[The Earl of Chesterfield]

..feel the width?

Well i guess there'll be those who advocate that approach, grabbing hold of last evening's win, hugging it close to their chest then blocking out dissenting voices by repeating platitudes over and over again.

Okay, fair enough, that's their prerogative.

However those of a more realistic bent will recognise how we were totally outplayed for significant periods and have only Jack Lester's genius to thank for anything from the game, let alone three points.

A fact Tommy Wright graciously and reassuringly acknowledged in his post match comments.

The question i'd like answering, though, is how can a club with the lowest resources in the entire football league put together a side that play with such fluency, freedom, energy and confidence whilst our supposed promotion canditates look so pedestrian? Accrington were first and second to just about every ball, constantly closed down restricting us to far too many hopeful punts, then played around our lot as if they weren't there.

Frankly it was embarrassing at times, and despite the two tight lines of four Wright set up our defensive shortcomings were exposed yet again.

As for individual showings Jack bestrode the field like the colossus he is, Ridell High had an improved game, Darikwa did more in his first few touches than the bloke he replaced did all evening, Forbes continues to impress, Richards scored his goal then gradually faded (him and Jack swapping markers, perhaps), O'Donnell gets caught in two minds - which cost us the second goal, Atkinson watched the game happening around him for the most part, meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

The bottom line is whilst we all welcome last night's result the performance undermined rather than underlined any claims of improvement. Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

[BlueRover52]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

..feel the width?

Well i guess there'll be those who advocate that approach, grabbing hold of last evening's win, hugging it close to their chest then blocking out dissenting voices by repeating platitudes over and over again.

Okay, fair enough, that's their prerogative.

However those of a more realistic bent will recognise how we were totally outplayed for significant periods and have only Jack Lester's genius to thank for anything from the game, let alone three points.

A fact Tommy Wright graciously and reassuringly acknowledged in his post match comments.

The question i'd like answering, though, is how can a club with the lowest resources in the entire football league put together a side that play with such fluency, freedom, energy and confidence whilst our supposed promotion canditates look so pedestrian? Accrington were first and second to just about every ball, constantly closed down restricting us to far too many hopeful punts, then played around our lot as if they weren't there.

Frankly it was embarrassing at times, and despite the two tight lines of four Wright set up our defensive shortcomings were exposed yet again.

As for individual showings Jack bestrode the field like the colossus he is, Ridell High had an improved game, Darikwa did more in his first few touches than the bloke he replaced did all evening, Forbes continues to impress, Richards scored his goal then gradually faded (him and Jack swapping markers, perhaps), O'Donnell gets caught in two minds - which cost us the second goal, Atkinson watched the game happening around him for the most part, meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

The bottom line is whilst we all welcome last night's result the performance undermined rather than underlined any claims of improvement. Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

The fans aren't mugs and can easily identify the weaknesses in the squad and, without an official manager, who can blame them for having doubts.To get the less ardent fan to part with his hard earned cash the club have to get their act together.Sort out the managere job,whoever it may be,but pick a guy who is going to get the best out of this squad and who can generate some team spirit because he'll have to work with the smallest squad in the league.

[Town_Fan]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

Same old stuff

This is getting tiresome.

Where were the plaudits when we played well and didnt get the win we deserved?

This post has been edited by Town_Fan: 19 September 2012 - 03:32 PM

[Beelzebub]

BlueRover52, on 19 September 2012 - 03:26 PM, said:

To get the less ardent fan to part with his hard earned cash the club have to get their act together.

or produce highly entertaining football matches with seven goals , a sending off etc

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Town_Fan, on 19 September 2012 - 03:30 PM, said:

This is getting tiresome.

Where were the plaudits when we played well and didnt get the win we deserved?

My thoughts on the games i've witnessed are there for all to see, "tiresome" or not.

I guess i must've missed all the ones you refer to.

Beelzebub, on 19 September 2012 - 03:31 PM, said:

or produce highly entertaining football matches with seven goals , a sending off etc

But which outfit produced the entertainment?

[bigdbh2]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

..feel the width?

Well i guess there'll be those who advocate that approach, grabbing hold of last evening's win, hugging it close to their chest then blocking out dissenting voices by repeating platitudes over and over again.

Okay, fair enough, that's their prerogative.

However those of a more realistic bent will recognise how we were totally outplayed for significant periods and have only Jack Lester's genius to thank for anything from the game, let alone three points.

A fact Tommy Wright graciously and reassuringly acknowledged in his post match comments.

The question i'd like answering, though, is how can a club with the lowest resources in the entire football league put together a side that play with such fluency, freedom, energy and confidence whilst our supposed promotion canditates look so pedestrian? Accrington were first and second to just about every ball, constantly closed down restricting us to far too many hopeful punts, then played around our lot as if they weren't there.

Frankly it was embarrassing at times, and despite the two tight lines of four Wright set up our defensive shortcomings were exposed yet again.

As for individual showings Jack bestrode the field like the colossus he is, Ridell High had an improved game, Darikwa did more in his first few touches than the bloke he replaced did all evening, Forbes continues to impress, Richards scored his goal then gradually faded (him and Jack swapping markers, perhaps), O'Donnell gets caught in two minds - which cost us the second goal, Atkinson watched the game happening around him for the most part, meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

The bottom line is whilst we all welcome last night's result the performance undermined rather than underlined any claims of improvement. Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

Great post.

Any of our fans happy with Tommy Wright's reign are IMO a bit mental. Same issues as we had all last season: periods of apathy in games, average defending, terrible set pieces at both ends and too many hopeful punts upfield.

The only thing I can disagree on is that I don't think Accrington were very good at all. We stood off them and let them play but they lack quality in every area of the pitch. We should have put them to sleep at 2-0 but instead went to sleep ourselves.

[Sabreman]

All this praise for Accy and rightly so, they looked a cracking outfit, maybe the manager has just got it right and assembled a very good side on a shoestring or doesn't that happen anymore. However saying that no matter how badly we played which we did at times, we still won the game. I wouldn't have said it was embarrassing we were just given a lesson in passing and possession.
I thought we showed a never say die attitude so i for one was and am proud of the team for last night, another three points in the bag, did we deserve them, maybe not but we did against Gillingham and Wimbledon that's football.

Time to move on to Saturday, bring on Northampton.

[s43spire]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 03:42 PM, said:

My thoughts on the games i've witnessed are there for all to see, "tiresome" or not.

I guess i must've missed all the ones you refer to.




But which outfit produced the entertainment?

But which outfit went away with three points?
also bearin mind that we are talking about a results driven business?

So would you have prefered us to have played pretty football and lost or ugly and won?

[lindave]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

..feel the width?

Well i guess there'll be those who advocate that approach, grabbing hold of last evening's win, hugging it close to their chest then blocking out dissenting voices by repeating platitudes over and over again.

Okay, fair enough, that's their prerogative.

However those of a more realistic bent will recognise how we were totally outplayed for significant periods and have only Jack Lester's genius to thank for anything from the game, let alone three points.

A fact Tommy Wright graciously and reassuringly acknowledged in his post match comments.

The question i'd like answering, though, is how can a club with the lowest resources in the entire football league put together a side that play with such fluency, freedom, energy and confidence whilst our supposed promotion canditates look so pedestrian? Accrington were first and second to just about every ball, constantly closed down restricting us to far too many hopeful punts, then played around our lot as if they weren't there.

Frankly it was embarrassing at times, and despite the two tight lines of four Wright set up our defensive shortcomings were exposed yet again.

As for individual showings Jack bestrode the field like the colossus he is, Ridell High had an improved game, Darikwa did more in his first few touches than the bloke he replaced did all evening, Forbes continues to impress, Richards scored his goal then gradually faded (him and Jack swapping markers, perhaps), O'Donnell gets caught in two minds - which cost us the second goal, Atkinson watched the game happening around him for the most part, meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

The bottom line is whilst we all welcome last night's result the performance undermined rather than underlined any claims of improvement. Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

Good post Chris, if we don't get a decent manager in then the crowds will not be increasing by much up to Christmas no matter where we are in the league,a lot of folks have had enough of just making do lets get a fresh face in with fresh ideas on fitness and our gameplay. Its still like watching shezza's team but thankfully Jack is on fire.

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

..feel the width?

Well i guess there'll be those who advocate that approach, grabbing hold of last evening's win, hugging it close to their chest then blocking out dissenting voices by repeating platitudes over and over again.

Okay, fair enough, that's their prerogative.

However those of a more realistic bent will recognise how we were totally outplayed for significant periods and have only Jack Lester's genius to thank for anything from the game, let alone three points.

A fact Tommy Wright graciously and reassuringly acknowledged in his post match comments.

The question i'd like answering, though, is how can a club with the lowest resources in the entire football league put together a side that play with such fluency, freedom, energy and confidence whilst our supposed promotion canditates look so pedestrian? Accrington were first and second to just about every ball, constantly closed down restricting us to far too many hopeful punts, then played around our lot as if they weren't there.

Frankly it was embarrassing at times, and despite the two tight lines of four Wright set up our defensive shortcomings were exposed yet again.

As for individual showings Jack bestrode the field like the colossus he is, Ridell High had an improved game, Darikwa did more in his first few touches than the bloke he replaced did all evening, Forbes continues to impress, Richards scored his goal then gradually faded (him and Jack swapping markers, perhaps), O'Donnell gets caught in two minds - which cost us the second goal, Atkinson watched the game happening around him for the most part, meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

The bottom line is whilst we all welcome last night's result the performance undermined rather than underlined any claims of improvement. Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

Accy were very good but they also had their own frailties, poor at the back and sadly lacking up front. Good passing side and fluid but likely to win nowt. Still a good side for their available resources.

[boot]

BlueRover52, on 19 September 2012 - 03:26 PM, said:

The fans aren't mugs and can easily identify the weaknesses in the squad and, without an official manager, who can blame them for having doubts.To get the less ardent fan to part with his hard earned cash the club have to get their act together.Sort out the managere job,whoever it may be,but pick a guy who is going to get the best out of this squad and who can generate some team spirit because he'll have to work with the smallest squad in the league.

Tranmere League 1 top unbeaten 4,796. Gillingham League 2 top unbeaten 4,920.Would it be much more if we were top? I doubt it now the novelty of new stadium has worn off for most.Football is an expensive hobby these days and money is tight.Away support is our big loss in this League as opposed to League 1 - how many away fans last night I wonder - not many.

[Blueprint]

going into last nights game there wasn't much attraction for fans, a cold rainy evening, with Man City and Arsenal playing big sides from the comfort of the armchair. Strangely we have a habit of scoring a fair few goals against Accrington, but the ex non league side who hadn't lost an away game prior to last night doesn't excite people, add to that our lowly position of 16th, despite beating Wycombe 3-1 at the weekend.

Heard your call on the radio before leaving the house, doubt it made anyone in two minds want to leave the house and get to the game, sounds to me that although a couple of weeks ago you were all for giving Tommy a chance you haven't really done that and now just want a new man in.

Anyway, Accrington are side who've adapted to league two following their promotion a few years ago, they've been happily improving over the last few years, with one of the lowest budgets in the league but plenty of ambition, using their knowledge and contacts to bring the best players in from a variety of areas. They've seen their manager who got them promoted leave to Rochdale who at the time were in the division above, and they've replaced him with a former player who's been managing one of the top sides in Ireland, gaining experience he can now use at his former club. I was reading about him this morning, he actually wants them to finish top of the league this season!

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/19492959

Obviously given their budget they are going to have faults within the side, like their defence, but the way they play the ball around, their passion and how their players get into space is a joy to watch. There's no pressure on them, they are certainly punching above their weight but with Stevenage currently 2nd in league one then what have Accy got to lose.

We, on the other hand have a bunch of players who don't compliment each other that well and certainly aren't a group of players who are going to be good against many teams in league two on current showings, there's a lack of height at the back, we lack someone to get stuck in in midfield and we don't have a left winger, cheers for that Mr Sheridan, you really prepared us well for life in league two, however you did manage to spend most of our budget on players who don't look any better than players at a side who get around a third of the gates that we do. Then there's the fitness concerns to add to that. Good riddance to JS I think, in time we should prove better without him.

Tommy does know we didn't play well last night, he knows there's a long way to go and he knows not many of our players were up to the challenge last night, fortunately he selected the best players at our disposal to get 3 points, not that there are many others left to choose from mind.

It's a hard task for Tommy to get our bunch of individuals to play well regularly and get 3 points as often as possible, so far he's not tasted defeat, eventually he will, then it's how he'll recover from it. It's a good sign that he knows we didn't play well last night, and isn't just happy with the 3 points.

I don't know for certain that Tommy is the man to lead us for the next couple of years, but I'm not against giving him longer to prove himself. We are now in the top half of the table and are heading in the right direction. I'd rather us gradually climb the table than be top at the start and gradually slide - something we started to do under sheridan when we led the rest by a massive amount of points and then stumbled over the line without an away win since March.

Next up for Tommy to get us winning games away from home - although without Richards who hopefully just broke his duck last night and not his ankle too. Given our last two home games resulted in wins I'd be happy with a point on saturday against a side above us in the league. Who could complain if we were to get 7 points from 9 available in the last 3 games.

[Blueprint]

bigdbh2, on 19 September 2012 - 03:45 PM, said:

Great post.

Any of our fans happy with Tommy Wright's reign are IMO a bit mental. Same issues as we had all last season: periods of apathy in games, average defending, terrible set pieces at both ends and too many hopeful punts upfield.

The only thing I can disagree on is that I don't think Accrington were very good at all. We stood off them and let them play but they lack quality in every area of the pitch. We should have put them to sleep at 2-0 but instead went to sleep ourselves.

Strange that considering Tommy has virtually the same set of players to choose from as Sheridan had, apart from Atkinson. Tommy has also had just 3 weeks to turn it around.

How much time would a new manager be given to turn the way our players play around? I bet it's more than 3 weeks.

boot, on 19 September 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

Tranmere League 1 top unbeaten 4,796. Gillingham League 2 top unbeaten 4,920.Would it be much more if we were top? I doubt it now the novelty of new stadium has worn off for most.Football is an expensive hobby these days and money is tight.Away support is our big loss in this League as opposed to League 1 - how many away fans last night I wonder - not many.

Considering how we got relegated and how we started off the season our attendances aren't that bad. If we can keep in the top 7, and then push on to the top 3 they will improve.

Our attendances have never been that great unless we are in the top 3. the fair weather fans won't turn up game in game out if we aren't up near the top, and with the lack of fight last season some people will need a fair bit of convincing to come back.

How many would we have got if we'd have played Accrington on a cold rainy tuesday night at Saltergate with that start to the season?

[s43spire]

boot, on 19 September 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

Tranmere League 1 top unbeaten 4,796. Gillingham League 2 top unbeaten 4,920.Would it be much more if we were top? I doubt it now the novelty of new stadium has worn off for most.Football is an expensive hobby these days and money is tight.Away support is our big loss in this League as opposed to League 1 - how many away fans last night I wonder - not many.

Around 60

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Blueprint, on 19 September 2012 - 03:58 PM, said:

going into last nights game there wasn't much attraction for fans, a cold rainy evening, with Man City and Arsenal playing big sides from the comfort of the armchair. Strangely we have a habit of scoring a fair few goals against Accrington, but the ex non league side who hadn't lost an away game prior to last night doesn't excite people, add to that our lowly position of 16th, despite beating Wycombe 3-1 at the weekend.

Heard your call on the radio before leaving the house, doubt it made anyone in two minds want to leave the house and get to the game, sounds to me that although a couple of weeks ago you were all for giving Tommy a chance you haven't really done that and now just want a new man in.

Anyway, Accrington are side who've adapted to league two following their promotion a few years ago, they've been happily improving over the last few years, with one of the lowest budgets in the league but plenty of ambition, using their knowledge and contacts to bring the best players in from a variety of areas. They've seen their manager who got them promoted leave to Rochdale who at the time were in the division above, and they've replaced him with a former player who's been managing one of the top sides in Ireland, gaining experience he can now use at his former club. I was reading about him this morning, he actually wants them to finish top of the league this season!

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/19492959

Obviously given their budget they are going to have faults within the side, like their defence, but the way they play the ball around, their passion and how their players get into space is a joy to watch. There's no pressure on them, they are certainly punching above their weight but with Stevenage currently 2nd in league one then what have Accy got to lose.

We, on the other hand have a bunch of players who don't compliment each other that well and certainly aren't a group of players who are going to be good against many teams in league two on current showings, there's a lack of height at the back, we lack someone to get stuck in in midfield and we don't have a left winger, cheers for that Mr Sheridan, you really prepared us well for life in league two, however you did manage to spend most of our budget on players who don't look any better than players at a side who get around a third of the gates that we do. Then there's the fitness concerns to add to that. Good riddance to JS I think, in time we should prove better without him.

Tommy does know we didn't play well last night, he knows there's a long way to go and he knows not many of our players were up to the challenge last night, fortunately he selected the best players at our disposal to get 3 points, not that there are many others left to choose from mind.

It's a hard task for Tommy to get our bunch of individuals to play well regularly and get 3 points as often as possible, so far he's not tasted defeat, eventually he will, then it's how he'll recover from it. It's a good sign that he knows we didn't play well last night, and isn't just happy with the 3 points.

I don't know for certain that Tommy is the man to lead us for the next couple of years, but I'm not against giving him longer to prove himself. We are now in the top half of the table and are heading in the right direction. I'd rather us gradually climb the table than be top at the start and gradually slide - something we started to do under sheridan when we led the rest by a massive amount of points and then stumbled over the line without an away win since March.

Next up for Tommy to get us winning games away from home - although without Richards who hopefully just broke his duck last night and not his ankle too. Given our last two home games resulted in wins I'd be happy with a point on saturday against a side above us in the league. Who could complain if we were to get 7 points from 9 available in the last 3 games.

My thoughts on TW haven't really changed, infact all i did was repeat what i said after his temporary appointment: i'm looking for progress. Have we seen any? In results and probably the spirit of the players yes, but in our defensive frailties and sphere of recruitment no, no yet.

As for convincing anyone in two minds to attend, that's not my job. Besides, i'd hardly think my ten bob's worth carries that much weight.

For what it's worth i'm in general agreement with much of the above, though my senses tell me TW will have to do outstandingly well to impact the feeling of limbo many seem to exhibit. Lee Richardson MKII?

[jack bauer]

didn't go last night, can't get to midweek games so can not possibly comment on the game, looking at the post match reaction of people though (and i understand this as i've been there) there is something positive to say quite simply that if we played as poorly as people are saying and still won 4-3 that can't be bad, albeit sounds like Jack pulled several rabbitts from the hat, he is part of our team and he is allowed to win us games. I agree we're not there yet as a side, much to do but we won. I'll go and pop my head back in the sand now

[Blueprint]

It seems people are so quick to assume that because our previous appointments from within did'nt make the grade Tommy definitely won't be good enough.

What changes did you expect in three weeks?

We've not lost, we are starting to win games, but we aren't playing as good as we need to be.

We have a lack of defenders at the club full stop so there's no wonder we are poor at the back - add to that the injury to Tommy. Hird wasn't the signing we needed in the summer, and Trotman has started the season off poorly, he didn't look good when we signed him, when he got fitter he improved and currently despite getting injured virtually every game he well doesn't look as good as he did when he reached full fitness last season. Perhaps given he was a doubt last night is something to do with that also.

I'm not convinced Togwell was the player we needed, he doesn't look much better than Niven - who was willing to get stuck in.

Westcarr was a signing of desperation, lets not forget we paid 70 grand to bring him here, he scores goals but he looks like a player who can't be bothered every game, and we can't afford to have passengers in our side, not if we want to get out of league two. Ok he shouldn't really be playing left wing - but that's the fault of Sheridan for not preparing us for this season. Tommy is trying to bring in a left winger, hopefully EE can be that man, although it all depends if he can keep fit, if he can he may be the best winger we've had for ages, given he's without a club still it proves he is a gamble, but possible worth taking given our lack of options in his position.

This post has been edited by Blueprint: 19 September 2012 - 04:34 PM

[dim view]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

meanwhile the rest delivered pretty much what we're used to.

I liked the new cameo role for Randall. He played just behind Richards as an out and out forrad - and he looked as though he might do summat.

[Guest_freelander2_*]

MDCCCLXVI, on 19 September 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

Worse still the attendance tells us punters, the people that really matter, are increasingly unconvinced.

Unconvinced by Tommy & the lads or unconvinced by the Boards' decision making this year?

[BlueRover52]

freelander2, on 19 September 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:

Unconvinced by Tommy & the lads or unconvinced by the Boards' decision making this year?

Mainly the latter giving TW an uphill battle.