LIke groundhog day watching Stanley at home. Plenty of effort, heroic defending but no quality in midfield. Tactics seem to be pump the ball high and long to be gobbled up by huge defenders. 2nd ball usually wasted by Murphy and Joyce. We're going down with those 2 starting week in week out.
Oxford thread
- Thread starter Redraine
- Start date
First half we had plenty of possession but didn't really do too much with it. The second half was an even contest with both teams cancelling each other out, was a bit perplexed by taking off Webber and bringing on Richardson, especially when we need a win. We are at home and should be attacking teams and not settling for a point IMO, these slightly negative tactics helped to get more of the ball to Oxford.
Next two home games are massive and we need to win at least one of them to give ourselves a chance.
Next two home games are massive and we need to win at least one of them to give ourselves a chance.
Thought the first half was very even,possibly Acci shaded it.
Both teams set up 4-4-2 and all over the field it was very much man for man,which meant they were confident of winning more of the battles.
To be fare,thought murph and Joycy had the edge in the central area in the first half and forced rigg (often our Achilles heal) instead.
It was always going to be tough in the second half,they went more direct and fatigue started to set in,but we still had a few chances.
The keeper and the two centre halves were excellent against two inform quality players.
As I send before,start with clean sheets and build from there,and against the league top scorers,that should build confidence,
Ps thought Naismith had a decent first half too.
Both teams set up 4-4-2 and all over the field it was very much man for man,which meant they were confident of winning more of the battles.
To be fare,thought murph and Joycy had the edge in the central area in the first half and forced rigg (often our Achilles heal) instead.
It was always going to be tough in the second half,they went more direct and fatigue started to set in,but we still had a few chances.
The keeper and the two centre halves were excellent against two inform quality players.
As I send before,start with clean sheets and build from there,and against the league top scorers,that should build confidence,
Ps thought Naismith had a decent first half too.
No takers so far Red !...So I'll agree with what you say PLUS my usual winge about the lack of a real 'finisher' who can stick the half- chances away. It is also possibly the first time I have seen a ginger-headed substitute play for ten minutes without making a pass, a tackle. or a shot on goal, which again makes one think that there are occasions when our Manager's lack of experience really does shine through in this particular department.
On the plus side our Goalkeeper really is good and kept Stanley in the game !. Definitely deserved MOM !.
I really hope what Beattie says to the lads is radically different to what he is saying to Dan in his interviews. He gave over a large portion of the interview to saying we need some luck to get us that first win. But you don't win enough football games to stay up through luck. You win it by burying your chances when they come.
The lads need to know in no uncertain terms that points are only good if you back them up by winning the next game. On Tuesday night we have to win. Otherwise all todays efforts are worthless. We have only got 7 goals so far this season. Not good enough. We need to commit more lads to getting in the box. We should be peppering the away sides 18 yard area when we're at home.
The sad thing about this is that the defence seems ok. The lads should have the confidence to commit to going forward. We have experienced players in the side who will sit when bomb on up the wings and commit one or two of the midfielders to getting in the box. Time is running out. Every home game that goes by without us winning is a missed opportunity. Whoever gets picked on Tuesday night has to be brave and actively look to WIN the game. I'm a bit worried we're happy to try and *pinch* results. That will not keep us in the football league.
Like I said last week, we CAN turn this around. If you think of some of the squads we had when we first got promoted, with all respect to those players, we squeezed every last bit of performance out of them. Got to make it happen though, simply waiting for a deflection or a bit of luck will only lead to us going down.
The lads need to know in no uncertain terms that points are only good if you back them up by winning the next game. On Tuesday night we have to win. Otherwise all todays efforts are worthless. We have only got 7 goals so far this season. Not good enough. We need to commit more lads to getting in the box. We should be peppering the away sides 18 yard area when we're at home.
The sad thing about this is that the defence seems ok. The lads should have the confidence to commit to going forward. We have experienced players in the side who will sit when bomb on up the wings and commit one or two of the midfielders to getting in the box. Time is running out. Every home game that goes by without us winning is a missed opportunity. Whoever gets picked on Tuesday night has to be brave and actively look to WIN the game. I'm a bit worried we're happy to try and *pinch* results. That will not keep us in the football league.
Like I said last week, we CAN turn this around. If you think of some of the squads we had when we first got promoted, with all respect to those players, we squeezed every last bit of performance out of them. Got to make it happen though, simply waiting for a deflection or a bit of luck will only lead to us going down.
Good thing today was our defence and a point. When you only have 3, every point counts, of course we should be playing to win etc etc.
The bad things were:
Central midfield - can neither really challenge for the ball/second ball or pull the strings and make positive passes forward. Joyce played his best half in a long time, but that's really not a compliment.
Our wide midfielders don't take on their man enough, get close to the byeline and whip in a cross - you do that ten times a game, it will create a few goal scoring opportunities.
Webber is wasted playing whatever position he is meant to be playing. In a team where not many players can pass the ball, he stands out as someone with a little bit of skill. Drop one of murphy or joyce and stick him in midfield, and play either 2 other strikers, or one with hatfield in support.
Get rid of richardson. When he plays he looks lost - it's as if he's never been involved in a game before - backs away from 50:50 balls/headers, turns his back to the person in possession every time we get the ball, doesn't come looking for the ball.... I could go on and on. Basically rubbish and I would be furious if I was someone else sat on the bench and he was getting a game ahead of me.
Saying all that 3 draws from 4 games is better than consecutive defeats. Now Beattie needs to gamble and turn some of these solid defensive performances into wins. Escape from this dire situation could be Stanley's greatest triumph.
The bad things were:
Central midfield - can neither really challenge for the ball/second ball or pull the strings and make positive passes forward. Joyce played his best half in a long time, but that's really not a compliment.
Our wide midfielders don't take on their man enough, get close to the byeline and whip in a cross - you do that ten times a game, it will create a few goal scoring opportunities.
Webber is wasted playing whatever position he is meant to be playing. In a team where not many players can pass the ball, he stands out as someone with a little bit of skill. Drop one of murphy or joyce and stick him in midfield, and play either 2 other strikers, or one with hatfield in support.
Get rid of richardson. When he plays he looks lost - it's as if he's never been involved in a game before - backs away from 50:50 balls/headers, turns his back to the person in possession every time we get the ball, doesn't come looking for the ball.... I could go on and on. Basically rubbish and I would be furious if I was someone else sat on the bench and he was getting a game ahead of me.
Saying all that 3 draws from 4 games is better than consecutive defeats. Now Beattie needs to gamble and turn some of these solid defensive performances into wins. Escape from this dire situation could be Stanley's greatest triumph.
Defended well against two good strikers for this level and better performance. However, still not good enough. We don't look like we carry any real goal threat and haven't had any periods of sustained pressure on the oppositions' goal in any of the games I've seen this season.
There are green shoots, but these need to be turned into wins very quickly if we are to get out this mess. We're a quarter of the way through the season already and it needs a significant turn around. In any other club, Beattie would be on borrowed time, however I think we simply won't be able to afford to sack him if the board ever get to that decision. He's not shown enough for me to date. Im not sure what his footballing philosophy is and we don't seem to have a consistent way of playing. We have some decent players who I don't think have a pattern of play.
In our current predicament I don't want our manager coming out after games and talking to the media the way he's currently doing. He's calm and measured and there is a place for that in the game, however, not here not now. I want to see someone who is bursting with passion, someone who is busting a gut, someone who you just know is going to get the players fired up, motivated and running through brick walls for him. He doesn't project being able to do that for me.
The tactics needs reviewing for me - we don't have enough efforts on goal and the coaching staff need to quickly work out how this is corrected.
We need to develop a nasty streak and all 11 on the pitch need to outwardly show a desire and will to win. We need to change things very quickly.
There are green shoots, but these need to be turned into wins very quickly if we are to get out this mess. We're a quarter of the way through the season already and it needs a significant turn around. In any other club, Beattie would be on borrowed time, however I think we simply won't be able to afford to sack him if the board ever get to that decision. He's not shown enough for me to date. Im not sure what his footballing philosophy is and we don't seem to have a consistent way of playing. We have some decent players who I don't think have a pattern of play.
In our current predicament I don't want our manager coming out after games and talking to the media the way he's currently doing. He's calm and measured and there is a place for that in the game, however, not here not now. I want to see someone who is bursting with passion, someone who is busting a gut, someone who you just know is going to get the players fired up, motivated and running through brick walls for him. He doesn't project being able to do that for me.
The tactics needs reviewing for me - we don't have enough efforts on goal and the coaching staff need to quickly work out how this is corrected.
We need to develop a nasty streak and all 11 on the pitch need to outwardly show a desire and will to win. We need to change things very quickly.
Decent first half, awful 2nd.
Our c midfield are neither ball winners or ball players. They never get on 2nd ball or play any penetrating forward passes. The service to front man is disgraceful, and for a lad that is not a target man Gray battled away manfully against a giant defence.
Naismith again flattered to deceive, one decent run in first half and that was literally it.
Webber looks as though he does not fancy this level, been better off with carver hatfield or McCarten.
Bizzare moment of the day: pushing for a home win - replace a non productive forward with a midfield play struggling to cope with this level of football (Hatfield, carver and McCarten on bench)
Our c midfield are neither ball winners or ball players. They never get on 2nd ball or play any penetrating forward passes. The service to front man is disgraceful, and for a lad that is not a target man Gray battled away manfully against a giant defence.
Naismith again flattered to deceive, one decent run in first half and that was literally it.
Webber looks as though he does not fancy this level, been better off with carver hatfield or McCarten.
Bizzare moment of the day: pushing for a home win - replace a non productive forward with a midfield play struggling to cope with this level of football (Hatfield, carver and McCarten on bench)
Talking about gambling one of my mates said he saw 4 or 5 of the Stanley players in the bookies on Thursday. There's nothing wrong with having a bet but with our recent history you would think they would have more sense. Is this just me that thinks this is ill advised?
One positive from today, we have reduced the gap with the teams above us to 6 points (our goal difference is far worse).
How much longer will Beattie get? Tuesday? Saturday?
or will he get 15 games and go as far as the following Saturday vs Wycombe at home?
Something has got to give; if the results don't improve Beattie surely must realise he is the problem and step aside?
After all, its his team/tactics/game plan/formation/substitutions.
One of the key lessons to be successfull in business (or in life) is to learn from your mistakes as quickly as possible.
That way you tend to make your errors as cheap as possible and give yourself the time to get it right.
James must know he is not cut out to be a football league manager on the current evidence.
The longer he holds on, the more he damages the clubs chances of getting out of the mess he has created.
He needs to put the clubs future ahead of his own opinion about his managerial ability.
Nothing wrong with trying something and it not working out then walking away with you head held high saying you gave it your best but it didn't work out.
Far worse to keep ignoring the facts, keep ignoring your mistakes and hope you get some 'luck'. You don't get luck, you earn fortune by doing the successful things more often than your competitors.
When Man Utd win the league, they don't win it out of luck, they win it by doing the right things more often than their competitors.
I do hope he has a long hard think if he is still in charge on Tuesday and the result is not a win.
Only a win will do against a Bristol Rovers side who started the season with a lot of injuries and are still trying to find their feet and some consistency.
He has lots of support, everyone wanted a win today and everyone will want a win on Tuesday.
How much longer will Beattie get? Tuesday? Saturday?
or will he get 15 games and go as far as the following Saturday vs Wycombe at home?
Something has got to give; if the results don't improve Beattie surely must realise he is the problem and step aside?
After all, its his team/tactics/game plan/formation/substitutions.
One of the key lessons to be successfull in business (or in life) is to learn from your mistakes as quickly as possible.
That way you tend to make your errors as cheap as possible and give yourself the time to get it right.
James must know he is not cut out to be a football league manager on the current evidence.
The longer he holds on, the more he damages the clubs chances of getting out of the mess he has created.
He needs to put the clubs future ahead of his own opinion about his managerial ability.
Nothing wrong with trying something and it not working out then walking away with you head held high saying you gave it your best but it didn't work out.
Far worse to keep ignoring the facts, keep ignoring your mistakes and hope you get some 'luck'. You don't get luck, you earn fortune by doing the successful things more often than your competitors.
When Man Utd win the league, they don't win it out of luck, they win it by doing the right things more often than their competitors.
I do hope he has a long hard think if he is still in charge on Tuesday and the result is not a win.
Only a win will do against a Bristol Rovers side who started the season with a lot of injuries and are still trying to find their feet and some consistency.
He has lots of support, everyone wanted a win today and everyone will want a win on Tuesday.
Forgot about Grey,he had a real go in the first half,and did well against a giant of a centre back.I know everyone wanted a win today,but let's be realistic,if they would have won,they would be top of the league.
The reason is they a good team with an excellent away record and will be there or there abouts at the end of the season.
Budget wise,we shouldn't be on the same pitch as them,but still give them a game despite missing key players.
I agree about the first substitution,when we had a number of forwards on the bench,but I presume they wanted to strengthen the central midfield which were starting to fatigue after there efforts ( it didn't work IMHO ),but you could understand why.
I am feeling upbeat about our chances of survival, KTF
The reason is they a good team with an excellent away record and will be there or there abouts at the end of the season.
Budget wise,we shouldn't be on the same pitch as them,but still give them a game despite missing key players.
I agree about the first substitution,when we had a number of forwards on the bench,but I presume they wanted to strengthen the central midfield which were starting to fatigue after there efforts ( it didn't work IMHO ),but you could understand why.
I am feeling upbeat about our chances of survival, KTF
I know it's obvious, but it's all about sticking the ball in the net. We are not shipping goals like there's no tomorrow. We are just not scoring enough.
Last 9 games = 6 Defeats by 1 goal & 3 Draws = 3 points.
Score just one more goal per game and it's a different story.
Last 9 games = 6 Draws & 3 Wins = 15 points.
If we were getting thumped 3 & 4 week in, week out, I'd be worried.
It will come, starting on Tuesday.
Keep The Faith
Last 9 games = 6 Defeats by 1 goal & 3 Draws = 3 points.
Score just one more goal per game and it's a different story.
Last 9 games = 6 Draws & 3 Wins = 15 points.
If we were getting thumped 3 & 4 week in, week out, I'd be worried.
It will come, starting on Tuesday.
Keep The Faith
Can't agree Redraine,did their keeper consistently roll the ball out from the back,play fluent football on the deck and cut us to pieces ?,answer is NO !Despite on paper having a by far a stronger team,they played hoof ball,and set pieces including long throws onto the 6-7 centre backs head.
Why?,because we worked hard to stop them playing.
In league two,teams don't stand off and let you play,it's a 100mph and you struggle to get a second touch !!.
Didn't they put 8 goals past us home and away last year ?,let's give a little credit.
Why?,because we worked hard to stop them playing.
In league two,teams don't stand off and let you play,it's a 100mph and you struggle to get a second touch !!.
Didn't they put 8 goals past us home and away last year ?,let's give a little credit.
1 win is all that we need to get the ball rolling.
A bit of confidence is all that is needed to banish our demons & fight are way up the table.
A bit of confidence is all that is needed to banish our demons & fight are way up the table.
Course he didn't, but you are missing the point. They had 2 huge strikers who got on the ball from his kicks and gave our centre backs a hard time, though they coped well in the main. Our relatively small forwards never did that so our clearances handed Oxford the initiative every time.
Yes that's exactly the point, but our goal threat is almost none existent. We've had 22 efforts on goal in 12 matches and scored 7. Our conversion rate is 1 in 3 on target, but averaging less than 2 shots on target is not good enough. Until we redress this, we're not going to move forward and I'm not seeing any real signs of improvement in this area.
To be fair Redraine,their front four are quality,and the 6-3 kitson was playing prem football not long back and should be playing at an higher level.
I'm not quite sure what you are getting at, Football19. In the thread starter I acknowledged our heroic defending but had a moan about our lack of quality attacking play. You say we "worked hard to stop them playing"; OK, but we didn't actually stop them playing, especially in the second half when their excellent approach play on the deck cut us to pieces and could easily have resulted in a couple of goals at least. I don't know where your optimism for us to pull out of this position is coming from, but of course I always seem to be watching a different game to you! However, I was optimistic before the start when I saw the team sheet with Webber and Gray up front, but we left them feeding on scraps with our version of hoofing the ball up to Oxford's towering defenders. More of the same on Tuesday and I fear we'll be having another inquest afterwards. Let's hope I'm wrong.
To be honest, whilst we can debate till the cows come home, facing facts we operate on the lowest budget in the League.
I don't envy Beattie's task, working with such limited resources, but it isn't helped by the fact that some of the current crop, whilst lacking technical ability, seem to lack the cohunas for the fight.
By my last comment, I'm aiming it fair and square at a select few players.
Mainly Joyce and Murphy.
Whilst he had a better game today, Joyce still comes up short. I'll give the lad some credit....he tried today. But as skipper and the focal point of midfield, he's coming up short.
Whether he has it in his game to become one nasty, hard tackling midfield dynamo that can spot a good pass remains to be seen. I've seen very,very brief glimpses. but in the main part the lad disappoints.
I'm of the opinion, with the right motivation, Joyce can be a damn good player at this level.In my humble opinion, he lacks application, aggression, concentration and composure. Like I say....brief and fleeting glimpses of such qualities he has shown....but we're talking for very, very brief periods in games. The lad needs to strive to dominate for the lions share of games and impose himself on the opposition.
I'd love him to prove me and a lot of others wrong....but the clock is ticking....over 1/4 into the season and relegations don't look good on c.v's when you want to find another employer.
Murphy......whilst the lad tries.....his shortcomings are all too apparent.
Can't tackle....can't pass. no positional sense.....wanders round like the preverbial nomad.
Maybe no fault of his own, when he's asked to play in several different roles......but at this precise moment, he ain't a League 2 midfielder.
Can he improve.......Murph needs to ask himself that question.
We're restricted by who and what we can can bring in to remedy the problem....but the lad Richardson isn't any sort of answer. He's not good enough....what Newcastle ever saw in him....God only knows.
Silk purses and sows ears spring to mind......fact remains......47,48 or even 49 points from the remaining 34 games can be achieved.
But to achieve that we need to start dominating sides, making and converting chances.
Beatts has talked about trench warfare mentality.......high time some of the players he selects take that on board and start performing like gladiators.
I don't envy Beattie's task, working with such limited resources, but it isn't helped by the fact that some of the current crop, whilst lacking technical ability, seem to lack the cohunas for the fight.
By my last comment, I'm aiming it fair and square at a select few players.
Mainly Joyce and Murphy.
Whilst he had a better game today, Joyce still comes up short. I'll give the lad some credit....he tried today. But as skipper and the focal point of midfield, he's coming up short.
Whether he has it in his game to become one nasty, hard tackling midfield dynamo that can spot a good pass remains to be seen. I've seen very,very brief glimpses. but in the main part the lad disappoints.
I'm of the opinion, with the right motivation, Joyce can be a damn good player at this level.In my humble opinion, he lacks application, aggression, concentration and composure. Like I say....brief and fleeting glimpses of such qualities he has shown....but we're talking for very, very brief periods in games. The lad needs to strive to dominate for the lions share of games and impose himself on the opposition.
I'd love him to prove me and a lot of others wrong....but the clock is ticking....over 1/4 into the season and relegations don't look good on c.v's when you want to find another employer.
Murphy......whilst the lad tries.....his shortcomings are all too apparent.
Can't tackle....can't pass. no positional sense.....wanders round like the preverbial nomad.
Maybe no fault of his own, when he's asked to play in several different roles......but at this precise moment, he ain't a League 2 midfielder.
Can he improve.......Murph needs to ask himself that question.
We're restricted by who and what we can can bring in to remedy the problem....but the lad Richardson isn't any sort of answer. He's not good enough....what Newcastle ever saw in him....God only knows.
Silk purses and sows ears spring to mind......fact remains......47,48 or even 49 points from the remaining 34 games can be achieved.
But to achieve that we need to start dominating sides, making and converting chances.
Beatts has talked about trench warfare mentality.......high time some of the players he selects take that on board and start performing like gladiators.