I've slept on it

hertfordseasider

Well-known member
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
 
100% with you on this Hertford.
This is a long term project on and off the pitch, not just a 9 game sprint.
I'm convinced we will get there in time with this squad.
We need to be patient.
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
Absolutely spot on Hertford.

The only thing I would add is that he does need an experienced number 2 who knows League 1 well.
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
Absolutely spot on, my sentiments exactly. #UTMP.
 
I agree with your summary but have to ask whether the players are buying into NC's tactics. I've now heard the rumour (off a couple of sources) that he isn't particularly liked in the changing room. Hoping this is as said, just a rumour because if the players aren't buying into it then we've no chance.
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
A coach with no league experience and a bunch of mid 20's league2, unfit out of contract and a few U21/23 players will not bring success to this club. Guaranteed failure.
 
I agree with your summary but have to ask whether the players are buying into NC's tactics. I've now heard the rumour (off a couple of sources) that he isn't particularly liked in the changing room. Hoping this is as said, just a rumour because if the players aren't buying into it then we've no chance.
I'd be very surprised at this as he comes across as a very nice down to earth guy and these young players should be extremely thankful that they have a coach like NC .

I agree entirely with your summary Hertford apart from I cant see him getting two seasons if this continues esp if we get relegated.
 
Hi Herts, no I agree with all of that. Of course it hurts when it goes wrong, so well done for stepping back and viewing it objectively.

I try to get away from the instant success culture that now seems to dominate, in lots of things. I know it's daft but there's a part of me that always hopes we'll be trendsetters in these things, because over recent times that opportunity has actually been there. Holloway's time was the best example, he had a vision of a model - maybe 3 teams including the youth, all set up to be coached the same way so that there was interchangeability and continuity, bring it through, sell it on, repeat etc. I was genuinely excited by the prospect, but it was easy to buy into because the first team squad were already showing how his vision could work. I thought we should have given him a very very long term contract and believed in the bloke, then even if he wasn't here by now, or gone upstairs, he might at least have given his own consideration to his successor to keep the same process going. Of course we all know why that never happened.

Clubs generally don't do that sort of thing, unless it's one of the really rich ones, so we would have been really trendsetting. And if it worked, others might have begun to follow it.

Now I see the potential of another time like it, but the big difference this time is we've nothing to show it's going to work. So if I'm a member of the anti instant success group, and I do try to be, then I have to accept that NC needs at least a season. So that's what I'm going to do.

In accepting that of course you also need to be able to deal with going backwards to go forwards, which is already an obvious possibility this season unless things pick up quite soon. And relegation these days is seen as failure (which of course it is, temporarily), but managers are often not given the chance long term to put it right. Assuming they haven't already gone in the summer, a relegated manager often seems to get 10 games, and if there's no immediate sign of a promotion challenge they're gone. As usual that's filtering down from the top tiers, and now everyone's at it.

Yes Simon took a risk, now he has to either take corrective action or believe long term it was the right risk to take regardless of short term consequences. I hope for the second.
 
Intellectually I'm with you Herts but it's not intellect that plays out on the pitch. What I'm seeing in matches is a group of players trying to take on a style of play that they are not naturally versed in. All the while, becoming less and less confident as the defeats mount up and the discipline breaks down. Never has there been a greater need for someone older and wiser on the pitch to reassure, set the tone and even hand out a bollocking if needed.
If Critchley is to be given the time he and the players need then, I'm afraid, there has to be a bit of give and take. Critchley's got to understand the need for a father-figure on the pitch otherwise he may not get the time he and the players need. As you say, that would then go down in history as another bout of chop and change and the Club back to square one.
 
I agree to a certain extent. When you say this is a long term project, that was Mr. Sadlers initial plan, I was and am prepared to go along with that plan. However nowhere in that plan did SS envisage a relegation fight, and that is where we are now heading. I am prepared to give Critchley time, but I along with many others expect slow and steady progress which is certainly not happening. Give him time, yes, but how much time, the season is almost a quarter over, we are showing relegation form, if as appears likely the season is curtailed again we are going down. Unless there was a vast improvement, this may seem far fetched, but I seriously think playing like this we would struggle in league 2. I don’t think a number 2 would solve it, Critchley could overrule him. I think he should be put in charge of the Academy, with the new training facilities it would be a plum appointment. We could then recruit one of the quite a few experienced league 1 managers who are currently out of work.
 
When we turned up for the structured dialogue meetings, there was much talk about it being a longer term project with a clear way of playing throughout the club, with the longer term objective of making us self-sustaining through improving players and selling them on, while playing attractive football that would get the fans through the door.

The whole COVID situation has meant that the crowds aren't coming through the door, but the basic principle remains. We set out to develop a club style. That doesn't happen overnight, especially with the turnover of players brought in to fit that style.

When we were signing them, no-one was saying they were poor players, we could see that they were to fit a longer term strategy. Maybe there should have been a couple brought in for the short term, to help immediate results, but as I see it, Sadler has bought into a longer term vision, and that means Critchley stays to see it through.

Stopping now would be an admittance that the strategy is wrong. The club has to completely buy into it and ignore the short term pain for the longer term gain.

IMO
 
Agree that he should be given time and I'll continue to back him, but let's not kid ourselves here, if the performances and results don't improve within the next 2-3 matches we are going to be several points adrift.

Insanity is making the same mistakes repeatedly and expecting the same results and SS would be insane to keep Critchley if we're several points adrift at Christmas, because relegation to League 2 especially during these times would be catastrophic for the club.
 
When we turned up for the structured dialogue meetings, there was much talk about it being a longer term project with a clear way of playing throughout the club, with the longer term objective of making us self-sustaining through improving players and selling them on, while playing attractive football that would get the fans through the door.

The whole COVID situation has meant that the crowds aren't coming through the door, but the basic principle remains. We set out to develop a club style. That doesn't happen overnight, especially with the turnover of players brought in to fit that style.

When we were signing them, no-one was saying they were poor players, we could see that they were to fit a longer term strategy. Maybe there should have been a couple brought in for the short term, to help immediate results, but as I see it, Sadler has bought into a longer term vision, and that means Critchley stays to see it through.

Stopping now would be an admittance that the strategy is wrong. The club has to completely buy into it and ignore the short term pain for the longer term gain.

IMO
I follow that Wiz ( and I was very enthusiastic about this ' break the mould ' appointment ) however from the outside looking in it looks like we have regressed which I think it what is troubling eveyone
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
Good Post and echo's my thoughts.
He has given a lot of players a chance to prove themselves so I doubt he has lost the dressing room, and almost all the goals conceded have been down to individual errors.
The one criticism I would have of Critchley is passing will not win you games, your team need to shoot at the goal, and on the face of it we have a lot of players who can score goals.
 
When we turned up for the structured dialogue meetings, there was much talk about it being a longer term project with a clear way of playing throughout the club, with the longer term objective of making us self-sustaining through improving players and selling them on, while playing attractive football that would get the fans through the door.

The whole COVID situation has meant that the crowds aren't coming through the door, but the basic principle remains. We set out to develop a club style. That doesn't happen overnight, especially with the turnover of players brought in to fit that style.

When we were signing them, no-one was saying they were poor players, we could see that they were to fit a longer term strategy. Maybe there should have been a couple brought in for the short term, to help immediate results, but as I see it, Sadler has bought into a longer term vision, and that means Critchley stays to see it through.

Stopping now would be an admittance that the strategy is wrong. The club has to completely buy into it and ignore the short term pain for the longer term gain.

IMO
Nobody was saying they were poor players as most of them came from league 2 and no fcuker watches it

I did however question the signings and also the lack of any older heads signed

When you look at the squad we have 7 fullbacks and 8 wide forwards

Thats a bit bizarre
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
I agree. It’s painful and frustrating when we put poor balls into the box and concede like we did but it’s a project, it’s been set up properly and now it needs time.
 
The style of play Holloway adapted suited us (I mean the supporters) down to the ground.
Entertaining, attacking football with mavericks and hard men, waifs and strays.
I'm not too sure that will ultimately be the Critchley style, though we do need to give him chance.
Boring, corporate, possession football and coaching players to death is a 'thing' of the EPL. Does it suit us?
Love him or hate him, I'd rather watch Vardy than some of the youth products on show in the top flight.

I think most of us enjoyed the game when we went down to 9 men because we saw some passion and we went at AFC.
The desperate defending, Marv's brilliant tackle, all added to the entertainment.
I was bored to tears during the MK Dons game.
 
It's a good o/p. I agree with the theory behind it in the fact it all sounds reasonable. But the practicality is that it does matter where we are in the league. To say he should be given all this season and all next sounds great but not if we are then towards the bottom of L2 it doesn't. And you might accept that but if Critchley is looking for promotion then I doubt he accepts it too.
And the writing of words like "it will come I'm sure of it" are really based on nothing at all. They are empty words, because you can't be sure of it. No-one can.
We have to give him time, he deserves that, but within that time you have to see something that makes you think you can see the light. At the moment we can't. So yep, we give him time and hope things turn around but that's all it is at the moment, hope. Nobody can be sure it will.
 
When we turned up for the structured dialogue meetings, there was much talk about it being a longer term project with a clear way of playing throughout the club, with the longer term objective of making us self-sustaining through improving players and selling them on, while playing attractive football that would get the fans through the door.

The whole COVID situation has meant that the crowds aren't coming through the door, but the basic principle remains. We set out to develop a club style. That doesn't happen overnight, especially with the turnover of players brought in to fit that style.

When we were signing them, no-one was saying they were poor players, we could see that they were to fit a longer term strategy. Maybe there should have been a couple brought in for the short term, to help immediate results, but as I see it, Sadler has bought into a longer term vision, and that means Critchley stays to see it through.

Stopping now would be an admittance that the strategy is wrong. The club has to completely buy into it and ignore the short term pain for the longer term gain.

IMO
That’s a good post, and when you’re on a bad run like this it’s easy to loose that ideal the club has started on.

The concern is after nearly 15 games things don’t seem to be getting close to improving things actually seem to be going backwards game to game.

People might think this is ridiculous but if we stick with NC all season I can see us being relegated.

Not a snide question, but would you take a relegation with the knowledge NC has bedded in and got the playing style locked in and down to a tee? It’s a tough choice.
 
Get what the o/p is saying, and would like to agree. However, if results do not turn our way, how far can the board let it go? Relegation would be an unmitigated disaster, there may not even be a professional 4th league within a year or two.

Two points :
The fast high press we saw in friendlies has turned into slow and careful, Backpass Barry would love it.
The best passages of play last night were when our 9 men took it on themselves to play very aggressively, route 1 style, and it so nearly came off. Maybe, just maybe, these players are actually good enough to succeed at this level, but the straightjacket system they are being coached into doesn't work in league 1. I have little doubt that Madine/ CJ/ Kemp would have scored if that system had been played for half the game.

Maybe what I'm trying to say, is when in league 1, play like league 1, not the European Championships
 
When we turned up for the structured dialogue meetings, there was much talk about it being a longer term project with a clear way of playing throughout the club, with the longer term objective of making us self-sustaining through improving players and selling them on, while playing attractive football that would get the fans through the door.

The whole COVID situation has meant that the crowds aren't coming through the door, but the basic principle remains. We set out to develop a club style. That doesn't happen overnight, especially with the turnover of players brought in to fit that style.

When we were signing them, no-one was saying they were poor players, we could see that they were to fit a longer term strategy. Maybe there should have been a couple brought in for the short term, to help immediate results, but as I see it, Sadler has bought into a longer term vision, and that means Critchley stays to see it through.

Stopping now would be an admittance that the strategy is wrong. The club has to completely buy into it and ignore the short term pain for the longer term gain.

IMO
Plenty were saying these players aren't good enough. They are proving that with aplomb! Would you accept relegation as part of a long term process? As that is where we are heading under Critchley.
 
We are of a more mature age group on here. Giving considered thought to a long term project goes with that territory. However, the players themselves are young and probably don't see things in the same way. They have dreams to chase, CVs and reputations to build.They cannot afford to let a couple of seasons go by whilst they play the part of lab rats.
Professional football is a mixed bag of trade-offs and for it all to work, short-term success on the pitch has to be involved to some degree.
 
And to start I want to give my disclaimer that what I say here are my considered thoughts, not when watching the game and commenting on the game here when emotions are high and the tangerine blood is pulsating through my veins. This will never stop and I do not apologise for it but when calmed and pondered over things they are the thoughts that really count.

I actually thought we would win last night, the team changes raised the eyebrow but NC did say he wanted to keep players fresh. We started well, fell for the early sucker punch again and had another uphill struggle made worse by 2 sendings off. Even with those things happening we still deserved at least a point out of it but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are that SS decided on NC after missing out on his initial targets and I think we can all see why he went for him. Top credentials re coaching badges and highly thought of at Liverpool and by Klopp. He clearly had a plan which he sold to SS and that plan is what he is now trying to put into place. SS was obviously impressed and has backed him handsomely. However, we basically have a completely new squad, filled with the younger end of the player spectrum so lacking League 1 and above experience. We were all hoping that because of his pedigree and all the new players he bought in that we would hit the road running and were going to sweep sides away with beautiful football.

Well, that hasn't happened and it was never going to. This really is a long term project and although we all think we can see the problems we all react rather than think because we are supporters and want success.

Whatever I say on a match day NC has to be given this season and whatever happens this season he has to be given the season after too. We cannot continue to chop and change. Grayson ws a mistake. NC was a risk but one SS wanted to take. I like NC, I like his interviews and I like his ideal. It just isn't happening for him yet and we are likely to feel a lot more pain before we feel pleasure. He has to be given the chance to get his tactics to work. These are not bad players, they are young, exciting prospects, many coveted by teams we would have lost out to in the past. We all want instant success but lets get realistic, unless you are really lucky it just doesn't happen.

So, I support NC, I want his system to work and I want him to adapt and get used to being a manager in League 1 quickly, he is after all, a rookie.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but for me he has to be given plenty of time. It will come, I'm sure of it. Potting a manager now or in the next few months will not help, we will have to start from square one again with no guarantee of success.

So. I'm with NC and SS and I look forward to the future.
I applaud your reasoned thoughts and agree that emotions run high after a defeat. As I've said previously we can only react to what we are seeing now. None of us can say what will happen in the next 10 games. Some say we'll improve some say not. The only thing I wonder about is your comment about our players being exciting prospects coveted by other clubs. Truthfully I'm not convinced about that. My opinion is worth as much as anyone else's and sadly I don't think NC is the coach that will bring success. I don't agree with some of his team selections and he seems clueless when deciding on substitutions. I believe he's signed a lot of similar-type players. The team as a whole looks weak compared to other teams and at the moment we have a powder-puff attack. But what do I know ?
 
Plenty were saying these players aren't good enough. They are proving that with aplomb! Would you accept relegation as part of a long term process? As that is where we are heading under Critchley.
First things first, I don't think we will be relegated and none of us know that for sure. I genuinely think we'll get better and if that takes all season then so be it.
 
Nobody was saying they were poor players as most of them came from league 2 and no fcuker watches it

I did however question the signings and also the lack of any older heads signed

When you look at the squad we have 7 fullbacks and 8 wide forwards

Thats a bit bizarre
Yes. Agreed. My mention of a couple of shorter term signings was to address that experience shortfall but to be honest, players like Ballard are proving that there can be old heads on young shoulders (give or take an elbow)🤣
 
It's a good o/p. I agree with the theory behind it in the fact it all sounds reasonable. But the practicality is that it does matter where we are in the league. To say he should be given all this season and all next sounds great but not if we are then towards the bottom of L2 it doesn't. And you might accept that but if Critchley is looking for promotion then I doubt he accepts it too.
And the writing of words like "it will come I'm sure of it" are really based on nothing at all. They are empty words, because you can't be sure of it. No-one can.
We have to give him time, he deserves that, but within that time you have to see something that makes you think you can see the light. At the moment we can't. So yep, we give him time and hope things turn around but that's all it is at the moment, hope. Nobody can be sure it will.
You're right about there's no guarantee that things will get better, but similarly, there's no guarantee we'll be relegated.
 
A coach with no league experience and a bunch of mid 20's league2, unfit out of contract and a few U21/23 players will not bring success to this club. Guaranteed failure.
62. You really are the most negative poster I've ever come across.
There's nothing wrong with having your own opinions of course. Your relentless negative posts do actually make me feel more positive though because nothing is as bad as you paint it so keep up the good work.
I bet you think a battery has 2 negatives. 😉
 
Get what the o/p is saying, and would like to agree. However, if results do not turn our way, how far can the board let it go? Relegation would be an unmitigated disaster, there may not even be a professional 4th league within a year or two.

Two points :
The fast high press we saw in friendlies has turned into slow and careful, Backpass Barry would love it.
The best passages of play last night were when our 9 men took it on themselves to play very aggressively, route 1 style, and it so nearly came off. Maybe, just maybe, these players are actually good enough to succeed at this level, but the straightjacket system they are being coached into doesn't work in league 1. I have little doubt that Madine/ CJ/ Kemp would have scored if that system had been played for half the game.

Maybe what I'm trying to say, is when in league 1, play like league 1, not the European Championships
I agree with a lot of this. NC has straight-jacketed the team to play in a modern, let's dominate possession sort of way. Top Premier League level players have the ability to accommodate this type of system but I'm sceptical that League 1 standard or below can do the same for prolonged periods. This to me is why performances are deteriorating, we have failed to adapt our game to counter the opposition and it looks from the outside as if confidence is draining out of the team. Ironically it was only when we went down to 9 men there was a change in both tactics and mentality and we became a greater threat.

The appointment of NC was a risk, a gamble, born out of a frustration of not being able to attract the right managerial targets, Karl Robinson or Nathan Jones. On paper it was an interesting, exciting even proposition. It may yet still work, I really hope it does but as the season has progressed it all looks a bit of a pipe dream. I still think there is a place for NC in the club but more as a Head of Coaching/Technical Director to oversee the development of the Academy and players up to U-23 level. What we need now is an experienced Manager to get the best of what I think is a talented squad of players. Not just experience for experience sake but someone who is still ambitious to get to the next level.

Ironically, Karl Robinson may well be back on the market soon given Oxfords start to the season but do we want to go back to someone who has already turned us down twice? My own preference would be someone like Paul Cook who has had more recent success than Grayson at this level and would be a good fit.
 
62. You really are the most negative poster I've ever come across.
There's nothing wrong with having your own opinions of course. Your relentless negative posts do actually make me feel more positive though because nothing is as bad as you paint it so keep up the good work.
I bet you think a battery has 2 negatives. 😉
As you say everyone is entitled to an opinion. The facts should speak for themselves, but there are none so blind as those who will not see. Enjoy your period of positivity.
 
First things first, I don't think we will be relegated and none of us know that for sure. I genuinely think we'll get better and if that takes all season then so be it.
At present it isn't possible to get any worse. The football is awful, some of the worst ive ever seen. It looks exactly like what it is..reserves football. Without a change in style and thinking this current team is going down.
 
I think we'd all feel a lot more at ease if we saw a clear and incremental improvement in the problems that have blighted the first 9 games of the season; weak at the back, toothless up front and lacking leadership. The problem i have is that not only are these things not changing, I'm struggling to see who in the squad is going to make a difference.
The main hope seems to be in the system itself and how that will be the difference once everything clicks into place. That's a big hope and a big risk given the poor results to date.
As I've said on the other thread, we need at least 3 points from the next 2 games and even then, the pressure is only off until league games start again in later November. Another bad run prior to Christmas and the next window and there's no way SS won't act because we'll be staring relegation in the face.
 
I think we'd all feel a lot more at ease if we saw a clear and incremental improvement in the problems that have blighted the first 9 games of the season; weak at the back, toothless up front and lacking leadership. The problem i have is that not only are these things not changing, I'm struggling to see who in the squad is going to make a difference.
The main hope seems to be in the system itself and how that will be the difference once everything clicks into place. That's a big hope and a big risk given the poor results to date.
As I've said on the other thread, we need at least 3 points from the next 2 games and even then, the pressure is only off until league games start again in later November. Another bad run prior to Christmas and the next window and there's no way SS won't act because we'll be staring relegation in the face.
I think there may be a change before Christmas.
 
As you say everyone is entitled to an opinion. The facts should speak for themselves, but there are none so blind as those who will not see. Enjoy your period of positivity.
The facts do speak for themselves but you can interpret them in a number of different ways.
I'm feeling far from positive at the moment but I don't just dwell on the negatives as you always do.
 
Whilst I agree with giving him time due to this being a long term project which I imagine has come at a huge financial cost so far, the fact is we seem to be going backwards on the pitch. Pre season saw good attractive football, goals flying in against Everton and Liverpool....now we don't even look like scoring, I get excited when we manage to have a shot or force the keeper in to a save, certainly not seeing any of this high pressing game that was promised either. Personally I would give it until Xmas as I believe this squad should be performing much better, if we are in the bottom 4 by then that simply isn't acceptable. The reason being 2 points which I feel has been overlooked by all posters so far.

1. 'Recruitment team' (of which I'm sure there can't be many of in L1!) continued to work during all of lockdown/summer, they weren't furloughed as they were supposed to be giving us an advantage over other teams in scouting for this squad overhaul. Transfer fees have been spent on numerous players that so far can't even get in the squad.

2. Expectations. Our expectations have been raised due to all the noises coming from the CLUB over the summer. All the interviews and press releases were about how our aim this season was challenging for promotion, that's not fans being unrealistic, this was interviews from players and staff about the season goals.

Like I said, I'm certainly not suggesting that NC gets the boot yet, but 2 wins in 15 league games is poor no matter who you are and what league you are in. I expect SS will be very dissaponted so far from what he's seeing (or isn't seeing) and would expect he will be asking questions of those responsible. A simple case of analysing the business performance and putting a plan in place for things to improve, whatever that may be or take.
 
I can understand the longer term project and direction of travel concepts, but you cannot go on for ever completely failing and not even being on the road. That will certainly not result in success and may lead to disaster (relegation), setting back the long term project. It is certainly not working now and we are showing liitle sign of improvement. We are losing to some poor sides as well as good ones. The issue for me is whether Critchley is the right man to make it work. I am not convinced he is and feel a better manager would get more out of these players, on and off the field. I hope he succeeds but Sadler cannot allow this to go on for much longer, if there is no improvement
 
I enjoyed reading that hertfordseasider you made a lot of sense and you clearly care. The problem is though as others have said the manager cannot continue to make the same basic mistakes week in week out. If he continues to do this then he must be replaced, relegation would be an utter disaster. I personally believe he and the squad can turn it around but if things have not improved in a months time then it has to be assumed lessons will not be learned.
 
The facts do speak for themselves but you can interpret them in a number of different ways.
I'm feeling far from positive at the moment but I don't just dwell on the negatives as you always do.
The facts show that his style, formation and team selections aren't working in this division. 433 can be a dynamic and explosive system with the correct type of players. The current crop at his disposal are neither of those things. The squad we have would suit 3 at the back. We have the fullbacks capable of playing in that formation and we have the 3 centre halves. Once Dougall is fit he would sit and break up play feeding the fullbacks. 2 up top Madine and Yates with Virtue and Anderson/Kemp/Woodburn at the top of a 3 in midfield.
He wont change though and that will, coupled with pi$$ poor performances, lead to his sacking.
 
Ok let me ask this
I hear and read all the comments
I wasn’t sure on NC and still not , reasons are
he has no experience on this league or any football league division
it’s not under 23 , plus the players he has , are league two players or under 23s

there’s no experience players in this team to help the youngsters , there’s no leaders
the spine of the team is not good , in fact what is the spine , only Maxwell I can name
in the coaching set up is no experience at all , even an old wise head to help Critchley, someone who’s been in this league

not being negative here , but let’s say give him a season , what happens if pool are relegated, then pool are going back wards , not forwards

at the moment to me it’s not looking that it is going to work , obviously only had less than ten games.
if I could even see potential, but at moment I am finding it very hard to see
we have to be honest , you can lose , by playing well , but pool haven’t been or even look playing well , it’s this what is worrying me
we are to much of a soft touch , my opinion of course
 
The facts show that his style, formation and team selections aren't working in this division. 433 can be a dynamic and explosive system with the correct type of players. The current crop at his disposal are neither of those things. The squad we have would suit 3 at the back. We have the fullbacks capable of playing in that formation and we have the 3 centre halves. Once Dougall is fit he would sit and break up play feeding the fullbacks. 2 up top Madine and Yates with Virtue and Anderson/Kemp/Woodburn at the top of a 3 in midfield.
He wont change though and that will, coupled with pi$$ poor performances, lead to his sacking.
I know. 👍
 
The facts do speak for themselves but you can interpret them in a number of different ways.
I'm feeling far from positive at the moment but I don't just dwell on the negatives as you always do.
I'm afraid I can't see any positives. I see a coach uncomfortable and lost in the job. I see a team that's easy to play against indisciplined, error strewn in defence, weak and without creativity and goals in midfield and toothless up front. Yates and Lubala costing several hundred thousands of pounds, have flopped. An unfit Garbutt is injury prone. Gabriel and Mitchell full backs who can't do the basics defensively. Too many players brought in who are ill equipped to play in league1. After over a dozen games in charge, league and cups, both performances and results have deteriorated. Sadler has been badly let down by Mansford, Johnson and Critchley, his patience must be at breaking point.
 
I'm afraid I can't see any positives. I see a coach uncomfortable and lost in the job. I see a team that's easy to play against indisciplined, error strewn in defence, weak and without creativity and goals in midfield and toothless up front. Yates and Lubala costing several hundred thousands of pounds, have flopped. An unfit Garbutt is injury prone. Gabriel and Mitchell full backs who can't do the basics defensively. Too many players brought in who are ill equipped to play in league1. After over a dozen games in charge, league and cups, both performances and results have deteriorated. Sadler has been badly let down by Mansford, Johnson and Critchley, his patience must be at breaking point.
If you want to stick to facts, here are three potentially positive ones - Dougall, Gretarsson and Virtue (this season) have yet to play competitive games for NC.
 
Back
Top