Peterborough (H)

[Wanderlust]

Evatt registered just 18 players in the squad and then came out with a statement that he was confident that would be enough.

We don't really know if the statement was to mask financial limitations on what we could actually afford or not - but we certainly know we weren't splashing the cash if you consider the signings we turned away, so maybe there's an element of financial prudency?

However, if we go with the idea that the manager genuinely believes we have enough in the squad, surely that belief would be include a contingency for injuries? It would be a bit daft to say "we have enough provided everyone stays fit for the whole season" as that would be totally unrealistic.

So now we actually have a few injuries there seems to be a widespread expectation that we'll struggle - and even the usually sycophantic Iles has been laying bare the appalling statistics of our strikers - but for me the whole team has to play a damn sight better than that lazy, arrogant shitshow against Reading for us to progress.

Our defending was reckless at times with Santos pushing too far up to recover against pacy counters so we were forced into committing fouls that cost us. Despite the midfield giving the ball away too often and not winning anywhere near enough second balls (Dempsey's worst game for us IMO) they created a few chances but didn't offer enough direct goal threat themselves to prevent us from being predictable in front of goal so our forwards were marked up and faced blockers when they did get shots off. It was an all-round shit performance and it's not just the forwards that need to find form.

I still really wonder if all the front of house PR stuff bigging them up and Evatt's expansive statements about how the league is weaker this year and how successful we're going to be is a huge mistake? Difficult to see what we can gain from it. If he wants to give the players confidence he has all week to do that in training and in the dressing room - but the public show of bravado will only inspire the opposition and carries the inherent danger that the players will start to believe their own hype.

The reality is that after Reading and Wigan before that they need a huge kick up the arse and constantly reminding that they have to work, focus and fight every second for the right to play their way and then execute it ruthlessly when they've earned that right.

Whatever happens against Posh, the minimum I expect to see is a vastly improved all round performance, massive workrate from everyone and discipline both in and out of possession - because they looked way to casual and arrogant last week and deserved to get beat.

 

 

[Lostock Whites]

Just over 700+ coming from Peterborough as it stands currently.

[Johnnyrotten]

2 hours ago, Rizlar said:

Got to be Forrester at LCB Iredale is shit !

I agree Forrester in the team before any defender other than Santos.

Personally I'd have Iredale over Williams because he's stronger/fitter, useful defending set pieces and seems more switched on/vocal.  But I didn't see him at Reading so if he's in terrible form I bow to that knowledge, he was playing well earlier in the season.

[Johnnyrotten]

3 minutes ago, Lostock Whites said:

Just over 700+ coming from Peterborough as it stands currently.

1 of them travelling over from Liverpool, works with my son there.  His Dad's coming up from Peterboro.

[Johnnyrotten]

2 hours ago, Whitesince63 said:

Surely if Charles was going to be out we’d have heard by now wouldn’t we? I think Evatt’s just keeping everyone guessing and I fully expect him to play, even if he does need a bit of a pain killer for the shoulder. I think we’ll be back on track after last weeks cock up so I’ll go for a 2-0 win for the mighty whites. Iredale to return to LCB and hopefully Williams can do the 90 minutes this time? Coggers never seems to have a problem and he does every bit as much running as Williams does.

I can rest easy now that you've posted your weekly "I fancy us to win this one" 😆

[peebles]

Similar feel to Derby game really, need a performance & result to get back on track.

I think we'll have enough, they've hardly been pulling up any trees 2-1.

 

[Lostock Whites]

I think this'll be one of the more open games at home this season.

I really doubt they are going to come and park the bus.

Could work well in our favour and make us play more aggressively.

Although our pressing needs to be on point and hopefully it won't be a hot day as it will fatigue our professional athletes as Evatt said last weekend.

[globaldiver]

1-2

[Zog1]

6 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Evatt registered just 18 players in the squad and then came out with a statement that he was confident that would be enough.

We don't really know if the statement was to mask financial limitations on what we could actually afford or not - but we certainly know we weren't splashing the cash if you consider the signings we turned away, so maybe there's an element of financial prudency?

However, if we go with the idea that the manager genuinely believes we have enough in the squad, surely that belief would be include a contingency for injuries? It would be a bit daft to say "we have enough provided everyone stays fit for the whole season" as that would be totally unrealistic.

So now we actually have a few injuries there seems to be a widespread expectation that we'll struggle - and even the usually sycophantic Iles has been laying bare the appalling statistics of our strikers - but for me the whole team has to play a damn sight better than that lazy, arrogant shitshow against Reading for us to progress.

Our defending was reckless at times with Santos pushing too far up to recover against pacy counters so we were forced into committing fouls that cost us. Despite the midfield giving the ball away too often and not winning anywhere near enough second balls (Dempsey's worst game for us IMO) they created a few chances but didn't offer enough direct goal threat themselves to prevent us from being predictable in front of goal so our forwards were marked up and faced blockers when they did get shots off. It was an all-round shit performance and it's not just the forwards that need to find form.

I still really wonder if all the front of house PR stuff bigging them up and Evatt's expansive statements about how the league is weaker this year and how successful we're going to be is a huge mistake? Difficult to see what we can gain from it. If he wants to give the players confidence he has all week to do that in training and in the dressing room - but the public show of bravado will only inspire the opposition and carries the inherent danger that the players will start to believe their own hype.

The reality is that after Reading and Wigan before that they need a huge kick up the arse and constantly reminding that they have to work, focus and fight every second for the right to play their way and then execute it ruthlessly when they've earned that right.

Whatever happens against Posh, the minimum I expect to see is a vastly improved all round performance, massive workrate from everyone and discipline both in and out of possession - because they looked way to casual and arrogant last week and deserved to get beat.

 

 

I was identifying these very issues that you and others are now starting to talk about months ago, was basically ran out of here as though i was some kind of Wigan fan (vom bag needed).

Do i think IE has it in him to escape League One, i was 50/50 at the start of the season now i'm 80/20, i don't think he has it in him. I think he's starting to become aware of it too, which would explain the backtracking, weird claims of lack of motivation and resources. It all stinks of a manager trying to set up a narrative he can sell to other clubs and the media etc before he goes.

 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Bit conspiratorial that!

He is still a relative newcomer to management, but one with a very clear belief in how his teams will play.

Lots of good stats too.

However the stat that counts the most is results and consequently promotion. 

Did well lower league, and league two. 

Undoubtedly a bit tougher in league one, and I think it has occurred to him that we may need to be more flexible.

For me, the main issue with him is his own discipline and comments made at bad times. Then a video.

I do wonder how his colleagues view it at times. 

 

[radcliffe white]

Personally his last few transfer windows have been poor especially attacking wise and we ain’t talking freebies either

IE obviously has his model/ideas on what’s needed for promotion but just look at the teams that have been promoted in recent years wigan, Rotherham, ipswich , Sheffield weds & Plymouth all well drilled sides which got the job done

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Recent strikers are certainly an issue.

I thought Gerome may give us a bit of physicality when he first came- an alternative, target type man if needed.

He wasn't fit though and now he clearly shows his age. 

Vic doesn't concern me as much as others, as I reckon he'll still get 10-15 for the season.

Big Dan is the big disappointment though. 

All a bit strange given Charles has been a success and Bod has been better than many thought- Millwall fans laughing when he came. Obviously he too has been beset with injuries, but has been decent on the pitch.

[radcliffe white]

29 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Recent strikers are certainly an issue.

I thought Gerome may give us a bit of physicality when he first came- an alternative, target type man if needed.

He wasn't fit though and now he clearly shows his age. 

Vic doesn't concern me as much as others, as I reckon he'll still get 10-15 for the season.

Big Dan is the big disappointment though. 

All a bit strange given Charles has been a success and Bod has been better than many thought- Millwall fans laughing when he came. Obviously he too has been beset with injuries, but has been decent on the pitch.

Dan & Jerome are poor

Everything fell right against fleetwood for Vic but generally he’s not much better and take a look at his career stats very poor 

I like JDB but we ain’t seeing him either injuries or IE sees others ahead of him

[woolli]

6 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Dan & Jerome are poor

Everything fell right against fleetwood for Vic but generally he’s not much better and take a look at his career stats very poor 

I like JDB but we ain’t seeing him either injuries or IE sees others ahead of him

IE as to justify the 800,000 outlay on these two. None of them can lace Dapos boots!

[Smiley]

9 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

I like JDB but we ain’t seeing him either injuries or IE sees others ahead of him

If fit and he’s not starting… what was the point of re-signing him? I don’t know if its just me, but the more that fans demand a certain player to be picked (John, Sadlier, JDB), the more IE doesn’t select them.

Edited September 21, 2023 by Smiley

[Whitesince63]

9 hours ago, DazBob said:

Would we?  Why would he want to help Posh with their planning?

That’s exactly my point Bob, if Dion was seriously injured and out for a while I think we would have heard whilst if it’s borderline we wouldn’t hear anything. Obviously IE has now confirmed its borderline so we wait and see but I still bet he starts.

[frank_spencer]

Given Dempsey has been playing with a bad back wouldn't surprise me if Dion gets a pain killing jab and plays through the pain.

[L/H White]

1 hour ago, Smiley said:

If fit and he’s not starting… what was the point of re-signing him? I don’t know if its just me, but the more that fans demand a certain player to be picked (John, Sadlier, JDB), the more IE doesn’t select them.

IE is a egomaniac 

[tomski]

1 hour ago, Smiley said:

If fit and he’s not starting… what was the point of re-signing him? I don’t know if its just me, but the more that fans demand a certain player to be picked (John, Sadlier, JDB), the more IE doesn’t select them.

If he’s reading our favourites as fans are

Jerome

Randell 

 

[Wanderlust]

2 hours ago, Zog1 said:

I was identifying these very issues that you and others are now starting to talk about months ago, was basically ran out of here as though i was some kind of Wigan fan (vom bag needed).

Do i think IE has it in him to escape League One, i was 50/50 at the start of the season now i'm 80/20, i don't think he has it in him. I think he's starting to become aware of it too, which would explain the backtracking, weird claims of lack of motivation and resources. It all stinks of a manager trying to set up a narrative he can sell to other clubs and the media etc before he goes.

 

But having a small squad with a questionable strike force was discussed at the time - and the conclusions were 1) that we need to stay injury free 2) that there's room in the squad for a January spending spree - if needed and more importantly if there is any money available - which is key.

The reality is that 3) we don't know what money is available for transfers and maybe Evatt ended up with the best available for what he had to spend? Who knows? He is reported to have turned down two players because of the money and another reported target was sold to another club for the same price as 3 of Evatt's purchases so it certainly doesn't appear that there was much to spend.

The other major factor is 4) that we are transitioning away from developing other teams' players taking in only one loanee compared to the 5? last season (Trafford, Bradley, Beck, Mbete and Shoretire - any others I've forgotten?) - there has to be a cost to that and therefore 5) expectations need to be managed.

Claiming lack of resources seems reasonable to me if we have additional costs and no idea of the available budget so I guess we have to draw our own conclusions - but I agree with you that Evatt hasn't managed expectations very well at all - but that doesn't necessarily mean he hasn't had big problems to deal with.

Whether or not Evatt has the nous to guide us out of League 1 is impossible to say without knowing the full story of what financial challenges he is facing but it's reasonable to assume that if he has no money to get the quality of player he'd need to do that it's more a reflection on the state of the club than his own ability.

If we're in the top 6 after 10 games there's reason to be optimistic I'd have thought - but that will be decided by the performances of those players we have got and they need to step up.

[radcliffe white]

1 hour ago, Smiley said:

If fit and he’s not starting… what was the point of re-signing him? I don’t know if its just me, but the more that fans demand a certain player to be picked (John, Sadlier, JDB), the more IE doesn’t select them.

Something went on with John which is a shame as I’d have him over Williams any day, sadlier no world beater but offered more then some are currently doing 

[captainmed]

1 hour ago, Wanderlust said:

If we're in the top 6 after 10 games there's reason to be optimistic I'd have thought.

If we’re not, considering that 6 out of those 10 will have been at home, then we have problems. 

Somehow are still clear favourites to go up automatically 

Edited September 21, 2023 by captainmed

[Whitesince63]

9 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I can rest easy now that you've posted your weekly "I fancy us to win this one" 😆

Well somebody has to show confidence JR and I’m bound to be right at some time. 🥴

[Whitesince63]

2 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

But having a small squad with a questionable strike force was discussed at the time - and the conclusions were 1) that we need to stay injury free 2) that there's room in the squad for a January spending spree - if needed and more importantly if there is any money available - which is key.

The reality is that 3) we don't know what money is available for transfers and maybe Evatt ended up with the best available for what he had to spend? Who knows? He is reported to have turned down two players because of the money and another reported target was sold to another club for the same price as 3 of Evatt's purchases so it certainly doesn't appear that there was much to spend.

The other major factor is 4) that we are transitioning away from developing other teams' players taking in only one loanee compared to the 5? last season (Trafford, Bradley, Beck, Mbete and Shoretire - any others I've forgotten?) - there has to be a cost to that and therefore 5) expectations need to be managed.

Claiming lack of resources seems reasonable to me if we have additional costs and no idea of the available budget so I guess we have to draw our own conclusions - but I agree with you that Evatt hasn't managed expectations very well at all - but that doesn't necessarily mean he hasn't had big problems to deal with.

Whether or not Evatt has the nous to guide us out of League 1 is impossible to say without knowing the full story of what financial challenges he is facing but it's reasonable to assume that if he has no money to get the quality of player he'd need to do that it's more a reflection on the state of the club than his own ability.

If we're in the top 6 after 10 games there's reason to be optimistic I'd have thought - but that will be decided by the performances of those players we have got and they need to step up.

Could it be that the expected money Evatt was to be given was from outgoing sales? I actually believe Johnson was on his way before his injury and perhaps the club expected offers for the likes of Rico and Dion which didn’t materialise. The only one that did was George and though accepted didn’t happen because the player wanted to stay. The two wages anticipated to be saved in John and Sadlier didn’t happen until the very end of the window but not really fully even the with DC only on loan so we must still be carrying most of his wages still. Without any income I don’t think Evatt then had what was anticipated meaning he had to pull out of the purchases we know of. I don’t see much changing in January so I still don’t think IE will have much to spend so I think we can only hope 5hat the current players shape up and do the business, including the strikers.

[Cheese]

3-0 to the Super Whites