All this Kenny criticism

straightatthewall said:
No offence Pete, but if you're seriously suggesting 'Stewart when fit' as a plan for next season, then it's hard to take your views on Dougall with any degree of seriousness.
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I'm not suggesting that at all, I want us to get 2 new central midfield players who will drive the team forward and have some creativity. I think Stewarts a great player but he breaks at the slightest thing. He is worth playing when fit but how often is that. 2 new, decent central midfielders plus Carey and Stewart when he is fit, Connolly is a better option than Dougall in my opinion, sometimes players reach their limit and Dougall reached his last season. Had Ward and Virtue and Stewart been fit, he would have been 4th choice, it's only the injuries that has made him a regular, because he has been fit all season. Central midfield has been our biggest problem for 2 seasons for me, apart from Carey we haven't had a sniff of a creative player and it has been obvious we have needed two, never mind one.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I've consistently not rated Kenny as you know, nothing to do with the last 2 days. He's just blah, grey, peas are green sort of player, he'll always get into a league 1 side but he isn't championship quality. 2 decent central midfielders needed next season with Carey and Stewart when fit and see how Matty Virtue gets on. We have been mind numbingly bland in central midfield all season apart from when Carey played.
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I don't agree with you. Carey has hardly played and it's not Kenny's fault that we have no creative midfielders. It's not what he is. You're blaming him for our lack of other things, it seems to me. And failing to see what he does. I think you're better in the music front. Stick to that maybe. 🤣

Critchley picks him consistently and trusts him. With good reason.
 
People would do well to take a few days break to gather their thoughts.

I remember @hertfordseasider declaring Reece James undoubtedly our best left back earlier in the season, after his first game in that position.

I've heard others write off Stewart, Bowler, CJ, Keshi and other as Leagie 1 at best.

It's disrespectful to a group of players who have impeccable attitudes and a desire to get better.
 
Insider said:
I agree Bifster.
There was a sense of expectancy on Tuesday because I/we genuinely thought we are a better team than Preston (and I still do). That made Ryan Lowe's team talk very easy and his players responded. I sometimes think the foul count demonstrates this, 9 conceded, 17 for. They wanted it more.
I'm not throwing my toys out of the pram and I was still in the ground to see how many weren't when the final whiste blew against Forest.
That still doesn't change my view that it's time to assess the fringe players and look at different formations.
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but then Insider, why did they want it more? It’s our fiercest game of the season and we should have been up for it. I agree though they did want it more. There game plan also worked a treat and we fell for it hook, line and sinker i’m afraid.
 
SpionKop said:
but then Insider, why did they want it more? It’s our fiercest game of the season and we should have been up for it. I agree though they did want it more. There game plan also worked a treat and we fell for it hook, line and sinker i’m afraid.
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I wonder if people are mistaking hot headedness / apparent passion, for commitment (wanting it more)?

Arguably they were equally hot headed in the fixture at BR when we retained our composure, which resulted in the late sending off for their captain (and could easily have seen Archer sent off early doors).

I think we struggled to stamp any authority on the game, but I think that was down to a lack of form / ability, enforced personnel changes and tactics.
 
Larryknows said:
Some of the criticism may have been over the top but I do think he has had quite a poor season and he would be 1 of a a few I'd be looking to upgrade. As of now I'd still be picking him in our midfield but I'd be wanting someone else to replace him if we are to look up for play offs next season. Maybe that's unfair on him cos Wintle aside he hasn't had a steady partner but it is what it is.
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His misplaced passes resulted in two goals against Florist and got caught out with a misplaced pass on the edge of our box against the Nobbers. Thiis tendency to give the ball away is always there, against teams in league 1 you get away with it but in the Championship you get punished which he has in the last two games. Is Kenny pivotal to where we want to get? In my view no, an upgrade is required, his set piece delivery is woeful, he dallies to long on the ball, does not possess the killer pass, has no real pace and tends to give the ball away. He will forever be a legend in my eyes for last season but this term has shown his limitations and we will need better if we are to progress.
 
Macseasider said:
We should have never let Sullay Kaikai go. Not a midfielder as such but a creative attacking player. He'd be better than CJ down the left that's for sure.
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He’s made 16 appearances and scored 2 goals in league 1, what makes you think he would have made a difference in the Championship?
 
Insider said:
Kenny has been poor last 2 games, and that's a fact, but in his defence he has once again been half way round the world.
The team has been poor in the last 2 games and that's not Kenny's fault and he's just one of a number of contributors to a poor team performance.
The manager has been poor the last 2 games and that might have bearing on Kenny's role in the way he's being asked to play. (I remember Kenny's comments after the play off final about not been encouraged to go up for corners. Fortunately late in May 2021 Kenny Dougall he scored two not one). Maybe he needs the freedom to do that again.
I see some similarities in Critch as a Manager with Gareth Southgate. Some may see that as a compliment, others may not. I think with both of them it's always safety first??
Under Critch we've never really thrown the shackles off. (We've never even left a player on the half way for an opposition corner, god forbid leaving 2 up like Coventry did).
So if ever there was a time to do this it's now.
Apart from anything else playing attacking, adventurous, uninhibited football from now until the end of the season is far more likely to get fans putting their hands in their pockets for season tickets than 7 drab games will.
Just a few random thoughts. 😄
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“Exciting, entertaining football “ was also what we were promised by Mr. Sadler, if we don’t see it with nothing to lose I don’t think we ever will.
 
Triumph said:
As a nobber I honestly think that the complaining about Critchley is over the top. I think since his appointment he’s been a breath of fresh air for you. Remember lads, he’s on a learning curve just as much as the players are. Stick with him, back him and be thankful you have one of the up and coming coaches in football. I hate to say it but I do think he will take you on a fabulous and at times bumpy road.
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If Critchley was as honest in his post match comments are you are with your assessment, he would get a lot less brickbats. Having said that there are very few on this board who have called for his head, but as you know every club has its clowns.
 
Tango1953 said:
People would do well to take a few days break to gather their thoughts.

I remember @hertfordseasider declaring Reece James undoubtedly our best left back earlier in the season, after his first game in that position.

I've heard others write off Stewart, Bowler, CJ, Keshi and other as Leagie 1 at best.

It's disrespectful to a group of players who have impeccable attitudes and a desire to get better.
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It’s not disrespectful to have an opinion and most players have a desire to get better. Having a desire to get better and the ability to get better are two entirely different things.
 
Tango1953 said:
Having an opinion isn't disrespectful.
Calling this group of players "League 1 at best" is disrespectful, mainly because it's wrong and has been proven so.
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Whether it’s wrong to call them league 1 or not it’s still just an opinion. You don’t have to agree and they can ignore it, improve and prove the detractors wrong.😁
 
There have been games this season where Kenny has been everywhere, tackles and interceptions, winning headers, breaking up play. He isn’t the man to be driving forward with the ball, it’s not his job and he has done his job very well for the majority of the season bar the last couple of games.

According to many on here the majority of our squad aren’t Championship level despite getting promoted from league one and establishing themselves in the Championship. It’s typical of football fans but it’s still ** annoying reading repeated knee jerk reactions from some of our ‘fans’.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I'm not suggesting that at all, I want us to get 2 new central midfield players who will drive the team forward and have some creativity. I think Stewarts a great player but he breaks at the slightest thing. He is worth playing when fit but how often is that. 2 new, decent central midfielders plus Carey and Stewart when he is fit, Connolly is a better option than Dougall in my opinion, sometimes players reach their limit and Dougall reached his last season. Had Ward and Virtue and Stewart been fit, he would have been 4th choice, it's only the injuries that has made him a regular, because he has been fit all season. Central midfield has been our biggest problem for 2 seasons for me, apart from Carey we haven't had a sniff of a creative player and it has been obvious we have needed two, never mind one.
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Connolly is a great addition as a utility player but he is not as good as Dougall as a defensive midfielder yet. It was only 3 months ago Connolly was kept out of the side by Wintle who again is ok but was never the answer to our midfield failings.
Would be happy to pair Dougall with an effective attacking midfielder. He should be the unsung workhorse of midfield, denying opposition space and breaking up play as Southern did, not the main man
 
voyeur said:
Not true is it? He picks Kenny whether others are available or not.
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We only have 3 central midfielders, Dougall, Stewart and Connolly, Carey has been out most of the season, Virtue and Ward have been so Critch has a choice of those 3 and Stewart hasn't been fit for most of them, so yes, it is true and Connolly isn't a central midfielder really, so where are his other choices? It just shows that the recruitment of central midfielders has been poor for 2 seasons. Is that Critch's fault because he doesn't want any flair and creativity there? The only central midfielder we have who I would play regularly is Stewart, but he is never fit and Carey will be an important part of the team as he gains experience and of course returns to fitness. The only person who will convince me otherwise is Dougall himself, no one off here will make me change it.
 
tangysider said:
Connolly is a great addition as a utility player but he is not as good as Dougall as a defensive midfielder yet. It was only 3 months ago Connolly was kept out of the side by Wintle who again is ok but was never the answer to our midfield failings.
Would be happy to pair Dougall with an effective attacking midfielder. He should be the unsung workhorse of midfield, denying opposition space and breaking up play as Southern did, not the main man
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He's nowhere near as good as Southern and never will be. but I agree about Connolly yet I would still have him in Dougall's place if he was available to play there, but with no right back he can't. All I am saying is that we need 2 much better central midfielders for next season and with Carey and Stewart (for a handful of games) that would improve us massively.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I'm not suggesting that at all, I want us to get 2 new central midfield players who will drive the team forward and have some creativity. I think Stewarts a great player but he breaks at the slightest thing. He is worth playing when fit but how often is that. 2 new, decent central midfielders plus Carey and Stewart when he is fit, Connolly is a better option than Dougall in my opinion, sometimes players reach their limit and Dougall reached his last season. Had Ward and Virtue and Stewart been fit, he would have been 4th choice, it's only the injuries that has made him a regular, because he has been fit all season. Central midfield has been our biggest problem for 2 seasons for me, apart from Carey we haven't had a sniff of a creative player and it has been obvious we have needed two, never mind one.
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There’s simply no way Connolly is better than Dougall as a central midfielder and Virtue and Ward would have nothing like the influence Dougall can bring to the game. That’s not to say KD is brilliant; he’s a BTech Keith Southern, but he’s still done a fine job at this level when he’s been allowed to play to his strengths and been supported by players with better quality on the ball.
 
straightatthewall said:
There’s simply no way Connolly is better than Dougall as a central midfielder and Virtue and Ward would have nothing like the influence Dougall can bring to the game. That’s not to say KD is brilliant; he’s a BTech Keith Southern, but he’s still done a fine job at this level when he’s been allowed to play to his strengths and been supported by players with better quality on the ball.
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Think Keith had more detractors than Kenny. I think it is hard to judge as Keith was part of a 3 man midfield, Kenny is often swamped in a 2 man midfield, which is hardly his fault.
 
straightatthewall said:
There’s simply no way Connolly is better than Dougall as a central midfielder and Virtue and Ward would have nothing like the influence Dougall can bring to the game. That’s not to say KD is brilliant; he’s a BTech Keith Southern, but he’s still done a fine job at this level when he’s been allowed to play to his strengths and been supported by players with better quality on the ball.
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But we can and should get better, that's my point really. Our midfield desperately needs some fresh blood. I think the fact we pin our midfield hopes on Dougall, Ward, Virtue, Stewart and Carey shows exactly why we need to strengthen in that area. Out of those players I only really rate Carey and a fit Stewart, the others aren't. And I agree Connolly isn't a central midfielder per sae, but I really would have him in place of Dougall if was a straight choice.
 
tangysider said:
Think Keith had more detractors than Kenny. I think it is hard to judge as Keith was part of a 3 man midfield, Kenny is often swamped in a 2 man midfield, which is hardly his fault.
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That is true, but I still wouldn't play Stewart and Dougall together, I would have Stewart in the Southern role and then 2 other, more creative midfielders in a midfield 3.
 
hertfordseasider said:
But we can and should get better, that's my point really. Our midfield desperately needs some fresh blood. I think the fact we pin our midfield hopes on Dougall, Ward, Virtue, Stewart and Carey shows exactly why we need to strengthen in that area. Out of those players I only really rate Carey and a fit Stewart, the others aren't. And I agree Connolly isn't a central midfielder per sae, but I really would have him in place of Dougall if was a straight choice.
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I doubt anyone would disagree that we need better, but I could say the same for every position. That doesn’t mean that the current players aren’t good enough for the level. The fact they’re mid-table and have beaten good teams proves that beyond any doubt.
 
Goforgoal said:
Whether it’s wrong to call them league 1 or not it’s still just an opinion. You don’t have to agree and they can ignore it, improve and prove the detractors wrong.😁
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I think it's disrespectful. You don’t have to agree. They don't have to improve to prove they are above League 1. They've already proved it.
 
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Tango1953 said:
I think it's disrespectful. You don’t have to agree. They don't have to improve to prove they are above League 1. They've already proved it.
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As you say, we can agree to disagree. However if vast improvements aren’t made in the summer, we will find out to our cost next season who’s right.😁
 
Some of the posts on this thread just beggar belief.

We could obviously get better players to replace everyone of our current squad, just swap with Manchester City's and it's job done.

But I know that we will now continue to improve as we go along, Neil Critchley is not a one-trick pony and I every confidence that he will make the best use of future squads that'll be at his disposal.

These last two seasons have been amazing and undeniably restored us fans' faith in our club (cheers Simon) and team (cheers Neil) and cheers to all the lads (however brilliant, mediocre or shit) who've worn our world-famous Tangerine.

None of those players are deserving of the vociferous slagging-off or total disrespect shown to them on here.

We were decimated by injuries last season and this season, but overcome them due to the heart and soul of the good, the bad and the ugly within our squad(s).

Onwards and upwards with our support, always and forever...🧡👍
 
hertfordseasider said:
He's nowhere near as good as Southern and never will be. but I agree about Connolly yet I would still have him in Dougall's place if he was available to play there, but with no right back he can't. All I am saying is that we need 2 much better central midfielders for next season and with Carey and Stewart (for a handful of games) that would improve us massively.
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You're havin' a giraffe pal.

What's your next gig your going to?
 
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