Cheltenham v City 17th Sept

We're probably saying similar things. No argument from me that promotion this season is important and that not achieving it could cement our downward spiral for a number of years. I think the biggest mitigant to that risk has to be Rupp propping up finances, so the big question is whether he'd be willing to do that.

Our performances have some areas of concern for me too - but i think it centres largely around the weak central midfield. A run of games with cooke next to palmer and Ismail on the right, could make a big difference to our performance levels

 

I'll be honest I think cooke will make a big difference but still think we need to go back to a 3 man midfield and start controlling games, because every team now knows when they play us, pack the midfield and we wont see the ball for the most part.

Cooke Palmer Pritchard
Connolly Vaughan Ismail

That's what I'd go for, especially away from home.

 

Completely agree there. I'd also be happy to have Donaldson in for Connolly, who I think could be better as an impact sub. Or McCartan just behind Vaughan with Pritchard further forward.

Ironically, last night was one of the games where a more cautious approach was probably necessary, and he didn't do it!

 

If Pritchard is comfortable in a more central role, that looks a good shout

 

He played there against bolton and Bowyer converted him to a central role at Blackpool.

 

Swindon have recruited an experienced goal scorer though.....

Oh wait, let's not go there!!!

 

Spot on.

How people vary wildly from this sensible assessment at this stage is a bit worrying.

Edin has gone, stability has returned, we're in a reasonable position and can expect to improve - there is no need for the panic button mentality, not every narrow defeat is a catastrophe or a disgrace.

 

Jon, we should be taking this league by storm. A proper manager would set us up correctly and play the right team. How you don't beat Bolton school kids in 90 minutes is beyond me.

 

When have we ever taken League 2 by storm? Even under McCall/Parky when they were heavily backed in this league it has never happened.... We're currently in a good position to build on as the season goes on, it's not like we're hanging out of the arse end of the league is it?

 

Started decent under PP in 12/13:

 

Right, but did we storm the league?

 

its all well and good saying people are over reacting and we're still in a reasonable position, blah blah blah.... look at the bigger picture. We have played well for about 45 minutes of the season, when we've lost we've deserved to, bar Forest Green where I felt we deserved something. when we've drawn, we've deserved to lose, and when we've won we've been lucky.

Bowyer doesn't know his best team, and he doesn't know how to set them up. this is worrying.

losing to the likes of Forest Green and Cheltenham is ridiculous - we can all say that GB inherited a shit show, and he did, but we also brought in about 15 new players, and managed to get rid of a lot, the fact he hasn't signed the right players, in the right positions is on him. and is a massive contributor to the results we are getting.

I'm not saying we should sack him, but he needs to sort this sh*t out before its too late to make anything of the season.

 

We averaged 5th place through the league campaign I believe? Correct me if i'm wrong. Rotherham & Gillinghams budget blew us out the water and the cup run took affect. Would of finished higher up IMO

 

As the weeks pass by our main problem is starting to become more and more apparent- the players just haven't been coached very well.

Cheltenham put us under constant pressure by giving us very little time and space on the ball. They in comparison had all the time in the world and were allowed to play their usual free flowing football. Forest green were also allowed to implement their shithouse tactics and it took Newport the following week to show us how to combat them.

Our defence individually are good players, have shown that they are more than capable but also panic in certain situations and often give away easy chances to the opposition by failing to do the basics.

This all comes down to coaching, the players in stark comparison to the PP days are not a well drilled unit and if Bowyer has any sense he'll bin Drury and replace him with someone more capable.

 

Missing a game because of work commitments - poor excuse for a dedicated fan

 

So we didn't storm the league and never have? Carlisle and Scunthorpe up next, if we take 6 points from them two games we're going to be in well in the mix. Are you expecting us to win every game?

 

Bang on the money for me this. The pace will terrify teams, Vaughan’s always a handful and it would play into the hands of the central 3 who are all crafty and creative. At least til January where Bowyer will bring in an enforcer (hopefully!)

 

Not every game no. Should be winning majority home games and then picking up points away from here. Valley Parade should be a fortress

 

If Drury is a coach,I'm a double decker trolley bus.

 

Drury is completely out of his depth. he doesn't have a flipping clue what's going on. I'm surprised he makes it to work some days.