We will be all right

Because what we have lacked is any ability to keep the ball up top in their half.

You can't provide service from your own half, and Doyle's inadequacies in this regard are part of the reason he's had nothing to work with.

Question is, which idiot thought he can hold the ball up?

 

100% agree regarding service but we would've benefited from Wyke's hold up play massively.

 

Problem is will we be able to attract any player with any class to our club in January. Hopkin will look to Scotland in my opinion, because that's all we will be able to afford.

 

CW is the ONLY exception to the rule someone we bought and sold at a profit to the ever increasing detriment of the first team which again begs the question what would happen to funds realized should we luckily produce another
We have no senior staff capable of spotting such an another talent he was and still is GA only successful foray into the transfer market .I think Charlie had had enough anyway (wouldn't you) played as a lone striker (battering ram) it just wasn't his game he needed a striking partner which lots on here were crying out for but was totally dismissed Doyle I am afraid is going down exactly the same route not a target but someone who plays off a target man
Not sure CW would have kept us up this year I doubt his heart was fully in it but good shout

 

I agree with you on this Park. Watching yesterday made me feel for the first time that there will be at least 4 poorer teams than us. Clearly we need someone up front who can hold the ball and bring Doyle's strengths into play but yesterday we managed a fair bit of smart play and caused Sunderland enough grief for their skipper to lose his rag and the rest of them work overtime, trying to get our players sent off. David has managed to improve things very quickly and on another day could have had 3 points. Hopefully, he can get more from the likes of Wright and the biggest disappointment of all' Akpan.

 

Whilst yesterday was promising, I do worry that this is our 'high point'. People always raise their game when they come to Valley Parade because we are the big fish. Yesterday, Sunderland were the big fish and it was us raising our game and we still lost, albeit, it could have been a draw. But Burton and Shrewsbury could have been losses, so it evens out.

Back in the mundane world of normal games, eg Bristol Rovers, we were pants. We were pants against Wimbledon. Yes, we battled and worked out socks off, but they had more chances, possession etc. These are the bottom 4 teams we'll need to be above.

I think we'll scrape to survival. But we won't get investment in January or next year. Hopkin hasn't been given the money to bring his own backroom team in.

Crowds and commercial revenue will fall and it will be more kids on £200/400 a week making up the bench. Harrogate Town pays more. They beat us 7-2. We could be playing them next season.

We had this post admin and whilst you might pull off a miracle in one season, over time you end up going down the leagues.

 

All this talk of wyke keeping us up he’s been injured may not play till new year

 

eh....?

 

Considering what Hopkin has brought to the side in 5 or 6 weeks with this band of brothers, then bringing in even marginally better players should see us midtable.

I'd rather save the money until the summer when prices are cheaper and options are there to be had. I can't see the owners spending big in January.

 

Let's hope we don't have a Jack Payne hole to fill in January, whilst addressing other issues.

 

Like you do!

 

Yes got to agree with all your comments just one thing missing is the other 5,000+ season ticket holders will be joining those 4,000 that did not renew this year, could well be down to four figure season ticket holders in 2020 season if Rahic is still in office.

 

I don't think that'll be an option for us if we are in the bottom 4 at Christmas.

 

Nothing will change until the owners sell up and go.

It really is that simple and becomes clearer with every passing month.

 

I applaud those that think we’ll be ok and finish mid to lower in the table but I’m not sharing the optimism. I think the team has bottom 4 written all over it, a team that’s been beaten by Macclesfield who’ve not won all season and Wycombe who before Saturday had only won 1 game against yes youve guessed it

Can’t see where the goals are going to come from and whilst Hopkin has improved us defensively we still look vulnerable

I cannot see anything other than a bottom 4 position before January window then like others have said it’s not easy to recruit especially if you are facing a relegation battle

Fair play to Hopkin, we would have been stuffed on Saturday under Collins but I just don’t think he has enough in the dressing room

Maybe negative thoughts but my honest opinion

 

Seen as most will say we will go down I’m with park and believe we will stay up. Players to come back to give more options than we have currently and we are beginning to slowly get there I feel. One defeat from last 4 whichever way you look at it to a strong side who will no doubt be top two come the end of the season.

We do still need a couple in and I hope we don’t go silly in January. Prices are higher and you don’t always get what you want.

Target man, dominant cb and a left winger.

 

We agree, but think we require at least 2/3 new faces, and hopefully a few of the injured players back doing the business.

 

Can understand anyone having negative thoughts but Saturday was a much better performance than say Burton and on that showing, I think there will be at least 4 inferior teams to us.

 

Gather round people, Bantam Talks number one delusional fan has some words of encouragement for you all.

 

Two defeats in the last four.

Playing a reserve team isn't worth a thing.