We're learning the hard way
 

Well, aren't we?

Tonight was a series of individual errors and missed chances. Ok, so the game was better than the Chester defeat, but there are a number of changes necessary.

Firstly I'd drop Cav and replace him with Edwards. Edwards reads the game better and gets in better positions, which means that the defence is never as stretched.

Secondly, I'd make changes to the midfield. Craney just hasn't got going and with Proctor suspended, we're going to struggle. Perhaps a new signing is necessary, but we're too lightweight in that area and we struggle to compete.

Ideally a new striker is required. Someone with League experience, who is strong and can outwit the better defenders we now have to deal with. In the short term, however, I'd replace Boco with Brown. For me Brown is the best finisher we have and after a good preseason, he deserves a chance.

I don't know if there is any money in the pot for a couple of new players (experienced league players), but if there is it needs spending. If there isn't, then fair enough, but we're going to struggle. Tonight we were outwitted by experience as much as we were outplayed. That's my opinion anyway. ;)

Tonights match
 

Well it is quite obvious that the "good" folk of Accrington are not bothered about a football team as only 2600 and odd managed to turn up and 700 or so were from Darlington. First home match in the league and we can only muster a crowd of 2600 its disgusting. Footie wasn't bad, but defending for the goals was woeful if a trifle unlucky for the second. Bit of a fussy ref but did not see the incident involving Proccie for him to be red carded like that - apparently an elbow according to Radio Lancs.The way I see it, we are going to have to stop ball watching, play simple football (even if it is not attractive) and start scoring some goals and toughen up the defence. Hopefully we will do better on Saturday against Barnet - it cannot get any worse. Though Proccie played well until the red card as did Cav - all over the park and some vital interceptions. Darlington are nobodies fools and will not roll over easily this season. I foresee a long hard slog unless things improve very quickly.
:( :( :( :(

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

for us poor ies here in blackpool please what was the score tonight?

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Same as yours 0-2

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

thanks O O was trying to get it on radio but couldnt hope they can do better on sat.. good luck guys

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Quote by Tin Monkey "I'd replace Boco with Brown. For me Brown is the best finisher we have and after a good preseason, he deserves a chance."

Sorry TM But you're getting as daft as Coley. Don't Know what he was thinking about taking Boco off and putting Mangan on. As for brown, he shouldn't be mentioned in the same thread as Boco.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Calm down calm down!

Now the big 'occasions' are over, maybe we can start playing our best football.
We were all over Darlington - the favourites to win the league - until we lost our bottle after they got that soft goal against the run of play.
It was a strange night all round. Craney hasn't kicked off his season yet which is why Proc is rushing around the midfield like a blue arsed fly & making those 2 silly mistakes in an otherwise great performance.
Obviously I'm not a manager but I would like to see Boco start in midfield instead of Craney against Barnet with Mangan partnering Mullers upfront. Things can only get better.
Keep The Faith.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

cannot believe tonights crowd-what more do people want? Coley just been on sky sports and was far from happy with turn-out.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Seemed to be happy with everything else. 10 mins to go, 2-0 down. Stood there grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

[quote=shakermaker]Calm down calm down!

Now the big 'occasions' are over, maybe we can start playing our best football.
We were all over Darlington - the favourites to win the league - until we lost our bottle after they got that soft goal against the run of play.
It was a strange night all round. Craney hasn't kicked off his season yet which is why Proc is rushing around the midfield like a blue arsed fly & making those 2 silly mistakes in an otherwise great performance.


At least last night we showed we can play football, which must build the confidence. Given the poor display against Chester, that is a positive, & once the early season nerves are over (& we score a goal!)I'm sure things will come together.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I dont think anybody thought that life in league 2 was going to be easy, but there are a few early indications that its going to be harder than we thought, our defence in both games as looked very dodgy and we are being bossed in midfield far too easily, Craney as mentioned doesnt look like his old self at all at the moment, but hopefully this will right itself sooner rather than later, its funny how differant people view players performance in the same game, as i thought Cav in both games as been woefull with Williams not much better either, Dunbavin also looks a bit iffy, he made a couple of good saves last night but seems to have poor judgement with regards wether or not to come for a ball or not, i know hes young and its early doors so theres time yet for him to improve, but i`ll feel happier when Elliot is back in the pegs, i also thought that Boco was one of the better players last night, he was all over the place and was surprised to see him subbed.

Lets not be to hard on the lads yet though as its only 2 games in and theres a long way to go yet, and who knows we could have already played 2 of the best teams in the league, see you all on Saturday and hopefully loads more besides as the crowd last night was pretty poor considering the occassion.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I Think Your Bein A Little Harsh On Dunbavin......he Made 7 Or 8 Class Saves. Without That We Would Have Been Out The Game Before Half Time. Did Nobody Else Thing The Grass Was Too Long To Play Good Quick Football On???? There Was About 2 Or 3 Blubs Out Floodlights... Not Good 4 1st Home Game.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I wouldn`t say that what i wrote was harsh as i wasnt critising his shot stopping ability as i said he made some good saves but just looks iffy at coming for balls, and would prefer to see Elliot in the nets (mainly because he commands his area very well and i`m sure he instills confidence in the defence) i also said hes young and theres time for him to improve, compared to what some of the crowd were saying about him last night, my comments were very mild and in my opinion quite fair, dont get me wrong i hope the lad does very well as we are going to need someone when Elliots loan spell is up at the end of the season.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

The problem is that Cav shouldn't be all over the park, he has a position to hold and if he is all over the park there is a gap where he should be. Last Saturday at Chester he went racing down the left wing, he was playing at right back for goodness sake. Too many times he is caught out of position. As for the attendance - I too was disappointed with the gate, but it's still the holiday season and who wants to stand on an open terrace getting p****d wet through.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

The defence we had last season, which kept 14 clean sheets, didn't have Cav in it. I personally would prefer Edwards in that position.

But, hey. It's all about opinions. ;)

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Exactly, and one of the best midfield's in the Conference last season didn't have Procky in it. We seem to have players playing now who weren't considered good enough to play regularly in the Conference. Let's see what happens on Saturday against Barnet. Procky will be suspended so what will Coley do? I woudn't be surprised to see a full back (Edwards) playing at centre half, and a centre half (Rocky) playing in midfield instead of just bringing in a midfielder to replace Procky.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

i honestly think rocky is abysmal

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

People have been saying that since we were in the Unibond League.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

how does he start then? i have no idea why he is on the pitch

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Quote " Shut the **** up - can tell you sit in the main stand"
Another soft sod, or is it the same one. "People" Who are afraid to put their name to their comments should say nothing.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Hardly fair - Procky didn;t play last season because he was injured thoroughout it, not because he wasn't good enough. He was our best player at Chester and gave his all again last night - give the lad a break.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

All I said was that one of the best midfields in the Conference last season didn't have Procky in it. In your opinion he was our best player at Chester. I agree he gave his all again last night, but sometimes giving your all is not good enough. I could give my all but I would problably be rubbish.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

to be honest proctor is basically a one man centre mid. craney has done nothing to help him out in the two games so far. i actually forgot craney was playing

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Sorry if I misinterpreted your post Jeff, but seeing as you said that we seemed to have players playing now who weren't considered good enough to play regularly in the conference and as far as I can remember Procky was the only one playing last night who didn't play last season, I presumed you meant him. As for Rocky, I personally think he plays better in midfield than he does in defence (that was his original position when he first arrived at the club after all) and I would not have a problem if he was in that position on Saturday, as for a replacement for Procky, what about giving Joel Byrom a go, he certainly impressed in the pre-season games.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

well any1 who was slagging him off last night must have been watching a different game to me.... it looked like he was the only player who wanted to play in the rain.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Before his injury I don't think Procky was playing regularly, Cav wasn't playing regularly last season - Edwards kept him out until we were desperate.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Jesus people!!! Why is everyone reaching for the panic button after 2 games!! I'm surprised you can still locate it after all the succeses of past years. You can't tell anything untill at least ten games. Let's face it, in years before, we've hardly started the season with a bang have we? If we're still struggling at Christmas then fair enough, but please give the lads a break!!!
I think one of the problems is that expectations have become too high after our previous succeses, which in themselves, were amazing feats. We are tiny fish in a huge pond. All this double promotion talk was always going to be nonsense.
All I can say is enjoy the season, come what may, safe in the knowledge that every player to pull on the famous red shirt has given 110%.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

have to say i was disappointed with the game last nite, although to me we played 1 of the best sides in the division.

Barnet on saturday will be very interesting indeed, hopefully we can get something out of the game.

As for the performance last nite i thought that in certain areas we where simply outclassed, in others just silly mistakes.

Dunbavin- Shaky start again but was brilliant for the rest of the game, cant blame either goals on him, very impressed.

Cav- Looks way short of match fitness in my opinion.

Richardson- Becoming mr dependable, our best defender in my opinion.

Welch, Unlucky with the goal, hardly lost a header all nite, not the quickest but needs a pacy center back to play alongside???

Rocky- Looks the weak link for me.

Todd- Some good runs, but faded badly in the 2nd half.

Roberts- We all know hes got potential, abit isolated at times and tried way 2 many fancy flicks.

Proccy- Decent game, silly sending off.

Craney- seems to go AWOL without boco alongside him.

Boco- all round action man, why play him in that advanced midfield/ Withdrawn striker role is beyond me.

Mullin- Average performance, didnt look like scoring in a month of sundays but what can we expect playing him upfront on his own??


Have to agree with a point earlier, why play mangan and brown pre-season see them scoring loads then bench them?? Beyond me??


but anyway keep the faith people, im sure 3 points will be ours on saturday!:D

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I don't think anyone is reaching for the panic button. As this is a forum for the fans, I see it as people discussing their team and voicing their opinions, which is exactly how it should be.
I've been watching Stanley long enough to never have unreal expectations. ;)

I think having discussions on football is great and we're never all going to agree. However, although I might not agree with everyone on here, I do respect them for posting. Shame I can't say the same about these silly children who post anonymous insults via karma comments. As if that's going to stop me posting and having my say?? :rofl38:

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Quote:- "Firstly I'd drop Cav and replace him with Edwards. Edwards reads the game better and gets in better positions, which means that the defence is never as stretched"

I'm 100% with you on this. Cav is often great going forward but leaves a great deal to be desired defensively. Boco or Mangan pushed up front with Mullin with Rocky in midfield would be in my line up. I'm afraid I have never been able to see why so many of us rave about David Brown's abilities, (excepting his cool penalty at York) as he always seems very ineffective and easy to knock off the ball. Very nice bloke, I know, but not as good as his reputation IMHO.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Just a note for Smudgie. Granted I havent seen anything of the games this season but I still want to make a point. Im not havin a go fella but just expressing how I feel. After only 2 games how do you know theyre one of the best sides in the division?? What say if 13 other teams come along and are better than Darlington??? Its possible! Its far too early to say whats what at the moment - I could understand that sort of comment at the 3 quarter stage when weve seen everyone play against us but after 2 games? Come off it... Anyway I think someone else said this earlier but I think we are just luring the opposition into thinking we are a 'push over' side... Watch us fly... ;) This is how silly all this is - if we get three points on Saturday we could potentially go 10th...

Jimbo T :horn8:blower

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

imo browny has to start he was the leading goalscorer in preseason and therefore his confidence must have been sky high, then come first couple of games hes back sat on bench... i think we have bullied out of these first two games and with the lack of league experience i think it will be a long season....wheres John durnin when u need him :rolleyes:

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Getting wet on an open terrace, try getting wet in the stands... something has to be done with the leaking roof. Then to add insult to injury we leave the ground early to get away and are told to wait until 15 mins after the final wistle before moving from a parking space which we have paid for. #The stewards felt I had insulted them and called for a plain clothes policeman to advise me about my future conduct.... This from an ex JP. Not impressed Eric. Get it sorted

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Could be wrong here, but isn't this down to the council and/or police advice? If everybody tried to get out at the same time, there'd be chaos! We had trouble getting away at Chester as well.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I was parked on the verge on Livingstone Road, about ten yards down from the gate, and I had to wait for at least ten minutes, I got away a few minutes after the Darlington Fans buses left the ground. It took me a further 15 minutes to get to the lights at Church Lane. For the time it takes to get home and the camaraderie of the club I’m more than happy to put up with it.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

If I remember correctly Procky was injured in a pre-season friendly which is why he never played last season. Similarly with Cav, his ankle injury kept flaring up and he was unable to play. Not that I have anything against Phil Edwards - he's a brilliant defender and can play anywhere across the back line

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

[quote=Doug]I was parked on the verge on Livingstone Road.

Whatever you do, don't park on the verge on the "mini triangle" down First Avenue - some jobsworth parking warden did me 30 quid last season for "parking within 9 yards of a junction". It was worth it, though,as we'd just robbed Burton with Mully's last minute bullet header!:D

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

I was one of the three stewards you DID insult!!! Okay love?... Sorry I forgot you don't like people calling you love and thats why you felt it necessary to verbally abuse myself, UKCowboy and Ian one of the other stewards, and that is why we as stewards felt it necessary to get one of the plain clothes coppers to come down and have a word with you.

As far as movement of vehicles goes, football league and county council rules state that there should be no movement of vehicles within the carparks of the ground from an hour before kick off until fifteen minutes after the game has finished or until the pedestrian crowd has left the vacinity. This includes people who pay for their parking spaces, whether you are a life member of the football club, the chairman of the football club, the press or joe bloggs, this applies to every body. If you are unhappy about this I'm sure you could complain to the council or the football league but I'm sure you would get short shrift. We as a football club are sorry for any inconveniance this may cause you personally but it is out of our hands.

Their are a lot of things that are very new to all of us this season, fans and staff alike, including the parking restrictions and the segregation, but its what has to be done. This is what it means to be in the football league.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Please accept my unreserved apology for any insult. I accept I was in the wrong and appreciate the difficult job you have to do. The name is Mike, by the way, and I accept you call everybody love, including the policeman who had a friendly chat with me, lol. Hope we can carry on supporting the club we all have a deep affection for.

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Sparkie was this explained to fettler at the time?? Just a thought because after your post explaining why he couldnt move, an apology was forthcoming. Just thinking it maybe wasnt explained at the time and perhaps the situation could have been diffused a lot easier without having to involve the police.. note for next time maybe??? Not everyone is going to be aware of all league/council regs...

Jimbo T :horn8:blower

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Thanks for the apology fettler its accepted gratefully.

Jimbo we did attempt to explain at the time but found the car window shut!!!!

Re: We're learning the hard way
 

Ahh ok so you would have had to talk through glass then :D DAWNT DO PEES MATE... DAWNT DO CUWWY SAWCE - CURRY SAUCE NOO GOOO...

Jimbo T :horn8:blower