Pleasantly surprised at the (mostly) calm from this board

[CestrianSeasider]

Despite the wholesale changes, I don't think anyone expected us to be bottom of the league, even if it is only after seven games. This board is well-known for its interesting opinions (myself included) so I'm very surprised at how well we all seem to be dealing with it.

I have the faith it'll come good. Those calling for the manager's head, who to be fair are a minor few, need to give their head a wobble and then a whack with a shovel.

I appreciate there's a general approach of 'We'll judge after 10 games'. However, this MK Dons game could be a catalyst for some frustration if the result doesn't go our way, or even if we draw but put in a poor performance.

Would it be fair to say that this game is a must-win? Not in the sense we desperately need the points, but that MK Dons are likely to be near the relegation zone or thereabouts by April, surely it's a game we should be winning? Especially at home where we seem to be playing even worse than on the road (???).

UTP!

 

[poolseasider]

It's only calm because we ain't sat at Bloomfield Road suffering three defeats in a row and supporting your team through a crappy stream is all a bit sterile.

 

[Dave62]

Would it be fair to say that this game is a must-win? Not in the sense we desperately need the points, but that MK Dons are likely to be near the relegation zone or thereabouts by April, surely it's a game we should be winning? Especially at home where we seem to be playing even worse than on the road (???).

UTP!

I agree with a recent thread suggesting that, with no fans, there isn't a significant home advantage.

But for me it's a must win. We might not desperately need the points if there are 39 games remaining, but if there is another lockdown/circuit breaker, the season could be shortened and an average points per game table applied again. With our poor start, we could be in trouble if this was to happen, especially if we don't start picking up points sooner rather than later.

I would like to see a great performance, but for now I'd take a scrappy 1-0 win with a goal off Yates's back-side. We can enjoy the entertaining performances when the team has some confidence which comes from winning.

 

[BFC76]

But for me it's a must win. We might not desperately need the points if there are 39 games remaining, but if there is another lockdown/circuit breaker, the season could be shortened and an average points per game table applied again. With our poor start, we could be in trouble if this was to happen, especially if we don't start picking up points sooner rather than later.

I think that's a really important point and ironically I did mention at the start of the season that a good start to the campaign was essential for that reason (at the time I was thinking more of promotion than relegation but sadly the latter now applies!).

 

[Albert Ross]

The main problem for me is, and I’m sorry for keep repeating it, you can’t put things right until you acknowledge something is wrong. Critchley refuses to admit things are not right. He will insist on keeping up his mantra, we are not having any luck, the ball isn’t dropping for us, we deserved at least a point. No Neil, I’m sorry, but bad luck doesn’t follow you around like an albatross. You can change things with little tweaks here and their, try something different, don’t slavishly stick to a formation or plan that obviously isn’t working. I support the current regime and desperately want them to succeed, we are not a bad team, we are a quite good team playing bad tactics. Try something different soon or I’m afraid you may be the architect of your own downfall.

 

[CestrianSeasider]

The main problem for me is, and I’m sorry for keep repeating it, you can’t put things right until you acknowledge something is wrong. Critchley refuses to admit things are not right. He will insist on keeping up his mantra, we are not having any luck, the ball isn’t dropping for us, we deserved at least a point. No Neil, I’m sorry, but bad luck doesn’t follow you around like an albatross. You can change things with little tweaks here and their, try something different, don’t slavishly stick to a formation or plan that obviously isn’t working. I support the current regime and desperately want them to succeed, we are not a bad team, we are a quite good team playing bad tactics. Try something different soon or I’m afraid you may be the architect of your own downfall.

To be honest I haven't watched any or very few of his interviews. I do get the sense from other posters that he does air on the side of ignorance with the faults of the team. I appreciate positive comments but, when you've lost 5 games and it's October, you need to acknowledge what's wrong.