Worcester Owl

Have I entered a parallel universe?

I’m reminded of something an Irish guy I worked with back in the 90s used to say. A great guy, full of life, always the life and soul. He was a huge RU fan, very knowledgeable about the game. I once asked him why he never got excited about the five/six nations, even when things were looking up for Ireland. He looked me straight in the eye and said, they’ve broken my heart too many times. We were both youngsters then (well ok, in our thirties) and nowadays when Latics lose, I still get upset but it’s no longer life and death, and I don’t get to see them week in week out as I once did. I see your point about fans being so up and down, but in a way I admire that, and it makes me envious. And don’t forget, we’ve had 30 odd years of winning nothing. It’s understandable that there is a desperation for success, hence the reactions that you mention.

He was unbelievably bad, wasn’t he. I was still in shock over him not giving a penalty when Maguire knocked over the Macedonian player, but giving one against Lewis was just farcical.

I couldn’t disagree more. A friend who supports Southampton said it was winning the FL Trophy in 2010, with all the Wembley razzamatazz, that kick started their revival. They won promotion from L1 the following season and from the Championship the season after that. It’s 30+ years since we won anything, so the FA Trophy needs to be taken seriously.

I’m pretty sure LOF will have a better answer than I would to that!!

And maybe we still need some or all of those 4. Teams can always be improved by bringing in new players. But here’s a thought - maybe sometimes a good and experienced manager can coach players to become better. How radical is that lol. We’ve been playing one game a week lately and just maybe the extra time MM has had on the training ground with the squad, plus finding his own feet at a new club, i.e. getting to know that squad, is starting to pay off? Nobody at all is saying things are rosy, come on mcfluff. All we can say at the moment is that we are in touch with the playoffs and our still new (but with a decent track record) manager is maybe starting to get a tune out of this squad. Early days, but how about a touch of optimism (just a touch, ok, no more!) rather than (understandable) cynicism?!

Was it in February that he missed the penalty v Carlisle? We took the lead anyway shortly after, so led 1-0 at H/T, but then forgot to come out for the second half, and lost 2-1. End of Shez’s winning run if I recall, and relegation eventually followed. Not that I hold DKD solely to blame!

It’s very encouraging/hopeful. Confidence is such a massive factor at any level of sport, but especially at the professional level. These guys didn’t get pro contracts by accident - it happened because of their ability. If they can build from here and start to put winning runs together, then they can achieve success. Any team is beatable in this league, as yesterday’s results showed.

Not at all. If we win AND play well, that's perfection. The point is we need wins and lots of them to get out of this league. Playing well and losing 2 (or 3) points in a game will get us nowhere. Onwards and upwards.

It always matters, especially as we've got ground to make up.

@astottie is correct. You don't need a licence to listen to any radio channel, BBC or commercial, or to BBC Sounds.

Oh dear

The very same venue, I think Wimbledon were playing their home games there at the time. Look what you might have achieved!

It’s a great goal and all credit to Rooney for spotting the opportunity and having a go. There is though a reason (apart from the obvious) why goals like that one, Beckham’s and even Pele’s famous near miss are so memorable - they occur rarely. If the goalkeeper hadn’t been so far off his line, Rooney wouldn’t have scored. I’ll be told I’m out of touch with the modern game, but I always worry when a keeper strays outside the six yard box!

Not sure but I think you'll find Deputy Dawg was male.....

I couldn't give two hoots what you call me, as you're the one playing the man and not the ball it says more about you. As does your difficulty in accepting that MM can't be judged after just three league games, whereas ST apparently can. Carry on wriggling.

Effectively the point I was making, thanks and exactly why talk of "regressing" under MM is premature to say the least.

I don't think he started against Wealdstone, Maidenhead or Dagenham, did he? He came on as a sub against Maidenhead. He may have been suspended after being booked in all of ST's first three games in charge, not sure.

If only you would give up. Resorting to personal insults now, always a giveaway . As has been pointed out, you also drag a defeat in a Cup game away to a team a league higher into your statistical comparison. Well done. I also note that "regression" has now become "initial regression" which I guess at least acknowledges that MM's tenure as manager has barely started. Come back to me with your views on him when he's got, say, at least a dozen games under his belt. Might be a touch fairer, possibly?

Some info here also: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67346196

To be fair, if DU said Saturday was the day before Sunday I'd be checking the calendar very carefully indeed.

You said "there's no doubt we have regressed under MM (as against ST/Redders)". No doubt? Really? Well let's see. ST was in charge for six games and his three wins came against the three teams currently propping up the NL. He then drew three, two of which were against teams only a few places higher. By contrast MM has had three league games - three - two of which were against teams in the top 10, including a local derby. It became clearer with every game that ST and NR were not about to effect a miraculous transformation in performances. To talk of a guy "regressing" after three games is utter nonsense. As for your comment that "you can sense the seeds of discontent being sown already", if that's true, it says more about some of our fans than it does about MM. More likely, you're gaslighting.

Yes, why the hell didn't MM sub him after that happened? Now, some might say it's a trifle early in the game, but we need a proactive - dare I say muscular - approach. Let's face it, if MM isn't bringing on subs less than 1 minute into the game, he risks being called out for being indecisive. Come to think of it, when did Norwood last score in the first minute of a game? It simply won't do. It's time to rid ourselves of this "slowly slowly" approach, a hangover from the Chuckle Brothers and Red Fleece regime. MM has had three league games and we're not top - sack him. If Norwood doesn't score straight from the kick-off in our next game, put him on the transfer list. That'll show 'em.

Absolutely unbelievable. He's been in charge for all of three games and you're already laying into him. Maybe we and MM should be grateful you weren't questioning him after the first match. Oh hang on, we won that one.

I wonder if this thread needs to be temporarily locked until such time as MM moves on, whenever that may be. I keep seeing that it's got new posts, and with our track record for hiring and firing in recent years I panic and think MM has already moved on !!