Reality check

Bullwinkle

Bullwinkle

Well-known member
I think fans need to put aside what their heart hope for and face reality that we’re just a very average mid-table league one side.

We’ve already been heavily beaten at home twice before November by two sides that will be in the promotion shakeup, showing there is a sizeable gulf in quality. We struggled to scrape a win against bottom of the league and as a football team, we’re just not very good. Expectations were high at the start of the season and rightly so, but the reality is we’re not going to be near that top 6 come the end of the season.

Assessment needs to be made on whether player recruitment or staffing appointments hasn’t worked, or maybe both, because if the intent and financial investment was to bounce straight back, then we’re falling very short of that.

I’ve not witnessed a game this season that I’ve thought we look a good side. We’re inconsistent, lacking creativity & defensively naive. I think players are certainly putting the effort in, but the missing quality and coaching tactical capability is really telling.
 
voyeur said:
We are near the top 6 now. Do you think we'll get worse?

We could certainly be better but I expect us to be in or around the top 6, and we are.
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Only around pal.
And any way you'd like to paint it, even with a win of 3 goals or less of our game in hand, we still don't get in the top 6
We may get better, who knows.
We may get worse 🤷
If Critchley continues in his constant meddling I've a good idea the route we'll take🤔
 
Wizzerboy said:
Only around pal.
And any way you'd like to paint it, even with a win of 3 goals or less of our game in hand, we still don't get in the top 6
We may get better, who knows.
We may get worse 🤷
If Critchley continues in his constant meddling I've a good idea the route we'll take🤔
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That's a typical feeling after a home defeat. I just stated facts and also said it could be better. I think it will get better.
 
voyeur said:
That's a typical feeling after a home defeat. I just stated facts and also said it could be better. I think it will get better.
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I agree, I think it will get better too. Taking everything in the round, we are making progress already.

It’s frustrating with Critchley at times because it can all feel a bit two steps forward and one step back. We’re yet to put a really solid run together without stuttering.

We’ve not quite found the formula in the middle of the park as yet. Our passing is still a bit sluggish at times. The younger players are all a bit hit and miss, but there are some glimpses of real potential.

I think we’ll end up in a Play Off spot and to that extent what matters is how strong we are at the end of the season.. I’d expect us to finish strongly
 
Bullwinkle said:
face reality that we’re just a very average mid-table league one side
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100% disagree.
We have half a dozen players in our side (and with Gabriel/Joseph to come in) which any League One Side would love in their squad.
Once you've got past half a dozen really decent players then the rest should be fillers just to back up that talent.
For me, it's all about the way you play those players and we've seen in the last couple of games that the manager is making some shocking decisions.
 
Sadler's Brylcreem said:
100% disagree.
We have half a dozen players in our side (and with Gabriel/Joseph to come in) which any League One Side would love in their squad.
Once you've got past half a dozen really decent players then the rest should be fillers just to back up that talent.
For me, it's all about the way you play those players and we've seen in the last couple of games that the manager is making some shocking decisions.
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I'd agree with this - our squad will get stronger whilst others start to weaken - case in point Oxford who have a few injuries and now haven't won in three games.
 
Gabriel would only be useful if Critchley changes his formation as you would never drop Hamilton. Joseph will take time most likely to settle in.

Our squad will only improve if we change the formation that will allow our best players to play and in their correct positions.
 
We should definitely be getting a play off spot at worst this year with the other relegated teams having points deductions.

This was the first pre season I genuinely thought top 2 was realistic so it’s been a disappointing start really. All the moans and groans on here and at Bloomfield probably shows the expectations this season should be higher.
 
I respect all opinions but its not a foregone conclusion to admit to ourselves that we are simply a mid table team.

We've not quite clicked into gear as yet but we are sat in 7th position in the table.

Looking at our squad, I believe we are more than capable of getting into the top 6.

There is a long way to go and with the likes of Gabriel and Joseph to return, plus Lyons at some point making an impact they are players that can only improve us. Then we have the January transfer window where hopefully we improve our squad further.

As things stand, there have been frustrations along the way but I honestly think there is more to come from us and we start getting a bit of consistency.

Of course, it could go the other way and we just completely fall off a cliff and slide down the table but I am certainly more optimistic of us challenging for promotion.
 
We will be in at least the play-offs come the end of the season.
The league hasn't settled down yet, and we're 7th despite being inconsistent. We are also 4th in the home form table out of the last 6 home games. That tells me we're one of the better sides in the division, and with a few players returning and maybe a new face or two in January, I'd be more surprised if we weren't in the top 6 come May.
 
Bullwinkle said:
we’re just a very average mid-table league one side.
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Got to say if we don't win tonight, and bearing in mind Cambridge in 12th are only 3 points behind us, with Bolton and Pompey away this month, that little skirmish with the Play Offs could quickly disappear unless we get back to winning ways.
 
Ive always backed him but the way he is setting us up I have my doubts, hope I'm proved wrong. A couple
of quality signings in January could change things.
 
FLATBACKFOR said:
Ive always backed him but the way he is setting us up I have my doubts, hope I'm proved wrong. A couple
of quality signings in January could change things.
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And we all know that won’t happen

The other matter is if we were trying to make those signings your league position is paramount - being no where won’t help turn a player’s head in our direction - in the promotion race will
 
I think (hope) we are only going to get better, we’re well positioned on the edge of the playoff places and may well be back in 6th place by the end of tonight🤞. I expect us to be in at least a play off place by the end of the season, anything less is a massive failure!
I obviously have more optimism, think we’re above a ‘average mid table league one side’ to be honest
 
I honestly wonder if we do make the top 6 will it be because of critchley's tactical genius or will we make it inspite of his constant meddling and over the top safety first attitude?
 
IF this was Critchley first time around with us then there would be a lot more questions being asked about results and performances.
 
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