The reason we are rubbish

[DV]

I would also add with cox,mcnamee and easton we have some good players ourselves dv

Not denying that. Cox is a good striker and is scoring goals this season. Easton hasnt quite hit the standard we expect of him and McNamee is only good if given the ball.

Either way, Beckford, Douglas & Kilkenny are all better players...

[Simon Pieman]

I want a manager who can beat a 10 man team with our 11 players. I don't give a shit what his name is.

Leeds were better, miles better. But they shouldn't have been. That's why everyone is pissed off.

Where was:

*Our organisation.
*Team shape.
*Confidence on the ball.
*Ability to win the ball.
*Marking (especially with an extra man).
*Corner routines that don't look stupid.

These are things a manager can address. The buck doesn't stop at Malpas, but we're looking crap. If the management team (Fitton/Watkins/Malpas) state they want Championship football within 3 years then this is what we expect. We won't be going up this season at least.

If the players aren't good enough Fitton needs to open his cheque book. If the players are good enough (or the squad is one or two signings short) then the issue is with management. In reality it's probably neither of these extremes, but something isn't working if we seriously feel we can achieve our goal of promotion.

I've not felt it fair to blame the individual errors as the reason we lost. Our approach to the game didn't work. If a ten man team can beat us by two goals then god help us. They're Leeds United, not Manchester United.

[Crozzer]

Yesterday before the game kicked off there were the plastic random fans I have never seen before and the whole time they said "so prediction today 5-0 loss?" "bloody Malpas doesn't have a clue hopefully he is gone after this game"

Now I fully expected us to lose 2-1 as Leeds are a strong side however ever since kick off, these same "fans" just winged and complained and the guy behind me the whole game to McNamee "see thats why your got dumped by Watford",  "oh we are so shit and its only been 2 minutes" "Cox your useless" just every single fan apart from my mates around me were SOOOOOOOO incredibly negative.

Now ok our defence is crap but we have got results away from home. I can't help but think, PERHAPS out players now are too nervous playing at home due to the pressure our fans put on the players. YES they should deal with it as they are professionals.

The last 2 away league games (note i excluded Aldershot) we have got a result. No it hasn't been particularly pretty but we got a result. We must win games at home and 2 3-1 losses on the trot are unacceptable.

Perhaps the pressure at home gets to the players due to the moans and groans of our fans. The question is HOW do you eradicate them feeling this way?

This is in no way saying they are all world class players and the fans are the fault we are crap at home but I think once again we made the mistake of saying "the aim is the playoffs" this season. We did the same last year and dropped like a lead balloon? As soon as the management etc. of the club mentions play-offs everyone gets a bit excited and believes that hype despite us being no different than last season really.

Pressure and playoff talk raises expectations and where as I dont expect us to say, we have no chance of doing anything and will just avoid relegation, it appears the current crop of players cannot handle the pressure.

Totally agree that the players are playing under too much pressure, explains a lot including silly mistakes and lack of ideas.  Once the source of the pressure is identified and dealt with, then there will be improvement.

Do you think there's any significance in a manager that uses the word "pathetic" to describe the team he is responsible for after the Aldershot and Leeds games?  It's not my fault if my team is pathetic, apparently.  They've been bad, I will punish them by dropping them.  

Looks like the team doesn't come close to meeting expectations set by the manager before games.  A manager with a remarkable playing career.  Nothing wrong with setting expectations, but don't paralyse them with fear at 2.55 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon.  

I don't think it is the fans, they come stomach losing, it is the manner of losing that makes them embarrassed and angry.  Effort and endeavour are respected, irrespective of the result. All the fans want is some enjoyment and entertainment for their hard earned cash.  If the team are condemned by the manager as pathetic, why should anyone bother showing up?  

[DV]

I want a manager who can beat a 10 man team with our 11 players. I don't give a shit what his name is.

So do I, so does everyone....but again Roberto Martinez' Swansea didnt beat our 10 men when they had an extra man from about 15 minutes in.

He's done alright as a manager though.

I know that they obviously didnt lose 3-1 and they attacked us.

The point is (I think!) that having an extra man doesnt give you the god given right to win a game.

[Don Rogers Shop]

Ok it does not but there is no exuse for no battling.closing down and creativity

[RobertT]

And even if we did all that everyone wants, we'd still have had to score 4 yesterday to win because their 3 were all created or scored by us.

[Simon Pieman]

It doesn't, you're right about that.

But it should make things a lot easier. Leeds never looked stretched. They played with 1 man up front for much of the game, but still looked more threatening than us. That's disappointing.

Had we played well and lost to a better team I'd still be annoyed, but a lot more forgiving. We were just simply rubbish. If we play like that against other teams we will lose. We even lost by two goals to Cheltenham. They're bottom of the table with a minus twelve goal difference. Other teams are dicking them for fun, but they made us look fairly average.

I wasn't realistically expected a promotion battle, but I wanted progress this season. I've not seen it and I'm starting to worry I won't. If we stay like this we'll end up in a worse position than we finished in last time round.

It's disappointing and worrying.

[sonic youth]

And even if we did all that everyone wants, we'd still have had to score 4 yesterday to win because their 3 were all created or scored by us.

keegan's unemployed again

[Arriba]

asking ifil to pass the ball is a major mistake at the moment.sturrock sorted this out and ifil had his best form for during that period.he has been rubbish this season. yes he's scored goals but the rest of his game has been dire.yesterday was just like the kingy days.awful touch,anticipation and passing.if he looses his pace he is finished as a pro.

[JPC82]

asking ifil to pass the ball is a major mistake at the moment.sturrock sorted this out and ifil had his best form for during that period.he has been rubbish this season. yes he's scored goals but the rest of his game has been dire.yesterday was just like the kingy days.awful touch,anticipation and passing.if he looses his pace he is finished as a pro.

i thought Wise sorted that out? he played awesome under Wise, Wise told him to never hit a long ball, just give it to someone who can kick the fucking thing

[Don Rogers Shop]

Whoever it was he aint doing it now

[janaage]

Exactly whats made JI forget that advice, just win the ball and lay it off, it's not rocket science.

[Don Rogers Shop]

Its just hit me how inexperienced our mangment team is

[janaage]

I wonder if AF may look to bring an experienced old head in as a Director of Football? 

[Arriba]

i thought Wise sorted that out? he played awesome under Wise, Wise told him to never hit a long ball, just give it to someone who can kick the fucking thing

not really important but i remember hearing sturrock interviews and he spoke about ifil and his limitations regarding the ball.he asked him to do what i earlier described.wise altered things for ifil slighly by sending him up for corners