[sophocles]

I can't believe some of the ridiculous responses to a drawn game that leaves us at the TOP of the table. A casual onlooker would assume we hadn't won a game for months, and were in the relegation zone. I would imagine the possession stats today were about 80/20 in our favour, as we dominated the game from start to finish. There were two reasons why we failed to win - their incredible workrate and resilience, and our inability to cut through them. Aldershot set their stall out very clearly; they were here for only one thing - to stop us scoring, and go away with a point. They have to be given a huge amount of credit for their incredible spirit and determination to stop us. Almost every time a CFC player gained possession within 40 yards of their goal, he was surrounded by 3, 4, or even 5 Aldershot players. They kept this up right to the end of the game, and if that performance had come from our players against a much stronger opponent, we would all rightly be proud of them. So credit to them, they followed their plan to the letter, and achieved what they set out to do - and I don't see why we shouldn't recognise that achievement. But what about us? To start with, I think the post-match experts who criticise JR's selection are wrong - the attacking set-up was fine, and I thought Quigley did very well, especially in the presence of a referee who wanted to be M-O-M, and a west stand side linesman who appeared to have been told not to interfere. In the face of an 11-man defence, it was always going to be extremely difficult to create clear chances, and so it proved as Aldershot players popped up everywhere and threw themselves into challenges and blocks all over their half of the pitch. Of course our players can be criticised for not converting the chances that did fall to them, but I only spotted about 3 or 4 actual chances that came our way. With all 11 of their players dropping back and working like Trojans, it would have taken a very high quality move to open them up. The fact that we couldn't conjure that perfect move up on the day was very frustrating, but doesn’t mean that we have suddenly turned into a poor team with a poor manager. For heaven's sake get it into your heads - WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

[Goku]

It’s not so much drawing against a team who are in the bottom half of the league, that can happen when they sit everyone behind the ball and come here with no intention to score. It’s more the tactics. We shoehorned 3 strikers into the team for what reason? Has Asante ever played as a 10 in his life? He’s a pure out and out striker, why was he dropped back into midfield? I could’ve told you that would not work, just like playing Tshimanga, Quigley, Denton, Payne or Tyson in the hole wouldn’t work either. Why was Weston playing as a weird sweeper-cum-central midfielder? What the hell is that all about? These are experiments which don’t need to be carried out and I sincerely hope Rowe doesn’t try them again lest they cost us promotion.

A mix of 1) the lack of many clear cut chances 2) the change in tactics and 3) the loss to Maidenhead has caused more annoyance than a 0-0 against Aldershot typically would.

Thinking about it, I actually think it was disrespectful for Asante to be shunted into the AMC role today. He’s coming back from an injury, he’s bagged 2 goals playing as a striker and he’s moved out of position for somebody who had been with us for a day who hasn’t earnt his place in the starting XI. Todays team was a real ‘head gone’ moment and it needs to not be repeated.

[jack bauer]

fair enough aldershot came with a game plan and played it well but if you have designs to be champions you have to come up with the answers and we just did not have the answers today largely in part to a very odd team selection that looked totally unbalanced.

[Mr_Pleasant]

James Rowe has had 14 months or so where he has got most things right, and his approach tactically has generally been pretty impeccable.

Today was absolutely mad. I'm slightly concerned he had a dunt on the head at about 2pm when he was ready to hand the teamsheet in (though maybe he picked a crazy team in protest at the state of the pitch).

[BilltBigBalls]

 sophocles, on 22 January 2022 - 10:03 PM, said:

I can't believe some of the ridiculous responses to a drawn game that leaves us at the TOP of the table. A casual onlooker would assume we hadn't won a game for months, and were in the relegation zone. I would imagine the possession stats today were about 80/20 in our favour, as we dominated the game from start to finish. There were two reasons why we failed to win - their incredible workrate and resilience, and our inability to cut through them. Aldershot set their stall out very clearly; they were here for only one thing - to stop us scoring, and go away with a point. They have to be given a huge amount of credit for their incredible spirit and determination to stop us. Almost every time a CFC player gained possession within 40 yards of their goal, he was surrounded by 3, 4, or even 5 Aldershot players. They kept this up right to the end of the game, and if that performance had come from our players against a much stronger opponent, we would all rightly be proud of them. So credit to them, they followed their plan to the letter, and achieved what they set out to do - and I don't see why we shouldn't recognise that achievement. But what about us? To start with, I think the post-match experts who criticise JR's selection are wrong - the attacking set-up was fine, and I thought Quigley did very well, especially in the presence of a referee who wanted to be M-O-M, and a west stand side linesman who appeared to have been told not to interfere. In the face of an 11-man defence, it was always going to be extremely difficult to create clear chances, and so it proved as Aldershot players popped up everywhere and threw themselves into challenges and blocks all over their half of the pitch. Of course our players can be criticised for not converting the chances that did fall to them, but I only spotted about 3 or 4 actual chances that came our way. With all 11 of their players dropping back and working like Trojans, it would have taken a very high quality move to open them up. The fact that we couldn't conjure that perfect move up on the day was very frustrating, but doesn’t mean that we have suddenly turned into a poor team with a poor manager. For heaven's sake get it into your heads - WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

Thank #### not everyones gone into meltdown.

[BeastMode]

 Goku, on 22 January 2022 - 10:12 PM, said:

It’s not so much drawing against a team who are in the bottom half of the league, that can happen when they sit everyone behind the ball and come here with no intention to score. It’s more the tactics. We shoehorned 3 strikers into the team for what reason? Has Asante ever played as a 10 in his life? He’s a pure out and out striker, why was he dropped back into midfield? I could’ve told you that would not work, just like playing Tshimanga, Quigley, Denton, Payne or Tyson in the hole wouldn’t work either. Why was Weston playing as a weird sweeper-cum-central midfielder? What the hell is that all about? These are experiments which don’t need to be carried out and I sincerely hope Rowe doesn’t try them again lest they cost us promotion.

A mix of 1) the lack of many clear cut chances 2) the change in tactics and 3) the loss to Maidenhead has caused more annoyance than a 0-0 against Aldershot typically would.

Thinking about it, I actually think it was disrespectful for Asante to be shunted into the AMC role today. He’s coming back from an injury, he’s bagged 2 goals playing as a striker and he’s moved out of position for somebody who had been with us for a day who hasn’t earnt his place in the starting XI. Todays team was a real ‘head gone’ moment and it needs to not be repeated.

This pretty much echoes my opinion, I thought the addition of Quigley made us alter our game plan, long ball after king ball for 90 minutes with the odd bit of half decent football thrown in, this was until I heard the post match interview, this was due to the state of the pitch(as bad as I’ve seen it). Aldershots defenders were unreal today, Miller was pocketed all the first half, which is a commendable feat in itself, but the passing was poor from us. Poor decision making, lack of a press, was just a frustrating watch.

Personally, I don’t feel it’s an over reaction, we’ve come accustomed to JR’s style of play, so when it ain’t at that standard We get annoyed.

[Fit as a Nelson]

Oh I see, only you can be a post match expert? Bit rich.

[isleaiw1]

To be fair, Weston was a quasi sweeper at Maidenhead. It didnt work too well there either. We've signed a new CF but seem to be lacking in midfield, and our best centre half in recent weeks was dropped for some strange reason (or maybe not so strange to one person...).

Its not sensationalism to criticise the manager, in the same way it wasnt sensationalism to praise him for the good stuff. If we had won he would have accepted the plaudits for his "brave" team selection.... but we didnt so he has to take the brickbats.

That is the life of a football manager....

[Goku]

 isleaiw1, on 22 January 2022 - 10:26 PM, said:

To be fair, Weston was a quasi sweeper at Maidenhead. It didnt work too well there either. We've signed a new CF but seem to be lacking in midfield, and our best centre half in recent weeks was dropped for some strange reason (or maybe not so strange to one person...).

Its not sensationalism to criticise the manager, in the same way it wasnt sensationalism to praise him for the good stuff. If we had won he would have accepted the plaudits for his "brave" team selection.... but we didnt so he has to take the brickbats.

That is the life of a football manager....

Indeed. Can anyone explain why Weston seems to be playing as a sweeper now? We have three centre halves. He actually mopped up well defensively but still, why should he need to? He’s a CM. We need players moving the ball in between the lines like we used to do. I’m not his biggest fan but Mandeville should’ve started in the hole today and we could’ve brought Quigley on 60 mins in for Asante or Kabby. Really feel like Rowe tried to overthink this one and came up with a stinker.

Oyeleke gets us playing. Big miss.

[rodney]

 sophocles, on 22 January 2022 - 10:03 PM, said:

I can't believe some of the ridiculous responses to a drawn game that leaves us at the TOP of the table. A casual onlooker would assume we hadn't won a game for months, and were in the relegation zone. I would imagine the possession stats today were about 80/20 in our favour, as we dominated the game from start to finish. There were two reasons why we failed to win - their incredible workrate and resilience, and our inability to cut through them. Aldershot set their stall out very clearly; they were here for only one thing - to stop us scoring, and go away with a point. They have to be given a huge amount of credit for their incredible spirit and determination to stop us. Almost every time a CFC player gained possession within 40 yards of their goal, he was surrounded by 3, 4, or even 5 Aldershot players. They kept this up right to the end of the game, and if that performance had come from our players against a much stronger opponent, we would all rightly be proud of them. So credit to them, they followed their plan to the letter, and achieved what they set out to do - and I don't see why we shouldn't recognise that achievement. But what about us? To start with, I think the post-match experts who criticise JR's selection are wrong - the attacking set-up was fine, and I thought Quigley did very well, especially in the presence of a referee who wanted to be M-O-M, and a west stand side linesman who appeared to have been told not to interfere. In the face of an 11-man defence, it was always going to be extremely difficult to create clear chances, and so it proved as Aldershot players popped up everywhere and threw themselves into challenges and blocks all over their half of the pitch. Of course our players can be criticised for not converting the chances that did fall to them, but I only spotted about 3 or 4 actual chances that came our way. With all 11 of their players dropping back and working like Trojans, it would have taken a very high quality move to open them up. The fact that we couldn't conjure that perfect move up on the day was very frustrating, but doesn’t mean that we have suddenly turned into a poor team with a poor manager. For heaven's sake get it into your heads - WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

We are top which is great but if we continue to pick a team and formation like today we won’t be by February. The selection was shocking, with many saying so before the game. Yes we are top but it appears to many we can’t criticise. Asante as a meeting midfielder? Grimes not in the squad? Weston playing sweeper for most of the game….it is the first game I have ever watched where for most part of it we had no central midfield.,,,. This is where you dictate the game and make the chances. But never mind the pitch was poor….. please.

[jack bauer]

 isleaiw1, on 22 January 2022 - 10:26 PM, said:

To be fair, Weston was a quasi sweeper at Maidenhead. It didnt work too well there either. We've signed a new CF but seem to be lacking in midfield, and our best centre half in recent weeks was dropped for some strange reason (or maybe not so strange to one person...).

Its not sensationalism to criticise the manager, in the same way it wasnt sensationalism to praise him for the good stuff. If we had won he would have accepted the plaudits for his "brave" team selection.... but we didnt so he has to take the brickbats.

That is the life of a football manager....

i really like janes rowe and like many have bought into his whole football philosophy, he talks about being consistent in behaviours and i like that, however today i think he forgot to follow his own theory.

[Middle East]

 BilltBigBalls, on 22 January 2022 - 10:17 PM, said:

Thank #### not everyones gone into meltdown.

Fair play to you reading a post of that length....I had 2 glasses of wine and watched the masked singer and still couldn't be bothered!

[Goku]

Credit to Khan though. He gave it away dangerously in the first few minutes but after that settled nicely into the game and was the only one trying to get us playing through the middle. I’ve wanted to see a consistent run of Manny and Khan together in midfield since the start of the season and I still want to, although I acknowledge that may be hard with Manny’s calf.

[Spireiteboy155]

 Goku, on 22 January 2022 - 10:34 PM, said:

Credit to Khan though. He gave it away dangerously in the first few minutes but after that settled nicely into the game and was the only one trying to get us playing through the middle. I’ve wanted to see a consistent run of Manny and Khan together in midfield since the start of the season and I still want to, although I acknowledge that may be hard with Manny’s calf.

He was on his own.
Weston was that deep that I’m sure at one point he was all for taking Loach’s gloves.

[dim view]

 isleaiw1, on 22 January 2022 - 10:26 PM, said:

To be fair, Weston was a quasi sweeper at Maidenhead. It didnt work too well there either.

He's done it all season at the times in the game that our wingbacks have pushed right up, and he was our best player today along with Croll.

[Spireiteboy155]

 dim view, on 22 January 2022 - 10:40 PM, said:

He's done it all season at the times in the game that our wingbacks have pushed right up, and he was our best player today along with Croll.

Weston was? He never found a blue shirt once when distributing it. It was one of the worst games I’ve seen from him.

[rodney]

 dim view, on 22 January 2022 - 10:40 PM, said:

He's done it all season at the times in the game that our wingbacks have pushed right up, and he was our best player today along with Croll.

This has to be a joke? One of the worst performances I have seen in a long time…. At times hide behind players not offering for the ball.

[jack bauer]

 Goku, on 22 January 2022 - 10:34 PM, said:

Credit to Khan though. He gave it away dangerously in the first few minutes but after that settled nicely into the game and was the only one trying to get us playing through the middle. I’ve wanted to see a consistent run of Manny and Khan together in midfield since the start of the season and I still want to, although I acknowledge that may be hard with Manny’s calf.

a fit and well oyeleke bosses this division, but we simply have no replacement for him in the squad, for me this had to be the big priority in terms of bringing someone in either to play alongside (imagine) or in his place on days like today, quigley? just not sure we needed this type of player especially given dents return and btw rowe would have known of dents progress, we as fans didn't as we don't. this is i think what has caused some of todays head scratcthing along with miller over whittle, asante playing in midfield, no grimes whatsoever...

[BilltBigBalls]

 Middle East, on 22 January 2022 - 10:31 PM, said:

Fair play to you reading a post of that length....I had 2 glasses of wine and watched the masked singer and still couldn't be bothered!

In all fairness ive had a few vodkas and about through a 2 nd bottle of pinot grigio.
Sheridan would be proud

This post has been edited by BilltBigBalls: 22 January 2022 - 10:52 PM

[Waller is my hero]

Sorry…I think a different plan backfired today…..stick to your principles….2 defeats in 22 before today proved that..…. It’s called consistency! Radically changing an approach is called panic