Friday 8/Saturday 9 November fixtures

[HutchECFC]

We used to have a specific away ticket booth but seem to have done away with it this season with all collections being from the home ticket office/ portakabin, literally 20 yards away.
Given that we aren't exactly flush with space, I'm not buying that.

Think it’s still used, the away one. I know they change the posters on there about welcoming whichever away team we are playing. I’ll have a gander on Saturday, as I go in Jungle Path entrance

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We are pretty pants (in general) but especially away from home. Leaburn is back in the side and has a few goals in the cup competitions. Again, our weakness is creativity, we play two pressing midfielders in attacking midfield but neither have any attacking ability if they do win the ball on the press. Tyreece Campbell is our main threat but he is a winger and we don't play with wingers.

With Lloyd Jones and Kayne Ramsay out for a while our defence is looking leaky.

I can't see us winning this.

I saw you a couple of months ago against Stevenage and the pressing wasn’t right yet.

With how NJ has played since his second spell with us, the key thing was to set traps in the press which got us into areas of the pitch we couldn’t have done through incisive play as to be frank we didn’t have the quality of player to do it. So the pressing system became the playmaker rather than any one individual. We also had 2 mobile centre forwards who were the trigger for it too and whilst Godden has scored a few goals for you, he didn’t look like that sort of player to me. Maybe it could be Leaburn.

There’s also the added issue that in games where we were expected to make the play ourselves rather than let the other team expose themselves to our press, we often struggled - see the record we had in cups against lower division opposition. I imagine that happens to you a lot which kind of nullifies the whole thing.

 

[masi51]

I saw you a couple of months ago against Stevenage and the pressing wasn’t right yet.

With how NJ has played since his second spell with us, the key thing was to set traps in the press which got us into areas of the pitch we couldn’t have done through incisive play as to be frank we didn’t have the quality of player to do it. So the pressing system became the playmaker rather than any one individual. We also had 2 mobile centre forwards who were the trigger for it too and whilst Godden has scored a few goals for you, he didn’t look like that sort of player to me. Maybe it could be Leaburn.

There’s also the added issue that in games where we were expected to make the play ourselves rather than let the other team expose themselves to our press, we often struggled - see the record we had in cups against lower division opposition. I imagine that happens to you a lot which kind of nullifies the whole thing.

The problem with playing one way with one system is that you soon get sussed out. What worked three or four seasons back hinders these teams/managers today. We have seen this in the way Bolton/Evatt play. Some say Evatt is still making it work as we are continually in the top six. Bar Birmingham we have the best squad/team in the league and it would be criminal not to get into the top 6. Problem with Charlton is they have a team fans more hoped than expected to get into the top 6 and what worked 4 years ago with Luton will not Work Today hence the best they will end up is 6/10th

 

[DaveBirm1875]

Brummies, any decent pub recommendations on the way to the ground?

head into the city centre mate, sun on the hill, the briar rose or the Shakespeare by new street station would be ideal for you

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

The problem with playing one way with one system is that you soon get sussed out. What worked three or four seasons back hinders these teams/managers today. We have seen this in the way Bolton/Evatt play. Some say Evatt is still making it work as we are continually in the top six. Bar Birmingham we have the best squad/team in the league and it would be criminal not to get into the top 6. Problem with Charlton is they have a team fans more hoped than expected to get into the top 6 and what worked 4 years ago with Luton will not Work Today hence the best they will end up is 6/10th

Yes a lot of managers are way too dogmatic at the moment imo. We really took advantage of that in the Championship with teams who thought they were Man City and wanted to play out from the back all the time, pressed the shit out of them into inevitable mistakes. I imagine that doesn’t really work quite as well in League 1 where teams don’t do that as much

NJ can play different ways though, so be interested to see if he looks to evolve at Charlton. He kind of had 3 distinct teams here, it’s only the last one that was the high press direct one. Before that we played 442 diamond (which I note he hasn’t returned too with Charlton yet), and looked to properly control the game in midfield with aggressive wingbacks. He’s far more tactically astute and adaptive than his memeworthy stints at Stoke and Southampton would have you believe.

 

[folletto]

I saw you a couple of months ago against Stevenage and the pressing wasn’t right yet.

With how NJ has played since his second spell with us, the key thing was to set traps in the press which got us into areas of the pitch we couldn’t have done through incisive play as to be frank we didn’t have the quality of player to do it. So the pressing system became the playmaker rather than any one individual. We also had 2 mobile centre forwards who were the trigger for it too and whilst Godden has scored a few goals for you, he didn’t look like that sort of player to me. Maybe it could be Leaburn.

There’s also the added issue that in games where we were expected to make the play ourselves rather than let the other team expose themselves to our press, we often struggled - see the record we had in cups against lower division opposition. I imagine that happens to you a lot which kind of nullifies the whole thing.

I think you've nailed it and it explains why we were able to beat Birmingham but have struggled more against lower sides in the league. I don't particularly think Leaburn is great in that specific role either. We have Kanu, who's out injured at the moment, who is perfect for it. The football has at least improved slightly from the start of the season but we are still struggling at the moment.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I think you've nailed it and it explains why we were able to beat Birmingham but have struggled more against lower sides in the league. I don't particularly think Leaburn is great in that specific role either. We have Kanu, who's out injured at the moment, who is perfect for it. The football has at least improved slightly from the start of the season but we are still struggling at the moment.

Given his penchant for a former player, I wonder if he will go in for Harry Cornick at Bristol City. He’s out of favour, not especially prolific but he lead that pressing style for him very well

 

[folletto]

The problem with playing one way with one system is that you soon get sussed out. What worked three or four seasons back hinders these teams/managers today. We have seen this in the way Bolton/Evatt play. Some say Evatt is still making it work as we are continually in the top six. Bar Birmingham we have the best squad/team in the league and it would be criminal not to get into the top 6. Problem with Charlton is they have a team fans more hoped than expected to get into the top 6 and what worked 4 years ago with Luton will not Work Today hence the best they will end up is 6/10th

We actually have a squad I would ordinarily expect, not hope, to finish in the top 6 but it's Charlton and we've been perennially underperforming for years now. We have the 4th biggest budget in the league and asides from Birmingham, I don't particularly look at another squad in the league and think it's better. We came 16th last season and things take time which is why it's more a hope of top 6 for me. It's still achievable but I do think it may require some smart business in Jan or Jones being mor adaptable.

 

[EricSabin]

head into the city centre mate, sun on the hill, the briar rose or the Shakespeare by new street station would be ideal for you

Cheers mate usually do the Shakespeare/sun/bull ring tav when in brum as we often connect there for our away days

Any on the walk to the ground that would be suitable? Half an hour walk calls for a couple of pit stops

 

[DaveBirm1875]

Cheers mate usually do the Shakespeare/sun/bull ring tav when in brum as we often connect there for our away days

Any on the walk to the ground that would be suitable? Half an hour walk calls for a couple of pit stops

Some decent pubs around digbeth on the way to the ground, but The Cricketers arms 48 Little Green Ln, Birmingham B9 5AX is super away friendly but its past the ground.

you wont be wearing colours i presume so to be fair no place is really off limits, as it should be

 

[thewwfc]

We really took advantage of that in the Championship with teams who thought they were Man City and wanted to play out from the back all the time, pressed the shit out of them into inevitable mistakes. I imagine that doesn’t really work quite as well in League 1 where teams don’t do that as much

Ha! You would think that, wouldn’t you - third tier teams are far too limited to do all that pissing about at the back nonsense, aren’t they?

But you’d be wrong, there’s a bunch that do it now (including us) - drives me up the wall.

 

[AdamStag]

Aye the shakespeare is a decent pub, been there a fair few times.

The briar rose wethers usually popular for meeting up too. No offence to walsall but it’ll be more fun going there playing you instead

 

[Pilot_Phonic]

Ha! You would think that, wouldn’t you - third tier teams are far too limited to do all that pissing about at the back nonsense, aren’t they?

But you’d be wrong, there’s a bunch that do it now (including us) - drives me up the wall.

Correct, football has gone to shit. Can't dribble, can't tackle, have to make a million passes, no-one shoots from 35 yards for a laugh, can't get to the byline and make crosses. Bores me to tears. And then watching it over and over is shite. And don't forget getting yellow cards from nudging the ball away from restarting a game, but don't get cards for clear and obvious fouls/handballs.

 

[Casey]

He played for us a few times, think he signed on as second choice and a GK coach.

Jensen was keeper at Crawley for a season (or 2) a few years back as well.

Casey

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Ha! You would think that, wouldn’t you - third tier teams are far too limited to do all that pissing about at the back nonsense, aren’t they?

But you’d be wrong, there’s a bunch that do it now (including us) - drives me up the wall.

Seems to be working for you at the moment though. Good to see Fred seemingly doing well

 

[Luke Imp]

Pretty sure you can hear the Rotherham lot booing in the away end most of this half when another Rotherham attack, and I use that term very loosely, break down.

Barnsley the much better side so far. They're not great, it's more being energetic than being good with the ball but that's still more than Rotherham.

 

[OneDecentLester]

That obese mess has got to be gone by the morning surely?

 

[AdamStag]

Maybe the magic has left the fat man.

He still managed to get a dig in at mansfield before the season started.

It’s november and they’re 7 points behind us having played 3 games more, bet he didn’t expect that

 

[AdamStag]

double post

 

[EricSabin]

Say it again

 

[BarraMatt]

Pete Wild in the crowd.

 

[thewwfc]

That obese mess has got to be gone by the morning surely?

Jesus.

Evans post-game

“We’ve got outmuscled, like we have a couple of times this season.”

Well surely that’s everything right there. You expect an Evans side to be a nasty bunch of in-your-face spoilers, niggly fouls and physical.

If they can’t even do that part right, then there’s no point to having Evans in charge.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Ha! You would think that, wouldn’t you - third tier teams are far too limited to do all that pissing about at the back nonsense, aren’t they?

But you’d be wrong, there’s a bunch that do it now (including us) - drives me up the wall.

It's been our downfall this season.

Started in a similar vein to the football that's seen Challinor win two titles with us, on the front foot, high press, Addai in goal even got a couple of assists with his direct kicks (or third-to-last touches anyway). Then players return from injury, we now have the personnel available to try and transition to the new style, and it quickly goes downhill.

It's alright if you're city and have players who can be relied on to move the ball to the middle quickly and bypass several opponents, which is the key benefit to playing it out from the back; but we're far too slow and uncertain with it and teams have quickly cottoned on to the high press around our area and the chaos it causes us. So predictable and yet we're still persisting with it & talking about the players needing time to adapt.

 

[Conker]

I know Wrexham fans will say Gregory was looking for that penalty, and you are right but the defender reaches out his arm and pushes him over, it’s a clear penalty for me, but one we’ll probably never get in a million years at this stadium. I’ll say at the same time Gregory should have got his shot off already, you expect him to bag that 1v1 all day.

Wrexham go straight up afterwards and Barnett scores a really good goal to be fair, from absolutely nothing.

Really hectic start from both sides so far, both sides sloppy in possession, only ten minutes in and lots happened already!

 

[chief]

Wrexham go straight up afterwards and Barnett scores a really good goal to be fair, from absolutely nothing.

How's he beaten 5x Golden Glove winner Christy Pym from there?

 

[Luke Imp]

Ah, the old GK trick - very good. Bit extravagant to sub him, mind.

 

[Conker]

How's he beaten 5x Golden Glove winner Christy Pym from there?

Yeah I agree he should save that, injured now.

 

[Conker]

Ah, the old GK trick - very good. Bit extravagant to sub him, mind.

I spotted it before the edit

 

[AdamStag]

Really poor goal to concede, ironic pym should let in such a soft goal given all the chat / he really should’ve saved that.

Mansfield been the better team first half hour no doubt, but that wrexham defence looks formidable and the only stat that counts currently is 1-0

 

[Luke Imp]

I think it was the power that did the GK, I thought the striker had missed his chance by not playing Mullin(?) in.

The game has settled down now but Wrexham seem a far physically stronger side and are snuffing Mansfield attacks out and winning most of the duels in the final third as well without being able to build on second balls.