The last time we had a midfield with less creativity than this was when we had Crofts, Foley and Jackson ( when his legs really had gone). NJ and Andy Scott have a lot to answer for in not bringing in a creative midfielder. We can shuffle the pack as many times as we want but without that bit of creativity that is missing it will make no difference.
Yeh, but come on, Theo must of been about 80 years old.
After Dobbo left, I felt down about our squad and our prospects for the season, but it was the signing of Docherty that made me feel more hopeful. And now Docherty has made practically no impact and has been dropped.
Likewise the signings of Ahadme/Godden. Firstly, surely we wouldn't spend 1 mil (add-ons or not) on someone who wasn't excellent. And Godden has had a great career and surely would be good.
All have been underwhelming and that's being kind.
We also lost CBT. So essentially we replaced our only three high-impact players from last season with low-impact, 'system' players.
Worse, the 'system' doesn't appear to work all that well.
I haven’t seen the matches so I understand if you all might say that I don’t know what I’m talking about. Nevertheless, I’m just going to put forward my hypothesis that when Jones completely lost his head during his interview (and quite likely with the players) a few weeks ago that he ’lost the dressing room.' After all, hasn’t it been since that after-match period that our results have drastically declined?
I put it to you that: The Luton Jones is dead. Long live the Stoke / Southampton Jones.
We'd have been far better off just keeping Dobbo and May and bringing in a commanding centre half such as Mitchell. A back up for Leaburn and a couple of quality midfielders. As things are, I think we've regressed and can't buy a goal. I'd like to hear Jones at least acknowledge the lack of creativity, but he appears to be happy with the personnel that he's recruited. No skill, no pace, no creativity. Everyone can see it, except the people in charge of recruitment.
Maybe I’m just defeated after 15 years of general disaster at our club, but this really has the makings of a very disappointing season.
The warning signs were there from the summer recruitment, but “in Jones we trust” was the mantra. I have to admit that, tonight, that trust is really shaken.
The big problem is that I don’t believe we have the tools in the squad to address what I see as the main problem - the abject lack of creativity. We’ve assembled a set of pedestrian (and seemingly similar) midfielders who can’t create and strikers who need someone to create for them. I’m not sure how we solve that conundrum and I don’t have much faith than Jones’ knows how to either.
We lost 2 great and 1 good player when May, Dobbo and CBT left the building with no adequate replacements. All those banging on about how they were all part of a losing team, yes they were but you need to give your head a wobble if you think any of those 3 were the problem. For all those now saying "Coventry has really stepped up" I strongly disagree. The improvement over last season is marginal. The raft of other players signed from Luton don't appear to be working out and if Dan Kanu is the answer to anything I'd love to know the question. A few saying if given the chances Kanu could get 10-15 goals a season, total pie in the sky. We've been worked out, teams know how to play against us and come out on top.
Maybe I’m just defeated after 15 years of general disaster at our club, but this really has the makings of a very disappointing season.
The warning signs were there from the summer recruitment, but “in Jones we trust” was the mantra. I have to admit that, tonight, that trust is really shaken.
The big problem is that I don’t believe we have the tools in the squad to address what I see as the main problem - the abject lack of creativity. We’ve assembled a set of pedestrian (and seemingly similar) midfielders who can’t create and strikers who need someone to create for them. I’m not sure how we solve that conundrum and I don’t have much faith than Jones’ knows how to either.
I agree but the last hope is with Leaburn, which is ridiculously unfair on a lad who’s been out injured for a year. If our attacking play doesn’t work playing off him then it could start getting painful
The Welsh idiot appointed Mr James Brayne, known to his mates as 'empty' to be his 'Set piece coach' which means we have actually got a coach that coaches players to hit corners and free kicks into the opposing goalkeepers hands.
That we are equal on points with 6th after 8 games compared to last season is a positive still for me. The only real concern is that after a brief respite last season we are again without a goalscorer. Leaburn could be the answer. Looks like Ahadme and Godden are not.
Doesn't matter who you have up front if you don't give them chances they won't score.
So how did May manage it last year? I don't remember too many comments about what a fricking great midfield we had.
After Dobbo left, I felt down about our squad and our prospects for the season, but it was the signing of Docherty that made me feel more hopeful. And now Docherty has made practically no impact and has been dropped.
Likewise the signings of Ahadme/Godden. Firstly, surely we wouldn't spend 1 mil (add-ons or not) on someone who wasn't excellent. And Godden has had a great career and surely would be good.
All have been underwhelming and that's being kind.
We also lost CBT. So essentially we replaced our only three high-impact players from last season with low-impact, 'system' players.
Worse, the 'system' doesn't appear to work all that well.
Your last sentence Chunes, they can't all be bad players, nothing is being created for the forwards, eight games in and Jones is persisting with this failed model.
The Welsh idiot appointed Mr James Brayne, known to his mates as 'empty' to be his 'Set piece coach' which means we have actually got a coach that coaches players to hit corners and free kicks into the opposing goalkeepers hands.
The Welsh idiot appointed Mr James Brayne, known to his mates as 'empty' to be his 'Set piece coach' which means we have actually got a coach that coaches players to hit corners and free kicks into the opposing goalkeepers hands.
Curious to know what qualifies this guy to coach set pieces? I know little about him but from a quick read he was just an academy coach at Birmingham before joining.
That we are equal on points with 6th after 8 games compared to last season is a positive still for me. The only real concern is that after a brief respite last season we are again without a goalscorer. Leaburn could be the answer. Looks like Ahadme and Godden are not.
Doesn't matter who you have up front if you don't give them chances they won't score.
So how did May manage it last year? I don't remember too many comments about what a fricking great midfield we had.
We actually had an outlet in Blackett Taylor and when he left Alfie May's goal scoring dipped somewhat, he only scored once after Blackett Taylor left and then scored six after Nathan Jones arrival. If you think that goal scorers do it all on their own then it's probably worth listening to people like Clive Mendonca and Andy Hunt, both who were full of praise for the team mates who provided those chances. Jones has tried numerous players in the front two and I reckon I could count on one hand the amount of chances being created for any of those forwards.
Well that was depressing. Thought we started ok and moved the ball about well but other than the long range shot from Edwards we created nothing in the first half. Coventrys free kick from just outside of the box was way too high and all his free kicks and corners were equally poor - didn’t we recruit a free kick coach recently?? I really want Kanu to do well but he looked like a boy against men today, couldn’t control the ball, poor use of it when he did keep it and never looked like scoring - mind you nor did Godden whose main ability today was to pass the ball out of play. One consistent theme today was the inability of our players to cross a ball - they either hit the first defender or sailed out of play. I didn’t boo at the end but a number did and I fully understand why as this was poor today
A poster earlier questioned whether he has lost the changing room - I said this to my mates on train home from Stevenage today - I reckon he has given some complete bollockings of late, not only match day, but also during the week
We looked good first 30 mins, but once Stevenage up’d their effort and application - with some shithousery thrown in - we melted
Sold out away end, in good voice, at (let’s face it) a non league standard ground - but they couldn’t grow a collective set of balls
Comments
That's the only positive thing I can say about the match. Why do we insist on playing it out wide when we can't cross?
What an upgrade.
He's not The Messiah
He's just a very Welsh boy!
Likewise the signings of Ahadme/Godden. Firstly, surely we wouldn't spend 1 mil (add-ons or not) on someone who wasn't excellent. And Godden has had a great career and surely would be good.
All have been underwhelming and that's being kind.
We also lost CBT. So essentially we replaced our only three high-impact players from last season with low-impact, 'system' players.
Worse, the 'system' doesn't appear to work all that well.
Glad someone got something positive out the day
Nevertheless, I’m just going to put forward my hypothesis that when Jones completely lost his head during his interview (and quite likely with the players) a few weeks ago that he ’lost the dressing room.'
After all, hasn’t it been since that after-match period that our results have drastically declined?
I put it to you that:
The Luton Jones is dead. Long live the Stoke / Southampton Jones.
A back up for Leaburn and a couple of quality midfielders.
As things are, I think we've regressed and can't buy a goal.
I'd like to hear Jones at least acknowledge the lack of creativity, but he appears to be happy with the personnel that he's recruited.
No skill, no pace, no creativity. Everyone can see it, except the people in charge of recruitment.
The warning signs were there from the summer recruitment, but “in Jones we trust” was the mantra. I have to admit that, tonight, that trust is really shaken.
The big problem is that I don’t believe we have the tools in the squad to address what I see as the main problem - the abject lack of creativity. We’ve assembled a set of pedestrian (and seemingly similar) midfielders who can’t create and strikers who need someone to create for them. I’m not sure how we solve that conundrum and I don’t have much faith than Jones’ knows how to either.
Said all season we desperately need some flair and unpredictability going forward
But at least we are only a point outside the playoffs and not already without any hope of some top half excitement this season
Chin up guys
3 points on Tuesday and we'll feel a lot better
I really want Kanu to do well but he looked like a boy against men today, couldn’t control the ball, poor use of it when he did keep it and never looked like scoring - mind you nor did Godden whose main ability today was to pass the ball out of play.
One consistent theme today was the inability of our players to cross a ball - they either hit the first defender or sailed out of play.
I didn’t boo at the end but a number did and I fully understand why as this was poor today
We looked good first 30 mins, but once Stevenage up’d their effort and application - with some shithousery thrown in - we melted
Sold out away end, in good voice, at (let’s face it) a non league standard ground - but they couldn’t grow a collective set of balls