Why oh why

[Loco]

Yep we were told that there was a clear recruitment policy so it didn't matter if a head coach left

More bullshit ....

I think the reason for Marvs poor form is more down to not having an experienced head like Keogh next to him than anything Appleton has told him

I don't agree that we are "much poorer" at all the points tally is very similar and some of our performances have been just as good if not better this season

We are struggling now as our squad is weaker in key positions

Plus midfield is not covering the defence as well as last season due to trying to attack more. Which is what we want, isn't it?

 

[Philbfctrois]

Agree, and why oh why ...

Can't the coaches see that playing 433 with our squad leaves us exposed in midfield - every ** game.
Do we think Kenny is strong, quick, and good enough to play in a midfield 3 at this level - needs 4.
Do we think CJ is any where near to competing at this level.
Does Carey look ok sometimes, and then you forget he's on the park.
Don't we fight like men possessed.
Do the players have that haunted, we're gonna lose look as soon as we concede.

442 would mean we are even weaker in midfield

 

[TwelveAngryMen]

What concerned me most last night was the apparently lack of appetite shown by the players ( bar say Jerry ) and the lack of any direction from the bench

Yes we were down to the bare bones but we gave the impression of having given up before we started

There appear to be major flaws in our approach both on and off the pitch and I concur with Phil that the weaknesses in recruitment are now becoming clear

Oh the irony of not allegedly signing Bishop because of his medical with the record we have for signing inveterate sicknotes

 

[tangysider]

Thought Andy Lyons is a right back?

Whoever agreed to sign him and then keep him over there for the season needs calling out.

Bullshit Ben again?

Should have insisted he came in the Summer fuck a bit extra on the fee what cost is relegation?

Think the selling club may have had an imput on when he was available.
Also he had a chance of playing Champions league football.
One player will not confirm or prevent our relegation
Bullshit Jaffa again

 

[Vince McLean]

442 would mean we are even weaker in midfield

Eh? ... 3 across the middle is stronger than a flat 4 across midfield?

 

[Jaffa_The_Hut]

Think the selling club may have had an imput on when he was available.
Also he had a chance of playing Champions league football.
One player will not confirm or prevent our relegation
Bullshit Jaffa again

So the fact all the goals yes even the pen came from our right hand side where we didn’t have a recognised right back?

I’d be careful with that remark about not getting relegated if it came down to one/two points might make you look foolish and we don’t want that do we?

 

[poolfc]

Eh? ... 3 across the middle is stronger than a flat 4 across midfield?

Drop the wide players back into the three when defending to turn it into a five

Looked more 4-1-4-1 at the start last night but pretty much descended into being all over the gaff as soon as Boro started running at them like a knife through butter. Carey made a loose short pass, they broke quick, Husband had to step up and make a foul, got an avoidable yellow (if Carey had done his own job to begin with) and that set the tone.

 

[Vince McLean]

Drop the wide players back into the three when defending to turn it into a five

Looked more 4-1-4-1 at the start last night but pretty much descended into being all over the gaff as soon as Boro started running at them like a knife through butter. Carey made a loose short pass, they broke quick, Husband had to step up and make a foul, got an avoidable yellow (if Carey had done his own job to begin with) and that set the tone.

Never happens though because nobody knows what they're doing or where they should be.
Two lines of 4 with a high back line when defending is easy for them to grasp - 433 = midfield shit show with everyone looking at everyone else.

 

[poolfc]

Never happens though because nobody knows what they're doing or where they should be.
Two lines of 4 with a high back line when defending is easy for them to grasp - 433 = midfield shit show with everyone looking at everyone else.

Yeah that's down to coaching and having players who understand it and be constantly on the move in midfield rather than rigid point to point passing where they're waiting for the ball to come to them before thinking about what's next.

Biggest obvious thing at the moment with the midfield not sitting or coming deep to pick the ball up is it's making Ekpiteta look like a competition winner rather than a professional footballer. He's always been a disaster waiting to happen on the ball but with nobody around him to keep it simple now and him having to start long passing moves it's really hit his confidence. Looks like he's wearing a 10 stone captains armband. Even when we win.

 

[TANGERINETOWERPOWER]

It's got fcuk all to do with if it's popular or not

The club appointed him yet have failed to back him

That's the problem

He was already mates with Bullshit Ben and would have known from the off that we weren’t going to spend much in the window… that’s why he got the job because he can cope with the inevitable abuse that will follow if we don’t sign anyone and start to struggle… I’m sorry but I think he was in on it and why else would he get the job?… he wasn’t exactly shining at Lincoln… he looks a bang average manager to me and doesn’t seem able to motivate or show the requisite passion to fire up the team… Grayson and Critchley were the same.. no passion and impassive folded arms… I’d like to see someone come in with some real passion and determination… for now we may aswell back him into the new year… if things haven’t improved by that time then he should go and take his four year payout

 

[tangysider]

So the fact all the goals yes even the pen came from our right hand side where we didn’t have a recognised right back?

I’d be careful with that remark about not getting relegated if it came down to one/two points might make you look foolish and we don’t want that do we?

I stand by the comment one player cannot be held responsible for avoiding or guaranteeing relegation in a team game. If you believe that is a foolish statement fair enough but few would agree with you

 

[straightatthewall]

He was already mates with Bullshit Ben and would have known from the off that we weren’t going to spend much in the window… that’s why he got the job because he can cope with the inevitable abuse that will follow if we don’t sign anyone and start to struggle… I’m sorry but I think he was in on it and why else would he get the job?… he wasn’t exactly shining at Lincoln… he looks a bang average manager to me and doesn’t seem able to motivate or show the requisite passion to fire up the team… Grayson and Critchley were the same.. no passion and impassive folded arms… I’d like to see someone come in with some real passion and determination… for now we may aswell back him into the new year… if things haven’t improved. By that time then he should go and take his four year payout

For clubs our size in this division, there's a lot to be said for a gaffer who lives and breathes every second of every game and creates a strong dynamic that players can easily understand, identify with and feel confident they have his backing. It was part of the reason Ollie was successful. I'm not sure we're that sort of club at the moment. It feels like coaches are given players and then allowed to find a way to sustain a Championship side. Of course, this is all conjecture and may be utterly wrong.

 

[Wizaard]

They could have provided the same backing to someone more popular and of a similar level and at least maintained the feelgood factor. Apples is just too 'meh' for most and his general body language and demeanor does nothing to change that view.

Being a manager shouldn't be a popularity contest. That way leads to players being picked because they're more photogenic.

 

[Wizaard]

What concerned me most last night was the apparently lack of appetite shown by the players ( bar say Jerry ) and the lack of any direction from the bench

Yes we were down to the bare bones but we gave the impression of having given up before we started

There appear to be major flaws in our approach both on and off the pitch and I concur with Phil that the weaknesses in recruitment are now becoming clear

Oh the irony of not allegedly signing Bishop because of his medical with the record we have for signing inveterate sicknotes

The constant media chatter about injuries and tiredness has obviously filtered through to the players who were mentally tired before they kicked off.

 

[Wizaard]

So the fact all the goals yes even the pen came from our right hand side where we didn’t have a recognised right back?

I’d be careful with that remark about not getting relegated if it came down to one/two points might make you look foolish and we don’t want that do we?

The penalty had absolutely nothing to do with the lack of a right back. Complete shite from Ekpiteta cost us that.

 

[ItsGrimUpNorth]

Thought Andy Lyons is a right back?

Whoever agreed to sign him and then keep him over there for the season needs calling out.

Bullshit Ben again?

Should have insisted he came in the Summer fuck a bit extra on the fee what cost is relegation?

We don’t often agree, however, this is hitting the nail on the proverbial head.

 

[Jaffa_The_Hut]

The penalty had absolutely nothing to do with the lack of a right back. Complete shite from Ekpiteta cost us that.

I know but it was on our right hand side.
And yes it was shocking from Ekpiteta happens far too often from a man who was once our rock.

 

[Jaffa_The_Hut]

I stand by the comment one player cannot be held responsible for avoiding or guaranteeing relegation in a team game. If you believe that is a foolish statement fair enough but few would agree with you

Never said it was a foolish statement did I?

I said it we got relegated by a point or two points it could have been made to look a foolish comment.

Playing a game against a team who were below us (before last nights game) without a recognised right back available just isn’t acceptable.

As I said earlier signing Andy Lyons and then allowing him to stay in Ireland was just plain daft made even more so given our injury crisis.

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

Of course he would the squad is considerably weaker currently than anything Critchley had at his disposal

Is it fuck …

 

[TheOldKop]

On the same theme as TAM, what irritates me is the lack of direction from the bench. Last night we didn't appear to have any game plan at all. Don't suppose it helps being motionless on the touch line.

 

[Wizaard]

On the same theme as TAM, what irritates me is the lack of direction from the bench. Last night we didn't appear to have any game plan at all. Don't suppose it helps being motionless on the touch line.

Does it matter? We got to three Cup Finals with Joe Smith motionless in a very small dugout

 

[Hockaday’s Quiff]

Does it matter? We got to three Cup Finals with Joe Smith motionless in a very small dugout

You can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig… despite all things, Appleton is crap. Just in the same way folk bleated Hendry would ‘come good’, so we have it now. He’s not good enough and not what we need. That applied in 2013 and hasn’t changed.

 

[Wizaard]

You can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig… despite all things, Appleton is crap. Just in the same way folk bleated Hendry would ‘come good’, so we have it now. He’s not good enough and not what we need. That applied in 2013 and hasn’t changed.

There's a world of difference. Hendry came in completely untested as a coach and it showed.

Like it or not, Appleton has over a decade coaching successfully.

I wasn't keen on the original appointment, but I've seen some good signs and he's been hammered by factors outwith his control. As such, I'm willing to give him time to see what he can do when he has a full squad available.

 

[TheOldKop]

I guess it depends on how the current team are motivated. I’m sure there’s different personalities in there who may well benefit from some touch line animation!

 

[Philbfctrois]

There's a world of difference. Hendry came in completely untested as a coach and it showed.

Like it or not, Appleton has over a decade coaching successfully.

I wasn't keen on the original appointment, but I've seen some good signs and he's been hammered by factors outwith his control. As such, I'm willing to give him time to see what he can do when he has a full squad available.

Yes top post

 

[Camberwell1]

Didn't we sign a right back so we had 2 specialist ones for when the season started

Didn't we sign a back up striker to share the load with an knackered patched up Madine

Didn't we sign a central midfield player who could replace an injury prone Kevin Stewart

Didn't we sign a proper replacement for our best most creative player Josh Bowler

Didn't we sign a leader in defence to replace the experienced Richard Keogh

I don’t know Clever Clogs - perhaps ;

a) We could not find one;
b) None would sign our terms; And
c) We had enough cover

So the answer is like most things, we’ll never know

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

Why won’t all the best players for every position sign for Blackpool on wages we can afford, never get injured or ill and put 100% effort in every week?

 

[Philbfctrois]

I don’t know Clever Clogs - perhaps ;

a) We could not find one;
b) None would sign our terms; And
c) We had enough cover

So the answer is like most things, we’ll never know

Don't you think having all these gapping holes in the squad is a problem?

 

[Insider]

Don't you think having all these gapping holes in the squad is a problem?

We've probably only got 2 gaping holes. A replacement for Gary and the Charlie Adam style mid-fielder which we've been trying for, it seems, forever
If Lyons was the one we really wanted then the RB position is slightly unfortunate with Gabriel's stupid injury as we should have been OK until Christmas.
We tried to unsuccessfully replace Bowler with Corbeanu/Poveda.

 

[Philbfctrois]

We've probably only got 2 gaping holes. A replacement for Gary and the Charlie Adam style mid-fielder which we've been trying for, it seems, forever
If Lyons was the one we really wanted then the RB position is slightly unfortunate with Gabriel's stupid injury as we should have been OK until Christmas.
We tried to unsuccessfully replace Bowler with Corbeanu/Poveda.

What about some experience at centre half?

Keogh is a big loss, Marvin looks half the player he was without him

 

[Insider]

What about some experience at centre half?

Keogh is a big loss, Marvin looks half the player he was without him

Of course but who would have expected Williams to be so "disappointing"? We have Thorniley, Hubby, and Connolly who are/can play at CB and clearly it was considered we were well served in that position and hence the decision to send Casey and Tharme out on loan.
There's also the fact that we can only have a 25 man squad.
I'm not disagreeing with you that its all gone pear-shaped but we are actually only on a 3 match bad run of form.

 

[poolfc]

Of course but who would have expected Williams to be so "disappointing"? We have Thorniley, Hubby, and Connolly who are/can play at CB and clearly it was considered we were well served in that position and hence the decision to send Casey and Tharme out on loan.
There's also the fact that we can only have a 25 man squad.
I'm not disagreeing with you that its all gone pear-shaped but we are actually only on a 3 match bad run of form.

Think we had an inkling. Swansea fans told us he didn't have the best of times with them and struggled. Tall but not confident. Big but not dominant. Visible but not loud. And I think you've got to be a really good footballer as well as defender and leader, someone who's seen it all before, in this Appleton 4-1-2-3. There's not a lot of cover in front for the centre halves and they're being expected to start attacks. Ekpiteta looks well out of it so far this season, even when we win and the focus is on the goals up the other end not the ones we concede. He's struggling without that stability around him but he's our main hope for keeping it all together.

 

[Insider]

Think we had an inkling. Swansea fans told us he didn't have the best of times with them and struggled. Tall but not confident. Big but not dominant. Visible but not loud. And I think you've got to be a really good footballer as well as defender and leader, someone who's seen it all before, in this Appleton 4-1-2-3. There's not a lot of cover in front for the centre halves and they're being expected to start attacks. Ekpiteta looks well out of it so far this season, even when we win and the focus is on the goals up the other end not the ones we concede. He's struggling without that stability around him but he's our main hope for keeping it all together.

I'm not sure the primary source of information for any recruitment team will be a fans messageboard but we might have hoped he would have benefited from his loan spell and moved up a gear. Eky's unquestionably struggling and he at the very least needs Connolly back Tuesday and Thorniley after the break. However there's still lots of other problems to solve.

 

[poolfc]

I'm not sure the primary source of information for any recruitment team will be a fans messageboard but we might have hoped he would have benefited from his loan spell and moved up a gear. Eky's unquestionably struggling and he at the very least needs Connolly back Tuesday and Thorniley after the break. However there's still lots of other problems to solve.

Never said it was. They'll work to their own remit. More from what we read about him beforehand.