Is this the worst trip ?

Sooty59 said:
What gets me is the fact Critchley has not tried a back 4 in either a 442 or 433 with the best available players in their preferred positions. If he’d done that I think he’d get a bit more slack. Needless to say I’ve not bothered listening to the eerrring post match interview.
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It's beyond bizarre. This alone is the main reason for the frustration. I honestly think we would have cruised to a play off place playing a more traditional formation and more importantly a formation that is suited to our players.
 
straightatthewall said:
I've as little idea as you about how SS feels about fans. I actually think he's keen to maintain a good relationship with supporters and try to work with them to make the club as strong as it can be. There's really no reason to be at war with fans unless you're an utter moron.

What I think he could learn though, is that most of us talk nonsense and have zero clue about a) football and b) running a football club. Far better to get in with trying to make things as good as they can be and accept that the fickleness of fans will mean you never keep all of the people happy all of the time.
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I understand what you are saying but the lack of communication from the club has been very very poor and that is always going to put a strain on the relationship between fans and owner. The fact the club appointed Appleton when so many people were opposed to it had an “ I’m the owner and I will do what I want” feel to it. This was a very weak league this season and we will need to vastly improve just to compete next season when Wrexham, Stockport and the three coming down join the party.
 
tigger said:
With the squad we have I actually think we’d be a pretty strong side playing 4-4-2. It would certainly play to the strength of more of our players
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For me Dembele is the issue with a 4-4-2. In my
Opinion he needs to be an AMC in a three or a wide forward. 4-2-3-1 would suit us more I reckon.

It doesn't matter now anyway. The season is over and all our best players are leaving.
 
Insider said:
Critch is risk averse and stubborn. Its as simple as that.
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Precisely this.

He sets his teams up to 1. Not lose. 2. Win if possible.

It's not only nauseating to watch, but pathetic considering what division we're in.

League 1 isn't a cake walk, but we're one of the bigger clubs here and should be afraid of no one.

We desperately need a manager who will take the squad by the scruff of the next and get them playing with courage, fire, and attacking flair.

Sure, it's easier said than done, but even if it's not perfect there will be much more buy in from fans and will actually be fun to watch.

Every team above us has scored 15+ more goals than us! With all due respect to Posh, Barnsley, and Oxford, they're no bigger than us and showing just how achievable it is!
 
I
AmericanTangerine said:
Precisely this.

He sets his teams up to 1. Not lose. 2. Win if possible.

It's not only nauseating to watch, but pathetic considering what division we're in.

League 1 isn't a cake walk, but we're one of the bigger clubs here and should be afraid of no one.

We desperately need a manager who will take the squad by the scruff of the next and get them playing with courage, fire, and attacking flair.

Sure, it's easier said than done, but even if it's not perfect there will be much more buy in from fans and will actually be fun to watch.

Every team above us has scored 15+ more goals than us! With all due respect to Posh, Barnsley, and Oxford, they're no bigger than us and showing just how achievable it is!
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We need someone who can bag goals though. Shayne had a tap in yesterday and blazed it over. There's no point just attacking all game and leaving yourself open on the counter unless you are confident that the forwards can score. If you are not then the priority is not conceding.

Before JR signed we created some chances but couldnt finish. Thats where we are now.
 
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TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
I understand what you are saying but the lack of communication from the club has been very very poor and that is always going to put a strain on the relationship between fans and owner. The fact the club appointed Appleton when so many people were opposed to it had an “ I’m the owner and I will do what I want” feel to it. This was a very weak league this season and we will need to vastly improve just to compete next season when Wrexham, Stockport and the three coming down join the party.
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You could say the same about NC's return. Said many times since the appointment that it was totally fraught with risk because he had no credit in the bank. The fact that nobody is happy that we're 7th with a (slim) chance of the play offs proves my point completely. Not saying I'm Frazer Fat Farts but if SS had asked me before the appointment I'd have told him the same then, and explained WHY appointing a gaffer the fans really don't like is terrible for business.
 
AngelBFC said:
I

We need someone who can bag goals though. Shayne had a tap in yesterday and blazed it over. There's no point just attacking all game and leaving yourself open on the counter unless you are confident that the forwards can score. If you are not then the priority is not conceding.

Before JR signed we created some chances but couldnt finish. Thats where we are now.
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We do need strikers but let’s not lose sight of the fact there’s been lots of away games against piss-poor teams who are now in the relegation zone where we’ve not created any chances for the strikers we’ve got.

That’s the set-up and tactics of the team.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
For me Dembele is the issue with a 4-4-2. In my
Opinion he needs to be an AMC in a three or a wide forward. 4-2-3-1 would suit us more I reckon.

It doesn't matter now anyway. The season is over and all our best players are leaving.
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Bang on the money
We’d have to find a place for Dembele
4-3-3 ( or variant ) with him behind the front two or in a tight game 4-4-2 with him playing off the striker
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
Bang on the money
We’d have to find a place for Dembele
4-3-3 ( or variant ) with him behind the front two or in a tight game 4-4-2 with him playing off the striker
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Have imagined this but has Critchley said somewhere this season we don't have the players to play a back 4?
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
Water off a ducks back to me to be honest ( it’s to be recalled I was called all sorts by the Dark Lord ) though I was surprised it was repeated when I challenged
There will be no sponsorship from my business until retracted ( we were in for 5k pa at the time )
Other than that it is was it is
SS is entitled to his opinion as am I
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You could always change your user name TAM to SIMONATOR.

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Adams Kebab said:
We do need strikers but let’s not lose sight of the fact there’s been lots of away games against piss-poor teams who are now in the relegation zone where we’ve not created any chances for the strikers we’ve got.

That’s the set-up and tactics of the team.
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Fair point re earlier games but of late I’ve seen us get into the final third time and time again then mess it up either with a poor cross or too many touches in and around the penalty box low quality final ball etc .

That’s not tactics or set up .

I’m not absolving NC of responsibility here btw could be attributed to lack of coaching/training whatever you want to call it I don’t know I’m not on the training ground but there are too many misplaced passes and not enough accuracy when we are in an attacking position and that’s down to the players .

We are getting into the final third but the lack of quality when we do is a root cause of the lack of entertainment . That’s how I see it .

Dembele obviously one of the exceptions.
 
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Athers said:
Erm…we bloody do

Gabriel/Connolly - Pennington/Casey - Ekpiteta/Connolly - Husband/Lyons

Loads of combos. He’s just too stubborn to change. His way or the highway
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Husband and Coulson actually link up really well on the left and their movement is pretty good. Shame we don't have that on the right hand side because Pennington knows when he gives the ball to CJ, there's a 50% chance he's going to lose it. And he doesn't move or make any runs.
 
Sooty59 said:
What gets me is the fact Critchley has not tried a back 4 in either a 442 or 433 with the best available players in their preferred positions. If he’d done that I think he’d get a bit more slack. Needless to say I’ve not bothered listening to the eerrring post match interview.
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That also annoys me Sooty.
Why didn't he try out a back four in BSM cup games against inferior teams or other competitions?
Connoly playing as the left CH in them.
He even had Dobbie's team who when I saw them early in the season playing 4-4-2 switch to a back 3!
 
AngelBFC said:
Fair point re earlier games but of late I’ve seen us get into the final third time and time again then mess it up either with a poor cross or too many touches in and around the penalty box low quality final ball etc .

That’s not tactics or set up .

I’m not absolving NC of responsibility here btw could be attributed to lack of coaching/training whatever you want to call it I don’t know I’m not the training ground but there are too many misplaced passes and not enough accuracy when we are in an attacking position and that’s down to the players .

We are getting into the final third but the lack of quality when we do is a root cause of the lack of entertainment . That’s how I see it .

Dembele obviously one of the exceptions.
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I think it's a mix of forwards who need continuity and work to keep them confident and involved to get the best out of what they can do rather than put the emphasis on what they can't. Need a manager who understands what makes them all tick.

In a defensive-minded set up where they're largely left to do their own thing and when chances do come their way it's all very slow and laboured and putting extra mental pressure on them to be dead eye clinical, get that first goal in the game to have something to cling onto or else there's a panic on. Too much has been put on Rhodes to be someone who can do it without supervision. When he's not done a full season in years. And no surprise that idea didn't last beyond the first few months. Feels like lazy management to me.
 
If you put aside the criticisms levied at me for the emotive thread title what's striking from a 200+ thread is there is a remarkable level of consistency in the view that

a/ three at the back doesn't get the best out of the players we have

b/ the system produces football that's often not entertaining to watch

c/ the apparent unwillingness to vary the system ' in game ' has been detrimental to results

It would be interesting to hear Critchley's defence of the system particularly when he's successfully played four at the back before

One positive I suppose is we don't tend to concede many but I am struggling after that as we don't seem to create as many chances either
 
poolfc said:
I think it's a mix of forwards who need continuity and work to keep them confident and involved to get the best out of what they can do rather than put the emphasis on what they can't. Need a manager who understands what makes them all tick.

In a defensive-minded set up where they're largely left to do their own thing and when chances do come their way it's all very slow and laboured and putting extra mental pressure on them to be dead eye clinical, get that first goal in the game to have something to cling onto or else there's a panic on. Too much has been put on Rhodes to be someone who can do it without supervision. When he's not done a full season in years. And no surprise that idea didn't last beyond the first few months. Feels like lazy management to me.
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Very aligned with your thoughts on this Pool. The way we've allowed Lavery to go from a promising striker in the Championship to someone who doesn't look like a League 1 starter is both baffling and worrying. He's a player that needs games to get sharp, get that energy in his legs to be a pest on the press and then be mentally sharp to be first to balls fed in from wide or in the right place as a 'fox in the box'. Random games as a wide man or15 mins to make a difference when the defenders are going back to front because the oppo have realised they can plant 2 banks of 4 in front of us and we can't work a way through, is never going to get anything from him.

There's players like Lavery, Beesley and even CJ who are getting dogs abuse week in/week out and who haven't been given the chance to do what they do best. Similar to asking Owen Dale to play left wing back.

And don't get me wrong, none of these players are world beaters, but they have a lot more potential in them than they style and system has allowed them to show this season. Of all the strikers, Rhodes is the only one who has shone, simply because he's a cut above everyone else when it comes to finishing.
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
If you put aside the criticisms levied at me for the emotive thread title what's striking from a 200+ thread is there is a remarkable level of consistency in the view that

a/ three at the back doesn't get the best out of the players we have

b/ the system produces football that's often not entertaining to watch

c/ the apparent unwillingness to vary the system ' in game ' has been detrimental to results

It would be interesting to hear Critchley's defence of the system particularly when he's successfully played four at the back before

One positive I suppose is we don't tend to concede many but I am struggling after that as we don't seem to create as many chances either
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TAM,

regarding NC's defence, I suspect it will be that the system has got us enough results to keep us in with a (slim) chance of the play offs with 2 games remaining. I was making this point a week or so back in the 'If the squad isn't any good' thread. We're headed for (approx) 73 points. This will probably be 3-5 points shy of what's needed, which can easily be defended as being close enough not to suggest a total change in pattern.

If it's not entertaining, I dare say he'll argue that he'd take results over entertainment and so would we as supporters.

The first point regarding getting the most out of the players, is subjective. We think one thing. He may think something else in terms of their development as players.

And for the record, I DON'T believe much of the above. The only element that carries truth is that I reckon we'd all (however reluctantly) take results over entertainment IF it gets us up. Of course, it doesn't look like it will, but as above, would a total shift in playing style got us those 3-5 points extra?
 
straightatthewall said:
Very aligned with your thoughts on this Pool. The way we've allowed Lavery to go from a promising striker in the Championship to someone who doesn't look like a League 1 starter is both baffling and worrying. He's a player that needs games to get sharp, get that energy in his legs to be a pest on the press and then be mentally sharp to be first to balls fed in from wide or in the right place as a 'fox in the box'. Random games as a wide man or15 mins to make a difference when the defenders are going back to front because the oppo have realised they can plant 2 banks of 4 in front of us and we can't work a way through, is never going to get anything from him.

There's players like Lavery, Beesley and even CJ who are getting dogs abuse week in/week out and who haven't been given the chance to do what they do best. Similar to asking Owen Dale to play left wing back.

And don't get me wrong, none of these players are world beaters, but they have a lot more potential in them than they style and system has allowed them to show this season. Of all the strikers, Rhodes is the only one who has shone, simply because he's a cut above everyone else when it comes to finishing.
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CJ has been with us four seasons. Whilst with us he's not always been a wing back. Yes, blame Critchley for playing him in that position this season but what about the other 3? Fact is he's a poor player with poor control and poor crossing ability. And that's been since he joined us. i've been pretty much making that point for four seasons too. Four or five good games a season doesn't get him off the hook for how bad he can be. And even by his poor standards last saturday was a new low.
 
20togo said:
CJ has been with us four seasons. Whilst with us he's not always been a wing back. Yes, blame Critchley for playing him in that position this season but what about the other 3? Fact is he's a poor player with poor control and poor crossing ability. And that's been since he joined us. i've been pretty much making that point for four seasons too. Four or five good games a season doesn't get him off the hook for how bad he can be. And even by his poor standards last saturday was a new low.
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As I recognised, he's not a world beater. I also wouldn't say he's a poor player, but that's all about opinions and debate. What's less unclear to me is that it's pretty obvious where you'll get the best out of his skill set and it isn't where he's spent the majority of the time this season.
 
straightatthewall said:
As I recognised, he's not a world beater. I also wouldn't say he's a poor player, but that's all about opinions and debate. What's less unclear to me is that it's pretty obvious where you'll get the best out of his skill set and it isn't where he's spent the majority of the time this season.
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A player who rarely has a good game and like 20togo says it is not just this season.
I backed him to be the division's top score during the Covid game after his 2nd goal.

He had an injury layoff and has looked quite dreadful at times since then but this season bar a game or two before the new contract it looks like he doesn't even recognise what a football is.🤦‍♂️

I have been very critical of him over the years but this season is mostly down to Crotchless making him do something alien to him and that's having to think about more than one thing while he is on the pitch.

I have said it quite a few times if you play him the only time he comes in our half should be to stay onside.
 
straightatthewall said:
As I recognised, he's not a world beater. I also wouldn't say he's a poor player, but that's all about opinions and debate. What's less unclear to me is that it's pretty obvious where you'll get the best out of his skill set and it isn't where he's spent the majority of the time this season.
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no-one in L1 is a world beater but he's not even an average L1 player. He's some way off being that. I don't know if you saw last saturdays game and pretty much so many other games this season, it doesn't matter whether he's a wing back or a winger if pretty much most of your crosses are to put it mildly, inept.
 
20togo said:
no-one in L1 is a world beater but he's not even an average L1 player. He's some way off being that. I don't know if you saw last saturdays game and pretty much so many other games this season, it doesn't matter whether he's a wing back or a winger if pretty much most of your crosses are to put it mildly, inept.
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Personally, I'd say he very much IS an average L1 player. He can perform at the level, but he's not going to get too much interest from clubs above us precisely for the reasons you say - inconsistency in terms of end product.
 
poolfc said:
Critchley after 44 games of the season: "We’re searching for the right personnel that compliment each other to play the way we want to."

Have you tried googling it Neil.
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Maybe Neil should try playing Marv up front, CJ in goal, Grimshaw at CB, Dembele as holding midfield, he’s clearly tried everything else to fit the way he wants to play.
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
It's beyond bizarre. This alone is the main reason for the frustration. I honestly think we would have cruised to a play off place playing a more traditional formation and more importantly a formation that is suited to our players.
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Fuckinell I’ve agreed with one of your posts! NURSE!!! 😝
 
A_Tense_Grin said:
For me Dembele is the issue with a 4-4-2. In my
Opinion he needs to be an AMC in a three or a wide forward. 4-2-3-1 would suit us more I reckon.

It doesn't matter now anyway. The season is over and all our best players are leaving.
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It’s NOT quite over tho’. Barnsley lose to Portsmouth n we beat them on Saturday it comes down to the last game. If we win n they don’t we will be 6th.
 
AngelBFC said:
Fair point re earlier games but of late I’ve seen us get into the final third time and time again then mess it up either with a poor cross or too many touches in and around the penalty box low quality final ball etc .

That’s not tactics or set up .

I’m not absolving NC of responsibility here btw could be attributed to lack of coaching/training whatever you want to call it I don’t know I’m not on the training ground but there are too many misplaced passes and not enough accuracy when we are in an attacking position and that’s down to the players .

We are getting into the final third but the lack of quality when we do is a root cause of the lack of entertainment . That’s how I see it .

Dembele obviously one of the exceptions.
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Agree it’s the strikers letting us down,
Stats from Saturday - 14 shots, 12 corners
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I think we are missing a few crowd pleasers in the team, Jerry used to attack the last man, Josh used to run at his full back and try to turn him inside out. It looks like Apter has a similar style, so I have no idea what the issue is why we don’t use him. We need these crowd pleasers to provide excitement in the team. What we have are mundane players who play the same week in week out, no one willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck or have a go and it’s boring. We need forwards who have pace and and run at defenders, not someone who runs in a circle to get it on his left foot then has no idea what he is going to do with it, Joseph he huffs and puffs but no end product, Lavery is a yard short of pace and never looks fit, we need a clear out and look for players who have something about them. We were promised exciting attacking football, I am sure all our fans could have a case for mis representation. We need someone with the passion and enthusiasm that King Billy used to bring. UTMP
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
Must admit I’ve struggled to get emotionally invested in this seasons team
More often that not I find watching them frustrating and quite boring in equal measure
Not their fault to be fair rather the system coupled with ingame management
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"struggled to get emotionally invested ... frustrating ... boring ... " - sums up my views perfectly.

I would add that I can no longer bear to see Critchley's face spouting his pathetic excuses. When they asked me why I'd cancelled my Tangerine TV subscription that's what I told them, and made similar points in reply to their fans' survey. I hope these messages are getting through.

Edited to add: I don't want to, but I might have to change my username again!
 
In conclusion Critchley was "wrong and arrogantly so playing 5 at the back this season"

However, whatever system we have played throughout the season we have beaten the likes of Portsmouth, Barnsley & Peterborough away and have one of the best home records in the league.

We have been in the top third of the table nearly all the season are there now and (two games out) have an "unlikely" chance of making the play-offs.

It's not just the system and team selections that have caused defeats away to the likes of Wycombe,Cheltenham,Burton,Port Vale,Cambridge it's been the performance of the players themselves too.

I have no issue with Critchley being sacked (not that I believe Sadler will) as long it's for someone better, it's here where the "Critchley Haters" don't seem united as to who that should be.

Also who would realistically want to come to Blackpool and at what cost to OUR beloved club and next years player budget?

Oh! and to answer the o/p it's far from the WORST Trip we have ever been on.

Re-election in 1983 and all relegation seasons under the Oystons and last years Managerial "Merry Go Round" Relegation Season were far worse!!!

#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor 🚌🧡##89
 
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Torycorner said:
In conclusion Critchley was "wrong and arrogantly so playing 5 at the back this season"

However, whatever system we have played throughout the season we have beaten the likes of Portsmouth, Barnsley & Peterborough away and have one of the best home records in the league.

We have been in the top third of the table nearly all the season are there now and (two games out) have an "unlikely" chance of making the play-offs.

It's not just the system and team selections that have caused defeats away to the likes of Wycombe,Cheltenham,Burton,Port Vale,Cambridge it's been the performance of the players themselves too.

I have no issue with Critchley being sacked (not that I believe Sadler will) as long it's for someone better, it's here where the "Critchley Haters" don't seem united as to who that should be.

Also who would realistically want to come to Blackpool and at what cost to OUR beloved club and next years player budget?

Oh! and to answer the o/p it's far from the WORST Trip we have ever been on.

Re-election in 1983 and all relegation seasons under the Oystons and last years Managerial "Merry Go Round" Relegation Season were far worse!!!

#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor 🚌🧡##89
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One of your better posts that TC 👍
 
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