These are the players that have played for us and since moved on from the 20/21 season up until this season
[long list snipped]
The reason I post this, is that although the odd one or two may have found themselves playing at a higher level or in a team above us in this division, I think it speaks volumes about the level of crap and mediocrity we have endured for a good 5 years now.
Excluding loans, just look at where a lot of those players have ended up, League two or below. At the time, we gave far too many of these players too much grace, when in reality the majority were and have been dross.
For too long we’ve been served up crap footballers, playing crap football (slowly), and it’s only our own delusional hope that we allow ourselves to think that the likes of Adhame will ‘come good’ or ‘push on’
Very few have come good or pushed on since signing for us in the last 5 years, and I imagine when the current crop of players have moved on in the next 2-3 years, they’ll also be able to find their way to the likes of Gillingham, MK Dons and other staple League 2 teams
So apart from the SMT being a bunch of chancers, the manager not having a clue and all the players being shit apart from the one who’s contract is up at the end of the season, what else have we got going on?
Call me mental but we have games against Burton, Crawley, Northampton and Cambridge coming up in our next six.
The results of those games coming out of December will have a massive bearing on how the rest of the season plays out.
If we replicate last season’s December (couldn’t beat Cambridge, Burton, Orient, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale…), we’ll be in trouble but if we can pick up a few wins then a good January and a playoff push through Feb, March and April isn’t yet out of the question.
You need to bump this after those six games and see what happened and where we are.
Lallana tackle just now far worse than Doherty’s but only a yellow…
He might be shit but don't think it was a red
Just seen the tackle, it was reckless. We'd be screaming for a red if the situation was in reverse.
Nah sorry mate, the terrier nicked the ball a second before the old chap arrived, I don't think it was reckless or intentional just slow but committed.
So apart from the SMT being a bunch of chancers, the manager not having a clue and all the players being shit apart from the one who’s contract is up at the end of the season, what else have we got going on?
Call me mental but we have games against Burton, Crawley, Northampton and Cambridge coming up in our next six.
The results of those games coming out of December will have a massive bearing on how the rest of the season plays out.
If we replicate last season’s December (couldn’t beat Cambridge, Burton, Orient, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale…), we’ll be in trouble but if we can pick up a few wins then a good January and a playoff push through Feb, March and April isn’t yet out of the question.
From memory Burton away last season was when it really hit home that we were in trouble under Appleton.
That post really puts it into perspective. Even of those players over the last 5 years we considered to be stand out, only really Rak Sakyi is likely to have a reasonable career at a level above league one. Of the current squad I’d expect only Ramsay and Leaburn to be moving on to a higher level.
Another one is Ian Maatsen, currently in Premier League
But Maatsen & Rak Saki were loans. They were never going to stay with us.
Most footballers don't stay at a club for very long, a few years and then move on. Perhaps up or down the leagues. There is no reason a loaned player cannot make a contribution to the team. The talent is finding the right loan player at the right time and being attractive enough as a club to get such players.
P.S. I am unimpressed by Nathan Jones getting bookings on the sidelines.
Funny, not you personally Seth, but just adding to your post, I rather like Jones and the way he acts on the touchline, the passion and intensity he shows does sometimes boil over, and if you have a silly ref, like we have had in the last couple of games, then he leaves himself open to bookings... Thing is, would rather him than the motionless Appleton, with his hands in his pockets looking uninterested totally...🤷♂️
I agree, but I don't see why it has to be a binary choice. I'd prefer some middle line where we have a manager that shows an appropriate amount of interest and passion without costing the club money and becoming a distraction. That said, with some of the dreadful football dished up this season we do sometimes need a distraction.
Ah...perfection it is then Stig, thing is we ain't in the market for such, and Jones in his manic state is better than a motionless inarticulate thing on the touchline...so "Carry on Jones" imo
It’s not perfection we need, just someone normal.
We’ve gone from someone who acts like they have no personality and are seriously depressed.
To some lunatic jumping about unable to control his mouth and his own actions.
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
7 league games left in 2024, need to take a hell of a lot of points from those games for us to even consider being playoff contenders. Sadly with our form, it's very unlikely the team will deliver those needed points.
Interesting stat, only one midfield player has provided an assist this season, Allan Campbell. Josh Edwards and Chuks are leading a very small field with two each.
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should of been on him?
Interesting stat, only one midfield player has provided an assist this season, Allan Campbell. Josh Edwards and Chuks are leading a very small field with two each.
I have to ask, a few posters are of the belief that when the injured players return we will be alright. With the exception of Miles Leaburn, Nathan Jones had a full squad to pick from early season and the football was bloody awful. What makes anyone think that when Jones, Ramsay, Watson, Kanu and maybe Chuks return that Nathan Jones will play a more expansive type of game ?
I have to ask, a few posters are of the belief that when the injured players return we will be alright. With the exception of Miles Leaburn, Nathan Jones had a full squad to pick from early season and the football was bloody awful. What makes anyone think that when Jones, Ramsay, Watson, Kanu and maybe Chuks return that Nathan Jones will play a more expansive type of game ?
It’s a smoke screen by NJ to buy him time and keep his job. Even with those players back, the default game plan remains the same, with the intention of stifling opposition teams and keeping it very tight. The main difference between now and early on in the season is that we’re missing a couple of key defenders that were preventing more chances - without them, we have a leaky defence.
The net result of a fit squad would be a few more points but arguably not any more wins. It’s just the nature of the football NJ employs and the complete lack of creativity in our midfield. Neither of those are fixed by a fully fit squad and we’re on a timer until the transfer window opens.
Main question for me is how bad it gets until then - you would expect points from the next run of “poor” sides, but regardless of who we play, we’re hardly making any game look easy. From that, if our SMT are thinking twice about NJ being the man to take us forward, why would they invest in players he suggests in January if we’re not realistically going to challenge for top 6?
I desperately want to believe things will improve over the remainder of the season, but very little I have seen so far makes me believe it will.
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
May be the case but it doesn't make sense to me. After a quick Google Small is 5ft10 and Pearson who scored the goal is 6ft3. Pearson now has 4 goals in 9 so clearly a threat. You don't stick someone who's under 6ft on him regardless of physicality that's a crazy tactical decision.
As highlighted in an earlier post recruitment has been the major problem. This needs addressing, investment is needed. Scott was a cheap appointment...
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
May be the case but it doesn't make sense to me. After a quick Google Small is 5ft10 and Pearson who scored the goal is 6ft3. Pearson now has 4 goals in 9 so clearly a threat. You don't stick someone who's under 6ft on him regardless of physicality that's a crazy tactical decision.
Once you take out our 3 zonal players then small is probably one of the taller players left. He’s also quick and strong which are also useful attributes when marking a player
You can think it’s crazy, but pretty much every team defends corners like this, so it probably isn’t that crazy if all the top managers set up the same way. If Small had defended properly then we likely wouldn’t have conceded
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
May be the case but it doesn't make sense to me. After a quick Google Small is 5ft10 and Pearson who scored the goal is 6ft3. Pearson now has 4 goals in 9 so clearly a threat. You don't stick someone who's under 6ft on him regardless of physicality that's a crazy tactical decision.
And 10 minutes later Pearson hit the bar.
Fortunately for us Pearson then got injured and went off, and after then they didn't look dangerous in the air. HE was the player we had to contain at set pieces, and tactically we got it wrong.
The wind was from behind the goal, so it was surprisingly dry at the front, when normally you get soaked there when it rains. It didn't affect the flight of the ball from corners much though.
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
May be the case but it doesn't make sense to me. After a quick Google Small is 5ft10 and Pearson who scored the goal is 6ft3. Pearson now has 4 goals in 9 so clearly a threat. You don't stick someone who's under 6ft on him regardless of physicality that's a crazy tactical decision.
It's also more bonkers when he is a player that Nathan Jones has managed before so would have been aware of his aerial threat. He should have put them 2 up.
So apart from the SMT being a bunch of chancers, the manager not having a clue and all the players being shit apart from the one who’s contract is up at the end of the season, what else have we got going on?
.
I’m putting on weight and we haven’t even started the Xmas season.
Season is over, the football is like pulling teeth, joyless club continues.
We are very much mathematically still in with a chance of play off contention (as are most teams) but need to start a run of consistent wins between now and the end of the year together to materialise beyond maths.
Looking at our next month or so of fixtures if we don't win 6 of our next 7 (I discount Lincoln away where a draw would be ok) then we have no business thinking about playoffs this season and serious questions need to be asked.
Luckily didn’t go to the game. What exactly is REG doing for their first goal? Right on his man and doesn’t even move.
It was Small not REG.
As I have posted elsewhere, their guy is six three. Neither Small nor REG should have been marking him. Who allocated his marker? Who didnt change it when the same player hit the bar minutes later. A clue, it wasn't Charlie Methven or our American owners.
I was thinking exactly this. I'm pretty sure the commentary said it was hid 4th goal this season as well so not bad for a centre half. Surely Leaburn or Mitchell or Mac should have been on him?
The way corners are defended nowadays, your best 2 or 3 headers are given zonal roles
Small should have done a lot more to prevent the goal. He doesn’t have to win the header, but he’s got to put him off and make it harder to score. He’s probably one of our strongest players physically but did absolutely nothing. The goal is nothing to do with how we set up, it was Small’s fault entirely
May be the case but it doesn't make sense to me. After a quick Google Small is 5ft10 and Pearson who scored the goal is 6ft3. Pearson now has 4 goals in 9 so clearly a threat. You don't stick someone who's under 6ft on him regardless of physicality that's a crazy tactical decision.
Once you take out our 3 zonal players then small is probably one of the taller players left. He’s also quick and strong which are also useful attributes when marking a player
You can think it’s crazy, but pretty much every team defends corners like this, so it probably isn’t that crazy if all the top managers set up the same way. If Small had defended properly then we likely wouldn’t have conceded
Sorry mate but there's absolutely nothing you can say that will convince me zonal marking is a good idea at our level with our capabilites
Was Nathan Asiimwe fit for selection on Saturday? If so NJ is obviously taking the piss and looking for a pay off - Thierry Small in current form is a rotten defender, he is also totally left sided, in any event shoving him in at right back/wing back would be cavalier to the point of lunacy - if there's a halfway capable right sided defender available there is obviously no choice to make and Nathan Asiimwe is decent, with recent match experience and plaudits from his time at Hartlepool. Square pegs and round holes = ruin.
REG and Gillesphey are both way off even the standard required in this shitty shitty division but they're all we've got this week. Small at right back in favour of Asiimwe makes the same sense as Miles Leaburn at CH cos you think you don't fancy the other two.
I smell a rat, a very stinky rotten rat that smells bad. Or maybe we are actually in the grip of an awful injury crisis (and have a clueless gobshite for a manager).
Based on what we've seen so far, I'm no fan of Gassan Ahadme, he's nowhere near Miles Leaburn as a player but this forum almost to a man has dealt very differently with the two of them missing headed chances in Saturday's game.
Burton this week and Crawley next both need beating and not just by the odd goal, they both need a proper roasting. Even our threadbare squad should be tearing them several new holes. Properly coached, no square pegs, a simple gameplan sculpted around the scant playing resources and they are lambs to very bloody slaughters. Any of the now all too familiar NJ bullshit and more points will be tossed aside.
I'd like to go for similar against Walsall in the cup but pragmatism demands that some U21 & U18 scratch team will have to fulfil that fixture cos the resources for the league games are stretched so thinly as to be see-through
Comments
We’ve gone from someone who acts like they have no personality and are seriously depressed.
To some lunatic jumping about unable to control his mouth and his own actions.
Season is over, the football is like pulling teeth, joyless club continues.
The net result of a fit squad would be a few more points but arguably not any more wins. It’s just the nature of the football NJ employs and the complete lack of creativity in our midfield. Neither of those are fixed by a fully fit squad and we’re on a timer until the transfer window opens.
Main question for me is how bad it gets until then - you would expect points from the next run of “poor” sides, but regardless of who we play, we’re hardly making any game look easy. From that, if our SMT are thinking twice about NJ being the man to take us forward, why would they invest in players he suggests in January if we’re not realistically going to challenge for top 6?
I desperately want to believe things will improve over the remainder of the season, but very little I have seen so far makes me believe it will.
You can think it’s crazy, but pretty much every team defends corners like this, so it probably isn’t that crazy if all the top managers set up the same way. If Small had defended properly then we likely wouldn’t have conceded
Fortunately for us Pearson then got injured and went off, and after then they didn't look dangerous in the air. HE was the player we had to contain at set pieces, and tactically we got it wrong.
worrying times
We are very much mathematically still in with a chance of play off contention (as are most teams) but need to start a run of consistent wins between now and the end of the year together to materialise beyond maths.
Looking at our next month or so of fixtures if we don't win 6 of our next 7 (I discount Lincoln away where a draw would be ok) then we have no business thinking about playoffs this season and serious questions need to be asked.
If so NJ is obviously taking the piss and looking for a pay off - Thierry Small in current form is a rotten defender, he is also totally left sided, in any event shoving him in at right back/wing back would be cavalier to the point of lunacy - if there's a halfway capable right sided defender available there is obviously no choice to make and Nathan Asiimwe is decent, with recent match experience and plaudits from his time at Hartlepool. Square pegs and round holes = ruin.
REG and Gillesphey are both way off even the standard required in this shitty shitty division but they're all we've got this week. Small at right back in favour of Asiimwe makes the same sense as Miles Leaburn at CH cos you think you don't fancy the other two.
I smell a rat, a very stinky rotten rat that smells bad. Or maybe we are actually in the grip of an awful injury crisis (and have a clueless gobshite for a manager).
Based on what we've seen so far, I'm no fan of Gassan Ahadme, he's nowhere near Miles Leaburn as a player but this forum almost to a man has dealt very differently with the two of them missing headed chances in Saturday's game.
Burton this week and Crawley next both need beating and not just by the odd goal, they both need a proper roasting. Even our threadbare squad should be tearing them several new holes. Properly coached, no square pegs, a simple gameplan sculpted around the scant playing resources and they are lambs to very bloody slaughters. Any of the now all too familiar NJ bullshit and more points will be tossed aside.
I'd like to go for similar against Walsall in the cup but pragmatism demands that some U21 & U18 scratch team will have to fulfil that fixture cos the resources for the league games are stretched so thinly as to be see-through