In a game we simply have to win……

Yes we had 3 chances towards the end of the game but as usual it was all too little too late. We never really looked like scoring YET AGAIN! With Critchley in charge do we just change our name to Blackpool Nil?

The match was crying out for Koassi as their centre halves won everything but he is unable to break the mould and make an early sub when required, like I say too little too late!
 
Two ways we can stop the negativity and downward spiral the club is in, one is to spend big for league 1 and keep Critchley in the job, 2 is to spend a bit less with a results driven league 1 manager such as Duff.
Absolute dream scenario is a bit of 1 and 2 with no Critchley.
 
TangerineDan said:
Yes we had 3 chances towards the end of the game but as usual it was all too little too late. We never really looked like scoring YET AGAIN! With Critchley in charge do we just change our name to Blackpool Nil?

The match was crying out for Koassi as their centre halves won everything but he is unable to break the mould and make an early sub when required, like I say too little too late!
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Should've started with Dembele behind 1 of Kouassi/Beesley and 1 of Lavery/Joseph instead he played 2 runners together with nobody capable of playing a through ball, then subbed them for 2 big centre forwards with nobody running off them!
Critchley has lost it!
 
No good being the fastest player in the league if you can’t play football. CJ was not good enough last time in league one and certainly not good enough this season, if we are relying on players like CJ then it’s amazing people think we should be higher than we are
 
Martonmosser said:
…… the snake/clown/muppet leaves our best player on the bench and moves the fastest player in the league to left back. What the fcuk is going on in Critchley’s head?????
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The subs were baffling as well.

We make a triple change to go to a front 3 of Dembele, Beesley and Sonny Carey (who I’m sure will tell you is not a wide forward of a front 3).

We then took Carey off to go back to a front 2 with Dembele behind.

We might have the fastest player in the league but he’s not arsed and his crossing is shocking.

Gabriel needs someone infront of him and he’ll be much better.

The formation doesn't benefit any player in the team but he’s stuck to it now and can’t change it or he’ll look like an even bigger bellend than he did when he spent a good 20 seconds sarcastically clapping when he got some shit at the end.
 
DJ Dudley said:
No good being the fastest player in the league if you can’t play football. CJ was not good enough last time in league one and certainly not good enough this season, if we are relying on players like CJ then it’s amazing people think we should be higher than we are
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His control and touch and ability to pass was about the level of the North West Counties today. When that clearance landed back at him 1st half and he controlled it out 🤯

Basic stuff.

And the current gaffer signed off a 2.5 year extension. Absolutely bonkers.
 
DJ Dudley said:
No good being the fastest player in the league if you can’t play football. CJ was not good enough last time in league one and certainly not good enough this season, if we are relying on players like CJ then it’s amazing people think we should be higher than we are
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CJ's alright. Did you see any confidence on the pitch from our lads? Any swagger? We were going for the last play-off place and....nothing. Lame, dithering, no confidence at all. We're 40 matches into the season. By any measure that's not good enough. I think Critchley's done. Time for Adam or Dobbie or both.
 
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TangerineDan said:
Yes we had 3 chances towards the end of the game but as usual it was all too little too late. We never really looked like scoring YET AGAIN! With Critchley in charge do we just change our name to Blackpool Nil?

The match was crying out for Koassi as their centre halves won everything but he is unable to break the mould and make an early sub when required, like I say too little too late!
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We also missed two great opportunities in the first half. The bottom line is we don't carry enough goal threat now Rhodes has gone.

No doubt the stats were saying Beesley needed to be rotated as he was in the Amber zone or suchlike bollocks, but he's our only forward close to double figures and had good chances in his brief time on the pitch.

I also thought Casey showed he still needs work. Could easily have cost us a couple of goals.
 
Adams Kebab said:
The subs were baffling as well.

We make a triple change to go to a front 3 of Dembele, Beesley and Sonny Carey (who I’m sure will tell you is not a wide forward of a front 3).

We then took Carey off to go back to a front 2 with Dembele behind.

We might have the fastest player in the league but he’s not arsed and his crossing is shocking.

Gabriel needs someone infront of him and he’ll be much better.

The formation doesn't benefit any player in the team but he’s stuck to it now and can’t change it or he’ll look like an even bigger bellend than he did when he spent a good 20 seconds sarcastically clapping when he got some shit at the end.
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He's tactically inept. His substitutions have always been a bit random. His subbing very rarely makes any impact. I'm not convinced he can read a game.
 
He said “we tried different setups” really, was it 3-5-2 instead of 3-5-2? “Personnel subs coming on to try to change the game” what are personnel subs?
 
Matesrates said:
He said “we tried different setups” really, was it 3-5-2 instead of 3-5-2? “Personnel subs coming on to try to change the game” what are personnel subs?
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Sounded like a man who had run out of excuses, he was probably a decent youth coach who got lucky first time around, but when things are not going well doesn't have the nous to change it.
Playing against massed defence we need wingers who can cross or skillful dribblers, which is why sending Apter back out seemed nonsensical.
 
Adams Kebab said:
His control and touch and ability to pass was about the level of the North West Counties today. When that clearance landed back at him 1st half and he controlled it out 🤯

Basic stuff.

And the current gaffer signed off a 2.5 year extension. Absolutely bonkers.
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Tbf at that time he was in some form, could be quite dangerous and getting his name sung regularly, since he signed he's barely turned up at all and when he's bad he's really bad.
 
JJpool said:
Tbf at that time he was in some form, could be quite dangerous and getting his name sung regularly, since he signed he's barely turned up at all and when he's bad he's really bad.
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Realistically he had about 3 or 4 good games. We all know what he’s like. Seen enough of him.

Over 3 seasons he’s had about 4 or 5 decent games a season.

We got played fully by his agent with alleged interest in him and 2.5 year extension is looking more and more stupid each time he plays.

The formation isn’t great for him but it isn’t for anyone tbh.
 
Adams Kebab said:
The subs were baffling as well.

We make a triple change to go to a front 3 of Dembele, Beesley and Sonny Carey (who I’m sure will tell you is not a wide forward of a front 3).

We then took Carey off to go back to a front 2 with Dembele behind.

We might have the fastest player in the league but he’s not arsed and his crossing is shocking.

Gabriel needs someone infront of him and he’ll be much better.

The formation doesn't benefit any player in the team but he’s stuck to it now and can’t change it or he’ll look like an even bigger bellend than he did when he spent a good 20 seconds sarcastically clapping when he got some shit at the end.
Click to expand...

Gabriel always played well with Hamilton in front of him but as you say the formation doesn’t allow it
 
Enzo said:
Gabriel always played well with Hamilton in front of him but as you say the formation doesn’t allow it
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Exactly. If he’s got a winger ahead of him he can bomb on and overlap or back him up and he’s good at it.

In this system he’s being asked to run into the empty space and create from a cross or a dribble and it’s just not his game. He looks a bit lost doing it and he has zero assists. The system places a big emphasis on creativity from wide areas.

He’s a right back. He knows he is. We know he is. But Neil knows best 🙃
 
Adams Kebab said:
Realistically he had about 3 or 4 good games. We all know what he’s like. Seen enough of him.

Over 3 seasons he’s had about 4 or 5 decent games a season.

We got played fully by his agent with alleged interest in him and 2.5 year extension is looking more and more stupid each time he plays.

The formation isn’t great for him but it isn’t for anyone tbh.
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Maybe, but had he at least carried on at his hit and miss level that would have been alright, but he's been pretty woeful for a while now, just gone off the boil, seems to have lost his confidence.

Tbh it's not just him, there's many that whilst maybe not world beaters, should be doing better.

The players have to take some responsibility, but it's hard not to lay a lot of the blame with the manager, tactics etc. He ultimately coaches and motivates them.

I'm not sure those at the club will think the players are just not good enough, I think they think we have a pretty strong squad, which is backed up by winning a lot of home games.

Which is why NC maybe isn't as safe as some people say.

What do you think, are the players better than they've been showing? Who's mostly to blame?
 
JJpool said:
What do you think, are the players better than they've been showing? Who's mostly to blame?
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My personal opinion is, we have players who aren’t being helped by rigid structures and systems. I don’t think this formation benefits any outfield player?

There’s a few who have got nothing about them and just go through the motions.

Called it at the time but January was a piss poor transfer window. We needed a striker. Letting Dale go and Apter out on loan showed he was sticking to his precious 3 at the back and wing-back system which is benefitting nobody.

I’ve got it about 75% on the Head coach and 25% on the players.
 
DJ Dudley said:
No good being the fastest player in the league if you can’t play football. CJ was not good enough last time in league one and certainly not good enough this season, if we are relying on players like CJ then it’s amazing people think we should be higher than we are
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CJ could be devastating in LG1, used in the right manner.
That’s not happening under Critchley, btw
 
Martonmosser said:
Unfortunately for us Simon Sadler said in his radio interview the other week that he’s really enjoying this season……WTF am I
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Martonmosser said:
That was the words of an owner trying to build up his coach and players at a difficult time. The coach has completely let him down since then with his crap formations, tactical infexibility and bizarre selections and subs.
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Saler will look a right idiot if he pots him after the most cringeworthy double interview when Critchley was reinstated and then again with his interview the other week. How can he say all that and then pot him? He will be admitting he had no idea what he was talking about and shouldn't be trusted to choose any future managers. That is why he will still be here next season and he will be hoping he can turn it round so that he can say he was right. The thing is, he's going to get badly let down and he knows that.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Exactly. If he’s got a winger ahead of him he can bomb on and overlap or back him up and he’s good at it.

In this system he’s being asked to run into the empty space and create from a cross or a dribble and it’s just not his game. He looks a bit lost doing it and he has zero assists. The system places a big emphasis on creativity from wide areas.

He’s a right back. He knows he is. We know he is. But Neil knows best 🙃
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Gabriel is a class player - as you say , play the players to suit their strengths - 41 games in and still doesn’t know what formation to use
 
tangerine_neil said:
CJ could be devastating in LG1, used in the right manner.
That’s not happening under Critchley, btw
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Used in the right manner did you watch him play yesterday?
CJ found it incredibly difficult to perform the basics.
I still find it difficult how someone thought he was worth a new deal🤦
 
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Tangman74 said:
Gabriel is a class player - as you say , play the players to suit their strengths - 41 games in and still doesn’t know what formation to use
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He’s never going to change the formation. He can’t now. All the chips are in now and he’d rather persevere and flop than admit he’s wrong. Sums him up.

We’ve got a brilliant right back, fast, strong tackler, great on the press, athletic, able to support, overlap and get back… being asked to create for us into big open spaces with nobody ahead of him and he looks uncomfortable doing it. With someone ahead of him he’d look totally different. It would also mean that when the ball got laid back it would be him crossing it not a centre back. Just to add Gabriel has zero assists this season.

I’m guessing the Head Coach does know this as he’d be stupid if he hasn’t worked it out, but I think he can’t admit that his “possession based football” with his 3 centre backs who all look ropey in possession isn’t working.

So he’ll keep at it.
 
Martonmosser said:
Unfortunately for us Simon Sadler said in his radio interview the other week that he’s really enjoying this season……WTF am I missing???
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It seems Sadler has to justify the appointment he's made Mosser.
Been made to look a bit of a dick bulling Critchley up like he did imo.
Oh, by the way, you're missing nothing.
Sadler may well be enjoying the home form (even though that seems to be dwindling) However, you have to be some deluded fool to enjoy watching BFC on the road🤬
 
Wizzerboy said:
It seems Sadler has to justify the appointment he's made Mosser.
Been made to look a bit of a dick bulling Critchley up like he did imo.
Oh, by the way, you're missing nothing.
Sadler may well be enjoying the home form (even though that seems to be dwindling) However, you have to be some deluded fool to enjoy watching BFC on the road🤬
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Notice SS wasn’t there yesterday mate…. can’t say I blame him really 🤔
 
tangerine_neil said:
CJ could be devastating in LG1, used in the right manner.
That’s not happening under Critchley, btw
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No he couldn't.

Let's not make a player into something he's not. You don't suddenly become a better footballer and able to do the basics just because you're right wing or left wing instead of right wingback or left wing back.

It's the biggest myth on this forum that CJ Hamilton is a good footballer if "used right".
 
Agree with comments on Gabriel. He's a fine player. When he ran back to tackle a Derby attacker on Friday, it epitomised everything that appears to be wrong with the tactics and formation. He's a defender first and a marauding attacker when there's someone else in front. I believe we would be stronger defensively with a back 4 and more effective going forward
 
Adams Kebab said:
He’s never going to change the formation. He can’t now. All the chips are in now and he’d rather persevere and flop than admit he’s wrong. Sums him up.

We’ve got a brilliant right back, fast, strong tackler, great on the press, athletic, able to support, overlap and get back… being asked to create for us into big open spaces with nobody ahead of him and he looks uncomfortable doing it. With someone ahead of him he’d look totally different. It would also mean that when the ball got laid back it would be him crossing it not a centre back. Just to add Gabriel has zero assists this season.

I’m guessing the Head Coach does know this as he’d be stupid if he hasn’t worked it out, but I think he can’t admit that his “possession based football” with his 3 centre backs who all look ropey in possession isn’t working.

So he’ll keep at it.
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He will if Pep changes it up at ‘City!

Seems to be the current vogue.

Thing is they have the players that make it work - hell their first choice keeper is a better controller and passer of the ball than most in our squad

Sadly we dont

It used to be a case of working with what you have got …..but that seems to escape our head coach.
 
Roy Kent said:
He will if Pep changes it up at ‘City!

Seems to be the current vogue.

Thing is they have the players that make it work - hell their first choice keeper is a better controller and passer of the ball than most in our squad

Sadly we dont

It used to be a case of working with what you have got …..but that seems to escape our head coach.
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Exactly this 👍🏼 Maybe he looked good as a coach with U23s
 
Roy Kent said:
He will if Pep changes it up at ‘City!

Seems to be the current vogue.

Thing is they have the players that make it work - hell their first choice keeper is a better controller and passer of the ball than most in our squad

Sadly we dont

It used to be a case of working with what you have got …..but that seems to escape our head coach.
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When you try and turn Marvin Ekpiteta into John Stones you know you’ve been Pep’d…

Your formation should suit your players. Not the players suit your formation cos we’ve got square pegs in round holes all over the pitch.

It’s like playing 4-4-2 to suit Yates and Madine, simple but very effective.
 
Martonmosser said:
Exactly this 👍🏼 Maybe he looked good as a coach with U23s
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Yup - at a club where there must be a tidal wave of talent to be able to choose from.

Even then - very few actually make it, but that, to Liverpool, is the cost of doing business at that level. The subs bench for their U23 probably cost more than our whole setup.

Plymouth have just potted their version of Critch after 3 months.
 
Adams Kebab said:
My personal opinion is, we have players who aren’t being helped by rigid structures and systems. I don’t think this formation benefits any outfield player?

There’s a few who have got nothing about them and just go through the motions.

Called it at the time but January was a piss poor transfer window. We needed a striker. Letting Dale go and Apter out on loan showed he was sticking to his precious 3 at the back and wing-back system which is benefitting nobody.

I’ve got it about 75% on the Head coach and 25% on the players.
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I think this set of players are capable of being in the playoffs, maybe autos is a bit far, but if we're using what we have well as a unit the playoffs were there.

Tbh I don't think we're quite ready to win them yet anyway, but whoknows, for me we could certainly be looking a lot better and when playing with confidence who knows.

Most of the sides above us haven't looked better than us for the most part when we played them.

So maybe a getting the most out of them and with confidence would have been enough.
 
SeasideKurt said:
No he couldn't.

Let's not make a player into something he's not. You don't suddenly become a better footballer and able to do the basics just because you're right wing or left wing instead of right wingback or left wing back.

It's the biggest myth on this forum that CJ Hamilton is a good footballer if "used right".
Click to expand...
Totally agree, politics shouldn't come into it.
 
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