Northampton Town (H)

[masi 51]

1 minute ago, bolty58 said:

I think you might do a bit too much wincing pal.

Can't you just sit back, relax and enjoy a run of consecutive victories? That's what I am doing with Weihenstephaner Original Halle's and some crispy fried crickets.

I did when i first looked at the team on Saturday, but i loved how the players wanted to play for the shirts. Never a big fan of rotation and never a big fan of Cogley but he never deserved to be dropped.

I enjoyed a lot from Saturday and last night

JD was never going to change the system he has a mandate to steady the ship nothing else.

Onwards and upwards

Halls Soothers and Carrs pasties.....None of your convict food for me

[desperado]

52 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

certainly would be better with a back 4, though we currently cannot go two up top.

I think you go about this in the wrong way.

And this is from someone who thinks a back 4 might work and yesterday picked a side with one up front.

But I was wrong and on the evidence of the last 2 games so are you.

There is no way anyone can say with “certainty” that a back 4 will be better.

And currently we are going two up top and its produced 6/6 points.

Surely now Evatt’s gone the wild “certainty” comments from expert fans can be ditched?

 

Edited January 29, 2025 by desperado

[Whitestar]

10 hours ago, kent_white said:

Was a strange game tonight. Crowd seemed really flat and I didn't think we played particularly well. Chuffed for Darby though. 

My thoughts exactly!

Well worked goal from the corner then we reverted to clueless for the next 40mins and Northampton seemed the better team, fortunate with the OG, 2nd half was awful football although the 3rd goal was a nice bit of play.

Vic was actually the best i have seen him play but still awful, midfield was invisible but at least we won eh?.

[masi 51]

9 minutes ago, desperado said:

I think you go about this in the wrong way.

And this is from someone who thinks a back 4 might work and yesterday picked a side with one up front.

But I was wrong and on the evidence of the last 2 games so are you.

There is no way anyone can say with “certainty” that a back 4 will be better.

And currently we are going two up top and its produced 6/6 points.

Surely now Evatt’s gone the wild “certainty” comments from expert fans csn be ditched?

 

All about opinions, nothing wrong in what you say Schon and especially Tu Tu would be thrive if afforded protection

We had two last night with Vic alongside Collins. Was not Vics worse game but he is not the forward that holds the ball up and brings Collins into play and does not score enough that place with Collins is suited by one just behind and Vic is one of six that are competing for that one spot

Edited January 29, 2025 by masi 51

[desperado]

4 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

All about opinions, nothing wrong in what you say Schon and especially Tu Tu would be thrive if afforded protection

We had two last night with Vic alongside Collins. Was not Vics worse game but he is not the forward that holds the ball up and brings Collins into play and does not score enough that place with Collins is suited by one just behind and Vic is one of six that are competing for that one spot

Opinions I’m fine with.

Like I say it’s the way you go about it with such certainty that’s questionable. 

[CambridgeBWFC]

4 minutes ago, Whitestar said:

My thoughts exactly!

Well worked goal from the corner then we reverted to clueless for the next 40mins and Northampton seemed the better team, fortunate with the OG, 2nd half was awful football although the 3rd goal was a nice bit of play.

Vic was actually the best i have seen him play but still awful, midfield was invisible but at least we won eh?.

Northampton were the 'better team' for all of 10 minutes, in the first half their keeper pulled of a great save to deny Thompson, Vic was unlucky with his effort just wide of the post, and a few more efforts on target. We also had a possible penalty shout.  The own goal was caused by getting the ball in quickly to the danger area and making them play facing their goal, a bit fortune, but all OG can be considered as such. 

The 2nd half was pretty shit though 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

1 hour ago, desperado said:

He’s been excellent these last couple of games. We’ve not missed Dion…so far…

I was banging the drum for Sheehan to start last night, but he, along with the other two, never really got to grips with controlling the middle of the park.

TBH it can keep playing out that way, if that’s the end result!

But just a little concern moving forwards that if we start with our 3 best central midfielders, you’d like to see them have a bit more of the ball and dictate play a bit further up.

But then again could it have been a purposeful tactic from JD and team for them to play further back and protect the defence, as we didn’t afford them many chances?

Fair play to Northampton too, as I thought it was probably more to do with them forcing us back that meant it played out the way it did.

Another game where I’m absolutely chuffed for JD and his team, they deserve a massive amount of credit 👏

 

Exactly who they are will always be debated.

What is more important, is the best midfield group, and how effective it is.

Pretty much all season, when Sheehan is part of it, it hasn't been as effective as it was earlier mast season. 

Historically, him and Morley together hasn't been great.

My view is that with all the players we have for that sort of role, that at least one may go, and free up space for a different type. 

That's now up to the new manager to sort out.

[L/H White]

Thought the game was poor in the most part bar the goals, all on a big come down from the weekend I suspect 

That ball from Randall is a game changer and something we've cried out for, not sure any other of the squad have that in their locker, quality goal 

Onwards 

 

[kent_white]

Young lad looked decent at left back too from what I saw of him

[Johnnyrotten]

2 hours ago, auckland_bwfc said:

Last nights highlight was ESL singing the "heeey aaron morley" song before his late free kick.......

..and super Kev hearing it wrongly and giving us a wave 😆

Fooled me too coz I thought it was for Nolan and I briefly joined in!  The chant seemed to start in WSL and ESL caught onto it.  It would have seemed odd for WSL to randomly start singing a Morley song when they don't generally sing any others.

[masi 51]

16 minutes ago, desperado said:

Opinions I’m fine with.

Like I say it’s the way you go about it with such certainty that’s questionable. 

with such certainty.....I have to believe in my thoughts, but i have been wrong many, many times

[Eddie]

Solid win. Northampton were a tidy team and a lot better than I was expecting. We looked knackered for the most part (not a surprise after Saturday).

Our first was brilliant, thought we’d cruise it from there.

Their goal was actually a nice move but no surprise it came down our right. I like Des but he’s no defender, his positional sense going backwards is nonexistent - when you add to that that Jones is next to him as our weakest of the back 3 it makes for a bit of a shaky flank for them to attack.

Response for the rest of the 2nd half was very good, and although the finish for the 2nd was fortuitous it was great play by Collins (again).

2nd half we just looked leggy but defended really well for the most part (Forrester and Johnston look like different players). Really impressed with Murphy, looks very solid and adds some much needed height / physicality.

Collins goal is a thing of beauty - the run he makes initially to keep himself onside but open up so much of the pitch for Randall to put the ball into is top top class. Then to beat his man and stick it in the top corner was quality - but you almost expect it when he’s in that position. He is back on top form, his work rate is fantastic (still sprinting and chasing down long balls in the 93rd minute) and we should absolutely build the team around him.

The main thing that I think you can tell has changed with JD is the willingness to stick the early ball over the top, into the channels and get their defenders facing their own goals. Such a simple thing which was below Evatt but just proves how effective it is because funnily enough L1 defenders shit their pants when they’re facing their own goal with forwards chasing them down - it also makes Vic slightly effective because he can do it.

Main thing was the 3 points, keep the momentum and feel good going for the new man to come into.

[Johnnyrotten]

Seeing that nicely worked Tomo goal, the lack of marking from them is incredible, what were they expecting?  That's one reason I wouldn't want a legend like Nolan as manager because I wouldn't want to be on his back for basics like that.  But for a world class save Tomo would have had another from a similar situation, 11 men back and nobody marking him, Nolan obviously doesn't see him as a threat.  If he'd been playing now he would have have had a field day waiting on the edge for a free pot shot.

[JimmyRiddle]

25 minutes ago, Eddie said:

The main thing that I think you can tell has changed with JD is the willingness to stick the early ball over the top, into the channels and get their defenders facing their own goals. Such a simple thing which was below Evatt but just proves how effective it is because funnily enough L1 defenders shit their pants when they’re facing their own goal with forwards chasing them down - it also makes Vic slightly effective because he can do it.

This absolutely, but also think it goes hand in hand with us not holding such a high line defensively too.

I've never understood Evatt's insistence on leaving Santos isolated to push high, as rarely paid attacking dividends as everything became too compact.

As for yesterday, it was a bit scrappy but seemed we created as many proper chances than we have done for months, whilst maintaining a conventional defence, who knew!! 🤔

 

Edited January 29, 2025 by JimmyRiddle

[worthy10]

56 minutes ago, Whitestar said:

My thoughts exactly!

Well worked goal from the corner then we reverted to clueless for the next 40mins and Northampton seemed the better team, fortunate with the OG, 2nd half was awful football although the 3rd goal was a nice bit of play.

Vic was actually the best i have seen him play but still awful, midfield was invisible but at least we won eh?.

Using a target man, Vic has the monopoly. That was as good as Vic gets, to push on in that area, we need a better target man. He's well paid to be a pro footballer but it is cringingly embarrassing to see his limitations exposed. 

[ianofcleveleys]

38 minutes ago, Eddie said:

The main thing that I think you can tell has changed with JD is the willingness to stick the early ball over the top, into the channels and get their defenders facing their own goals. Such a simple thing which was below Evatt but just proves how effective it is because funnily enough L1 defenders shit their pants when they’re facing their own goal with forwards chasing them down - it also makes Vic slightly effective because he can do it.

Bang on, was droning on about this months ago, the overcomplicated way Evatt was going about things overrated the ability of most L1 defenders. They're at their worst in that sort of situation and the ones where they're chasing back towards their own goal and the ball is fired across hard and fast, as with last night's OG. 

That sort of ball from Randall (Morley can see them too), with the right player on the end of it, is more than enough for half of L1 defences to cope with

[Eddie]

15 minutes ago, JimmyRiddle said:

This absolutely, but also think it goes hand in hand with us not holding such a high line defensively too.

I've never understood Evatt's insistence on leaving Santos isolated to push high, as rarely paid attacking dividends as everything became too compact.

As for yesterday, it was a bit scrappy but seemed we created as many proper chances than we have done for months, whilst maintaining a conventional defence, who knew!! 🤔

 

Really good point, all of a sudden there’s more space for our better footballers further up the pitch to play, rather than all the space being at right and left centre back which means they’re being asked to be the most important players with the ball at feet (and as proved in the last 2 games, they just want to throw their bodies at things and battle for headers).

Another thing that it offers is space to get shots away. Collins had a really speculative shot about 15/20 mins in. It ended up being comfortable for the keeper but the fact that he received it to feet, in a bit of space and had the thought to turn and get a shot away was a very welcome sight.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Seeing that nicely worked Tomo goal, the lack of marking from them is incredible, what were they expecting?  That's one reason I wouldn't want a legend like Nolan as manager because I wouldn't want to be on his back for basics like that.  But for a world class save Tomo would have had another from a similar situation, 11 men back and nobody marking him, Nolan obviously doesn't see him as a threat.  If he'd been playing now he would have have had a field day waiting on the edge for a free pot shot.

We scored a well worked goal, and wouldn't want a manager that allowed it to happen?

Arsenal have scored many from corner routines, against many decent managers 

[masi 51]

25 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

We scored a well worked goal, and wouldn't want a manager that allowed it to happen?

Arsenal have scored many from corner routines, against many decent managers 

Great point Arteta  and more to the point Gabriel have worked Zonal marking out......Would be man marking against Arsenal with one in front and one behind Gabriel.

Nolan may one day return and Manage Bolton now is not the right time

[Johnnyrotten]

52 minutes ago, JimmyRiddle said:

This absolutely, but also think it goes hand in hand with us not holding such a high line defensively too.

I've never understood Evatt's insistence on leaving Santos isolated to push high, as rarely paid attacking dividends as everything became too compact.

As for yesterday, it was a bit scrappy but seemed we created as many proper chances than we have done for months, whilst maintaining a conventional defence, who knew!! 🤔

 

Agree with that.  But regarding the "not such a high line" - agreed in open play - but when Northampton had that late free kick we did exactly the same as we did v Barnsley and Charlton which led directly to losing both games.  As soon as its knocked into the massive space between defence and keeper you're in trouble, I'm sure there are benefits with it too but its not worked too well for us so far.  Presume JD has just let the players get on with what they've been used to under IE because I didn't notice any change at all to our defending of set pieces, which has been terrible all season.

[Johnnyrotten]

32 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

We scored a well worked goal, and wouldn't want a manager that allowed it to happen?

Arsenal have scored many from corner routines, against many decent managers 

I wouldn't be happy for that goal to be scored against us, even though its a well worked routine.  Like the one Shrewsbury scored from (twice in 2 games against us), so preventable, even though the shots were superb.  Not taking anything away from our goal at all, they gave us the opportunity and we took full advantage.  Same with Tomo's volley, an unbelievable shot, but it doesn't happen if he's marked.

FWIW I'm not saying I wouldn't want a manager just based on one tactic - Schumacher might do exactly the same but I'd still want him - just saying I wouldn't want an ex legend as manager because I want to keep it as it is rather than it turning sour as with Coyle for eg.  I'm sure Nolan will be a decent manager but it usually goes pear shaped eventually and that would be a shame.

[Ani]

As well as the willingness to get the ball forward in a more direct way, I think the biggest difference is the tempo. Under IE things just got slower, so teams back off, get organised and then press so when the ball is eventually played forward everyone is marked and the ball is either given away or knocked back to our defenders. 
 

I do not think there has been a massive change in our formation but the players do appear to be playing with a lot less pressure on and from there are finding some form and confidence. 
 

Of the players currently available I think Morley, Captain Legohead and Sheehan are the best 3 but it is not quite gelled yet, if it can we should have a very strong second half of the season. 

[superjohnmcginlay]

Just seen a tweet (x) saying that we used the training ground routine far too early in the game. 

 

 

 

 

[Johnnyrotten]

2 hours ago, kent_white said:

Young lad looked decent at left back too from what I saw of him

Yes, very composed, and won a load of headers too which is a bonus for a left back.

[Stig]

4 hours ago, masi 51 said:

Like most on Saturday i winced at  the team selection....What nobody picked up on including me is that he picked players who want to play for the shirt and can dig deep. It is obvious that the tippy tappy way has  been discarded and Southwood has been instructed to start going long. The new manager will play whatever system he wants but i think 5 at the back has been a big negative. I think Forrester and Johnston look solid being asked to defend and not draw opposition forwards on to them. We certainly would be better with a back 4, though we currently cannot go two up top. Would like to see Murphy given a chance at left back...Forrester at right back and Johnston with Either Santos or toal in the centre with whoever plays in the centre to never take the ball from the keeper. A midfield 4 would make us stronger with Schon and Desmond out wide......Schon can defend and get forward but Desmonds defending is woeful he is a winger and a bloody good one at that.  Morley and Thomason in the centre. The front two is the main problem Collins picks himself but currently we have no one good enough to play at the side of him. That leaves one place to play in the 10 behind Collins...One place for Randall, Sheehan, Mcatee or Lolos

A good problem to have for the new manager

Agree in general a 4 at the back should work better as even in these 2 wins I've thought the wingback positions looked a problem. But for me, Forrester has done more than enough to show he can be one of the 2 CBs. Alongside him you'd play Johnston at the minute with Toal as cover for either. 

Santos doesn't seem to have his head in it and I'd only want full blooded committed players playing now.