A few more measured thoughts.

Insider

Insider

Well-known member
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
 
Insider said:
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
Click to expand...

Great post and can’t add too much more to it.

Four four three ain’t for me. Especially at this level.
This formation is leading to the front three playing in different post codes to one and other, absolutely zero link play between them and has led to our own nullification of an expensive striker (Yates) whilst becoming totally dependent on CJ.

The only way we scored today Ironically was a ball into the box to the big man.

The formation is reducing Anderson, Robson and Ward to spectators who have to run around to watch the game. They’re having zero impact on the game. And I mean zero.

When you have Ward and Anderson at the club, who should be playing in an attacking role I don’t get why we’d then go and sign Bez and Kemp, who either appear not to be up to the standard or can’t get a game. I really am questioning those two signings now. Why didn’t we push Ward And Anderson to the forward areas and sign a quality central midfielder with experience to support both the defence and forwards. This isn’t hindsight either. It was obvious during pre season.

Lastly the defence, now whilst it appears we’ve identified two centre backs for the season, (fair play) why today wasn’t Thornily put in at centre back? He played really well against Accy and personally he comes in for undue criticism. The decision to over look an out and out centre back and put a left back at centre back has got me questioning Critchley.

That along with his decision to stay with the same impotent formation throughout the game, despite needing three goals for half of it. I won’t go into the Williams substitution as that’ll send me over the edge.

Well I started by saying I couldn’t add too much more so I’ll shut up now.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
1. Wrong crazy decision from the outset bringing this forward when we’ve been so poor. Naive and that’s a word I am definitely labelling the manager with.

2. Yep the rigid set up needs ripping up and we need to start again, prepare a new team with a new formation and plan. This weirdly set up 433 ain’t for me.

3. a League One veteran in midfield pronto
 
Last edited:
Insider said:
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
Click to expand...

As ever, I don't think we differ much.
 
Insider said:
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
Click to expand...
'this might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today'.

The defence hasn't been the worst part of the team in any game. But its been the easiest to poke blame at because it has/had unfashionable players like turton and nottingham in.

For instance Turton has done very little wrong in most games but the knives are always out. Maxwell will always get stick as well due to his PNE history and he was a grayson signing. Granted he should not have been beaten at the near post for the second goal but to be criticised for 2 goals today - seriously?

The midfield has been piss-poor in every game from creating chances to protecting the back 4, but because they are pleasing on the eye the y seem exempt.

The next one up for being scapegoat as Turton moves out of the team will probably be Williams if he gets a run out, but personally he would be first on the team sheet next week to help Robson out.
 
Ghosts of Electricity said:
'this might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today'.

The defence hasn't been the worst part of the team in any game. But its been the easiest to poke blame at because it has/had unfashionable players like turton and nottingham in.

For instance Turton has done very little wrong in most games but the knives are always out. Maxwell will always get stick as well due to his PNE history and he was a grayson signing. Granted he should not have been beaten at the near post for the second goal but to be criticised for 2 goals today - seriously?

The midfield has been piss-poor in every game from creating chances to protecting the back 4, but because they are pleasing on the eye the y seem exempt.

The next one up for being scapegoat as Turton moves out of the team will probably be Williams if he gets a run out, but personally he would be first on the team sheet next week to help Robson out.
Click to expand...

You're correct in saying the the midfield has really been the underlying problem all season, but the defence has had some truly shocking halves of football. Gillingham second half springs to mind.

With the midfield, it’s more set up over personnel. I think if Virtue came back into the side and played along with Robson we could stop being overrun which has happened in every game bar the Swindon second half.

We need two centrally positioned midfielders helping the back line out. It’s so obvious I’m not sure why NC can’t see it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm sure Virtue would help. We seem to have a big hole in the middle with everything revolving around it.
 
If there is a striker, it’s Yates, because he links the midfield. Madine is woeful, the worst striker I’ve seen in a Pool shirt, because he doesn’t (or is unable to) work and close down.

Williams is a non-player, no attributes I can readily identify.

How Mitchell was left out I don’t know. He should have been on at half-time for Madine, with Yates back in the middle.
 
pitch looking magnificent,wonderful owner,brilliant fans,top groundsman all we need is a manager and a team,manager clueless about life in div.1 style of football all wrong,got rid of player of season,leading scorer and experienced captain,hope he can turn it around, need a decent striker centre midfield and experieced centre half and captain,stick with settled team and formation
 
Agree with a lot of that, especially that despite lacking numbers elsewhere, midfield does seem to be the crux of the problems within the system.

It's clear that he wants 1 holding player (robson) who dictates the play by going short for passes from the defence and plays the more ambitious balls of the 3 of them in there in terms of getting the front 3 away, or more often, getting the full backs into positions higher up the pitch.

Ward is the player to keep it neat and tidy and create the option for a short pass and triangles if the more aggressive ball isnt on and then anderson is the player who is meant to be more box to box and support the central forward from deeper.

Theres 2 big problems for me in that midfield setup, the players and the roles (so pretty much everything about it!)

Role wise, the creative deep player means that role isn't filled with the player i think we need (and who most of the top teams who play a variation of 433 have) who has some aerial ability, gets stuck in, shields the back 4, drops in between them when necessary and stops balls getting through and past the centre backs or into the channels. The player who theoretically fits those attributes is williams if he got stuck in more, but I'm yet to see how he's ever managed to play a senior game of football anywhere from what he's shown so far so let's rule that out and assume we need reinforments. Robson interestingly looked a lot more physical during the Swindon game and put a few tackles in when the crowd was in, so maybe he was inspired by a crowd and could do the role, or he does that every game but its doesn't show through as obviously on the stream.

Similarly, I appreciated the role ward played a lot more in the ground for the Swindon game, but he has very little cutting edge and very little actual ability to create anything. 80 attempted 5 yard passes in a game is good for his opta stats but as much use as a chocolate fireguard to the team.

Ward and anderson are both being shoehorned into roles they haven't played previously because critchley likes their base attributes. Like him seeing a potential left sided centre back in the failed nottingham experiment, hes asking players to play roles theyre unfamiliar with in a system theyve little or no experience of playing. On that basis they need time, but can we afford to give them it.

As the full backs are expected to be so attacking, the midfield needs to contain at least 1 and maybe even 2 defensive minded players. A combination of injuries and pre season form probably shifted ward above virtue in the manager's plans, and you can't help thinking virtue would offer more of an attacking threat and more of a box to box element to the team, despite my reservations that he'd be able to last more than 20 minutes with the running he would have to do, given he looked shattered after an hour evrry week in the plodding midfields of grayson and mcphillips teams previously.

A midfield of a 6ft destroyer (a brabin or even southern type who gets forward more, just not another spearing style midget!) plus robson and virtue would offer more balance at least and protect the defence more.

Left sided forward still seems to be an issue too and I'd rather see anderson given a go there instead of the middle 3, but with mitchell, kaikai, kemp, bez, yates and others who could all play there its a crowded position that noone has claimed yet.

We're far too predictable in our attacks with cj being our only outlet and its becoming easier for teams to cut off the supply by sitting deeper and then putting an extra man between him and the ball. Hes not yet good enough to work out how to get around that and make an impact in games where hes less involved. We were crying out for some creativity and trickery to thread a ball through to the forwards and I dont understand why kemp doesn't get more minutes in the proper team instead of just the cup games, as hes the closest we've got.

I'm still not quite on the "we're doomed" side of the fence, but its getting precarious and critchley needs to show more adaptability and leadership and accept he might need to change the ideal system in the short term and get there in stages. Get a solid base with some flair players around it and then shift to more adventurous play once the players are familiar and know their jobs.

At the moment we are being undone by individual errors and tactical naievity. The players and the manager all need to accept responsibility and work towards improving on the key things.

The biggest worry for me if the lack of leadership throughout the club. Our captain is our goalkeeper, suggesting the outfield players aren't vocal or leaders and our coaching staff consists entirely of people who have never played or coached at this level and have only worked with youth teams. David Dunn was probably a bigger loss than we appreciated in that respect, although he was unlikely to stay after being overlooked for the main job.

Garrity as assistant is simple critchley's mate. Its got the feel of getting one of the other dads to help with your kids football team. We needed a strong experienced man manager who knows the lower leagues in to support critchley who is looking like a rabbit in the headlights on the touchline and during interviews and already resorting to Lee Clark style cliches and seems unwilling to accept criticism of the system or the squad makeup.

I still have confidence critchley can make it work, but not with what he has now and not without a change of approach to how he wants us to play, at least until we have players who can mentally and physically understand and perform in the system he wants us to play.

If he doesn't want to adapt and step a little bit away from his ideals, and accept he might need to step out of his comfort zone and bring in some bigger characters in both the squad and coaching team, who might question or challenge him, rather than just young kids and yes men, then how long he gets to prove this plan can work becomes a lot more debatable, and it becomes harder to argue for patience with each passing game and each demoralising defeat.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
If there is a striker, it’s Yates, because he links the midfield. Madine is woeful, the worst striker I’ve seen in a Pool shirt, because he doesn’t (or is unable to) work and close down.

Williams is a non-player, no attributes I can readily identify.

How Mitchell was left out I don’t know. He should have been on at half-time for Madine, with Yates back in the middle.
Click to expand...
I think the vast majority of Pool fans would agree with you. That's what worries me about NC.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
If there is a striker, it’s Yates, because he links the midfield. Madine is woeful, the worst striker I’ve seen in a Pool shirt, because he doesn’t (or is unable to) work and close down.

Williams is a non-player, no attributes I can readily identify.

How Mitchell was left out I don’t know. He should have been on at half-time for Madine, with Yates back in the middle.
Click to expand...
Disagree on Williams but cannot agree enough about Mitchell. He has been our most creative player in the games he has played in as well. Although i would have had mitchell on for Yates.
 
Rektseasider said:
You're correct in saying the the midfield has really been the underlying problem all season, but the defence has had some truly shocking halves of football. Gillingham second half springs to mind.

With the midfield, it’s more set up over personnel. I think if Virtue came back into the side and played along with Robson we could stop being overrun which has happened in every game bar the Swindon second half.

We need two centrally positioned midfielders helping the back line out. It’s so obvious I’m not sure why NC can’t see it.
Click to expand...
Must admit I keep forgetting about Virtue, either him or Williams should be in the side. I think Williams used properly will surprise a few.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
If there is a striker, it’s Yates, because he links the midfield. Madine is woeful, the worst striker I’ve seen in a Pool shirt, because he doesn’t (or is unable to) work and close down.

Williams is a non-player, no attributes I can readily identify.

How Mitchell was left out I don’t know. He should have been on at half-time for Madine, with Yates back in the middle.
Click to expand...
The trouble at the moment as far as I can see is that there isn't a midfield for the front 3 to link to.

Ward is offering nothing, absolutely nothing. Anderson is looking the better of the two, although at the moment that's like choosing between a slap in the face or a kick in the balls.

The midfield has to change for the Crewe game, it is far more important than the defence and front 3, because it simply isn't working.

A double pivot would tighten things up, providing much more cover for the centre halves, whilst affording the full backs more freedom to get forward. It would also allow Anderson, should he remain in the team, to get further up the pitch to link with the forwards.

I did think that was what Critch was trying to do when Williams has been brought on, but nothing changes other than it frees up Robson from his deep position, ultimately leading to a like for like with no improvement.

I'd like more quality brought in to the midfield before the deadline, and if I'm being brutally honest, never see Ward in a Blackpool shirt ever again.
 
Subject to him being fit more often than not, Kaikai playing central just behind Yates would be the answer, with Mitchell and CJ wide. It’s then between Ward and Anderson for the other midfield spot. Please not Virtue.
 
Ghosts of Electricity said:
Ghosts of Electricity said:
this might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today'.

The defence hasn't been the worst part of the team in any game. But its been the easiest to poke blame at because it has/had unfashionable players like turton and nottingham in.

For instance Turton has done very little wrong in most games but the knives are always out. Maxwell will always get stick as well due to his PNE history and he was a grayson signing. Granted he should not have been beaten at the near post for the second goal but to be criticised for 2 goals today - seriously?

The midfield has been piss-poor in every game from creating chances to protecting the back 4, but because they are pleasing on the eye the y seem exempt.

The next one up for being scapegoat as Turton moves out of the team will probably be Williams if he gets a run out, but personally he would be first on the team sheet next week to help Robson out.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I'll be polite. What a load of shite that post is. We've conceded ten goals in five games meaning on average we need three goals a game to win a match. We've conceded so many goals from set pieces and poor defending in every game and yet you don't think our defence is the "worst part"?
Yeah right!
 
Madness to have let `Player-Of-The-Season' Feeney go.
The 2nd highest number of assists in all 4 divisions last season.
And that playing for a mediocre, mid-table team.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
If there is a striker, it’s Yates, because he links the midfield. Madine is woeful, the worst striker I’ve seen in a Pool shirt, because he doesn’t (or is unable to) work and close down.

Williams is a non-player, no attributes I can readily identify.

How Mitchell was left out I don’t know. He should have been on at half-time for Madine, with Yates back in the middle.
Click to expand...

And bingo. Someone blames Madine.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I don’t blame Madine, my view on his talents have never been hidden. No blame, he’s just not good enough.
Click to expand...
Weird.

I saw a centre forward who scored a goal, won numerous flick ons, came deep, showed nice footwork, often first time touches as well and had two other decent efforts from outside box as well as getting within an inch of a diving header. He also was screaming for Ward to lay one off to him first half he'd have buried from where he was but Ward ignored him and scooped a shot over with his back to goal instead.

All this without a huge amount of service and an anonymous midfield behind him.
 
The problem with Williams is that for a big man he does not like to tackle! That is just what we are currently missing in our midfield, a player who brings a "presence" and can boss proceedings!
 
td53 said:
Weird.

I saw a centre forward who scored a goal, won numerous flick ons, came deep, showed nice footwork, often first time touches as well and had two other decent efforts from outside box as well as getting within an inch of a diving header. He also was screaming for Ward to lay one off to him first half he'd have buried from where he was but Ward ignored him and scooped a shot over with his back to goal instead.

All this without a huge amount of service and an anonymous midfield behind him.
Click to expand...
Indeed, very weird.

I saw a couple of decent routine touches, routine flick ons and the goal.

I also saw him treading water, not closing down, so Yates and CJ tried to do it for him. I saw poor touches and poor control.

He’s been here long enough, with plenty of chances, point out to me where he’s looked just half-decent in all that time.

I’m relaxed about things, we need to be patient and not blame. That is different to expressing views on the attributes of individual players.
 
td53 said:
Weird.

I saw a centre forward who scored a goal, won numerous flick ons, came deep, showed nice footwork, often first time touches as well and had two other decent efforts from outside box as well as getting within an inch of a diving header. He also was screaming for Ward to lay one off to him first half he'd have buried from where he was but Ward ignored him and scooped a shot over with his back to goal instead.

All this without a huge amount of service and an anonymous midfield behind him.
Click to expand...
I won't go overboard about Madine's performance because there were still so many flaws to it. He's awfully slow and it really showed at times but he did as you described and he's far more suited to that role than Yates. But is he the answer, then no, we need better.
 
20togo said:
I'll be polite. What a load of shite that post is. We've conceded ten goals in five games meaning on average we need three goals a game to win a match. We've conceded so many goals from set pieces and poor defending in every game and yet you don't think our defence is the "worst part"?
Yeah right!
Click to expand...
20s - The defence was slated after the first three games of the season. In those 3 games we conceded 3 goals and didn't actually give up many chances. It's been the stick to the beat the team with since day one.

You also say every game? Against plymouth the goal we conceded was due to a forward messing up as the defence was rightly pushing out. Against Swindon we didn't concede, so for you to say bad goals conceded in every game is factually incorrect.

Of course the defence hasn't been up to scratch. I merely said it hasn't been the worst part of the team. And I stick by that.
The midfield hadn't protected the defence and has created next to no chances I can think of from open play.

In response I could say your post is full of shite but I wouldn't lower myself.
 
Ghosts of Electricity said:
20s - The defence was slated after the first three games of the season. In those 3 games we conceded 3 goals and didn't actually give up many chances. It's been the stick to the beat the team with since day one.

You also say every game? Against plymouth the goal we conceded was due to a forward messing up as the defence was rightly pushing out. Against Swindon we didn't concede, so for you to say bad goals conceded in every game is factually incorrect.

Of course the defence hasn't been up to scratch. I merely said it hasn't been the worst part of the team. And I stick by that.
The midfield hadn't protected the defence and has created next to no chances I can think of from open play.

In response I could say your post is full of shite but I wouldn't lower myself.
Click to expand...
I agree that we’ve gone overboard on the defence. We’ve made mistakes v Plymouth, Gillingham, Lincoln and Ipswich. We’ve been punished for virtually every mistake, so I’d say that is unlucky and unusual.

We have the makings of a good squad and I believe we’ll improve as the season goes. I suppose it’s about expectations and my only expectations are development and improvement, for the long term.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I agree that we’ve gone overboard on the defence. We’ve made mistakes v Plymouth, Gillingham, Lincoln and Ipswich. We’ve been punished for virtually every mistake, so I’d say that is unlucky and unusual.

We have the makings of a good squad and I believe we’ll improve as the season goes. I suppose it’s about expectations and my only expectations are development and improvement, for the long term.
Click to expand...
100% agree TT and as you can see from my posts I am not being critical on anybody. Mistakes happen and I honestly do bellieve this group of players will improve in all areas. Naively I'm still very optimistic.
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
Indeed, very weird.

I saw a couple of decent routine touches, routine flick ons and the goal.

I also saw him treading water, not closing down, so Yates and CJ tried to do it for him. I saw poor touches and poor control.

He’s been here long enough, with plenty of chances, point out to me where he’s looked just half-decent in all that time.

I’m relaxed about things, we need to be patient and not blame. That is different to expressing views on the attributes of individual players.
Click to expand...

Quite.

I really like Yates effort but he charges about and sometimes he's simply not in the right place as a centre forward. Yates also has two or three touches every time in and around the box. That's probably confidence because his link work was much better early on and he's definitely in my 11 but Madine keeps the CF shirt for me.

You say 'routine' flicks. Yates won a single header against Accy in his 45. Madine won 3 in a minute in this game.

I think sometimes we get confirmation bias. Chris Long could do nothing to please me. I quite like him at Motherwell now, but nothing he did suited my eyes. Others wanted him in the side and Armand out.

I reckon we'll agree to differ!
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
I agree that we’ve gone overboard on the defence. We’ve made mistakes v Plymouth, Gillingham, Lincoln and Ipswich. We’ve been punished for virtually every mistake, so I’d say that is unlucky and unusual.

We have the makings of a good squad and I believe we’ll improve as the season goes. I suppose it’s about expectations and my only expectations are development and improvement, for the long term.
Click to expand...
Also love the username - Frank Sidebottom was a hero of mine!
 
20togo said:
I won't go overboard about Madine's performance because there were still so many flaws to it. He's awfully slow and it really showed at times but he did as you described and he's far more suited to that role than Yates. But is he the answer, then no, we need better.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but we need to accept at some point we've got what we've got and make it work. Review it in Jan/May. So many new players I think are partly the problem.

Madine will be gone in summer. I think he can play a part this year.

I will also say, CJ's crossing was crap today. He fell off the pedestal ;-)
 
Insider said:
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
Click to expand...
Has anyone on debut been to blame for 3 goals.......
Turton gets slated......
But he can defend even if hes not good going forward
 
Ghosts of Electricity said:
20s - The defence was slated after the first three games of the season. In those 3 games we conceded 3 goals and didn't actually give up many chances. It's been the stick to the beat the team with since day one.

You also say every game? Against plymouth the goal we conceded was due to a forward messing up as the defence was rightly pushing out. Against Swindon we didn't concede, so for you to say bad goals conceded in every game is factually incorrect.

Of course the defence hasn't been up to scratch. I merely said it hasn't been the worst part of the team. And I stick by that.
The midfield hadn't protected the defence and has created next to no chances I can think of from open play.

In response I could say your post is full of shite but I wouldn't lower myself.
Click to expand...
Jeez, you can't even read properly. Where have I said "bad goals conceded in every game? I've said poor defending in every game.
So who's factually incorrect? You or me? Guess what it's you.
 
Spider. That's the problem Critchley has to solve. Our full backs are one or the other.
Do we go with the defensive but unimaginative pairing of Turton and Husband or the attacking option of Gabriel and Garbutt/Mitchell.
For what its worth i think with Turts/Hubby we would have to play 4-4-2.
With the other pairing it would have to be 3-5-2.
 
20togo said:
Jeez, you can't even read properly. Where have I said "bad goals conceded in every game? I've said poor defending in every game.
So who's factually incorrect? You or me? Guess what it's you.
Click to expand...
Apologies 20s I did mis-read and did misquote your post.

However I still feel the midfield has been the poorest area this season overall. In fairness its probably a cigarette paper you could put between them for that honour.
 
Ghosts of Electricity said:
Apologies 20s I did mis-read and did misquote your post.

However I still feel the midfield has been the poorest area this season overall. In fairness its probably a cigarette paper you could put between them for that honour.
Click to expand...
No problem, we're all getting frustrated at what we are seeing. I know there's a need for patience but rank bad performances doesn't help anyones mood. I do disagree though. Our defence is shocking we need to get these two new centre halves in and hopefully things will improve even though defensively todays full backs didn't look up to it. It's all well and good saying Gabriel [or Garbutt] looked good going forward but their primary job is to defend. To stop crosses coming in to the box.
All that said though, there first and fourth goals were quality and nt so easy to defend against.
 
20togo said:
Jeez, you can't even read properly. Where have I said "bad goals conceded in every game? I've said poor defending in every game.
So who's factually incorrect? You or me? Guess what it's you.
Click to expand...
I think what we've all missed today was the improvement in the defence. I suspect when the team was announced we were all worried about how we would cope with the tall boys.
We ended up not conceding a headed goal from a cross.
 
20togo said:
No problem, we're all getting frustrated at what we are seeing. I know there's a need for patience but rank bad performances doesn't help anyones mood. I do disagree though. Our defence is shocking we need to get these two new centre halves in and hopefully things will improve even though defensively todays full backs didn't look up to it. It's all well and good saying Gabriel [or Garbutt] looked good going forward but their primary job is to defend. To stop crosses coming in to the box.
All that said though, there first and fourth goals were quality and nt so easy to defend against.
Click to expand...
Agree - it is shocking at times! At the top of the pitch isn't great either.

And you make a good point, sometimes our fans can be too blinkered to not appreciate quality from the opposition.

I am honestly still optimistic and think we have a decent team and not a million miles away. My main concern is how quickly their confidence may be shot to pieces if this continues though and once that happens its hard to recover.
 
OH MY GOD........Were 5 ** games into the season
Were just putting together a whole new team....and we still are work in progress
We have played Ipswich, Lincoln city and Gillingham who between them have lost 2 games out of 15..........

We have actually got an owner that's willing and able to put some serious money behind the team.
We were 3 - 0 up against Everton and 2 - 0 with Liverpool.......Some of you f##king sucked Critchleys cock then

I f###king hate some of you tonight...I truly want some of you just to go and support another team
Because no matter what....no matter what crap we (Blackpool fans) have been through....some of you should just F##K OFF and support Man Utd.

WE LOST.......get the fuck over it and move on.
Sorry.......but you don't deserve to call yourselves Blackpool fans.......and I'm from bloody Birmingham.
GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE........now shut the fuck up
 
Insider said:
I'm not sure if I'm more annoyed with today's performance or the fact that we actually chose to play.
So where do we go from here?
It's as easy as anything to call for Critchley's head, say he's only managed kids, he's out of his depth, no experience etc, etc, etc.
Of course results show those posters could be right.
BUT, and there's always a but, having decided to play I bet 9 out of 10 posters would have picked at least 10 of the players that started today.
Personally I'd have played Thorniley ahead of Turton.
Ipswich are the team that have had the smallest turnaround of players from last season. Well that was patently obvious.
This might be a slightly controversial statement but I don't actually think the defence was the worst part of the team today. I will qualify that by recognising Gabriel's three costly mistakes, probably some criticism of Maxwell for 2 goals and a rank bad decision from the referee for Ipswich's third. I actually think Gabriel had the most touches of any Pool player today and I'm sure he will improve. He's obviously good going forward but he has got to learn the dirty side of the game. He's the polar opposite of Turton so there's a big decision for Critchley to make.
For me the weakest part of the team is mid-field.
I've sat on the fence about Ward from the start deferring to those who were telling me how good he is. He isn't.
Early doors I kept reading reviews of how good Anderson had played. I'm sorry I didn't get it but I thought it was me. I still don't get it.
Robson is exempt from my criticism.
As for the forwards they aren't ever going to look good if they don't get a few chances put on the plate for them.
CJ had an off day, Yates just seems to be unlucky too often whereas Goal Machine was probably MOM from a very poor choice.
Some big decisions on team selection next week.
Ballard, Husband and Gretarsson in contention.
Hopefully Virtue will get fit sometime soon.
Sarkic and Kaikai may return.
Probably another signing or two and inevitably some departures.
The future is a slightly less bright tangerine but this was always a longish term project.
Keep the faith or have another drink.
Click to expand...
Spot on! Midfield a real concern with Robson looking the only natural. Ward and Anderson take too many touches which ends up with attacking moves being broken up or the ball played backwards putting pressure on the defence. There is no protection for the centre backs – with a 4-3-3 you need a couple of defence-minded midfielders (like Southern and Vaughan) – personally would have put Turton in CM and had Thorniley as CB after his performance midweek. Ward and Anderson are not central midfielders. Up top, Madine looked the biggest threat and worked hard but without quicker thinking from midfield the strikers have a thankless task.
 
B_Side_The_C_Side said:
OH MY GOD........Were 5 ** games into the season
Were just putting together a whole new team....and we still are work in progress
We have played Ipswich, Lincoln city and Gillingham who between them have lost 2 games out of 15..........

We have actually got an owner that's willing and able to put some serious money behind the team.
We were 3 - 0 up against Everton and 2 - 0 with Liverpool.......Some of you f##king sucked Critchleys cock then

I f###king hate some of you tonight...I truly want some of you just to go and support another team
Because no matter what....no matter what crap we (Blackpool fans) have been through....some of you should just F##K OFF and support Man Utd.

WE LOST.......get the fuck over it and move on.
Sorry.......but you don't deserve to call yourselves Blackpool fans.......and I'm from bloody Birmingham.
GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE........now shut the fuck up
Click to expand...
We lose every game.....
Weve conceded 7 in last 2 games at home....
The players and manager need to grow a pair.....
We are 2nd from bottom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top