Mid term review

Mark_GT

Mark_GT

Well-known member
We've made it to the halfway point in this up and down and mostly underwhelming season. I'm sat watching the football related misery andtidote that is the great Carry on Cleo ("Sic transit Gloria" "Fakir - off!" etc 👍 ), so I thought I'd give this a whirl. See if you agree - or more likely, not......... Who's ahead of, or below, expectation? Who will transorm the second half of our season? Will Critchley release the brakes and fire us to promotion in a dazzling 433?

Keepers
Grimmy - some great saves, but poor concentration lets him down: 5
O'Donnell - has looked good in the little time he's been given. Worth a go?: 6
Chapman - nothing to say yet - 5

Defenders
Husband - started brilliantly but his passing has suffered badly lately. Should be left back in a four*: 6
Connolly - better than his reputation but would be better without the back three: 6
Marv - major wobbles in distribution but still our best last ditch tackler. Passing from the back under pressure clearly not his thing: 5
Pennington - decent but prone to switching off: 5
Casey - our best defender this season, so naturally he was dropped after suspension 7
Tharme - not much to say yet: 5
Lyons - wasted on the left therefore: 5 - when it should be a higher mark
Thompson - energetic and busy, but generally does at least one scary thing per game: 4
Gabriel - our best right back - should be playing right back in a four: 6

*As a general point I think every defender on our books would be more comfortable in a back four.

Midfielders
Dale - looks a much better player since his loan: 7
Norburn - hasn't quite kicked on after a good start. Would be more to come from him in a better midfield shape : 5
Morgan - some good signs but doesn't suit the system: 5
Dougall - our best midfielder by a mile. What a shame we might lose him: 7
Carey - finally improving but needs to toughen up: 6
Dembele - a shining light in a sea of mediocrity. Finally, some skill and a player that is prepared to beat his man and make things happen: 8
Virtue - worth a run now he's fit? 5
Oakley-Boothe - hmmm, has offered nothing so far: 3
Weir - has never quite got going: 4
CJ - better but frustrating as ever - we all know what he can and can't do well so why ask him to do the things he can't do well?: 6

Forwards
Lavery - has been doing OK and gives much needed energy and bite, so his injuries are a shame: 6
Beez - promising as a support striker and willing runner. If our crossing was any good he would be more of a threat: 6
Rhodes - doing a great job of keeping us in the safe half of the table. Thank you: 8
Joseph - hasn't found his feet properly yet. Hoping to see more from him in '24: 5
Kouassie - another one who had a promising start spoilt by injury: 6

Management
Critchley - poor so far. Tactically inflexible with that default horrible lopsided 352ish set up and seems incapable or unwilling to adapt things "in game": 3
Brunskill - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Garrity - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Banks - needs to sort out Grimmy's concentration levels: 4
 
bill40 said:
Gabriel is a left back not a right back as is Lyons, I would love to see them paired there and switch CJ to his correct side. Rhodes is a 9 and our player of the season so I'm praying we keep him. Good summary of Critchley who really has to go now.
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No they're not, they are both right footed right backs, where on earth have you got that they're left backs from?
 
Best home form in the league. Top goalscorer in the league. Sit down with players and staff and discuss what's gone wrong away to shit teams.
 
If I was manager I'd be playing a 442

Grimshaw

Gabriel
Marv
Casey
Hubby

Dembele/Joseph
Dougall
Carey
CJ/Dale

Rhodes
Beesley/Joseph/Lavery/Kouassi (take your pick)
 
td53 said:
You lot won't be happy till the last drop of Carey's natural ability is wrung from him and he's Neil ** Bishop.
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I prefer to think of it as a "Trevor Sinclair situation" as Glen Hoddle would say. When he left us he was a supremely talented skinny whip of a lad. Once Harry got him on the, err, "bodybuilding" regime he became England's best player let alone midfielder at the Japan World Cup. Harry always reckoned Trev had the fattest arse in football. Never did him any harm 👍
 
Nobody will ever agree with everything but from this distance most of your assessments though not all seem pretty sound especially regarding our unimpressive manager who is where the buck stops so far as the team performances are concerned.
 
Mark_GT said:
We've made it to the halfway point in this up and down and mostly underwhelming season. I'm sat watching the football related misery andtidote that is the great Carry on Cleo ("Sic transit Gloria" "Fakir - off!" etc 👍 ), so I thought I'd give this a whirl. See if you agree - or more likely, not......... Who's ahead of, or below, expectation? Who will transorm the second half of our season? Will Critchley release the brakes and fire us to promotion in a dazzling 433?

Keepers
Grimmy - some great saves, but poor concentration lets him down: 5
O'Donnell - has looked good in the little time he's been given. Worth a go?: 6
Chapman - nothing to say yet - 5

Defenders
Husband - started brilliantly but his passing has suffered badly lately. Should be left back in a four*: 6
Connolly - better than his reputation but would be better without the back three: 6
Marv - major wobbles in distribution but still our best last ditch tackler. Passing from the back under pressure clearly not his thing: 5
Pennington - decent but prone to switching off: 5
Casey - our best defender this season, so naturally he was dropped after suspension 7
Tharme - not much to say yet: 5
Lyons - wasted on the left therefore: 5 - when it should be a higher mark
Thompson - energetic and busy, but generally does at least one scary thing per game: 4
Gabriel - our best right back - should be playing right back in a four: 6

*As a general point I think every defender on our books would be more comfortable in a back four.

Midfielders
Dale - looks a much better player since his loan: 7
Norburn - hasn't quite kicked on after a good start. Would be more to come from him in a better midfield shape : 5
Morgan - some good signs but doesn't suit the system: 5
Dougall - our best midfielder by a mile. What a shame we might lose him: 7
Carey - finally improving but needs to toughen up: 6
Dembele - a shining light in a sea of mediocrity. Finally, some skill and a player that is prepared to beat his man and make things happen: 8
Virtue - worth a run now he's fit? 5
Oakley-Boothe - hmmm, has offered nothing so far: 3
Weir - has never quite got going: 4
CJ - better but frustrating as ever - we all know what he can and can't do well so why ask him to do the things he can't do well?: 6

Forwards
Lavery - has been doing OK and gives much needed energy and bite, so his injuries are a shame: 6
Beez - promising as a support striker and willing runner. If our crossing was any good he would be more of a threat: 6
Rhodes - doing a great job of keeping us in the safe half of the table. Thank you: 8
Joseph - hasn't found his feet properly yet. Hoping to see more from him in '24: 5
Kouassie - another one who had a promising start spoilt by injury: 6

Management
Critchley - poor so far. Tactically inflexible with that default horrible lopsided 352ish set up and seems incapable or unwilling to adapt things "in game": 3
Brunskill - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Garrity - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Banks - needs to sort out Grimmy's concentration levels: 4
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brunskill and garrity . lol. yes what do they actually contribute.
 
I think the original post is pretty much spot on with everything he says.

The couple of things I Disagree with are I don’t feel Carey has started to show signs of progression, apart from Fleetwood away he hasn’t done much.

I think Koussai deserves a tad higher, let’s be honest not many were jumping for joy when he signed but he’s done above expectations. Beesley has also improved this season and I believe training/playing with someone like Rhodes will only benefit these two more.

Husband probably could get away with a 7 due to how well he started the season. Hamilton pre contract news was probably a 7 as well but has been crap lately and seems undroppable.

Critchley is a tough one, 3 seems harsh but how much higher can you realistically go? Probably somewhere between 5&6 for me all though if the last two games carry on then 3 would be generous!
 
Mark_GT said:
We've made it to the halfway point in this up and down and mostly underwhelming season. I'm sat watching the football related misery andtidote that is the great Carry on Cleo ("Sic transit Gloria" "Fakir - off!" etc 👍 ), so I thought I'd give this a whirl. See if you agree - or more likely, not......... Who's ahead of, or below, expectation? Who will transorm the second half of our season? Will Critchley release the brakes and fire us to promotion in a dazzling 433?

Keepers
Grimmy - some great saves, but poor concentration lets him down: 5
O'Donnell - has looked good in the little time he's been given. Worth a go?: 6
Chapman - nothing to say yet - 5

Defenders
Husband - started brilliantly but his passing has suffered badly lately. Should be left back in a four*: 6
Connolly - better than his reputation but would be better without the back three: 6
Marv - major wobbles in distribution but still our best last ditch tackler. Passing from the back under pressure clearly not his thing: 5
Pennington - decent but prone to switching off: 5
Casey - our best defender this season, so naturally he was dropped after suspension 7
Tharme - not much to say yet: 5
Lyons - wasted on the left therefore: 5 - when it should be a higher mark
Thompson - energetic and busy, but generally does at least one scary thing per game: 4
Gabriel - our best right back - should be playing right back in a four: 6

*As a general point I think every defender on our books would be more comfortable in a back four.

Midfielders
Dale - looks a much better player since his loan: 7
Norburn - hasn't quite kicked on after a good start. Would be more to come from him in a better midfield shape : 5
Morgan - some good signs but doesn't suit the system: 5
Dougall - our best midfielder by a mile. What a shame we might lose him: 7
Carey - finally improving but needs to toughen up: 6
Dembele - a shining light in a sea of mediocrity. Finally, some skill and a player that is prepared to beat his man and make things happen: 8
Virtue - worth a run now he's fit? 5
Oakley-Boothe - hmmm, has offered nothing so far: 3
Weir - has never quite got going: 4
CJ - better but frustrating as ever - we all know what he can and can't do well so why ask him to do the things he can't do well?: 6

Forwards
Lavery - has been doing OK and gives much needed energy and bite, so his injuries are a shame: 6
Beez - promising as a support striker and willing runner. If our crossing was any good he would be more of a threat: 6
Rhodes - doing a great job of keeping us in the safe half of the table. Thank you: 8
Joseph - hasn't found his feet properly yet. Hoping to see more from him in '24: 5
Kouassie - another one who had a promising start spoilt by injury: 6

Management
Critchley - poor so far. Tactically inflexible with that default horrible lopsided 352ish set up and seems incapable or unwilling to adapt things "in game": 3
Brunskill - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Garrity - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Banks - needs to sort out Grimmy's concentration levels: 4
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Well said Mark. Good synopsis. Wonder if the Clown (Critchley) will read this. The formation he has the team playing has , in my opinion, has killed Marv and Hubby this season - the latter does not trust Lyons or Tommo on left side and consequently passes sideways. Forwards ( whoever plays) have a thankless task cos the balls up to them are shocking. Considering the options we have we should be all over the opposition in the centre of the park. And finally (!) playing the 2 wide men is not doing them any good ( whoever as they are always on ‘wrong’ side). Can’t believe we have got CJ on a long term to play in that formation 😳. He is better than that but is stifled ! Let him play !!
 
My team now my head is what passes for unscambled for me.
Grimshaw,
Gabriel, Casey,Pennington,Husband
Lyons, Dougall, CJ
Dembele
Rhodes, Joseph

O MacDonnell, Norburn, Bees, Carey, Kouassi, Eki, Virtue/Apter

A man can dream.
 
bill40 said:
My team now my head is what passes for unscambled for me.
Grimshaw,
Gabriel, Casey,Pennington,Husband
Lyons, Dougall, CJ
Dembele
Rhodes, Joseph

O MacDonnell, Norburn, Bees, Carey, Kouassi, Eki, Virtue/Apter

A man can dream.
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That looks alright to me. Chances of it becoming reality????? 😐
 
Grimshaw
Gabriel-Pennington-Ekpiteta-Lyons
Dougall-Norburn
CJ - Dembele - Dale
Rhodes

Let’s get back to basics. Can easily switch to a 4-4-2 by adding Lavery and sacrificing a midfielder. I went for 4-2-3-1 simply because Dembele is our best player so building a team around him.

The season is over though so complete waste of time even discussing what can be changed.
 
Mexboroseasider said:
I thought Lavery and Kouassi were injured. And that Bees limped off in the PV game?

So all three will be fit by tomorrow? That’s excellent news.
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You can only play who’s fit, so Joseph and Rhodes could play up top, there are enough players on that proposed team to be able to put out a side, I’m not sure why you’re being a bit of a dick about it? It was just a bit of an alternative to what Critchley is doing now, we are likely to have no Rhodes, Marv or Dougall and possibly Dembele in the next few days, with Bees, Kouassi and Lavery all out injured and possibly Norburn too the actual players we could have available with the manager we have could end up with us in a relegation battle
 
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hertfordseasider said:
You can only play who’s fit, so Joseph and Rhodes could play up top, there are enough players on that proposed team to be able to put out a side, I’m not sure why you’re being a bit of a dick about it? It was just a bit of an alternative to what Critchley is doing now, we are likely to have no Rhodes, Marv or Dougall and possibly Dembele in the next few days, with Bees, Kouassi and Lavery all out injured and possibly Norburn too the actual players we could have available with the manager we have could end up with us in a relegation battle
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Another thing about this season is that generally, even though we've picked up a few injuries, we could have always fielded a decent 11. It's the way the players have been deployed that is the problem. Hence some of the scores i gave were a bit on the generous side. That problem is fixable if Critchley shows some common sense and humility. If we go through January in safety first mode we will have even more questions to answer.
 
BFC team mid term review - a bit like some of my old school reports.
Certainly has the ability but at times looks uninterested and not bothered. 🤣
 
Mark_GT said:
We've made it to the halfway point in this up and down and mostly underwhelming season. I'm sat watching the football related misery andtidote that is the great Carry on Cleo ("Sic transit Gloria" "Fakir - off!" etc 👍 ), so I thought I'd give this a whirl. See if you agree - or more likely, not......... Who's ahead of, or below, expectation? Who will transorm the second half of our season? Will Critchley release the brakes and fire us to promotion in a dazzling 433?

Keepers
Grimmy - some great saves, but poor concentration lets him down: 5
O'Donnell - has looked good in the little time he's been given. Worth a go?: 6
Chapman - nothing to say yet - 5

Defenders
Husband - started brilliantly but his passing has suffered badly lately. Should be left back in a four*: 6
Connolly - better than his reputation but would be better without the back three: 6
Marv - major wobbles in distribution but still our best last ditch tackler. Passing from the back under pressure clearly not his thing: 5
Pennington - decent but prone to switching off: 5
Casey - our best defender this season, so naturally he was dropped after suspension 7
Tharme - not much to say yet: 5
Lyons - wasted on the left therefore: 5 - when it should be a higher mark
Thompson - energetic and busy, but generally does at least one scary thing per game: 4
Gabriel - our best right back - should be playing right back in a four: 6

*As a general point I think every defender on our books would be more comfortable in a back four.

Midfielders
Dale - looks a much better player since his loan: 7
Norburn - hasn't quite kicked on after a good start. Would be more to come from him in a better midfield shape : 5
Morgan - some good signs but doesn't suit the system: 5
Dougall - our best midfielder by a mile. What a shame we might lose him: 7
Carey - finally improving but needs to toughen up: 6
Dembele - a shining light in a sea of mediocrity. Finally, some skill and a player that is prepared to beat his man and make things happen: 8
Virtue - worth a run now he's fit? 5
Oakley-Boothe - hmmm, has offered nothing so far: 3
Weir - has never quite got going: 4
CJ - better but frustrating as ever - we all know what he can and can't do well so why ask him to do the things he can't do well?: 6

Forwards
Lavery - has been doing OK and gives much needed energy and bite, so his injuries are a shame: 6
Beez - promising as a support striker and willing runner. If our crossing was any good he would be more of a threat: 6
Rhodes - doing a great job of keeping us in the safe half of the table. Thank you: 8
Joseph - hasn't found his feet properly yet. Hoping to see more from him in '24: 5
Kouassie - another one who had a promising start spoilt by injury: 6

Management
Critchley - poor so far. Tactically inflexible with that default horrible lopsided 352ish set up and seems incapable or unwilling to adapt things "in game": 3
Brunskill - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Garrity - not sure what he brings apart from clapping: 3
Banks - needs to sort out Grimmy's concentration levels: 4
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An excellent analysis Mark. I agree with nearly all of that and for the reasons you ascribe. I will, however, pick you up on two players.

Hamilton is miles better than the flack he gets on here BUT....he's a winger, not a wing-back.

Pennington has been an absolute steal. I'm very impressed. If he has been found wanting it's because of the players around him.
 
Mark_GT said:
Husband - started brilliantly but his passing has suffered badly lately. Should be left back in a four*: 6
Connolly - better than his reputation but would be better without the back three: 6
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Can't see either as a 6 this season - both 4 for me.
 
Very good summary.

I'd perhaps upgrade Beesley to a 7, I think he's done very well. Rhodes would be a 9 for me, 15 goals!
 
bill40 said:
My team now my head is what passes for unscambled for me.
Grimshaw,
Gabriel, Casey,Pennington,Husband
Lyons, Dougall, CJ
Dembele
Rhodes, Joseph

O MacDonnell, Norburn, Bees, Carey, Kouassi, Eki, Virtue/Apter

A man can dream.
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That looks proper shite with only one midfield player
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
Ok fair enough I think we would get run through like we did under Appleton but it's all about opinions
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TBF I don't think that formation would work in most away matches I'd add another holder but the main point is I think my formation puts the players in their correct position, a novelty these days Iknow.
 
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