(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

Given the fact  we’ve gave Huddersfield a 10 point head start and Joe ‘R9’ Taylor. Let’s start again next season.

Edited January 10, 20251 yr by tomski

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Agreed, last season we should have got something at Derby and Wigan, the better team in both. 

We didn't deserve any other extra points 2nd half of last season IMO and probably deserved all our wins. 

The draws all seemed fair results from memory, no ridiculous mistakes or last minute goals conceded unless I've forgotten any. 

This season, we've lost and been 2nd best to Charlton, Exeter, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Stockport, Wigan and Barnsley.  Unlucky to lose at Mansfield.

Overall I'd say our results reflect our performances, and if anything the 3 welcome/enjoyable late winners have put a gloss on our points tally.

When we scored at Blackpool (Thomason), there was no sign of the calamity that was to follow. Even at 10 men for a spell we looked a better side.

I thought the Blackpool curse was going to be lifted.

But a combination of stupid mistakes and a poorer keeper put paid to any victory 

34 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

There's a bit of a line for me between games where we've been the better side and maybe had a goal ruled out, keeper's made some blinding saves, hit woodwork a couple of times and those where we've had 60+% possession and barely had an effort on target. We've had a fair few of the latter over the last year or so.

Exactly. I'd say Wigan and Derby away last season, just like Mansfield the other week, we deservedly got nothing.

Meaningless possession isn't dominating a match. 

Whereas Exeter away I can say we were unlucky to be behind as we'd made multiple chances. Still weren't "dominating" though 

1 hour ago, ianofcleveleys said:

There's a bit of a line for me between games where we've been the better side and maybe had a goal ruled out, keeper's made some blinding saves, hit woodwork a couple of times and those where we've had 60+% possession and barely had an effort on target. We've had a fair few of the latter over the last year or so.

Yes there's a big difference between having a load of possession without doing much (eg Carlisle at home) and those when we've genuinely been the better side and unlucky to win - Derby definitely, possibly Wigan away although I can't recall many chances. 

I think the nearest to one of those this season has been Mansfield arguably, but we haven't had any other "unlucky" defeats either this season or last have we?  1 or 2 draws maybe but none stand out from memory.

1 hour ago, thebells said:

😂you’re back. 

Honestly, what’s Vic done to you? This is a safe space where you can tell us all. 

To honestly answer your question; he's masquerades as a footballer. And my club is paying him, too much, to do that. IE  has had the club spend money to buy him in the first place and he duly feels obligated to give him every chance to show what he can do. And Victor just convinces me more, each time I watch him, that he is good at no element of what makes a player.

We are now stuck with him like a white elephant and that annoys me.

That's what he's done to me. 😤

1 hour ago, desperado said:

When we scored at Blackpool (Thomason), there was no sign of the calamity that was to follow. Even at 10 men for a spell we looked a better side.

I thought the Blackpool curse was going to be lifted.

But a combination of stupid mistakes and a poorer keeper put paid to any victory 

I had the same thoughts during the first half, we played well, deservedly 1 up, they then score a worldy, keeper makes a worldy save from JDB and CMG failed to equalise from 2 yards.  Ridiculous that we were losing at H-T, the better team.  And no fault by Coleman for either goal, also check out his save at 2-1, superb.  No question Coleman was rash coming out for the penalty/sending off/3rd goal.  But the way we started the 2nd half we deserved to concede. 

Its just hard to count it as a game we should have won when it finished 4-1!  We were 2-1 down and played awful 2nd half, that's always going to be a defeat.

Edited January 10, 20251 yr by Johnnyrotten

53 minutes ago, Stig said:

Exactly. I'd say Wigan and Derby away last season, just like Mansfield the other week, we deservedly got nothing.

Meaningless possession isn't dominating a match. 

Whereas Exeter away I can say we were unlucky to be behind as we'd made multiple chances. Still weren't "dominating" though 

If you can bear to watch the Derby highlights again, have a look because I'd say that was the one defeat this year that we definitely deserved to win.  Unbelievable save from their keeper and a few near misses, and they had one chance (our poor defensive organisation contributed).

The caveat would be that if we'd taken the lead in the first hour or so, its a different last half hour, we would have retreated and both teams would have made different types of subs, so its impossible to say we would have won. 

16 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I had the same thoughts during the first half, we played well, deservedly 1 up, they then score a worldy, keeper makes a worldy save from JDB and CMG failed to equalise from 2 yards.  Ridiculous that we were losing at H-T, the better team.  And no fault by Baxter for either goal, also check out his save at 2-1, superb.  No question Baxter was rash coming out for the penalty/sending off/3rd goal.  But the way we started the 2nd half we deserved to concede. 

Its just hard to count it as a game we should have won when it finished 4-1!  We were 2-1 down and played awful 2nd half, that's always going to be a defeat.

COLEMAN

20 minutes ago, worthy10 said:

To honestly answer your question; he's masquerades as a footballer. And my club is paying him, too much, to do that. IE  has had the club spend money to buy him in the first place and he duly feels obligated to give him every chance to show what he can do. And Victor just convinces me more, each time I watch him, that he is good at no element of what makes a player.

We are now stuck with him like a white elephant and that annoys me.

That's what he's done to me. 😤

He is as good as Clayton Donaldson and we didn’t pay half a million for Clayton. 

28 minutes ago, worthy10 said:

To honestly answer your question; he's masquerades as a footballer. And my club is paying him, too much, to do that. IE  has had the club spend money to buy him in the first place and he duly feels obligated to give him every chance to show what he can do. And Victor just convinces me more, each time I watch him, that he is good at no element of what makes a player.

We are now stuck with him like a white elephant and that annoys me.

That's what he's done to me. 😤

Fair enough mate. All about opinions. He’s no world beater but he was part of an excellent run we had up until Xmas last season and I thought he contributed well. He’s struggled this season (not the only one) but I think there’s a player in there. There was a game before Xmas (can’t recall who) where we went a little more direct and I thought he played well, but illness (if genuine) had stopped any momentum he might have got. 
 

You’ll get your way eventually when he leaves. But he’ll still hover around league one I expect. 
 

One other thing, and perhaps why I defend him. I know for a fact that if some of our squad took football as seriously as he does, we’d be better off this season than we are. Good pro who gets the best out of himself (even if not good enough for some). A couple of his attacking partners could learn from him. 

PTSD kicked in

36 minutes ago, Steejay said:

COLEMAN

Yeah, I've edited, I genuinely had to think what is name is and still got it wrong

31 minutes ago, thebells said:

Fair enough mate. All about opinions. He’s no world beater but he was part of an excellent run we had up until Xmas last season and I thought he contributed well. He’s struggled this season (not the only one) but I think there’s a player in there. There was a game before Xmas (can’t recall who) where we went a little more direct and I thought he played well, but illness (if genuine) had stopped any momentum he might have got. 
 

You’ll get your way eventually when he leaves. But he’ll still hover around league one I expect. 
 

One other thing, and perhaps why I defend him. I know for a fact that if some of our squad took football as seriously as he does, we’d be better off this season than we are. Good pro who gets the best out of himself (even if not good enough for some). A couple of his attacking partners could learn from him. 

Are you his agent?

What does he do well?

An honest hard working pro 👏

All about opinions, but he wouldn't trouble many div 2 defences.

37 minutes ago, thebells said:

Fair enough mate. All about opinions. He’s no world beater but he was part of an excellent run we had up until Xmas last season and I thought he contributed well. He’s struggled this season (not the only one) but I think there’s a player in there. There was a game before Xmas (can’t recall who) where we went a little more direct and I thought he played well, but illness (if genuine) had stopped any momentum he might have got. 
 

You’ll get your way eventually when he leaves. But he’ll still hover around league one I expect. 
 

One other thing, and perhaps why I defend him. I know for a fact that if some of our squad took football as seriously as he does, we’d be better off this season than we are. Good pro who gets the best out of himself (even if not good enough for some). A couple of his attacking partners could learn from him. 

We're at a level of football where trying hard and putting effort in isn't enough. Victor can run around and press and be a model professional but he doesn't score enough goals. Add to that his hold up play is below standard. You say there's a player in there but I'm not sure what your basing this on. Dion is a penalty box player. Victor is a 6 yard box player. He's a tap in merchant. Look at all his goals he's scored for us. Everyone 6 yard box. He needs everything on a plate for him. We can't afford to carry him. 

Edited January 10, 20251 yr by Arrested development

12 hours ago, gonzo said:

How many lads do you want back there? 

When defending Traditionally it’s two banks of four although I did see an unashamedly two banks of 5 from Dundee v Huns the other day which worked a treat.

But if your starting position is with two wing backs in attack, it means breaking only one line for our defence to be short staffed so either bolster the midfield with athletes that win challenges so the lines are never broken or change the system.

7 minutes ago, worthy10 said:

Are you his agent?

What does he do well?

An honest hard working pro 👏

All about opinions, but he wouldn't trouble many div 2 defences.

I’m not his agent, but I know. Not too fussed whether you choose to believe me or not. 
 

I was explaining part of my reason for defending him, not giving a reason why I think he’s the next Messi. 
 

As for being an honest hard working pro. It’s the least you’d expect isn’t it. You’d be surprised how many of our squad haven’t been in this first part of the season. 

8 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

We're at a level of football where trying hard and putting effort in isn't enough. Victor can run around and press and be a model professional but he doesn't score enough goals. Add to that his hold up play is below standard. You say there's a player in there but I'm not sure what your basing this on. Dion is a penalty box player. Victor is a 6 yard box player. He's a tap in merchant. Look at all his goals he's scored for us. Everyone 6 yard box. He needs everything on a plate for him. We can't afford to carry him. 

Ah fair enough. I don’t wan to open up a big Vic can of worms again. He’s better than some on here give him credit for in my opinion. And Worthy seems to have a genuine hatred of him 😂. 
 

Evatt will make his own mind up so I’ll leave it with him. 

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

If you can bear to watch the Derby highlights again, have a look because I'd say that was the one defeat this year that we definitely deserved to win.  Unbelievable save from their keeper and a few near misses, and they had one chance (our poor defensive organisation contributed).

The caveat would be that if we'd taken the lead in the first hour or so, its a different last half hour, we would have retreated and both teams would have made different types of subs, so its impossible to say we would have won. 

I think as well Reading away 1up first half dominating , Big Vic misses a very good chance (not quite a sitter but more on those later 😉). Let’s them back in the game end up losing , Exeter dominating but only 1 up at half time , end up needing a late goal to get a point .

In the last few months we have also missed real sitters at key points in games, most obvious was Dion at 0-0 at Pompey, he missed a similarly easy chance with a header at Orient, again at 0-0, JDB hit the post from 5 yards at Barnsley away. Last few games Schon missed the ball at 1-0 v Wigan, Collins even worse v Barnsley. Dion again at Mansfield from 3 yards, Lolos miss at Exeter not quite as bad as the others. 
 

I know teams often miss chances at this level but these have all been horrific at vital stages of games. You could throw in McAtee at 1-0 late on at Brum but that needed ‘scoring’ the others were virtually tap ins. 
 

I do not think we have been ‘unlucky’ as such but we have made some terrible attempts to score when a goal has looked a certainty. 

27 minutes ago, thebells said:

Ah fair enough. I don’t wan to open up a big Vic can of worms again. He’s better than some on here give him credit for in my opinion. And Worthy seems to have a genuine hatred of him 😂. 
 

Evatt will make his own mind up so I’ll leave it with him. 

 

Just now, worthy10 said:

 

What is he good at, or better at than any other player at, in your opinion.

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

If you can bear to watch the Derby highlights again, have a look because I'd say that was the one defeat this year that we definitely deserved to win.  Unbelievable save from their keeper and a few near misses, and they had one chance (our poor defensive organisation contributed).

The caveat would be that if we'd taken the lead in the first hour or so, its a different last half hour, we would have retreated and both teams would have made different types of subs, so its impossible to say we would have won. 

I was at that match and had a neutral friend in the Derby end. At the end of the match his summary was "Bolton pass the ball about nicely but why won't they shoot?"

The save from the Bod header was excellent, but other than that I can't remember "good" chances, a half chance shot from Dempsey maybe? I'll have a look back a the highlights in a bit

3 minutes ago, worthy10 said:

What is he good at, or better at than any other player at, in your opinion.

He can hold the ball up and provide physicality more so than any other forward we currently have 

His record of 3 goals in 19 games is comparable to many peoples (frankly baffling) favourite John McAtee who has 4 in 23. If you want to get into the detail, McAtee has actually played 369 more minutes, the equivalent of 4 full games. 

To be clear once again, I’m not shouting he’s a world beater. I’m saying he’s better than you give him credit for. You claimed nobody would pay money for him. I’m telling you that’s nonsense. 

But let’s be honest, you ain’t changing your mind. 

6 hours ago, Eddie said:

If you taught @London Wanderer then there’s a good chance you taught me too. 

I was 6 at the time haha

 did a stint at my primary school, which I don’t remember 😁 lovely hearing him reminisce about all my old teachers though. A good teacher can make all the difference. 

10 minutes ago, thebells said:

He can hold the ball up and provide physicality more so than any other forward we currently have 

His record of 3 goals in 19 games is comparable to many peoples (frankly baffling) favourite John McAtee who has 4 in 23. If you want to get into the detail, McAtee has actually played 369 more minutes, the equivalent of 4 full games. 

To be clear once again, I’m not shouting he’s a world beater. I’m saying he’s better than you give him credit for. You claimed nobody would pay money for him. I’m telling you that’s nonsense. 

But let’s be honest, you ain’t changing your mind. 

I agree that he is our only striker with "physicality"  as his main purpose and that adds to my anxiety/frustration.

I also agree that McAtee has been a disappointment, when he first came here, I really expected more.

There are very few giving him credit and rightly so.

 I want HIM, to change my mind.

 

Edited January 10, 20251 yr by worthy10
.

1 hour ago, worthy10 said:

Are you his agent?

What does he do well?

An honest hard working pro 👏

All about opinions, but he wouldn't trouble many div 2 defences.

 

59 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

We're at a level of football where trying hard and putting effort in isn't enough. Victor can run around and press and be a model professional but he doesn't score enough goals. Add to that his hold up play is below standard. You say there's a player in there but I'm not sure what your basing this on. Dion is a penalty box player. Victor is a 6 yard box player. He's a tap in merchant. Look at all his goals he's scored for us. Everyone 6 yard box. He needs everything on a plate for him. We can't afford to carry him. 

Don’t worry guys. He’s off to Turkey soon, eh @tomski ?