Perspective PLEASE

Scooter68

Well-known member
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
Look at the league table FACT.
Coach out of his depth FACT.
 
We have one of the worst teams I have seen for years Fact

I actually think our league 2 promotion team with potts, vassell, Robertson, Cullen etc were better
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
You lost me as soon as you said Fact
 
I like to take positives and there absolutely were positives from tonight - mainly Ballard and Ekpiteta who both played very well. But the only fact that matters is we lost, again, and it's because of a lack of a good final ball. Which considering the number of forwards we've brought in this summer is a huge worry. I'm not personally in any kind of panic mode yet though.
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
He's backed a loser in Critchley...his record here is P13 W1 D5 L7.
 
I personally think that this team will enjoy a successful season once everything falls into place , and it will. Tonight’s game was very disappointing but we will get over it, Husband’s sending off will probably end up being a blessing in disguise because it has forced Mr Critchleys hand . Young Ballard has earned his starting place for Saturday, and Big Marvin has improved each game, all we need now is a bit of luck and a bit more improvement and we will be fine.
 
I am generally very positive about all things BFC but I found tonight uninspiring and predictable. All the opposition teams to visit Bloomers this season look more organised and have a game plan.
 
They had more players than us for half the game, and unfortunately we had to sacrifice a midfielder for a defender which in itself gave us an uphill battle !
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
This isnt the Charlton championship side though, they have brought 12 new players in, they aren't that different from us in that respect, other than they seemed to have re recruited a much better class of player.
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

I followed home and away for 30 years as background before any smart arse comments (52 years of age). I've watched every game on Ifollow this season and despite the one win in seven I can honestly say this style of play and the players being assembled excites me just as much as the Holloway era.

We have dominated in pretty much every game, accepting that we are not creating chances and defensively we are in experimental mode, hence we have lost/drawn etc. BUT....this squad is evolving and will take time to gel. There will be some who won't make the grade, there will be some who will surpass expectations. It wont happen overnight and after 5 years (personally) of boycotting Oyston Utd I'm happy to give Saddler and Critchley a lot longer than 7 games. Personally I'd rather just take the positives for now, and back them EVERY SINGLE GAME. Why? Because I have got my beloved BFC back! Come on guys.....you must have short memories!

So, positives from tonight.

Maxwell came up short early but I like him - he's a generally good shot stopper and good distributer
Williams appears calm and collective, isn't afraid of getting 'stuck in' and can find a pass. He's coming into his own I feel
Everyone appears scared to death of CJ and rightly so
Madine holds the ball up well and Yates I feel is one or two goals away from being really good as he works his socks off but is lacking in confidence right now
Ballard looks like just what we are looking for in defence and will grow
....as will Woodburn when fully fit - he's Liverpool FFS

I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season. I want to look forward to my Saturdays again (hopefully soon) when I can have a few pre match beers, watch the mighty pool (home/away) and feel like we are progressing...and progressing I feel we are despite the results. Keep the Faith. Saddler didn't become a multi millionaire through backing losers. UTMP. Cant wait to get back!!
Good, sensible post
 
Good post o/p, however avftt tends to navigate towards opposite ends of the spectrum. You’re either doom and gloom or a glass half full type poster. I think it’s plain to see where you sit.

Critch will be given time by SS, how much however is up to him and as a businessman you’ve got to analyse if an employee is out of their depth, giving him time to settle is all well and good but the last thing SS needs is a relegation battle to contend with
 
I'm not a glass half empty fan. I'm really, really not. I've been posting on AVFTT since the email group days and generally I'm positive but I just watched that and I don't know how we can think we 'matched them'

They had maybe 5 or 6 efforts at goal that were close, we had none. Not one. They absolutely deserved the win. No question.

We can look at percentages of possession or theoretical 'chances' but the evidence of the game as played out was - Charlton had an attacking threat and we didn't. CJ ran at them a few times.

That was literally it.

Critchley has to accept that. IT didn't 'not quite fall' - we didn't drive at the middle of their defence, we didn't take players on, we didn't deliver decent dead balls, we didn't move their defence about, we rarely overlapped, we had very few sights of goal. We didn't move the ball quicky, we didn't try crossfield passes, we didn't shift formation or shape, or swap players about. None of that happened. We had possession a lot and mostly did very little with it. It's rigid and it's supposed to be fluid.

There were positives but I'm not having that was attacking football. It just wasn't.

Saying that isn't the same as saying 'Critch out, burn everything' - it's just saying what happened and what didn't happen.

Woodburn I think could be decent, Sullay is class and needs to be playing on the left, Virtue will add something, Ballard looked good, I like Gabriel as a character and an attacker... Sarkic was starting to look ok against Accy + the Viking better be good! We could do all sorts with this squad.

What I want is more than just 'it's not quite falling for us' - it's more fundamental than that - we're not doing some of the stuff we need to be doing and we need to start doing it.
 
we're not doing some of the stuff we need to be doing and we need to start doing it.
in many respects its some of the basics, simple stuff like corners, and free kicks around the box. i dont think we have delivered a single decent corner yet this season. the players looked so good at the beginning of the season, to go from that to where we are today its mind boggling
 
in many respects its some of the basics, simple stuff like corners, and free kicks around the box. i dont think we have delivered a single decent corner yet this season. the players looked so good at the beginning of the season, to go from that to where we are today its mind boggling

yeah, it is. I genuinely thought after the Everton game in particular '** hell, we're good' - even the early games this year we looked good, just not quite clinical but today, it was like watching Larry when we went crap except we passed it about aimlessly and lost it instead of hoofing it aimlessly and losing it.

It'll be better on Saturday. It will. It will be better.
 
yeah, it is. I genuinely thought after the Everton game in particular '** hell, we're good' - even the early games this year we looked good, just not quite clinical but today, it was like watching Larry when we went crap except we passed it about aimlessly and lost it instead of hoofing it aimlessly and losing it.

It'll be better on Saturday. It will. It will be better.
i think it will come good, but i have to admit it is very difficult seeing it after today
 
I'm not a glass half empty fan. I'm really, really not. I've been posting on AVFTT since the email group days and generally I'm positive but I just watched that and I don't know how we can think we 'matched them'

They had maybe 5 or 6 efforts at goal that were close, we had none. Not one. They absolutely deserved the win. No question.

We can look at percentages of possession or theoretical 'chances' but the evidence of the game as played out was - Charlton had an attacking threat and we didn't. CJ ran at them a few times.

That was literally it.

Critchley has to accept that. IT didn't 'not quite fall' - we didn't drive at the middle of their defence, we didn't take players on, we didn't deliver decent dead balls, we didn't move their defence about, we rarely overlapped, we had very few sights of goal. We didn't move the ball quicky, we didn't try crossfield passes, we didn't shift formation or shape, or swap players about. None of that happened. We had possession a lot and mostly did very little with it. It's rigid and it's supposed to be fluid.

There were positives but I'm not having that was attacking football. It just wasn't.

Saying that isn't the same as saying 'Critch out, burn everything' - it's just saying what happened and what didn't happen.

Woodburn I think could be decent, Sullay is class and needs to be playing on the left, Virtue will add something, Ballard looked good, I like Gabriel as a character and an attacker... Sarkic was starting to look ok against Accy + the Viking better be good! We could do all sorts with this squad.

What I want is more than just 'it's not quite falling for us' - it's more fundamental than that - we're not doing some of the stuff we need to be doing and we need to start doing it.
100% agree with everything said here.

The potential is there with the squad, it's up to Critchley now. If we don't see improvement with the next 4 games where we'll be playing opposition that we're MUCH better than on paper then Sadler will have to make a decision on his future, because the club can't afford relegation during a pandemic.
 
I'm not a glass half empty fan. I'm really, really not. I've been posting on AVFTT since the email group days and generally I'm positive but I just watched that and I don't know how we can think we 'matched them'

They had maybe 5 or 6 efforts at goal that were close, we had none. Not one. They absolutely deserved the win. No question.

We can look at percentages of possession or theoretical 'chances' but the evidence of the game as played out was - Charlton had an attacking threat and we didn't. CJ ran at them a few times.

That was literally it.

Critchley has to accept that. IT didn't 'not quite fall' - we didn't drive at the middle of their defence, we didn't take players on, we didn't deliver decent dead balls, we didn't move their defence about, we rarely overlapped, we had very few sights of goal. We didn't move the ball quicky, we didn't try crossfield passes, we didn't shift formation or shape, or swap players about. None of that happened. We had possession a lot and mostly did very little with it. It's rigid and it's supposed to be fluid.

There were positives but I'm not having that was attacking football. It just wasn't.

Saying that isn't the same as saying 'Critch out, burn everything' - it's just saying what happened and what didn't happen.

Woodburn I think could be decent, Sullay is class and needs to be playing on the left, Virtue will add something, Ballard looked good, I like Gabriel as a character and an attacker... Sarkic was starting to look ok against Accy + the Viking better be good! We could do all sorts with this squad.

What I want is more than just 'it's not quite falling for us' - it's more fundamental than that - we're not doing some of the stuff we need to be doing and we need to start doing it.

Really good post that sums us up. Hamilton takes on the full back a couple of times before the opposition gets wise to it, and that's us done for 90 minutes. If anyone thinks it's just not falling for us, then they can't be meaning in the box because we never get it in there.
Ultimately, there is absolutely no purpose or drive to our attacking play whatsoever.
However, it is possible to improve on that with the players we have. Woodburn and KaiKai have some quality on the ball so hopefully they can get us going.
 
Sarkic is the mystery man in my opinion. On the very brief cameo appearances I've seen he looks like the type of player who could be the catalyst for other players especially in the opponents penalty box. Madine is a good target man but we don't possess the kind of deadly finisher to feed off him. He just never seems to be given a reasonable chance in the false 9 position.
 
Have always checked in but never posted. However I feel compelled after watching that - as I am exasperated by some of the doom-mongers on here.

We lost. FACT
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT
We pretty much matched them FACT
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT

We lost. FACT - Correct. This is a FACT. Let's see where we go from here.
We played with 10 v 11 for 40 mins FACT - Correct - this is also a FACT (but we lost 10 v 10 in the 2nd half). 2 out of 2 so far.
Charlton (championship side last season will be up there at end of season) FACT - this is not a FACT. This is an opinion. But they were better than us.
We pretty much matched them FACT - no - this is not a FACT as they won. "Pretty much" tells you that.
Wider context.....
We had to rebuild our entire squad after 10 years of loanees and free transfers FACT - that's wildly inaccurate and not a FACT. NC chose to do that. We actually didn't have to get rid of quite a few.
Saddler is a big picture man and an absolute god-send FACT - How do you know what SS thinks? Do you know this is a FACT? What if his big picture changed?
Critchley recognises talent, most part young and can improve them FACT - FACT? Tell me how he has done this? I'd sure like to see the proof. We need it fast!

Joking aside. The FACT is we are joint bottom of the league. We can't defend nor score goals. The league table tells us that - and that is a FACT.
 
Quote from O/P-I remain excited. I don't care if we go up this season.
Go up be real unless things change rapidly were going down joint bottom of league lost 4 out of our last five with one draw with a minus goal difference it's going to take a miracle even just to rise into safety.

As I posted on match thread MK Dons,Afc Wimbledon and Burton our next 3 games if we don't get at least 6 points from that lot our season is over.
 
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