Tuesday 9th March 2021

[meanderson]

I wouldn’t say this Rovers side is weaker than the one going up by the play-offs two years ago. It may be salary cap related but there seem to be a lot of sides at a similar level, which makes it an interesting contest. Wonder if notlob regret their choice of an inexperienced manager, as if they’d recruited better in the summer, on current form would be heading the table.

To be fair, the early recruitment was headed by a Director of Football type who got offloaded before Christmas, when Evatt has had full control he's brought in some excellent players that seem to much more fit his style and ethos.

I think the inexperience there is more with the new ownership adapting and learning from their mistakes quickly, which is promising.

 

[Pablosammy]

To be fair, the early recruitment was headed by a Director of Football type who got offloaded before Christmas, when Evatt has had full control he's brought in some excellent players that seem to much more fit his style and ethos.

I think the inexperience there is more with the new ownership adapting and learning from their mistakes quickly, which is promising.

I can't see Bolton not being promoted now, I think you'll be comfortably top three. Don't tell Masi.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

That was 2000, the year we got relegated from the league under American Mad Terry. He had managed the team for 25 games and about 16 points using his American football knowledge. Ian Atkins came in and almost saved us. Relegated on goal difference.

A friend of mine was on the same FA coaching course as Terry Smith. Everyone on the course were running kids football teams apart from Terry Smith who was chairman/manager of Chester. He thought he was more qualified than the instructor and tried to take over the course. Kept on rambling on about how teams should have offensive and defensive captains just like grid iron.

To be fair, the early recruitment was headed by a Director of Football type who got offloaded before Christmas, when Evatt has had full control he's brought in some excellent players that seem to much more fit his style and ethos.

I think the inexperience there is more with the new ownership adapting and learning from their mistakes quickly, which is promising.

Was that the self proclaimed football scientist Tobias Phoenix ?

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I don't get this Hoolahan can't play twice a week situation. Peter Clarke is 39 and plays saturday/tuesday. He has played over 800 games in 20 years and if he stays injury free looks like he could carry on for a while yet. Could just be one of those people who defy the natural order of things.

Hoolahan got a pretty serious injury within his first couple of games when he went out to Australia at the start of last season, I'm guessing that plus the effect of a 38 year old not playing for a year has probably hit his fitness pretty hard. I suspect there's probably a likelihood as well that he's chosen to do it that way for personal reasons, and that's the only way we could get him to sign.

To be fair, our record without him was actually better than with him until this recent run of 4 midweek games where we've gone completely to shit, and we've not been particularly convincing with him the last 2 Saturday games anyway. Having said that, he quite evidently gives us something no-one else can in midfield and has the ability to help produce something out of nothing when the game looks like a lost cause. I'd hope the fact we now have only one more Tuesday game and the two close over Easter means we should have him the vast majority of the time, and to be honest considering who our two Easter games are against, and that the Orient one being so close to the end of the season when we're going to have something significant riding on the game, whether it's in relation to top 3, playoffs or both, that we may be able to use him for all our games now.

 

[Shrimper92]

So we're all Walsall fans on Friday?

 

[Holty10]

In theory there is a better pool to recruit from. Players who would be on the fringe of squads in higher divisions will have been available to teams in league 2. Whether that's true is hard to call.

Not one team is odds on for the weekends games currently, so shows how open the results are.

I guess either every team is closer in standard to the top sides, or the top sides are worse.

 

[Robshep]

Hoolahan got a pretty serious injury within his first couple of games when he went out to Australia at the start of last season, I'm guessing that plus the effect of a 38 year old not playing for a year has probably hit his fitness pretty hard. I suspect there's probably a likelihood as well that he's chosen to do it that way for personal reasons, and that's the only way we could get him to sign.

To be fair, our record without him was actually better than with him until this recent run of 4 midweek games where we've gone completely to shit, and we've not been particularly convincing with him the last 2 Saturday games anyway. Having said that, he quite evidently gives us something no-one else can in midfield and has the ability to help produce something out of nothing when the game looks like a lost cause. I'd hope the fact we now have only one more Tuesday game and the two close over Easter means we should have him the vast majority of the time, and to be honest considering who our two Easter games are against, and that the Orient one being so close to the end of the season when we're going to have something significant riding on the game, whether it's in relation to top 3, playoffs or both, that we may be able to use him for all our games now.

Doing well to still be playing at 38 after a bad injury.

 

[Boz]

To be fair, the early recruitment was headed by a Director of Football type who got offloaded before Christmas, when Evatt has had full control he's brought in some excellent players that seem to much more fit his style and ethos.

I think the inexperience there is more with the new ownership adapting and learning from their mistakes quickly, which is promising.

Interesting. You've certainly come on significantly this year since the transfer window, but I wonder if a more experienced manager might have counselled against some of the summer recruiting, which has left you playing catch-up.

I can't see Bolton not being promoted now, I think you'll be comfortably top three. Don't tell Masi.

My pre-season prediction was they'd just miss out on the play-offs, but certainly look like a top 7 side now. If their current run continues, I'd agree, but think there will be a few bumps in the road. I'm still fence-sitting regarding the top 3.

 

[Boz]

So we're all Walsall fans on Friday?

I don't think that Walsall are totally out of it yet. In Southend's position I'd probably be hoping for a draw and a bloodbath with lots of injuries and red cards...

 

[Shrimpurh]

I don't think that Walsall are totally out of it yet. In Southend's position I'd probably be hoping for a draw and a bloodbath with lots of injuries and red cards...

They're one of the ones who are dropping into certainly. I think we need as many teams in it as possible to give us the best chance

 

[Reremnart]

was meant to say 4 out 5, what you get when you type and walk.

Like the sides we both had in the playoffs 2 seasons ago would have walked this league.

I disagree with that. Our current squad is far better than the one we had 2 seasons ago. I doubt whether more than 2 or 3 of that side would get into our current first eleven.

 

[chipmunx]

So we're all Walsall fans on Friday?

nope

 

[huddsmoose]

On Hoolahan not playing twice a week - his game is high energy, lots of running with the ball, closing down the opposition etc.

I think the comparison earlier on was with Clarke, who presumably does far less running during a game as a CB.

We've been noticeably worse without Wes in the side recently but that's not surprising - he's our best playmaker and we don't have a like for like replacement for him. Luckily our games are quite well spread out for the rest of the season which should see him on the pitch more often than not. Which is great, as we're very lucky to get to watch him (even on telly).

 

[masi51]

I wouldn’t say this Rovers side is weaker than the one going up by the play-offs two years ago. It may be salary cap related but there seem to be a lot of sides at a similar level, which makes it an interesting contest. Wonder if notlob regret their choice of an inexperienced manager, as if they’d recruited better in the summer, on current form would be heading the table.

I think our appointment was the best we could have hoped for. The recruitment in the summer was awful and expensive. We had a DOF at the time and Evatt was a coach not a manager
We parted company with our DOF and made Evatt up to a Manager.......Everything stems from that day in November

 

[pontoonlew]

Lack of fans makes a difference certainly, we’ve had games where the home crowd have pushed us on if behind or what not. Would the referee have given this or that decision with a baying crowd?

Is it easier for poorer sides to park the bus without the pressure of the crowd on top of a side knocking on the door?

It’s played a part certainly. Going to Bradford away is no more daunting for players than going to Salford or Morecambe if there are no fans.

I must say, aside from two absolute fucking stinkers in the past 2 games, I’ve never moaned about the ref less than this year and it has to be the lack of fans in.

(this could also be because we’re shite)

 

[stevowanderer]

I must say, aside from two absolute fucking stinkers in the past 2 games, I’ve never moaned about the ref less than this year and it has to be the lack of fans in.

(this could also be because we’re shite)

That’s one thing I’ve noticed as we have rotted down the leagues is the standard of refereeing/assistants. We’ve had multiple red cards rescinded this season. The decisions are usually equally bad for both sides. There’s a lot more pressure put on the refs at this level by the players. We haven’t done that all season until the Oldham game but every foul and tackle against Morecambe they were screaming for a yellow or red. Think evatt has told the players to put more pressure on the ref as everyone else does it

 

[Robshep]

That’s one thing I’ve noticed as we have rotted down the leagues is the standard of refereeing/assistants. We’ve had multiple red cards rescinded this season. The decisions are usually equally bad for both sides. There’s a lot more pressure put on the refs at this level by the players. We haven’t done that all season until the Oldham game but every foul and tackle against Morecambe they were screaming for a yellow or red. Think evatt has told the players to put more pressure on the ref as everyone else does it

Having referees sitting in a booth doing VAR isn't helping. Lower level referees are getting promoted before they are ready. Another example of the FA screwing up football in their never ending desire to arse lick the Premier League clubs.

 

[stevowanderer]

Having referees sitting in a booth doing VAR isn't helping. Lower level referees are getting promoted before they are ready. Another example of the FA screwing up football in their never ending desire to arse lick the Premier League clubs.

Yeah that makes sense. I’m not sure why it needs a referee to run VAR though. Now the final decision for red cards, pens, etc are checked on screen by the refs themselves on pitch side monitor and offsides are drawn with a line that anyone could draw. And goal line tech is on the watch. Anyone with a basic football knowledge and basic training could do that surely?

 

[Robshep]

Yeah that makes sense. I’m not sure why it needs a referee to run VAR though. Now the final decision for red cards, pens, etc are checked on screen by the refs themselves on pitch side monitor and offsides are drawn with a line that anyone could draw. And goal line tech is on the watch. Anyone with a basic football knowledge and basic training could do that surely?

Its only used to make it more television friendly. They will probably want adverts on during VAR decisions next.

 

[Robshep]

Its only used to make it more television friendly. They will probably want adverts on during VAR decisions next.

This dodgy penalty decision is brought to you by Specsavers and Viagra. The choice of blind wankers worldwide.

 

[stevowanderer]

Its only used to make it more television friendly. They will probably want adverts on during VAR decisions next.

Tbf if you were running the Premier League that’s a great way to monetise. Wouldn’t mind it if more filtered down into the football league. Better than when the yanks do a split screen advert in the middle of sport!

 

[AdamStag]

Tbf if you were running the Premier League that’s a great way to monetise. Wouldn’t mind it if more filtered down into the football league. Better than when the yanks do a split screen advert in the middle of sport!

you ought to try being in the conference.

It’s a complete lottery on what the refs will do, you think it’s bad here

 

[stevowanderer]

you ought to try being in the conference.

It’s a complete lottery on what the refs will do, you think it’s bad here

I’d prefer not to try it to be honest mate haha

 

[AdamStag]

I’d prefer not to try it to be honest mate haha

It’s something i’d strongly recommend against trying in fairness. imagine all your worst nightmares of being a football fan being rolled into 1 league that lasts at least a season.

The thought of it makes me shiver

 

[Son of Cod]

Pretty sure it's not been posted but here's the second scandalous decision in the last few days against us:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1369364109372891147

We should be four points better off, in 23rd place level with Barrow. Instead we're still bottom. If we go down by four points or less then it'll be an absolute pisstake.

 

[Si Robin]

Whilst I personally don't think it's a foul on the keeper, the way they're protected now that decision really isn't surprising.

 

[Shrimper92]

Stevenage haven't conceded in their last 5. Will be six after Saturday

 

[Son of Cod]

Whilst I personally don't think it's a foul on the keeper, the way they're protected now that decision really isn't surprising.

It's the linesman that made the call too, which is even more frustrating when you look at the ref's position.

 

[Robshep]

It's the linesman that made the call too, which is even more frustrating when you look at the ref's position.

Have you seen the video from Australia. The linesman flags for offside but tells the ref that he isnt 100% sure and says to give a goal and then review it. The VAR shows it wasn't offside because a defender headed it to the scorer. Thats how it should be done. At our level we just have to put up with it.

 

[Robshep]

Pretty sure it's not been posted but here's the second scandalous decision in the last few days against us:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1369364109372891147

We should be four points better off, in 23rd place level with Barrow. Instead we're still bottom. If we go down by four points or less then it'll be an absolute pisstake.

Thats a joke decision.