May is lively but he needs service Dobson is quality but he can't do it all himself Payne, and Kirk. If they were just squad players we'd be ok. But they aren't. We need better. Our attacking options are very poor.
Defensively we're average. Therefore we need to improve that but going forward we simply have no invention.
Nobody to play between the lines. Nobody to do something different, something creative.
Taylor will improve set pieces. Leaburn will help the attacking line but if we rely on Fraser and CBT for impetus, we simply won't have enough.
JCH did fuck all today yet still hit the post. Their 22 was different gravy. We are behind Peterborough. By quite away.
At the end of the transfer window we MAY start to catch up but we'll be a couple of months off them.
Let alone Pompey, Bolton, Barnsley.
We've had the same issues for a long time. I don't want to hear the transfer window goes to end of August etc. We want out of this division now. I fear that isn't going to happen.
Our patterns of play are too rigid. Too obvious.
Better than last year? Most likely. Not good enough for promotion? Even more likely.
No way are we miles behind Posh! There was nothing in it today!
But we still lost.
We never seem to be able to turn a game around - why is that?
1 win from going behind first in 47 games tells a story. I'd love to see that stat compared to other clubs. Is ours similar or woeful?
I wonder how that stat stacks up against the top 6 clubs each season. If we can't fight back we can't gain promotion. In addition as Curbs keeps saying over and over, if you take goals out of the team, then you have to replace them.
Rak Sakyi was a lucky loan, without which, last season could have been very different. We need a striker, known or unknown who is going to get 15+ goals, and that's to achieve mid-table.
For a top end finish we realistically need 2,3,4 players achieving that to be in the higher promotion places. Too much is said about the loss of Leaburn, but I genuinely don't think that he is the answer. The pressure and niggling injuries for a big young lad is potentially likely to take it's toll.
As was being said before last season ended, we need to sign goalscorers, who can combine to score 2 a game average, to balance out our defence, who always seem to GIVE a goal away.
Excellent post.
I said 2 months ago that we would struggle if we didnt replace JRS. I appreciate that it would he hard to replace a winger who was 2nd highest goal scorer but thems the breaks. Not only have we not replaced him we have not strengthed enough up front or sorted out our defensive frailties. Admittedly we have brought in a couple of exciting players in Edun & Camara and a striker who is mobile & should score goals, if given the service......but the lack of service could be our biggest downfall.
I thought a fair result would have been a draw was it good enough No I said it when Holden came in it will only be a matter of time until he goes on our manager roundabout & follows them out the door I know some on here don't want to hear this but I don't think he's good enough to take us up hopefully he will prove me wrong
Still too early to properly judge him. He still doesn’t actually have the players to play the way he wants too. That’s not his fault
IMO like I said it's only a matter of time the signs are there instead of addressing the issues he comes out with excuses & I do hope he does prove me wrong but a good manager would get more out these players then he does
An alternative view is that a change of manager might get a worse tune out of them. I thought we looked the most likely to score in the second half yesterday, but at the same time only CBT and Dobbo stood out as being as good as or better than what Posh had on the pitch.
Just depends on how good a manager is We finished the season with the same defence problems as when he come in Everyone could see it he had more than enough time to work on it OK I know our players are not world beaters but to allow them to keep making the same mistakes over & over again in my eyes not good management But it's still early into this season let's see how he improves our play like others have said this is div 3 we should have More then enough in this team to at least make the playoffs
Well at least we’ve only conceded one goal so far this season, and the defence has played quite well.
I doubt we’ll see that sort of mistake from Camara very often. He feels like an upgrade what we had from last season.
I think we’ve got a decent platform to build on, but it’s essential be bring in two or three more quality signings if we want to trouble the play off places.
Top six is about going on runs and if we are mid table at the end of August it wouldn't be a disaster in that respect if we do some good business before the window closes. But it is natural to be concerened until that happens. I am still optimistic and positive, but have always maintained, the proof of the pudding is always in the eating and am still waiting for that delicious one I feel I have been promised!
I knew the best I would get from Sandgaard was half a biscuit, but our new owners have suggested they will serve up better and still have time to do so. I appreciate it isn't easy but it never is.
Frustrating performance because I can see genuine seeds of quality in there. A good partner for May, remove the stupid mistakes, even a week or two more to get fitness up and this team could be pretty good.
There's some very obvious weaknesses still and the depth isn't there for a whole season but we're very close to a good thing, but not close enough yet.
Don’t you come on here suggesting there’s green shoots of recovery, I’ve just sharpened my pitchfork and the torch is ready to set light to. Just need to know where we are all meeting up 😉.
I would like to apologize to everyone @CAFCofficial today for my mistake that spoiled the boys' performance 🙌🏿🤲🏿
Camara after yesterday game
Watching the highlights I wouldn't blame Camara for our goal. He didn't "give the ball away" he mainly mis-controlled a bouncing ball. It happens 10/20/30 times a game. Its not as if he did a Stevie Gerrard.
I would like to apologize to everyone @CAFCofficial today for my mistake that spoiled the boys' performance 🙌🏿🤲🏿
Camara after yesterday game
Watching the highlights I wouldn't blame Camara for our goal. He didn't "give the ball away" he mainly mis-controlled a bouncing ball. It happens 10/20/30 times a game. Its not as if he did a Stevie Gerrard.
Yes, I think looking at it again, you could blame him to an extent for not controlling it or given the time in the game just put his foot through it but it could happen to a lot of players and indeed is not uncommon and part of the problem is what the Posh player did when he got it, making a great pass.
Not sure what else people think Holden can do. It’s a physical, competitive league so going into the season with just Leaburn and two lightweight players in May and Kanu (let’s forgot Aneke) as our only striking options carried huge risks we’d have no outlet play if Leaburn doesn’t play.
Leaburn got injured on 1st July, over 6 weeks ago now. The club have actively chose not to fill that ‘role’ so we are hamstrung in how we play. As we have no viable an to that player.
Away to physical teams like Peterborough in difficult, circling winds and not having a physical presence up front limits us incredibly.
Cannot understand the strategy in why we are limiting ourselves in such a impacting way
They haven’t / don’t want to spend, they want frees and loans. I can’t understand why spend £10M + and not want to invest in a team that can get you into the championship.
Not sure what else people think Holden can do. It’s a physical, competitive league so going into the season with just Leaburn and two lightweight players in May and Kanu (let’s forgot Aneke) as our only striking options carried huge risks we’d have no outlet play if Leaburn doesn’t play.
Leaburn got injured on 1st July, over 6 weeks ago now. The club have actively chose not to fill that ‘role’ so we are hamstrung in how we play. As we have no viable an to that player.
Away to physical teams like Peterborough in difficult, circling winds and not having a physical presence up front limits us incredibly.
Cannot understand the strategy in why we are limiting ourselves in such a impacting way
Not sure what else people think Holden can do. It’s a physical, competitive league so going into the season with just Leaburn and two lightweight players in May and Kanu (let’s forgot Aneke) as our only striking options carried huge risks we’d have no outlet play if Leaburn doesn’t play.
Leaburn got injured on 1st July, over 6 weeks ago now. The club have actively chose not to fill that ‘role’ so we are hamstrung in how we play. As we have no viable an to that player.
Away to physical teams like Peterborough in difficult, circling winds and not having a physical presence up front limits us incredibly.
Cannot understand the strategy in why we are limiting ourselves in such a impacting way
They haven’t / don’t want to spend, they want frees and loans. I can’t understand why spend £10M + and not want to invest in a team that can get you into the championship.
We’ve paid fees for 3 players already this summer as well as bidding for Nombe so not sure how you’ve come to that conclusion
Some observations: Our set pieces were awful. If we can't score from open play these are a good opportunity and in every case we posed little threat including the joke free kick at the end.
We need to cut out the defensive errors if we are to get promotion as they make the difference in tight games like this one.
It's a concern when your CDM is your best player and you lose the game.
Not sure what else people think Holden can do. It’s a physical, competitive league so going into the season with just Leaburn and two lightweight players in May and Kanu (let’s forgot Aneke) as our only striking options carried huge risks we’d have no outlet play if Leaburn doesn’t play.
Leaburn got injured on 1st July, over 6 weeks ago now. The club have actively chose not to fill that ‘role’ so we are hamstrung in how we play. As we have no viable an to that player.
Away to physical teams like Peterborough in difficult, circling winds and not having a physical presence up front limits us incredibly.
Cannot understand the strategy in why we are limiting ourselves in such a impacting way
They haven’t / don’t want to spend, they want frees and loans. I can’t understand why spend £10M + and not want to invest in a team that can get you into the championship.
We’ve paid fees for 3 players already this summer as well as bidding for Nombe so not sure how you’ve come to that conclusion
No one knows what they spent. Clearly, anything they have spent to date is not enough. We still have poor quality like Kirk/DJ who take up squad space and who are a liability. Aneke is clearly unable to do any kind of run in the team and he needs to go.
A pathetic defeat at Newport and a lame loss at the Posh is hardly inspiring. Also, the injury list is growing, so its all looking a bit worrying, after only 3 games.
NOW is the time to do business and not in January when it will probably be too late to make a difference.
Also, I ask again, what is the point of Andy Scott?
If they want to fill the Valley again, they will need to spend a lot more, as the faithful has seen too much bullshit over the years. I'm not buying it, based on what I have seen so far.
The club is seriously underestimating the need to strengthen the medical staff, physios, sports scientists and any other employees in charge of avoiding player injuries and helping them recover properly so they don't relapse.
It's infuriating to see injury after injury undoing gains in recruitment and training that have taken weeks and months to achieve.
No lack of effort and can't say we were bad, we just weren't good enough.
First half the two sides cancelled each other out until Camara lost the ball and they punished us.
Lots of huff and some puff from us after but didn't have the cutting edge or luck to equalise.
We all know we're short as a squad, in height and numbers, but take out the five or six currently injured players and no wonder we can't create.
Haven't seen the two bookings from the first half but both looked like red cards from the away end.
Strange weather as went from rain to bright sunshine and back again a few times.
Nice drink in the Fletton Ex-servicemens Club pre-match (where @AFKABartram the locals were playing crib) but train cancellations on way home were a pain after the defeat.
MOTM Dobson. Tried to keep driving the team forward
Sums it up well, Henners. If you are refering to the bookings I think, if the Peterborough one had been given, Jones's "tackle" would not have happened, of course. Nice to say hello anyway mate.
The club is seriously underestimating the need to strengthen the medical staff, physios, sports scientists and any other employees in charge of avoiding player injuries and helping them recover properly so they don't relapse.
It's infuriating to see injury after injury undoing gains in recruitment and training that have taken weeks and months to achieve.
The club is badly run.
The new owners will soon find out that Methven's gobby drivel will not be enough to appease fans who are fed up with underperformance.
Its been this bad for years and I see no change unless the club ownership truly commit to invest.
Some observations: Our set pieces were awful. If we can't score from open play these are a good opportunity and in every case we posed little threat including the joke free kick at the end.
We need to cut out the defensive errors if we are to get promotion as they make the difference in tight games like this one.
It's a concern when your CDM is your best player and you lose the game.
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
Was there and came away feeling ok about things other than the ref’s performance, who I thought was a pedantic sh*t at times and who should have sent of one of their players in the first half for his Bruce Lee act.
I think we have stronger squad than last season already, with more to come (while some of those of less quality will be on their way). We had a fair few chances, some very nice controlled possession and some decent crunching tackles. Pan apologising to the fans at the end, one hand on badge, one hand in the air signalling his apology was a class thing to do. A loanee who gives a sh*t and who will earn us more points than he will lose.
Really looking forward to Tuesday. Hopefully we can muster the 3 points while the building blocks continue to be put in place.
I keep reading that Posh have good attacking players, let us see how good our defence is against Bolton and Barnsley. Barnsley only managed one against Bristol Rovers so how many will we score against them?
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
You miss the point. It's the nature of our defeats and the way the club is run.
Owners need to back the manager and give the club half a chance.
We should not be losing to Newport and losing 8 players to injury, only 3 games in.
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
You miss the point. It's the nature of our defeats and the way the club is run.
Owners need to back the manager and give the club half a chance.
We should not be losing to Newport and losing 8 players to injury, only 3 games in.
The squad looks threadbare already.
So what was the nature of yesterday's defeat that causing panic ? We can continue to bang on about needing new players if you like, nobody has denied that fact.
I thought a fair result would have been a draw was it good enough No I said it when Holden came in it will only be a matter of time until he goes on our manager roundabout & follows them out the door I know some on here don't want to hear this but I don't think he's good enough to take us up hopefully he will prove me wrong
We get the results we deserve. We are mid table, at best.
Your point about Holden is interesting. The fans are still with him, because we can see how weak a squad he has. The issue will be if Methven blames him for any continued poor performances, or if the owners put some money in to improve the squad.
My hunch is they will not invest in quality, because they have had enough time to realise the current squad is too weak. Why wait until the end of the transfer window and then do some panic buys? What is the point of Andy Scott if he will not improve the squad?
It would not surprise me if they scapegoat Holden later on this season because I honestly can't see this squad in the top 6.
There are better managers than Holden, but why would any come to our club?
Would think there is not a problem recruiting the right manager if the salary is attractive. This should have been done in the first place, who had heard of Holden before he came in? His appointment surely came from the new board now they need to support him, I was not in favour of him but I believe he has done well so far.
My advice to Holden, and I rate and support him, is not to become defensive in his comments. Things are what they are. Of course he can't divulge transfer activity but don't underplay injuries. I'd rather hear he could be out for a while or up to six weeks but hope he is back sooner than 2, 3, 4 weeks and Fraser longer which feels defensive and doesn't tell us much.
Some observations: Our set pieces were awful. If we can't score from open play these are a good opportunity and in every case we posed little threat including the joke free kick at the end.
We need to cut out the defensive errors if we are to get promotion as they make the difference in tight games like this one.
It's a concern when your CDM is your best player and you lose the game.
Onwards and upwards...
Defensively as well. Everyone in the ground could see that every posh corner had 2 men by the ball to play a quick one two. Why did no one in our coaching and/or playing side adapt to it?
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
You miss the point. It's the nature of our defeats and the way the club is run.
Owners need to back the manager and give the club half a chance.
We should not be losing to Newport and losing 8 players to injury, only 3 games in.
The squad looks threadbare already.
Big Diddy, your collective posts are being put forward for 'Rant of the Week' but the above is open to challenge. How do you know how the club is run ? Two league games, one defeat, 10 changes for Newport, so what is 'nature of defeats' ? Why shouldn't we be losing eight players to injury ?
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
You miss the point. It's the nature of our defeats and the way the club is run.
Owners need to back the manager and give the club half a chance.
We should not be losing to Newport and losing 8 players to injury, only 3 games in.
The squad looks threadbare already.
Big Diddy, your collective posts are being put forward for 'Rant of the Week' but the above is open to challenge. How do you know how the club is run ? Two league games, one defeat, 10 changes for Newport, so what is 'nature of defeats' ? Wfhy shouldn't we be losing eight players to injury ?
Seriously? You think that’s like, Ok? On August 12th? . It’s ten by the way. Maybe down to nine by Tuesday.
Not sure what else people think Holden can do. It’s a physical, competitive league so going into the season with just Leaburn and two lightweight players in May and Kanu (let’s forgot Aneke) as our only striking options carried huge risks we’d have no outlet play if Leaburn doesn’t play.
Leaburn got injured on 1st July, over 6 weeks ago now. The club have actively chose not to fill that ‘role’ so we are hamstrung in how we play. As we have no viable an to that player.
Away to physical teams like Peterborough in difficult, circling winds and not having a physical presence up front limits us incredibly.
Cannot understand the strategy in why we are limiting ourselves in such a impacting way
They haven’t / don’t want to spend, they want frees and loans. I can’t understand why spend £10M + and not want to invest in a team that can get you into the championship.
It was said back in January ish that Friedman etc would not be splashing out on players. Now I can't remember if somebody was just guessing, whether it was part of the "Texan Document" or what but it was suggested that they would be looking mainly at frees & loans & it's beginning to look that way. Who knows what dream methven sold the multitude of investors but we do know he is now a minority shareholder for putting the group together plus his old mates are now getting a wage out of it all.
Leaburn out for 6 weeks so far with no replacement meaning we are an Alfie May injury away from having no fit senior striker at the club. Unbelievable that we are in this position 2 weeks into the new season Our subs bench is padded out with a couple of 18 year olds nowhere near ready to play senior football & a couple of hopelessly inadequate players who shouldn't be at the club.
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
1- nil is all it takes. Where are our goals going to come from ? Alfie May isn't getting the support he needs, CBT can't hit the target from 12 yards, who else is there ? Yes we are all aware that we need to add players to the squad but if & when they arrive will they be to the standard required for a minimum top 6 finish.
Considering the lack of depth and still needing to add a few players to the squad, which we are all aware of, I thought we played well and deserved a point. Really don't understand the moaning today as if we got battered.
1- nil is all it takes. Where are our goals going to come from ? Alfie May isn't getting the support he needs, CBT can't hit the target from 12 yards, who else is there ? Yes we are all aware that we need to add players to the squad but if & when they arrive will they be to the standard required for a minimum top 6 finish.
Will they be fit to play or will they be 8 to 12 weeks away from match fitness as we have seen in the recent past seasons.
My advice to Holden, and I rate and support him, is not to become defensive in his comments. Things are what they are. Of course he can't divulge transfer activity but don't underplay injuries. I'd rather hear he could be out for a while or up to six weeks but hope he is back sooner than 2, 3, 4 weeks and Fraser longer which feels defensive and doesn't tell us much.
They're avoiding a topic being brought up......them deciding to keep Fraser on for 10 minutes playing while injured, in the first game of the season, while using all of your substitutes.
A decision was made and Fraser will be out for approx 8-12 weeks it seems.
Comments
I said 2 months ago that we would struggle if we didnt replace JRS. I appreciate that it would he hard to replace a winger who was 2nd highest goal scorer but thems the breaks. Not only have we not replaced him we have not strengthed enough up front or sorted out our defensive frailties. Admittedly we have brought in a couple of exciting players in Edun & Camara and a striker who is mobile & should score goals, if given the service......but the lack of service could be our biggest downfall.
I knew the best I would get from Sandgaard was half a biscuit, but our new owners have suggested they will serve up better and still have time to do so. I appreciate it isn't easy but it never is.
Our set pieces were awful. If we can't score from open play these are a good opportunity and in every case we posed little threat including the joke free kick at the end.
We need to cut out the defensive errors if we are to get promotion as they make the difference in tight games like this one.
It's a concern when your CDM is your best player and you lose the game.
Onwards and upwards...
A pathetic defeat at Newport and a lame loss at the Posh is hardly inspiring. Also, the injury list is growing, so its all looking a bit worrying, after only 3 games.
NOW is the time to do business and not in January when it will probably be too late to make a difference.
Also, I ask again, what is the point of Andy Scott?
If they want to fill the Valley again, they will need to spend a lot more, as the faithful has seen too much bullshit over the years. I'm not buying it, based on what I have seen so far.
It's infuriating to see injury after injury undoing gains in recruitment and training that have taken weeks and months to achieve.
And good to see you too
Hope the music was good
The new owners will soon find out that Methven's gobby drivel will not be enough to appease fans who are fed up with underperformance.
Its been this bad for years and I see no change unless the club ownership truly commit to invest.
I think we have stronger squad than last season already, with more to come (while some of those of less quality will be on their way). We had a fair few chances, some very nice controlled possession and some decent crunching tackles. Pan apologising to the fans at the end, one hand on badge, one hand in the air signalling his apology was a class thing to do. A loanee who gives a sh*t and who will earn us more points than he will lose.
Owners need to back the manager and give the club half a chance.
We should not be losing to Newport and losing 8 players to injury, only 3 games in.
The squad looks threadbare already.
Would think there is not a problem recruiting the right manager if the salary is attractive.
This should have been done in the first place, who had heard of Holden before he came in? His appointment surely came from the new board now they need to support him, I was not in favour of him but I believe he has done well so far.
How do you know how the club is run ?
Two league games, one defeat, 10 changes for Newport, so what is 'nature of defeats' ?
Why shouldn't we be losing eight players to injury ?
Leaburn out for 6 weeks so far with no replacement meaning we are an Alfie May injury away from having no fit senior striker at the club. Unbelievable that we are in this position 2 weeks into the new season
Our subs bench is padded out with a couple of 18 year olds nowhere near ready to play senior football & a couple of hopelessly inadequate players who shouldn't be at the club.
New owners but the same old shit.
A decision was made and Fraser will be out for approx 8-12 weeks it seems.