Feelings of apathy?

I'm convinced Steve Evans would get us out of this division.

 

Manager of his pedigree is an interesting one. He was a great player and has been a decent manager but much like Lampard, Gerrard etc are experiencing he hasn't hit the same heights as a coach. There is a reason he has taken a League 2 option and I honestly think he is of an age where he is a bit stuck in his ways, lacking fresh ideas and spark (no pun intended).
Credit to him for taking on the challenge, in my eyes we are both performance and position slightly below where I expected us to be - long way to go and an interesting 2 weeks ahead in the transfer window

 

As a former international and Premiership manager, I had hoped he’d have more to his bow than the 4-2-3-1 that he stuck with for over 20 odd games of the season. There’s giving it a chance to work and flogging a dead horse.

 

I was convinced Mark Hughes would do the same when he arrived…….there’s still time yet though.

 

I’ve read somewhere Dave might have been Alan Nixon who said that Salford wanted to offload him. Probably on too much money for us to take on.

 

Some good comments, i will add this point- we have had plenty of wide players/wingers this season but the current fashion is inverted wingers
Would Cook and Oliver get better service if the widemen were on their favoured side of the pitch?
That bloody Salah has got alot to answer for!
No use relying on Smallwood and Gilliead to create chances/assists as their record speaks for itself.

Plus Walker, gave us plenty of warning when he came on as a late sub against Rochdale and still quickly got booked.

 

It says a lot when you're showing a lack of confidence Dave, 'cos I know you'd be there 'til the bitter end ......

 

Totally agree with regards to last season’s performances, they were a joy to watch at the end and I and we all I imagine had hoped that we’d build on that.

One thing I will say is I think Watt was underrated by our fanbase and I think this system needs someone like him to link attack and defence, which is crucial when playing through the thirds.

I’m still convinced we’re only one really good midfielder away from transforming the team, I don’t think we’ll get one unfortunately. I remember in 2015/16 one or two on C & B were actually talking about relegation in January, come February we brought in some youth loan from West Ham and suddenly we pumped Peterborough away 4-0 and didn’t look back as we sailed into the playoffs. We were awful before that young man came in, one player can really make a difference.

 

His reincarnation period is not as fruitful as his former managerial career..I truly hope he hasn't lost his mojo or indeed that this isn't a division too far. I realise that it's a longer project ,but surely this is the best chance of escaping the clutches of this god awful division.
Please Mark S.O.S (Save our sanity}!

 

Exactly this^
Whilst outsiders will see the league table and think we must be doing ok, the key word here is ‘underwhelmed’
It’s boring to watch and that’s evident from the lack of atmosphere in the ground and some fans even not bothering to attend.
Let’s not forget this is an entertainment business and sadly I’m not being entertained despite what looks like a decent league position.

 

Yep Ive said previously on another thread that a Josh Cullen type loanee could make all the difference. I'm not apathetic but more friustrated as feel we are really not far away. Unfortunately where we are lacking is arguably the most important area of the pitch where games are generally won and lost!
A big couple of weeks ahead which will probably define our season.

 

The problem with League 2 is that it’s impossible to build season on season as the better players will always want away if you don’t go up.

It was a blow to lose Paudie, Vernham and Watt but out of those 3 the only player we miss is Watt and it’s critical that we sort that out before end of transfer window or this season will more than likely end in failure.
We’ll then lose Lewis for sure plus better loan players like Critchlow / Banks etc. and the whole summer rebuild starts again infinitum

 

I was thinking in terms of pedigree as experience rather than achievement. I'm sure I read that when he took over us, only Ferguson, Mourinho and Allardyce had managed in more premier league games? Might not be exactly right, but he's very much up there. I expected more.

 

A cheeky loan bid for Lewis O‘ Brien?
Surplus at Forest

 

I have thought that a few times recently @Loyalbantam but there’s cheeky and certifiable!

 

I still think Hughes can get us up but when you see the starting 11 yesterday I did have to question it.

Yes watching Bradford City does become habit forming .

 

We're still in amongst it and pray God we stay there until May. But like you, I expected alot more from Hughes and Hodges regime. We've been a 6 to 7 out of ten all season. As fans we continue to be promised that one of these days, we're going to tear a few teams apart, but hey, still waiting. When we do win, it's usually from a war of attrition, and all credit to the players when they dig in and do that. But if we're to be in the automatics we cannot continue to flatter to deceive. Some big, bashing wins, hammering a few teams is what we desperately need - to boost confidence both in the dressing room and in the stands. I was thinking a B minus from me mate - but the more I think it through, given the support Hughes has had in terms of player signings, I think you're right. It's a report card C.

 

Petrov, I agree on every one of your points. A further one from me, I think Hughs is too much of a purist, as a manager from the higher levels, to commit to a good old route one against some of the poorer sides in L2. Too often, I think he over-elaborates tactically.

 

Stop it Faithful!