Rotherham United (A)

[Cheese]

9 minutes ago, kent_white said:

They were shit. And they have been shit for most of the past 12 months. 

I suspect most of them follow his instructions to the letter though - and that would gall me as a player. He's set them up to fail. So he needs to take the responsibility. Sorry. Maybe that's the manager in me? 

I doubt his instructions include "shirk out of 50/50's", "make sure you're second to every loose ball", and "if you do get the ball, either hoof it aimlessly or pass it straight to the opposition". Don't get me wrong - I think Evatt is ultimately responsible, but the players don't seem to have a backbone between them. They all seem a bit thick to be brutally honest. And again, that's down to Evatt's recruitment.

Edited January 11, 2025 by Cheese

[Stig]

1 hour ago, Greg_BWFC said:

Another game where the other team looked like they had 3 or 4 more men on the pitch than us.

Another game where the opposition fans will look and think that's the easiest game they've had all season.

Weak, both physically and mentally. 

Has to change now, doesn't it ?

I actually overheard a Rotherham fan on the way out saying something along the lines of: "I've never seen an opposition make us look so good. Every time we got the ball we were only 30 yards from their goal"

[Rizlar]

1 minute ago, Cheese said:

I doubt his instructions include "shirk out of 50/50's", "make sure you're second to every ball", and "if you do have the ball, either hoof it aimlessly or pass it straight to the opposition". Don't get me wrong - I think Evatt is ultimately responsible, but the players don't seem to have a backbone between them.

Agree but he recruited them and stated that they do due diligence etc with regards to mentality .

[Cheese]

Just now, Rizlar said:

Agree but he recruited them and stated that they do due diligence etc with regards to mentality .

I agree. That's why I said Evatt is ultimately responsible.

[Bryan458]

for me we badly need defenders before the window closes, if Santos does not turn up during a match we are well and truly fucked, Johnstone is utter fucking garbage, along with Forrester, jones form has dropped dramaticaly, Forino just looks shit, and Toal is Crocked, start from the back !!

[Rizlar]

2 minutes ago, Cheese said:

I agree. That's why I said Evatt is ultimately responsible.

Yep spot on.

[Farnywhite]

16 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

Look, players especially at this level, will make individual errors. We have a number of them that are talented enough for any squad in this division, and some players that I'm certain would do a job for temas in the bottom 3rd of the division above.

What they can't do is overcome the way a manager is asking them to play, on a formation that he has instructed them to do it in and with patterns of play that they in theory will have been working on every single day for the last few years.

The systemic mentality and defensive issues in this team aren't there purely because the players are a bit shit. Shitter players have done far more in this league than this group ever have managed.

That lies squarely on the manager, and the fact he won't ever even contemplate that as a reality is just one of many reasons why he has to go.

It’s the lack of effort by them that’s gulling  regardless of shit tactics I’m still pissed I suppose by Oxford were they turned up and got there belly’s tickled then you get a the usual clap trap from Johnston and the like  after Stockport about there going to double down and it just continue game  after game  There isn’t a player out there you could hang your hat on that they give it there all . That’s what evatt is getting at 

Edited January 11, 2025 by Farnywhite

[tshape]

10 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

Fuck them. Shit mid table hoofball team. 

Dogmeat? That's a new one.

[mickbrown]

7 minutes ago, Cheese said:

I doubt his instructions include "shirk out of 50/50's", "make sure you're second to every loose ball", and "if you do get the ball, either hoof it aimlessly or pass it straight to the opposition". Don't get me wrong - I think Evatt is ultimately responsible, but the players don't seem to have a backbone between them. They all seem a bit thick to be brutally honest. And again, that's down to Evatt's recruitment.

We’ll never get anywhere if you have that sort of attitude. 

[superjohnmcginlay]

It was a lovely drive over Woodhead Pass. 

[DaisyHWanderer]

It feels like we're in a relationship that's gone sour and we keep going back for a shag despite knowing it's not going to end well or last (feels great when we win but it'll be shit again next week)

I've been more supportive than many and willing to give him time but another disappointing trip today where we didn't even show up. Time for a change. Evatt you've been great for the majority but it's ran it's course. Someone make a decision before it gets incredibly toxic

[Johnnyrotten]

36 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Isn’t he therefore basically saying that the manager is completely irrelevant, it’s all about the players?

So is he saying there are no tactics that influence a game?  Either that's worrying as he just sends them out to organise themselves adhoc, or maybe just maybe he does send them out with tactics, formations and defensive organisation, and just possibly another manager could come up with some better one's?  And that's without getting into signing 1 or 2 players that don't get blown over by the wind.

Everything he says (I never listen but read them on here), just makes the situation more farcical and amateurish. 

[Johnnyrotten]

37 minutes ago, Farnywhite said:

Can’t argue with him calling the players out they are mentally weak , selfish, lazy cunts 

Which one's in your opinion?  Those that started today, or those on the bench, or both?

[Cheese]

3 minutes ago, mickbrown said:

We’ll never get anywhere if you have that sort of attitude. 

Exactly. The players have the same attitude as you. 🤷‍♂️

[Bryan458]

11 minutes ago, Cheese said:

I doubt his instructions include "shirk out of 50/50's", "make sure you're second to every loose ball", and "if you do get the ball, either hoof it aimlessly or pass it straight to the opposition". Don't get me wrong - I think Evatt is ultimately responsible, but the players don't seem to have a backbone between them. They all seem a bit thick to be brutally honest. And again, that's down to Evatt's recruitment.

Bang on, add to that 'if anyone shoots, turn your back like a pussy' !!

[JimmyRiddle]

It seems most teams in this division, certainly in and around mid table an up, can play 'football' just as well as us. Some may more be more direct, but all seems to have players with a touch and ability to move the ball quickly easily as good as ours, yet that's meant to be our USP??

And yet again, why do we have to isolate Santos all the time to facilitate this Evatt style of play, if we were scoring shit loads of goals we could afford a few slip ups, but we don't and struggle to create as many chances as other teams playing with a conventional 4 at the back. The risk v reward isn't even close.

Just sack the guy now, it's embarrassing.

Edited January 11, 2025 by JimmyRiddle

[Tonge moor green jacket]

54 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

Who's players are they, Ian?

 

31 minutes ago, kent_white said:

Jesus. What a thing to say! If I was a player and heard that I'd be absolutely fuming!

It's not the first time he's gobbled off about them.

Maybe a touch of introspection might enlighten him as to why they're not performing. 

It's OK saying the players are guilty of being shit, but such events are as old as football itself. 

They're lacking confidence in themselves and in him.

Ultimately, he brought them in and has responsibility for them.

Keep slagging them off in public and suddenly they'll turn into top class players, not.

Quite clear where the problem lies.

We need a new voice, and one from a someone with sound ideas of tactics, formations etc and flexibility. 

It is amazing how shit players can suddenly get so much better when a new gaffer comes in- and that is true of any workplace. They're human afterall.

I believed in what he was doing initially, and he can still get them to play very occasionally. 

However, even an AI machine will learn!

We've got broken robot.

He needs putting out of his own misery and a long holiday.

Another Saturday night spoiled and another week of tedium awaiting the next tawdry turn out.

Fuck off.

[Under_Score]

I find his comments baffling post match. He said it won’t change if he goes because no one can change it and the players are the same. I’m sure he will be the first to say that the style and mindset has changed under him compared to under Hill. A change of manager changes everything from mindset, tactics to style of play 

[Zog1]

15 minutes ago, Bryan458 said:

for me we badly need defenders before the window closes, if Santos does not turn up during a match we are well and truly fucked, Johnstone is utter fucking garbage, along with Forrester, jones form has dropped dramaticaly, Forino just looks shit, and Toal is Crocked, start from the back !!

He could sign Prime Stam, Maldini and Cannavaro....He'd make them look as bad as the current lot.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Just now, Under_Score said:

I find his comments baffling post match. He said it won’t change if he goes because no one can change it and the players are the same. I’m sure he will be the first to say that the style and mindset has changed under him compared to under Hill. A change of manager changes everything from mindset, tactics to style of play 

If that doesn't ring alarm bells at the top table then nothing will do.

The comments of someone who had lost any control/respect and is lashing out to save his own skin.

I hope he doesn't inwardly believe it, as that may suggest something even deeper is wrong.

You start to worry for his own mental state.

 

Mine is telling me to hugely comfort eat, whilst trying the lose weight. The bastard!

🤣

[bwfc6ix]

We’ve got too many players in that team that are “moments” players. Mcatee scores today yes, but offered absolutely fuck all else. It’s fine carrying one of those players in a team of hard workers but we aren’t. 

[Cheese]

 

[kent_white]

20 minutes ago, Cheese said:

I doubt his instructions include "shirk out of 50/50's", "make sure you're second to every loose ball", and "if you do get the ball, either hoof it aimlessly or pass it straight to the opposition". Don't get me wrong - I think Evatt is ultimately responsible, but the players don't seem to have a backbone between them. They all seem a bit thick to be brutally honest. And again, that's down to Evatt's recruitment.

Clearly not. But after over half a season playing a daft system which you probably know in your heart doesn't work - maybe your confidence would be on its arse too. And suddenly those 50/50s don't look quite as winnable - and that pass isn't quite as easy to make. And to be fair - I didn't really see us shirk out of many tackles. I just saw players who were stronger and better at making tackles winning them 90% of the time. 

So I'm not even sure I'd agree about the backbone. I think they're just utterly devoid of belief. 

Not fishing for an argument by the way. I know we all see the game differently. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Our squad and our system isn't set up for blood and thunder - throw yourself into the meat grinder type of football. 

They should be showing their bravery by being composed on the ball, and opening up a little more. But that's very hard when the system isn't set up to your strengths and your confidence is on the floor. 

I've absolutely no idea where we go from here. I don't even think Evatt is necessarily a bad manager. I just think he's had his time here and probably needs a new challenge somewhere else. And we need fresh impetus and some new ideas. 

[gonzo]

The players have got away with murder for a long long time. It's about time they were called out.

He's going down swinging, they deserve to hear a few home truths if anything else.

...but once you start doing that, its over.

And yes, he signed them, it's all on his watch. He's ultimately to blame.

But we all know our players could be doing better than they are.

Bunch of overpaid shithouses.

 

[kent_white]

5 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

He could sign Prime Stam, Maldini and Cannavaro....He'd make them look as bad as the current lot.

To be fair - I'd still probably swap Schon and Johnstone for Maldini and Cannavaro on balance. Stam can fuck off though. The manc twat! 😁