| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... 08:44 - Dec 16 with 3541 views | Fixed_It |
...to this? I just can't get my head round it. They clearly aren't 'bad players' - but the confidence has gone, and they appear to have no structure to their play to fall back on. I just hope they respond well to a big crowd on Saturday (and vice versa), and get their mojo back. |  |
| |  |
| M40, M25, A12. (n/t) on 10:35 - Dec 16 with 603 views | Bloots |
|  |
| "He's been a really positive influence on my life, I think he's a great man" - TWTD User (May 2025) |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:05 - Dec 16 with 555 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 10:34 - Dec 16 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Whats happening now is the result of recruiting too many 'Championship' players IMO.
We looked ok against sides that played 'Championship', free flowing, attack minded football, Wycombe, Portsmouth even Sunderland and Oxford, (but to a lesser degree), however the second we come up against blood and thunder typical L1 and L2 'sluggers' it all falls apart.
We can't find a way past two solid banks of four.
To use a Colin'ism' we can't cope with players who are prepared to die to get three points.
We can't cope with a high, fast and aggressive press.
All of this is standard in most teams at this level and the level below, and we don't have players, with the possible exception of Norwood, who can cope with it, or play to it.
We were all blown away by our recruitment in the summer, but we've recruited a Championship team, which is just like the one that was relegated a few years ago and they couldn't cope with this level either. Why we didn't sign quality L1 players? The fact we seemingly weren't even in for players like Jack Whatmough and Scott Twine absolutely baffled me at the time and still baffles me now.
Whether Ashton was responsible for the signings or if it was all Cook, I don't know, but we are going to have to shift some of these players out in January and replace them with lower budget L1 campaigners with a scattering of quality if we are going to have any chance at all of getting out of this league, and its going to have to be a coach that can do that.
We've been allowed to become utter dogsh^t by someone's vanity, and right now, I'm not sure who is responsible. [Post edited 16 Dec 2021 10:44]
|
If a decent Championship side played a season in this division they would finish top 4 no problems. The real issue is that we have individuals and not a team. We need a manager who will develop partnerships and instill effective tactics. We have not had that since MM. |  |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:35 - Dec 16 with 536 views | clive_baker |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 09:48 - Dec 16 by Garv |
We were really that bad against Crewe? It seems widely accepted that we were. I didn't go but watched it back afterwards and to me it looked an end-to-end game where we missed a number of very good chances, particularly the two from Bonne.
Considering as well that we were playing Fraser as a sitter that day as well, was it that big a shock we gave up so many chances ourselves?
Doesn't really matter, but I was surprised at the reaction from that. For balance, I didn't think the Wycombe performance was all that and I'm not sure it was a 4-1 game, we were gifted at least two if not three goals. I don't think we've been 'terrible' in any game really, bar Bolton (Rotherham wasn't that bad), and we haven't been amazing in any games either, unless you count awful Donny. We were a team very much finding our feet under a manager trying to implement a tried and tested style of play - it was just taking a lot longer than we'd have liked. I guess you say that's unacceptable and the manager loses his job as a result, but where does that leave us now? Limbo. |
Agree with that and I didn't really understand the Crewe reaction, it was probably too open a game for most people's liking but I thought we played quite well in parts. Goal of the season, deserved win and probably could've scored 3 or 4 another day, I didn't get all the fuss at the time. I think the fact it came off the back of Rotherham was the issue, there were clearly frustrations off the back of that having been schooled so convincingly on our own patch. Rotherham aside, I don't think it was a disaster and still thought Cook deserved another month or 2. We were unlucky at Sunderland in a game we deserved something from, unlucky at table toppers Plymouth, again good for a point. Take the cup games out of it where he played weakened sides, our last 10 league games under Cook were 5 wins (including 2 away thumpings of Wycombe & Pompey), 2 draws, 3 defeats (the aforementioned Sunderland, Rotherham and Plymouth).
Don't get me wrong, Cook can't have too many complaints, the league table doesn't lie and all that, I just didn't see the need for such haste in the decision, especially when we clearly had nobody lined up to replace him given we're nearly 2 weeks down the line, 3 dreadful performances later. |  |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:41 - Dec 16 with 525 views | BseaBlue |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:35 - Dec 16 by clive_baker |
Agree with that and I didn't really understand the Crewe reaction, it was probably too open a game for most people's liking but I thought we played quite well in parts. Goal of the season, deserved win and probably could've scored 3 or 4 another day, I didn't get all the fuss at the time. I think the fact it came off the back of Rotherham was the issue, there were clearly frustrations off the back of that having been schooled so convincingly on our own patch. Rotherham aside, I don't think it was a disaster and still thought Cook deserved another month or 2. We were unlucky at Sunderland in a game we deserved something from, unlucky at table toppers Plymouth, again good for a point. Take the cup games out of it where he played weakened sides, our last 10 league games under Cook were 5 wins (including 2 away thumpings of Wycombe & Pompey), 2 draws, 3 defeats (the aforementioned Sunderland, Rotherham and Plymouth).
Don't get me wrong, Cook can't have too many complaints, the league table doesn't lie and all that, I just didn't see the need for such haste in the decision, especially when we clearly had nobody lined up to replace him given we're nearly 2 weeks down the line, 3 dreadful performances later. |
For me, there was too many patterns between this season and the last one (the Crewe game showing signs of our poor form earlier this season) which was justification that we were not heading in the right direction and thus a managerial change was needed.
However, I completely agree with you with regard to haivng a replacement lined up. I honestly thought Ashton (Who has come across as a meticulous planner) would have had plans in place due to the games we had lined up but that doesn't appear to be the case. |  | | |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:44 - Dec 16 with 513 views | SomethingBlue |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:35 - Dec 16 by clive_baker |
Agree with that and I didn't really understand the Crewe reaction, it was probably too open a game for most people's liking but I thought we played quite well in parts. Goal of the season, deserved win and probably could've scored 3 or 4 another day, I didn't get all the fuss at the time. I think the fact it came off the back of Rotherham was the issue, there were clearly frustrations off the back of that having been schooled so convincingly on our own patch. Rotherham aside, I don't think it was a disaster and still thought Cook deserved another month or 2. We were unlucky at Sunderland in a game we deserved something from, unlucky at table toppers Plymouth, again good for a point. Take the cup games out of it where he played weakened sides, our last 10 league games under Cook were 5 wins (including 2 away thumpings of Wycombe & Pompey), 2 draws, 3 defeats (the aforementioned Sunderland, Rotherham and Plymouth).
Don't get me wrong, Cook can't have too many complaints, the league table doesn't lie and all that, I just didn't see the need for such haste in the decision, especially when we clearly had nobody lined up to replace him given we're nearly 2 weeks down the line, 3 dreadful performances later. |
There is definitely a school of thought to say we ripped it up too early and it has definitively cost us the season. Not sure if I land on that side or not but the next couple of weeks should tell us. |  |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:52 - Dec 16 with 495 views | Churchman |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 10:34 - Dec 16 by Cheltenham_Blue |
Whats happening now is the result of recruiting too many 'Championship' players IMO.
We looked ok against sides that played 'Championship', free flowing, attack minded football, Wycombe, Portsmouth even Sunderland and Oxford, (but to a lesser degree), however the second we come up against blood and thunder typical L1 and L2 'sluggers' it all falls apart.
We can't find a way past two solid banks of four.
To use a Colin'ism' we can't cope with players who are prepared to die to get three points.
We can't cope with a high, fast and aggressive press.
All of this is standard in most teams at this level and the level below, and we don't have players, with the possible exception of Norwood, who can cope with it, or play to it.
We were all blown away by our recruitment in the summer, but we've recruited a Championship team, which is just like the one that was relegated a few years ago and they couldn't cope with this level either. Why we didn't sign quality L1 players? The fact we seemingly weren't even in for players like Jack Whatmough and Scott Twine absolutely baffled me at the time and still baffles me now.
Whether Ashton was responsible for the signings or if it was all Cook, I don't know, but we are going to have to shift some of these players out in January and replace them with lower budget L1 campaigners with a scattering of quality if we are going to have any chance at all of getting out of this league, and its going to have to be a coach that can do that.
We've been allowed to become utter dogsh^t by someone's vanity, and right now, I'm not sure who is responsible. [Post edited 16 Dec 2021 10:44]
|
It a genuine question - are these really Championship quality players? Attitude and performances says they are not. Have they been bigged up? Surely, if they were anything the last place they’d come is this club. Mid L1 small club, rotten to the core for years. The only attraction ha# to be the salary.
Just depressed speculation on my part. |  | | |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 12:00 - Dec 16 with 472 views | Herbivore |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:52 - Dec 16 by Churchman |
It a genuine question - are these really Championship quality players? Attitude and performances says they are not. Have they been bigged up? Surely, if they were anything the last place they’d come is this club. Mid L1 small club, rotten to the core for years. The only attraction ha# to be the salary.
Just depressed speculation on my part. |
Revisit TWTD from June to August and you'll see why the players were attracted and how we felt about the quality they bring. That we've failed since then doesn't change any of that, it's down to a lack of basic coaching and organisation and fragile confidence from a poor start to the season. Blaming attitude is so lazy. |  |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 12:15 - Dec 16 with 442 views | BlueBlueBluex2 |
Whatever happens on Sat its going to be exciting.
Either we tonk Sunderland and everyone has a merry Xmas or we get tonked and the place erupts with great vengeance and furious anger as the day trippers look on aghast. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 12:21 - Dec 16 with 433 views | clive_baker |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 11:44 - Dec 16 by SomethingBlue |
There is definitely a school of thought to say we ripped it up too early and it has definitively cost us the season. Not sure if I land on that side or not but the next couple of weeks should tell us. |
I think what makes it frustrating is we did, at times, show what we were capable of. If its all sh1t it's hard to have any regrets, but I saw things in our side that really did encourage me at times. We looked on the cusp of doing something decent and I felt it was perhaps a case of tweaking what was under the bonnet, perhaps 1 or 2 additions in Jan, with 4 or 5 out. Maybe someone off the pitch to help on the defensive side.
It was always going to take some time, and I thought giving Cook until into the new year would've been prudent, if for no reason other than having more of a case to get rid then. As it is we've no doubt got a fair few influential players who are more than a bit concerned / p1ssed off.
Feels like we've ripped it up to start again, it's like groundhog day. | |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 14:28 - Dec 16 with 363 views | skinnybob72 |
Agree with what others have said which is that Portsmouth and Wycombe look like anomalies - simply those 2 teams had their shockers against Town. Both have bounced back incredibly well since.
Some of recent performances have been dire, Charlton and Rotherham spring to mind while the draw at Wigan was fortunate as they had a goal chalked off which looked onside and they missed a sitter too. Could easily have lost.
Forget the play-offs, Town need another 20-22 points to keep clear of the relegation places and the way we are playing that looks a hell of an ask!! Does anyone see these players rolling up the sleeves and battling for survival? Last night showed how they react to a team who were absolutely up for it!
Long few months ahead I fear. | | | |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 15:12 - Dec 16 with 337 views | Keaneish |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 10:00 - Dec 16 by Steve_M |
Yes, that night I really thought there was something to build on but the tail off in form and results since then has been abysmal. Stumbling through two cup competitions against League 2 sides before being knocked out by another League 2 side and an U21 team and only three goals scored in six league matches. |
...and it'll happen again. At some point soon, with our next manager, it'll happen again because that's football. Mick won 1 in 12 toward the end of his tenure yet there was staunch opposition to him going. We also only scored 1 in 6 at the start of that season too and we were knocked out of the cup by lower league opposition yet Mick still got nigh on a full season to work with the team.
Any level of justification for sacking Cook when we did is weak in the context of what has been afforded other managers. Given the investment, endorsement and trust its also bizarre.
Looks like we now have a 35-year old coming into manager us. "If you're old enough you're good enough?" Is this really the right time to give someone their first start in management? The pressure on him is enormous! |  |
| |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 19:39 - Dec 16 with 291 views | Herbivore |
| How did we get from the Wycombe performance... on 15:12 - Dec 16 by Keaneish |
...and it'll happen again. At some point soon, with our next manager, it'll happen again because that's football. Mick won 1 in 12 toward the end of his tenure yet there was staunch opposition to him going. We also only scored 1 in 6 at the start of that season too and we were knocked out of the cup by lower league opposition yet Mick still got nigh on a full season to work with the team.
Any level of justification for sacking Cook when we did is weak in the context of what has been afforded other managers. Given the investment, endorsement and trust its also bizarre.
Looks like we now have a 35-year old coming into manager us. "If you're old enough you're good enough?" Is this really the right time to give someone their first start in management? The pressure on him is enormous! |
I know you don't really follow Town closely but you're claiming we scored 1 in 6 at the start of Mick's last season and that's just false, massively false in fact. We won our first 4 games that season and scored a decent amount of goals in the process.
And Cook's rein is probably most comparable to Hurst's, the notion he didn't get enough time doesn't really stand up when you look at how poor a job he did here and especially when you look at how performances and results had badly tailed off at a time of the season where the likes of yourself had suggested we should be expecting things to click and us to push on. | |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
