Grimsby Home 8th Feb

Considering there have been games this season where we've been completely dominated in terms of attacking play but still had good possession and passing statistics, I'm not sure there is a need to explain those particular numbers - but Stuart's tactics involve crosses and balls into the area. We had that in spades, and created the most chances.

Creating chances doesn't need to take a lot of time and possession. It's a redundant philosophy to suggest we needed more passes.

Pritchard is not really a winger, and didn't look particularly good yesterday. Connolly, however, should have been subbed early as once he got crunched by their big defender he was finished. Stuart should have acted quicker, but it is what it is.

 

Would've dragged Connolly off at half time myself.

 

It would have been a massive call in your first game back as manager, i can't see any new manager pulling the plug so quickly. He was poor though.

 

it's also very redundant and passive to just watch your two centre-halfs play a long and direct ball forward hoping that the centre forward will win a knock-down or someone will jump on the second ball to go and play from there. football has moved on. that tactic is pretty much what Parkinson used to do and people were saying that they didn't want that. they wanted McCall's better 'brand of football' - which i hope is developed and instilled quickly. what we saw yesterday wasn't good, or effective.

saying "it is what it is" is almost like saying "oh, well - he got it wrong. never mind." other manages wouldn't be afforded such luxuries.

 

Wouldn’t have waited that long, it’s like he’s incapable of passing to a team mate. So poor.

 

Jesus wept, it's his first game back. If you're expecting any manager to completely change an average side into playing expansive passing football in a gale on a beach of a pitch then you need a reality check.

 

This is a really weird thread. McCall is now being criticised for not getting the players to play a more passing game, hence why did we sack Bowyer? or more likely recruited x manager who is flavour of the month. Talking about recruiting all manner of luxuries to provide stability at the club, no problem with any of this, however we need stable ownership and investment first it really is as simple as that.

I have no doubt McCall will attempt to mould a team out of our players, but unfortunately he hasn’t a magic wand in his kit bag. He said, that trying to push too much at the team in one go, is counterproductive. Those that have been in management know this simple fact. He is trying to get as many points as possible and build confidence in the team, no easy feat. Not once did I feel like going early yesterday, which I have in nearly every game this season, and Bowyer can take a bow on that one as it is a very rare occurrence. We just have to be patient and hope he can get it right as soon as possible, but if not we build again next season.

 

We definitely watched a different game judging by how far apart we are in our reading of the game.

O'Connor and BRE simply didn't play the long balls you are describing. We played down the wings, as you said, and primarily the right wing (where we had a proper winger). The game plan was clear 'get balls in the box', not lump it up to Novak and Donaldson - I'm sure we did play like that at times, but it was not the majority of the game.

As for affording luxuries, this is the whole point of the managerial change.

Some wanted Nathan Jones, some wanted Stuart, some wanted Warnock - but which ever we picked, the entire idea was putting a manager in place who fans could give time to and back simply because they wanted to enjoy the football WHILE we improved - which is what was not happening under Bowyer. Of course we could have backed Bowyer and given him more time, but that isn't what the fans wanted. They wanted more of what we got yesterday, and now they want an improved version of that.

So yeah, you're essentially right, McCall is going to get a lot more of the luxury of patience, and rightly so. The end result we all hope will be entertaining and successful football. At best, Bowyer was only ever going to be able to deliver successful football. That's the problem.

 

I also think it's a big risk being emotionally attached when you're in that sort of role

 

Worked the same the other way when Stuart left and Grayson took over - Simon Grayson struggled to instil defensive discipline and couldn't get an effective direct game going for love nor money.

This is what needs to stop happening at the club - we can't keep asking attack-minded managers to work with players better suited to defensive football, and we can't keep asking successful direct ball merchants to work with a bunch of Jack Payne's, David Ball's, etc, who are not cut out for it in any way.

We need succession plans, but since we haven't got/had one, now is a good time to start - and we have to accept that the squad McCall has inherited is not optimised to play his brand of football yet.

 

100%

Having a Sporting Director solves this problem.

Rhodes hasn't a clue what he's doing. He's just thinking financial, break even

It's scatter gun, short term planning.

 

but he's 'McGod', a miracle worker according to the press and fans all week.

 

why is it rightly so that he is afforded luxuries? surely he should be judged like any other manager and on performances and results or does he get a pass on certain aspects simply because of who he is? he should be judged on this spell alone.

 

He has had a free pass with the fans over the whole time he has been here as manager. Let’s hope he makes the most of this one

 

I think that's just your take on it. I don't remember reading anything of the sort.

 

oh dear, all your ever so restrained through gritted fingers(sic) commentary thus far finally comes crashing down and you have to go all bitter and twisted again. Nice try.

 

When are you guys gonna suss this guy has a major problem with all things McCall as a manager, stop feeding the troll.

 

Lets be honest following the likes of Collins, Hopkin, Grayson, Bowyer anything has to be an improvement on those, Stuart came back Tuesday had his first training session with them on Tuesday afternoon ? and some expect him to get the team to steam roll a Grimsby side that has defiantly got the new manager bounce.

 

Has @Park bantam got two accounts?

 

Has he? Not from me he hasn't. Results and performances do the talking.

I love the club not individuals.