Crewe (Away)

I'm not sure its experimenting. I think Bowyer changes his approach on the basis of countering the opposition. Ie he prioritises his approach against their strengths rather than focusing on ours. Look at the tactics against FGR - an obvious ploy to leave their centre backs and keeper with the ball so they couldn't play out from the back through midfield. Its Forest Green ffs and we're at home. Get at them!

The constant changing is bad enough. The fact that our tactics look nonsensical makes it worse.

 

whatever people think of bowyer's or the players decisions today, *one of* the worst surely has to be playing in orange against red. it should've white shirts, black shorts, white socks.

 

Yeah, you're right, that's definitely the worst thing about today.

 

Now a manager,think one of our former players formed a better opinion on how to deal with the fgr keeper today.

 

lighten up fella or you'll ruin your saturday night. it's football - we'll win again, we'll lose again and the world will keep turning.

 

I was agreeing with you!

 

Its time he gave the opposition something to think about, rather than selecting a team and formation to counter other teams. Up and at that them, Corporal Jones style

 

Definitely, focus on our strengths and play to them and if that doesn't work, then and only then should he think about changing things.

 

Having been today just think everything about city at the moment is just negative we have to pass it back about 20 times before going forward thought mellor didn’t know when to to defend or go forward this formation was stupid today play 4-4-2!and have a go gonna give bowyer 10 games

 

Completely agree. To have used so many formations already is ridiculous.

 

Some thoughts after that utter shit show:

First half wasn't too bad. They had some good chances but generally it was an even game. Biggest problem was AOC not sticking to his position and thinking he was a right winger.

We had one scare before they scored - an identical situation and bowyer did nothing to address it and guess what? We concede. Pathetic management.

Second half was utter utter dogshit. It was complete domination from Crewe, they passed us off the park. They were a joy to watch at times, especially Kirk - looks a right player.

Going forward absolutely clueless. We've got devitt in the 10 position but don't feed the ball to him. Its either long balls or feeding it out wide to wing backs who have no support and eventually run down dark alleys. The one time he gets it in the final third he smashed the bar creating the goal for Vaughan.

Akpan is a fecking donkey. He had a ok (5/10) first half but was diabolical in the second half. Genuinely never seen a player with such low reactions as him. He goes to meet the ball when another player is already dealing with it, watches his man run past him and bang we're fecked because we've got a man running straight at the defence and two players out of position.

Set pieces are atrocious. Didn't clear the first man once. How hard is it to cross the ball into the box ffs.

Losing is one thing but I'm losing patience with bowyer and his negative tactics, his ever changing systems, his lack of a style and his over obsession with the opposition.

I want to see massive improvements next week because this has been a pathetic start in terms of both results and performances.

 

I honestly agree a 100% with what you’re saying but if you’re singling Akpan out surely you’re singling out Palmer? Getting away with murder at the moment, totally anonymous!

 

Akpans challenge for there 2nd goal or lack of it.

How long do we still have to put up with watching one of the laziest and softest centre midfielders we've ever had.

 

To pose a question, Crewe have always been good at bringing through quality youngsters. The deck is stacked against them right now, but if Charlie Kirk becomes a Championship player in a year or two, and some of the others follow, is this result STILL a disgrace?

 

Well, there's my match for the season... Last year saw a rare win for Collins, this year a common loss for Bowyer!

Positives:

- we do, at times but not at enough times, look like a team this year
- D&V - the potential is there for some very good forward play, every now and then you get a glimpse of it
- Wood - good crosses and corners -- didn't he put another one in just under the bar that this time was dealt with?
- AOC - better; a few good tackles
- BRE - looks a good signing
- Pritchard & Cooke both promising
- Akpan had a generally decent first half
- we had a generally decent first half, though we didn't convert that into another goal
- the support

Negatives:

- formation lottery -- Kirk's Christmas came early
- Akpan dropped off in the second
- we dropped off badly in the second
- Palmer yet to shine
- some very poor free kicks and corners
- Pritchard, and others, missed some chances that perhaps should have been goals
- the kit - add some touches of blue and green and we'd be mistaken for escapers from the parrot house at the zoo
- the flare - *cough cough* -- I really wish people wouldn't do things like that

Best player for us today I'd say was Wood.

RCB

 

Just seen the highlights. I repeat the question, who is the sitting midfielder? We will keep getting shafted if all the midfield push up together and more than one can't be arsed to charge back - and mark their runners - when we lose the ball. It's been a problem all season. Today, it looked like Mellor might have joined the wander upfield club. When their number 10 missed at the first attempt, Paudie was half way into their half trying to tackle someone. What was midfield doing!? It doesn't matter what formation we play if we don't sort this out. For goodness sake, we've just signed three midfielders when we needed a tough man to sit and break up play. Where is he!?

And if we play three centre-backs, why isn't A.o'C in the middle? He can break up play and anticipates better so can push up and make interceptions while I would think Everton and Paudie would be more suited to occasionally having to escort wingers away from the danger zone when wingbacks get caught out. Anthony doesn't have the pace, as we saw today!

So, I think we could have played 5-3-2 much better, but on what I've seen so far, we could have played all the other formations much better! We needed a decent defensive midfielder to boss the centre of the park last season. How can we be 13 or whatever signings further on and still need one? Failing that, the rest need organising not to all go walkabout together and to get back into formation quickly and mark men up! We seem all at sea when we lose the ball.

 

I can only hope Crapkan is getting game time so that a League One club foolishly takes over his contract, and we can sign an actual footballer.

We've done good work getting shut of Doyle and Scannell, who never did ANYTHING for us, Akpan has to be next.

Same rules, though, if he does well, I still won't give a shit. We just need what we need, and you're right, it's a good holding midfielder.

 

100# spot on.

 

100 % even. to many whiskies

 

Ratings today and before you ask yes I went

Keeper 8
Mellor 4
P O’connor 6
Everton 8
A o’connor 5
Devitt 5
Palmer 4
Akpan 5
Vaughan 7.5
Donaldson 7.5
Wood 7

Pritchard 7.5
Cooke 7
Gibson ? not long enough to score