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Post by turbo2 on Aug 6, 2023 7:39:30 GMT 1
Reflecting on yesterday it was an even game where we lost the key moments . Plymouth will likely be down there this season so could be two valuable points dropped but we’ll see . Well done to them - passionate, full, ground kicking every ball . They’ll cause a few headaches for top teams this season . We desperately need some quality bringing in - the depth on that bench … even if it had been fully fit … can’t be at that level all season. Have full faith in Nagle , Warnock and co to kickstart the season next Saturday - even if it’s not the full three points - followed by some shithousery up at Boro to take us comfortably mid table Just seen the highlights. Didn’t watch the full game. We seemed to look decent going forward but the defending was awful. The first goal was pathetic and second even worse. I suspect another long difficult season ahead. |
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Post by htafcdreams on Aug 6, 2023 8:21:44 GMT 1
Maynard forgot to book the private jet for Sorba it seems 😂
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ldotm
David Wagner Terrier
Posts: 2,890 
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Post by ldotm on Aug 6, 2023 8:31:58 GMT 1
Got back late last night after several train cancellations but apart from the game, an enjoyable day out.
My take on the game:
- All 3 goals are weak to concede, seemingly a lack of communication, desire and game management that led to all of them being too easy for them.
- Said before the game we’d struggle having any control in midfield - REG isn’t a DM, Diarra and Rudoni are attacking players. It really showed with large spaces in the middle of the park often.
- On the above, Hogg came on and helped us gain control again.
- Diarra (who I think there is a player in there!) was abysmal - lost the ball time and time again. Confidence maybe?
- Koroma was poor and looked like pre-Warnock Koroma again. Pat Jones miles better when he came on.
- Mumba gave our right side nightmares.
- Plymouth I don’t expect to pull up any trees, I thought both teams were generally poor for large spells of the game.
Overall, a very disappointing performance for me and expect (hope!) Warnock saying he thought we played well was protecting the team, because I thought we didn’t look like a Warnock team. Easy to break down, players lacking confidence, not running through brick walls, not organised.
I’m not going to have a meltdown like some, doesn’t achieve anything, but the one positive is that hopefully will be a wake up call for a few more signings.
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Post by onesteviekindon on Aug 6, 2023 8:40:29 GMT 1
Missed chances is frustrating enough, but that comical defending is the real worry!
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Post by JG Mellor on Aug 6, 2023 8:53:03 GMT 1
Oh boy, it's gonna be a long season. After one game? Give your head a shake FFS. |
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Post by htafcokay on Aug 6, 2023 8:56:53 GMT 1
Oh boy, it's gonna be a long season. After one game? Give your head a shake FFS. Yup, after one game. Look at the meltdown on social media, imagine what it's going to be like after 10 games, 20 games etc 😂 |
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Post by JG Mellor on Aug 6, 2023 9:01:01 GMT 1
New season, same old feeling of dejection on a Saturday afternoon. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how you play or what chances you miss, if you gift them goals with defending like we did then you won’t win any match. After the first 15 minutes they were there for the taking and looked very poor until we decided to let a player just run past goodness knows how many of ours without a challenge being put in. Then we just lost the plot. I’m very disappointed that a team under warnock can defend like we did especially with a full pre season. We were so solid after he had a few games with them last season and that was why we stayed up. I can’t take another year like last. It’s a long way to go and there will be no panic, but we desperately need players. Diarra, REG, Ruffels are players you were hoping would be just there for squad depth, not starting. Looks like we are going to need more warnock magic again, that’s for sure. Given your 'feeling of dejection' and 'I can't take another year', I'd stop watching Town if I were you 😂 More weekends than not end up disappointing. |
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Post by Sugy , Paignton Devon Terrier on Aug 6, 2023 9:01:05 GMT 1
Shame the players didnt have the same enthusiasm as our wonderful noisy long travelling top quality fans who gave everything from start to finish
Sadly this could have been a totally different result had we had a QUALITY striker who could put away the many chances being created
The whole defence was so bad it was embarassing and that needs addressing before it goes from bad to wor
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Post by dugnet on Aug 6, 2023 9:14:45 GMT 1
Shame the players didnt have the same enthusiasm as our wonderful noisy long travelling fans who gave everything from start to finish Sadly this could have been a totally different result had we had a QUALITY striker who could put away the many chances being created The whole defence was so bad it was embarassing and that needs addressing before it goes from bad to worse I didn't see any lack of effort, but there was a lack of quality in key areas of the pitch, for me in midfield. The defending for the goals was indeed woeful, but across the game I didn't think we were anywhere near embarrassing. That doesn't hide the fact with no Pearson we need Lees back. We did miss chances but the two glaring ones were from players who you might expect better of; Karoma (who had an OK game but that was a proper pigs ear of an effort) and Rudoni (who I personally think is nowhere near the talent some think but he clearly cannot head a ball very well, I don't buy the "wind" excuse). Overall though this was a bottom/lower table clash and a game we were certainly not overwhelmed in at any time, but we contrived to give daft goals away and didn't turn the screw when we were on top. Do we need to be better? Absolutely? Did we lack effort? Not for me, I thought application was fine (although the mistakes were very poor) Do we need better in the squad? Of course we do, but let's give those in charge the chance to address that. The end of last season showed there's enough character in the dressing room to be OK this season. There is however no doubt we need more quality. |
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Post by JG Mellor on Aug 6, 2023 9:34:47 GMT 1
Quite pleased I managed to reign myself and not slag the team off on here or on twitter. (One dig at squad depth) Wasn’t a warnock performance in the second half and he has quite rightly had a go at a few. It’s very early days but let’s remember we have lost Holmes and Camara out of midfield. Neither has been replaced. It’s glaringly obvious that we are light in that department. I don’t for a second believe that warnock and the club aren’t trying to do something about it. They need to hurry as we don’t want to be playing catch up again. The fans won’t stand another poor start to the season. UTT Why, what are we going to do? We'll still be trudging down to the Town ground on a freezing cold, wet Saturday afternoon in February, whether second top or second bottom. UTMT. |
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Post by kennyk2 on Aug 6, 2023 9:48:23 GMT 1
I think that a midfielder is now critical looking at that performance yesterday. A striker is very important, but I'm guessing we can muddle through until January if the right one doesn't appear.
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Post by koroma75 on Aug 6, 2023 10:03:20 GMT 1
I look at our lack of business in the transfer window and that tone deaf ‘surrounded by giants’ You Tube video and it just feels like more of the same. We are meek as a club. I don’t want us to spend countless millions. I do want us to punch our weight and see ourselves as a very decent Championship club with a good core support that should be able to be an attractive proposition for players at our level.
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Post by JG Mellor on Aug 6, 2023 10:06:40 GMT 1
What we need is someone to create and drive midfield. It's a facile thing to say, as we clearly don't have him (and he won't be back). but if O'Brien was in that midfield yesterday it looks a very different team. The bottom line is we haven't replaced him and as a result we woefully lack the quality required in the centre of the pitch. I cannot believe, at the moment with the window still open, that all who can influence this aren't aware and aren't working on getting reinforcements in. If we don't add to the team by 11pm on September 1st then it's unfair to expect Warnock to continue to produce miracles. As it stands I'm prepared to give everyone the chance, and time, to get new blood in. As for the game we lost to a very average team and completely shot ourselves in the foot, but there will be bigger challenges than this to come. Our defending was poor on 3 critical occasions and we didn't take our opportunities. The first goal we conceded was a mighty cock up by experienced players, the conditions a small mitigation. The other two were just poor play all round. I believe Warnock is well aware, I can't believe Cartwright and Edwards watched that and aren't aware of what's required. Mr Nagle is less experienced when comes to Championship football but as he has delegated to his team I'm sure he'll listen to what he is told. We have time to address the issues. On Thursday we have an opportunity to ask Mr Nagle man to man what the financial constraints are. What we are told and what happens before the window closes looks massively important to how the Nagle era is viewed. All concerned deserve the time to address the issues. From Mr Nagles' perspective I hope he is aware that the club has struggled on the pitch for 4 of the last 5 seasons. This from a position that we all hoped would see the club to be stronger. Mr Nagle can't change the past, none of us can, but he needs to recognise that past and his message needs to reflect it. I sense Thursday is important for setting the record straight on finances and setting overall expectations. Irrespective of what we have, and are allowed to spend, there are key weaknesses in the squad (in the centre of the pitch for me) and we do need new/better players. I'll give them the time to do something and make a judgement then. In the meantime I suspect the frustration maybe too much for a few. I suppose after 4 poor seasons in 5 that has to be expected. It's a key few weeks, I'm still optimistic of something better and very much hope I'm right. UTT In and amongst a lot of reactionary rubbish, a calm head. 👍 |
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Post by Big Ern on Aug 6, 2023 10:07:00 GMT 1
We currently need better than the following (IMO)
REG
Diarra
Ward
Ruffels
Edwards
Those are not championship standard players. Koroma misses my list by virtue of how he finished last season but a couple more performances like yesterday and he will also need replacing.
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goodbet
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Posts: 4,611
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Post by goodbet on Aug 6, 2023 10:07:44 GMT 1
I think that a midfielder is now critical looking at that performance yesterday. A striker is very important, but I'm guessing we can muddle through until January if the right one doesn't appear. After the first game last year a lot of people said the same! |
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ambryboy
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Posts: 4,889
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Post by ambryboy on Aug 6, 2023 10:17:42 GMT 1
I look at our lack of business in the transfer window and that tone deaf ‘surrounded by giants’ You Tube video and it just feels like more of the same. We are meek as a club. I don’t want us to spend countless millions. I do want us to punch our weight and see ourselves as a very decent Championship club with a good core support that should be able to be an attractive proposition for players at our level. Agree with this, wholeheartedly. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2023 10:26:35 GMT 1
Only watched the highlights but, and I don't normally point players out, REG was a real weak point. He did the backward header toward goal for their first, though Nicholls should have claimed it, and was nowhere near anyone for the last 2. We need our preferred starting back 3 of Lees, Helik & Pearson, possibly Nakayama when fully fit. The makeshift we had for their 2nd & 3rd goals looked all over the place.
We missed some good chances. Take those and we probably win that. We gave them confidence with our poor finishing and awful defending.
Hopefully Pearson back next Saturday and Lees or Nakayama. If Hogg is back as a starter then REG will be back on the bench.
Hopefully make a better job against Leicester.
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Post by htafcokay on Aug 6, 2023 10:30:30 GMT 1
I think that a midfielder is now critical looking at that performance yesterday. A striker is very important, but I'm guessing we can muddle through until January if the right one doesn't appear. After the first game last year a lot of people said the same! And they were right. |
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joek
Iain Dunn Terrier
Posts: 517
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Post by joek on Aug 6, 2023 10:30:53 GMT 1
I look at our lack of business in the transfer window and that tone deaf ‘surrounded by giants’ You Tube video and it just feels like more of the same. We are meek as a club. I don’t want us to spend countless millions. I do want us to punch our weight and see ourselves as a very decent Championship club with a good core support that should be able to be an attractive proposition for players at our level. Agree with this, wholeheartedly. But what does that even mean? I’ve never ever understood this narrative. How would being ‘less meek as a club’ have helped us yesterday? Get the right players in and I couldn’t care less about press conferences, social media content and our corporate image. Bali Mumba showed yesterday what a difference direct, tenacious and progressive players can make in games where the general skill is broadly equal. Highlight of day yesterday was my cottage pie, veg and sticky toffee pudding at Gloucester farm shop services at 8pm. Was probably worth the trip just for that. |
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Post by royrace on Aug 6, 2023 10:32:18 GMT 1
We currently need better than the following (IMO) REG Diarra Ward Ruffels Edwards Those are not championship standard players. Koroma misses my list by virtue of how he finished last season but a couple more performances like yesterday and he will also need replacing. Didn’t go yesterday but based on the highlights I thought reg was culpable for at least two of the goals. Seems harsh blaming Thomas and koroma, koroma in particular based on the fact he was in their half (I think) when he lost the ball!! Their winger made edwards look like a pub player, hopefully he’s just that good. Not sure how we’ve managed it but we seem to have replaced last seasons poor right back loan with an even worse one! Sooner we get Lees back the better. Difficult for me to judge Ward although I listened to the entire commentary and I’m sure Oggie only mentioned his name once! On a positive note Thomas seemed to put in a few decent balls, Hogg is almost back and nice to see Pat Jones back on the pitch, thought he looked excellent last season on the rare occasion we saw him. New kit looked nice too! |
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Post by Sio on Aug 6, 2023 10:32:48 GMT 1
I look at our lack of business in the transfer window and that tone deaf ‘surrounded by giants’ You Tube video and it just feels like more of the same. We are meek as a club. I don’t want us to spend countless millions. I do want us to punch our weight and see ourselves as a very decent Championship club with a good core support that should be able to be an attractive proposition for players at our level. This is bang on for me. It just feels like we're continuing with the same small-time mentality when a new ownership should feel like a new lease of life. Nobody wants huge spending - we've been there and it failed - but some words of encouragement (that aren't just Kevin saying to keep the faith) addressing this clearly sticky situation wouldn't go amiss. We are so, so light as a squad and anyone who can't see that doesn't know football. It's all very bizarre. |
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goodbet
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Posts: 4,611
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Post by goodbet on Aug 6, 2023 10:35:26 GMT 1
After the first game last year a lot of people said the same! And they were right. I am not too sure that I would say we muddled through, we were terrible. |
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digs
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Posts: 4,141
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Post by digs on Aug 6, 2023 10:40:56 GMT 1
Don't panick,Ruffels as the answer to our problems,he's stated on the O/S that we need to be better,once the players and coaching staff read that,then we will fly up the table
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Post by artysid on Aug 6, 2023 10:52:23 GMT 1
Disappointing result, sounded like the game was there for the taking until they scored their second. Great bit of individual skill, but should never have been allowed to happen.
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Post by themanfromatlantis on Aug 6, 2023 10:53:54 GMT 1
Watching the highlights, if Diarra had shown more composure and squared the ball after the keeper gifted him the ball, things might have been different.
I posted on the Women’s (sorry Woman’s) World Cup thread the other day about one of the women having the composure to do just that right at the death to give her side a 3-2 victory, instead of trying to beat the keeper when the goal light was flashing in her head. Diarra should have done the same in hindsight, but then again, composure has been in short supply with Town sides for a while now.
It was the first game, it should be a decent lesson for Neil and Ronnie to get to work in training with them.
Our injury jinx doesn’t seem to have gone away either, hope that Pearson injury isn’t starting another run off…
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ldotm
David Wagner Terrier
Posts: 2,890
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Post by ldotm on Aug 6, 2023 11:06:38 GMT 1
Got back late last night after several train cancellations but apart from the game, an enjoyable day out. My take on the game: - All 3 goals are weak to concede, seemingly a lack of communication, desire and game management that led to all of them being too easy for them. - Said before the game we’d struggle having any control in midfield - REG isn’t a DM, Diarra and Rudoni are attacking players. It really showed with large spaces in the middle of the park often. - On the above, Hogg came on and helped us gain control again. - Diarra (who I think there is a player in there!) was abysmal - lost the ball time and time again. Confidence maybe? - Koroma was poor and looked like pre-Warnock Koroma again. Pat Jones miles better when he came on. - Mumba gave our right side nightmares. - Plymouth I don’t expect to pull up any trees, I thought both teams were generally poor for large spells of the game. Overall, a very disappointing performance for me and expect (hope!) Warnock saying he thought we played well was protecting the team, because I thought we didn’t look like a Warnock team. Easy to break down, players lacking confidence, not running through brick walls, not organised. I’m not going to have a meltdown like some, doesn’t achieve anything, but the one positive is that hopefully will be a wake up call for a few more signings. Oh and the ref was a joke - they were throwing themselves to the ground and he gave every single one of them. |
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ambryboy
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Posts: 4,889
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Post by ambryboy on Aug 6, 2023 11:22:45 GMT 1
Agree with this, wholeheartedly. But what does that even mean? I’ve never ever understood this narrative. How would being ‘less meek as a club’ have helped us yesterday? Get the right players in and I couldn’t care less about press conferences, social media content and our corporate image. Bali Mumba showed yesterday what a difference direct, tenacious and progressive players can make in games where the general skill is broadly equal. Highlight of day yesterday was my cottage pie, veg and sticky toffee pudding at Gloucester farm shop services at 8pm. Was probably worth the trip just for that. It means that we seem to be constantly fed narratives to limit our ambitions such as being a small club surrounded by giants and can't compete financially with such luminaries of the game. Despite the initial no limits campaign in the Premier League we were soon hearing that we should just be happy to be there but that we can't really be expected to compete with the established teams. I would find it hard to believe that teams like Burnley, Bolton, Portsmouth etc. were ever fed this kind of mentality by their clubs owners and when we meekly surrendered our top flight status we then became the Working Class Club (whatever the f**k that really meant) almost to further undermine any expections that we were a club with genuine ambition. I agree about Gloucester Services, absolutely brilliant (like Tebay in Cumbria) and I wish that all services could be as good as that although the prices are a bit eye-watering. Not for the likes of us working class folk from West Yorkshire  |
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Post by Torquayterrier on Aug 6, 2023 11:29:24 GMT 1
Yes you need to be dipping into your life savings to fill a basket in the farm shop. I used to look out for yellow label pies and sausage rolls when I passed through. Still not cheap though. 😄
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Post by themanfromatlantis on Aug 6, 2023 11:42:11 GMT 1
Baby Face Frankenstein has made me realise that it’s all my fault.
I forgot that me starting match day threads doesn’t have a very high success rate…
You’ll be pleased to know, that’s me done for the season…
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Post by willo on Aug 6, 2023 12:00:25 GMT 1
I think that a midfielder is now critical looking at that performance yesterday. A striker is very important, but I'm guessing we can muddle through until January if the right one doesn't appear. After the first game last year a lot of people said the same! Bottom line is we didn’t come close to adequately replacing LOB and 12 months and 3 managers on, the problem persists. Exactly the same when it comes to a goalscorer, in fact the issues here go way, way back. I won’t be wetting the bed just yet (sic) as there’s another 3 weeks of this transfer window to go but if we don’t strengthen in these long neglected areas, it’s going to be another long struggle of a season even with NW at the helm. Yesterday’s performance again highlighted the problems and with Boro & Leicester up next (where I doubt we’ll get anything), they will only continue to stand out. I don’t know if we can afford to or are allowed to spend anything(?) but doing nothing simply isn’t an option. |
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