Most liked posts in thread: Gary Bowyer - when do we judge?

Hi Dubois, I had a bit of a rant earlier but more chilled now (so sorry Fordy for saying you were being a dick, seriously I apologies ) Because of the horrendous past couple of years part of the problem is we have become stuck in a negativity cycle of questioning every aspect of the managers abilities, the quality of the players, the commitment of the players and the owners etc - the trust element that is so essential for a happy and ultimately successful club is still broken to a large degree and is going to take time to fix.
In his interview GB also said there is a lot to build on and whilst this could be taken to mean he is pleased I actually take this as a subtle way of saying today wasnt good enough and he knows we have to get better in key areas. But he cant be questioning the effort and commitment of his players on the first day of the season - any man manager or motivator would know the detrimental impact this could have. I also think the effort and commitment aspect can just get mixed up with the basic truth that we do still have some very average players at the club, we all know the names as they are mentioned in nearly every thread! A number of these are on the legacy of longer contracts given by the previous regime or shorter ones by the current one - I am still pretty certain some of these will leave the club in this window or the winter one or be loaned out at some stage (perhaps as part of our bridge building with other local clubs)
I am not a happy clapper (or at least dont think I am ) and I do understand the frustrations that are felt after a game like today. I dont agree with some of the player recruitment, the playing systems etc and I also want us to progress as quickly as is possible but I can accept that after all that has gone before it, it is not going to happen overnight. Although GB said it might take at least a couple of windows, my hope is come the end of August we will have made a solid start and some of the team weaknesses will have been addressed so we all have a bit more trust to feel positive about the season ahead

 

Good post @Yorkie, my complaint is in Scannell we have one of the best (if not the best) wide man in league two and we bench him so we can accommodate all three strikers, poor team selection for me, by all means play that system if you have a guy who can play the role behind Donaldson & Vaughan if not make sure you can accommodate Scannell.

 

Last season was a disaster because the squad was put together by a complete imbecile who thought he knew it all. Yet here we are again, 12 months later, supposedly with a proper manager who knows what he's doing. The problems remain, players out of position, no width, no pace and no ball winner. Rahic was (rightly) crucified for that, what's Bowyer's excuse?

 

I agree with that. a lot of fans seem to have taken a liking to Palmer because he can pass a ball but I hope he is not another one to join the list of pretty footballers who are totally ineffective. On my first view of him in a competitive match he did nothing to change the course of the match meaningless passing and poor free kicks and corners. We need someone to open up defences and be involved where it counts

 

I dont think Bowyer has had a choice regarding his assistant for this season. If Bowyer was honest, I am pretty sure he would like his own man alongside him, possibly McPhillips again. That was a successful partnership, and if Bowyer wants to reunite with him, he should be allowed to.

Drury failed at Avenue, and he has been a constant part of failure under different managers since he has been involved in the first team here

 

I've read a whole load of discussions since Saturday. Very varied indeed.

I can be one melancholic and miserable so and so. I could have stood up at the end and joined the boo boys. I could have jeered and flung my arms in disapproval.

I could have come on these boards and cried fowl. ( I did question the set pieces, which genuinely frustrated me but ain't that down to the player?) I could have listed the obvious shortcomings that was painfully clear for all to see.

I have however tried to take a step back and realise it is just one game. Shortcomings of our squad will be exposed at times but on the flip side, this squad will expose the shortcomings of opposition too.

@Ricc posted superbly and for one I agree. Read it here folks.... https://bantamtalk.com/index.php?threads/opening-home-game-vs-cambridge-united-aug-3rd.2810/page-22#post-242753

I'm going use that old proverb, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". The conveyer belt of appointments and dismissals coupled with the same playing personnel, how just does this help. We are told that their is laughter in training, a good team bonding and the resume of GB has strength. Good foundations?

This is not a knock at you @Fordy117 because the initial question has some debate especially if we couple in last season. But that has gone. Onwards, surely? Even I'm able to be patient and realise this ain't gonna happen overnight.

I'm backing GB. He has my support. The constant changes are not to my liking. This is the 2019/2020 season.

This may change, who knows? I hope not.

 

Am reading this at a distance of 5106 mikes away ! and thats probably as near as I'd wanna be with you lot in this mood ! ?.

Now as you know I'm usual "harbinger of doom and gloom". But I'm not worried ..lets keep positive give Mr Bowyer and his charges a bit a breathing space and get behind them. I'm the least person to let them off the hook ?. But one game in 0-0 I'm holding my powder.

Lets get a grip and remember "Who We Are". Are we going a let the likes of Smallford City boss this Canalarger league around ? Or a Josh Wright inspired Leyton Orient ?

Are we hell as like ? CTID !

 

They'veve found his spine, well that's a start .

 

15% (2/13 if I’ve counted right), but Blackpool went up so that’s ok.

 

A half decent side would have had no trouble beating either of those teams today. So far we've played against pretty limited opposition and not looked better than either than them. And thats all down to Bowyers bewildering tactics. As @Faithful Bantam alludes to, how about doing something really groundbreaking and play players in their best positions. Its not too much to ask.

 

I don’t disagree with any of that. I’m backing Bowyer on the principle of stability and this being the start of him reshaping the squad. It takes time. But I’ve said on here, his team selections and formation choices so far have baffled me.

 

I don’t get all the noise about league 2 being a shit pool.
I honestly don’t see much difference between the top half of league 2 and the bottom half of league 1.
In fact I’d say the shit pool is anything below championship level.
We might have been poor at Grimsby but they dug in and earned a draw. Make no mistake our team from last season, which was only the beginning of May would have been hammered on Saturday, under that barrage we would have completely folded. Gillingham away springs to mind as a comparison.
So three months down the line GB has added a team ethic and determination that Grayson, Collins and Hopkin couldn’t muster. For sure we have yet to click and it’s frustrating watching them misfire, but we’re two games in!!
Have a little faith and patience for gods sake.
On a side note I wouldn’t put it past GB to have played last nights team to prove a point to our owner......Akpan not good enough as a senior pro, without experience around them the younger players can’t do a job, without a vocal
Partner Alongside screaming at him AO’C switches off, unbelievable he was even considered captain material. However he looks ok with Richards-Everton along side him.

 

I can't see how anyone can knock that. A three nil win is just what we've been crying out for -with a goal each for our forwards, and one for our winger who got his first start of the season.
Midfield might have been a bit soft, but I think Devine came out of the game with a lot of credit, and Bowyer stated that he's still looking for one or two bodies to come in to bolster that position.
Everyone enjoy their pints tonight!

 

They were a delight to watch, far to good for league two, if we can keep Vaughan fit surely he'll be a 20 goal plus striker especially if he takes the penalties now Doyle has gone, and Donaldson so difficult to get off the ball when played up to him, he leads the line so well.

 

When do we start judging? 8 points in 4 games, unbeaten and 1 goal conceded. Making this thread look pathetic.

 

Parky in the news and this thread is certainly creating a feeling of nostalgia. Remember all those "Parky out " threads on C&B. Then whenever anyone pointed to results and position in the table they were called happy clappers. Ah those were the days

 

The ref was shit. I ain't arguing. But it's not the reason we lost.

 

For those wondering why I've an obsession of getting Gary Bowyer out the football club, its due to the fact he'd done nothing whilst been at the club.

He came in to the club last season to turn things around and try get something going but to no avail he didn't achieve that. He was then awarded a long term contract with the club. He'd had 15 signings and a top 6 budget yet he insists on playing Devine, Anderson, Akpan etc. All which aren't good enough for local Sunday football never-mind a side aiming to win the league two title.

His tactics and style of play is very questionable, his squad selection is baffling as I mentioned and he never blames himself - It's always pointing the finger and never taking responsibility. We are already seven points behind Exeter, James Vaughan is on the verge of suspension and Donaldson is tiring more games he plays. It was madness to play him last night, should of rested him and played him this Saturday. The man-management is horrendous. I don't understand how he doesn't see things and pick it up and adjust. He's been on the courses, been in the game a long time. He's truly clueless.

He got rid of Eoin Doyle because he had no idea how to play to his strengths, We let him go he's banged seven league goals in already. He'd probably be on 10-12 if we let him go earlier. We've got James Vaughan arguably the best striker in the bottom two divisions and Bowyer has no idea how to give him service.

It needs addressing and quick. We won't win anything with GB at the helm and that's a fact. You can quote me all you want, i'll bring this back up after we fail promotion or GB walks.

 

Agree. If he hasn't seen enough from today to work out that playing all 3 together is never going to work, we may have a problem.