Why Critchley has lost the fans?

Bit of a long post but here ,

I was very pro-Critch and ardently defended him as I saw progress under him. Cheltenham away was a bit of a turning point where I felt like it was the straw that broke the camels back, and things had to change, quick.

To a degree, they had with performances like that of Shrews, Northampton, Posh - not always spectacular but wins. But Orient, Posh in the cup and Wigan also happened.

For me, the approach not formation is the problem, along with personnel and their attitude. 352 isn't a defensive formation, nor an attacking one, it can be either depending on approach, which has been wrong in many away games.

That being said, we don't have enough creativity which falls upon recruitment/investment, as well as too many players who don't cut it/not arsed. Easy to tell who those are.

We CAN still make the playoffs, and I wouldn't be surprised if we do given others' struggles, but if we go up we're nowhere near ready like 2021. Critch's away approach is infuriating (can't get my head round that Wigan game) but no point calling for his head right now as it ain't gonna happen.

If names become available in the off-season, or we collapse in the run-in then I can back a change. However I don't see this happening.

Critch CAN get us up and succeed, but it will be a team effort: better backing/recruitment is needed, players with more commitment is needed, the manager needs to revamp the away approach and accept a shit performance, the fans need to quit moaning that Critch isn't Holloway.
We will never do anything playing 3-5-2 and Critchley won't change. Might as well go shopping on Saturday's next season.
 
We will never do anything playing 3-5-2 and Critchley won't change. Might as well go shopping on Saturday's next season.
Will Critchley change - I don't know, and that will probably be his downfall.

However I completely disagree that 352 is 'the problem'. Can play an incredibly attacking 352 and an incredibly defensive 442 - the mindset is what changes it.

And what formation do you think we should be playing? 442 would not work with the players we have, potentially see merit in 433 with Joseph as one winger, but doesn't benefit Rhodes much.

Goes back to what I said about recruitment - if we had more creative players (even keeping Apter, which is another convo) then I'd understand saying to go for a different formation, we just don't have the capacity to change formation with what we've got.
 
Must get Automatic Promotion…

Must Live on Fylde Coast..

Must also be an ‘Entertainer’

Must have Thommo as his Assistant

Must Play 4-4-2

Must not use an IPAD

Must not say ‘Err or Erm’ or have any other repetitive speech patterns.

Must not wear a Gilet

Must be someone we know (ideally an ex-player)

Must pretend Blackpool FC is Barcelona
You forgot must do "Fist pumps" 😉
 
You forgot must do "Fist pumps" 😉
Ah yes

Must do Fist Pumps *


*but only when deemed appropriate **


**NB the term ‘appropriate’ may be subject to variation, please see terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions

Fans are Fickle… Fist Pumping is only appropriate when you don’t do it. If you choose to do it, then it’s completely inappropriate.

It should also be noted that clapping may be deemed to be sarcastic, unless you forget to clap, in which case that will be deemed as a snub.
 
He may of got a decent reception at Northampton, he certainly didn't get one at the end of the Bolton game !
This season whatever happens, happens and hopefully that means 7 " performances "
Aside from Critchley I do think that all these office bods and statisticians need to get the arses in gear and give the coach something to work with.
A left back and a left sided centre half would be a start and I don't mean from half way through the season.
 
He may of got a decent reception at Northampton, he certainly didn't get one at the end of the Bolton game !
This season whatever happens, happens and hopefully that means 7 " performances "
Aside from Critchley I do think that all these office bods and statisticians need to get the arses in gear and give the coach something to work with.
A left back and a left sided centre half would be a start and I don't mean from half way through the season.
Saying Critch is manager next year, definitely need:
  • left sided CB
  • Another CB
  • LB (re-sign Coulson?)
  • 2 x wingers/creative players (Apter can be one of these)
  • Striker (Rhodes, probably someone else)
  • 2 midfielders
  • full back on loan as cover for Lyons injury
A pretty large list, lets be honest the recruitment team have a big job on their hands, hopefully they can have the backing and actually pull this off.
 
Basically in the last few months we have all been kidding ourselves. You can be glass half full all season it still doesn't change the majority of the fans ill feeling towards Critch and certain under performing player's in our current squad.

The obvious mistakes and frustrations that we as supporters see every week most can be rectified if he was more in tune or wasn't being as stubborn as we hear he can be.

Numero uno under no illusions It wasn't a popular choice to bring NC back in the first place. Ex managers on return to BFC have statistically proven not to work.
Already from day one on a slippery slope.

He started the season playing players out of their natural position and still is wtf,?

Playing his favourites way to often CJ, Carey and Connolly who have had too many chances that have basically not stepped up and performed to their best.

The abysmal away form this season has been horrendous.
Giving away far too many goals to the opposition with stupid passing errors across the back main culprits, Marv, hubby,Norbs and Grimmy.

Most of us hate this deluded formation with negative tactics that bores everyone to death and hasn't produced the right results.

Way too much unnecessary swapping, changing and tinkering with selections within the team not keeping a consistent balance when we have winning run.

The gutless and terrible performances against bottom and lower half of the league teams.

NC constantly bigging up every opposition far too much with his pre-match TTV interviews to the annoyance of the fans. It's like he's already making excuses and warning us that if we do get beat by the opposition here's the reason why and that's even before a ball is even be kicked.

Mid table mediocrity is what Critchley and the players deserve from this season.
Im very concerned for next season. We won't be averaging 10k gates as season ticket sales will take a kicking with Critch ball guaranteed next season.

The remedy for next season to get fans back on side.
Win more games start off flying.
He's gonna have ditch a few players who we know aren't good enough.
Change his style of play and get us automatic promotion end of nothing else will do.
If we are nowhere near that by October then he has to go or we will be back down to 4-5k gates again and Bloomfield rd will be mega toxic.
Great post.
 
He may of got a decent reception at Northampton, he certainly didn't get one at the end of the Bolton game !
This season whatever happens, happens and hopefully that means 7 " performances "
Aside from Critchley I do think that all these office bods and statisticians need to get the arses in gear and give the coach something to work with.
A left back and a left sided centre half would be a start and I don't mean from half way through the season.
No. He didn’t get a good reception at Orient either. In fact I think we probably left at the start of the seven or whatever minutes of stoppage time.

But that’s the point (which has been made by another poster already). We can all find individual games very frustrating. But that’s different to saying “he’s lost the fans”.

If the fans are back shortly afterwards demanding a fist pump, they clearly haven’t been lost. They were just pissed off last time, but exuberant this. Or vice versa.

We’re a bunch of drama queens really.
 
The idea that Critchley-dislike is exclusive to here and twitter is madness. Anyone who thinks that must only watch on their firestick and never interact with any other fans at games or at the pub.

To say he's lost the fanbase may be extreme, but a portion have never liked him since his return and he's certainly lost more with inconsistency and boring football. To say it's some fringe minority that don't like him is nowhere near the truth.

I am one of the nob heads who will go to Blackpool games regardless, but I worry about next season - if I was an on-the-fencer or two clubber I doubt I'd waste my money or weekends on this brand of football, it's hard to find it exciting even when we win. There has just been something lacking since his return, some unquantifiable spark and that is reflected I think in the poor atmosphere at the majority of games this season.

We should have gone for a fresh face, if a new manager had us in this position I think people would generally be positive. Because it's Critchley, people expected more and thus are disappointed.
 
Mac

Have you watched him at the sidelines ? He's quite passionate. Im sure its the right person im looking at . About 5ft 9 grey hair in the Blackpool dug out.

He stands up directs the players waves his arm about complains to the 4th official . He's quite active.

I once saw him put one hand on his hip and tut at the linesman........
 
The idea that Critchley-dislike is exclusive to here and twitter is madness. Anyone who thinks that must only watch on their firestick and never interact with any other fans at games or at the pub.

To say he's lost the fanbase may be extreme, but a portion have never liked him since his return and he's certainly lost more with inconsistency and boring football. To say it's some fringe minority that don't like him is nowhere near the truth.

I am one of the nob heads who will go to Blackpool games regardless, but I worry about next season - if I was an on-the-fencer or two clubber I doubt I'd waste my money or weekends on this brand of football, it's hard to find it exciting even when we win. There has just been something lacking since his return, some unquantifiable spark and that is reflected I think in the poor atmosphere at the majority of games this season.

We should have gone for a fresh face, if a new manager had us in this position I think people would generally be positive. Because it's Critchley, people expected more and thus are disappointed.
The whole coulda, woulda, shoulda stuff is completely and utterly pointless and only serves to entrench your own views.

We are where we are and so anyone who didn't want the Manager to come here, needs to get their heads around that situation and make peace with it... Simple as that. There would have been plenty of us disappointed if Dobbie had been appointed... Some will always be disappointed or disapprove whoever the Manager is... That's Life - get Over it.

Once you manage to come to terms and accept that situation, then you have to take a step back from the frustration of an inconsistent season and reflect on the reality of where we find ourselves.

The main reason that people are not finding the football entertaining this season is simply because they are viewing the season and our performances through a lens of expectation. Essentially there's an 'Anything apart from Promotion is Unacceptable' attitude and therefore anything less than that is uninteresting and uninspiring. Fans view our time in L1 as simply 'passing through'.

It would be a poor decision to sack the manager based on this season's performances so far. So calling for his head is pointless and it's also extremely counterproductive.
 
No. He didn’t get a good reception at Orient either. In fact I think we probably left at the start of the seven or whatever minutes of stoppage time.

But that’s the point (which has been made by another poster already). We can all find individual games very frustrating. But that’s different to saying “he’s lost the fans”.

If the fans are back shortly afterwards demanding a fist pump, they clearly haven’t been lost. They were just pissed off last time, but exuberant this. Or vice versa.

We’re a bunch of drama queens really.
Funnily enough he didn't get one at Burton either, which meant he didn't get too close after Port Vale.
No this doesn't mean he's lost the fans, but there is a recurring theme after awful away performances.
It's just so frustrating that despite our wretched games ( mostly ) away from home we don't do anything different.
Bring a right back off, put a right back on, take a left back off and put a left back on. For most of the season people who aren't even playing on the side they are naturally footed.
Saturday one nil down 6 minutes to go he finally takes one of three centre halves off. We didn't even throw someone like Marv upfront who has goal in him and lump it in the box, just something different.
But no we carry on plod, plod, plodding, trusting the process that has failed away for most of the season.
Neil Critchley is probably a nice bloke, a good coach and I'll buy my season ticket whatever next season, but he definitely needs someone who isn't a nodding dog next to him. This team should not be scrapping for 6th place with the likes of Lincoln and Stevenage.
 
It depends on what you mean by “lost”. I don’t berate him and i don’t call for his head but a growing amount do. Would i be pissed off if he went, no but equally i won’t be abstaining from buying a season card next season, irrespective of what division we are in.
But on the other side of the coin i am fed up with perhaps his stubborness or at the very least his lack of willingness to change systems when the need arises.

I know i’ve presently got splinters in my arse by sitting on the fence but to answer the question he’s not totally lost me…..yet 🤷‍♂️
 
We have been bimberling along at an average of 1.5 points a game all season and we are about to play our 40th league game next.

I would say that is a fair reflection of our performances this season and if we carry on, which we probably will, we will end up with 69 points and that is what Critchley is a league 1 69 points a season manager.
 
There might not have been any chant against him but the reaction at the end of the Wigan game from many seemed pretty hostile with a lot of gesticulating as he approached and clapped fans.
 
Critchley is very passionate and animated.... But they don't always cut to the bench on TV
Don't pay attention to it, he has his problems but anyone saying he does nothing on the sideline and is passionless is talking bollocks.... he's very much passionate and always talking to players/4th official.

Bizarre to make up another point to go against him with, it's fair to have reservations when there's actually logic behind it
 
52 years of handing my money over (bar the boycott) and guess what I am bored and seriously considering not handing it over blindly for the first time ever.

Just because you are going to doesn't mean it's not real you know.
After 52 years… now… not Hendry, not under the Oystons (boycott aside), not the dross of Division 4, but now, a team 3 points off the playoffs is what’s making you rethink going to BR?

I get it. This seasons been a little underwhelming but it’s not *that* bad. You’ll be there next season. It’s what we do.
 
So does the hypothetical new guy have to get automatic 'end of' ?
In answer to your question: not necessarily - but it certainly needs to be a much more attainable goal than it has ever looked like being this season.

There are all manner of changes that 'the hypothetical new guy' needs to be looking to implement, and pdq.

Firstly, there simply has to be a change with regard to the policy of team selection. At present, we are seeing various individuals being played out of position, and time and again this is resulting in performances characterised by confusion, disorganisation, and despair. And, especially away from home, when on our travels, the opposition are immediately capatilising on this, hence our absolutely dire record out on the road.

Next, and I'm sorry to have to raise this particular spectre, but the next area most in need of change relates to our non-sensical tactical approach to games. For how much longer, exactly, is Critch going to persist with the (now defunct) 2-5-3 formation? Not once this season has this approach paid dividends - as the manager's seeming obssession with attempting to incorporate the RWB/LWB approach, has left the players at his disposal (for want of a better term) completely flummoxed. And, consequently, we've simply been left with complete and utter 'chaos all over the park'.

There are other 'problematic' areas I could focus on, but the ones I've just mentioned above, are those most in need of urgent attention. And, as the problems we're addressing here are ones he was largely responsible for creating, I don't think Critch can be the figure we can depend on for dealing with them.

So, I guess it's all going to have to come down to 'the hypothetical new guy' - whenever he makes an apprearance ...

Apologies in advance to Lytham_fy8
 
In answer to your question: not necessarily - but it certainly needs to be a much more attainable goal than it has ever looked like being this season.

There are all manner of changes that 'the hypothetical new guy' needs to be looking to implement, and pdq.

Firstly, there simply has to be a change with regard to the policy of team selection. At present, we are seeing various individuals being played out of position, and time and again this is resulting in performances characterised by confusion, disorganisation, and despair. And, especially away from home, when on our travels, the opposition are immediately capatilising on this, hence our absolutely dire record out on the road.

Next, and I'm sorry to have to raise this particular spectre, but the next area most in need of change relates to our non-sensical tactical approach to games. For how much longer, exactly, is Critch going to persist with the (now defunct) 2-5-3 formation? Not once this season has this approach paid dividends - as the manager's seeming obssession with attempting to incorporate the RWB/LWB approach, has left the players at his disposal (for want of a better term) completely flummoxed. And, consequently, we've simply been left with complete and utter 'chaos all over the park'.

There are other 'problematic' areas I could focus on, but the ones I've just mentioned above, are those most in need of urgent attention. And, as the problems we're addressing here are ones he was largely responsible for creating, I don't think Critch can be the figure we can depend on for dealing with them.

So, I guess it's all going to have to come down to 'the hypothetical new guy' - whenever he makes an apprearance ...

Apologies in advance to Lytham_fy8
Good stuff, thanks for taking the time.

I suppose my question is, if you implement all these changes but we're still on the edges of sixth place will Coach Hypothetical still be allowed to stay in his job.

There's quite a lot of assumptions on here these days, that the players are better than our league position and all we need to do is change tactics.

I'm not sure myself? Does Critchley see things in training we don't?

My main concern is that the transfer team don't see it the same as Critchley and he's got a few players he doesn't fancy and not enough of what he needs. So do you back him or get a more pragmatic manager?
 
Good stuff, thanks for taking the time.

I suppose my question is, if you implement all these changes but we're still on the edges of sixth place will Coach Hypothetical still be allowed to stay in his job.

There's quite a lot of assumptions on here these days, that the players are better than our league position and all we need to do is change tactics.

I'm not sure myself? Does Critchley see things in training we don't?

My main concern is that the transfer team don't see it the same as Critchley and he's got a few players he doesn't fancy and not enough of what he needs. So do you back him or get a more pragmatic manager?
I'm the same sick of reading on this site that we have such a wonderful squad.
Really?
No me neither it's average the irony being all our best players(Dembelle/Rhodes and recently Byers/Coulson) are on loan.
 
I was talking to a keen long time supporter friend at work today and he was disillusioned by the boring possession football & its not just us, football in general has become this way. Unlike myself he goes to quite a lot of away matches & such is his disconnect he’s pondering on whether to bother getting his season ticket next time round. I have to agree with his sentiment. I suspect we both will end up buying them, because that’s what we do. My point being the buzz has definitely gone. We go away regularly in the caravan & a few years ago I’d always check the fixtures first. I don’t any more. Sideways backwards & sideways then repeat a few times until a poor pass necessitates a hoof to a nonexistent static couple of players in the opposition half. What pisses me off most is we’ve proved we can play then resort to this shite.
 
He’s not lost the fans tho or you would hear chants from the crowd.
Just a load of moaning fuckers on here. There’s more fans who like him or are happy to carry on with him or whatever. Not collectively lost the fans tho.
He’s not lost the fans, as most just want us/him/club to do well and are reasonably loyal.

But, I’d say there’s definitely more, that dislike his style of play and performances than like it, there’s also a lot in the middle who support the team, who are frustrated but vocal in support and relatively quiet in criticism ( while the teams playing/ and we’re watching who go home muttering to themselves or friends in the car or pub, but don’t get on the players/managers back during the game, but please don’t read this as they’re happy with the manager just because they are not baying for the managers head).

This is probably the only place where I hear positive things said about the manager.

Deep down we all want him or the club to be successful but we are falling just short, and he’s played his part in that.

Possibly the discontent will happen once it’s mathematically not possible who knows? definitely not before, as it’s counterproductive.

Also, I think most fans believe he will still be our manager come August, even if they’d like a change.

Personally I’ve found this season frustrating to watch and only enjoyed a few games, but hey we’re all different.

Are we getting the most out of this squad of players? Or is the last sentence a myth?

Anyway roll on Derby away as we do better against good teams generally👍
 
Has he lost the fans?

Judging by the reception he got at full time at Northampton, just six days ago, it didn’t seem he had. They were delighted and showed it.
There are more fans not happy with him now as there was when he first came back and I would suggest the majority of fans would like to see him go . You can see this from the polls.
 
There are more fans not happy with him now as there was when he first came back and I would suggest the majority of fans would like to see him go . You can see this from the polls.
If you’re talking about polls on here then the most you can say about those is that they may be a reflection of what people on avftt think (or at least those people on avftt who can be bothered to vote). I don’t believe anyone knows what the view of the wider fanbase might be as that’s never been polled as far as I’m aware.

And tbh even post match reactions may not be a good way to judge the feelings of fans. As I said, at Northampton the fans were very, very happy. They were less happy by some margin (me included) at the many away defeats/draws I’ve seen this season. And even being unhappy with a defeat doesn’t mean you’re suddenly a fully signed up member of the anti Critchley movement. It simply means you’re pissed off that we lost.
 
For how much longer, exactly, is Critch going to persist with the (now defunct) 2-5-3 formation? Not once this season has this approach paid dividends
That's not really true is it? If so, we'd be in Carlisle's position.
We are frustratingly inconsistent.
 
The two main attributes a manager needs is to be either tactically brilliant or to galvanise a team spirit which engages the crowd (Holloway was great at this)

The best managers have both in abundance (Klopp and Pep) but you can still be very successful with just one. I thought Critchley had the capabilities to be both a motivator and tactically shrewd but I think we all realise he has neither and that is why he is losing the crowd. Either play gun ho football or grind out difficult away wins to get the crowd back onside.
 
One thing that really gets my goat is his bigging up.of the upcoming opposition. Its a tough place to go, they are on a good run of form etc. It's ** Shrewsbury (Burton, Cambridge etc)ffs. He then sends out a team that appears in awe of the opposition.
Big US up, say we have been playing great, WE are on form etc.
 
Has he lost the fans?

Judging by the reception he got at full time at Northampton, just six days ago, it didn’t seem he had. They were delighted and showed it.
Trouble is a much bigger away crowd at Wigan were resoundingly booing him and giving him the V sign on Saturday.
 
Does Critchley see things in training we don't?
He does/did in the persistence with a very out-of-form CJ and trying to shoehorn Connolly in whenever and wherever he could.

This is the main reason he lost me in having favourites yet dropping players at the drop of a hat despite playing reasonably well and looking like world-beaters compared to the above-mentioned two.

That then leads on to the away form and he completely lost me in that post-match presser where he admitted he didn't have a clue what was going on in the game.
 
I'm the same sick of reading on this site that we have such a wonderful squad.
Really?
No me neither it's average the irony being all our best players(Dembelle/Rhodes and recently Byers/Coulson) are on loan.
....but they are part of the squad and by definition loans should improve the team. The first 2 will be replaced hopefully with similar quality. The latter 2 may well sign on perm. deals.

Teams of our ilk rely on loans and always have done.
 
....but they are part of the squad and by definition loans should improve the team. The first 2 will be replaced hopefully with similar quality. The latter 2 may well sign on perm. deals.
Point still stands nothing will convince me we've a better squad than Portsmouth,Bolton,Derby and Peterborough for example.
 
Point still stands nothing will convince me we've a better squad than Portsmouth,Bolton,Derby and Peterborough for example.
We haven't and no one has been able to succesfully argue that we have, we just get the 'should be top wiv dis squad innit' bollocks
I don't think anyone is saying we should be top- clearly not, but we should be in and around 4-6th place.
 
But that's all people say, it's never qualified with as to why...
Sadler has said that we have one of the highest budgets in L1. Now, whilst direct correlation assumptions are dangerous, loosely the level of budget should place you somewhere near the top end. As I said, not top 2 or maybe even 3.

The home form surely illustrates the levels that can be hit.
 
Sadler has said that we have one of the highest budgets in L1. Now, whilst direct correlation assumptions are dangerous, loosely the level of budget should place you somewhere near the top end. As I said, not top 2 or maybe even 3.

The home form surely illustrates the levels that can be hit.
Should, not will, apart from Dembele who's getting in a top six team?
 
If you’re talking about polls on here then the most you can say about those is that they may be a reflection of what people on avftt think (or at least those people on avftt who can be bothered to vote). I don’t believe anyone knows what the view of the wider fanbase might be as that’s never been polled as far as I’m aware.

And tbh even post match reactions may not be a good way to judge the feelings of fans. As I said, at Northampton the fans were very, very happy. They were less happy by some margin (me included) at the many away defeats/draws I’ve seen this season. And even being unhappy with a defeat doesn’t mean you’re suddenly a fully signed up member of the anti Critchley movement. It simply means you’re pissed off that we lost.
This website may only show the opinion of a small percentage of pool fans ,but like an opinion poll for the next government ,it usually gives an idea of what people think. Also the people what come on to this website are the more interested fan who can be bothered writing about what they think ,rather then the ones that could not care less.
 
This website may only show the opinion of a small percentage of pool fans ,but like an opinion poll for the next government ,it usually gives an idea of what people think. Also the people what come on to this website are the more interested fan who can be bothered writing about what they think ,rather then the ones that could not care less.
Depends of the age demographic of people your asking for the next government, a hell of a lot of the young wouldn't give a toss.
Half the negative garbage often made up posted on here is by older fans who are more opinionated the youth swerve this site like the plague.

So no Avfft isn't a true reflection of what our fans think certainly the ones I knock about with.
 
Someone will surely correct me, but I'm sure he didn't play 3-5-2 in his first spell with us?

As someone has already said, 3-5-2 can be attacking, and it can be defensive.

My concern is that managers do try different formations in one game to change the outcome.
And they won't wait until the 70th minute to make a substitution.
 
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Someone will surely correct me, but I'm sure he didn't play 3-5-2 in his first spell with us?
4-4-2 and often whilst attacking 4-2-4.
No issue with three at the back Derby,Bolton & Barnsley play that way as do many others and half the championship.
It's lack of a plan B when it ain't working especially away that's the problem as our home form is good.
 
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