This might not go down too well on here for some

[Clueless]

That’s just categorically not true though is it? Whilst we’ve won 2 league games, we’ve also drawn 2. I don’t count the cup against Accrington reserves. In none of the four league games have we really played well, and up until last night we hadn’t really created a goal - 2 mistakes, 1 penalty and 1 set play, whilst admirable, don’t serve to allay fears of a total lack of creativity in the side. We’d only managed 1 shot on target in 3 games additional to the goals before last night, where admittedly we were a little better on this count, but still not as creative as we need to be. If we keep not scoring goals, we’ll start losing games - you seen that at the end of last season when the wins turned to draws and the draws to defeats. We’ve definitely had our fair share of good fortune in the opening four games and all four could have been very different results on another day.

To win the league, whilst you’ll always have games like last night, these need to be coupled with some convincing wins on the way through. Not even talking 5-0 thrashings, but 2-0 up after 60 minutes and cruising, finishes 2-0 without any dramas, that kind of game. We are incapable of doing that under Ross. Only 3 times last season we won by more than one goal. That needs to improve. You can’t be clinging on every single week as you’ll come unravelled doing that


I can’t disagree with this post. I’ve been calling all season for a more traditional formation of 433, with a midfield three of McGeoch or Grant holding, then power and onien both pushing on to support the front three. Think we need the extra stability in midfield to be honest to control games and possession. We are playing 2v3 in there most weeks and it shows.

Your point about needing to win games by more than one goal is interesting and one that I agree with. Score more and concede fewer.

It needs to be accepted that our ability to score more is impeded by the fact that our two principal strikers have both been in a poor run of form. Whilst accepting that ‘one swallow doesn’t make it spring’, Wyke has looked better in the last two games than he has previously done for a long while and I was pleased to see Grigg looking sharper and less lethargic when he came on last night. Maybe, just maybe a corner has been turned.

Conceding fewer goals will come about once the defence is better balanced and settled. Whilst I retain some concerns about Ozturk and the risk he poses around conceding penalties due to his style of marking at set pieces and the fact that both he and Willis are naturally right-footed, I accept that they look like they might be able to form a decent partnership in the middle. The absence of a left-back, or at least specialist cover for that position is a concern that is recognised by many, including Ross and Donald, so hopefully resolution of this concern will be forthcoming in the next week or so.

I also agree that in some games it might be beneficial to sacrifice the attacking threat represented by either Maguire, Gooch or McGeady (at 33 years, he’s not going to play every game anyway) and to bring in Dobson or McGeouch to fill out the midfield. Of course, this is likely to diminish our goal scoring potential. Tricky business this football management malarkey, isn’t it ?

 

[PTR]

But this manager will not get us in to the top 2
I've watched every game so far and in all games apart maybe the Portsmouth game we have been poor
It's no different from last season and it will end up the same way with Jack Ross in charge

I must agree.

Its tricky to complain after just winning away from home, but the truth is, we were lucky again last night - they had a few very good chances that they spurned. Just like last season when we would go ahead, and get pegged back towards the end - that's exactly how it played out yday, other than they missed their chances.

We are still fragile at the back, and although we play some tidy football at times, we don't create many chances ourselves.

Its going to be a long, hard slog this season. And unless we bring in some very decent players, we seem to be totally reliant on McGeedy again

 

[mart]

We played some canny stuff at times last night, the play in the build up to McGeady’s goal was excellent. We need to move the ball around like that a lot more often. Overall we weren’t great last and were too complacent late on and allowed them back into the game but our keeper did his job and we won the game. Performance wise we need to improve. Calling for the managers head when right now we are getting results is just mental.

 

[Reiver]

maybe so Riv but it was us flagging at the end last night, hanging on for the win against Rochdale ffs, I find it quite embarrassing actually. Lets face facts, with better finishing we would have been left with a point and this board would have been in flames, that win papered over the obvious cracks and we need to improve massively imho

I think we can all see the cracks mate, it's just that it's nice to see us win. By the end Rochdale's only option was to throw everyone forward ...
... just as well the keeper didn't go up for any corners

Seriously though, we need to improve and get at teams more. Having McNulty and Watmore available, last night, would've made a difference imo.

 

[Mrjardine]

But this manager will not get us in to the top 2

I've watched every game so far and in all games apart maybe the Portsmouth game we have been poor

It's no different from last season and it will end up the same way with Jack Ross in charge

Totally agree.

We look worse than last season imo and scrambling a win merely papers over the cracks.

Ross has got away with murder in comparison to some of our past managers:

 

[DPTT]

Personally I think we will need to improve performances to get top two. We won't grind out this number of points from these quality performances over a whole season. It pretty much never happens. Early days but I was looking for performances to give me confidence of a sustained push over this first part of the season. We haven't come close to one yet

How would you feel if the performances were good but results poor?

More or less optimistic for the season?

 

[Jspeck90]

the state of this page is a joke. I don't care how we win, we got three points last night, unbeaten in 4 in the league, just enjoy it man

 

[mr chuckles]

the state of this page is a joke. I don't care how we win, we got three points last night, unbeaten in 4 in the league, just enjoy it man

If aiden mcgeady gets injured and is out a fair while we won't be winning many games he is the only spark in that team

 

[TravellingMackem]

Willis, McLaughlin, Dobson, Embleton, McNulty.

Five new first team players.

In the Play-Off final and our first game of the season vs Oxford, there was only Flanagan who played in both as an outfield player.

McGeady has progressed. I'm not sure how you can judge anyone else on their progression unless you watched them play before they signed for us?

Only 2 of those 5 played yesterday. Everyone has declined from where they were when they first joined to now. Simple fact.

Your point about needing to win games by more than one goal is interesting and one that I agree with. Score more and concede fewer.

It needs to be accepted that our ability to score more is impeded by the fact that our two principal strikers have both been in a poor run of form. Whilst accepting that ‘one swallow doesn’t make it spring’, Wyke has looked better in the last two games than he has previously done for a long while and I was pleased to see Grigg looking sharper and less lethargic when he came on last night. Maybe, just maybe a corner has been turned.

Conceding fewer goals will come about once the defence is better balanced and settled. Whilst I retain some concerns about Ozturk and the risk he poses around conceding penalties due to his style of marking at set pieces and the fact that both he and Willis are naturally right-footed, I accept that they look like they might be able to form a decent partnership in the middle. The absence of a left-back, or at least specialist cover for that position is a concern that is recognised by many, including Ross and Donald, so hopefully resolution of this concern will be forthcoming in the next week or so.

I also agree that in some games it might be beneficial to sacrifice the attacking threat represented by either Maguire, Gooch or McGeady (at 33 years, he’s not going to play every game anyway) and to bring in Dobson or McGeouch to fill out the midfield. Of course, this is likely to diminish our goal scoring potential. Tricky business this football management malarkey, isn’t it ?

I agree to a point but don't see it as particularly tricky. Playing players in their positions will solve a fair amount of the issues we are having. McGeady is not a striker, yet was played up front for portions of last season. We only have one left back, who spent two thirds of last season injured, so choosing not to reinforce in that area as a priority was stupid at best. McLaughlin has played everywhere except in his actual position, O'Nien is not a right back, McNulty is not an out and out striker and Power is not a holding midfielder. A few simple structural changes to the team, without even doing anything fundamental, would go a long way. Think it's a simple game made complicated by individuals like Ross who think they know better and try playing things like this "false back 3" or whatever term Ross used for it last season. Only real change necessary, as you point out, is a switch between 2 CMs and Maguire or 3 CMs.

I'm not sure about Grigg looking sharper though I must say. Thought he was as poor as ever. Don't get me wrong, nothing would make me happier than him scoring 30 goals this season.

 

[The Cabbage]

How would you feel if the performances were good but results poor?

More or less optimistic for the season?

Probably more optimistic tbh. Obviously if we had glaring issues (eg Lee Camp letting every shot in or Jozy missing sitters) that would be a different matter. However if we had dominated games but just hadn’t got the rub of the green I think I’d be happier.

The issue I have is that we focus on the end result. Whilst that might work in a short term situation (a single game or the run in of a season) it doesn’t serve you well when taken over a longer period. As an example, see Ross’ talk of goals scored and clean sheets (symptom) whilst dismissing xG (closer to cause) as merely a betting thing.

It is very unlikely that we can play as we have thus far this season and get promoted. It happens once in a blue moon. Either we improve our play or we'll fail again. As this is the exact pattern that we experienced last season I’m concerned that the club once again won’t address the issue. They don’t seem that bothered.

 

[ontap]

But this manager will not get us in to the top 2

I've watched every game so far and in all games apart maybe the Portsmouth game we have been poor

It's no different from last season and it will end up the same way with Jack Ross in charge

Its called " league division 1 " , thats the level we are playing at and the standard of the players we have ( McGeady apart). We don't have the quality of players from the two divisions above. JR is doing a good job with the squad he has.Forget all about "playing well" , at this level its all about results and getting promoted, early days yet, but its going to plan so far.

 

[Jspeck90]

If aiden mcgeady gets injured and is out a fair while we won't be winning many games he is the only spark in that team

If my uncle had a fanny he'd be my aunty. I don't understand how we can get three points on the road, look at the league table and see us in the top 6 after "the start we had" and go out of their way to winge. its boring. enjoy it

 

[SydneyFan]

Its called " league division 1 " , thats the level we are playing at and the standard of the players we have ( McGeady apart). We don't have the quality of players from the two divisions above. JR is doing a good job with the squad he has.Forget all about "playing well" , at this level its all about results and getting promoted, early days yet, but its going to plan so far.

How come every other team seems to be able to play better football and take the game to us irrespective of the size of their club, their league position or their league division 1 player's?

 

[Plank]

They've made their mind up and they won't be proven wrong in their own little world. He could get us back to the PL then lose 3-0 on the opening day and they would say "I knew he wasn't up to it".

Just a f***ing nuisance and a drain on the club.

Jack Ross. Getting us back to the PL?

 

[ontap]

Only 2 of those 5 played yesterday. Everyone has declined from where they were when they first joined to now. Simple fact.


I agree to a point but don't see it as particularly tricky. Playing players in their positions will solve a fair amount of the issues we are having. McGeady is not a striker, yet was played up front for portions of last season. We only have one left back, who spent two thirds of last season injured, so choosing not to reinforce in that area as a priority was stupid at best. choosing not to reinforce in that area as a priority was stupid at best O'Nien is not a right back, McNulty is not an out and out striker and Power is not a holding midfielder. A few simple structural changes to the team, without even doing anything fundamental, would go a long way. Think it's a simple game made complicated by individuals like Ross who think they know better and try playing things like this "false back 3" or whatever term Ross used for it last season. Only real change necessary, as you point out, is a switch between 2 CMs and Maguire or 3 CMs.

I'm not sure about Grigg looking sharper though I must say. Thought he was as poor as ever. Don't get me wrong, nothing would make me happier than him scoring 30 goals this season.

" Everyone has declined from where they were when they first joined to now. Simple fact. "
Untrue, see "Charlie Wyke" last night just one example.
"choosing not to reinforce in that area as a priority was stupid at best"
The window hasn't closed , only someone with an agenda like yours would state that we aren't trying to sign a LB.
Mcglauchlin is filling in at LB whilst we look fora signing , so to moan because he is being played out of position is just stupid.

 

[Black Cat Gypsy]

Once he's winning games he's safe and you really can't complain about that. But the football on show is terrible. I don't buy into this 'it's League One, that's how it is' way of thinking. Plenty of clubs down through the years in this division have played good football.

If this is the only way or the correct way out of this division they so be it. It might be successful but it won't be enjoyable or a season to remember. That's football today sadly!

 

[Deleted User 18963]

Probably more optimistic tbh. Obviously if we had glaring issues (eg Lee Camp letting every shot in or Jozy missing sitters) that would be a different matter. However if we had dominated games but just hadn’t got the rub of the green I think I’d be happier.

The issue I have is that we focus on the end result. Whilst that might work in a short term situation (a single game or the run in of a season) it doesn’t serve you well when taken over a longer period. As an example, see Ross’ talk of goals scored and clean sheets (symptom) whilst dismissing xG (closer to cause) as merely a betting thing.

It is very unlikely that we can play as we have thus far this season and get promoted. It happens once in a blue moon. Either we improve our play or we'll fail again. As this is the exact pattern that we experienced last season I’m concerned that the club once again won’t address the issue. They don’t seem that bothered.

Mate. This type of logical will be scoffed at and be called negative. We said it all last season and it was the reason why we didn't get promoted. We didn't deserve it nor did the performances look like a team worthy of promotion. I was going to do a comprehensive breakdown of each game so far and give reasons to why I believe we are very fortunate to have the points we currently have. Just not sure if I can be arsed.

 

[Black Cat Gypsy]

You think we havent played well in 65 games? You not watch Scunthorpe, Barnsley, Portsmouth in play offs etc? You are literally just talking utter shit.

3 games out of 65.

 

[ontap]

How come every other team seems to be able to play better football and take the game to us irrespective of the size of their club, their league position or their league division 1 player's?

Think its been posted numerous times, teams in this league raise their game when facing us, to a lot of players , we are their cup final , the club , ground , crowd ( home and away) , make it the biggest game of some of these lads careers . I don't say that arrogantly , its plain to see when you watch the games. Its a phenomena we appear to finally be getting to grips with .

 

[SydneyFan]

Mate. This type of logical will be scoffed at and be called negative. We said it all last season and it was the reason why we didn't get promoted. We didn't deserve it nor did the performances look like a team worthy of promotion. I was going to do a comprehensive breakdown of each game so far and give reasons to why I believe we are very fortunate to have the points we currently have. Just not sure if I can be arsed.

I wouldn't bother mate. Stevie Wonder just tweeted that we're a shit side. They can dress it up anyway they like, and a couple of lucky wins will do that but percentage wise unless performances improve dramatically we will lose more than we need to finish top 2. That for a club of our size, with the resources at our disposal, for a second consecutive season's would be a disgrace.