| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games 10:59 - Oct 30 with 6821 views | TalkingBlues |
The key to this league is consistency and it is testament to our manager that, unlike many before him, he has identified a system and squad that compliments the rotation of players to provide the desired level of consistency.
For me, yesterday wasn't a "freak game" as it is being labelled by many, it was an inevitable outcome "at some point" which just happened to be yesterday. Despite our lofty position in the table, we have had some clearly definable weaknesses over the course of the season to date, mainly, not converting a high enough % of chances in attack and conceding too many goals to aerial balls at the back. Despite those obvious issues, we do enough to get results at this level, happy days.
More recently (the last 6 or 7 games for me) there has been a perceivable decline in the consistency of performances and there are a number of plausible arguments for this, the injuries we have sustained, combined with the sheer number of games and our very physically demanding style of play must hold some level of responsibility, as must the inevitable dip in form some players will experience during the course of a season (perhaps a result of some of the factors already highlighted? fatigue?). These are all tangible and can be (mostly) easily remedied, but the bit I'm struggling with is the undesirable weakness that has crept into our game, the giving away of match winning positions, is it just a result of the identifiable weaknesses in our game, or is this a more intangible mental weakness running through the team? That would be a lot trickier to resolve.
A less hectic schedule over the next couple of weeks will undoubtedly help us, some of the players look tired and hopefully some of the injured will return to the playing squad.
I'm not a fan of the 65 minute same substitutions every week, but the manager has a process and it's difficult to argue it when we're second in the league.
The January transfer window should be a good window into the mind of our manager. For me, we need a finisher up top (easier said than done at this level) and a specialist defensive coach for our aerial issues at the back, or new personnel who can jump and head a ball.
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:09 - Oct 30 with 4711 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
We did convert 4 chances yesterday. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 with 4726 views | Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:12 - Oct 30 with 4700 views | boroughblue |
I think its harsh to say this has been coming for a while, or more that weaknesses have been showing for a while. The derby performance was a very strong one, when we deserved to win, albeit from a fairly handed to us goal and in my opinion we never looked liked conceding. The Portsmouth game, I see your point, but you take out two stupid lapses in concentration an the game looks a lot prettier for us. Whereas Yesterday and Vs Port Vale I will agree we looked like conceding every time a ball was put in our box.
These aside, and I would strongly argue that over the course of October we have put in some very strong and professional 'game management' performances (see Cambridge, Bristol and Morecombe). For me, I think the answer for this week is tiredness. as you say, from our very intense style of play. This gap in fixtures will be a massive blessing imo, a rest for key players and a chance to get more players back (Gassan and Pan will be great additions imo) before a much lighter November.
The striker comment and defensive coach I disagree with. I think Ladapo is now starting to find form, with Gassan back soon too, and defensively (this week aside) we have been a strong as we have looked in years imo. A one off poor performance by Walton and just a freak game, sh1t happens. Every time we've put in a 'bad' performance or lost so far this season we've followed it up with credible wins (See Portsmouth after Plymouth, and Derby after Lincoln).
Of course, time will tell though, but I think we'll be fine.
PS, yesterday still hurts a lot, but I'm glad a care again after a few years of really not caring after seeing a town result.
Trust KMc, trust the process |  | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:13 - Oct 30 with 4679 views | pointofblue |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |
Talking down this NOT being a longer term problem is an issue for me though. In three games this season we have looked comfortable with two goal advantages and thrown them away. Even chasing promotion, yes, these things can happen but the relative regularity - again, for a team chasing promotion - is concerning.
Yesterday was not a freak. It was something we had been warned about before more than once, including in the same game, and didn’t learn our lesson from. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:18 - Oct 30 with 4644 views | Mullet |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:13 - Oct 30 by pointofblue |
Talking down this NOT being a longer term problem is an issue for me though. In three games this season we have looked comfortable with two goal advantages and thrown them away. Even chasing promotion, yes, these things can happen but the relative regularity - again, for a team chasing promotion - is concerning.
Yesterday was not a freak. It was something we had been warned about before more than once, including in the same game, and didn’t learn our lesson from. |
Port Vale was not a comfortable game at all, same as Wednesday you had a crowd up for it and two very different challenges in terms of quality over brawn.
We've had umpteen dubious calls this season, but they're like teams coming to play, something that has to be mitigated. We've had our central midfield disrupted and it's no surprise that has been the root of mistakes either in terms of shape or decision making.
If by January McKenna hasn't coached us better or found a solution that's a different thing, but people are talking like it's formality and the arse has fallen out of the season. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:21 - Oct 30 with 4603 views | Ftnfwest |
Up to burgess’ last game against Bristol I thought we looked solid, but less so since. Hopefully he can get a game in next week in the cup |  | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:22 - Oct 30 with 4582 views | pointofblue |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:18 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
Port Vale was not a comfortable game at all, same as Wednesday you had a crowd up for it and two very different challenges in terms of quality over brawn.
We've had umpteen dubious calls this season, but they're like teams coming to play, something that has to be mitigated. We've had our central midfield disrupted and it's no surprise that has been the root of mistakes either in terms of shape or decision making.
If by January McKenna hasn't coached us better or found a solution that's a different thing, but people are talking like it's formality and the arse has fallen out of the season. |
It’s not a formality, and certainly we’re still in an excellent position. But having this happen four times by the end of October doesn’t shoot out top two at the end of the season (whilst agreeing that we have plenty of statistics in our favour which do). | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:24 - Oct 30 with 4560 views | SitfcB |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |
Our fanbase love an overreaction. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:31 - Oct 30 with 4496 views | pointofblue |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:24 - Oct 30 by SitfcB |
Our fanbase love an overreaction. |
Change ‘our’ for ‘every’. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:59 - Oct 30 with 4378 views | Rozz |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:13 - Oct 30 by pointofblue |
Talking down this NOT being a longer term problem is an issue for me though. In three games this season we have looked comfortable with two goal advantages and thrown them away. Even chasing promotion, yes, these things can happen but the relative regularity - again, for a team chasing promotion - is concerning.
Yesterday was not a freak. It was something we had been warned about before more than once, including in the same game, and didn’t learn our lesson from. |
I'm not worried about dropping more points from winning positions than others, because I know we'll lead at some point in most games. Really the timing of their goals is irrelevant unless you want to argue a point about mental weakness or fitness, and I don't think either stand up right now.
The manner of the goals does have a pattern though, and KMc has rightly identified high balls into our box as a weakness. We've missed Burgess in this regard, and I haven't been massively impressed with Keogh's organisational contributions to date.
As for the points in the OP:
-Conversion rate: we're top scorers in the division.
-New personnel: Fine, but central defenders who can pass out under pressure and also win high %'s of their aerial duels generally don't play in L1 for long. Burgess / Leigh still to come back in.
-Freak game: try to separate freak game from freak result. You could play the same game 1000 times between the same teams and you wouldn't get 4 goals in injury time or a 99th minute decider again. [Post edited 30 Oct 2022 12:01]
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 13:54 - Oct 30 with 4090 views | BlueBadger |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |
This. There's been a weird minority popped up recently(and not so recently in one case) who seem desperate for Town to fail, in the face evidence that really, we're not. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 13:56 - Oct 30 with 4095 views | Guthrum |
There is a trade-off. If we want defenders who are good with their feet and can play out from the back, they may not be hulking giants who can get to every aerial ball. Likewise fast, skilled attacking players who end up bouncing off brick sh1thouses like some of those Charlton deployed yesterday (e.g. Davis and the no.22 for their first goal). At League One level, all-round superstars are not going to be available, every player having their vulnerabilities.
If Xg is to be believed, we're converting a very high proportion of available chances, certainly by comparison with anyone else in League One. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:12 - Oct 30 with 4055 views | Guthrum |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |
For me, it's a reflection - still - of how many disappointments the fanbase has had over recent years and of tension created by the feeling that if we do not make it to the Championship this season, McKenna may depart, the squad lose important members, even the owners lose interest.
Fan morale is much better than it was, but still very fragile. Any hint of a stumble brings up dark thoughts. Town supporters are simply not used to being at the front and running well, they are always afraid it is just a hollow facade which will crash down.
Sure, it's good to have high expectations, but if that is backed not by quiet confidence but instead a terror of failure, then it can lead to unreasonable pressure upon the team and wild reaction to every bump in the road. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:20 - Oct 30 with 4026 views | TalkingBlues |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:10 - Oct 30 by Mullet |
We are second having taken 4/6pts in two tough games with a fair amount of squad depletion. Charlton's home form is way stronger than their away form having only just suffered defeat at the Valley before we came there.
Had Freddie's been the winner you'd be in a long line of people overjoyed and praising our resilience. The only cracks widening are the one's emitting so much bleating, and trying to stoke up a crisis that isn't there.
We can talk about what a freak result it was and the plentiful regrets etc. but painting this as a long term thing when we're doing so well is nonsense. |
I don't think I would be alone in saying that up until a few games ago, I approached each game with a fairly high level of confidence that we would achieve 3 points (what an amazing change from years gone by) but around 6 or 7 games ago that optimistic subconscious feeling changed, things that we had previously got away in games started to catch us out, we squandered healthy leads and failed to put teams to the sword, we lost consistency and very achievable points, possibly for reasons stated in my OP. That pre-match confident feeling that was waning, well and truly evaporated after the home loss to Lincoln, which btw was a perfect example of everything stated in my OP, it was another game that people brushed off as a "freak game", but the reality was that it was another warning sign of a loss of consistency.
I haven't seen anybody claiming there's a crisis, so I can't comment on that part of your response, but I've seen quite a few frustrated fans, as you would expect after a game of yesterdays nature. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:24 - Oct 30 with 3997 views | TalkingBlues |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:09 - Oct 30 by Marshalls_Mullet |
We did convert 4 chances yesterday. |
We did indeed and I'm sorry to say we were also guilty of missing at least 3 opportunities that anybody playing professional football would consider a "definite goal" one of which puts us 3-0 up and probably finishes the game off. I still can't decide who's miss was worse, TJJ's unmarked header str8 at the keeper from 4 yards, or Edwards unchallenged slice over the bar from 7 yards? | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:24 - Oct 30 with 3989 views | blueislander |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:20 - Oct 30 by TalkingBlues |
I don't think I would be alone in saying that up until a few games ago, I approached each game with a fairly high level of confidence that we would achieve 3 points (what an amazing change from years gone by) but around 6 or 7 games ago that optimistic subconscious feeling changed, things that we had previously got away in games started to catch us out, we squandered healthy leads and failed to put teams to the sword, we lost consistency and very achievable points, possibly for reasons stated in my OP. That pre-match confident feeling that was waning, well and truly evaporated after the home loss to Lincoln, which btw was a perfect example of everything stated in my OP, it was another game that people brushed off as a "freak game", but the reality was that it was another warning sign of a loss of consistency.
I haven't seen anybody claiming there's a crisis, so I can't comment on that part of your response, but I've seen quite a few frustrated fans, as you would expect after a game of yesterdays nature. |
If you oook at the league table you should approach every game with confidence. | | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:35 - Oct 30 with 3935 views | TalkingBlues |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:24 - Oct 30 by blueislander |
If you oook at the league table you should approach every game with confidence. |
I think ITFC fans are all too well aware of how deceptive this league can be, I am still haunted by the season we were 7 points clear at the top of this league at Christmas and managed to be outside the play off places by February, things can and do change rapidly at this level. I'd like to think we are a different team now, but until the season is over, there is no proof that we are. | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:58 - Oct 30 with 3862 views | Westcountryblue |
To be honest, i think we've done exceptionally over the past month, but i would agree with some of the points made in the opening post.
We've put out very strong sides in the Papa John's, which has probably added to the fatigue that we are starting to see in players like Donacien and Davis. Next month will give us the opportunity to rest key players, as well as get Camara, Burgess, Ahadme and Evan's back.
Moreover, i think we've missed the height and presence of Burgess. Edmondson and Woolfenden are good CB's but their main strength isn't at meeting high balls, meaning we have looked fragile on the rare occasion when our box has been laid siege to late in games.
However, the positive that i'm taking out of results like Sheff Wed and Charlton is that these 2 strong sides have barely escaped by the skin of their teeth with just a point at home. In reality, we outplayed Charlton for large spells of the game and were the much better team. 6 points from our next 2 will put us in a very strong positioning heading into December. [Post edited 30 Oct 2022 15:00]
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 16:22 - Oct 30 with 3674 views | SheffordBlue |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 11:13 - Oct 30 by pointofblue |
Talking down this NOT being a longer term problem is an issue for me though. In three games this season we have looked comfortable with two goal advantages and thrown them away. Even chasing promotion, yes, these things can happen but the relative regularity - again, for a team chasing promotion - is concerning.
Yesterday was not a freak. It was something we had been warned about before more than once, including in the same game, and didn’t learn our lesson from. |
Points lost by the top 4 after initially taking the lead:
Plymouth - 7
Ipswich - 9
Sheff Wed - 9
Peterborough - 11
The distribution of ours being close together and being more than a goal ahead may mean that there's an issue developing or might just be a cluster of different bad stuff happening at once. McKenna identified the high balls into the box being an issue but that's not just from the recent run but has been a weakeness in games preceding that.
We're not the only team that should be allowed to keep a dog though....... | |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 16:28 - Oct 30 with 3638 views | WestStanderLaLaLa |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:24 - Oct 30 by TalkingBlues |
We did indeed and I'm sorry to say we were also guilty of missing at least 3 opportunities that anybody playing professional football would consider a "definite goal" one of which puts us 3-0 up and probably finishes the game off. I still can't decide who's miss was worse, TJJ's unmarked header str8 at the keeper from 4 yards, or Edwards unchallenged slice over the bar from 7 yards? |
3-1 up, not 3-0. |  |
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| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 18:38 - Oct 30 with 3362 views | ketton_itfc |
Well as far as I'm concerned the cracks can keep on widening, no offence fella! I've seen pretty much every game this season and I think what the team and KMC have done so far is excellent.
Yes there is clearly room for improvement and the defending at the back post/balls in the box needs work. But in almost every game we've been the dominant team. There is so much to appreciate with the team and I think we are only going to get better and better - the way we play means there is no ceiling unlike a few clubs around us and I trust KMc to make the changes as needed to keep raising the standard.
To play the way we do in L1 is a brave thing to do and and barring a disaster injuries wise, I think we'll be top 2.
One thing i do hope is that we do take an educated financial gamble on a physical striker in Jan - If we're 50+ point by the turn of the year I expect the club to push the boat out transfer wise just to see us over the line or at the very least give us even more quality if we do end up in play-offs. |  | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 18:38 - Oct 30 with 3361 views | Stewart27 |
With 7 points out of 9 in the past week with 2 away games, I can’t wait for us to start playing well. | | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 18:49 - Oct 30 with 3327 views | blueislander |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 14:35 - Oct 30 by TalkingBlues |
I think ITFC fans are all too well aware of how deceptive this league can be, I am still haunted by the season we were 7 points clear at the top of this league at Christmas and managed to be outside the play off places by February, things can and do change rapidly at this level. I'd like to think we are a different team now, but until the season is over, there is no proof that we are. |
Point of order. That was in the Championship not League 1. You’re a bit of a glass half empty aren’t you? | | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 19:32 - Oct 30 with 3217 views | ibbleobble |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 13:54 - Oct 30 by BlueBadger |
This. There's been a weird minority popped up recently(and not so recently in one case) who seem desperate for Town to fail, in the face evidence that really, we're not. |
Isn’t it more that when you’re winning and doing well there’s less to debate because it’s working. When there’s issues there’s more to debate hence the wider reaction from different sources. Whether you think there’s an issue or not could be the debate but if you’re of the opinion that throwing two 2-goal leads away in a game, doing it for the 4th time this season and surrendering leads 9 times isn’t a concern, I’d have to say it’s very blinkered.
It’s not a crisis but it is eyebrow raising and needs addressing before we get into the thick of it in the upcoming months. | | | |
| Cracks have been widening over the last 7 games on 20:07 - Oct 30 with 3147 views | ringwoodblue |
I think the final result definitely affects the loss of a one or two goal lead. Against Pompey and Vale we still won the match so it didn’t really matter as much but against Wed, Plymouth and Charlton, we dropped points and it felt much more painful.
When are we going to lose a three goal lead? It could happen. |  |
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