Critchley happy with performance

He won't have enjoyed folding the napkins, polishing the knives and forks, and setting the table immaculately for a dinner of lettuce and 2 boiled eggs this evening. The silent clinking of the Marks and Spencers crockery would have been palpable in the Critchley's special dining room.

"Did you get to punch at the crowd love?"
"No."
"Oh poor love. There's always the next game Neil love."
"Yeah."
"Do you want a digestive?"
"No fanks love."
"Fancy watching Strictly It takes Two?"
"Nah. No fanks love."
"Shall we go up then? I've given the pillows a shake."
"Yeah."
"Oh and can you give the lawn a one last mow for winter tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Course."
 
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He may be happy with the performance but as a longstanding fan I’m not. Losing 3-1 at home to a Derby side that hasn’t been setting the rather average League One on fire is not good enough. Away on Saturday to Appleton’s Charlton who have hit form🤷🏽‍♂️
 
Athers said:
Happy with creating 3 decent chances (the goal, Carey hitting the bar and Rhodes effort first half) at home all game. High standards indeed…
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You decided you didn’t want him back months ago so you’re now eager to get on his back wherever possible I see…

Room for improvement definitely but the only thing that separated us tonight from derby was that they were clinical in front of goal.

Result is a tough one to take but don’t think he’s wrong not to be too downbeat about the performance itself
 
Shiggy said:
You decided you didn’t want him back months ago so you’re now eager to get on his back wherever possible I see…

Room for improvement definitely but the only thing that separated us tonight from derby was that they were clinical in front of goal.

Result is a tough one to take but don’t think he’s wrong not to be too downbeat about the performance itself
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Defensively we were shocking. They missed an open net in the first half. One or two decent moments but there was nothing good about that performance last night. CJ was our only threat and that just isn't good enough.
 
We’ll finish above them at the end of the season, just one of those evenings, they were nothing special but took their chances

I just really don’t understand why we don’t swap the wing backs onto their strongest foot, I’d also bin Connolly and Carey off

Carey needs a loan out or to be sold, replace him with some creativity (Moxon type) and we win that game
 
Shiggy said:
You decided you didn’t want him back months ago so you’re now eager to get on his back wherever possible I see…

Room for improvement definitely but the only thing that separated us tonight from derby was that they were clinical in front of goal.

Result is a tough one to take but don’t think he’s wrong not to be too downbeat about the performance itself
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Well maybe, in future, if any of us are ever feeling a little 'under the weather', we ought to consider visiting the same 'clinical' at which the Derby players are registered ...
 
Shiggy said:
You decided you didn’t want him back months ago so you’re now eager to get on his back wherever possible I see…

Room for improvement definitely but the only thing that separated us tonight from derby was that they were clinical in front of goal.

Result is a tough one to take but don’t think he’s wrong not to be too downbeat about the performance itself
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They had six clear cut chances and should have scored 3 by half time so it was a fair result and not as even as you make out
 
Surprised to read on here that back pass Carey hit the bar, happen he was trying to get a rebound back to grimmy.if there is a player stealing a living from playing football we have him in a 10 shirt.if he put half the effort that Jordan put in we might have a descent player in there.
 
Skye Charlie said:
Surprised to read on here that back pass Carey hit the bar, happen he was trying to get a rebound back to grimmy.if there is a player stealing a living from playing football we have him in a 10 shirt.if he put half the effort that Jordan put in we might have a descent player in there.
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He's unquestionably a player who currently finds himself caught up in downward spiral of DESCENT, we all know that. Just not so sure there is a DECENT player in there waiting to be uncovered ...
 
Ever thought he’s just saying it to keep the players protected and in house is a different situation and conversation?

Should he come out all guns blazing and start picking on players like that gobshite Appleton.

For what it’s worth I didn’t think we were that bad last night. Score line suggests otherwise but that’s football.
 
Shiggy said:
You decided you didn’t want him back months ago so you’re now eager to get on his back wherever possible I see…

Room for improvement definitely but the only thing that separated us tonight from derby was that they were clinical in front of goal.

Result is a tough one to take but don’t think he’s wrong not to be too downbeat about the performance itself
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You are correct that I didn’t want him back. But the football is boring to watch. Nearly fell asleep first half.

Even at Barnsley we were hardly all out attack, but you can accept that a bit away from home.

10 games in and I can genuinely say Reading at home is the only game I’ve felt I’ve got my monies worth. We’re incredibly boring to watch
 
Chesterbfc said:
Beaten by a better coached and disciplined side in my opinion.
They attacked and we went back to a semi advanced game of Critch ball involving sideways (Carey) and backwards. Still onwards and hopefully upwards
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Agree, they set up and played well. Good on the counter and passed it around us when we were stretched.

It was there night and hats off to them.
 
Athers said:
You are correct that I didn’t want him back. But the football is boring to watch. Nearly fell asleep first half.

Even at Barnsley we were hardly all out attack, but you can accept that a bit away from home.

10 games in and I can genuinely say Reading at home is the only game I’ve felt I’ve got my monies worth. We’re incredibly boring to watch
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Totally agree. Little offered in the way of excitement. Any creativity is being stifled by the way we are set up.
 
I don’t see how anyone can be happy with a performance that delivers three goals against at home in League One. It’s the fine margins stuff again and we were on the wrong side of the line again.
 
Tr33frog said:
We’ll finish above them at the end of the season, just one of those evenings, they were nothing special but took their chances

I just really don’t understand why we don’t swap the wing backs onto their strongest foot, I’d also bin Connolly and Carey off

Carey needs a loan out or to be sold, replace him with some creativity (Moxon type) and we win that game
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I think inadvertently you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is we are only signing in the main very average players. We have sadly got used to having generally mediocre players. Anyone showing above average ability does not stay with us very long. I don't like to be critical of our players because I think they are doing their best. But they are at a certain level and it's way off Championship level; it's mid-table Division 1 level. Those saying it will all come good are deluding themselves. And while I'm commenting I've simply had enough of NC. His team selections and substitutions are often crazy. Last night was the last straw for me. Bringing off the only player creating chances when we are behind is inexcusable. But I guess we are stuck with him.
 
He shouldn't be happy with that performance at all, maybe he wasn't, he's hardly likely to come out and say "Sorry Everyone, we were shite tonight, I got it totally wrong and Connelly and Carey played like useless fuckers!" is he?

It bothers me more that he thought that changing a winning side was a good idea, he could have started with the same team that won at Barnsley and were starting to look like they knew what they were doing. Too much emphasis on changing our side to counter theirs instead of letting them worry about us.
 
I'm surprised folk are surprised. He tinkered like mad last time and his football was generally boring to watch, but it was successful. He has this season, if he gets us up we will have been bored to death but at least he did what he is paid to do. The problem is if we don't get promoted and languish around the middle of the table whilst everyone is still bored to death. Sadler will have a decision to make then.
 
Athers said:
You are correct that I didn’t want him back. But the football is boring to watch. Nearly fell asleep first half.

Even at Barnsley we were hardly all out attack, but you can accept that a bit away from home.

10 games in and I can genuinely say Reading at home is the only game I’ve felt I’ve got my monies worth. We’re incredibly boring to watch
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Agree with this. Can accept the defeats. They happen. It's the manner of the defeats that makes it worrying. I'd rather go down trying to play attacking football than this mind numbingly negative dross we are being served up.
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Oh for 'Ollie' type football again.

Sometimes you don't know what you've had until its gone.

I genuinely wouldn't mind where we were in the league playing like that.....there was a buzz at the ground and as for supporting the team....superb times.
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Fact is, everyone was getting pig sick of Holloway and conceding stupid goals every week in the end.

Football is good when you’re winning and shit when you’re losing… simple as that
 
Macseasider said:
He won't have enjoyed folding the napkins, polishing the knives and forks, and setting the table immaculately for a dinner of lettuce and 2 boiled eggs this evening. The silent clinking of the Marks and Spencers crockery would have been palpable in the Critchley's special dining room.

"Did you get to punch at the crowd love?"
"No."
"Oh poor love. There's always the next game Neil love."
"Yeah."
"Do you want a digestive?"
"No fanks love."
"Fancy watching Strictly It takes Two?"
"Nah. No fanks love."
"Shall we go up then? I've given the pillows a shake."
"Yeah."
"Oh and can you give the lawn a one last mow for winter tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Course."
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Imagery courtesy of the Spitting Image John Major eating peas.
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
So nothing changes, except this time its boring aswell
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It became boring under Holloway though.... And there's nothing boring about watching decent quality possession based football as opposed to some Amateur Hour slog fest.... I think the issue is that folk these days have the attention span of a Goldfish and need instant gratification in every aspect of their lives.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
It became boring under Holloway though.... And there's nothing boring about watching decent quality possession based football as opposed to some Amateur Hour slog fest.... I think the issue is that folk these days have the attention span of a Goldfish and need instant gratification in every aspect of their lives.
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contrary mary being his usual self. It clearly wasn't "decent quality possession based football" and there was plenty of hoofball too. It was boring negative based possession based football in which we failed to open up Derbys defence all night.
 
Yarmouth Seasider said:
He shouldn't be happy with that performance at all, maybe he wasn't, he's hardly likely to come out and say "Sorry Everyone, we were shite tonight, I got it totally wrong and Connelly and Carey played like useless fuckers!" is he?

It bothers me more that he thought that changing a winning side was a good idea, he could have started with the same team that won at Barnsley and were starting to look like they knew what they were doing. Too much emphasis on changing our side to counter theirs instead of letting them worry about us.
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As is always the case with Critchley, he thinks he’s such a clever coach he can outthink his opposite number. Sometimes it works, more often it doesn’t. When it doesn’t it goes spectacularly wrong, then we have the usual, we were unlucky, we didn’t get anything off the officials etc. What we don’t get is , we had 70% possession and did f**k all with it.
 
hertfordseasider said:
I'm surprised folk are surprised. He tinkered like mad last time and his football was generally boring to watch, but it was successful. He has this season, if he gets us up we will have been bored to death but at least he did what he is paid to do. The problem is if we don't get promoted and languish around the middle of the table whilst everyone is still bored to death. Sadler will have a decision to make then.
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There will be no decision to make. Sadler thinks Critchley pisses champagne and shits chocolate, if not why did he give him a four year contract? It’s not to secure the future, because last time he had just as long and it didn’t stop him doing one. The Oyston favourite a 12 month rolling would have been more than he deserved.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
It became boring under Holloway though.... And there's nothing boring about watching decent quality possession based football as opposed to some Amateur Hour slog fest.... I think the issue is that folk these days have the attention span of a Goldfish and need instant gratification in every aspect of their lives.
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Unfortunately BFCx3, that seems to be what life is like now
 
Bend it like Suddick said:
Unfortunately BFCx3, that seems to be what life is like now
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Yep… it wasn’t actually a bad game of football last night tbh. Very frustrating at times, but I do think you have to be prepared to be patient if teams come to stifle you.

With Rhodes in particular, we have a Striker who’s capable of a decent conversion rate and in them kind of games it can come down to one or two opportunities.

I do agree that we need to move the ball a bit quicker and be less static at times. As things stand we seem to struggle without a lump it forward option.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Yep… it wasn’t actually a bad game of football last night tbh. Very frustrating at times, but I do think you have to be prepared to be patient if teams come to stifle you.

With Rhodes in particular, we have a Striker who’s capable of a decent conversion rate and in them kind of games it can come down to one or two opportunities.

I do agree that we need to move the ball a bit quicker and be less static at times. As things stand we seem to struggle without a lump it forward option.
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Bifster…I’m going to use a lot of if’s..

If we can stay close to the top 6 with the current players and if the returning Lyon’s and Gabriel are used to full potential and also if Joseph is the player who we all hope he is and bangs loads of goals in then it could all come good.

If we can also strengthen again in January with maybe 2/3 players the team that is currently on show could be vastly different,

That’s my positive post for today 😀
 
Towerpower99 said:
Bifster…I’m going to use a lot of if’s..

If we can stay close to the top 6 with the current players and if the returning Lyon’s and Gabriel are used to full potential and also if Joseph is the player who we all hope he is and bangs loads of goals in then it could all come good.

If we can also strengthen again in January with maybe 2/3 players the team that is currently on show could be vastly different,

That’s my positive post for today 😀
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A lot of positive ifs there, but when Lyons, Gabriel and Joseph come back, others will be injured.

I see no positives whatsoever in last night’s debacle, or in the future with this classroom coach in charge.

I hate losing, but if we do, I want us to try to win and be entertained, not the garbage we saw last night.
 
Matesrates said:
A lot of positive ifs there, but when Lyons, Gabriel and Joseph come back, others will be injured.

I see no positives whatsoever in last night’s debacle, or in the future with this classroom coach in charge.

I hate losing, but if we do, I want us to try to win and be entertained, not the garbage we saw last night.
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Mates..I’m on holiday and in a happy mood..I’ve allowed myself a positive ifs posting 😀
 
Athers said:
You are correct that I didn’t want him back. But the football is boring to watch. Nearly fell asleep first half.

Even at Barnsley we were hardly all out attack, but you can accept that a bit away from home.

10 games in and I can genuinely say Reading at home is the only game I’ve felt I’ve got my monies worth. We’re incredibly boring to watch
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Can’t really disagree with you too much there, although I do think the second half last night was a decent watch.

You’re right about Barnsley but that’s also the kind of performance and result that we replicated in our promotion season. It’s ugly but sometimes that’s just the way to pick up points away from home in this league.
 
20togo said:
contrary mary being his usual self. It clearly wasn't "decent quality possession based football" and there was plenty of hoofball too. It was boring negative based possession based football in which we failed to open up Derbys defence all night.
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👍🏻

And in addition to the three goals they did score, it could and should have been five against us. At home.
 
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I don't recall people getting "sick of Holloway football at the end".

We started that season on fire and completely destroyed Leeds, looked like we were heading for another season towards the top end of the championship. Remember the Leeds manager coming out and saying that they "couldn't compete with teams like Blackpool" soon after we beat Ipswich 6-0 and 'Boro 4-1, I do recall a couple of draws and defeats towards the end but we were still in the top 10 I believe, and then he left for Palace

Anyway, 2 good results, one bad result is actually progress, I think we're gonna be trying to nick one of the last play-off spots at best.
 
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