Home vs Mansfield Sun Dec 29th

They were both nailed on penalties,possibly a third at the Kop end when Connolly was booked for diving, you guys in the Kop would have got a better view, as you say they were doing all they could to nullify Connolly's pace.
No arguing it was difficult to watch at times but you don't get any more than 3 points for scoring goals in open play,
I'm beginning to think some on here would rather us lose when playing poorly so they can have a good old moan.
We gained points on Swindon, Exeter , Colchester, Cheltenham and Northampton, yes I'd be delighted if we were playing great flowing football but we've taken 5 points from a possible 9 and thrown the other 4 points away with poor defending against Salford and a very poor missed chance the other end, ironically on both occasions by Paudie.
We have Morecombe at home on Wednesday 3 more points and another defeat at Plymouth for Swindon and we could be 3 points behind Swindon with a game in hand when we turn up at the County Ground on the 4th January, yes bronco will be more than happy if that is the case.

 

Your right he didn't get anywhere near Vaughans penalties.

 

took my dad & brother in law today who were up visiting who pretty much echoed what you’ve said there. They were shocked how poor that was & the complete lack of quality. This is coming from people who usually go to watch Welsh “Premiership” non league football!

 

They didn't have to work that hard really. I think you are trying to find things to moan about for the sake of it.
The whole game was poor today but I thought a few of our players looked tired and leggy. Possibly under the weather still?

We played worse than away at Carlisle.

Anyway 2 moments of skill was the difference between the teams.

Game forgotten. 3 points nearer safety. Move on.

 

Good job, we'd never have scored otherwise.

 

You cant handle the truth.

 

I agree but the midfielders didn't particularly help themselves today. There was one point in the second half when the ball was played out to Palmer who just hit it first time back to BRE who was in the left back position with a man on. No alternative other than to hoof into touch. I never saw Palmer do much before he was injured and remain unimpressed now. I think Reeves, Cooke and Palmer are all too similar, granted Reeves being the best of the 3

 

2 were penalties, the other wasn't. Not a booking though either. Speaking of bookings how did Henley not get booked for that challenge? Would have been off.

 

That is a good point, the midfield do need to make space, hold the ball and look to move it forwards or at least sideways!

 

I'm not sure that's how football works mate, did Port Vale deserve all 3 points against us the other month, we were poor/dire whatever you want to call it but we got the result and moved even closer to the league leaders.

 

Our performances have grown out of and beyond 'frustration', so understandably, some are now saying 'abysmal'.
Whilst 40 points from 23 games is a good return ........ Let's not forget how 'lucky' we've been to amass those - yet also see how many opportunities have been wasted to add to that tally

 

What about Vaughan trying to talk his way into getting a red, it wasn't good today another very frustrating afternoon but we have the consolation of 3 more points in the bag, nothing much more to be said.

 

Best way to describe it. 3 points, just don't analyse how we got them.

 

It is utterly dire to watch. Mansfield will still be shaking their heads wondering how they lost that. I actually felt guilty as I left the ground.
It's great that we've got the points, moved up a place and will be in the auto spots if we win our game in hand. And any thought of sacking Bowyer in this situation is delusional madness. But there's so little pleasure in watching our three CBs launching missiles over our midfield for Vaughan to jump for or Connolly to run after. We've a surfeit of passing midfielders yet we're playing relentless hoofball, and we've no width because the fullbacks aren't getting forward. It's been mind-numbingly dull for weeks, with no obvious sign of change any time soon.

Bringing back Doyle won't make much difference if we keep bypassing midfield. So unless we sign a forward in January who can create their own chances I think we're in for a full season of tight defence and squeaking narrow wins. If it gets us up first time I'll take it, but it's certainly not what I want to watch, when we clearly have players who can play more creatively.

 

Another win closer to promotion. By any means possible, just go up. Couldn’t care about style.

 

Mansfield came with a plan and pressed us in every area, yes we lacked any form of quality today but we had enough for them to concied 2 penaltys, for a time in the 2nd half we lost what little shape and discipline we had, had their finishing been better it could have changed the game. I did expect Mansfield to tire in the 2nd half but credit to them they kept going.
Listening to Bowyer at the end he did point out that yet again sickness was a big factor in today's game again.

People also need to remember that the games are squashed in over a short period and results can sometimes be surprising. Win on NY's day and if other results go our way it could make a big difference to the table.

 

Mansfield came with a plan and pressed us in every area, yes we lacked any form of quality today but we had enough for them to concied 2 penaltys, for a time in the 2nd half we lost what little shape and discipline we had, had their finishing been better it could have changed the game. I did expect Mansfield to tire in the 2nd half but credit to them they kept going.
Listening to Bowyer at the end he did point out that yet again sickness was a big factor in today's game again.

People also need to remember that the games are squashed in over a short period and results can sometimes be surprising. Win on NY's day and if other results go our way it could make a big difference to the table.

 

Agree Mansfield made a good fist of it but they were still very poor in the final third and many passes went astray as did ours.

Equally Salford would have wondered how the hell they left VP with a point last week.

How many times have we lost a game from a smash and grab away performance.

I will take 3 more points towards promotion.

Hell once we actually get a settled team not affected by illness or injury what could we actually achieve?

 

That wasn't pretty to watch in any way shape or form both teams were a poor league 2 standard today. 3 points is 3 points we worked hrad which is the best I can say about it. Palmer and McCartan were very poor today both shirking challenges and offered nothing really couldn't understand how palmer stayed on the pitch but Reeves was subbed hey ho see what Morecambe brings. I do think we are very reminiscent of a PP team at the moment can't understand how Bowyer is getting the stick he is at the minute we're 1 point off the auto spots.