[Post edited 2 Nov 2021 23:06]

[Post edited 2 Nov 2021 23:10]

As the TWTD fractures again it’s time for a trusted performance assessment mod by unstableblue 31 Oct 2021 12:49
So season so far - P15 W5 D5 L5 - 20 points

Last 6 - W3 D1 L2 - 10 points

People referencing last season seems a little misguided as it’s quite clear that the majority of the legacy squad has just not performed at other clubs bar Wilson (was he not injured?), Downes (who really didn’t want to be here)… who else? Edwards was seen as one of our best attacking players can’t get a game.

Also we have to stop this silliness that this is a easy League and we have a god given right to ‘walk the league’, I feel the standard has increased significantly since lamberts hapless attempts. Take Fleetwood, mock them, but they are good and took a point and scored 3 against form Wigan, Rotherham are rocking, Wigan have invested and are flying.

Take Plymouth, extremely well coached, in great form, and have our player of the season, and increasing crowds.

But let’s judge Cook and the teams progress via some clear measures

1. Have more energy, confidence and desire than the opposition

This for me has been a key factor in our earlier poor season form and part of our recent improvement. Marcus Stewart made so many observations about this yesterday, just more energy and pressing across the team. More belief. More confidence. BUT as Edmundson pointed out overall Plymouth had greater desire and won more battles overall. We have to keep improving in this area, none more so than on Tuesday at Wycombe. I feel this measure has a lot to do with the players but also Cook needs to set the mind set. I know they have been using a psychologist at the club

2. Have the better players on the pitch and on the bench

This should be one of our key strengths and a big reason people think we should be top two, but it’s only one of the measures. I thought that we were beginning to reap the rewards of this and beginning to settle on our best team with Aluko and Chaplin now settling. BUT I’m going to give Cook a green card here - the late illness for Burns and Donacien made a huge difference, it so weakened one side which they exploited, and I think Burns would have been a critical threat. But more importantly to the reason the season has faltered is INDIVIDUAL ERRORS! It is the number one reason we are not top six without a doubt. And it’s howlers, game management and silly fouls in dangerous areas. IT HAS TO STOP. I think Cook has to keep drilling it into them, BUT players like Penney need to step up, sort themselves out or be dropped. That was more than a ‘leg up’ for Plymouth it was a ribbon bowed gift

3. Have the better tactical and technical set-up and system of play

This is Cooks wheel house, this is where he is culpable. Is he failing, in part yes and in part no. The defence has hugely improved, the number 10 and midfield width has been clicking. If you’d asked me after Bolton I’d say Cook was failing miserably on this measure. There have been signs of the system gelling and settling. Somewhat ruined yesterday - when we came up against a very good tactical manager at Plymouth. Where Cook perhaps messed up was his selection into the system yesterday… I think he felt Coulson would protect the wolf better… but perhaps celinas energy would have been better from the start

In summary massive question marks remain on Cook, but players are also culpable, illness may have impacted more than people are giving credit. Player energy has to improve further.

Thank you, I welcome any queries?!