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Couldhaveboughtafiatuno

Well-known member
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
 
Couldhaveboughtafiatuno said:
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
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Yep genuinely realistic post 👍
 
Definitely a case of us fighting and scrapping in the bottom eight, the manager needs to realise that aswell as the fans. We aren't good enough to impose our game on the opposition and to have a much improved chance of staying up we need a minimum of 3 players better than we currently have.
 
Couldhaveboughtafiatuno said:
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
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To survive we need 3 teams that are worse than us. Which 3 are they?
 
Couldhaveboughtafiatuno said:
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
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Great post bang on .
 
I think we are all going to have to bare with it.
We did get battered in the first half and rode our luck up until the goal.
We created some good chances and could have sneaked it with the amount of chances had they gone in.
At least it was an entertainting watch.
 
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Couldhaveboughtafiatuno said:
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
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We know and I am aged 58
 
Goforgoal said:
Peterborough beat Cardiff quite easily tonight, we could easily have lost by 4 or5 to them. Last season in head to heads we were the better team, what’s happened?
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Edit just see Cardiff equalised on 90 +6, my question still remains what happened?
 
Goforgoal said:
Edit just see Cardiff equalised on 90 +6, my question still remains what happened?
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From what I’ve seen so far Critchley has changed tactics and our style of play which they are still coming to grips with. We are getting pressed when pissing about playing from the back and we don’t have players good enough to deal with it - I’m sure we started in a similar vein last season?
We are far too pedestrian with our passing and movement as well - far too often we have men out wide and instead of passing to them we often cut inside.
If we can get the ball out to Bowler more often and quicker he is going to be a key threat for us this season - he has been outstanding so far.
 
On a positive note, we look dangerous on the rare occasions we have decent possession in the final third. Once we have a more solid base in defence and midfield, I'm convinced we'll score enough goals to stay up.
 
Southshoresteve said:
From what I’ve seen so far Critchley has changed tactics and our style of play which they are still coming to grips with. We are getting pressed when pissing about playing from the back and we don’t have players good enough to deal with it - I’m sure we started in a similar vein last season?
We are far too pedestrian with our passing and movement as well - far too often we have men out wide and instead of passing to them we often cut inside.
If we can get the ball out to Bowler more often and quicker he is going to be a key threat for us this season - he has been outstanding so far.
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I totally agree about Bowler, disagree about change of tactics. We were pissing about with the ball last season side, side, back, side. The difference is league one players are far slower to react than Championship players. We need to learn one or two passes from the back then get the ball forward, we are being closed down far too easily. We then panic and hoof it aimlessly forward to nobody and it comes straight back. Critchley appears to be the only one who can’t see it. He needs to spend some time high up in the stands where he can see the whole pathetic picture, he may just change tactics.
 
Don't have a good enough squad of fit players as a whole at the moment. Maybe when we have few injured players back we'll improve. I think having madine back fit to be used as an outlet can do us good.

Also I think our transfer policy is whack. You can't buy cheap in this league and hope for the best. Hate to say it but we had better signings for shit all money when the bloody oystens were in charge! And at least they were able to get loan players back in for more than one season!

Not saying I like them or anything, I definitely don't. I am just saying 🤷
 
Goforgoal said:
Peterborough beat Cardiff quite easily tonight, we could easily have lost by 4 or5 to them. Last season in head to heads we were the better team, what’s happened?
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We've lost Ballard, Gretarsson and Ekpiteta have had bad injuries, Dougall and Stewart haven't got started yet, and we lost Simms.
 
Simonized said:
Util he plays two actual centre-backs I am going to reserve judgement on individual payers performances.
I don't understand the logic of having your best left-back out of position when we have a very capable centre-half on the bench.
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The defence picks baffle me at the moment,As much as I like husband he seems undroppable, and is Keogh the new teachers pet. Get Ekpiteta on ffs , he’s a much better defender.
 
voyeur said:
We've lost Ballard, Gretarsson and Ekpiteta have had bad injuries, Dougall and Stewart haven't got started yet, and we lost Simms.
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Ballard a big loss, but replaced by Keough? Ekpiteta is keeping the bench warm? He left out Dougall, Jules and Hamilton from Saturday, we were under the cosh and who does he bring on? No prizes for guessing right. Carey looked useful when he played as did Casey, what do they need to fo to get a chance? We have lost two games in which we could easily have been hammered, yet he persists with the old guard. Make you wonder, as Johnny Nash said, there are more questions than answers.
 
Goforgoal said:
Ballard a big loss, but replaced by Keough? Ekpiteta is keeping the bench warm? He left out Dougall, Jules and Hamilton from Saturday, we were under the cosh and who does he bring on? No prizes for guessing right. Carey looked useful when he played as did Casey, what do they need to fo to get a chance? We have lost two games in which we could easily have been hammered, yet he persists with the old guard. Make you wonder, as Johnny Nash said, there are more questions than answers.
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Critchley wanted Ballard back. Carey and Casey ate kids, he doesn't want to expose them at this point in time. He knows what he's doing. You're just doing the ranty fan bit.
 
voyeur said:
Critchley wanted Ballard back. Carey and Casey ate kids, he doesn't want to expose them at this point in time. He knows what he's doing. You're just doing the ranty fan bit.
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I am, however I don’t want another start like last season. Yes we came good in the end, but this is a different world entirely. If anyone thinks we can pick it up after another nightmare start, I’m afraid they are in fo a rude awakening.
 
Goforgoal said:
I am, however I don’t want another start like last season. Yes we came good in the end, but this is a different world entirely. If anyone thinks we can pick it up after another nightmare start, I’m afraid they are in fo a rude awakening.
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I'll see what happens rather than just give up like you suggest. We've had three games, when things get tough some 'supporters' just go to pieces.
 
voyeur said:
I'll see what happens rather than just give up like you suggest. We've had three games, when things get tough some 'supporters' just go to pieces.
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I attended my first game at bloomers in 1974 and I have watched some absolute 💩 in the intervening almost 50 years, so I am not going to pieces. Nothing would give me more satisfaction than for us to cement our place in this league, as
much for SS as anything else. So I haven’t given up, I just can’t see any sign of improvement. I have also jusg been reading Critchleys view of the game and he thought we were excellent and the players gave their all. Well I’m sorry but if he thinks that was excellent then you are probably right and it’s time I gave up.
 
Goforgoal said:
I attended my first game at bloomers in 1974 and I have watched some absolute 💩 in the intervening almost 50 years, so I am not going to pieces. Nothing would give me more satisfaction than for us to cement our place in this league, as
much for SS as anything else. So I haven’t given up, I just can’t see any sign of improvement. I have also jusg been reading Critchleys view of the game and he thought we were excellent and the players gave their all. Well I’m sorry but if he thinks that was excellent then you are probably right and it’s time I gave up.
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He's being positive. Backing his players. Like a good manager should in tough times. Like good supporters should.
 
voyeur said:
He's being positive. Backing his players. Like a good manager should in tough times. Like good supporters should.
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Possibly a kick up the ar5e might be more effective. Ferguson used to back his players, but as you are well aware he wasn’t averse to the famous hairdryer treatment when required.
 
Goforgoal said:
Possibly a kick up the ar5e might be more effective. Ferguson used to back his players, but as you are well aware he wasn’t averse to the famous hairdryer treatment when required.
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That has its place but the players are all giving 100% and need backing at the moment, not being told they're not good enough etc. Completely obvious, this.
 
voyeur said:
That has its place but the players are all giving 100% and need backing at the moment, not being told they're not good enough etc. Completely obvious, this.
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One of the major worries is that of tactics and formation. From the last three league game we’ve played a very ridged 442 it doesn’t allow attacking freedom and overlapping. We leave big holes where the opposition uses them to their advantage.

Last Wednesday against Boro we played a 4-2-3-1, plugged those gaps, took control of the game and won.

I truly believe the players are good enough. NC needs to wake up and realise that 442 is going to get us nowhere in this league.
 
LeedsSeasider said:
You’re not good enough to be a fan
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Read each and every post on this thread.

Clearly the vast majority think we need to change/bring in players. Does that mean we are good enough?

So what's you're assessment? We are good enough?

We're a league one team in the Championship. All the players we have signed bar one, who is 35 have never player at this level.

We need 3 players in, minimum, and not ones for the future, ones for today who can hit the ground running.

We WILL be relegated if we don't.
I've supported this club for over 35 years ago through thick and thin so don't ever question my support.
I want, in fact I'm desperate for this club to succeed, especially after the efforts of Mr Saddler and his staff, both on and off the field but you can't bury your head in the sand.
We need some quality players in and soon.
 
It’s clear we need players in, Critchley knows that and I expect after last night efforts will be stepped up to get them in.

Let’s remember, most of us said on here when the fixtures came out that August was going to be difficult, so get that out of the way, more experience in this league and new players in and we’ll be ok.
 
tangomonkey said:
One of the major worries is that of tactics and formation. From the last three league game we’ve played a very ridged 442 it doesn’t allow attacking freedom and overlapping. We leave big holes where the opposition uses them to their advantage.

Last Wednesday against Boro we played a 4-2-3-1, plugged those gaps, took control of the game and won.

I truly believe the players are good enough. NC needs to wake up and realise that 442 is going to get us nowhere in this league.
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Is Keogh good enough?
Is Connolly good enough at RB?
Is Hubby good enough as a CD?
Is Garbutt a good enough defender?
Is our midfield good enough?
Are CJ and Anderson good enough?
Is Carey ready yet to step up from CLN level?

At the minute the defence and midfield aren't good enough and the attack we don't really know yet but Simms would make a difference for sure.

However

Our defence will improve if we sign a good RB and use 2 of Connolly, Ekpiteta, Casey and Gretarsson in CD. And Hubby at LB.

Our midfield will improve if we get Kenny and Kev back fit and firing. And someone creative through the middle like Cov had. Carey seems the best option but Critch is weaning him in, rightly I think. Probably need a signing there.

Up front we need another, different option. I think Jerry and Shayne are good enough when they find their feet and the service improves. Out wide only Bowler looks good enough so far. Shame we lost Demi but I'm not 100% sure he'd be making a big difference to us.

We need 3 good signings I think, hopefully Critch can use his contacts to prise 3 quality loan signings out of the bigger boys.
 
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We‘ve only looked better in the second half because teams have stood off us.

They know we don’t have the quality to break a well organised team down and the composure to finish those one or two chances we do get.

The fact all our players are from league one and two is starting to become obvious.

To answer all your questions @voyeur the answer is no with the exception of Carey who hasn’t had a go.
 
tangomonkey said:
One of the major worries is that of tactics and formation. From the last three league game we’ve played a very ridged 442 it doesn’t allow attacking freedom and overlapping. We leave big holes where the opposition uses them to their advantage.

Last Wednesday against Boro we played a 4-2-3-1, plugged those gaps, took control of the game and won.

I truly believe the players are good enough. NC needs to wake up and realise that 442 is going to get us nowhere in this league.
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“NC needs to wake up!” That is an insult to the man!
FFS, we are 3 games into to a new season, at a substantially higher level, and already, in some eyes, Critch is getting it all wrong. Once again, the wannabe managers know better, who needs to play where, what formations we should play, etc, etc, etc.
This time last year there were several posters on this forum who were claiming Critch was out of his death and look what happened.
It is you who needs to wake up and let him and the players sort it out, which they will do. And perhaps show some support for the manager and team whilst you’re at it.
 
Eternaloptimist said:
“NC needs to wake up!” That is an insult to the man!
FFS, we are 3 games into to a new season, at a substantially higher level, and already, in some eyes, Critch is getting it all wrong. Once again, the wannabe managers know better, who needs to play where, what formations we should play, etc, etc, etc.
This time last year there were several posters on this forum who were claiming Critch was out of his death and look what happened.
It is you who needs to wake up and let him and the players sort it out, which they will do. And perhaps show some support for the manager and team whilst you’re at it.
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Thank you a little common sense at last!

We are also still missing Stewart, Mitchell, Gretarsson and Madine, there were 5 new signings in the team last night, are they all expected to gel immediately?
OK, we weren't great, but we've gone from "This team will make the playoffs" to " We might as well give up now" in the space of a week. When are we going to realise this is a significant step up for some of our players, let's give them time to find their feet rather than writing them off three games in.

I'd have liked nothing better than a win last night, however it came, I was totally pissed off at full time but we need to keep calm and carry on, or perhaps some would rather us still be playing Fleetwood, Plymouth and Accrington
 
Couldhaveboughtafiatuno said:
For the first 35 mins we got battered by an away team that to be fair is a lesser championship threat.

Yes second half it was more even but overall as the home team we can have no complaints whatsoever that we lost tonight.

The championship is a tough division. We knew that but I think there’s a fair few of us that thought we would do OK and just float around mid table. Wrong. This season we can stay up for sure but it will be a slog and the sooner our fans accept that the better.
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It's ridiculous that it even needs pointing out it'll be a difficult season. Many were banging on about doing back to back promotions on here over the summer, insanely high expectations of our first year back.

I said on a few of those sort of threads were expectation seemed to be high people need to tone it down a bit, because if everyone has these high hopes of what is going to go on this year it's just going to lead to massive disappointment when the reality check hits. I think we're seeing the reality check now with these two losses on the bounce and the sort of reaction on here, god forbid we lose to Bournemouth on Saturday as well..
 
voyeur said:
Is Keogh good enough?
Is Connolly good enough at RB?
Is Hubby good enough as a CD?
Is Garbutt a good enough defender?
Is our midfield good enough?
Are CJ and Anderson good enough?
Is Carey ready yet to step up from CLN level?

At the minute the defence and midfield aren't good enough and the attack we don't really know yet but Simms would make a difference for sure.

However

Our defence will improve if we sign a good RB and use 2 of Connolly, Ekpiteta, Casey and Gretarsson in CD. And Hubby at LB.

Our midfield will improve if we get Kenny and Kev back fit and firing. And someone creative through the middle like Cov had. Carey seems the best option but Critch is weaning him in, rightly I think. Probably need a signing there.

Up front we need another, different option. I think Jerry and Shayne are good enough when they find their feet and the service improves. Out wide only Bowler looks good enough so far. Shame we lost Demi but I'm not 100% sure he'd be making a big difference to us.

We need 3 good signings I think, hopefully Critch can use his contacts to prise 3 quality loan signings out of the bigger boys.
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You could have had the same argument about the 08/09 squad that scraped championship survival and went on to win promotion the next season.

Pretty much the same squad but the difference was the tactics, formation and how we worked as a team.

So yes, I do think we have players good enough 👍🏻
 
Eternaloptimist said:
“NC needs to wake up!” That is an insult to the man!
FFS, we are 3 games into to a new season, at a substantially higher level, and already, in some eyes, Critch is getting it all wrong. Once again, the wannabe managers know better, who needs to play where, what formations we should play, etc, etc, etc.
This time last year there were several posters on this forum who were claiming Critch was out of his death and look what happened.
It is you who needs to wake up and let him and the players sort it out, which they will do. And perhaps show some support for the manager and team whilst you’re at it.
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Wow showing your teeth here buddy!

We’ll agree to this disagree but if we play two banks of four and top up top on Saturday then really hope it works out for the team and the manager.

And remember, this is a forum. People are entitled to their opinion. Having one doesn’t mean one lack support for the team.
 
Southshoresteve said:
From what I’ve seen so far Critchley has changed tactics and our style of play which they are still coming to grips with. We are getting pressed when pissing about playing from the back and we don’t have players good enough to deal with it - I’m sure we started in a similar vein last season?
We are far too pedestrian with our passing and movement as well - far too often we have men out wide and instead of passing to them we often cut inside.
If we can get the ball out to Bowler more often and quicker he is going to be a key threat for us this season - he has been outstanding so far.
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Yes, until he shoots.
 
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