Wouldn’t be surprised if new manager in summer

Despite the run the we were never convincing in an attacking sense but pretty solid (until recently) defensively. The lack of options in the middle of the park is taking the toll and the inexperience of the management (like for like subs) is also paying a part.

In reference to Rowe and Cook, I'm beginning to wonder whether they leave one on the bench because we don't have suitable replacements if we have to change it after 60 minutes. It's pretty obvious they don't think Donaldson can last or be useful for more than 10 minutes at a time.

 

Formation is an issue because we can’t play 4-2-3-1 the way it’s required.

1) Full backs

AOC isn’t a RB. Certainly not in this formation. You need your RB to be up and down creating width.

Wood. He can’t play this formation. Plus he seems on I want out playing style all season.

In a 4-2-3-1 you need your full backs to be up and down and it’s not mainly about the crossing into the box but being about to dribble, make the right passing. Be that extra body in midfield and attack.

2) Sutton and Watt.

Watt recently has been sloppy in play recently. Played far too many games. Sutton reckless in tackles.

The two holding have to be creative in their passing not just play simple balls. All one if not both have to get into the box when numbers in there are required.

3) Cooke replacement.

Don’t have one. Most vital player in the formation is the 10. If you don’t have one then you shouldn’t be playing it.

The formation we play 4-2-3-1 is defensive. We can’t play it as attacking or attractive football. We don’t have the players too.

Formation is a problem because it’s not working for us recently as teams have figured us out and we don’t have the quality just to carry on with it or turn it into an attack one.

All Hornby’s fault though.

 

Now that I agree with. So, its not the formation, its the players we have for the formation. But I think there reality is; the squad just needs to be improved. We need 5 or 6 quality additions in the summer and until we get them, there's no particular formation that WILL fare any better than what we have. I actually like the formation, if its used properly and with the right players. It can flex to be defensive or offensive as needed. But to make it work we need better full-backs and at least one more quality CDM, all of whom can help us move the ball through the thirds. And we need at least one more quality wide man. I think Vernam has promise but I'm very much unconvinced by Crankshaw. We've seen much more dangerous wide players at various clubs in this division this season.

 

Our performances haven't really changed much. When we were winning we were doing so by fine margins. How many games did we really assert our authority? Not many. Grimsby and Southend, but they're both shocking. The difference now is that we're not defending our box as well and the small number of chances we get, we're not taking. In the main, our use of the ball has remained pretty consistent throughout. It needs to be much better, and it needs to come from a combination of better players and better coaching/tactics.

 

Never liked duo managers and very rarely works. Like a ship you need only one captain in charge who can direct the club and team, Having 2 managers means at times they will have different thoughts and compromise will follow to progress which of course can work but often results in wrong decisions, While I wish these 2 well I believe the way forward is a single manager who can give the club ambition and a team identity and we are just marking time until that happens

 

When is Cooke likely to be back?

 

About 6 weeks.

 

We're not playing 4-3-2-1 though, we're playing 4-2-3-1, and for me it's very dull stuff even when we were winning.

 

I agree but I still can't make my mind up on Crankshaw and Vernam. Both look to have something about them but very rarely pick the ball up in threatening areas and spend too much time protecting the full back. I think that's due to a mixture of instruction and also the fact unless we're hitting diagonals, we don't know how to feed the front 4 the ball. There needs to be greater focus in training on getting them both involved more because at the moment both are far too quiet.

 

The performances have changed though. They’ve been gradually getting worse for a number of reasons. Earlier in the new regime we were taking 15+ shots. Now, with the exception of Tuesday we never threaten the keeper. We’ve lost confidence, so much so that everyone has dropped 10 yards deeper. We’ve no out ball and we cough up possession.

As you say the formation can work but with better players, but as we saw with Bolton (who play the same system and have a much better midfield ), they were limited to very few attempts at goal. It’s just not a formation for getting bodies in the box unless the fitness levels are very high.

 

A little harsh Faithful. The 2-0 win at Cheltenham was almost a perfect away performance and they’re one of the top sides, we also played very well at Walsall but got a bit over confident after going 2-0 up and got sloppy. Agree Grimsby and Southend are poor, but Grimsby were above us at the time and Southend was a convincing win. It took super Bolton and a crazy defensive error in the last 10 minutes for them to scramble a 1-0 win at Southend.

 

Yeah you’d have thought all those penalty shouts, at least one would have gone our way . You’ve got to earn fouls, and right now I’d say none of our players worry the opposition enough to give the refs a call. We just aren’t direct enough to win fouls. It’s not the refs fault.

 

Sorry meant 4-2-3-1

 

I think Vernam has more about him than Crankshaw. The moment in the game the other night where we moved the ball quickly to Vernam just outside the area, he cuts inside and hits the bar - he doesn't get on the ball in those situations anywhere near enough. I agree, I think much of it is because he's working to support his full back, but I think another part of it is a lack of quality in midfield and at full back.

 

Good point on Cheltenham. That was our one, convincing win against anything like a decent side.

 

The system does and can work, we haven’t got the players skillfull , quick enough and nimble enough to play it.

However it’s not right for us with the current squad.

 

Ryan pulling no punches but being positive as well

'Thank you, as always, for your superb support. Last night wasn't good enough and fell way below the standards we accept. We are all working hard to get back on track, so please stick with us on this journey. Our focus will determine our reality - and it's firmly fixed'

#BCAFC

 

Rowe and Cook on together? Does anyone here think they can last more than 60-70 minutes each? If we were 2 up then to bring Donaldson or Evans or Burrell on for 20 minutes might be Ok to see the match out. But if we are 2 down I don't think any of them are likely to rescue the match. So unless we find some more fit, young, game changing strikers to bring on at 60 minutes I don't think Rowe and Cook are going to start together very often.

 

Disagree with that Vernham does look decent but hides in games crankshaw who is only 20 is looking for the ball all the time at Scunthorpe where in the second half he played more like a conventional winger put in two or three excellent crosses. I think he will turn out be a very good signing as his experience grows