Measured progress. (5 things we have learned)

Insider

Insider

Well-known member
I think I probably owe royalties to ODB for that thread title.
Absolutely gutted to see us throw away 3 points. On 83 minutes I'm thinking we've ridden our luck a little bit but we've managed a hard fought victory.
So what progress have we made following the appointment of Neil Critchley?
1. I honestly believe Neil wants to play offensive, attractive football and we did that quite well for probably more than half the game (just).
2. The players he has brought into the club have potential.
3. The manager, like the players, is inexperienced but also has potential.
4. The majority of squad are contracted for at least 2 years so we have stability.
5. The whole infrastructure of BFC has moved forward a million miles.

BUT FFS NEIL SIGN AN EXPERIENCED CB, 😬
 
Of course we don't know just how hard he's already been trying to bring the right player(s) in; we're all so quick to criticise some of the players who have already arrived, yet when he could potentially be waiting to get his man to play at centre half he gets grief for not signing someone.

Work that one out.
 
1. Mitchell has the right temperament ... his head didn’t drop after the disaster and he goes on to make amends

2. Yates does have a decent shot on him so his lack of goals is essentially down to lack of service and luck

3.The manager ought to have had a centre back on the bench to bring on for Husband who was clearly blowing out of his arse prior to his disaster

4. the midfield isn’t working to support defence and attack...it’s leaving us wide open. We need to look at two holding or deeper players

5. Sarkic looked like a pub player...reminded me of Zarco Grabervac’s limited on pitch performance.
 
Hockaday’s Quiff said:
One of the 5 things learned... Husband is dog shit.
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I disagree. I thought Hubby did OK but he is, and always will be, a bit of a loose cannon. When he conceded that penalty I got a vivid flashback of when he winked at me playing for the Cods as he got Nug Nugs sent off.
I also thought "dog shit" Turton had a decent game today.
One of the positives today was the number of times he (and Ekpiteta) played long balls over the Lincoln FB to CJ. Unforunately these dried up the longer the game went on and as CJ drifted inside.
I think Neil needs to concentrate on what clearly works.
Sorry to end on a negative but CJ does need to work on his crosses.
 
BlackpoolsFinest said:
Of course we don't know just how hard he's already been trying to bring the right player(s) in; we're all so quick to criticise some of the players who have already arrived, yet when he could potentially be waiting to get his man to play at centre half he gets grief for not signing someone.

Work that one out.
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It's very easy to be critical but after a disappointing result it's a lot harder to be positive.
The post was headed "measured progress" of which there is some evidence.
 
Insider said:
It's very easy to be critical but after a disappointing result it's a lot harder to be positive.
The post was headed "measured progress" of which there is some evidence.
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I don't disagree with any of the things you said in your initial post.
My post was more a commentary of Critch being in the hard place of needing to sign someone, but making sure whoever comes in is the right player.
People are screaming for an experienced left sided centre half, where does he find one of them?

He can't get one from League 2 because we've seen the reaction of fans to players arriving from the division below. We realistically aren't going to bring in an experienced Championship player unless his best days are behind him, and which team in our division are gonna sell us someone at this stage?
We can't bring in a youngster for obvious reasons, so when all of the above is taken in to account it does explain why it could be taking so long to sign the right player.
 
Insider said:
I think I probably owe royalties to ODB for that thread title.
Absolutely gutted to see us throw away 3 points. On 83 minutes I'm thinking we've ridden our luck a little bit but we've managed a hard fought victory.
So what progress have we made following the appointment of Neil Critchley?
1. I honestly believe Neil wants to play offensive, attractive football and we did that quite well for probably more than half the game (just).
2. The players he has brought into the club have potential.
3. The manager, like the players, is inexperienced but also has potential.
4. The majority of squad are contracted for at least 2 years so we have stability.
5. The whole infrastructure of BFC has moved forward a million miles.

BUT FFS NEIL SIGN AN EXPERIENCED CB, 😬
His reluctance to sign experienced players suggest he feels he'd be out of his comfort zone trying to handle them. He's a youth / U23 coach and somewhat out of his depth in senior football. I would also question many of his signings. There's no physical or creative presence in the team. Spending money on Yates and Lubala is almost unforgivable.
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Yates needs someone to slip him the ball. He's always moving but never seems to get the ball at the right time. Virtue would provide some box to box energy in midfield. Robson stays deep, Ward and Anderson side and forward. There's a big hole - and that's why Yates isn't getting the service. CJ was poor today, seemed content to win corners rather than cross or cut inside and shoot. Our corners are awful, so that gave no advantage. Impressed with Mitchell's temperament today. It also showed that we need Turton's experience at present.
 
Worryingly. Their 3 goals came from 3 different defenders making poor mistakes. And we have no number 9. We’re pretty doomed I’d say
 
Insider said:
I think I probably owe royalties to ODB for that thread title.
Absolutely gutted to see us throw away 3 points. On 83 minutes I'm thinking we've ridden our luck a little bit but we've managed a hard fought victory.
So what progress have we made following the appointment of Neil Critchley?
1. I honestly believe Neil wants to play offensive, attractive football and we did that quite well for probably more than half the game (just).
2. The players he has brought into the club have potential.
3. The manager, like the players, is inexperienced but also has potential.
4. The majority of squad are contracted for at least 2 years so we have stability.
5. The whole infrastructure of BFC has moved forward a million miles.

BUT FFS NEIL SIGN AN EXPERIENCED CB, 😬
Click to expand...
Overly positive. But there was very good spells in the game Most worryingly is no replacement defensive and decision making as to why Madine didn’t come on I’m still bewildered 😳
 
Gabriel will be in for Turton however well people think he played...the back 4 were all suspect at one point or another today but I thought Husband wasnt too bad until his brainfart...whether he will get back in following suspension is open to debate as I am pretty sure its going to be Garbutt and Mitchell on the left from now on and we will sign at least one new centre half before the next league game and maybe two. The main points out of the game for me were how poorly both Ward and Keshi played today... robson started slowly (as too many of our players seem to) but grew into the game and was the best of the midfield trio.
I agreed with the first sub but the second and third subs were mystifying. I have seen little to recommend Sarkic so far and he has had his chance now up front. If he is to get in the side it will have to be in midfield. Madine must be totally disillusioned and it wouldnt surprise me if he has showdown talks with NC. Williams was not the answer for me and I dont think Kemp has been a good loan deal if he isnt going to play. Lubala was shocking (again) and is trying too hard and needs to adjust to this league.. I think Yates was better today but he needs service and that is where we are letting ourselves down. CJ wasnt at his best BUT he is our best chance of a goal and he needs to be fed the ball.
Its early days yet and I knew we would lose a few games in the first ten. They can still easily get back on track and the break will give them time to reorganise.
Personally I think a couple more of ours will be moved on in one way or another and it wouldnt surprise me if the next time we see Nottingham it will be for the opposition. We must have patience and give the manager time.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
Gabriel will be in for Turton however well people think he played...the back 4 were all suspect at one point or another today but I thought Husband wasnt too bad until his brainfart...whether he will get back in following suspension is open to debate as I am pretty sure its going to be Garbutt and Mitchell on the left from now on and we will sign at least one new centre half before the next league game and maybe two. The main points out of the game for me were how poorly both Ward and Keshi played today... robson started slowly (as too many of our players seem to) but grew into the game and was the best of the midfield trio.
I agreed with the first sub but the second and third subs were mystifying. I have seen little to recommend Sarkic so far and he has had his chance now up front. If he is to get in the side it will have to be in midfield. Madine must be totally disillusioned and it wouldnt surprise me if he has showdown talks with NC. Williams was not the answer for me and I dont think Kemp has been a good loan deal if he isnt going to play. Lubala was shocking (again) and is trying too hard and needs to adjust to this league.. I think Yates was better today but he needs service and that is where we are letting ourselves down. CJ wasnt at his best BUT he is our best chance of a goal and he needs to be fed the ball.
Its early days yet and I knew we would lose a few games in the first ten. They can still easily get back on track and the break will give them time to reorganise.
Personally I think a couple more of ours will be moved on in one way or another and it wouldnt surprise me if the next time we see Nottingham it will be for the opposition. We must have patience and give the manager time.
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I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said there, apart from Turton being automatically replaced.

I don’t see why really. After CJ he’s been the only outfield player to really perform. He had one dodgy half against Plymouth where Danny Mayor Had the best of him. Outside of that he’s been more than solid defensively and against Lincoln appeared to be the only person able to thread a pass to the forwards.

We haven’t even see Gabriel play yet. Turtons done nothing to warrant being dropped. You need some stability and leadership, particularly in this side which is distinctly lacking that.
 
Rektseasider said:
I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said there, apart from Turton being automatically replaced.

I don’t see why really. After CJ he’s been the only outfield player to really perform. He had one dodgy half against Plymouth where Danny Mayor Had the best of him. Outside of that he’s been more than solid defensively and against Lincoln appeared to be the only person able to thread a pass to the forwards.

We haven’t even see Gabriel play yet. Turtons done nothing to warrant being dropped. You need some stability and leadership, particularly in this side which is distinctly lacking that.
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NC hasnt pursued Gabriel all pre season to then not play him. Turton was better today as he passed the ball up the line to CJ but he usually gets forward 5 yards, stops, does the Turton turn and then passes back thus losing all momentum and never allowing us to break at pace. He was one of the poorest performers last season in a side patently not good enough and was imo lucky to get a new contract. I will accept he hasnt been too bad defensively this time but I hope Gabriel is an improvement.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
NC hasnt pursued Gabriel all pre season to then not play him. Turton was better today as he passed the ball up the line to CJ but he usually gets forward 5 yards, stops, does the Turton turn and then passes back thus losing all momentum and never allowing us to break at pace. He was one of the poorest performers last season in a side patently not good enough and was imo lucky to get a new contract. I will accept he hasnt been too bad defensively this time but I hope Gabriel is an improvement.
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I get your point, and whilst I agree that he isn’t the most exciting playing my point was that he’s really one of the only ones performing at the minute.

Of he just gets automatically dropped and players that are having shockers week in week out remain in the side. I’m left scratching my head at that one.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
Gabriel will be in for Turton however well people think he played...the back 4 were all suspect at one point or another today but I thought Husband wasnt too bad until his brainfart...whether he will get back in following suspension is open to debate as I am pretty sure its going to be Garbutt and Mitchell on the left from now on and we will sign at least one new centre half before the next league game and maybe two. The main points out of the game for me were how poorly both Ward and Keshi played today... robson started slowly (as too many of our players seem to) but grew into the game and was the best of the midfield trio.
I agreed with the first sub but the second and third subs were mystifying. I have seen little to recommend Sarkic so far and he has had his chance now up front. If he is to get in the side it will have to be in midfield. Madine must be totally disillusioned and it wouldnt surprise me if he has showdown talks with NC. Williams was not the answer for me and I dont think Kemp has been a good loan deal if he isnt going to play. Lubala was shocking (again) and is trying too hard and needs to adjust to this league.. I think Yates was better today but he needs service and that is where we are letting ourselves down. CJ wasnt at his best BUT he is our best chance of a goal and he needs to be fed the ball.
Its early days yet and I knew we would lose a few games in the first ten. They can still easily get back on track and the break will give them time to reorganise.
Personally I think a couple more of ours will be moved on in one way or another and it wouldnt surprise me if the next time we see Nottingham it will be for the opposition. We must have patience and give the manager time.
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Yep good stuff and agree with a lot of it. I'll add though with regards to CJ that whereas he looks like our best chance for a goal, he's got an awful lot of work to do on his crossing of the ball into the box.
 
20s. Spot on about CJ's crossing ability which has been generally poor. I think Critchley should just tell him to head for goal and shoot.
Being a good crosser of the ball just gets you sent out on loan. 😉
 
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20togo said:
Yep good stuff and agree with a lot of it. I'll add though with regards to CJ that whereas he looks like our best chance for a goal, he's got an awful lot of work to do on his crossing of the ball into the box.
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Lets be fair though ...thats why he is playing for us and not tearing the championship up...his pace is blistering and his finishing has been much improved. I would sit him on the last man a lot more though if we are chasing a game...I would rather have pushed him up top yesterday than bring on a Sarkic bereft of confidence.
 
Sarkic is a bit of an enigma. He's described on some websites as a centre forward and described himself as a No.10.
He certainly didn't shape like a striker when he got that half chance.
Keshi Anderson is another described as a winger or "second" striker but we don't seem to play him that far forward.
I can't remember which player said of Critchley that he had recognised something in his game that he hadn't realised himself (and that wasn't that he was sh1t 😉 ).
I don't doubt Critch's ability as a coach and hopefully as time goes on he will find the position in the team that best suits his players.
The biggest trap that Managers fall in to (in my humble opinion) is picking a team with your best 11 players rather than picking a team with the best player in each position. That's my main criticism of the manager so far because I am not sure that he's doing that.
 
Insider said:
I think I probably owe royalties to ODB for that thread title.
Absolutely gutted to see us throw away 3 points. On 83 minutes I'm thinking we've ridden our luck a little bit but we've managed a hard fought victory.
So what progress have we made following the appointment of Neil Critchley?
1. I honestly believe Neil wants to play offensive, attractive football and we did that quite well for probably more than half the game (just).
2. The players he has brought into the club have potential.
3. The manager, like the players, is inexperienced but also has potential.
4. The majority of squad are contracted for at least 2 years so we have stability.
5. The whole infrastructure of BFC has moved forward a million miles.

BUT FFS NEIL SIGN AN EXPERIENCED CB, 😬
Click to expand...
Totally agree. Patience required.
 
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