Critchley’s team

BFC_53

Well-known member
Watching the game today it really struck me just what an incredible transformation the team and squad has seen in such a short space of time. Let's be honest, the team left for Critchley to work with was dreadful aside from a couple of loan players. We would've struggled badly without Moore and KDH, and at no point last year could we have been described as dominating a game.

Compare to now, and the one thing that I thought when watching today (yes even in the second half) was that every one of the new players we've signed seem so much more comfortable on the ball. The first touch is much better than we've been used to, and they're always looking for the ball, every one. Under Grayson we looked so jittery and barely kept the ball for longer than 10 seconds, yet now we keep the ball so much better. I know much has been said of our pace, but I think Robson, Anderson and Ward have been the base of the good performances. They're all a significant step up from the last couple of years.

The result against Liverpool really doesn't matter at all, and I can't believe any of our players can be criticised after that performance even in the second half. The second half team was disjointed and disorganised, but that's more about the collective rather than any player being particularly bad. For example, if you swapped Antwi for Robson in the first half we'd have been just as good, or Lubala/Kemp for KaiKai. We do have strength in depth I think, but as a league 1 club you can't expect to put out two different teams against the English champions and run out winners with both sides. You shouldn't be able to do it with one team.

So I hope the players don't let the scoreline bother them. I've seen enough this preseason to suggest that this summer's transfer strategy has been a big success, and huge credit should go to the recruitment team and particularly for SS for getting us as prepared as I've ever seen us for the start of a league season. True, the main tests are still to come, and we haven't seen how we fare in competitive league games, but sometimes you can just tell a fluke from a genuinely good side. We may not get promoted, but honestly i'd be amazed if we dont have a good season. The scattergun has been well and truly disposed of, along with the faulty fax machine! UTMP!
 
The only player I've not entirely understood how they fit in is Sarkic and I'm sure he'll show his worth in time. For 9 out of ten signing to make complete sense is pretty impressive and I think I'm only a bit down on Sarkic cos he did that thankless false 9 role against Blackburn.

Really good post that.
 
The only player I've not entirely understood how they fit in is Sarkic and I'm sure he'll show his worth in time. For 9 out of ten signing to make complete sense is pretty impressive and I think I'm only a bit down on Sarkic cos he did that thankless false 9 role against Blackburn.

Really good post that.
I like Sarkic - where was he today? - I just think Critchy hasn't worked out how to use him.
 
Watching the game today it really struck me just what an incredible transformation the team and squad has seen in such a short space of time. Let's be honest, the team left for Critchley to work with was dreadful aside from a couple of loan players. We would've struggled badly without Moore and KDH, and at no point last year could we have been described as dominating a game.

Compare to now, and the one thing that I thought when watching today (yes even in the second half) was that every one of the new players we've signed seem so much more comfortable on the ball. The first touch is much better than we've been used to, and they're always looking for the ball, every one. Under Grayson we looked so jittery and barely kept the ball for longer than 10 seconds, yet now we keep the ball so much better. I know much has been said of our pace, but I think Robson, Anderson and Ward have been the base of the good performances. They're all a significant step up from the last couple of years.

The result against Liverpool really doesn't matter at all, and I can't believe any of our players can be criticised after that performance even in the second half. The second half team was disjointed and disorganised, but that's more about the collective rather than any player being particularly bad. For example, if you swapped Antwi for Robson in the first half we'd have been just as good, or Lubala/Kemp for KaiKai. We do have strength in depth I think, but as a league 1 club you can't expect to put out two different teams against the English champions and run out winners with both sides. You shouldn't be able to do it with one team.

So I hope the players don't let the scoreline bother them. I've seen enough this preseason to suggest that this summer's transfer strategy has been a big success, and huge credit should go to the recruitment team and particularly for SS for getting us as prepared as I've ever seen us for the start of a league season. True, the main tests are still to come, and we haven't seen how we fare in competitive league games, but sometimes you can just tell a fluke from a genuinely good side. We may not get promoted, but honestly i'd be amazed if we dont have a good season. The scattergun has been well and truly disposed of, along with the faulty fax machine! UTMP!
Hopefully if it does bother them it will be in a positive way as to where they as a group could get to with even more hard work.
 
Not sure, he was there but not on the bench cos he's on a video of them walking into the ground
Excellent op. Was it the Port Vale game where Sarkic played and was very good? He was excellent in one pre season game.
I've seen enough against EFC, Stoke and LFC to know this squad is exciting, talented,hard working and will only get better. Onwards and upwards UTP.
 
Watching the game today it really struck me just what an incredible transformation the team and squad has seen in such a short space of time. Let's be honest, the team left for Critchley to work with was dreadful aside from a couple of loan players. We would've struggled badly without Moore and KDH, and at no point last year could we have been described as dominating a game.

Compare to now, and the one thing that I thought when watching today (yes even in the second half) was that every one of the new players we've signed seem so much more comfortable on the ball. The first touch is much better than we've been used to, and they're always looking for the ball, every one. Under Grayson we looked so jittery and barely kept the ball for longer than 10 seconds, yet now we keep the ball so much better. I know much has been said of our pace, but I think Robson, Anderson and Ward have been the base of the good performances. They're all a significant step up from the last couple of years.

The result against Liverpool really doesn't matter at all, and I can't believe any of our players can be criticised after that performance even in the second half. The second half team was disjointed and disorganised, but that's more about the collective rather than any player being particularly bad. For example, if you swapped Antwi for Robson in the first half we'd have been just as good, or Lubala/Kemp for KaiKai. We do have strength in depth I think, but as a league 1 club you can't expect to put out two different teams against the English champions and run out winners with both sides. You shouldn't be able to do it with one team.

So I hope the players don't let the scoreline bother them. I've seen enough this preseason to suggest that this summer's transfer strategy has been a big success, and huge credit should go to the recruitment team and particularly for SS for getting us as prepared as I've ever seen us for the start of a league season. True, the main tests are still to come, and we haven't seen how we fare in competitive league games, but sometimes you can just tell a fluke from a genuinely good side. We may not get promoted, but honestly i'd be amazed if we dont have a good season. The scattergun has been well and truly disposed of, along with the faulty fax machine! UTMP!
Good, positive post that. Yes, the progress we have made off the pitch is startlingly good - though, where is my season ticket?!
I think that once the season gets going we will see that opposition teams will not be as easy to break down as some on here perhaps think. However, I also think we'll see the team tighten up and toughen up.
 
The only player I've not entirely understood how they fit in is Sarkic and I'm sure he'll show his worth in time. For 9 out of ten signing to make complete sense is pretty impressive and I think I'm only a bit down on Sarkic cos he did that thankless false 9 role against Blackburn.

Really good post that.

Yes good point about Sarkic, it is quite difficult to place him. We've seen less of him than maybe some others too which doesn't help. I've always thought of him as an attacking midfielder, sort of competition for Anderson and Ward, but I'm not certain. He has been at some very good clubs in his youth which suggests he may become an important player for us. Also one of the few signings we've made that has league 1 experience.
 
Hopefully if it does bother them it will be in a positive way as to where they as a group could get to with even more hard work.

Yes I'm sure they'll respond in a positive. I think one think that's definitely been evident in preseason is a good attitude from the players. Take yesterday for example - 7-2 down and still trying to apply the high press.
 
I've always thought of him as an attacking midfielder, sort of competition for Anderson and Ward, but I'm not certain.

That's how I see Sarkic too. But all three have different styles and attributes. Sarkic has his laid back quality, which may be going against him perhaps? Critch is keen on intensity and getting at the opposition defenders. Interesting to see what happens with Sarkic.
 
Hell of a lot of work gone in already to transform the team and style of play, thank you Mr Chairman for allowing Critch to clear the decks even if costly signings only a few months ago. The future is unbelievably bright and most certainly tangerine 🍊
 
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