Home v Stevenage - Tues Feb 11th

Well, that's the first objective reached -- 48 points has been the highest total for a relegated bottom side since 3 points for a win came in. Can't say I was really worried about that, but it's still nice to get past that mark.

But more importantly, it gets us turning back in the direction of the playoffs rather than mid-table. Our record now is very close to what it was at this stage in our last two playoff campaigns, though those were in a higher division. We're a bit ahead of where we last last time we were down here. That said, I'd take any of those sides over what we have now, though.

Good to see McCartan get on the scoresheet (and not just because I keep picking him in the prediction league!) Even better to see us win from a losing position.

Nice to start feeling optimistic again, or at least, not thoroughly pessimistic!

RCB

 

Attendance was utterly sparse again last night a bit like the Cheltenham game a couple of weeks ago.

About 5,000 - 6,000 again I’d say. Though this time I think the weather was to blame not Bowyer!

 

First half was awful, but fair play to McCall, he effected a response at half time. Bowyer generally didn't do that after a poor first half.

Lots to work on and I dont see this squad being good enough, so the summer will be crucial.

 

5pts from the next 3 wouldn't be the end of the world. Hopefully last night stopped the rot.

 

I don't think some people realised how bad some of those performances were under Bowyer. A fair few tried covering it over with talk of playoff spots but just look at the form of teams like Oldham and Mansfield before and after they played us, woeful bar the games against us. The summer is the only time this mess can be sorted, the last dregs of Rahic and Abbotts recruitment will be no more. Bodge it loans and out of contract garbage can be moved on and some semblance of a plan can be put in place. Anything McCall achieves with this lot come the end of the season is a massive bonus, my expectation levels are very low with this squad.

 

Time will tell. We have some big earners who w can move on in the summer. This year we had a 2.7m budget but 60% was tied up with the hangover from Edins madness. If we get anything like 2.7m - 2m at a minimum, we'll see a much better squad next season.

 

McCalls comments so far from post match after games are an honest assessment of this current squad. I do think he's surprised at just how low in confidence they are to a point where even basic stuff was unachievable. Talking about making an effort to get bodies in the box for crosses and not wasting possession from throw ins. Jesus wept, this is simple basic stuff that Bowyer should be ridiculed for. Awful manager, truly awful.

 

I was thinking exactly the same. I even posted on here last night, after the second goal that we had 4 bodies in the box to be on the end of the cross. Simply didn't happen under Bowyer, and it IS the most basic stuff. Get and try to pass forward. Taking throw in's properly. Basic, basic stuff. And then you look at some of Bowyers signings - terrible judge of a player.

Come the summer, Vaughan comes back in. Be interesting to see whether we keep him and try to get proper value out of him in a side that attacks.

 

And on a pitch that offered little for a footballer which Jake is.

 

Even accepting the mitigating circumstances around the squad from the previous regime and the fact he had little available budget to work with, Bowyer left this team in a right mess. Worst football i've had the displeasure of watching, a lopsided squad that can't even do the basics. Couple that with a woefully underplanned January transfer window and its clear McCall has a serious job on his hands. Fact we weren't great last night against the worst team in professional football but it was a fair size improvement second half shows just how low we had dropped. 4 points from 2 games with this lot is a major achievement at the moment.

 

Talking of Drury, is he still here and involved?

 

Maybe Avenue will take him back, or then again, maybe not, he failed there too didnt he

 

Garden leave then. Keep paying him because ending his contract would cost more.

Just think of moving on Akpan, Anderson and others - wow!

Need to keep an eye on Wood though. He's one we definitely need to keep.

 

I think this type of match is scheduled midweek as generally they would be poorly attended by the away fans even if scheduled on a Saturday, so the overall impact on revenue is lower. I suppose clubs and managers don't want lots of games close together at either the start or the end of the season too. The poor old fans don't come into the picture at all.