We had a decent thread a while back discussing Evatt’s philosophies and approach to the game (think it got tainted and pulled)

So not a bad time to start it up again at the beginning of the season.

In the main he’s done a fantastic job. A minority lost patience round about Xmas/New Year in both seasons. 

But surely now he has the large backing of the majority of fans and the brand he talked about implementing here is now well and truly established.

Good article above highlighting how he’s using Sport Science to get the squad performing to it’s optimum level.

A young, meticulous, intelligent and passionate individual, who we are very lucky to have leading our club.

I hope he gets what he deserves with promotion to the Championship. 

9 minutes ago, Farnywhite said:

You still have to score them Sheehan as missed a couple and if Morley leaves I wouldn’t put money on any of the rest putting it away . Lolas had to bundle in a botched one earlier this season 

Dion took that one didn't he?

2 minutes ago, Steejay said:

Mmm, what does @Leyther_Matt think about that last bit?

He’s been excellent for Hibs tbf. Playing on the left of a back three and being expected to do well with the ball at his feet 🤦🏻‍♂️ 

He's bound to look great in that league full of pisspots and semi pro fodder.

 

🧨

He didnt look good at orient

Thats my memory of him

 

48 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Dion took that one didn't he?

He did

I wish we'd recruit for pace

We have so little of it

8 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I wish we'd recruit for pace

We have so little of it

I like the idea of a pacy forward in theory.

But in reality, he'd get there 3 weeks before the ball.

1 minute ago, wakey said:

I like the idea of a pacy forward in theory.

But in reality, he'd get there 3 weeks before the ball.

I didn't mean a forward necessarily

Wing-backs are probably the area where we need pace the most

Fast wingers and ones that can dribble cause chaos in league one, defenders at this level can't handle them.

1 hour ago, woolli said:

Also top of the league with Dion Charles in. We all have opinions, but, imo, none of these have made us any better, hence our league position, but, not entirely their fault! Our 1st season back in league 1, think we finished 10th, rewind 3/4 year later,5 / 6 million pound lighter, same position. Not sure who the blame lies with?

I genuinely have no recollection of us being top of the league.  All I can remember is Pompey seemed to be top from start to finish.  Not saying it didn't happen, but it must have been fleeting, I just don't remember it.

3 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I genuinely have no recollection of us being top of the league.  All I can remember is Pompey seemed to be top from start to finish.  Not saying it didn't happen, but it must have been fleeting, I just don't remember it.

League One table after close of play on 01 December 2023

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bolton Wanderers	18	12	3	3	37	18	19	39
2	Portsmouth	18	11	6	1	29	16	13	39
3	Oxford United	18	11	3	4	31	18	13	36
4	Stevenage	20	10	6	4	29	19	10	36
5	Peterborough United	19	10	5	4	37	20	17	35
6	Derby County	18	10	3	5	31	16	15	33
7	Barnsley	18	9	4	5	34	20	14	31
8	Blackpool	20	8	6	6	33	25	8	30

19 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I didn't mean a forward necessarily

Wing-backs are probably the area where we need pace the most

Desmond looked very fast compared to everyone else on the pitch at Lincoln

Just now, Johnnyrotten said:

Desmond looked very fast compared to everyone else on the pitch at Lincoln

I really like him and it's noticeable how nervous he makes his opposite number with his direct approach

He seemingly isn't fit enough to start regularly though, and we need another on the other wing

7 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

League One table after close of play on 01 December 2023

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bolton Wanderers	18	12	3	3	37	18	19	39
2	Portsmouth	18	11	6	1	29	16	13	39
3	Oxford United	18	11	3	4	31	18	13	36
4	Stevenage	20	10	6	4	29	19	10	36
5	Peterborough United	19	10	5	4	37	20	17	35
6	Derby County	18	10	3	5	31	16	15	33
7	Barnsley	18	9	4	5	34	20	14	31
8	Blackpool	20	8	6	6	33	25	8	30

Rewind a game and we were 2 points clear!  Then we drew at Oxford while Pompey were winning.  That was the peak before we lost the next 2.

Totally forgot we were 2 points clear having played same number of games (hopefully I can forget most of this season too).

11 minutes ago, ZiggyStardust said:

League One table after close of play on 01 December 2023

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Bolton Wanderers	18	12	3	3	37	18	19	39
2	Portsmouth	18	11	6	1	29	16	13	39
3	Oxford United	18	11	3	4	31	18	13	36
4	Stevenage	20	10	6	4	29	19	10	36
5	Peterborough United	19	10	5	4	37	20	17	35
6	Derby County	18	10	3	5	31	16	15	33
7	Barnsley	18	9	4	5	34	20	14	31
8	Blackpool	20	8	6	6	33	25	8	30

Thanks for this. I was on for an early night

3 hours ago, only1swanny said:

Again, stats wise

Charles last season, 2436 minutes 14 goals 1 assist 174 mins per goal

Big Vic last season 2025 minutes 10 goals 1 assists 202 mins per goal

Aaron Collins last 3328 mins 11 goals 10 assists 302 mins per goal

Hardly "good at nothing". Guys had a pretty bad injury, seems he's taking longer to actually get back from it fully, and might not get back from it. Judging by the way he runs, he's not really match fit, plus whatever reason he's missed the last few matches has clearly taken it's toll. 

Very naughty to include stats from Bristol Rovers. Now let’s do it properly and look at the like-for-like data in the Bolton lineup only.

Aaron Collins for Bolton, last season.

1,282 mins 8 goals 2 assists 160 mins per goal. Better than both Charles and Vic.

13 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

Very naughty to include stats from Bristol Rovers. Now let’s do it properly and look at the like-for-like data in the Bolton lineup only.

Aaron Collins for Bolton, last season.

1,282 mins 8 goals 2 assists 160 mins per goal. Better than both Charles and Vic.

Did it for the whole season, not really "naughty". 

Either way the point proving was that he's not "good at nothing"... 

1 hour ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I didn't mean a forward necessarily

Wing-backs are probably the area where we need pace the most

Tutu, Williams, Schon and Cogley  all have pace but the turning back and playing it ‘safe’ restricts their potential. Tutu has a go though and he should be starting

1 hour ago, wakey said:

I like the idea of a pacy forward in theory.

But in reality, he'd get there 3 weeks before the ball.

Charles must have shaped to make well over 100 runs a season that would have utilised his pace, only to watch the back three prefer to pass it around between themselves 

36 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

Charles must have shaped to make well over 100 runs a season that would have utilised his pace, only to watch the back three prefer to pass it around between themselves 

Im not sure hes got that pace anymore

But, im sure we will find out

 

 

1 hour ago, RUREADY2ROLL said:

Tutu, Williams, Schon and Cogley  all have pace but the turning back and playing it ‘safe’ restricts their potential. Tutu has a go though and he should be starting

The bigger issue is playing balls 2 yards behind so they are facing their own goal. 3 of the 4 are very one footed which makes it a bigger issue. 

2 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Desmond looked very fast compared to everyone else on the pitch at Lincoln

He's rapid and by far and away our most athletic player.

Sorted...

Sideways and backwards...

 

 

Special mentions

1) taking a goal kick, passing to Santos, to pass it straight back

2) Counter attack, but wait for their players to get back first

3) At corners, have 11 of ours in the box, don't mark anyone outside the box.. 

4) Passing it sideways when you approach the net. 

5) only certain players can shoot from distance, 

6) Passing to a marked wingback just makes sense. 

7) Spent 20 mins attacking down one side, ignoring the other

 Subs at 65 mins regardless..

23 minutes ago, Casino said:

Im not sure hes got that pace anymore

But, im sure we will find out

 

 

I thought early season he seemed to have some pace back but given we have hardly seen him since hard to tell.

For me for whatever reason it had stale for him here and it is better for the club and him to move on. I do think him and Vic are the only ‘number 9s’ we had so we desperately need to get a body in. 
 

See JDB has gone to Burton on a short term contract, if he scores against us during our inevitable non performance there it will sum our season up nicely. 

16 minutes ago, Ani said:

I thought early season he seemed to have some pace back but given we have hardly seen him since hard to tell.

 

I think back to hudds at home at 0 0

He had the centre back one on one and just didnt seem to want to test himself

Also, alk this chucking himself to the deck 8nstead of trying to turn and go

 

He looked more like his old self winning the fee kick at exeter

Like i say, he might bag a goal a game til may