A few thoughts

JJpool

JJpool

Well-known member
Glad for the win today, thought we were the better team overall without punishing them enough.

Jules should have done better with his chance, lavery got 1 great finish and second half just had to flick it in but it bounced off him.

Not sure jules deserves a start over Yates.

Didn't think much of Barnsley, if we could finish we would have had a few today.

Still seeing lots to improve though.

Garbutt had a poor start and kept giving the ball away. Think he's been off it a lot of games.

Some our passing was a bit off at times.

Anderson did well again, am liking the way he uses his body intelligently to mean they either foul him or he's past them.

But the pressing is where we shine and don't allow teams time. Its a key part of our game.

Some good performances out there today.

Some of the through balls were just hit too hard, quite simple ones for Bowler to run onto, didn't think Bowler did much today, can be greedy at times and often fluffs a cross. Really hit and miss player but can be so dangerous.

We have a tendency to sit back and just invite pressure when ahead and stop playing our game that worked so well before that, we really need to cut that out.

Got a little lucky with the header and other chance Barnsley had that luckily went wide.

Theres still a few instances where were in good positions only to go back needlessly.

We were good at the back today. 👍

So despite the win im still seeing a lot to improve on.

A bit more clinical and right pass and final ball and we are capable of putting a side away properly.
 
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Enjoyed it today. Rocking atmosphere and a decent performance. Agree we should have put it to bed and a better side will punish us.

Marvin was excellent and really has the makings of a Championship defender. And the much maligned Keogh is earning his crust now too.

Lots of positives to take from it. We can improve but we’re looking the part.
 
rememberlesshannon said:
Disagree about Garbutt, thought it was his best game for a long time.
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🤷 he kept giving the ball away, there was one point he just blasts a diagonal ball straight out of play nowehere near anyone.

If that's his best game he must have been underperforming in prior ones.

Not saying he did everything bad but I've been a lot more impressed with him in games last season than today.
 
JJpool said:
Glad for the win today, thought we were the better team overall without punishing them enough.

Jules should have done better with his chance, lavery got 1 great finish and second half just had to flick it in but it bounced off him.

Not sure jules deserves a start over Yates.

Didn't think much of Barnsley, if we could finish we would have had a few today.

Still seeing lots to improve though.

Garbutt had a poor start and kept giving the ball away. Think he's been off it a lot of games.

Some our passing was a bit off at times.

Anderson did well again, am liking the way he uses his body intelligently to mean they either foul him or he's past them.

But the pressing is where we shine and don't allow teams time. Its a key part of our game.

Some good performances out there today.

Some of the through balls were just hit too hard, quite simple ones for Bowler to run onto, didn't think Bowler did much today, can be greedy at times and often fluffs a cross. Really hit and miss player but can be so dangerous.

We have a tendency to sit back and just invite pressure when ahead and stop playing our game that worked so well before that, we really need to cut that out.

Got a little lucky with the header and other chance Barnsley had that luckily went wide.

Theres still a few instances where were in good positions only to go back needlessly.

We were good at the back today. 👍

So despite the win im still seeing a lot to improve on.

A bit more clinical and right pass and final ball and we are capable of putting a side away properly.
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With Garbutt, John-Jules and Lavery we had three one on one's we failed to put away. It didn't come back and bite us, but it easily could have.

We need to be more clinical.
 
Wizaard said:
With Garbutt, John-Jules and Lavery we had three one on one's we failed to put away. It didn't come back and bite us, but it easily could have.

We need to be more clinical.
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Yep. We’re too wasteful. We also had the break with Keshi where we should have at least forced a save from the keeper and gave it away through rushing it.

Personally, I think those are situations where Jerry would thrive.
 
Wizaard said:
With Garbutt, John-Jules and Lavery we had three one on one's we failed to put away. It didn't come back and bite us, but it easily could have.

We need to be more clinical.
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straightatthewall said:
Yep. We’re too wasteful. We also had the break with Keshi where we should have at least forced a save from the keeper and gave it away through rushing it.

Personally, I think those are situations where Jerry would thrive.
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Yeah a few simple passes and we were in properly, its that final ball, misplaced pass and tbh its very poor as they are really easy passes.

That decision making, its infuriating as we've actually created a chance or nicked the ball and just have to use it wisely.

Like I say lots to improve.

As we sit here now its fine as we won, but easily one of those header or shot they have go in and we're sat here annoyed at the wasteful play.

I think Yates is better than Jules as well.
 
basilexile said:
I am struggling with John Jules at the moment as he never wins a header and seems to panic when in sight of goal. Yes he has some nice touches,
but just not convinced his overall contribution justifies a start

Work in progress . Personally I thought he had a better game today . I think he will turn out good for us .
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I actually. Thought it was John jules best game yet. Yes he should have scored but he certainly put himself about more.
 
JJpool said:
🤷 he kept giving the ball away, there was one point he just blasts a diagonal ball straight out of play nowehere near anyone.

If that's his best game he must have been underperforming in prior ones.

Not saying he did everything bad but I've been a lot more impressed with him in games last season than today.
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JJpool said:
Yeah a few simple passes and we were in properly, its that final ball, misplaced pass and tbh its very poor as they are really easy passes.

That decision making, its infuriating as we've actually created a chance or nicked the ball and just have to use it wisely.

Like I say lots to improve.

As we sit here now its fine as we won, but easily one of those header or shot they have go in and we're sat here annoyed at the wasteful play.

I think Yates is better than Jules as well.
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I know you’re very quick to say how poor we are in certain areas and how infuriated you are by some of our performances (witness the dozen or so ridiculous posts following the Huddersfield game) but I think you need to get some perspective. Look at where we have come from, our budget and the teams we are playing.
We’re bound to make mistakes but I think on the whole the positives far outweigh the negatives - something which isn’t reflected in your posts.
Here endeth the lesson 😊.
 
I think there 's a dange John-Jules might have inherited the whipping boy mantle now old Blakey is hitting his straps. Granted he should have stuck his chance away but he's inexperienced and still getting to grips with this high level ridiculously competitive league we're now in. I think he links up play well and will continue to improve but he definitely needs a goal. Anotehr big plus for me today was the cameo from Demi. Like he'd never been away 👍
 
L’étranger said:
I know you’re very quick to say how poor we are in certain areas and how infuriated you are by some of our performances (witness the dozen or so ridiculous posts following the Huddersfield game) but I think you need to get some perspective. Look at where we have come from, our budget and the teams we are playing.
We’re bound to make mistakes but I think on the whole the positives far outweigh the negatives - something which isn’t reflected in your posts.
Here endeth the lesson 😊.
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I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I like to see passing football and quality play. Watch the game back and you'll see some needless possession surrendered and chances wasted that on another say can cost us.

As others have mentioned, we were wasteful at times with some great chances, the manager said as much too, so maybe you need to change your perspective to match with that.

I've mentioned some of the good things we did, getting into a position to punish them and score goals, sadly I can't wax lyrical about those moves too much, as when the end product has let us down by not finishing it off, its clear that can be improved.

I'm not having a go its was just some general points some were good others what I saw we can improve.

Today was a good win but fine margins, if their header goes in we see it differently.

A game like Oxford away for eg, where were so clinical and class is an example of the type of play at the top of our game.

Still more to come.
 
Critch is sticking with John-Jules like he's stuck with Keogh. And others last season. He knows what he's doing. 👍

We are not good enough in the opponents penalty area, and part of that is getting the ball into the penalty area effectively. But we keep seeing improvements and that's the key. Continuous improvement. When we sort that bit out we are a real threat in this division, having looked panicky in the early games. It's coming together bit by bit.
 
Hockaday’s Quiff said:
I don’t get the bit that Bowler did nothing. Ask their defence the same question. He had them run ragged.
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He ran and tried stuff, but he's the usual hit and miss, often greedy, it's good because you can get moments like Fulham but equally when he tries to beat 3 men instead of a pass inside to a free man, its frustrating.

I'm glad we've got him, just needs to work on his final pass and decision making.
 
voyeur said:
Not that many.
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Between top of the prem and us? Course there are.

If we stay up it'll be a good job. We may finish mid table.

Theres a gap to the top championship sides, even though we can beat and compete.

Bottom prem teams are the next gap, then mid table ones, then top 6, top 4 and then title contenders.

Theres a huge gap between the top sides in the prem and other prem sides.

All I'm saying is be a bit more clinical, we should have been, doesn't mean we have to be a top prem side to take a simple chance vs Barnsley.
 
JJpool said:
Between top of the prem and us? Course there are.

If we stay up it'll be a good job. We may finish mid table.

Theres a gap to the top championship sides, even though we can beat and compete.

Bottom prem teams are the next gap, then mid table ones, then top 6, top 4 and then title contenders.

Theres a huge gap between the top sides in the prem and other prem sides.

All I'm saying is be a bit more clinical, we should have been, doesn't mean we have to be a top prem side to take a simple chance vs Barnsley.
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Brentford just given Liverpool a good game. Bridging the gap. If you think the gap is huge you think downwards. Or static. Yes we are significantly behind the PL top 6, but not that far off the bottom 6. Who take points off the top 6.
 
voyeur said:
Critch is sticking with John-Jules like he's stuck with Keogh. And others last season. He knows what he's doing. 👍

We are not good enough in the opponents penalty area, and part of that is getting the ball into the penalty area effectively. But we keep seeing improvements and that's the key. Continuous improvement. When we sort that bit out we are a real threat in this division, having looked panicky in the early games. It's coming together bit by bit.
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In his post match interview Critchley went out of his way to say what a good player he thought TJJ was. Some might say he’s trying to protect a young player and not upset Arsenal, but, as history has proved, we need to trust the maestro’s judgement.
 
Mark_GT said:
I think there 's a dange John-Jules might have inherited the whipping boy mantle now old Blakey is hitting his straps. Granted he should have stuck his chance away but he's inexperienced and still getting to grips with this high level ridiculously competitive league we're now in. I think he links up play well and will continue to improve but he definitely needs a goal. Anotehr big plus for me today was the cameo from Demi. Like he'd never been away 👍
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Totally agree with this Mark. I remember many said the same about Embleton and he only really got the fans onside when he scored the blinder in the playoffs. I guess one of the problems for TJJ is that he is keeping Jerry out of the team. And after last season most fans think Jerry can do no wrong. You only have to read the comments on the match day thread when the team was announced. Some didn't even want Lavery in the starting 11. I think Jerry will come good but I don't think he is currently playing well enough to justify a place. If Critch thinks TJJ warrants a start then that's good enough for me. And let's not forget that we have won three out of four. So something's working...👍
 
Good God.

I sometimes think I must have watched a different game.

Let's start with the opposition. Barnsley have been hard to beat this season. They might not have enough going forward, but their draws aren't accidents.

Moving on to us.

Maxwell didn't have too much to do; a decent save in each half and one interception off his line.

That's because the 10 in front of him defend as a team from the front. As soon as Barnsley moved into the mid point in their half they were harassed by the forwards.

The midfield carried on, with the central two Dougall and Winkle (the little star) really starting to click and know when to press and when to drop back.

The back 4 were very, very good

When we didn't have the ball we were effective at shutting down their attacks effectively.

Going forward

We had enough chances to have scored 4. I worry about not being clinical enough but I think it's forgivable whilst we are holding our own in defence. Of course I want us to score a hatful, and we will at some point; football does that.

Today, we looked brilliant at the transition. As soon as we got the ball back, it felt as though we were trying to go forward with purpose and not just 'have the ball' like we've been doing a few times this season. Of course that means that there were misplaced and mistimed passes but it's within the overall framework of being a work in progress and finding our feet.

And Keshi had a blinder.

Today felt like the first time we stepped up and had a much better overall performance.

Play like that against Hull and I can see us getting a win.

Getting back to back wins in hard in this division - we've just done it. IF wet get 3 on the bounce, that would be outstanding.
 
voyeur said:
Brentford just given Liverpool a good game. Bridging the gap. If you think the gap is huge you think downwards. Or static. Yes we are significantly behind the PL top 6, but not that far off the bottom 6. Who take points off the top 6.
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Any side can have a 1 off day, put Brentford in the champions league where the sides like Liverpool compete and they'd get battered mostly.

This is a pointless debate from the guy who said it about the prem comparison.

Always get these types on here who can't take someone saying we should have done better here without comparing us to having to be a top prem side.

Look at rovers today, scored 5.

All I'm saying is we need to be more clinical. 1-0 is too close and one mistake or bit of good play and we've lost 2 points when we deserved all 3.
 
You've use a lot of paragraphs to say we need to be more clinical. 😉 And I agree with that, everybody does. We are not creating or finishing enough clear chances from our possession. That's the key area for improvement, obviously.
 
straightatthewall said:
Yep. We’re too wasteful. We also had the break with Keshi where we should have at least forced a save from the keeper and gave it away through rushing it.

Personally, I think those are situations where Jerry would thrive.
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made that point on two other threads. Keshi on the ball is useless at playing the simplest of passes.
 
TSSeasider said:
Good God.

I sometimes think I must have watched a different game.

Let's start with the opposition. Barnsley have been hard to beat this season. They might not have enough going forward, but their draws aren't accidents.

Moving on to us.

Maxwell didn't have too much to do; a decent save in each half and one interception off his line.

That's because the 10 in front of him defend as a team from the front. As soon as Barnsley moved into the mid point in their half they were harassed by the forwards.

The midfield carried on, with the central two Dougall and Winkle (the little star) really starting to click and know when to press and when to drop back.

The back 4 were very, very good

When we didn't have the ball we were effective at shutting down their attacks effectively.

Going forward

We had enough chances to have scored 4. I worry about not being clinical enough but I think it's forgivable whilst we are holding our own in defence. Of course I want us to score a hatful, and we will at some point; football does that.

Today, we looked brilliant at the transition. As soon as we got the ball back, it felt as though we were trying to go forward with purpose and not just 'have the ball' like we've been doing a few times this season. Of course that means that there were misplaced and mistimed passes but it's within the overall framework of being a work in progress and finding our feet.

And Keshi had a blinder.

Today felt like the first time we stepped up and had a much better overall performance.

Play like that against Hull and I can see us getting a win.

Getting back to back wins in hard in this division - we've just done it. IF wet get 3 on the bounce, that would be outstanding.
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Not sure what you put out is much different to me.

I've said there's lots who had good performances and our pressing stopped them and is key.

I also though nothing to worry about from them, just didn't see much until we sat back and kept giving the ball away cheaply, which we tend to do once ahead.

There was more positive attacks and we just lacked that final bit.

But watch the game back with a clear head and you'll still see lots of gifts in possession. You dont see than many from the opposition, usually we have to win it.

I don't mind losing the ball if were under pressure a lot, but some were poor passes, thats all I've mentioned. Its good to try stuff but for me through balls are quite easy to pull off, you've often got a big bit of pitch to aim for and just have to beat the defender. Some of ours were wayward.

Back to back wins is amazing and were improving bit by bit.

Get the second goal we deserved and should have got and theres then no nervous moments and sitting back on a 1-0 lead.

Just want us to be the best we can be and that bit more composure on the ball is the difference between a close win and a 3-0 win today.
 
20togo said:
made that point on two other threads. Keshi on the ball is useless at playing the simplest of passes.
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Yeah hes so good at times and for me I think he's watched bowler and other championship players and learnt more about running with the ball and using his body.

Vastly improved. But as you say and not just him but sometimes we've done the hard work and a simple weighted pass and lavery is in or whoever and its over or under hit.

That can be frustrating as get it right and were in again.

Were going in the right direction just moments like that can put games to bed.
 
JJpool said:
Yeah hes so good at times and for me I think he's watched bowler and other championship players and learnt more about running with the ball and using his body.

Vastly improved. But as you say and not just him but sometimes we've done the hard work and a simple weighted pass and lavery is in or whoever and its over or under hit.

That can be frustrating as get it right and were in again.

Were going in the right direction just moments like that can put games to bed.
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not just him of course, Bowler can be frustrating but today we were hanging on at the end but we should have been out of sight long before that. i
 
voyeur said:
You've use a lot of paragraphs to say we need to be more clinical. 😉 And I agree with that, everybody does. We are not creating or finishing enough clear chances from our possession. That's the key area for improvement, obviously.
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Yeah Barnsley couldn't have complained it ot was 3-0 or something like that.

But tbh when have we ever really scored freely under Critch?

We did this last season, got the tight wins but never really flowed until some games late in the season.
 
Hockaday’s Quiff said:
I don’t get the bit that Bowler did nothing. Ask their defence the same question. He had them run ragged.
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Just remembered a few needless offsides also when he was looking along the line.

To me thats a cardinal sin.

Takes me back the when Parker played 😃

He very nearly did the run in between players to get a goal second half but kind of sumed his day up, close on a few occasions but just not quite right.

As said absolutely love him as a player so exciting but hit and miss too.
 
John Jules is an intelligent player, I can see why some might not "get" him. And I understand why Critchley wants to have a good look at him, he's completely unlike Yates or Lavery.

Some of the criticism of Keshi is pathetic.
 
TomGxPool said:
John Jules is an intelligent player, I can see why some might not "get" him. And I understand why Critchley wants to have a good look at him, he's completely unlike Yates or Lavery.

Some of the criticism of Keshi is pathetic.
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He has intelligent touches and you can see an arsenal type player there but as of now not enough in front of goal and sometimes a bit weak and disposed.

I think Yates has served his time now and will be itching to come back, he needed that break and to come on as a sub as sometimes that is needed.

Hope that keshi bit isn't aimed at me as I've said he's been great, doesn't mean its not true about some simple passes at times though.
 
TomGxPool said:
John Jules is an intelligent player, I can see why some might not "get" him. And I understand why Critchley wants to have a good look at him, he's completely unlike Yates or Lavery.

Some of the criticism of Keshi is pathetic.
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We think that you should post under your original username and stop deceiving fellow posters/supporters.
 
basilexile said:
I am struggling with John Jules at the moment as he never wins a header and seems to panic when in sight of goal. Yes he has some nice touches,
but just not convinced his overall contribution justifies a start.
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i tell you what after he missed that 1 on 1 his head went - he’s only a young lad though and will learn, a goal will do him a power of good to be fair
 
First of all it's a team game and collectively,
the defenders kept a clean sheet,
the mid-fielders created a goal,
the strikers scored a goal,
3 points in the bag.
On paper that sounds pretty damn perfect.
Of course break it down (as Critchy will) and there's plenty of room for improvement.
Chances missed, tackles missed, passes misplaced but do know what???
We won 1-0 and I'm pretty happy with that.
 
SpionKop said:
i tell you what after he missed that 1 on 1 his head went - he’s only a young lad though and will learn, a goal will do him a power of good to be fair
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I think trying him from the bench is worth a go.

Coming on against tired legs might help him bag his first goal.
 
JJpool said:
Yeah Barnsley couldn't have complained it ot was 3-0 or something like that.

But tbh when have we ever really scored freely under Critch?

We did this last season, got the tight wins but never really flowed until some games late in the season.
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That's very true. It's quite Southgate-esque, with a bit of tangerine licence. We mainly strangle teams into submission, more than go for the knock-out blows.
 
SpionKop said:
i tell you what after he missed that 1 on 1 his head went - he’s only a young lad though and will learn, a goal will do him a power of good to be fair
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I spotted that and Critch mentioned it in his post match presser. What is positive about that is it shows he cares.
Credit to the fans for applauding him of the pitch, that wouldn't have happenned in the past.
At the end of the match he came on the pitch with an ice pack on his knee so I'm guessing he won't play on Tuesday.
 
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