I wasn't at the game last night ( I'm not doing a 100 mile trip for 'pointless' matches ). I have read the report - and it tells me a lot about what to expect this season. Forget that we were 'dominant', and had much possession - it's what we didn't do with that possession ( even against lower league opposition ), that is a worry -- we didn't score [enough] ! - and our defending couldn't stop three goals by the [lower league] opposition. We didn't score [enough] - because (a) we didn't create the opportunities, and (b) we weren't good enough to take the opportunities that were created. We conceded goals because - our defenders were not good enough [ even against lower league opposition ]. Both scenarios may improve when we use what Evans considers to be his starting 11......... but - when I saw the line-up, my initial thought was that everyone of them would have a reasonable claim for a first-team spot. On paper, it was a 'strong' 11 ( by Gills standard ). I appreciate that things did improve when subs were made with about 20 minutes to go - but - overall, it wasn't good enough [ even against lower league opposition. ] I expect the defence to improve when Jones and Fuller resume their place. As for going forward - well - we may see some effort - but I suspect not enough end product [ especially against L1 opposition ]......... that could spell r e l e g a t i o n........................ whilst I don't think that we will be relegated this season ( there's only 2 places up for grabs ( apologies to Bury and Bolton ), it does mean that any aspiration of the play-offs is not realistic. ps - can I apologise to gumpygit if any of the above contains even a morsel of sense - I tried hard to avoid it !
Like always I didn't go, unfortunately I did waste £10 to watch it on ifollow. Hodson and Marshall were both poor, neither could defend, neither could make a simple cross. In the attack we were so slow getting the ball forward that Colchester had everyone back before we even got out of our own half. Mandron was the one shinning light, his hold up play and distribution were good, the only player to stake a claim for Saturday. Edited to say the £10 was actually paid by my son, I'm not that crazy.
Seven games played in all competitions and only one win in that seven games which was against Bolton's youth team. Included in those seven fixtures are two losses to League Two sides. Eaves not been replaced, a worse player in to replace O'Neill at Right Back, the experience of players like Zakuani, Parrett & Reilly lost due to lack of management skills, no signings on deadline day despite four shipped out over the weekend. How long before it becomes an incredibly serious issue?
People are starting to get a little bit negative, far from relegation form we are in 16th place, so unless the rules have changed there are 7 teams below us in the relegation stakes. We have also played 2 teams in the top 4, and 4 teams in the top 11, so there will be easier games to come. With the exception of Burton our performances have seen us play much better more exciting football, the results haven't all gone our way yet but I'm confident they will over the season.
grumpygit You may be surprised to know that the title of this thread was meant to be 'click bait' ( not that I usually do that sort of thing ) ---- but -- of course, you don't need a reason to want to read the rubbish I print (( at least I'm trying to keep the forum alive ----- or is that 'killing it slowly' .)) ..... on a serious note - I agree with your sentiments - but I was trying to bring a few people down to Earth -- you was at the pre-season session with Evans & Raynor - I think a lot of the audience got sucked in by the propaganda that was spouted --- I wasn't fooled -- I knew that Evans' hands would be tied by Scally's purse strings -- and that the quality of recruitment would reflect the pennies that would be spent ---------I don't think I'm too far off with my [realistic] assessment - but quite happy with the loans we've made.......... so whilst I don't think it's doom & gloom, I am being realistic about our final place in the league next May -- I'll be [ VERY ] pleasantly surprised if it's in the top 10
You are probably more realistic than me then, having seen our players/team performing now, I will be disappointed if we don't finish in the top half (12th or above) at the seasons end.
After reading this I need to go and have a lay down....I might knock my head against the wall a few times to aid sending me to sleep.
Another game, another two goal lead thrown away, another game without a win. Going well this play off push
Gaining a point away from home, yes I would say it's going well. Blackpool who are in the playoff places not only allowed a 2 goal lead to slip, they went one better and ended up losing. Keep the faith we are on an unbeaten run of 1.
Blackpool remained in the play off spots and we remain closer to relegation than we do those play off spots. Working at the rate of 1 point per game as you know is relegation form still.
It's not a curse ! It's never nice to drop points, or lose after taking the lead. It's happened so MANY times since May 1999, I was beginning to think that we were cursed....... but then I remembered why it happens --- we have players whose skills levels are not good enough. It happens in Leagues 1 & 2. The posts above illustrates this fact -- and sadly, it will happen again ------ but------ does it have to happen so often? Are we under some sort of curse from Manchester City ? Twice ALREADY, this season, we have let a 2 goal lead slip (( doesn't it always feel like a defeat, even if you 'salvage' a draw ? )). So MANY times in the last 20 years -- and yet, since that fateful day at Wembley, I can only recall 3 times when we have been 0-2 down, and gone on to win. On one occasion ( March 2017 3-2 against Scunthorpe ), we needed 3 Josh Wright penalties. brb will remind us all of another occasion in February 2012, ( are you still counting the reminders ?). And by some coincidence with yesterday's opponents, in December 2006, we were 0-2 down after 5 minutes at Tranmere - but went 3-2 up before half time ( and won ). I know it's not a curse - but is it fair that we seem to get so much bad luck......... 0-2 down doesn't seem to have done Man City any harm ! edit ( for the benefit of grumpygit - in view of my next post ) - Don't tell me 4 times !!! Yes - I do realise that in the match against Hereford we came from a 2 goal deficit twice - but it was still only one win ).......... and that was again after we had to save a penalty !
grumpygit -- I 'm sticking up TWO fingers at you ! (( I'l let you decide if it's a rude gesture - or a reminder of our [league]unbeaten run.))
I should have said that we had scored only 7 goals, conceded 8, so were -1 goal difference. Our league position was 17th meaning we are actually ahead of the game this season. Playoffs here we come.
I remembered you saying we had to give him ten games grumpygit, not to worry I've got my abacus counting, I'm working on the top line, six down, four to go, before i've slotted all the pinks... please log in to view this image
I suppose I shouldn't bemoan our inability to hold onto a 2 goal lead. Since 1999, of the same teams in Division 2 ( as it was then ), Bury, Chesterfield, Wrexham and Notts County are not in the EFL - with Luton & Bournemouth taking big strides backwards - before zooming past us............. And we haven't done as well as some of the other sides who were also in Division 2, namely; Stoke Millwall, Preston, Bristol City, Cardiff, Burnley, Wigan, Reading, and Blackpool --- with several of them having tasted the Premier League..................... We are what we are, where we are - Division 3............... please feel free to ram it down my throat next May ( brb may actually appreciate the lack of reminders about Hereford (( where are they now ? ))
Is that the same counter you're using for the Hereford reminders ? --- as the Abacus has 100 counters, I'll have to try harder............. do you think that Evans will have 100 games at GFC ?
