We gave it a go

BFC_53

BFC_53

Well-known member
But ultimately it's a thoroughly deserved relegation. Gutted, but not surprised.

In fact, I thought tonight was like a microcosm of the season as a whole:
- Plenty of effort, but didn't quite have the end quality
- Came up against an average side who racked up the yellows because they fouled us any time we crossed the half way line, while we're reluctant to do the same
- Defensively all over the place, because we failed to strengthen the centre of defence when Keogh left, and failed to sign a midfielder to protect them
- The weekly injury. When was the last time we got through a game without one?

The only thing missing that would've been typical is the red card.

It's been a season to totally forget about. I'm sick and tired of watching fans of bang average teams lord it over us because of our deficiencies. The fact is, we've now conceded 72 goals, which is 7 more than the next worse defence. You just aren't going to survive with that kind of record.

We can't afford for the board to make such consistently bad decisions this summer. This relegation is totally on them for decisions made after Critchley left, and it's extremely concerning that they've flapped about this season, and were so incredibly unprepared for an event that happens regularly. It's all been said before, but they have to do better.

The future.
I'm still a Dobbie fan. I like the way we've played, and if we manage to give him the players he needs, I think he'll do well next season. We have some good players, and I think in the last few games they've been great and really given it their all. An early appointment is a must, and we need to regroup and try and keep the core of the squad together. I like the look of Holmes, Apter has done well on loan, and we have a number of other loan players like Virtue to make decisions on. Ultimately, all the relegated sides from last season have been chasing promotion this season so we need to have that aspiration. We can do it, but much more care needs to be taken with key decision making. The fans I think made their feelings clear tonight about who they want as manager, so I say to SS just give him the job and you're at least part of the way towards getting the fans back on side.
 
Above all we need to build a team. Too many square pegs.
These average teams are well-drilled, organised and win their battles by astute management.
The way Millwall they set up from our goal kicks epitomised this. Doesn't just happen, it is worked on time and time again and can guarantee the whole club right through plays the same.
Tactically again we were found wanting.
 
voyeur said:
The central defence wasn't good enough tonight and we needed a DM in front of it. That's partly on Dobbie tbh, and he never rectified it. Just my opinion.
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We're just not good enough defensively, we've proven that under all managers this season.

Even when we tried to defend it often didn't matter.

The simple mistakes, poor clearances, half tackles and ball back to the opposition continued to happen.

We've just been poor at both ends.

It looks easy for teams to score against us, 1 ball and we're caught out.

It's often looked hard work for us to score goals, with it falling down with a poor final ball, poor touch, wrong decision.

It doenst help we have players dropping like flies, 1 half fit striker, key defenders missing, the experienced DM's missing etc.
 
JJpool said:
We're just not good enough defensively, we've proven that under all managers this season.

Even when we tried to defend it often didn't matter.

The simple mistakes, poor clearances, half tackles and ball back to the opposition continued to happen.

We've just been poor at both ends.

It looks easy for teams to score against us, 1 ball and we're caught out.

It's often looked hard work for us to score goals, with it falling down with a poor final ball, poor touch, wrong decision.

It doenst help we have players dropping like flies, 1 half fit striker, key defenders missing, the experienced DM's missing etc.
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Why were we so hard to score against last season? It wasn't all about Richard Keogh. Critch had a defensive midfield shield. Cos we needed it. Cos we can't buy the players others teams can buy.
 
voyeur said:
I don't want to knock him cos I like him. I just thought it was a mistake. But done with positive intentions.
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It was crying out for some protection in front of the defence from the off and I was gobsmacked it wasn't addressed at half-time.
 
voyeur said:
The central defence wasn't good enough tonight and we needed a DM in front of it. That's partly on Dobbie tbh, and he never rectified it. Just my opinion.
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The secret of our success last season was two holding midfielders. The number of games we had where the opposition had the ball a lot but couldn't get through us, and I felt a lot more confident about us not conceding. When you're on limited resources for the division, you have to be realistic and play a way that will maximise your chances. I think too many times this season we've tried to play a system that completely ignores who we have available.

We've ended up with a midfield that has quality on the ball, but is physically weak, totally naive, inexperienced and leaderless. If it was up to me, the single top priority this summer is to correct that, and bring an experienced leader in who plays in the middle of the pitch, knows where to be and when, has that bit of nous and knows when a good time to foul is, and who can help to win the battle so that the better technical players can do their stuff. If we continue to lack that and continue to persist without that player, we'll struggle to make any headway even in league one.
 
voyeur said:
Why were we so hard to score against last season? It wasn't all about Richard Keogh. Critch had a defensive midfield shield. Cos we needed it. Cos we can't buy the players others teams can buy.
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We were more pragmatic, had a fit Marv, Keogh.

We played DM's but had firing wingers and strikers so could still score goals.

We also had Madine so we didn't have to play football and could hit it up to him.

The players confidence wasn't shot to pieces.
 
JJpool said:
We were more pragmatic, had a fit Marv, Keogh.

We played DM's but had firing wingers and strikers so could still score goals.

We also had Madine so we didn't have to play football and could hit it up to him.

The players confidence wasn't shot to pieces.
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We were pragmatic, well coached, well organised and confidence came from that.
 
BFC_53 said:
The secret of our success last season was two holding midfielders. The number of games we had where the opposition had the ball a lot but couldn't get through us, and I felt a lot more confident about us not conceding. When you're on limited resources for the division, you have to be realistic and play a way that will maximise your chances. I think too many times this season we've tried to play a system that completely ignores who we have available.

We've ended up with a midfield that has quality on the ball, but is physically weak, totally naive, inexperienced and leaderless. If it was up to me, the single top priority this summer is to correct that, and bring an experienced leader in who plays in the middle of the pitch, knows where to be and when, has that bit of nous and knows when a good time to foul is, and who can help to win the battle so that the better technical players can do their stuff. If we continue to lack that and continue to persist without that player, we'll struggle to make any headway even in league one.
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Agree with both you and Voyeur. However Dobbiie went for it and, yes, that left us vulnerable at the back. I'm not going to condemn Dobs for a season of failure and no, I don't believe either of you are either.
 
Didnt really think we looked like scoring all night . Had that chance in 1st minute but then they scored with first attack after that we were barely in it untill end of 1st half . 2nd half was better but we lost all momentum when game was stopped due to the moronic cretins in the north stand & we never really got back into it despite huffing & puffing .
 
It was a must win game, a DM infront of a better CB pairing was something for like 20 games ago…this was shit or bust. And we sadly went bust. I have zero criticism of that selection for this match, but definitely accept continuity Critchley was needed by the club to keep up with what we have available.
 
The spine of the team from last season has gone. We’ve been so weak in midfield. No Grimmy for the large part, no Marv or Keogh, no DM protecting the back four and no Madine. I know Madine has his critics but the side lacks physicality and constantly gets outmuscled.
 
You can't pick what you don't have. Trybull was never going to start after being out for so long, neither was Marv and rightly so. We don't have another dm or cb to play there and please no body say Dougall as that would just be bonkers. If only though. If only Stewart was available or Bridcutt or Keshi all season or Fiorini all season or Charlie Goode or Trybull. That's the story of our season. We need to correct a few things pre season and get a bit more balance.
 
Simonized said:
It was crying out for some protection in front of the defence from the off and I was gobsmacked it wasn't addressed at half-time.
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It was a must win game and the set up was to allow us to score.bring on Connolly or Trybull would have been at the expense of attacking intent.
2 goals down to CJ I am afraid and then a soft penalty.
 
The fans & players (at times) gave it a go. It’s a ** shame the scumbags who run the club didn’t give it a go, isn’t it?

Ben Mansford is on the same wage as our highest paid player. That says it all.
 
voyeur said:
The central defence wasn't good enough tonight and we needed a DM in front of it. That's partly on Dobbie tbh, and he never rectified it. Just my opinion.
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He had to play a player who shouldn’t even have been in the squad with that head injury, Marv couldn’t be risked as we don’t want him breaking down afterv10 minutes and Connolly isn’t a centre half so who should he have played there? The only DM we have is Trybull and he is t fit enough to lay either and again Connolly is no good there and Dougall isn’t even in the squad, which doesn’t surprise me, it’s his best position.
 
hertfordseasider said:
He had to play a player who shouldn’t even have been in the squad with that head injury, Marv couldn’t be risked as we don’t want him breaking down afterv10 minutes and Connolly isn’t a centre half so who should he have played there? The only DM we have is Trybull and he is t fit enough to lay either and again Connolly is no good there and Dougall isn’t even in the squad, which doesn’t surprise me, it’s his best position.
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Bit confused that pal. We just needed someone in front of a dodgy central defence caused by injuries.
 
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