If you're going to get out of league one, you need the ability to win ugly.
Too often under managers like Garner and Adkins We've played pretty football, and beaten some of the top sides, but not been up for the fight against the scrappers.
I enjoyed that. Tired this morning after getting in just
gone 1 but worth it.
Great result against a spirited Cheltenham team who lacked
quality but did make us work for it.
How Jones has changed this team is an embarrassment to
Apples, its night and day in comparison. Hard to pick out individuals as was a
good solid team performance but thought that may have been Watson best game for
us. Just one of many players Jones has improved.
Anderson and Kanu gave everything once again, but they looked
tired, but the subs did well when they come on.
Hopefully, REG is not too much of a bad one as he has been
really good but at least we have Jones and Hector coming back.
Only grumble is we had enough chances to have that game wrapped
up in the first half and we do still have a switch off in us at the back.
I have been critical of Watson but he has made massive strides in the last few games. Not perfect as maybe he was lucky not to give away a penalty and lost his man in the build up to their goal but he is getting to a good place.
Agreed, was very critical with him after the Reading game, but clearly just needed a decent manager to get the best out of him, long may it continue.
Great win in the end although we did make hard work of it!
Peak league one football for the first 20 odd mins with the ball spending more time flying between the half's, not a lot of quality on show, we had it going forward in patches them not so much at all. A moment of football and a lovely passing move and its 0-1 us, sadly that was a bit of a wake up call for Cheltenham who realised they were in a relegation battle and came at us very direct, dropping plenty of balls in the box (and who can blame them, do what must be done for the win). For the remainder of the second half it was almost end to end stuff, we wasted so so so many chances we all knew the script....
Second half and it was much of the same as how the first ended, Cheltenham had a better hold of it and our defence was looking a bit ropey. Subs had an impact and a nice little run through (3?) of ours and Cheltenham drew level, wasnt a surprise and was coming, we desperately needed fresh legs in there and it was looking dicey, BUT, we made our changes and reaped the rewards ourselves, Bakinson and eventually (FINALLY) May wrapping it up.
It wasnt pretty, it wasnt convincing (in reality scoreline flattered), but thats the sort of game that we used to roll over and have our tummies tickled, we heard it in the post match after Northampton that we're playing like a side "trying to avoid relegation" and, long may that continue.
Jones has shown enough in the past and with glimpses from our current squad (Coventry in particular) that he can get teams and players playing but this is league one, Adkins and many other managers have said it before about the blueprint for success in this league and with Jones, can see that happening. Get the effort and work rate down first then in between the grittier stuff have your Coventry's etc playing ball.
Special mention to T Watson who again, has looked a vastly different player under Jones and loves that low pull back/ drive across the box cross ,and, he 100% got away with one haha
Extra special mention to Small, again, said it after Northampton, but get a longer contract in front of our new Wiggins. ASAP.
Extra extra special mention to Jones, proving what an actual good coach can do.
How did the 3-1 scoreline flatter Cafc when we had enough chances 1st half to be 4 nil up after the Douglas Bader display of the 1st 17 minutes by both teams before the simplistic approach of getting the ball down by Dobson and Coventry with text book pass to Watson who just passed the ball from the right into the Six yard box and Kanu applied the touch.
Absolutely huge result as it opens up a big gap between us, Cheltenham and Port Vale, and takes some of the pressure off. Wins against Carlisle and Fleetwood should nudge us very close to safety, even allowing for the fact that we have played more games. Points on the board are critical at this stage of the season.
Such a shame that it took the powers-that-be so long to realise that Appleton was crap.
Morning after the night before - pre Jones, we would have melted when Cheltenham equalised - but not now - we dusted ourselves off, rolled up our sleeves, and got back on it - ground out the win - brilliant - back to back away wins 😳
Tennai Watson - where has this player been up until recently (perhaps having a decent player in support of him is the reason…..)
Whole side were excellent
Pleased for Alfie - he put so much effort in, but was misfiring a bit in front of goal - but late on gets a nice easy goal after great build up play - he is back on the horse
Small was immense - what a signing
MoM for me was Kanu - work-rate and general all round play, capped by a classy finish (that was not an easy goal to score believe you me) - gonna be some player this lad
super goal from Bakinson to cement the three points, great long ball from Dobson (what IS it with all the Dobbo criticism ?) chest down, instant control and immediate finish that any striker would be proud of .. all in all another very VERY good all round team performance, with a caveat over the goalkeeping that needs to be addressed in the summer .. my fears around the Jones appointment are laid to rest, humble pie time but all in all
Relief last night at FT. Tinge of sadness this morning. What a wasted season this has been... 9 points from the last 5 games against some really good sides, all brought about by... being energetic and doing the basics well. Even accounting for injuries, it's a scandal that this group of players have ever been flirting with the drop. We should have walked into the playoffs this year.
Excited to see what Jones can do with a few extra faces and a proper pre-season in them.
I think we've got ourselves an absolute diamond of a manager and I'm feeling optimistic for the first time in ages. He's young with progressive ideas but he's come in and seen exactly what the team needs to get out of trouble and got us playing this direct, tough-to-beat style. I'd be quite happy for us to continue playing it next season if it gets results. Bully teams and not get bullied.
Relief last night at FT. Tinge of sadness this morning. What a wasted season this has been... 9 points from the last 5 games against some really good sides, all brought about by... being energetic and doing the basics well. Even accounting for injuries, it's a scandal that this group of players have ever been flirting with the drop. We should have walked into the playoffs this year.
Excited to see what Jones can do with a few extra faces and a proper pre-season in them.
Coventry, Gillesphey, Edmonds-Green, Small, Ramsay and Bakinson weren’t here earlier in the season, and they’ve made a big difference.
Despite all the stick Scott got in January and February it appears to have been a pretty good window.
We really must address the GK situation in the summer. Isted always has an error in him. For last nights goal conceded the original shot on goal was virtually no more than a pass strength attempt that was put in when it wasn’t held by Isted. Not good enough. We need GK who inspires confidence. Neither of our two do.
Defence looked pretty solid - REG impressed me again tbf. No frills with him but he's a unit and he's decent on the ball Gillesphey is just what we needed - a bit of balance but can also play with his feet. Tennai Watson is like a new player Coventry starting to pull the strings a bit more Kanu maturing before our eyes
I'm starting to fall in love with my team all over again.
The youngsters are really shining, The defence looks a lot better and steadier. A nice weighted guidance from Kanu for the first goal. A lovely, lovely pass from Dobbo for Bakinson’s goal. Thierry Small a stand-out signing and wonderfully selflessly passing to Alfie for his well-deserved goal (however, I can’t help but think that the Alfie of earlier this season would have put us 3-up by halftime).
I think Dobbos lovely lovely pass was more an inspired punt, but what Bakinson did with it was the equal of anything Chuks or Leaburn could conjure.
Not so sure. Dobbo has that pass in his locker.
Where it is usually locked away. Most of his passing is woeful. Not saying he doesn’t have a good side to his game but he’s not the go-to guy for incisive passes.
I feel sorry for Thomas. He's a very solid CB defensively but he is just so crap on the ball that you can't see him ever nailing down a starting spot going forward.
We really must address the GK situation in the summer. Isted always has an error in him. For last nights goal conceded the original shot on goal was virtually no more than a pass strength attempt that was put in when it wasn’t held by Isted. Not good enough. We need GK who inspires confidence. Neither of our two do.
Agree and would be interested to see a replay of their goal from another angle.
We really must address the GK situation in the summer. Isted always has an error in him. For last nights goal conceded the original shot on goal was virtually no more than a pass strength attempt that was put in when it wasn’t held by Isted. Not good enough. We need GK who inspires confidence. Neither of our two do.
There was a big deflection off of Lloyd Jones as it went through his legs, making it very difficult for Isted. Personally don't think he can be blamed for that goal - our defenders should be following up, they didn't and their man did to score.
Comments
Too often under managers like Garner and Adkins We've played pretty football, and beaten some of the top sides, but not been up for the fight against the scrappers.
This team looks like it can win both ways.
I enjoyed that. Tired this morning after getting in just gone 1 but worth it.
Great result against a spirited Cheltenham team who lacked quality but did make us work for it.
How Jones has changed this team is an embarrassment to Apples, its night and day in comparison. Hard to pick out individuals as was a good solid team performance but thought that may have been Watson best game for us. Just one of many players Jones has improved.
Anderson and Kanu gave everything once again, but they looked tired, but the subs did well when they come on.
Hopefully, REG is not too much of a bad one as he has been really good but at least we have Jones and Hector coming back.
Only grumble is we had enough chances to have that game wrapped up in the first half and we do still have a switch off in us at the back.
Agreed, was very critical with him after the Reading game, but clearly just needed a decent manager to get the best out of him, long may it continue.
Don’t count chickens.
Chill out a little bit...
Peak league one football for the first 20 odd mins with the ball spending more time flying between the half's, not a lot of quality on show, we had it going forward in patches them not so much at all. A moment of football and a lovely passing move and its 0-1 us, sadly that was a bit of a wake up call for Cheltenham who realised they were in a relegation battle and came at us very direct, dropping plenty of balls in the box (and who can blame them, do what must be done for the win). For the remainder of the second half it was almost end to end stuff, we wasted so so so many chances we all knew the script....
Second half and it was much of the same as how the first ended, Cheltenham had a better hold of it and our defence was looking a bit ropey. Subs had an impact and a nice little run through (3?) of ours and Cheltenham drew level, wasnt a surprise and was coming, we desperately needed fresh legs in there and it was looking dicey, BUT, we made our changes and reaped the rewards ourselves, Bakinson and eventually (FINALLY) May wrapping it up.
It wasnt pretty, it wasnt convincing (in reality scoreline flattered), but thats the sort of game that we used to roll over and have our tummies tickled, we heard it in the post match after Northampton that we're playing like a side "trying to avoid relegation" and, long may that continue.
Jones has shown enough in the past and with glimpses from our current squad (Coventry in particular) that he can get teams and players playing but this is league one, Adkins and many other managers have said it before about the blueprint for success in this league and with Jones, can see that happening. Get the effort and work rate down first then in between the grittier stuff have your Coventry's etc playing ball.
Special mention to T Watson who again, has looked a vastly different player under Jones and loves that low pull back/ drive across the box cross ,and, he 100% got away with one haha
Extra special mention to Small, again, said it after Northampton, but get a longer contract in front of our new Wiggins. ASAP.
Extra extra special mention to Jones, proving what an actual good coach can do.
Such a shame that it took the powers-that-be so long to realise that Appleton was crap.
Tennai Watson - where has this player been up until recently (perhaps having a decent player in support of him is the reason…..)
Whole side were excellent
Pleased for Alfie - he put so much effort in, but was misfiring a bit in front of goal - but late on gets a nice easy goal after great build up play - he is back on the horse
Small was immense - what a signing
MoM for me was Kanu - work-rate and general all round play, capped by a classy finish (that was not an easy goal to score believe you me) - gonna be some player this lad
Excited to see what Jones can do with a few extra faces and a proper pre-season in them.
Yeh, right.
Gillesphey is just what we needed - a bit of balance but can also play with his feet.
Tennai Watson is like a new player
Coventry starting to pull the strings a bit more
Kanu maturing before our eyes
I'm starting to fall in love with my team all over again.