[JonB]

 Misnomer, on 11 May 2025 - 06:14 PM, said:

As opposed to what, Jon? Same again? It didn't work, and won't work. Are people telling me, these professional footballers can't use their other foot? I don't really care who's on what side of the pitch, we can't set up against them like we just have.

Not saying same again but you have to have some balance in the side. I can sort of go with wingers on opposite sides but not the full backs. Sparkes for Gordon and dobra in for either fleck or Naylor and start from there. Possibly Duffy for olakigbe with colclough on the right although olakigbe has been decent the last few weeks but did have an off day today.

[Westbars Spireite]

 Mr_Pleasant, on 11 May 2025 - 06:15 PM, said:

Ref was a bit weak. I've seen worse. And, whilst we all look at it with blue tinted specs, how he didn't book Fleck after 10 mins for his foul was beyond belief.

5 minutes injury time in the second half was a disgrace though. He'd allowed the same amount of time in the first half, and there had been numerous subs in the second half on top of at least the same amount of stoppages.

I was amazed he didn't book Fleck for that.

[jonnythespireite]

JonB, on 11 May 2025 - 06:09 PM, said:

He picked the side that has got us to today and you can’t start two lads who are just back from injury having missed a fair while in the case of Sparkes. They’ll start Friday but don’t think he did anything wrong not starting them today.

I don’t think we’re out of it by a long shot. We weren’t great but neither were they. Penalty and got a bit of luck we didn’t get on numerous occasions with a ball dropping nicely to one of theirs to shoot. Second half they offered nothing really as we huffed and puffed and didn’t pass it that well. We have to score the first goal on Friday but if we do they will not be comfortable.

Side note for the ref who I thought handled the time management of the game appallingly. Vague wafts of his hand towards their keeper to hurry up, did nothing about the constant falling to the ground, turned his back on play as they messed about restarting play including more than once changing the ball they were using to take a throw in and just general letting them just kill the game which partly went towards us never getting a head of steam up.

Why can’t you start with Sparkes and Dobra? They’re either fit to play or they’re not. Would accept Sparkes to an extent but Dobra has had a slight injury and been out a couple of weeks.
Try and win the game early and then replace them.
Cook is getting on my tits trying to win games late on from losing positions after keeping his best players on the bench.
It worked last year. Not this.

hilly81, on 11 May 2025 - 06:09 PM, said:

In the last 7 league games (those three never started together before that), the only wins (3) came with those 3 starting.

Great stat. Lost today.

JonB, on 11 May 2025 - 06:24 PM, said:

Not saying same again but you have to have some balance in the side. I can sort of go with wingers on opposite sides but not the full backs. Sparkes for Gordon and dobra in for either fleck or Naylor and start from there. Possibly Duffy for olakigbe with colclough on the right although olakigbe has been decent the last few weeks but did have an off day today.

Exactly. It’s quite simple. Balance.

[Westbars Spireite]

The side I would have picked (first post) is there for all to see. Whether the result would have been different who knows, but not playing Dobra and then sitting him out wide when he finally came on clearly wasn't a success either.

[Exharboroughspireite]

Dobra and sparkes were not fully fit. Hence not starting. You don’t Chuck players back in after a lengthy period out.

[Mr Mercury]

Bluekent, on 11 May 2025 - 06:14 PM, said:

Oh give over Waller, it was shíte, no one is really going over the top , everyone’s just really really disappointed with the performance, it’s not over of course but we’re much much better than what we produced today , we are entitled to be a bit annoyed with what went off this afternoon. That’s the feeling I’m getting from people on here and leaving the ground , annoyance, we’ve all been buzzing all week , looking forward to a good game of football and it turned out to be very very dull.

Spot on, it’s football it happens but when performances like todays happen after such a great build up and days of optimism it’s a huge downer, we didn’t have anything to cheer at all today, nothing, not even a late consolation which could have made all the difference. Of course we’re still in with a shout but we now go there as massive underdogs when we all expected to go there in a much more buoyant mood. It’s going to need the night of nights to rank with the best to get anywhere near Wembley. People are more than entitled to have a bit of a moan.

This post has been edited by Mr Mercury: Yesterday, 06:34 PM

[dart in the crossbar]

Mr Mercury, on 11 May 2025 - 06:03 PM, said:

I think today showed that Fleck and Fadz probably shouldn’t be offered a gig next year. Metcalfe and Sparkes, yep I’d like to see both back here, Ajuro possibly as well. Pepple Canada bound it seems and sorry but I don’t really want to see Olakigbe again, but wish him all the best.

that

[gloucestershireblue]

At The services with a load of Man Utd fans!! A disappointing day. Just wish Cook would change the tactics and go for it Stick 5 up front and match them player for player. Can’t be worse than having loads of possession and absolutely no threat at all. A crap game, two crap teams separated by a mistake and a goal which on another day might not have gone in.

[Westbars Spireite]

 Exharboroughspireite, on 11 May 2025 - 06:33 PM, said:

Dobra and sparkes were not fully fit. Hence not starting. You don’t Chuck players back in after a lengthy period out.

Dobra hasn't had a 'lengthy period out'.

[Johnny Spireite]

It was a disappointing day but a few on here need to give their head a wobble.

We conceded two very poor goals. We were by far the better footballing team. In fact their game was based on a really strong commitment to denying space and defending strongly - and sending long balls forward - and there weren’t many of them - they didn’t have the ball for long enough.

Fair play to them, they probably couldn’t believe they’d got the goals and they absolutely knew their jobs defending.

We didn’t find it easy getting good possession in the final third and consequently didn’t create the chances we might have. But we had enough and this Board would be a different read!

It’s half-time. The heads will be down but we watched one team trying to play football, patiently and on the floor and another whose ale-house style offered them little, but they absolutely knew how to defend.

We might still make Wembley, and if we don’t Cookie et al will absolutely know what’s needed to improve the side for next year.

[jonnythespireite]

Westbars Spireite, on 11 May 2025 - 06:41 PM, said:

Dobra hasn't had a 'lengthy period out'.

Exactly. He’s been out a couple of weeks. In games like this, ie prettty much must win, you play your best players.

Johnny Spireite, on 11 May 2025 - 06:44 PM, said:

It was a disappointing day but a few on here need to give their head a wobble.

We conceded two very poor goals. We were by far the better footballing team. In fact their game was based on a really strong commitment to denying space and defending strongly - and sending long balls forward - and there weren’t many of them - they didn’t have the ball for long enough.

Fair play to them, they probably couldn’t believe they’d got the goals and they absolutely knew their jobs defending.

We didn’t find it easy getting good possession in the final third and consequently didn’t create the chances we might have. But we had enough and this Board would be a different read!

It’s half-time. The heads will be down but we watched one team trying to play football, patiently and on the floor and another whose ale-house style offered them little, but they absolutely knew how to defend.

We might still make Wembley, and if we don’t Cookie et al will absolutely know what’s needed to improve the side for next year.

You’ve watched a very different game to what most of us saw there mate.

[stevie_b]

 Waller is my hero, on 11 May 2025 - 06:07 PM, said:

Yes, today was disappointing — that much is clear. But some of the reactions on here feel a bit dramatic. I find it hard to understand why some only seem to become more vocal after a loss, almost as if they thrive on the negativity. And there are others who seem to swing from one extreme to the other week by week.

Let’s keep some perspective. It’s only half-time, and there’s still everything to play for in the second leg. It’s far from over.

Well, I completely agree with Waller. We got a bit of work to do on Friday. Best make sure I get meself a ticket and offer some support. Would be great if you could all stop crying and join me 🙏

It's been a great season whatever happens 🥰

COYB ⚽💙⚽💙⚽💙

[spireitetoo]

Like I've just said to my son,. Relax, and forget all about football for 4 days,

You'll sleep better 😉

[hilly81]

Johnny Spireite, on 11 May 2025 - 06:44 PM, said:

It was a disappointing day but a few on here need to give their head a wobble.

We conceded two very poor goals. We were by far the better footballing team. In fact their game was based on a really strong commitment to denying space and defending strongly - and sending long balls forward - and there weren’t many of them - they didn’t have the ball for long enough.

Fair play to them, they probably couldn’t believe they’d got the goals and they absolutely knew their jobs defending.

We didn’t find it easy getting good possession in the final third and consequently didn’t create the chances we might have. But we had enough and this Board would be a different read!

It’s half-time. The heads will be down but we watched one team trying to play football, patiently and on the floor and another whose ale-house style offered them little, but they absolutely knew how to defend.

We might still make Wembley, and if we don’t Cookie et al will absolutely know what’s needed to improve the side for next year.

Spot on

[Johnny Spireite]

You’ve watched a very different game to what most of us saw there mate.
[/quote]

Well, if you don’t understand football…….

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Okay, first of all, to those that couldn't make it today, amazing atmosphere.

Just seeing the huge number of kids in Tairn stuff is genuinely moving.

Stadium banging.

And I thought we got it down and did what we usually do after the first five.

Patient, passing, possession based football.

Colclough should really have scored.

But it's Tairn under Cook, in't it. Turning dominance into concession all too easily.

No arguments over the penno.

Then ditto.

Enjoying the lion's share of play but...

..a loose ball and an outfit prepared to shoot.

Summat we're all too often are left screaming for.

Side?

Don't really blame Cook for showing loyalty to players who got us into the play offs. However we were crying out for a bold move at HT.

Yet they were the first to change things.

Not a fan of Olakigbe. Terrific first touch but then seems to fall over his own feet. Colclough consistently flatters to deceive. No overlapping or runs behind the defence at all.

Yeah, maddening time wasting from their 'keeper. In fact them throughout. Pulled off at least three goal-stopping saves, though.

Bottom line?

Can't be as critical as some on here. Who in certain cases have a catalogue of almost revelling in it. Pretty sure the stats will have us on top in all but the one that really matters. Next goal is crucial. We get it and game definitely on. Vice-versa game over.

Either way not gonna go ga-ga. Cook's style delivers, we know that, despite infuriating games like today.

If not this season, we'll do it next...

[HaslandBlue58]

 Misnomer, on 11 May 2025 - 03:12 PM, said:

Sometimes, I don't know what game folk are watching. We are so far off it, it's unreal. Sparkes and Dobra will need to come on at half-time, because this is utter wank, so far. We have one outlet, Colclough. We need two, to stretch them, like we need to.

If you considered Colclough an outlet on that performance I am lost for words.How he was given a start after his efforts of the last two seasons I obviously have to bow to the superior experience of PC.He was continually MIA and his body language,once again,was beyond embarrassing.

[azul]

danblue, on 11 May 2025 - 05:38 PM, said:

At what point do fans think this behaviour is exceptional and also that the club won't get fined or dragged through the mud.
Their keeper (amongst others) is a shithouse so why give them the ammo to waste more time and make a complaint.

Indeed felled by a paper cup - say no more

[Mr Mercury]

stevie_b, on 11 May 2025 - 06:49 PM, said:

Well, I completely agree with Waller. We got a bit of work to do on Friday. Best make sure I get meself a ticket and offer some support. Would be great if you could all stop crying and join me 🙏

It's been a great season whatever happens 🥰

COYB ⚽💙⚽💙⚽💙

It’s been a decent season not a great season. Yes it’s great to be back in the EFL but ultimately, if we don’t go up they’ll be a bit of “what could have been” . Of course injuries around Jan have done for us, but to put together such a run to get into the playoffs then see that today is a downer. Nobodies calling for anyone to be sacked or heads to roll, and a minor miracle can still happen, but today was shite.

[stevie_b]

 Johnny Spireite, on 11 May 2025 - 06:44 PM, said:

It was a disappointing day but a few on here need to give their head a wobble.

We conceded two very poor goals. We were by far the better footballing team. In fact their game was based on a really strong commitment to denying space and defending strongly - and sending long balls forward - and there weren’t many of them - they didn’t have the ball for long enough.

Fair play to them, they probably couldn’t believe they’d got the goals and they absolutely knew their jobs defending.

We didn’t find it easy getting good possession in the final third and consequently didn’t create the chances we might have. But we had enough and this Board would be a different read!

It’s half-time. The heads will be down but we watched one team trying to play football, patiently and on the floor and another whose ale-house style offered them little, but they absolutely knew how to defend.

We might still make Wembley, and if we don’t Cookie et al will absolutely know what’s needed to improve the side for next year.

Absolutely agree with all this 💙⚽