deckyd

Wonder will we go for Kanu from Barnet- was there not rumors floating about round Jan?  Beckett was some signing back in the day, we have had a few to be fair (every now and again!)

That team out there had no idea what they were doing after about 60 mins, they have no direction and it's happened far to often. Fitting end to the season that display.  

Would rather he went than give him the summer.  He's lost players in my opinion, Fondop only one who give a shit today and was trying. Today was a free pass to play some youth etc, go and attack the game, instead we sat back, let them play out of defence and walk past us and throw in the inevitable home defeat.  

Even if Mellon stays, because of this run we are on, if he starts poorly or goes through any sort of negative period next season, I myself as a fan will bite and look rid anyways, as I suspect many others will as well.  Only way this doesn't happen is if we win a lot of games as in the vast majority of our first 10 matches and then rinse and repeat for next 10.

Style and player effort drastically needs to change.

This season I have not seen 3 of our league games in total. I've watched the BT games and others when we have had no match.  League in general strikes me as being full of average players on the whole, with a few good exceptions thrown into each side. 

Seems to be the common thread through each side of hard work, running, particular mindset, style of play and determination.  I have not added passing to a team mate as other teams in this league struggle with this aspect as well as us, - Chesterfield had more better players than not.

Playing as a team and what is lacking in quality is made up for with the above types of traits, playing to strengths.  I do not see the side we have as a team at all and they certainly do not play to each others strengths. 

I think in general we failed mostly due to lack of ability to run, work hard, a clear lack of determination and confusing styles play- in the sense that at times we played good football, followed by the next match being hoof ball!  We have perceived quality players for this level, Norwood,  Conlon, Raglan, Garner and Hobson.  Surely we should have had enough to make the top 7 with the right attitude and commitment even with the hoof ball aspect to our game which did work for some time. 

Balance has been a horrible issue, as others have mentioned and signings have not worked, but even at that, this team unperformed in so many fundamental basic areas (which are givens for this league, hard work etc.) is frightening. I do believe the players on most occasions felt that they only need to turn up to win, they have been caught out so many times this season, outworked and also outplayed by sides due to their willingness to run, work hard and be committed, an attitude most "smaller" sides had when playing at Boundary Park.  We have made very poor sides look a lot better over the course of 90 minutes, Ebbsfleet at home is just one example.

I am not sure if Mellon is the right man to take most of this side forward into next season as a good majority of squad will still be here i suspect.  Even if he signs the players he wants in a perfect scenario for him, he is still gong to call on players in the squad that has downed tools on him currently.  I would love to see our side play fast free flowing football with quality throughout the team, but i would gladly settle for style of play that exudes effort and determination as a basis to work from with more of the type of performances with the ball on the floor.  Winning horrible has ultimately not worked and i do not believe the fan base will suffer these performances at the start of next season or thereafter, see David Unsworth, Ronnie Moore etc.  

Did i enjoy the season as a whole- no I most certainly did not, too many performances were not up to any sort of acceptable standard.

Highlight, Aldershot at home, expectation level rose after that game! Mentions for Dale and Barnet away and i suppose Oxford at home. I enjoyed about 7 games!

12 minutes ago, oafc1955 said:

26 appearances 10 goals

Was it only 5 in league?  It's wiki I'm going from!    Thought it was more than that in league as well!    Wonder what our best home record has been since those two play off seasons. 

 Those two sides were definitely worth watching even though they had so many home defeats (not that I remembered it like that though!!).

1 minute ago, Lee Sinnott said:

That's definitely not true. Wijnhard scored 5 goals in 4 days that season and definitely got a few more along the way...

Thought it sounded dodgy for him!    Had Andrews on 12 and Eyersy on 16.

23 hours ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

 

Home form hasn't been addressed by about 30 managers since JR left us. We've lost on average 8-10 home matches every season since. You can't place that specific blame at MM's feet. 

 

Even Dowie's team. The hardest (in a physical sense) team I've ever seen us field, lost around 6-7 at home the season we made the play-offs. The issue is an endemic one.

Couldn't actually believe this- rose tinted glasses and all that. Shez's play off season was the same, although the home form from that season suffered badly towards the end of it. 

Another stat from Dowie's season is that Wijnhard only scored 5 goals??  Why do i think he done so much better!  I thought he got at least double figures!!

If these players aren't bothered or playing for him now, what's going to change over the summer?  He's not going to be able to replace the whole squad or many of the first 11, bringing in additions or, "his own players', will still have to play with those we have, who clearly downed tools!

Today was a game we had to win, didn't look interested at all.  No urgency, no pressure, not enough shots at goal etc etc...fallen apart so drastically bad.

Todays performance has me turned on Mellon, he can't get a tune out of what we have in such an important game (baring in mind the last 4 or 5 have been the same) against a team who are rubbish, the league doesn't lie, is very alarming.

Honestly thought today would be a game that we could of scored 2 or 3 at least, based on nothing other than Oxford were down with nothing to play for and we still had a play off chance.  Very disappointing.  Go and attack and at least try to win.

20 minutes ago, JoeP said:

 

He was good at getting yellow cards and did a job against Blackburn, where his only job was to pass the ball 2 yards to Byrne.

 

I don't get why he seems to be a constant point of reference.  Is it because he's got a funny sounding name?  Or his distinctive gangly running style?  He was rubbish and we never need a player like him again!

Okay!  Take Fane out and insert Darren Sheridan!  Both done the same job, obviously mini Shez done it a lot better than Fane!   The premise remains the same surely!

13 minutes ago, oafc1955 said:

Stopped reading that when you grouped Fane & Byrne together!!

Understandable!  It was an extreme example! Do believe Sheron is a Fane type player- not too that of an extent though.

Sheron frustrates the life out of me, most of the time his first touch is a tackle or a chase after the ball, not as bad a touch as Dallas though, good lord his is shocking.

As posters have said, someone who can play football beside Sheron would make his job easier, let him run, tackle and play simple passes left and right, something similar to that of Fane and Byrne (that was an extreme!). Simplify his role, at the minute he is a typical midfielder which makes him look poor at times, the aimless ball to no one etc (granted he's not alone with this trait). 

Wenger at Monaco had his midfielders who's job was to run, win ball back and pass it to Hoddle!  Robbie Savage made a career out of running around and tackling etc!  I understand none of this is relevant to Sheron but the general philosophy would be the same, play to his strengths, definitely becomes an asset, with the odd goal as well.

On another note, our general distribution from the back is terrible, Hudson needs a lot of work in this field and also could do with learning when to speed himself up and slow down, currently one slow pondering keeper.  Teams obviously let are CB's have the ball for a reason!

17 hours ago, LightDN123 said:

Thought Mellons interview is fair and not surprised he’s fed up. He really can’t be judged until we have a right back, wide players and a creative midfield player. 
 

We must be one of the most predictable teams in the league in terms of how we play. 

Tough one to gauge.  We know the squad is an unbalanced mess and some of them are lacking in quality.  

His recruitment in my opinion hasnt been great by any means, players in his own words, to drive the team forward and help the players he already inherited.

He signed two forwards, we had 5- granted Nutall was not working and Kurt looked lost.  Reid was then outcast. 

Dallas is getting better, Garner spends his time mostly on the floor, wearing thin and partnering Norwood just doesn't work.

Someone to put their foot on the ball was Conlon , he does that alright then passes 5 yards sidewards and backwards, he's been very poor. Hammond hasn't set the world on fire either (at least he has energy and tries). Walker has played about 1 game or something with the time he's be given? Sacdev has looked decent but again not a right back according to Mellon who says as much, took a gamble.

He said earlier in season he wasn't going to sign just any player but players he believed that would be the right fit so to speak, to help the team, that obviously hasn't worked.  Players letting him down, bad judgement or style of play not suiting, take your pick!

We had wide players and a right back, Tollitt, Dickenson, Freemen.  I thought Dickenson was decent but looked terribly unfit.  They all were possibly deemed not good enough by Mellon, replacements same if not worse?

Still think he has done an okay job, just very disappointing for it to fall apart like it has somewhat, and falling apart is a chance to make play offs which is a drastic change from our norm.

He will get time, only hope he gets it right.

Today's game- repeat of the match at Rochdale will suffice!

Just watched the post match interview, for a second I thought he was suggesting it was the fans fault for creating a hard environment for the boys to play in- he did say the team made it hard for themselves, hence fan unrest.

So more or less what I took from it was- the team can't go behind at home as they can't cope with the fan reaction??? 

So disappointing the way the season seems to be fizzling out.  At least it's a welcomed change to be annoyed at the fact we had (and possibly still have a chance) at play offs / promotion rather than finishing 18th or trying to avoid being relegated.

Ref a side, 0-3 down after 30 odd mins and played off the park once again.  Almost a carbon copy of the game at Fylde.  Nothing learnt from that game obviously.

We are so so poor.  No style of play, no leaders on the pitch, no one who puts a foot on the ball bar Conlon and he has been poor since he signed and ineffective- pases 5 yards sidewards ad backwards.

Our manager keeps saying he has no idea why we play like we do, or why we are so inconsistent, it's about time he figured it out I would say, or let someone else try and do what he can't.

Always said playing ugly and scraping results works, whislt you are winning, playing like that today and for the most part, the last month, will cause a lot of unrest, it has and rightly so. 

That today for such a pivotal point in the season is totally unacceptable.  Manger wants us to stick together, how can fans support that type of display.

Ref was a complete and utter tool.  Worst I've seen in a long time- ruined any chance, even if slim, of us getting something out of the game.

In my eyes play off push is all but done, would need to win remaining games I would think and that's just not going to happen, based on the last month.

1 decent performance every 6 or so games is not something i believe , is a foundation to build on going forward.

5 minutes ago, Bobledgersheart said:

True but it can work both ways.

This was epitomised in the Liverpool v Arsenal match last season when the away team were cruising it at 2 nil only for Xhaka to needlessly "pick a fight" with Trent Arnold which galvanised a sleepy Kop and turn the match around.

I'm convinced Arsenal would have gone on to win the match and the title had Xhaka not tried to play the hard man ! 

Exactly this, think his idea being when team is losing, no need when your in front!

Anything at all from the players to give the indication they give a toss!  So many times it seems they are going through the motions.

If we get a performance resembling anything like that of last Sat, think its going to turn very very negative, (even more so than some fans are feeling currently).  We need to pull a performance out of somewhere, which can happen with this team and hopefully today is one of those days.  

Graeme Souness (podcast) used to tell one of his players back in the day, if they were under the cosh, losing or game was dead, that one of them put in a massive tackle (fair or otherwise) or to start a ruckus to get the fans involved and galvanise the team, anything to gee them up.  Not a bad idea, within reason of todays standards,  so many home games this season there has been nothing to shout about, a bit of commitment or passion from the players may at least keep the fans motivated to stay with them so to speak.  

Nothing positive to take away from that performance other than a point, still should of won, how that didn't go in?

Two awful sides on display.  No urgency at all from us which is infuriating, we need wins and today would have been a great chance- playing like we played sat past.

The last two subs made us worse if that was possible. 

Conlon supposed to be a free kick expert??  Apart from his first game when he hit the bar, nothing since.  Dallas' first touch is very poor, surely he can't still be that rusty.

Today we reverted to type, couldnt pass, control or move the ball effectively. 

We need to find wins and fast, playing like we did today against our play off rivals, we will have no chance

Good game to watch, would of taken a point before we started, definitely didn't see that type of game coming, pleasantly surprised by our performance.  On the floor, one-twos, decent passing moves etc.

Thought we played really well first half, players were up for it today and put in a lot of effort.  Their subs made a difference and us running out of steam a bit second half changed the game slightly.  

Thought Dallas done well for 60 minutes, though could of and probably should of scored at least 1.  Norwood unlucky not to hit the net a few times as well.

Gardners best game for a long time.

Don't think their is much to criticse other than switching off after we went 2-0 up to let them straight back in.

it would be great if we could go out play free flowing football and give Chesterfield the run around, that's not going to happen though! (Even though Dorking managed to do it!)

I expect to see much of the same style that we have been using at home, for better or worse- in this case big Mike has to start surely?  To be honest a couple of weeks ago I had a good feeling about this game, not so much now.

In saying that I can see a smash and grab type scenario, being dominated for 90 minutes, being under a lot of pressure and hopefully nicking a goal from somewhere.  The players should be motivated at the very least for this one.

Praying for a positive result, being an early kick off, there is a lot of the day left to be pissed off!

11 hours ago, philwhite said:

No I was there and I got a free pint.

 Just don’t get this love affair with other teams and their fans.

Perhaps one of the reasons we are a pushover at times is we are to friendly with other clubs. What’s happened to rivalry ? 

I actually watch their stuff on Youtube, its a good watch.  Marc White might not be everyone's cup of tea, I think hes quite likable, always puts us over in good light as a club as well as the fans, speaks highly of Frank.   

13 minutes ago, yarddog73 said:

Watched the match back, how bad was Hogan, shameful for the second goal and gave up at times. Looks like he was sulking to me.

Agree with this.  I thought he was actually playing very well in the first half when in the 3 CB's, don't think he lost a header.  When he was changed to the WB role, especially in the second half it looked as though he downed tools. 

In fairness hes no wing back but there was a moment in second half where he let the ball bounce, didn't even attempt to challenge their number 3 (possibly) at the byline and Conlon (i think) had to rush in and stop the cross, he literally gave up on that situation. 

The other that stands out is when he brought their man down on the LW instead of attempting to try and make a tackle, remembering at the time thinking it was pure laziness and or not trying.  He did seem to run out of energy almost?  Again he is no wing back and eventually moving out to the left certainly didn't help either. 

Maybe a case of being a bit pissed off at moving here there and everywhere position wise?  The left wing back/ winger was roasting him as well.

Out played, out passed and out worked.  Didn't win a battle. They were up for it and it showed.

Team lost all shape and had no composure from about 55 minutes onwards.  Defence and midfield were all over the place, massive gaps.

Don't think anyone comes out of that with any praise other than Hudson as he made a couple of good saves and had the pen covered.

Wasnt a good game of football but Aldershot played it a lot more than us

Need to find the winning formula again and fast.

Garners not had his best half of football, not buying us any free kicks with falling over every time he's touched, ref giving nothing.  

For all Aldershots possession, I think they have scored with thier only shot.

We have not been good by any means but we are still more than capable of turning this around,

Thier middle CD looks a bit dodgy with the ball at his feet, nearly nicked it a couple a times.

Get big Mikey on, give him a bit of trouble. 

Hammond will get better the more he plays.

Thought he covered a lot of ground today . He's very mobile and has a decent engine on him, though he did tire towards the end of the game.

He done an excellent job of closing down when Southend were passing out from the back, then falling back into midfield when they got forward.

He did have a few opportunities to at least test the keeper but it wasn't to be.  Also agree with those who say he needs to bulk up, he has the ability to carry us forward but today he was out muscled 2 or 3 times- tenacious enough to try and win the ball back though.

Get him on the Sam Sulek bulking up diet and work out (YouTube reference, he showed up on my feed for some reason and I have to watch his nonsense), and Hammond will be able to run through brick walls, never mind being out muscled!!!

Thoght that was a decent game. 

Done well up until we scored then we sat back somewhat and gave them the initiative.  We were under the cosh there after.

All things considered I think a point was a good result today- Hogan at right wing back and all that!

If Hammond hadn't of soiled himself when through we could of been two up- didn't pass or shoot! 

Ah hmmmmm, that was some tackle by Raglan, cough cough!!???  Take this ref every week!