Stevenage (A)

[Mounts Kipper]

7 minutes ago, Zico said:

I thought that was a managers job?

Certainly IE has spoke in the past of that being what Holloway did at Blackpool

Ian Holloway, who I played under at both QPR and Blackpool, really rammed home how important mentality and belief is for footballers.

Olly built a group of players at Blackpool who believed in themselves more than any other I’ve experienced. He created something magical there; promotion to the Premier League with a £3m budget is completely unheard of, and that was down to him and the mentality of that team. We just completely believed we were going to succeed.

 

"Players are only human beings, we have off days.

"Sometimes you come into training not feeling great but you see the gaffer and he just picks you up straightaway.

Perhaps there is a reason only Jerome had a career at league one above… he’s got the desire and mind set that’s light years ahead of most of our squad, from the current squad I don’t see many with the required mental strength, to play at a higher level  the ones who look to me like they might have it are Toal, Forrester, Thomason, Baxter, Dempsey, there is a raft of them who look bereft of mental strength. I’d love to see a Karl Henry type in this squad. 

Edited March 30, 2024 by Mounts Kipper

[Stig]

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

Correctamundo.

I'm really not sure how a manager can instill that into a group of players.

 

I'd say that's exactly what the manager and coaching team is there to do. Teams even have psychologists as part of the coaching set up to improve mentality and character of their players.

[only1swanny]

39 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

Perhaps there is a reason only Jerome had a career at league one above… he’s got the desire and mind set that’s light years ahead of most of our squad, from the current squad I don’t see many with the required mental strength, to play at a higher level  the ones who look to me like they might have it are Toal, Forrester, Thomason, Baxter, Dempsey, there is a raft of them who look bereft of mental strength. I’d love to see a Karl Henry type in this squad. 

I'd add iredale to that,

For me yesterday (albeit with hindsight)  I'd have gone 5 4 1 with wingback as usual but with either dempsey or Morley pushing up. 

 

[gonzo]

33 minutes ago, Stig said:

I'd say that's exactly what the manager and coaching team is there to do. Teams even have psychologists as part of the coaching set up to improve mentality and character of their players.

Agreed. Just not sure it's possible with this lot. 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

20 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Agreed. Just not sure it's possible with this lot. 

Which would be down to Evatt.

Fwiw, I think they do have it in them, but confidence has drained, teams have developed ways of playing against us, and we have yet to respond and evolve.

 

[Johnnyrotten]

6 hours ago, Mounts Kipper said:

Perhaps there is a reason only Jerome had a career at league one above… he’s got the desire and mind set that’s light years ahead of most of our squad, from the current squad I don’t see many with the required mental strength, to play at a higher level  the ones who look to me like they might have it are Toal, Forrester, Thomason, Baxter, Dempsey, there is a raft of them who look bereft of mental strength. I’d love to see a Karl Henry type in this squad. 

An interesting debate, we all want a Karl Henry/Gary O'Neill/Gary Speed type in there (mentality wise), but loads of players have great careers that don't possess that type of character.  Josh Sheehan is one of our best, most consistent players but not an "in the trenches" type, but I can imagine him playing in the championship.  Iredale looks like he has the mentality, desire and mind set - but probably wouldn't get games in the championship based mainly on a lack of pace.

I'd put him above Dempsey personally for having what you need, because Dempsey never seems to open his mouth or encourage his teammates, seems very introverted.  Not sure how he was a captain previously unless he changes personality off the pitch?

Anyway I'd add Jones to the list, great character.

Edited March 30, 2024 by Johnnyrotten

[ianofcleveleys]

39 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Agreed. Just not sure it's possible with this lot. 

That's the bit where, if we don't go up, Evatt would need to show some of the learning he sometimes admits he needs to do. He's acknowledged in those tales about Holloway how mentality and mindset was a key part of Blackpool's success in getting up and making a fair fist of the Prem.

I'm not convinced he's placed enough emphasis on it in his recruitment over the last couple of seasons, too many being signed based on data and numbers, some of which can paint a misleading picture of a player's suitability to stay the course of a promotion campaign over 46 games and 10 months. 

I know it sounds simplistic and old hat but all the successful passing stats in the world won't tell you whether a player will turn 40-60 tackles into 60-40s on a cold wet night at Barnsley, and whether he'll push, pull and cajole team mates to do the same. 

[Ani]

Avoided reading stuff today. Here are my thoughts. Yesterday another packed away end watched one of the strangest passionless performances of the season at a time we need the exact opposite. 
 

Whilst there are excuses it seems there is always an excuse. It is not just the odd player it is the whole group and IMO you have to question the manager. His whole demeanour in recent has been downbeat with the weight of the world on his shoulders, now he has said the players were scared yesterday. 
 

Managers are 'mood magnets' for a team, sure we have all worked for positive managers and that rubs off on the team, equally when the manager is down it drags the team with them. Jose Mourhino is an example of how this works both ways. 
 

For the first time I am now questioning Evatt as our manager, you can only blame bad luck for so long, 2 games ago we had maybe our best result and performance of the season , what has happened that players are scared and underperforming ? The Charles and Baxter situation is just bizarre. 
 

Things have been creaking for 2-3 months now and it feels like IE has run out of ideas , energy and inspiration. Horribly painful to watch. 

[desperado]

15 minutes ago, Ani said:

Avoided reading stuff today. Here are my thoughts. Yesterday another packed away end watched one of the strangest passionless performances of the season at a time we need the exact opposite. 
 

Whilst there are excuses it seems there is always an excuse. It is not just the odd player it is the whole group and IMO you have to question the manager. His whole demeanour in recent has been downbeat with the weight of the world on his shoulders, now he has said the players were scared yesterday. 
 

Managers are 'mood magnets' for a team, sure we have all worked for positive managers and that rubs off on the team, equally when the manager is down it drags the team with them. Jose Mourhino is an example of how this works both ways. 
 

For the first time I am now questioning Evatt as our manager, you can only blame bad luck for so long, 2 games ago we had maybe our best result and performance of the season , what has happened that players are scared and underperforming ? The Charles and Baxter situation is just bizarre. 
 

Things have been creaking for 2-3 months now and it feels like IE has run out of ideas , energy and inspiration. Horribly painful to watch. 

Long journey back over, debate with myself whether to crash and burn or get back on it. Brought lad down to cricket club for a few and just catching up on thread. 

I was hoping to see more @Cheese @waffer cup 07 @onefinfrandsen  @Greg_BWFC Positivity!

Instead I read the exact thoughts I’ve been trying to suppress on the 4 hour journey home! 🤣

Edited March 30, 2024 by desperado
Wrong Greg 🤣

[Whitesince63]

It’s hard to stay positive though after days like yesterday. We were all up for it, we knew how important it was and that team for team we should beat Stevenage, then a performance like that followed by similarly negative vibes from the manager. Of course we have to stay positive until any chance of the automatics have gone and even then we have the play offs. We’re still in it but we need something from the team and manager and just now we’re not getting it.

[Johnnyrotten]

5 minutes ago, desperado said:

Long journey back over, debate with myself whether to crash and burn or get back on it. Brought lad down to cricket club for a few and just catching up on thread. 

I was hoping to see more @Cheese @waffer cup 07 @onefinfrandsen  @gregbwfc positivity!

Instead I read the exact thoughts I’ve been trying to suppress on the 4 hour journey home! 🤣

The reality is a bit grim, in terms of everything that's been discussed.

But for positivity (and it has to be a first for you not to be the one dishing it out 😀), its not impossible for us to win the last 6.  All logic says we won't beat both Pompey and Posh BUT both could be in cruise control when we play them - one absolute certainties for promotion, the other needing no extra points on the last day, wanting to avoid injuries for the play offs. 

This possibility may last all of one day if we don't beat Reading, which looks like a tough game based on them being well above us in the form table.  But if we do win our next 2 games, we aren't out of it just yet.

[Zico]

14 minutes ago, Ani said:

Avoided reading stuff today. Here are my thoughts. Yesterday another packed away end watched one of the strangest passionless performances of the season at a time we need the exact opposite. 
 

Whilst there are excuses it seems there is always an excuse. It is not just the odd player it is the whole group and IMO you have to question the manager. His whole demeanour in recent has been downbeat with the weight of the world on his shoulders, now he has said the players were scared yesterday. 
 

Managers are 'mood magnets' for a team, sure we have all worked for positive managers and that rubs off on the team, equally when the manager is down it drags the team with them. Jose Mourhino is an example of how this works both ways. 
 

For the first time I am now questioning Evatt as our manager, you can only blame bad luck for so long, 2 games ago we had maybe our best result and performance of the season , what has happened that players are scared and underperforming ? The Charles and Baxter situation is just bizarre. 
 

Things have been creaking for 2-3 months now and it feels like IE has run out of ideas , energy and inspiration. Horribly painful to watch. 

Aye

IE is on a learning curve which has got very steep when promotion is expected 

Seems to me he has a way he wants to play, has convinced himself and the squad it's what will get us promoted / make us the best team in the league

See Oxford 

But when it comes up short they don't know what else to do so keep on trying the same thing, and it gets them nowhere and heads and confidence drop 

See most of 2024

[TroySwoosh]

3 hours ago, tomski said:

😂

 

Still thinking it now in fairness. I don’t like him. Not sure it’s that outlandish a statement 

to be fair, it came across as you meaning by all the fans, if you meant just in your opinion then that's different 🤔

[gonzo]

32 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

That's the bit where, if we don't go up, Evatt would need to show some of the learning he sometimes admits he needs to do. He's acknowledged in those tales about Holloway how mentality and mindset was a key part of Blackpool's success in getting up and making a fair fist of the Prem.

I'm not convinced he's placed enough emphasis on it in his recruitment over the last couple of seasons, too many being signed based on data and numbers, some of which can paint a misleading picture of a player's suitability to stay the course of a promotion campaign over 46 games and 10 months. 

I know it sounds simplistic and old hat but all the successful passing stats in the world won't tell you whether a player will turn 40-60 tackles into 60-40s on a cold wet night at Barnsley, and whether he'll push, pull and cajole team mates to do the same. 

Great Post.

Better than pig headed this, shit fucking cunts that anyway.

[London Wanderer]

20 minutes ago, Ani said:

 

For the first time I am now questioning Evatt as our manager,

Careful, you’ll have Cheese after you.

 Good post mate.

Tough times to be honest. Our 2024 results have been poor overall. I’ve still hope Evatt could turn it all around though & we’ve no choice other than to get behind him & lift the team.

But if these results & performances continue until the end of the season then I think we may need a fresh start next season.

[tomski]

13 minutes ago, TroySwoosh said:

to be fair, it came across as you meaning by all the fans, if you meant just in your opinion then that's different 🤔

Oh defo my opinion. I am not elite enough to speak for the fan base 😂

[Cheese]

20 minutes ago, desperado said:

I was hoping to see more @Cheese @waffer cup 07 @onefinfrandsen  @Greg_BWFC Positivity!

 

7 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Careful, you’ll have Cheese after you.

Can't be arsed. Let the wrist slashers make the most of another disappointment. Fans like that don't deserve to see us go up.

[radcliffe white]

11 minutes ago, tomski said:

Oh defo my opinion. I am not elite enough to speak for the fan base 😂

Only a select few are elite

[radcliffe white]

11 minutes ago, Cheese said:

 

Can't be arsed. Let the wrist slashers make the most of another disappointment. Fans like that don't deserve to see us go up.

You really are an arse hole 

[onefinfrandsen]

7 hours ago, gonzo said:

I'm as gutted as anyone mate, devastated we seemingly have thrown away what going to be an amazing season.

...but there's way more to it than Evatts persona and fans turning now is the last thing we need. 

Its all been a perfect storm for me. 5 forward players missing yesterday alone. Throw in the ability to dig deep,poor player performance, poor recruitment and its a total shit show. 

Evatt will obviously carry the can and rightly so but there's way more to this current state than his apparent poor management.

Does feel like something has gone on, maybe evatt has decided he needs a break from football , he’s talked of walking away from the game when he doesn’t enjoy it anymore fairly recently. He’s lived and breathed the club 24/7 for the last 4 years and if it is the reason then I would imagine it would eat away at him thinking maybe he had failed here. Just a thought , hope I’m wrong and it’s just frustration.

[tomski]

26 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Only a select few are elite

😂

[Hoppy]

I think the Derby game had more effect on him that he's not being honest about and that's transfering to the players it's been a long season and it's taking it's toll on evatt and he's going through the motions till the playoffs when we hopefully will be more focused 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

53 minutes ago, Hoppy said:

I think the Derby game had more effect on him that he's not being honest about and that's transfering to the players it's been a long season and it's taking it's toll on evatt and he's going through the motions till the playoffs when we hopefully will be more focused 

Take a day off training; go and have a few beers, get a couple of strippers in and have a bit of a laugh.

Back to it the next day.

Be reet.

 

 

[Tombwfc]

This might be unfair, but I feel like at some stage Evatt loaded so much pressure onto himself - his Pep comparisons, Barrow/Bolton-lona, managing in the Premier League in five years - that us struggling is more about him saving face than motivating the team. It's like late period Mourinho, everything is against us, everything is someone else's fault, the players are scared, the fans are cunts. If everyone would just respect his genius and get out of the way we'd be fine.

I'm still broadly behind him, to the point I'd give him another crack at it even if he fails this year. But all managers have a shelf life, and a character like Evatt, when the wheels come off things will really turn sour. I feel like this is his chance with us.

[gonzo]

11 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

This might be unfair, but I feel like at some stage Evatt loaded so much pressure onto himself - his Pep comparisons, Barrow/Bolton-lona, managing in the Premier League in five years - that us struggling is more about him saving face than motivating the team. It's like late period Mourinho, everything is against us, everything is someone else's fault, the players are scared, the fans are cunts. If everyone would just respect his genius and get out of the way we'd be fine.

I'm still broadly behind him, to the point I'd give him another crack at it even if he fails this year. But all managers have a shelf life, and a character like Evatt, when the wheels come off things will really turn sour. I feel like this is his chance with us.

I get all this.

When it's going good, it's fucking ace. Us against the world.

When it turns shit it takes ages to put it right.

We've had big dips under him before, trouble is this one has come at the worst time possible