is has gone the other way too many times too, but well, keep the faith and all that.

If we don't go up this season, next season is going to massive for Critch, and despite the criticism that Sadler gets, I actually have confidence he will change things if needed, my only worry there, is the grass isn't always greener, so its a big decision for him too.
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I personally have never said we have a divine right to win every game, a defeat is fine, but a defeat playing(or not in our case) like we have away from home (and a few home performances) is not acceptable, and it's mainly down to poor tactics,formation and selection, that's the manager at fault, I believe we have (on paper)one of the strongest squads in league 1,but he just doesn't seem to have a clue what to do with them. I will always (proudly)be a Seasider, but I am mightily pissed off with the dross we have been served over this season.
 
It's not a secret I never wanted Critchley back in the first place so yes I'm biased duly declared. We have a great squad who should be nailed on for play offs at a minimum, we had a good enough squad last season to stay in the Championship. What's stopping us right now? Crap tactics. I'm not against 3-5-2 as such but it only works at home and against the better sides away. Why is everything so damn rigid, why don't our wing backs never swap sides, why never a back four when needed? Next season you'll be looking back at this squad with tears in your eyes because many will move on to teams that play to their strengths. If we fail this season we'll be here a long time.
 
SeasideKurt said:
You just look like you don't get it to be honest and are happy to be where we are.

The simple fact is, things haven't been working in a LOT of games. Even games that we've won we've looked poor. And he has often done absolutely nothing to change it. He's kept it exactly the same and got the same bad results and performances.
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What is it I'm supposed to "get"? Have some of the performances been poor this season? Yes they have. Have I come out of a lot of games happy with our performances? Absolutely. We arnt going to play free flowing Man City football every week, if you want that, then well I suggest not supporting Blackpool, because your probably not going to get that here.

As I said before, I get why some fans are angry and maybe want Critch gone. I don't (yet), though if we don't challenge for promotion next season, then I see things changing. However, if we somehow sneak into the play offs this season, I certainly wouldn't bet against a trip to Wembley, and well, who knows. I get its probably unlikely, but having supported Blackpool all my life (and Watched Hereford United (RIP) an awful lot, maybe im just glad to see a side who despite playing poorly at times, still in with a chance of Promotion.

Its far too easy to go with the knee jerk decision of sacking a manager, who many (rightly IMO) don't forgive for walking out last season, but I'm not there for the 5th manager in two seasons, because we may miss out on the play offs this season. He has a 4 year contract, and Sadler isnt going to sack him after 1 because a few fans on the internet want him out.

If it starts being sang from the North on a Saturday afternoon, Sadler will surely consider changing it, but I simply haven't heard that being conveyed at Bloomfield road, which is why I don't see it being the majority. Grayson, Apples and Big Mick all had that, and changes were made, the fans will ultimately force Sadler into a decision, but that simply isn't anywhere near yet.
 
HerefordSeasider said:
He certainly hasn't lost me, or in my opinion majority of the fan base. A few voices on an internet message board, and twitter don't speak for the majority of fans.

I get fans anger, and wanting to win every game, but football isn't all that simple. We have no divine right to win every game, and away performances are a bit iffy. That being said, there have in recent away games, been a sign that things were improving. Shrewsbury, Posh, Bristol Rovers and Northampton were all decent enough performances, and i actually thought Shrewsbury and Northampton were those "perfect away games" where we never really looked in trouble. I didn't actually watch the Wigan or Posh games, but losing Rhodes early on Saturday was always going to be a massive blow, and it apparently showed. Though if I'm honest, from the last couple of games at Wigan, I felt it was always going to be the case anyway. I get those games at Burton, Port Vale, and Stevenage were dire, but its football, and there are no doubt plenty of away games some in the top 6 would say were poor.

We are still in with a chance, and if anything has showed me while watching Blackpool for the last 25 years, we have a habit of proving doubters wrong quite a bit. I accept that is has gone the other way too many times too, but well, keep the faith and all that.

If we don't go up this season, next season is going to massive for Critch, and despite the criticism that Sadler gets, I actually have confidence he will change things if needed, my only worry there, is the grass isn't always greener, so its a big decision for him too.
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Good post 👍
 
Seasidetyler said:
I personally have never said we have a divine right to win every game, a defeat is fine, but a defeat playing(or not in our case) like we have away from home (and a few home performances) is not acceptable, and it's mainly down to poor tactics,formation and selection, that's the manager at fault, I believe we have (on paper)one of the strongest squads in league 1,but he just doesn't seem to have a clue what to do with them. I will always (proudly)be a Seasider, but I am mightily pissed off with the dross we have been served over this season.
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And I completely get that the football at times has been poor and ive left games pretty p!ssed off. Sometimes though, we have to be realistic of where we are right this minute. Portsmouth, Derby, Bolton and Posh have better squads then us. I don't think many can argue with that. So that leaves two spaces to make the play offs. Barnsley (who I haven't seen anything of) have been flying, and if anyone has watched Stevenage this season, then you will agree their football is probably worse then ours, yet they grind out results each week. We are still up there challenging, and if we have 6 scrappy 1-0 wins with crap football, im not sure anyone will be calling for Critch to go.

Look I'm not saying the football hasnt been bad at times, but i also IMO don't think Critch has lost the majority of fans yet (which is what the OP was suggesting). when "Critch out" starts being sang from the North, then maybe I would agree with the OP.
 
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HerefordSeasider said:
What is it I'm supposed to "get"? Have some of the performances been poor this season? Yes they have. Have I come out of a lot of games happy with our performances? Absolutely. We arnt going to play free flowing Man City football every week, if you want that, then well I suggest not supporting Blackpool, because your probably not going to get that here.

As I said before, I get why some fans are angry and maybe want Critch gone. I don't (yet), though if we don't challenge for promotion next season, then I see things changing. However, if we somehow sneak into the play offs this season, I certainly wouldn't bet against a trip to Wembley, and well, who knows. I get its probably unlikely, but having supported Blackpool all my life (and Watched Hereford United (RIP) an awful lot, maybe im just glad to see a side who despite playing poorly at times, still in with a chance of Promotion.

Its far too easy to go with the knee jerk decision of sacking a manager, who many (rightly IMO) don't forgive for walking out last season, but I'm not there for the 5th manager in two seasons, because we may miss out on the play offs this season. He has a 4 year contract, and Sadler isnt going to sack him after 1 because a few fans on the internet want him out.

If it starts being sang from the North on a Saturday afternoon, Sadler will surely consider changing it, but I simply haven't heard that being conveyed at Bloomfield road, which is why I don't see it being the majority. Grayson, Apples and Big Mick all had that, and changes were made, the fans will ultimately force Sadler into a decision, but that simply isn't anywhere near yet.
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1 - I have never in my life ever demanded we play like Man City with free flowing attacking football. I got it with Holloway, I've NEVER demanded it. I want competitive, attack minded football, an intent to try and out score the opponent. Not the football we're currently seeing with players who can't play it and never will play it. Safety first, score later is how we set up.

2 - My point is very clear, we're 39 games into the season and the football is turgid and static and nothing has changed. So Neil has watched that, let two attacking players that WOULD have made a difference leave. He hasn't changed shape for games. He has very rarely changed shape during games. He has often persisted with players who aren't good enough, Hamilton/Connolly and now Beesley.

3 - I think my point stands, you're accepting that this is how football is. League One is tough. You have to be up for the battle, you can't football your way out of it. I haven't asked for Neil to be sacked once either, what I've asked is for him to adapt? Try something different? Don't sell and loan out attacking flair players? Almost every single away formation and selection has had huge question marks over it.

This league is poor this season, the fact Stevenage are in the play offs is all you need to know. This squad should be performing better than it is.
 
I didn't want him back and I haven't changed my mind on that. I think he has made a lot of mistakes and his stubborness in accepting that certain players aren't good enough or that his tactics (more specifically away from home) don't work hasn't done him any favours at all.

I'm not jumping up and down for him to go though. The fact is he will still be here next season at least and there is very little that will change that unless we are in danger of heading towards the wrong end of the league.

I've heard one or two pretty vile things said to him this season that have made me actually feel quite sorry for him at times. I wouldn't say he has lost the fan base as a collective though.

We are struggling with a massive hangover from last season and I'd say it's affected the fans more than most. Critchley's way of playing doesn't help either though.

I don't really know where I'm going with this. It's been a pretty depressing 18 months. There have been little glimmers of hope but then our inconsistency has scuppered any real momentum.

I'd say let's just see out this crap season. Rebuild in the summer and then the coaches and maybe even the board members need to have a chat about the identity of our team. Because we don't have one at the moment and that is one of the most frustrating things.
 
The problem for me with Critchley is not necessarily his formations but his evident lack of charisma.

Maybe I'm alone but I much prefer my managers "managing" from the sideline with a bit of passion. I can't think of any successful coaches that succeed by standing with their arms folded. Maybe Southgate but he's never won anything and is a whole different thread.

He sets the tone for our team and I just feel his personality is passive and ineffectual.
 
SeasideKurt said:
1 - I have never in my life ever demanded we play like Man City with free flowing attacking football. I got it with Holloway, I've NEVER demanded it. I want competitive, attack minded football, an intent to try and out score the opponent. Not the football we're currently seeing with players who can't play it and never will play it. Safety first, score later is how we set up.

2 - My point is very clear, we're 39 games into the season and the football is turgid and static and nothing has changed. So Neil has watched that, let two attacking players that WOULD have made a difference leave. He hasn't changed shape for games. He has very rarely changed shape during games. He has often persisted with players who aren't good enough, Hamilton/Connolly and now Beesley.

3 - I think my point stands, you're accepting that this is how football is. League One is tough. You have to be up for the battle, you can't football your way out of it. I haven't asked for Neil to be sacked once either, what I've asked is for him to adapt? Try something different? Don't sell and loan out attacking flair players? Almost every single away formation and selection has had huge question marks over it.

This league is poor this season, the fact Stevenage are in the play offs is all you need to know. This squad should be performing better than it is.
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1) Apologies, I wasn't talking about you specifically, just more a general feeling that a lot of our unhappy fans this season, feel we should be. Many times this season have we played in the way you describe. Its easy to think otherwise when the defeats this season have been far from that, and I completely accept that, however, after last season also, its very easy for a player to go into their shell, and play a more defensive, nervous game. Of course Critch has to shoulder some of the blame, and I'm not saying he shouldn't. However, players have to take some responsibility, and we continue to say our players should be doing better, and I'm simply not having that its 100% down to the manager. Players forgetting how to play a simple pass (which they should all be able to do whoever the manager is. If Hubby can drill the ball forward, why doesn't Marv do that more often then not, instead of falling over the bloody thing. Im not a paid manager, and never have been, but from the stands, and even watching on TTV, its clear that the players at times cant do the simple things one week, then play like they are top quality championship players.

2) I wont disagree with that, and at times, I've questioned his team selections myself, but I genuinely think since Christmas he has got the team selections right. We have won most our away games since the Posh game, and have looked better away from home. Take out the Burton and Port Vale games, we have had spells in those games, where we have looked ok, not got the lead, then our players have panicked. Its interesting when watching on TTV, how many times Critch is telling the players to get forward, close down, you can see it, yet the players go into their shells, and shut up shop.

3) Its not about accepting that its how football is. I want to win every week, and I'm as p!ssed off as you are when we lose, but that isn't to say I think he has lost the fans (which is the point of this thread). I accept in some fans opinions, he should be sacked, that's a mixture of how he left last season (more money, being in the Prem, I get why he left, and I get why fans felt let down), and poor results mixed in with very good results, but as I said earlier, we have had 4 managers in 2 seasons (one of them twice), and we are still in it. If we made the play offs, I wouldn't see it as unsuccessful. That being said, if we don't hit the ground running next season, I wouldn't be against Sadler changing things, but a knee jerk reaction to a bad result Saturday (a good result would have seen us in a play off place), isn't IMO the way to go. If that means I'm accepting of bad results, then so be it, but its simply not as black and white as that.
 
Macseasider said:
The problem for me with Critchley is not necessarily his formations but his evident lack of charisma.

Maybe I'm alone but I much prefer my managers "managing" from the sideline with a bit of passion. I can't think of any successful coaches that succeed by standing with their arms folded. Maybe Southgate but he's never won anything and is a whole different thread.

He sets the tone for our team and I just feel his personality is passive and ineffectual.
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Its pretty interesting you say that. I've had conversations with my mates about this. Im not too fussed if he jumps around on the side lines, or not, if results are there. However id argue, and I said this in another thread, that it isn't completely true he stands there with his arms folded. Ok, at times he does, but if you watch him at games, and I've noticed it more on TTV when the camera is by the dugouts, he does demand more, and he does call for the players to go forward (and not just when we are 1-0 down in the second half). I understand that some fans want a manager who "shows" more passion, but I'm not sure that's always the best kind of manager. He is clearly a quieter type of manager, and that's find with me.

Maybe some players react to a more passionate manager, maybe some don't, but I just don't think he is that kind of manager. At least he can pull himself off the dugout seats unlike that lard arse at Stevenage.
 
I don’t have a problem with him as a personality, I think he’s alright generally. He’s a football man and has a bit of edge when he needs it. I don’t need charming.

The football has been a mixed bag of decent and shite but we can’t seem to pick up a result when we’re up against it. The team lacks characters and he needs to address that if he’s here for another window.
 
Sven said:
I don’t have a problem with him as a personality, I think he’s alright generally. He’s a football man and has a bit of edge when he needs it. I don’t need charming.

The football has been a mixed bag of decent and shite but we can’t seem to pick up a result when we’re up against it. The team lacks characters and he needs to address that if he’s here for another window.
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Good points but the recruitment of and making of characters lands with the head coach.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
He’s not lost the fans. He’s maybe lost a few but those fans will soon be back on side should we make the playoffs.

If we go into the last game of the season with a chance of the playoffs the fans will be on side.

The crazy thing is if we get promoted the fans criticising will be at Wembley. We lose 2/3 games on the trot next season the sane fans will be calling for his head.

League 1 is hard. Money means nothing. If Sunderland, Ipswich, Forest, Wednesday, Rovers, Coventry, Portsmouth, Charlton and Bolton with their clout got stuck down here is it *really* fair to give Critch stick for being there or there abouts but maybe missing out with Blackpool ?!
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For me the big annoyance is by now we shouldn't be playing aimless football in such a crucial game.

I can take losing but passing it around the back and launching it up to Beesley for large parts, particularly 1st half was ridiculous and the minimum any potential side trying to go up should be showing by now is a clear effective way of playing. We even go back from more promising positions only to hoof which is utterly pointless.

The fact we had seemingly no idea how we should be playing or how to approach a game like that is really poor.

You don't see sides like Peterborough forgetting or giving up playing their style and just hoofing it.

I expected to be further along the track now with a defined style.
 
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Macseasider said:
The problem for me with Critchley is not necessarily his formations but his evident lack of charisma.

Maybe I'm alone but I much prefer my managers "managing" from the sideline with a bit of passion. I can't think of any successful coaches that succeed by standing with their arms folded. Maybe Southgate but he's never won anything and is a whole different thread.

He sets the tone for our team and I just feel his personality is passive and ineffectual.
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Mac

Have you watched him at the sidelines ? He's quite passionate. Im sure its the right person im looking at . About 5ft 9 grey hair in the Blackpool dug out.

He stands up directs the players waves his arm about complains to the 4th official . He's quite active.
 
Macseasider said:
The problem for me with Critchley is not necessarily his formations but his evident lack of charisma.

Maybe I'm alone but I much prefer my managers "managing" from the sideline with a bit of passion. I can't think of any successful coaches that succeed by standing with their arms folded. Maybe Southgate but he's never won anything and is a whole different thread.

He sets the tone for our team and I just feel his personality is passive and ineffectual.
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Actually think this is a bit of a myth - he's pretty passionate on the sideline. Think the 'he's got no charisma' thing is a bit of a harsh dig at him many have, he's clearly a nice guy and many won't have the personality of a Holloway type.
 
Bit of a long post but here ,

I was very pro-Critch and ardently defended him as I saw progress under him. Cheltenham away was a bit of a turning point where I felt like it was the straw that broke the camels back, and things had to change, quick.

To a degree, they had with performances like that of Shrews, Northampton, Posh - not always spectacular but wins. But Orient, Posh in the cup and Wigan also happened.

For me, the approach not formation is the problem, along with personnel and their attitude. 352 isn't a defensive formation, nor an attacking one, it can be either depending on approach, which has been wrong in many away games.

That being said, we don't have enough creativity which falls upon recruitment/investment, as well as too many players who don't cut it/not arsed. Easy to tell who those are.

We CAN still make the playoffs, and I wouldn't be surprised if we do given others' struggles, but if we go up we're nowhere near ready like 2021. Critch's away approach is infuriating (can't get my head round that Wigan game) but no point calling for his head right now as it ain't gonna happen.

If names become available in the off-season, or we collapse in the run-in then I can back a change. However I don't see this happening.

Critch CAN get us up and succeed, but it will be a team effort: better backing/recruitment is needed, players with more commitment is needed, the manager needs to revamp the away approach and accept a shit performance, the fans need to quit moaning that Critch isn't Holloway.
 
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