Blackpool (H)

[Duck Egg]

I saw one of theirs referring to that early Dembele effort off the post last year. (S)He reckoned if that had gone in, it would have been a different game. I reckon they're right!  Don't fall behind Saturday and we'll win again. 

Beauty from Thomasson to win it last year though. Deserved to win any game that.

[Johnnyrotten]

9 hours ago, masi 51 said:

To be honest i was not really bothered about the Walsall game, same for the EFL cup......Our squad does not need the extra games this season because of injuries and the international breaks

Until Thomason and Dempsey are back he will keep playing that stupid system

The international breaks are purgatory, and now we've given ourselves another break by getting out of the cup (with a weakened team).  11th Jan no game again if Charlton beat Walsall in 2nd round.  What are we supposed to moan about all these blank weekends 😀

And the extra games thing doesn't really wash when we seem to take the U21s cup seriously, that gives us extra midweek games but at least the FA Cup is just weekends, not even any replays now. 

[Johnnyrotten]

44 minutes ago, Duck Egg said:

I saw one of theirs referring to that early Dembele effort off the post last year. (S)He reckoned if that had gone in, it would have been a different game. I reckon they're right!  Don't fall behind Saturday and we'll win again. 

Beauty from Thomasson to win it last year though. Deserved to win any game that.

Agreed, that moment - the build up, the finish, the importance of the goal, the atmosphere - was a real highlight of last season.  It was also the latest winning goal we scored at home, we don't get many of those occasions, something similar on Saturday would do nicely.

Agreed that if they scored first we wouldn't have won, the first goal is huge in our games.

[Wanderlust]

I don’t care who is in charge - I just want this group of talented players to play better and show a bit of fight and effort.

[Lostock Whites]

I'm in a poor state of mind regarding this game, I never ever want us to lose a game, especially against Blackpool. But I feel that personally my mind is made up on Evatt and I want him out sooner rather than later. 

My mind is conflicted, because if say we lost on Saturday, would that be the final straw and FV finally have to find a replacement and could give them the January window? 

Maybe suffer more in the short term for the benefit of the rest of the season and beyond? Although that in itself isn't a guarantee.

I thought I had had seen the back of toxic environments during the reigns of some incompetent managers that we've had in charge since Big Sam left.

But I fear now that this toxicity could well return. 

Even if we win, would this bring fans back? Blackpool are very poor right now and we beat them last season. The barometer will be more indicative in the run up to the new year, fixtures littered against local teams and current top 6 outfits.

With all this in mind it feels hard to be positive or to fully get behind this current team, even with a win, we know what is round the corner... I don't need any more examples to suggest that Ian Evatt can not be the one to take us to that next step. We've had more than enough over the past 4 years in League One.

I felt that I could sense these similar sentiments in the matches I've been to, especially at home. There just isn't that spark there, only the last minute winner against Posh. This is mostly because of what I mentioned above, Wembley, last season as a whole and how unconvincing we have been this whole calendar year.

We've already been humiliated by nearly every promotion rival this season and it's only November. Okay we might beat Blackpool, but how about my confidence for the away match, Wigan away? Birmingham, Huddersfield, Wrexham, even Mansfield? Absolutely zero.

I personally feel that we need some communication from the board and from Sharon. I feel that we need her to speak openly as she holds dearly and gives us an idea of the plan. I'm not expecting her to say, "Ian will get sacked of he doesn't win..." Just something along the lines of, "It's been a difficult start but we are fully behind Ian, he will get further support in January".

Or just something along those lines, just a bit of transparency as right now supporters have lots of well valued questions and are uncertain where we are heading.

Edited November 19 by Lostock Whites

[tomski]

Only want us to win. Especially against these. He needs to go to the back of everyone’s mind. One of our few proud derby records this. 

[desperado]

1 hour ago, Lostock Whites said:

"Ian will get sacked of he doesn't win..." Just something along the lines of, "It's been a difficult start but we are fully behind Ian, he will get further support in January".

What would that do to the dissenters?

It would just get them more angry than they already are! It would be very counter productive.

 

[Johnnyrotten]

51 minutes ago, tomski said:

Only want us to win. Especially against these. He needs to go to the back of everyone’s mind. One of our few proud derby records this. 

Yes, only interested in a win.  In 5, 10, 15 years when Evatt is just another former manager (and we're established in the championship!), we'll still have the Blackpool game on our records, and the Wigan one too. 

We won't even think about who the manager was at the time, these games are a permanent reminder of our record in derby games.  As you say probably our ONLY proud derby record (although if we could only beat these or Wigan I'd have to take the 2nd one).

[Tonge moor green jacket]

6 minutes ago, desperado said:

What would that do to the dissenters?

It would just get them more angry than they already are! It would be very counter productive.

 

I'm not so sure.

At least it would put the record straight.

Many fans have made their mind up, and that won't change barring an upturn in results.

At least if we know, then at least for the time being, fans should just get behind the team.

[desperado]

3 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

I'm not so sure.

At least it would put the record straight.

Many fans have made their mind up, and that won't change barring an upturn in results.

At least if we know, then at least for the time being, fans should just get behind the team.

I can see the debate.

But I’m firmly in the camp of a statement like that being counter productive.

I’d be amazed if there wasn’t an outcry  of anger, disillusionment, resignation and unfortunately abuse aimed at Sharon after a statement like that, a lot more than what there is now.

It also backs her into a corner and makes her look contradictory, should she (the board/owners) want to make a change before Christmas.

[Lostock Whites]

19 minutes ago, desperado said:

I can see the debate.

But I’m firmly in the camp of a statement like that being counter productive.

I’d be amazed if there wasn’t an outcry  of anger, disillusionment, resignation and unfortunately abuse aimed at Sharon after a statement like that, a lot more than what there is now.

It also backs her into a corner and makes her look contradictory, should she (the board/owners) want to make a change before Christmas.

I think the point right now is that as a fan base we aren't a collective anymore, some loathe Evatt, some are still behind him, a large amount are just indifferent or just want to see what happens in the next few games

I think it's fair to say that Evatt is reluctant to leave his position as he knows he probably never get it as good at any club remotely the size of ours.

We've been very supportive and there's virtually been no toxicity, taking social media aside. Even in the drubbings we've had only a bit of boos right at the end. We could be and are starting to see that change now.

But in the most part we've been behind him and his relationship with the board and Sharon is an anomaly in the modern day.

Fans however are divided and angry, and there's no surprise there at all, we are massively underperforming. I guess only time will tell what happens.

For me, we have to show action. Beating our local rivals and beating sides on the top 6. It is an incredibly poor league, we have had a near disastrous season, yet we could be on the top 6 on Saturday afternoon.

That's still not good enough for this club, but I guess this is the big lifeline that Evatt is hanging onto.

Edited November 19 by Lostock Whites

[desperado]

15 minutes ago, Lostock Whites said:

For me, we have to show action. Beating our local rivals and beating sides in the top 6.

Certainly ageee with this bit.

But not coming out with a statement that includes “we are fully behind Ian, he will get further support in January”

[boltonboris]

Think we'll lose. Defensively we are absolutely atrocious at the mo and I've no confidence in that side of things improving. 

[wakey]

5 hours ago, Lostock Whites said:

 

I personally feel that we need some communication from the board and from Sharon. I feel that we need her to speak openly as she holds dearly and gives us an idea of the plan. I'm not expecting her to say, "Ian will get sacked of he doesn't win..." Just something along the lines of, "It's been a difficult start but we are fully behind Ian, he will get further support in January".

Or just something along those lines, just a bit of transparency as right now supporters have lots of well valued questions and are uncertain where we are heading.

I'm hopeful that the lack of public statements from the board means he's in last chance saloon.

[Ani]

The Board and by that we mean Sharon are in a no win here.

If they say they back him 100% people will moan. The dreaded vote of confidence ! 

If they say they back him with caveats people will moan

If they say results must improve people will moan

If they say last chance saloon then people will moan.

None of the above alter the likelihood of things improving

The only option is to say nothing and then act based on results. Their tolerance is clearly higher than a lot of fans. Worse case scenario is going into Jan without the confidence to back him (again) in transfer window. 
 

It does feel however that it is tiny steps forward followed by massive strides backwards and change is inevitable unless we can have a run of 4 or 5 good performances in next few weeks. 

 

[gonzo]

1 hour ago, boltonboris said:

Think we'll lose. Defensively we are absolutely atrocious at the mo and I've no confidence in that side of things improving. 

There's are struggling to find any recognised strikers.

Major injury crisis going on.

Didn't realise we'd only given them 2,800 btw.

They all went crackers now they are struggling to sell all them.

[Stig]

6 hours ago, Lostock Whites said:

I'm in a poor state of mind regarding this game, I never ever want us to lose a game, especially against Blackpool. But I feel that personally my mind is made up on Evatt and I want him out sooner rather than later. 

My mind is conflicted, because if say we lost on Saturday, would that be the final straw and FV finally have to find a replacement and could give them the January window? 

Maybe suffer more in the short term for the benefit of the rest of the season and beyond? Although that in itself isn't a guarantee.

I thought I had had seen the back of toxic environments during the reigns of some incompetent managers that we've had in charge since Big Sam left.

But I fear now that this toxicity could well return. 

Even if we win, would this bring fans back? Blackpool are very poor right now and we beat them last season. The barometer will be more indicative in the run up to the new year, fixtures littered against local teams and current top 6 outfits.

With all this in mind it feels hard to be positive or to fully get behind this current team, even with a win, we know what is round the corner... I don't need any more examples to suggest that Ian Evatt can not be the one to take us to that next step. We've had more than enough over the past 4 years in League One.

I felt that I could sense these similar sentiments in the matches I've been to, especially at home. There just isn't that spark there, only the last minute winner against Posh. This is mostly because of what I mentioned above, Wembley, last season as a whole and how unconvincing we have been this whole calendar year.

We've already been humiliated by nearly every promotion rival this season and it's only November. Okay we might beat Blackpool, but how about my confidence for the away match, Wigan away? Birmingham, Huddersfield, Wrexham, even Mansfield? Absolutely zero.

I personally feel that we need some communication from the board and from Sharon. I feel that we need her to speak openly as she holds dearly and gives us an idea of the plan. I'm not expecting her to say, "Ian will get sacked of he doesn't win..." Just something along the lines of, "It's been a difficult start but we are fully behind Ian, he will get further support in January".

Or just something along those lines, just a bit of transparency as right now supporters have lots of well valued questions and are uncertain where we are heading.

I've "liked" this but not because I want to hear any announcements from Sharon. I just thought it was a good summary of the whole period of uncertainty we're in at the minute.

It's so difficult to get up for matches while it's like this.

Edited November 19 by Stig

[Big E]

17 minutes ago, Ani said:

The Board and by that we mean Sharon are in a no win here.

If they say they back him 100% people will moan. The dreaded vote of confidence ! 

If they say they back him with caveats people will moan

If they say results must improve people will moan

If they say last chance saloon then people will moan.

None of the above alter the likelihood of things improving

The only option is to say nothing and then act based on results. Their tolerance is clearly higher than a lot of fans. Worse case scenario is going into Jan without the confidence to back him (again) in transfer window. 
 

It does feel however that it is tiny steps forward followed by massive strides backwards and change is inevitable unless we can have a run of 4 or 5 good performances in next few weeks. 

 

It is Sharon’s and the boards responsibility. If they are happy spunking loads of money on average players that’s great. The problem is when it all stays too long, goes stale and they pull the plug. Investment groups are not big into hanging around losing money (my opinion obvs based on nothing as I am just a chubby paw person) 

[woolli]

34 minutes ago, gonzo said:

There's are struggling to find any recognised strikers.

Major injury crisis going on.

Didn't realise we'd only given them 2,800 btw.

They all went crackers now they are struggling to sell all them.

Thought it was 3,700? same as Wigans  allocation.

 

[ianofcleveleys]

35 minutes ago, Ani said:

The Board and by that we mean Sharon are in a no win here.

If they say they back him 100% people will moan. The dreaded vote of confidence ! 

If they say they back him with caveats people will moan

If they say results must improve people will moan

If they say last chance saloon then people will moan.

None of the above alter the likelihood of things improving

The only option is to say nothing and then act based on results. Their tolerance is clearly higher than a lot of fans. Worse case scenario is going into Jan without the confidence to back him (again) in transfer window. 
 

It does feel however that it is tiny steps forward followed by massive strides backwards and change is inevitable unless we can have a run of 4 or 5 good performances in next few weeks. 

 

It's rare these days that owners / chairs come out in public within 'votes of confidence', as you say, tending to wait till the time to pull the trigger arrives, do the deed then put a diplomatic statement out. Their tolerance level is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a fair bit greater than the fans.

They pride themselves, I think, in being discreet and measured in what they do and say. The impression is that he's got the season, unless things do go badly pear shaped through the rest of Nov into Dec, in which case the trigger pulling time may arive

[tomski]

1 hour ago, Ani said:

The Board and by that we mean Sharon are in a no win here.

If they say they back him 100% people will moan. The dreaded vote of confidence ! 

If they say they back him with caveats people will moan

If they say results must improve people will moan

If they say last chance saloon then people will moan.

None of the above alter the likelihood of things improving

The only option is to say nothing and then act based on results. Their tolerance is clearly higher than a lot of fans. Worse case scenario is going into Jan without the confidence to back him (again) in transfer window. 
 

It does feel however that it is tiny steps forward followed by massive strides backwards and change is inevitable unless we can have a run of 4 or 5 good performances in next few weeks. 

 

Nonsense. Could of made the change.

[wakey]

48 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

It's rare these days that owners / chairs come out in public within 'votes of confidence', as you say, tending to wait till the time to pull the trigger arrives, do the deed then put a diplomatic statement out. Their tolerance level is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a fair bit greater than the fans.

They pride themselves, I think, in being discreet and measured in what they do and say. The impression is that he's got the season, unless things do go badly pear shaped through the rest of Nov into Dec, in which case the trigger pulling time may arive

I'd agree, but think Christmas. They can't give him the Jan window unless they've 100% confidence in him getting us up, and I can't for a minute imagine any of them have 100% confidence.

Maybe sooner (but that's just me being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time).

[desperado]

14 minutes ago, tomski said:

Nonsense. Could have made the change.

Think he means they are in a no win situation by keeping him and saying nothing/anything

Of course sacking him is another choice which may keep more people happy and make sense to most of us now.

But they are clearly not in that mindset yet. And we can only speculate as to why that is and when that might change. I still feel there will be plenty behind the scenes that provide some explanation, but we are unlikely to find out.

As Ani said, nothing they say at this moment would alter the likelihood of things improving, it would just add more fuel to the fire.

If anything the quieter they stay when things go wrong, to me suggests their tolerance levels are being tested. 

 

[gonzo]

1 hour ago, woolli said:

Thought it was 3,700? same as Wigans  allocation.

 

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/season-high-blackpool-away-support-set-to-descend-on-bolton-wanderers-for-tasty-league-one-head-to-head-4872638

 

Says 2,800 on here. Maybe they only took the first lot?

Is there a bar in Los Cristianos showing it by the way mate?

My pal is over there for it.

[woolli]

16 minutes ago, gonzo said:

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/season-high-blackpool-away-support-set-to-descend-on-bolton-wanderers-for-tasty-league-one-head-to-head-4872638

 

Says 2,800 on here. Maybe they only took the first lot?

Is there a bar in Los Cristianos showing it by the way mate?

My pal is over there for it.

I will find out on Thursday mate, highly likely Caseys, we will be there if he puts it on for us. Will confirm to you on Thursday

Edited November 19 by woolli
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