Northampton Town (A)

[ianofcleveleys]

26 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

If he is going to keep with the same system every week like Evatt did he has to build his team around Erhahon and Simons and never ever move either.  

Where I'm at by and large, especially away from home. They give a steadier foundation and screen for the back four.  Easy to level that they aren't the most creative but they give a platform for others, get us the ball back a lot and look after it well. 

The right back issue when Cogley went off has been threatening to bite us on the arse for a while, it was left very late to get cover in, and then its someone who's taking the best part of a couple of months to get fit, even, apparently, to do 25 mins off the bench. I'd still sooner have put a defender there (Toal) than shift Simons

[masi 51]

6 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Where I'm at by and large, especially away from home. They give a steadier foundation and screen for the back four.  Easy to level that they aren't the most creative but they give a platform for others, get us the ball back a lot and look after it well. 

The right back issue when Cogley went off has been threatening to bite us on the arse for a while, it was left very late to get cover in, and then its someone who's taking the best part of a couple of months to get fit, even, apparently, to do 25 mins off the bench. I'd still sooner have put a defender there (Toal) than shift Simons

In what world would you leave a international defender on the bench all be it he is a centre back and put a midfielder there instead. Toal would fit in easy at right back in my opinion and i have stated such before

[desperado]

38 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

How many League One teams are mid-table in October and aren't winning 3-0 in the Championship a year later?

At the start of the season everyone generally picks 10 games as a point to assess where we're at. We're 11th, 8 points and a game in hand behind Stevenage. It's fair enough to say that's poor. I don't think the reaction on here is OTT.

That's not to say we can't go on a run and have a great season. But the time to give credit for that would be when it actually happens.

Lots I agree with there;

- Yesterdays defeat manifests itself as a poor start after 10 games 

- The general reaction on here isn’t OTT (I regularly make this point after a defeat) 

- We could go on a run and still have a great season.

And it’s that final point which can be thrown into solidifying my opinion that it’s too early for some fans being so categoric, whichever extreme some are going to.

And that was the crux of my pissed up post last night - the posters writing off or making a judgment now, that SS isn’t good enough and isn’t the man is IMO wrong. It looks to me that some have nailed their colours to the mast and will make it known after every defeat/game we don’t win.

The Charlton situation this time last year was the best example to use to make my point that managers can make a poor start but still challenge for promotion. 

[Whitesince63]

5 minutes ago, desperado said:

Lots I agree with there;

- Yesterdays defeat manifests itself as a poor start after 10 games 

- The general reaction on here isn’t OTT (I regularly make this point after a defeat) 

- We could go on a run and still have a great season.

And it’s that final point which can be thrown into solidifying my opinion that it’s too early for some fans being so categoric, whichever extreme some are going to.

And that was the crux of my pissed up post last night - the posters writing off or making a judgment now, that SS isn’t good enough and isn’t the man is IMO wrong. It looks to me that some have nailed their colours to the mast and will make it known after every defeat/game we don’t win.

The Charlton situation this time last year was the best example to use to make my point that managers can make a poor start but still challenge for promotion. 

I don’t think many are writing off SS just questioning some of his judgements. Yesterday, however he tries to defend it, I think Schu made a big mistake in changing the side who looked so good last week at Wigan and replacing Erhahon with Sheehan in a game which he stated was going to be so physical. He then fills his bench with attacking players rather than a couple of defensive options if needed, which they certainly were yesterday, then still doesn’t use the one defender he does have when another defender goes off. Bonkers to me but none of this means I personally want Schu gone, or I’ve lost faith in him, just that I hope he’s big enough to accept yesterday he got it wrong as every manager does from time to time.

[Rizlar]

Posters asking for SS to be replaced is daft but he messed up yesterday and needs to learn that Sheehan is no use in a midfield 2 and he should have started with the same team from last Saturday. 
 

On the defeat of Wigan they will be in a relegation fight so I am not of the opinion we where outstanding against them as that was the weakest Wigan team I have seen in a long time.

As for SS he need to start getting results away from home has up to now it just is not good enough for promotion. 

[little whitt]

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

Schumacher was the manager i wanted  the moment Stoke sacked him months before Evatts departure.

Delighted when we got him and thought initially we would get into the play-offs last season. It was too late though players had thrown the towel in and we had awful luck with injuries.

The last 3 months of the season bothered me not we had players who just wanted to get away from the club and we had a team where we could only play one system.

Schumacher stated he would be flexible with systems and had played a variety getting Plymouth Promoted two seasons ago....Again Music to my ears.

Markham followed Evatt out and the announcement we had Harkin coming in was also well received.

The summer transfer window came and we had a great turn around with players going out as well in. Have we better than last seasons? I would say yes overall but not in every position.  Up front and the keeper the Jury is out. What i will say we have players who are young and improving . TSL is certainly one and he is not our player....He will get better maybe if we are to stick with him we should approach Chelsea and see about extending the loan deal too two years.....That would give him confidence and we may see the best of him. Gale is another who will get better his pace and control are already there for all to see it is just his crossing and decisions that need working on. The last one is Burstow who seems a confidence player and that miss was in his head all game....I think Schumacher kept him on just to give him a vote of confidence

The defence unit is average at best and need investment  Conway and Firino aside......And no i am not knocking the others they are just average lge1 players.

Taylor and Christy may improve us as maybe Toal but finding places for them seem impossible in Schumacher rigid 4/2/3/1

Not starting Erhahon yesterday was a major mistake by Schumacher alongside Simons those two are like peas in pods

Yes they are limited  but they are both the best at what they do and give the front 4 freedom to express themselves

Sheehan is neat and tidy but every manager in the league has him worked out.....Morley is a improvement on Sheehan but again offers not much more than decent dead balls and another where it is hard to find a spot for him.

Moving Simons to right back was Sunday morning park kind of pissed up manager thing and not a level headed choice.

We are ten games in and we have played the same system for ten games none of the so called multi systems he has said worked at Plymouth.

 

If he is going to keep with the same system every week like Evatt did he has to build his team around Erhahon and Simons and never ever move either.  

Was 100% behind Schumacher that is down to 75% and i hope he can learn very quick from yesterday because the tide will turn very quick with our support

I hope these are just Teething problems that wont be repeated

THIS

[desperado]

9 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

In what world would you leave an international defender on the bench all be it he is a centre back and put a midfielder there instead. Toal would fit in easy at right back in my opinion and i have stated such before

Apologies if already discussed. But SS did this earlier in the season, move Simons to full back, think it was Barnsley.

McGinlay called it on comms too.

So it’s hardly in the category of being the monumental crazy decision you’re making it out to be

Yes we can look back in retrospect and say he got it wrong, or in your case why didn’t SS follow your advice pre-game regarding Toal.

The world where the international defender stays on the bench is the world where (i) We want to keep attacking players on to win our first away game (ii) We’re not losing and have the initiative (iii) At the time we don’t need that protection (iv) It’s another square peg in a round hole (v) We’ve done this before (albeit against 10 men) to good effect.

Don’t misinterpret this as he got it right (clearly he didn’t) or that I 100% agreed with it at the time.

But it wasn’t a decision from a crazy parallel world. 

[desperado]

5 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

I don’t think many are writing off SS j

To make it clear I’m not saying many are writing him off

I made a point two posts above that most discussion/criticism/concern is fair.

There’s a small minority who are categoric on writing him off/not liking him/not wanting him as manager. 
 

 

[Zico]

11 hours ago, Ani said:

3 points from 5 games is awful. 

Especially when you're the dominant team 

Win at home, draw away, and you'll go up 

Just need to stop conceding first and more clinical up top 

Plenty time yet

[Tonge moor green jacket]

41 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

In what world would you leave a international defender on the bench all be it he is a centre back and put a midfielder there instead. Toal would fit in easy at right back in my opinion and i have stated such before

I'd certainly prefer that to Simons.

Only as an emergency though.

Even three centre halves, as an emergency, would have been better.

[masi 51]

32 minutes ago, desperado said:

Apologies if already discussed. But SS did this earlier in the season, move Simons to full back, think it was Barnsley.

McGinlay called it on comms too.

So it’s hardly in the category of being the monumental crazy decision you’re making it out to be

Yes we can look back in retrospect and say he got it wrong, or in your case why didn’t SS follow your advice pre-game regarding Toal.

The world where the international defender stays on the bench is the world where (i) We want to keep attacking players on to win our first away game (ii) We’re not losing and have the initiative (iii) At the time we don’t need that protection (iv) It’s another square peg in a round hole (v) We’ve done this before (albeit against 10 men) to good effect.

Don’t misinterpret this as he got it right (clearly he didn’t) or that I 100% agreed with it at the time.

But it wasn’t a decision from a crazy parallel world. 

So having two defenders on the bench one a international and. One who can play all along the backline is not a crazy decision because Mcginlay called it because Schumacher had done it previously.

I very much doubt he reads this forum and he certainly would not take mine or others advice.......That does not mean i am wrong.

Mcginley was only picking up what had gone on previously , not sure he would agree on it

Again if you want a attacking full back Taylor was the obvious person

I doubt that cross comes in for the first goal if Taylor is right back.

And as for the penalty i do not want ACD or Gale anywhere near our 18 yard box they are both a liability there

Edited September 28, 2025 by masi 51

[Cheese]

8 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

So having two defenders on the bench one a international and. One who can play all along the backline is not a crazy decision because Mcginlay called it because Schumacher had done it previously.

I very much doubt he reads this forum and he certainly would not take mine or others advice.......That does not mean i am wrong.

Mcginley was only picking up what had gone on previously , not sure he would agree on it

Again if you want a attacking full back Taylor was the obvious person

I doubt that cross comes in for the first goal if Taylor is right back.

And as for the penalty i do not want ACD or Gale anywhere near our 18 yard box they are both a liability there

That would be a great point if Taylor had been available.

[masi 51]

8 minutes ago, Cheese said:

That would be a great point if Taylor had been available.

He was available forgot he was not on the bench..........Maybe his substitutes should include players who can play in more than one position.

Pointless having Toal on the bench if he can cover only two of the back 4 positions and excluding Taylor who can cover all four.

[athywhite1958]

I haven't read through the posts but yesterday was dire, but I will be at Burton

[desperado]

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

is not a crazy decision because Mcginlay called it because Schumacher had done it previously

It was one amongst 5/6 reasons I stated in claiming it wasn’t as crazy a decision as you are trying to make out. 

At no point am I saying that I agree, McGinlay agrees, that in the future he shouldn’t do the things you are suggesting, that he won’t reflect back and do things differently, that using a defender as RB shouldnt happen or that SS got it right and shouldnt be criticised/questioned….

Just simply that it wasn’t an out of this world, incomprehensible decision.

Another thing I disagree with you on is “having ACD nowhere near our 18 yard box.” Both yesterday and throughout the season, he’s done some good tracking back and defending, something we need our wide men to do in this system.

I think it’s another example where you go full on extreme and actually end up creating the exact thing you are questioning! 😂- A bonkers/crazy/out of this world scenario where ACD stops tracking back mid-run because you don’t want him anywhere near the box 🤣

Surely you see it would be more realistic, practical and sensible to talk and coach him to do something better next time? That’s why he’s here in L1 to learn.

It’s actually debatable how much blame and criticism you put on him and whether actually it was a foul. At worst he’s been caught out with the guy coming on his blindside and turning into him as he attempts to clear - something he can learn from.

One mistake and you want him banishing from our box 😂

Edited September 28, 2025 by desperado

[DazBob]

Unsurprisingly, some massive overreactions on here.

Yes, it was a poor performance, but if we'd taken just one of the 3 sitters we had, plus if ACD had played in Forss for a really simple chance rather than blasting it over the bar we'd have won comfortably.

SS made a mistake in changing the midfield and I'm sure he knows that. Also, whilst Gale's end product was poor, their defence was petrified of him. Once Cissoko came on it was too easy for them.

[Farnywhite]

Having Taylor or Christie on the bench would of been a better option than rewarding mactee for half a good game against a bunch off kids 

[L/H White]

Inconsistency will kill our season 

Not much change from last year so far

 

[DaisyHWanderer]

3 hours ago, desperado said:

Lots I agree with there;

- Yesterdays defeat manifests itself as a poor start after 10 games 

- The general reaction on here isn’t OTT (I regularly make this point after a defeat) 

- We could go on a run and still have a great season.

And it’s that final point which can be thrown into solidifying my opinion that it’s too early for some fans being so categoric, whichever extreme some are going to.

And that was the crux of my pissed up post last night - the posters writing off or making a judgment now, that SS isn’t good enough and isn’t the man is IMO wrong. It looks to me that some have nailed their colours to the mast and will make it known after every defeat/game we don’t win.

The Charlton situation this time last year was the best example to use to make my point that managers can make a poor start but still challenge for promotion. 

Some will never be happy no matter what.

[Dr. Feelgood]

There is no doubt we have better players, a better squad & producing more entertaining football than last season. There is no doubt that Schuey is a better human being than Evatt. No-one is baying for blood.

But 3 wins in 10 (something like 4 in 20 including last season) is not good. It's distinctly mid table ... which is, not coincidentally, where we are. It is improvable & he has people's general favour, but he has to start turning this around.

Starting by scoring when we're on top & recognising that Simons & Erhahon should anchor the centre.

[Whitestar]

Gotta step back, have a sensible look and admit that Schumacher' record so far at BWFC is quite pish.

[masi 51]

2 hours ago, desperado said:

It was one amongst 5/6 reasons I stated in claiming it wasn’t as crazy a decision as you are trying to make out. 

At no point am I saying that I agree, McGinlay agrees, that in the future he shouldn’t do the things you are suggesting, that he won’t reflect back and do things differently, that using a defender as RB shouldnt happen or that SS got it right and shouldnt be criticised/questioned….

Just simply that it wasn’t an out of this world, incomprehensible decision.

Another thing I disagree with you on is “having ACD nowhere near our 18 yard box.” Both yesterday and throughout the season, he’s done some good tracking back and defending, something we need our wide men to do in this system.

I think it’s another example where you go full on extreme and actually end up creating the exact thing you are questioning! 😂- A bonkers/crazy/out of this world scenario where ACD stops tracking back mid-run because you don’t want him anywhere near the box 🤣

Surely you see it would be more realistic, practical and sensible to talk and coach him to do something better next time? That’s why he’s here in L1 to learn.

It’s actually debatable how much blame and criticism you put on him and whether actually it was a foul. At worst he’s been caught out with the guy coming on his blindside and turning into him as he attempts to clear - something he can learn from.

One mistake and you want him banishing from our box 😂

We will agree to disagree on both ACD and Gale tracking back. Yesterday was not the first time ACD has caught a opposition player in his own box think he has done it twice before and got away with it.

Most teams in lge1 play a low block against us and do not commit players forward unless our wingers track back they then follow them.

All Northampton did in the second half was punt it long to Fornah who was causing Cogley problems but did not really have the quality to hurt us until he caught Cogley and forcing him off

Not blaming ACD at all it was like you say on his blindside, but i would rather see him on the halfway line

[wakey]

I'll give it 3 games of Erhahon and Simons together in midfield before you're all moaning about it.

Erhahon seems to have become some mythical beast who goes round twatting everyone and winning possession back all over the pitch.

So for context, FOTMOB do player stats (you know, the stuff they actually do).

Here's a comparison of Sheehan and Erhahon per 90 minutes over the last 365 days (comparison with players in similar positions in the same league, higher the% the better).

Touches    Sheehan 81%  Erhahon  60%

Chances created  60%  43%

Shot attempts  71%  4%

Goals  54%  0%

Aerial duals won  18%  50%

Defensive contributions  33%  36%

 

Or if tackling is his great advantage, Erhahon has 0.9 successful tackles per game at success rate of 47.1% vs Sheehan 0.7 at 46.5%.

They're both good players with different attributes, but we're not suddenly impenetrable because we've replaced Sheehan with Erhahon.

[Johnnyrotten]

6 hours ago, ianofcleveleys said:

SS gave his reasons for Sheehan coming in, FWIW I wouldn't have seen it like that, bit of overthinking. but it's what it is, can't be undone now. Burstow missed a game changing sitter, hasn't done that all season up to now, not a reason to doubt him either.

I'm not sure he's had any chances to compare with that one has he?  ie one on one v the keeper, where the striker has time to think.  He's scored 2 tap in's to an open goal (Plymouth/Wimbledon), a shot that took a deflection (Reading) which wasn't really a "chance", an instinctive finish v Blackpool (good finish, no time to think) and that superb run and finish last week.  I've yet to see him put through and have a chance to  assess his ability to take chances when eg running onto a pass and weighing up the keeper's position. 

I don't know if we've signed him to be a goalscorer in a Collins/Charles way, we are yet to find out if his biggest strength is as a Kev Davies type centre forward/focal point or if he needs to be top scorer to justify his place in the team above Dalby etc.  

[Casino]

21 hours ago, Eddie said:

Burstow scores when he’s got weeks with his chance then we win the game. We were shite, but we were still the better team and should have won.

Aye, the defeat is on burstow for me, but hes banked a little bit of credit

And, if we judge conway in the way folk go after the rest of the back 4, their first is on him