No wins in 5 - a cause for concern?

Vaughan was not a roaring success in the higher leagues.

Waddle was one of the best in the world!

 

Hence my emoji Jon

 

I think the problems are totally there. We haven't played well or controlled a game at all this season. That was put to one side whilst we were getting results as many of us thought the performances would come with time, as there was no way we could sustain grinding out wins every week. Well time has passed and the performances have probably gotten worse and the results have stalled. Hence, people are rightfully starting to be concerned and questioning Bowyer.

That and the glaringly obvious misuse of certain players and negative approach to games, I think spell out very real problems.

 

No use going 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 or one in behind or whatever. Just keep it simple 4-4-2 most footballers understand this and if not ? Then they should be playing something else ?. Bowyer has almost consigned us to anything but 4-4-2 as we are devoid of any striking option other than Vaughan up front on his own playing the "Doyle role" ??. Its so easy when you play 4-4-2 and particularly in this league when you dont need loads of tik a takka just ball out wide launch it in to big man bang ! or he knocks it down to Vaughan wallop ! and away we go. Could this be any easier to understand ? . Saturday v Newport whats the point in thinking any other way ? because they wont be. For me might as well be playing The Lyceum Tavern ? no overthinking no clever tactics needed just get out there play and lets stamp our authority on the game ! .

 

Depends on your perspective I suppose. Some people are looking at our performances for the season as a whole, as well as our recent form and drawing their conclusions based on a number of factors. Maybe it's right, maybe it's wrong.

But I remember the same 'loony bin' accustaion being levelled at supporters in the second half of the 17/18 season when their position was 'we're going down next season'. It wasnt as funny in the end....

 

but we aren't a top 3 side but should be which is the most annoying aspect this season so far. The likes of Macclesfield are really poor, if we are struggling against them then I'm really starting to worry that we won't have enough to clinch a play off spot. That's not an over reaction to that game but to the season as a whole so far.

 

I’ve been to most games this season and this is the feeling i’ve got. A team with a vision of promotion should be beating sides like Macclesfield on Saturday.

 

Macclesfield just draw games.
We aren't alone in being held at Moss Rose.

I agree some results have been annoying, but the worst was losing to FGR who ironically look like contenders.

 

I do feel concerned about our performances in this league and feel that we need to step up and push on. Promotion is a must I believe if we don’t get promoted we will lose support.
Christmas is coming up but I feel no buzz within the club we are missing a James Mason type and need more from our chairman and Julian.
I also have concern about our manager I’am not an expert in modern day formations but 443 or whatever, have we the players and skills to play it should we get back to basics and play to our strengths. Our Forwards have scored 10 goals between them not good enough we need Doyle with a positive attitude or spend some cash.
We need a good run up to Christmas and then push on promotion is a must for me as a along time supporter need to get out of this bloody league A.S.A.P
On a more pleasing note I am currently top of Keighley Bantams Fantasy Football League so if Gary wants any advice 442 two big lads up front.

 

I mean I agree with you. The wheels COULD come off, validating the criticism, but for now they remain attached and we're doing better than I expected after last season's catastrophic' performances.

 

I honestly don't know where your standards are set when it comes to football mate. It's not a dig but the standards seem pretty loose.

We've been poor of late and not getting the results.

Forget last season. We didn't buy Vaughan, Donaldson etc for last season mate.

 

They were set at 'lucky to be top 7', but given the investment in the first team, those standards were increased to top 7 minimum, top 3 realistically.

I don't think we differ too much here Fordy, it's just that I think we will make top three based on what I've seen this season and you apparently don't.

There is no difference in ambition, just perceptions of where we are right now.

 

I don't really understand his thinking. Two wingers in the squad? Check. Central midfielders? Check. A combination of holding and creative midfielders? Check. Two strikers? Check. Is one of them a target man? No. Do we play better as 442? Check.

Very strange. Seems he is trying to make things difficult. We talk about him overthinking the opposition, but he didn't seem to try and counter the fact that Vaughan is 5 foot 10, and their two centre backs are six foot three.

 

Because he is a negative manager and wasn't thinking of our attacking play more like how to defend against them.

 

7 in 52 PL games doesn't scream "goal machine"

 

Living off the "youngest goalscorer in the league" record.

I like him. Think he's a good old fashioned centre forward, who is 100% committed to the cause. Despite his thankless task of being played as a target man, his head never drops. Yesterday, he even had the weight of "that miss" on his shoulders, but still got on with it, and got a goal. Definitely has a short fuse, and as much as I appreciate the dirty stuff, he does sometimes cross the line with his moaning or late challenges. Would much prefer him getting crosses onto his head in the six yard box, than sixty yard punts up to him in the middle of the park.

 

I agree on all counts. And I’ve watched his miss from the weekend again - he should have buried it, but the squared ball from Ismail should have been better - it needed playing in front of Vaughan so he could shoot first time into pretty much an empty net. Playing it almost behind him forced Vaughan to take a touch which made it a harder chance than it should have been.

 

I'm not suggesting we sack him yet but we can't be a top 3 side if we're seventh and just about scraped a draw at Macclesfield who are besieged by financial problems, players not getting paid, they get walloped every week...

alarm bells, if they weren't ringing before, should be now. we haven't looked like a good side that should get promoted most of the season, we've got results despite that but it looks like our luck has changed the other direction in the last few weeks.

big improvement needed. if we don't, then it'll be time to look at a change.

stop being negative, stop hoofing the ball at Vaughan and let's control games, and pass the ball. and lets not have what should be one of the leagues most lethal strikers playing as a target man with his back to goal.

 

Macclesfield have lost 3 0 twice this season, every other loss has been by one goal. Theyve drawn 8, have conceded less than Swindon and Crewe, and only 3 more than we have.

I think the poor off field situation is making fans make assumptions about their on field results.

 

I've read the stats but base my view on watching the game on Saturday - they looked terrible. A team playing football should wipe the floor with them and we should have done too.