The idea that we should be doing better with this squad

[Shiggy]

Is one of the biggest myths of the season.

It’s been an argument made that this squad should be at worst top 6, with some even suggesting it’s a squad capable of achieving automatic promotion. It’s also been argued that the manager isn’t getting the best out of the squad. Where is the actual evidence for this?

I could refer back to numerous instances throughout the season where the squad has demonstrated a lack of quality but we can just look at today.

They worked hard and I don’t doubt for a second their commitment or effort. There’s also definitely players who, with some improvement, could play at the level above.

But where is the composure and quality in the final third? Where is the maturity? Where is the calmness at the back? How many chances did we create inside the box today?

The manager has got most of the blame for the entire season but why are we not discussing the fact that many of the goals we concede come from individual errors or are soft defensively? Why are we not discussing the poor individual decision-making in the final third?

I want to stress that this isn’t me wanting fans to get on the players’ backs. I actually think it’s a likeable squad with quite a few young players. But we are where we are for a reason. Many think that’s down to the manager and of course he shares a weight of the responsibility. But it’s also because, after 31 games, the players haven’t demonstrated the quality necessary to get out of this league.

Oxford had less chances today and I would assume less time in our half but when they did get in good positions they often made the right decision, either putting a quality ball in or making the right pass or shooting when the chance arose. I don’t see our players doing this enough on a consistent basis.

From what I’ve seen this season, it’s a squad capable of edging their way into the 6th play off spot. No more than that.

 

[Superbretty]

Right then, if the players aren’t good enough who brought most of them in? If you don’t think the players are good enough (I do) then Critchley is responsible. If the players are good enough then Critchley is responsible for not getting the most out of them.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

Bullshit. The formation handicaps us. Everyone can see that apart from Critchley.

 

[clappers]

Bullshit. The formation handicaps us. Everyone can see that apart from Critchley.

Absolutely. This has been a masterclass in how to piss away an entire season. The no pressure golden boy attitude between Sadler and Critchley enables this.

 

[Chishandfips]

But where is the composure and quality in the final third

Amen to that!

 

[TangerineEggCup]

We have the players to be comfortably in the top 6. This is all down to having an average manager when, without an experienced number 2 , comes up short.

 

[Seaside Aggro]

We have a squad that when properly managed by Dobbie was to hold its own in the league above. As with last season, poor tactics are costing us.

 

[OhhhBarryBarry!]

Bullshit. The formation handicaps us. Everyone can see that apart from Critchley.

We have the same patterns of play every game, it must be coached.

Pass it round the back, defence gets under pressure, back to Grimmy, hoof to the big man Lavery, lose possession.

Play it round the back, come under pressure, Hubby bangs it down line for the opposition defender to pick up.

Good opportunity to counter with most opposition players forward, slow the game down, pass it back around defence and let the opposition regroup.

It's brilliant entertainment.

 

[Critchknows]

A lot is made of formations and how we play and are coached but a few replies I think are missing the point. The op is calling out the individual errors that are costing us. That's not a coaching issue and it's not the formation or our pattern of play. It's players who aren't top league 1 players making bad decisions. Now you can call out the manager or club for not bringing in better but changes are being made and it just takes time.
I agree that we are not top 3 or 4 squad level. We will hopefully nick a play off position but equally might just miss out and that's actually where I think our squad is.

 

[Old_Laytonian]

The majority of the squad are bang average.

 

[clappers]

A lot is made of formations and how we play and are coached but a few replies I think are missing the point. The op is calling out the individual errors that are costing us. That's not a coaching issue and it's not the formation or our pattern of play. It's players who aren't top league 1 players making bad decisions. Now you can call out the manager or club for not bringing in better but changes are being made and it just takes time.
I agree that we are not top 3 or 4 squad level. We will hopefully nick a play off position but equally might just miss out and that's actually where I think our squad is.

Individual errors are made more likely by a dysfunctional system. If you order 5 years olds to pass it around the back you are going to get a nippy five year old nick it off you as soon as you make a mistake and you’re a goal down

 

[fcblackpool]

Yes, we should be doing better, although I accept we could do with a couple more in of quality, but then again which team couldn't?

One thing that hit me was the poor quality of ball into the box, also how much we miss Rhodes. Lav needs a goal.

I think the bottom line is that a change in manager may well bring better quality out of the players. Don't think that will happen though and it's probably too late now to bring in a No 2, so I'd probably expect a solid top 10 next season too, but not a top 6.

 

[AlternativeSeaside]

We have the same patterns of play every game, it must be coached.

Pass it round the back, defence gets under pressure, back to Grimmy, hoof to the big man Lavery, lose possession.

Play it round the back, come under pressure, Hubby bangs it down line for the opposition defender to pick up.

Good opportunity to counter with most opposition players forward, slow the game down, pass it back around defence and let the opposition regroup.

It's brilliant entertainment.

You are bang on with this, it has become tedious as fuck but the players we have aren’t good enough to think for themselves.

 

[Theoneandonly]

A lot is made of formations and how we play and are coached but a few replies I think are missing the point. The op is calling out the individual errors that are costing us. That's not a coaching issue and it's not the formation or our pattern of play. It's players who aren't top league 1 players making bad decisions. Now you can call out the manager or club for not bringing in better but changes are being made and it just takes time.
I agree that we are not top 3 or 4 squad level. We will hopefully nick a play off position but equally might just miss out and that's actually where I think our squad is.

Rubbish. They make individual errors because the formation and their positioning is wrong which provides more opportunities for individual errors . Different manager would garner better results with this squad. Look at the difference at villa with Emory over Gerrard

 

[Theoneandonly]

Yes, we should be doing better, although I accept we could do with a couple more in of quality, but then again which team couldn't?

One thing that hit me was the poor quality of ball into the box, also how much we miss Rhodes. Lav needs a goal.

I think the bottom line is that a change in manager may well bring better quality out of the players. Don't think that will happen though and it's probably too late now to bring in a No 2, so I'd probably expect a solid top 10 next season too, but not a top 6.

Which is no use, costly and what value is Sadler/Critchley bringing to the club.

 

[Old_Laytonian]

A professional footballer who can't control the ball or who has poor first touch shouldn't be in the squad. A new coach wouldn't help that

 

[ShaneUTMP]

Bullshit. The formation handicaps us. Everyone can see that apart from Critchley.

Could play a 442 or 433 or 4231 whichever it is you want, these players still wouldn’t look like scoring stm so shush

So many occasions where players should be bringing the ball down but instead just mistouch it or head it 15 yards away to an Oxford man when they had 20 yards of space themself

 

[Critchknows]

Rubbish. They make individual errors because the formation and their positioning is wrong which provides more opportunities for individual errors . Different manager would garner better results with this squad. Look at the difference at villa with Emory over Gerrard

A lot of these players were shite under Appleton, McCarthy, Dobbie and now Critchley. How many managers do they need to put in a good performance without making shite decisions.

 

[ShaneUTMP]

Rubbish. They make individual errors because the formation and their positioning is wrong which provides more opportunities for individual errors . Different manager would garner better results with this squad. Look at the difference at villa with Emory over Gerrard

Formation causes Marv to stick his leg out for two shots going 5 yards wide in a week?

 

[CAGU]

P

We have the same patterns of play every game, it must be coached.

Pass it round the back, defence gets under pressure, back to Grimmy, hoof to the big man Lavery, lose possession.

Play it round the back, come under pressure, Hubby bangs it down line for the opposition defender to pick up.

Good opportunity to counter with most opposition players forward, slow the game down, pass it back around defence and let the opposition regroup.

It's brilliant entertainment.

spot on!

 

[Theoneandonly]

A professional footballer who can't control the ball or who has poor first touch shouldn't be in the squad. A new coach wouldn't help that

What is it crazy hour? Can’t control a ball, and poor first touch? You practice you get coached and when you can manage the basics you get picked that’s called management.

 

[Theoneandonly]

Formation causes Marv to stick his leg out for two shots going 5 yards wide in a week?

Yep. He’s in that position and he reacts like that. Why and why? We are defending so deep. Why? Opposition not forced wide, not tackled and not pressured in any way? Why? Answer because we are poorly coached.

 

[Old_Laytonian]

What is it crazy hour? Can’t control a ball, and poor first touch? You practice you get coached and when you can manage the basics you get pic
anagement.

What is it crazy hour? Can’t control a ball, and poor first touch? You practice you get coached and when you can manage the basics you get picked that’s called management.

If you say so

 

[clappers]

You are bang on with this, it has become tedious as fuck but the players we have aren’t good enough to think for themselves.

I’m not sure Critchley likes players randomly expressing themselves on the pitch or their opinions off it.

 

[poolseasider]

Played them twice 1-1 each sums both teams up really.
Nothing special nothing poor with each side having moments in each game.

Thought our front 3 was terrible first half better second and what has happened to Gabriel these last 2 games after the Bolton performance he's been garbage.

So yep we're 8th Oxford 7th and Stevenage 6th all just OK teams in this league with OK players.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

There is no excuse for some of the results away from home. For me that is simply bad management. Why would he not try something different? Even today, sticks with a three religiously despite us needing a win. It's all just getting a bit boring.

 

[ShaneUTMP]

Yep. He’s in that position and he reacts like that. Why and why? We are defending so deep. Why? Opposition not forced wide, not tackled and not pressured in any way? Why? Answer because we are poorly coached.

You mustn’t have watched either game well done for admitting that with your dumb response tho

Shall we just put nobody in the box when stevange have a long throw from the corner spot and then it gets headed out to a player who hits it wide until Marv sticks his leg out for reason and puts it in his own net?

Or how about the Charlton game where a ball comes in over the to and cj is too soft to put a challenge on him and lets him turn him and shoot and Marv leaves his dangly leg out to put it in his own net?

Nah not player quality tho

 

[SeasiderExile]

Is one of the biggest myths of the season.

It’s been an argument made that this squad should be at worst top 6, with some even suggesting it’s a squad capable of achieving automatic promotion. It’s also been argued that the manager isn’t getting the best out of the squad. Where is the actual evidence for this?

I could refer back to numerous instances throughout the season where the squad has demonstrated a lack of quality but we can just look at today.

They worked hard and I don’t doubt for a second their commitment or effort. There’s also definitely players who, with some improvement, could play at the level above.

But where is the composure and quality in the final third? Where is the maturity? Where is the calmness at the back? How many chances did we create inside the box today?

The manager has got most of the blame for the entire season but why are we not discussing the fact that many of the goals we concede come from individual errors or are soft defensively? Why are we not discussing the poor individual decision-making in the final third?

I want to stress that this isn’t me wanting fans to get on the players’ backs. I actually think it’s a likeable squad with quite a few young players. But we are where we are for a reason. Many think that’s down to the manager and of course he shares a weight of the responsibility. But it’s also because, after 31 games, the players haven’t demonstrated the quality necessary to get out of this league.

Oxford had less chances today and I would assume less time in our half but when they did get in good positions they often made the right decision, either putting a quality ball in or making the right pass or shooting when the chance arose. I don’t see our players doing this enough on a consistent basis.

From what I’ve seen this season, it’s a squad capable of edging their way into the 6th play off spot. No more than that.

Good post

 

[clappers]

There is no excuse for some of the results away from home. For me that is simply bad management. Why would he not try something different? Even today, sticks with a three religiously despite us needing a win. It's all just getting a bit boring.

Yep. All the people saying we could carry on winning every game at home and suddenly transform in to a winning force away were deluding themselves. We’ve over achieved at home with this system and the coach just wants to get to 90 mins without losing.

 

[Mr Tangerine Man]

Average squad with an average manager. If by a miracle we do scab a playoff place and go up these players are not good enough to play in the Championship, along with no, or very little investment we will come straight back down. We had a number of chances when we were in the champioship to invest and keep us up but declined to do so.

 

[Theoneandonly]

You mustn’t have watched either game well done for admitting that with your dumb response tho

Shall we just put nobody in the box when stevange have a long throw from the corner spot and then it gets headed out to a player who hits it wide until Marv sticks his leg out for reason and puts it in his own net?

Or how about the Charlton game where a ball comes in over the to and cj is too soft to put a challenge on him and lets him turn him and shoot and Marv leaves his dangly leg out to put it in his own net?

Nah not player quality tho

Sorry you don’t understand high press, positioning, tackling, judgement etc. it’s called football. Watch last week’s goal again. Their player had all the time in the world . Our players have no clue how to defend and that is on Critchley.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

Yep. All the people saying we could carry on winning every game at home and suddenly transform in to a winning force away were deluding themselves. We’ve over achieved at home with this system and the coach just wants to get to 90 mins without losing.

We are not even that good at home. Anyone half decent we can't even win at home. It's just masked over as we beat the bottom half teams as quality comes through and again masks over the shit formation. Away from home, we don't get away with it though.

5 'defenders' on the pitch today. F**k that shit.

 

[fcblackpool]

Formation causes Marv to stick his leg out for two shots going 5 yards wide in a week?

In fairness and for balance, one took a deflection and Marv reacted as any player would. That was damn unlucky, nothing to do with the quality of the player.

 

[clappers]

Average squad with an average manager. If by a miracle we do scab a playoff place and go up these players are not good enough to play in the Championship, along with no, or very little investment we will come straight back down. We had a number of chances when we were in the champioship to invest and keep us up but declined to do so.

We also appear to have an average owner who is happy to get through a season without too much spending and have a nice enough management chap who talks ‘modern’ to gloss over our failure every week for the media. Still building for the future, long term plan etc etc

 

[ShaneUTMP]

ask yourself what players in this squad actually get into the likes of Portsmouth, Derby and Boltons squad. There is literally casey, dembele, Rhodes and Byers (tho he looked shit in his 20 minutes today)

People called for Gabriel but the 2 he’s started he may aswell not have played, cj is shit, Marv shit, penny is a mid table player, Lyons has potential, Connolly shit, kylian potential, Joseph potential, Lavery shit, norburn mid table, Morgan mid table, virtue mid table.

It’s a squad of average players, the manager isn’t blameless, but the players we have aren’t world beaters that some seem to think

 

[Joey_Rex]

I don't think the squad is top 2 standard but it's definitely top 6.
I don't particularly have an issue with the formation at first but the fact is he's never changed formation once "in-game" this season apart from Peterborough at home when we went down to 10. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but as manager he should be able to change things if they aren't working which has pretty much been half the games this season.
One issue we have is when we only have 2 midfielders if teams are clever and press them that's when our CB's go long and we constantly lose possession. Plus Marv and Husband's passing is awful. Having 3 CB's at level is pointless as you lose either an extra needed man in midfield or an attacking threat and it would make no difference defensively.
Tactically Critch just hasn't got it right enough this year and i worry he'll persist with this formation next year as well.

 

[ShaneUTMP]

Sorry you don’t understand high press, positioning, tackling, judgement etc. it’s called football. Watch last week’s goal again. Their player had all the time in the world . Our players have no clue how to defend and that is on Critchley.

Ah yes cause critchley tells them not to rush out to ball after heading it out he tells every single one of them just to stay where they are? Are you in dumb?

Not to mention it’s the 85th minute and at that point in the game players are tired nobody is running a high press it’s not the prem it’s league 1

 

[OhhhBarryBarry!]

We also appear to have an average owner who is happy to get through a season without too much spending and have a nice enough management chap who talks ‘modern’ to gloss over our failure every week for the media. Still building for the future, long term plan etc etc

Yep, don't worry the formation/ system we are playing will work really well in the Championship. It's just a shame it won't get us up there.

 

[clappers]

I worry he'll persist with this formation next year as well.

It’s an absolute certainty, because he can’t be seen to have got it wrong. He’s still waiting for it to come good so he can peacock his super coach credentials.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

I don't think the squad is top 2 standard but it's definitely top 6.
I don't particularly have an issue with the formation at first but the fact is he's never changed formation once "in-game" this season apart from Peterborough at home when we went down to 10. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but as manager he should be able to change things if they aren't working which has pretty much been half the games this season.
One issue we have is when we only have 2 midfielders if teams are clever and press them that's when our CB's go long and we constantly lose possession. Plus Marv and Husband's passing is awful. Having 3 CB's at level is pointless as you lose either an extra needed man in midfield or an attacking threat and it would make no difference defensively.
Tactically Critch just hasn't got it right enough this year and i worry he'll persist with this formation next year as well.

Great post. Three defenders absolutely pointless when they look so uncomfortable playing in a three.

 

[Joey_Rex]

ask yourself what players in this squad actually get into the likes of Portsmouth, Derby and Boltons squad. There is literally casey, dembele, Rhodes and Byers (tho he looked shit in his 20 minutes today)

People called for Gabriel but the 2 he’s started he may aswell not have played, cj is shit, Marv shit, penny is a mid table player, Lyons has potential, Connolly shit, kylian potential, Joseph potential, Lavery shit, norburn mid table, Morgan mid table, virtue mid table.

It’s a squad of average players, the manager isn’t blameless, but the players we have aren’t world beaters that some seem to think

We have plenty if players who are top end league one level - a few of them just haven't performed this year which hasn't helped. Marv and Norborn especially. Gabriel would probably start RB for every other team in the league.

 

[ShaneUTMP]

We are not even that good at home. Anyone half decent we can't even win at home. It's just masked over as we beat the bottom half teams as quality comes through and again masks over the shit formation. Away from home, we don't get away with it though.

5 'defenders' on the pitch today. F**k that shit.

4 of the top 6 play with 5 defenders on the pitch every week js

 

[JJpool]

Bullshit. The formation handicaps us. Everyone can see that apart from Critchley.

Maybe it does maybe it doesn't, but players are demonstrating a complete lack of quality and know how at times.

Some balme with the manager as he motivates and sets them up yes, but some simple passing falls on the players too.

It doesn’t matter the formation if a CB passes straight to the opposition or if after working the ball round defence and we finally get an opening, that player hesitates and stands there, takes 4 touches and goes backwards.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

4 of the top 6 play with 5 defenders on the pitch every week js

Yeah but are they as shit as ours?

 

[Joey_Rex]

Great post. Three defenders absolutely pointless when they look so uncomfortable playing in a three.

Exactly - Critchley isn't utilising the squad to the full potential. Playing a back 4 would get the best out of Gabriel, Marv and Husband (at LB)
Only Casey has shined in this back 3 but I'm confident he'd play equally well in a 4.

 

[Lythamkev]

ask yourself what players in this squad actually get into the likes of Portsmouth, Derby and Boltons squad. There is literally casey, dembele, Rhodes and Byers (tho he looked shit in his 20 minutes today)

People called for Gabriel but the 2 he’s started he may aswell not have played, cj is shit, Marv shit, penny is a mid table player, Lyons has potential, Connolly shit, kylian potential, Joseph potential, Lavery shit, norburn mid table, Morgan mid table, virtue mid table.

It’s a squad of average players, the manager isn’t blameless, but the players we have aren’t world beaters that some seem to think

It goes to show you the strength of our owner here is a prime example Oxford broke there transfer record in the window bringing in a player from Cheltenham for 400k there is know way that Sadler likes spending money in the transfer windows or very little and is happy for Critch to keep bringing in unknown players that other clubs don’t want in general and fill the team with free transfers and loan players he ant our dream owner as we are now finding out.he is good at putting smoke screens up and false promises that is about it over and out we should have brought another forward in but that costs money I rest my case know dream owner and unfortunately it would appear that we are in it for the long haul with Sadler.this is what I think will happen and we will struggle to get out of league one for the next few seasons unless we change for a new manager and more investment goes back in to the squad in the way of sbringing good players to the club unfortunately that costs money and I don’t think it will happen with our present owner which comes down to total lack of spending money transfer fees ect

 

[ShaneUTMP]

We have plenty if players who are top end league one level - a few of them just haven't performed this year which hasn't helped. Marv and Norborn especially. Gabriel would probably start RB for every other team in the league.

With the way a majority of teams in the league try playing, Marv doesn’t get close to any of them cause he cant pass a football. Gabriel is always too scared to make a tackle week in week out, tired of seeing the guy get injured playing twister or letting his man into the box and putting in a cross

 

[Theoneandonly]

Ah yes cause critchley tells them not to rush out to ball after heading it out he tells every single one of them just to stay where they are? Are you in dumb?

Not to mention it’s the 85th minute and at that point in the game players are tired nobody is running a high press it’s not the prem it’s league 1

Hit on to power up your machine and then play to watch last weeks final goal against us. Don’t like that one? Pick any other game as our defense is inept each week. Table is not lying. We are where we are because our one trick manager has learned nothing this season.

 

[Martonmosser]

The player we massively need is a Charlie Adam type midfielder who can regularly grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drive the team forward. I thought Norburn was going to be this player (maybe Byers will) but him and our other midfielders have come up woefully short for me.

 

[clappers]

The player we massively need is a Charlie Adam type midfielder who can regularly grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drive the team forward. I thought Norburn was going to be this player (maybe Byers will) but him and our other midfielders have come up woefully short for me.

Midfield general absolutely required. Byers sounded like he was that kind of driving take responsibility player if you go off their fans opinions. Critchley still bedding him in though