Really is a big game this.

Heading to the abyss of the season this is where we really do need to make a statement and start kicking on.

 

Just now, gonzo said:

We really missed Sheehan today.

Those who doubt his value only needed to have watched that today. There are bits of his game that are why he's at our level but more bits where he's arguably the best in the Division. Stevenage knew that on Tuesday and kicked him out of it

11 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

How does that work?  When we thrashed Wigan and Port Vale with 4 goals, that was the sign of a good team.  How is the sign of a good team if you need a 90th minute hand ball by the opposition to win?  

I'm as happy as you are with the 3 points, its not the sign of a good team, its just one L1 team getting a penalty near the end and the other not getting a break.  Same as when we beat Orient 2-1 last season with a late pen also, that wasn't the sign of a good team as proved by subsequent results, it was just a win that might have been a draw.

We might become a good team with a couple of good additions, but we aren't currently.

 

I think the rest of my post was making a similar point.

Good teams finding a way to win is a bit of a football cliche. And any time we win while playing shite someone will compare us to Wrexham/Derby (who I doubt were actually that shit that often to get 92 points) as though that's an inevitable destiny.

Realistically, if a team looks like a mediocre mid table/lower playoff type outfit then 99% of the time it's because that's what they are.

The only thing you can say for this group is that we do score a lot of late goals though.

9 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm sticking with Wigan away was bigger, I can't say I'm invested in whether SS uses the same formation as he did at Plymouth, we've won with both and had that dire game at Stevenage with 5 at the back.  Probably got promoted at Plymouth because he had better players.

If we had to replay those games this week and we could only choose to win one, Wigan every time for me but nobody has to agree. 

He didnt just play with 5 at the back at Plymouth, he played with 2 no 10's.

It's the first time this season we've done that, and it looked good, keeping in mind the players in no 10 werent even proper no10's

1 hour ago, bwfc4ife said:

I thought it was Erhahon that slipped it through? He then gave the ball away in a dangerous area when they scored 

To be fair, he did lose it, but was played into an awful position by Gale I think

1 minute ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm guessing @Tonge moor green jacket confused it with the almost identical pass from McAtee to Gale in the same position which Gale wasted.  One pass becomes an assist, one becomes a pass nobody remembers.  That was McAtee's best minute, he burst forward from our half and linked play a couple of times, but as someone who wanted him in the team, I have to say he was disappointing today, the worst he's looked all season.  Very rare for a no.10 to start a game this season and look any good, coming on as sub seems to bring out better performances. 

He’s not a 10 though. He’s simply not good enough at football to play as a 10. He tries hard and I think he can see what he wants to do, he’s just not good enough to execute very often.

If he’s anything, from what I’ve seen at him since he’s been with us, is a striker playing off the shoulder - probably as one of two up top. He makes some semi intelligent runs and has shown a few times that he can finish, but he looks generally poor the longer he has possession of the ball.

This isn’t me defending him as being a really good player just out of position (he’s generally been shit and occasionally moves towards average/good, but it’s rare) - I just think if we are to ever see him at his best then it’s alongside Dalby as a 2, rather than trying to link between midfield and the forward.

42 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Oh, & the keeper.

Certainly better that TSL but on 4 occasions he passed to someone in the D who was marked.

Let's hope he's got that out of his system. 

At the start of the season I think the assumption was that TSL was a step up on last season, otherwise why did we sign him.  Then game after game he didn't make a save, and the pro-TSLs were bigging up any little save he made as if it was game-changing.  Similarly, we need some evidence that Bonham can make some saves before anyone can say if he's any good or not.  Appearing confident isn't enough, TSL was good at taking crosses and hitting 40 yard passes.

26 minutes ago, desperado said:

Honestly - I believe, you think, you should be managing in the premiership.

Did you watch and see Gale’s goal today where he went on the outside and scored with his left foot??!!

 

Gale scoring was after ACD came off, Tutu moved into his position and made the pitch wider, this created room for Gale after half time and he caught them with their minds still in the dressing room. 

The fact this is rarer than unicorn shit should tell you this is an issue.

14 minutes ago, Leyther_Matt said:

A win’s a win.

Dalby MOM for me but thought Erhahon was excellent, too. We do need to find someone how to keep the ball ticking over if Sheehan isn’t playing, though.

Absolutely crying out for Dalby to play in a front two, preferably alongside Burstow but I’d have no issues in McAtee having half an hour up there every week.

I think Bonham started getting a bit panicky when the crowd were getting restless, and the little carry on between him and Johnston could really have cost us on another day so hopefully they’ll figure that one out in the video session.

Thought Christie did well considering he can’t run, but we need to be looking at 3-5-2 going forward.

All means nowt if we don’t get a win on Tuesday. 

Agree with all of that on Dalby, EE, McAtee, Bonham and Christie.

I don't agree with your last sentence.  If we draw on Tuesday, that's 8 points from 4 games.  If we'd drawn today as well, 6 points from 4.  Could be the difference between play offs and no play offs, those 3 points today are big even if we lose 3-0 to Burton.

4 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

Gale scoring was after ACD came off, Tutu moved into his position and made the pitch wider, this created room for Gale after half time and he caught them with their minds still in the dressing room. 

The fact this is rarer than unicorn shit should tell you this is an issue.

Or.

Dalby won a scrappy header when they weren’t set, their defender then weirdly missed the ball when also trying to head it, that then meant that Erhahon had an obvious ball to Gale, he went outside for the first time in the game and created half a yard for a good finish.

It was nowt to do with ACD vs Tutu. There was no switch of play, there was no stretching of the width, it was a good header and an Orient mistake that opened the opportunity up.

4 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Bonham can make some saves before anyone can say if he's any good or not. 

Or not make a save  . It’s when he is called open that matters .  Stevenage he got bailed out by the off line clearance when he came out for the ball and it fumbled past him and had one shot today and it went in . He has not had a lot to do save wise but not sure about him yet 

1 minute ago, Eddie said:

he went outside for the first time in the game...

 

I think that's the first time all season i've seen him go on the outside. 

You play 4231 because it allows you flexability, the problem we have is we havent been being flexible. So you get the downsides to that formation without the upsides. 

Gale going on the outside is that flexability, this is the first time we've seen it, that is the problem.

 

17 minutes ago, Tombwfc said:

 

I think the rest of my post was making a similar point.

Good teams finding a way to win is a bit of a football cliche. And any time we win while playing shite someone will compare us to Wrexham/Derby (who I doubt were actually that shit that often to get 92 points) as though that's an inevitable destiny.

Realistically, if a team looks like a mediocre mid table/lower playoff type outfit then 99% of the time it's because that's what they are.

The only thing you can say for this group is that we do score a lot of late goals though.

Yes, agree entirely.  Lots of teams in the 92 will have won a scruffy game by the odd goal today, and it doesn't make them a good team.  And yes the late goals are very welcome.  Last 7 wins v 11 men, include one 4-0 and the other 6 all by the odd goal where we've scored the winner in the last 10 minutes or so.  That's a great habit to get into that we haven't always had.

21 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

Gale scoring was after ACD came off, Tutu moved into his position and made the pitch wider, this created room for Gale after half time and he caught them with their minds still in the dressing room. 

The fact this is rarer than unicorn shit should tell you this is an issue.

 

15 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Or.

Dalby won a scrappy header when they weren’t set, their defender then weirdly missed the ball when also trying to head it, that then meant that Erhahon had an obvious ball to Gale, he went outside for the first time in the game and created half a yard for a good finish.

It was nowt to do with ACD vs Tutu. There was no switch of play, there was no stretching of the width, it was a good header and an Orient mistake that opened the opportunity up.

Fair play @Eddie another one who offers some balance.

It could be that or a number of reasons Gale scored that goal. 

Fact is, he did score it. A goal with his left foot, going on the outside. @Zog1 will only believe it’s his reason this happened. Nothing to do with SS or his tactics. 

He believes he knows more about this side and the tactics they should be playing. 

 

Edited January 24Jan 24 by desperado

24 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

He didnt just play with 5 at the back at Plymouth, he played with 2 no 10's.

It's the first time this season we've done that, and it looked good, keeping in mind the players in no 10 werent even proper no10's

I'll agree to disagree.  The only thing that looked good to me today were the 2 goals, the defending in the last 10 minutes, the final whistle and the first pint of the evening.

2 minutes ago, Zog1 said:

I think that's the first time all season i've seen him go on the outside. 

You play 4231 because it allows you flexability, the problem we have is we havent been being flexible. So you get the downsides to that formation without the upsides. 

Gale going on the outside is that flexability, this is the first time we've seen it, that is the problem.

 

That’s not what you were saying though. You said it was because ACD had gone off and Tutu was stretching the game because he’s right footed on that side.

As for Gale going on the outside - I think everybody agrees that the wingers would be better doing it more often to add that variety, but to suggest it’s the first time in the whole season that Gale has gone on the outside of a full back either means that today is the first game you’ve watched this season, or you’re massively over exaggerating to make your point - I’d imagine it’s the latter.

I generally agree with your point that the 451 wasn’t working, I just think you’re trying too hard in trying to prove why and how you know so much better.

5 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'll agree to disagree.  The only thing that looked good to me today were the 2 goals, the defending in the last 10 minutes, the final whistle and the first pint of the evening.

I’ll add

- Our competitors around us largely failing today 

- Going up to third

- Bairstow grabbing the ball with confidence to despatch the penalty

- I thought Erhahon had a good game today. 

- The tribute to those who have passed in the last year. RIP @CSW 🙏 

- As always having a good drink with my BWFC friends and family*
 

*I know you are probably only referring to on-field activities, but BWFC is so much more than that.  

 

27 minutes ago, Eddie said:

He’s not a 10 though. He’s simply not good enough at football to play as a 10. He tries hard and I think he can see what he wants to do, he’s just not good enough to execute very often.

If he’s anything, from what I’ve seen at him since he’s been with us, is a striker playing off the shoulder - probably as one of two up top. He makes some semi intelligent runs and has shown a few times that he can finish, but he looks generally poor the longer he has possession of the ball.

This isn’t me defending him as being a really good player just out of position (he’s generally been shit and occasionally moves towards average/good, but it’s rare) - I just think if we are to ever see him at his best then it’s alongside Dalby as a 2, rather than trying to link between midfield and the forward.

Good points well put.

The main point I was raising was that whoever plays up front (since October), whether that's a no.9, a 10, a lone striker or 1 of 2, we can count on the fingers of one hand how many good games they've had.   That includes Dalby, Burstow, Randall, Dempsey and anyone I've forgot, but coming off the bench there has been decent impact - Dalby, McAtee, Dempsey especially, less so Burstow who continues to look off the pace. 

We can debate McAtee being good enough, today wasn't a vote in his favour, but its hard to think of anyone else who's better, bottom line is we've gone backwards up front and it needs repairing in the next 9 days.

32 minutes ago, Farnywhite said:

Or not make a save  . It’s when he is called open that matters .  Stevenage he got bailed out by the off line clearance when he came out for the ball and it fumbled past him and had one shot today and it went in . He has not had a lot to do save wise but not sure about him yet 

Exactly.  Nobody knows, nothing to see here yet.

4 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Good points well put.

The main point I was raising was that whoever plays up front (since October), whether that's a no.9, a 10, a lone striker or 1 of 2, we can count on the fingers of one hand how many good games they've had.   That includes Dalby, Burstow, Randall, Dempsey and anyone I've forgot, but coming off the bench there has been decent impact - Dalby, McAtee, Dempsey especially, less so Burstow who continues to look off the pace. 

We can debate McAtee being good enough, today wasn't a vote in his favour, but its hard to think of anyone else who's better, bottom line is we've gone backwards up front and it needs repairing in the next 9 days.

Completely agree on all of that.

We’re getting a bit thin in a few places, but if we could only bring one player in in the next week then it would have to be a proper striker who can play off a big man, preferably with a record of scoring previously. They’re not cheap though so god knows whether it’s achievable.

8 minutes ago, desperado said:

I’ll add

- Our competitors around us largely failing today 

- Going up to third

- Bairstow grabbing the ball with confidence to despatch the penalty

- I thought Erhahon had a good game today. 

- The tribute to those who have passed in the last year. RIP @CSW 🙏 

- As always having a good drink with my BWFC friends and family*
 

*I know you are probably only referring to on-field activities, but BWFC is so much more than that.  

 

You are the most positive poster on here and your list that involves our actual match is as threadbare as its ever been after a win, that says a lot 😀

When the centre forward desperate for a goal asking to take a penalty is a main positive, there aren't many!

Happy to take the 3 points and in every other regard forget today happened, and move onto Burton.

And yes EE played well, some great interceptions and tackles especially that one near the end when Ballard was pulling the trigger.

That was fucking shite! Still don't think Schumacher knows what formation to play, just hope some new recruits can help us a along, far from convinced though.

7 hours ago, gonzo said:

Scanning tickets at the hotel. Never known that.

Scanned tickets into both indoor and outdoor fanzones too. Not bothered as I had a ticket but seems overkill for a game v Leyton Orient.

The new indoor fanzone is really good btw. Bit of a queue for beer with only 1 bar and I imagine more will pop up as it gets more embedded but it's adding to what's becoming a decent set up now for socialising around the stadium. Good work from the club

8 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

You are the most positive poster on here and your list that involves our actual match is as threadbare as its ever been after a win, that says a lot 😀

When the centre forward desperate for a goal asking to take a penalty is a main positive, there aren't many!

Happy to take the 3 points and in every other regard forget today happened, and move onto Burton.

And yes EE played well, some great interceptions and tackles especially that one near the end when Ballard was pulling the trigger.

Happy to take that 😊👍

But I’ll always back my positive realism up and (as my post on the other thread says) offer a balanced perspective. 

The way some go on, you wouldn’t think we were sat in 3rd, still in with a good shout of promotion. 

On another note, I thought the best player on the pitch was their left winger, Archibald.  I remember him from a couple of years ago as he had a great 2nd half that day with his assist and goal (a few mentioned him here on the match thread).  Today he scored, and deserved an assist with his crossing.  Left footed from the left wing, that'll never catch on.  His goal today was bizarrely similar to the one 2 years ago, at the same end.

 

2 minutes ago, Stig said:

Scanned tickets into both indoor and outdoor fanzones too. Not bothered as I had a ticket but seems overkill for a game v Leyton Orient.

The new indoor fanzone is really good btw. Bit of a queue for beer with only 1 bar and I imagine more will pop up as it gets more embedded but it's adding to what's becoming a decent set up now for socialising around the stadium. Good work from the club

Where is the indoor fanzone?