Fan's View - Forest Green
- Thread starter Paul B
- Start date
Level: Callum O'Dowda
Oxe
Level: Billy Beechers
(7 Apps)
Thoughtful and interesting article as ever, Paul, particularly in regard to the injury situation analysis. This was the opportunity to build on the last few games and put a League 2 team to the sword but in the end we were fortunate to get a draw. Was it a blip? Guess we may know more after the Gillingham game (share your concerns) but missing Whyte and Mackie (and Holmes, Ruffels?) is not going to make it any easier.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
I'd like to think it is a blip but I'm not convinced. Take out a key player or two and we really do look in trouble.
League position is one thing but direction of travel is important. The unbeaten league run suggested that we are / were moving forward, albeit not at a massive pace. This was a worrying backward step. Luckily though no league points dropped and we are still in the Cup. If we don't up our game we won't be for long though.
Manorlounger
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
Thanks Paul. A case of normal service restored? Post match interview with Robinson back to blaming everything and more incoherent and meaningless drivel. (and I apologise to all our friends of the Scouse orientation but, I just can't get on with his accent!)
The team for Gillingham will be a test of the back room boys and girls in getting enough players fit to play. And, I don't hold that as a valid excuse for Robinson, he brought in these crocks well aware of their limitations. And, from what I hear via a family member of Ruffels, he doesn't have much time for any player he didn't bring in.
The team for Gillingham will be a test of the back room boys and girls in getting enough players fit to play. And, I don't hold that as a valid excuse for Robinson, he brought in these crocks well aware of their limitations. And, from what I hear via a family member of Ruffels, he doesn't have much time for any player he didn't bring in.
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dabigfella
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
Good read as usual. Sums up the lack of hope and general gloom about the place right now.
You’re right. Even the long anticipated arrival of Erick Thohir felt a bit like a damp squib when it was finally announced and failed to get the juices flowing. Is he just going to offer advice or is he going to invest? And still no real explanation regarding the unpaid tax bill. Everything still has the feeling that it needs to get going somehow..
Deleted member 222
Guest
I might be the only one here who was expecting yesterday to be a dull affair?
I know its the FA Cup but lets be honest, the early rounds are usually very crap. The total attendance sums up the feeling towards yesterdays match and who we were playing. If the fans struggle to go and watch us in the FA cup at home then I can bet my last £ that the players will struggle to get up for a game in a soulless, 1/4 full stadium against a village team.
I don't see yesterdays game as a set back, a sign of a bad run coming or anything else untoward. It was 2 teams playing a game football that more than likely neither particularly wanted to play when the draw was made.
I know its the FA Cup but lets be honest, the early rounds are usually very crap. The total attendance sums up the feeling towards yesterdays match and who we were playing. If the fans struggle to go and watch us in the FA cup at home then I can bet my last £ that the players will struggle to get up for a game in a soulless, 1/4 full stadium against a village team.
I don't see yesterdays game as a set back, a sign of a bad run coming or anything else untoward. It was 2 teams playing a game football that more than likely neither particularly wanted to play when the draw was made.
ZeroTheHero
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
Well they didn't seem to have much difficulty in getting up for game in a 1/10 full stadium against a village team in a meaningless competition on Tuesday!
Sometimes teams just play badly. Next weekend's game will show us whether yesterday was 'a bad day at the office' or a return to the performances of the early season.
Sometimes teams just play badly. Next weekend's game will show us whether yesterday was 'a bad day at the office' or a return to the performances of the early season.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
If that's the case then it is pretty worrying because this is their day jobs. Players like Smith should have been busting a gut to show that this is a job he has a future in. But I kind of get your point.
Oxe
Level: Billy Beechers
(7 Apps)
I worry that you may be right and your analysis of the injury situation in respect to so many of those key players does not offer reassurance.
bazzer9461
Level: Joey Beauchamp
(428 Apps, 79 Gls)
- Year of First Game
- 1968
Agree with everything you wrote especially the comments over the w****r in the black on Saturday, I just hope he isn’t selected as our ref for the replay or for the matter of fact ref for us ever again.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
He didn't even play 45 minutes in the first half let alone add any time. I forgot to mention that.
I think in the past it used to be the same referee but I hope that's not the case now.
bazzer9461
Level: Joey Beauchamp
(428 Apps, 79 Gls)
- Year of First Game
- 1968
So do i you forgot also the blatant body check on Gavin Whyte
Mellowyellow
RIP
The quality of play and commitment was so far from what we saw on Tuesday, that a backward step was what it was. This, along with kr reverting back to type, blaming the ref, injuries et al. He keeps going on about clean sheets, but until we start winning games, and climb out of the relegation zone, clean sheets don't count for a lot.
We were superb on Tuesday, yesterday was a massive worry.
Deleted member 222
Guest
If you keep a clean sheet then you don't lose the game. KR was correct when he said it is an amazing achievement to have got 6 clean sheets out of the last 8 games.
Also we are 7th in the league 1 form table. That again shows we have turned a corner.
I suppose how a supporter feels about yesterday's game depends on whether you are a glass half empty sort or glass half full. I am the latter so see it as a positive that we got another clean sheet, keep the unbeaten run going and we are in the hat for round 2. I also think it's a positive that performance was in the cup and not in the league.
Foley
Level: Colin Harrington
(260 Apps, 30 Gls)
Thank you Paul.
A very very poor performance.
I am.not quite as concerned as you although I do agree that against Gillingham things don't look great with Mackie and Whyte out.
There were real positives against Wycombe and the young players coming through is a positive.
Smith looks to be a player who is on loan at this level at least a year too early.
Keeping clean sheets is a big positive- long may they continue.
Goodness though we need a striker or two in the next transfer window.
Yes and the referee was poor (although watching games with Southampton in the PL and Man City in the CL I am not surprised!)
A very very poor performance.
I am.not quite as concerned as you although I do agree that against Gillingham things don't look great with Mackie and Whyte out.
There were real positives against Wycombe and the young players coming through is a positive.
Smith looks to be a player who is on loan at this level at least a year too early.
Keeping clean sheets is a big positive- long may they continue.
Goodness though we need a striker or two in the next transfer window.
Yes and the referee was poor (although watching games with Southampton in the PL and Man City in the CL I am not surprised!)
bazzer9461
Level: Joey Beauchamp
(428 Apps, 79 Gls)
- Year of First Game
- 1968
That’s all very well but unless we’re scoring we’re not winning and winning is what we have to start doing. If we win 2-1, 3 -1 or whatever it’s 3 points but if it’s 0-0 then it’s 1 and I know which I would prefer.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
Normally I would agree with that but here we were very very lucky to have got away with a clean sheet. The FGR miss in the 2nd half was the worst I've seen all season & an inch or so to the right and they would have scored in the last minute instead of hitting the post.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
I had meant to include that but forgot.
Mellowyellow
RIP
7th in the form table shows how we have shored up at the back. Unfortunately, the only table that matters is the league table. With so many games gone, it's a pretty long corner to go around. We have to get a couple of wins over the next three games, to start pulling out of the relegation zone. After Tuesdays fantastic performance I was a half full guy, after yesterday not so sure.
It was the nature of the performance, starting with a changed system again, albeit for 10 mins, and the return to excuses in kr's interview.
Oxymoron
Level: Dave Roberts
(176 Apps, 8 Gls)
Well thats Eastwood fcuked then.
And it makes you wonder if the surgery to Baptiste, Hall and Obika was just a cover.
Mous and Nelson can't have long
And as for the youth development players...........
Manorlounger
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
Thanks for pointing out my schoolboy spelling mistake, have corrected. Late night posting after several medicinal glasses....
As to the players, yes, it could be construed that several of the "good" players fall into the bracket of neglect but to hear such information even third hand, would suggest that not all is well.
I wouldn't dismiss such things so lightly. The post match interviews have shown how much of what KR says is not thought through and his tendency to name players and criticise is well documented.
Paul B
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
Yes - a big concern. Canice Carroll now wasting away at Brentford.
Saturday was woeful. Although we kept a clean sheet, I think we all know we were fortunate.
My main issue is that we have no clear style when attempting to score. We have zero ability to move the ball in to the box. We get to the edge then rely on Browne/Holmes/Whyte to score some screamer. If they aren’t shooting they are crossing at head height.
In this respect I feel a little sorry for smith. Whilst he has to work it out himself, he isn’t being helped by those around him. Mackie is clever, occupying the CBs making space for others, Smith doesn’t have the physicality for this yet.
We really miss Baptiste. Creatively he is very good for us along with bringing lots of energy to the midfield. The sooner we can get him back the better
My main issue is that we have no clear style when attempting to score. We have zero ability to move the ball in to the box. We get to the edge then rely on Browne/Holmes/Whyte to score some screamer. If they aren’t shooting they are crossing at head height.
In this respect I feel a little sorry for smith. Whilst he has to work it out himself, he isn’t being helped by those around him. Mackie is clever, occupying the CBs making space for others, Smith doesn’t have the physicality for this yet.
We really miss Baptiste. Creatively he is very good for us along with bringing lots of energy to the midfield. The sooner we can get him back the better
Oxymoron
Level: Dave Roberts
(176 Apps, 8 Gls)
No problemo - I put it down to auto-correct and my own wine induced pedantry. The problem I have with third hand information is that I can hear that Robbo hates "X" from one reliable source and then Robbo really rates him from another - and of course both statements could actually be true!
It's a bit like the guy to my left who is constantly yelling for the ball to be lumped forward and the guy in front of me urging the players to run with the ball - neither is necessarily right or wrong with their inveterate views, but the situation really needs to be looked at as a whole before it can be judged as a good or bad thing.
And yes, I'm rambling............
It's a bit like the guy to my left who is constantly yelling for the ball to be lumped forward and the guy in front of me urging the players to run with the ball - neither is necessarily right or wrong with their inveterate views, but the situation really needs to be looked at as a whole before it can be judged as a good or bad thing.
And yes, I'm rambling............
MJB
Level: Les Phillips
(224 Apps, 15 Gls)
Didn’t Baptiste’s injury coincide with our upturn in results? Not blaming him of course, but a signal I’d suggest that we shouldn’t be relying on a first-year pro to be our engine room.
Equally, Saturday aside - and I agree that we rarely looked like scoring - our recent scoring record is decent from memory, no?
Oufcrealist
Level: Yemi Odubade
(158 Apps, 31 Gls)
Thats just drivel!
There was a worse set of circumstances at Wycombe than on Saturday and we managed to comprehensively beat them at a canter. The players were up for that.
KR was tactically out thought by Cooper on Saturday and at least two of the players he brought in are not up to it. We now have a situation where I am sure because of his inept summer recruitment we are going to give a deal to Ranger!!
Quite right re: relying on Baptiste, however we don't have any creativity in midfield aside from Brannagan. Behind the striker its all looks pretty promising, however the issue is getting the ball to them.
Re: scoring, I can't remember when we scored a clear cut chance. It *seems* we are relying on some 20 yard banger each match...which doesnt seem particularly sustainable.
I guess my point, while I have whittled on is that there is next to no nuance around the box....for me, thats because we dont have anyone with the quality on the ball to consistently work opening in the box.
Manorlounger
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
You must be sitting in the same seats as us!
MJB
Level: Les Phillips
(224 Apps, 15 Gls)
You might expect Henry to be picking up some of these duties but he’s been played increasingly deeper, so hardly his fault.
