Why hasn't this squad really clicked?

It makes sense that it would take some time given the huge overhaul of the squad but I had hoped/expected things to have ‘clicked’ as we got into October/November.

As has already been said in thread, I think the back 5 is looking good. I think the issue is getting the ball in the opposition half and building sustained pressure in the attacking third. Currently our approach play seems a bit lacking and we aren’t creating as many chances as I would expect from a team aiming for a top 3 finish. Results have been good but performances are a bit behind and I’m hoping this is partly due to the injury to key players (Walker and Osadeba) which I’m hoping will be rectified once they return.

The glass half full viewpoint is that we’ve had 2 first team players out all season and still manage to be well in the mix for a top 3 finish.

 

Spot on Inspector, a dominant ball carrying midfielder is a must if we are to get out of this league this season.
I think that the nearest we've got to that is Jamie Walker, hope he's back soon!

 

There really is no pleasing any of our supporters ffs
4th best defence in the football league.
1 defeat in 10.
Unbeaten away in 5.
25% more points at this stage of the season compared to last.
Keep to this kind of form and we will be in the autos based on previous seasons.
Stop whinging and get being happy.
Any derision or a spread of discontent amongst supporters is our biggest threat this season, no other team.

 

Nah.
The ball carrier is Osadebe.
He's the only one in the squad who is box to box capable attacking wise.

 

This time last season the current points tally would have got us second.

 

Yet we've had 6 clean sheets from 14 league games with a so called questionable defence, Doncaster, Newport, Crewe, Stevenage, Salford and yesterday at Grimsby.
Without doubt Cook needs others chipping in as it will ultimately become his problem if his team mates aren't chipping in.
Do you fancy a £10 BBU bet you say we won't get promoted I have £10 says we do.

 

He's correct with regards Cook we need others chipping in, thee says we won't get promoted yet were in a great position in the league with he says a questionable defence that has 6 clean sheets from 14 league games, he's a wum.

PS I bet he doesn't take my bet, time will tell.

 

Which Hughes commented about in his post match interview, which I have to say surprised me, but he did say Rom would be the first to say it.

 

I don’t want to Be to critical because we are obviously doing most things right hence the table but when teams are putting us out of ur stride it’s no good continuing doing the same put a few ball wrong at it will make teams think about pushing to high. Just mix it up

 

We've only seen him for 10 mins!!!

 

My point is its not just that simple to mix it up. Your formation and strategy determines to a great extent how you play the ball out. Its easier to go long say, when we have Cook and Oliver on which negates the press but that then detracts away from your plan A of trying to play possession based football, going long generally sees you lose as much possession as you gain. I do understand your statement though

 

Watched him pre season and his videos used for scouting.
We wouldn't have Gilliead in the side if he was fit

 

I think L2 as a whole seems to be a better standard of play this season. Worth noting our 25 points from 14 games this season would have us in the automatic places in the last 2 seasons by gameday 15. Rather than this season when we are 5 off the autos and 5 off 13th.

Squad consistency is always going to be a problem in 4th tier football, otherwise these players would be a lot higher. For us, especially that first 4-6 weeks we were just lacking any fluidity which we really found at Hartlepool. The last month or so, a few too many especially in midfield have been coasting on 6/10 performances, which needs sorting but we've had a fair few injuries too.

 

Isn’t this the whole point of this message board and this thread in particular? No one is complaining or whinging, more debating a topic the way they see it - or at least that’s how I read it??

Sounds a common acknowledgement the results, squad, management etc are something we are all happy with. However fair comments about some of the performances so far - Hughes eluded to the same in his post match interview yesterday even….

Around Feb/March will be the big sign as to who the real contenders are. I believe we have all we need to be hitting our stride just at that point

 

I have to say, I've seen teams promoted as champions who didn't really "click" according to some definitions.

We could win the league on goal difference without ever having beaten anyone more heavily than we beat Stevenage - it wouldn't make a difference. You still only get 3 points for a win, even if you never go under the cosh and score 7.

Same as if you scrape a flukey 1-0 win with a penalty or own goal.

 

Hope your right but Wallsall fans didn’t rate him very highly

 

No team plays 100% for 90 minutes or dominates for 90 minutes and the lower down the leagues the more equal most teams are.
My understanding of the post was it was a moan that we aren't doing better than we are.
If I'm wrong then apologies but we do have many on here who would put us down at the 1st chance.