i think its quite possible that Critchy will build a "more sustainable long term project and ultimately greater success" whilst also "stifling the hell out of any possible joy."
Maybe it is all one and the same idea. I quite like winning, so there's space for more joy after two nil nils. But second time round with him i feel less patient and more irritated by his rigorous methodical approach, and his explanation and justification of it. And it may only deliver us to top half mediocrity this time round in League One, in the absence of Yates, Anderson, Stewart and Simms.
For formulaic football to be tolerated it needs to be successful. In mid table obscurity it can become excruciating. He's gambling on getting us promoted. He might be turning us into Crewe. By stealth.
"What would Dobbie do?" I keep asking myself.
I have actively stop myself from thinking that...
It's pointless but in my mind, the Dobster would have won 2 and lost 1 and Apter would have been on the score sheet.
We'd be excited about the game but also a little apprehensive.
It's weird. I'm not worried about us getting smashed but I'm struggling to feel excited about what we might see.
That's not a deliberate position. It's not something I'm actively considering in terms of 'what is my position on things' - it's just kind of how I feel.
I've got to keep telling myself that it will hopefully be both consistent and solid and with an increasing confidence in ourselves once we're through this and the next window.
I do respect taking your time and signing players with a purpose, not just because they're available and I get his basic point that you get solid first and then you ice the cake.
I just can't shake off at the back of my mind the way the Dobster got us playing genuinely good and fearless football with what was actually some pretty good defence in about 10 minutes.
I do respect Critchley. It's just been so long since we've been a genuinely attacking side and him being here (hopefully for a while as that will mean it's working) means more of what we've got used to post boycott. There's really not been many epics to and fros in the 4 and a bit years...
I think I stuck with the belief that Appleton should stay for so long was, because despite everything and despite sometimes the execution of his ideas being shockingly bad, I could see the idea was to be a free moving, technical and enjoyable to watch side and he wasn't obsessed with defensive shields.
I wanted it to work. There were flashes of it. It didn't. We go again.
I do want Critch to work out. I think he needs a bit of a chaotic victory too to remind him of the fact that's a thing. I think he's bruised too. I think for all he's sure of himself and confident sounding now, that's a bit of a mask. I think he needs a maverick in the squad, I think he needs a player who will do things he hasn't told him. I think he needs a nail biter we Nick at the death when Grimmy goes up (that will never happen) - I think he's slightly over concerned with control of the game. I also wonder if he knows that. I suspect he might, but isn't so sure of the squad. Appleton's error was that the players he had couldn't play that freeform way. I think Critch probably knows that.
Anyway!