w / e 23rd November 2024

[hellogregory]

Weren’t far from relaxed - just encouraged by the recent shift in performances. We’ve tightened up at the back, and are putting together some decent moves (witness the build up to Adu-Adjei blazing over the bar yesterday for an example of just how good we can be) - just need to start putting chances away.

Had the Donny defender got back a millisecond earlier, Georgie Kelly would have been onside at the death - and we’d have won that game, lifting us out of the relegation zone and within 3 points of 3 other clubs.

Granted, we’re still in trouble, and have some tough games ahead. But we’ve not lost a game over 90 minutes in our last 5, and the only goal we’ve conceded in our last 3 league games was a penalty. It could be a flash in the pan, or it could be the first few steps on the long road to recovery.

That is promising I have to say. Thomas being out for 10 weeks is a blow however as for me he’s (by far) our best defender.

 

[Son of Cod]

I watched Grimsby vs Colchester at lunch time.

It wasn't the worst game in the world, there were some chances in there but deary me, the technical quality from both sets of players was incredibly low and most of it wasn't even down to the conditions. Some of the hospital passes at the back from both sides were ridiculous in the first half along with an inability to control the ball. I reckon Grimsby managed to pass simple balls straight out of play a handful of occasions in injury time.

Not sure what game Artell was watching, he reckoned Grimsby created more and better chances but I don't think that was the case and they weren't hit by a sucker punch either, Colchester had their own chances.

To be honest, I couldn't really see what Grimsby were. They didn't defend deep and look to counter attack, they didn't control possession, they're not a strong and tall side and didn't have any pace in the side either - they were neither here nor there.

Yep the amount of times we lost the ball towards the end of the match was utterly infuriating.

Artell's grand plan is to become a possession based side but you're absolutely right in that yesterday we didn't control the ball anyway near enough so you'd never have known that in the context of one match. And tbf that's been the case for most of the season. You can kind of see it at times when we attack but because we aren't on the ball enough and we're so poor in the box and in final delivery then you're often left counting the passages of play per match on one hand that we look a threat, whereas you look at Notts who do this well and they're having like 15+ shots in the area on the regs and that's before you even get into their attacks that get thwarted.

There's a lot of trust and hope being put into Artell from a reasonable amount of the fans that he can do what he says he can. I personally remain unconvinced that he's tactically astute enough but it's apparent that he is an excellent coach and will improve individuals. Whether or not that will eventually translate to team performances remains to be seen.

Plenty of positives and negatives to be considered this season on the whole leaves us quite unsure about what we are and how we'll progress but I guess that's all in the very nature of a team in transition. The next two windows are big for Artell because it's next season that the pressure will really be on as that's when the more reasonable faction of our support will be expecting a promotion push.

 

[Cloudy]

I watched Grimsby vs Colchester at lunch time.

It wasn't the worst game in the world, there were some chances in there but deary me, the technical quality from both sets of players was incredibly low and most of it wasn't even down to the conditions. Some of the hospital passes at the back from both sides were ridiculous in the first half along with an inability to control the ball. I reckon Grimsby managed to pass simple balls straight out of play a handful of occasions in injury time.

Not sure what game Artell was watching, he reckoned Grimsby created more and better chances but I don't think that was the case and they weren't hit by a sucker punch either, Colchester had their own chances.

To be honest, I couldn't really see what Grimsby were. They didn't defend deep and look to counter attack, they didn't control possession, they're not a strong and tall side and didn't have any pace in the side either - they were neither here nor there.

You clearly watch a lot of Grimsby. Seems a little odd

 

[Cloudy]

Yep the amount of times we lost the ball towards the end of the match was utterly infuriating.

Artell's grand plan is to become a possession based side but you're absolutely right in that yesterday we didn't control the ball anyway near enough so you'd never have known that in the context of one match. And tbf that's been the case for most of the season. You can kind of see it at times when we attack but because we aren't on the ball enough and we're so poor in the box and in final delivery then you're often left counting the passages of play per match on one hand that we look a threat, whereas you look at Notts who do this well and they're having like 15+ shots in the area on the regs and that's before you even get into their attacks that get thwarted.

There's a lot of trust and hope being put into Artell from a reasonable amount of the fans that he can do what he says he can. I personally remain unconvinced that he's tactically astute enough but it's apparent that he is an excellent coach and will improve individuals. Whether or not that will eventually translate to team performances remains to be seen.

Plenty of positives and negatives to be considered this season on the whole leaves us quite unsure about what we are and how we'll progress but I guess that's all in the very nature of a team in transition. The next two windows are big for Artell because it's next season that the pressure will really be on as that's when the more reasonable faction of our support will be expecting a promotion push.

I certainly think we are a long way off challenging for promotion despite being in 8th place. Personally I never expected to be in the top 10 but being up there has increased expectations, but feel that will only result in exaggerated disappointment.

It will take at least two more windows to get a decent side, and although it will data led, my concern is that Artell wants better technical players ( fair enough) but it’s division 4. You need some physicality, some strength, some aerial ability, and definitely some genuine pace. If he isn’t searching the data for these types we will continue to be an easy touch.

Thus far, I haven’t really seen a good side. Notts played very well against us but in other games I have watched,they have struggled a bit.Donny blew us away but seem a little hit and miss, I expected more from AFCW and weren’t over impressed with MK despite the talent they have. Seen little ofVale or Crewe but will watch with interest tomorrow

 

[Bottega Don]

You clearly watch a lot of Grimsby. Seems a little odd

Yeah what a weirdo watching a game that was on TV

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Yep the amount of times we lost the ball towards the end of the match was utterly infuriating.

Artell's grand plan is to become a possession based side but you're absolutely right in that yesterday we didn't control the ball anyway near enough so you'd never have known that in the context of one match. And tbf that's been the case for most of the season. You can kind of see it at times when we attack but because we aren't on the ball enough and we're so poor in the box and in final delivery then you're often left counting the passages of play per match on one hand that we look a threat, whereas you look at Notts who do this well and they're having like 15+ shots in the area on the regs and that's before you even get into their attacks that get thwarted.

There's a lot of trust and hope being put into Artell from a reasonable amount of the fans that he can do what he says he can. I personally remain unconvinced that he's tactically astute enough but it's apparent that he is an excellent coach and will improve individuals. Whether or not that will eventually translate to team performances remains to be seen.

Plenty of positives and negatives to be considered this season on the whole leaves us quite unsure about what we are and how we'll progress but I guess that's all in the very nature of a team in transition. The next two windows are big for Artell because it's next season that the pressure will really be on as that's when the more reasonable faction of our support will be expecting a promotion push.

Well worth considering it took us 2 years for things to finally click under Artell and then we became one of the league's best sides. From what I can see, you're in a much better position now than we were after his first year in charge where we were losing far too many matches, conceding far too many soft goals and looking a good bet for relegation to the point he was 90 minutes from the sack if rumours were to be believed. I'm pleasantly surprised he's done as well as he has done for you lot and I'm glad that he has.

A hallmark of his sides were creating loads and failing to put chances away and this led to a lot of frustrating dropped points at times. Our defence wasn't great under Artell either initially so we tended to get shithoused regularly and struggled to come back from losing positions if we conceded against the run of play. I can't see him being sacked this season unless he goes into a complete tailspin and sharp decline so I'm sure he'll be given next Summer to bring in the players he needs and I've no doubt he'll be the gaffer that'll get you challenging for those playoff places and quite possibly in them.

I also think a key condition in him accepting the post at Grimsby was the fact Stockwood and co would give him time to build and develop a team. He did an excellent job doing that despite the initial hiccups of his first 2 years in charge and so I hope your fans keep the faith and give him the time to give you stability and really help you push on as a club. Much better than chopping and changing, craving instant success, it backfiring and constantly living in fear of non league that's for sure.

 

[BarraMatt]

Why did they sack Wild really? Was it just because you didn’t make the play offs?

Clemence seems completely out of his depth and it was a strange appointment.

I'm not sure if it was a sacking tbh sounded more like a disagreement behind the scenes to the point the relationship couldn't be repaired going forward. If I remember correctly the Chairman said on Radio Cumbria afterwards he wasn't sacked but couldn't go into the details. I could sort of see why the board would've been pissed off like, he was backed two Januarys in a row when in a good position only for us to completely capitulate both times, and he's had history of it at Halifax as well. In my opinion it wasn't worth the change though. Overall he had done a decent job but it is interesting as to why he hasn't been heavily linked to another job despite there being a fair few sackings in L1/2.

Remains to be seen on Clemence, I'm not in favour of a change as I'm a firm believer in giving people a fair crack of the whip assuming we aren't in any desperate trouble, but he needs to turn the form around soon.

 

[hellogregory]

Is Clemence really doing a bad job?

Barrow are 12th. Bang in the middle of league 2 still well within a shout of top 7. On a sticky run at the moment yeah, and lost to the worst team in the football league earlier in the season. But still, it’s not that bad is it? What are the expectations?

 

[BarraMatt]

Is Clemence really doing a bad job?

Barrow are 12th. Bang in the middle of league 2 still well within a shout of top 7. On a sticky run at the moment yeah, and lost to the worst team in the football league earlier in the season. But still, it’s not that bad is it? What are the expectations?

It's mainly on twitter where there's the demand for his head, but I think that's just the state of social media football reaction these days, there's never any balance, either winning the league or calling for the sackings. There's still a good number that think we aren't there yet, of which I'm one of, I think it's got to continue for another 3 or 4 weeks before decisions may have to be made.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Is Clemence really doing a bad job?

Barrow are 12th. Bang in the middle of league 2 still well within a shout of top 7. On a sticky run at the moment yeah, and lost to the worst team in the football league earlier in the season. But still, it’s not that bad is it? What are the expectations?

Good club are Barrow, but expectations have to be tempered. The middle of league 2 is really batting above their average but unfortunately their recent dalliance with the top of the league has heightened expectations to an unrealistic level.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Ainley on the wing? What game you watching? The wide players were Luker on the right and Barrington on the left! Even after the substitution Ainley was never on the wing.

You can’t be very old as in the past Blundell Park often won awards for the best pitch in whatever division . That won’t be the case this season due to well publicised problems.

As for the game, I thought it was a very poor league 2 game, but on balance, Colchester just about deserved due to lack of creativity and decent forward play from Grimsby. Don’t tell Artell though as he said Grimsby created loads of chances.

Fair play to the Colchester fans who travelled. 237 or whatever it was, for a 12.30 start, on Sky TV, game in doubt up to kick off, blowing a hoolie

I have to say the rolling it around and having 60 or 70% posession at home and not doing anything with it is grating on me and although there were quite a few circumstances out of our control i fear crowds of under 5k (I think that was the first one in a few years for a Saturday game) will become more regular .

I don't think Colchester were that bad , the lad on the right and Taylor were a nuisance and offer the sort of unpredictability we seem to miss badly at home ; it's all very pedestrian which is a massive contrast to away performances .

 

[David Curries Mullet]

And so it starts . . . . It does make me chuckle that you can play FA Cup matches, World Cup qualification matches, International matches etc etc on good quality 4 & 5G pitches but the good old EFL won’t allow it. All top teams now train regularly on 4 & 5G pitches, and there isn’t a player in Div 2 who won’t have played on these pitches, but no let’s keep grass and accept postponed matches with all the knock on effects these have for clubs and fans alike. I guess it’ll take an unfinished season, or more clubs struggling with missing income from called off matches before the penny drops. And don’t forget the community income generated from a stadium and pitch that can be used for 365 days a year . . . . . I’m 61 years old, played decent level football and have followed it closely all my life. I love football on grass, but it’s just not viable anymore with our winters I’m afraid. Keep grass for those who can afford it, Premier League & Championship, all others have the option of either, depending on finances.

If you are 61, you've seen a damn sight worse winters in the past than recently. Football on grass not viable my arse. Unfinished season? There were 4 games off across the EFL on Saturday. There were more League 1 and 2 games off for international call ups the week before. We get you've lost your home advantage but "The Day After Tomorrow" doom and gloom is a bit OTT.

 

[Son of Cod]

Well worth considering it took us 2 years for things to finally click under Artell and then we became one of the league's best sides. From what I can see, you're in a much better position now than we were after his first year in charge where we were losing far too many matches, conceding far too many soft goals and looking a good bet for relegation to the point he was 90 minutes from the sack if rumours were to be believed. I'm pleasantly surprised he's done as well as he has done for you lot and I'm glad that he has.

A hallmark of his sides were creating loads and failing to put chances away and this led to a lot of frustrating dropped points at times. Our defence wasn't great under Artell either initially so we tended to get shithoused regularly and struggled to come back from losing positions if we conceded against the run of play. I can't see him being sacked this season unless he goes into a complete tailspin and sharp decline so I'm sure he'll be given next Summer to bring in the players he needs and I've no doubt he'll be the gaffer that'll get you challenging for those playoff places and quite possibly in them.

I also think a key condition in him accepting the post at Grimsby was the fact Stockwood and co would give him time to build and develop a team. He did an excellent job doing that despite the initial hiccups of his first 2 years in charge and so I hope your fans keep the faith and give him the time to give you stability and really help you push on as a club. Much better than chopping and changing, craving instant success, it backfiring and constantly living in fear of non league that's for sure.

Interesting parallels and differences to be drawn from this. I can't decide if not being able to come back from losing positions at Crewe is massively concerning in that it's a huge problem for us right now (only one win from a losing position and that was at Carlisle when they were playing banter football before they tightened up) or if it's reassuring that this was eventually fixed in Artell's first job.

The major difference you've highlighted there is that it sounds like you were always creating loads, whereas this just simply isn't the case for us. We're nowhere near creative enough. One thing I do remember you lot saying is that he is exceedingly stubborn and wouldn't deviate from his philosophy on the pitch, but he had to last season and we've picked up the majority of our best results this season playing a more pragmatic way.

The major red flag for me has always been the wealth of talent he had at his disposal at Crewe. Even if we had the biggest budget in the division we'd not be able to bring in a squad as good as your L2 promotion side, so when it's pointed out that Artell has a promotion from this division it comes with this caveat. I think it's entirely possible that Artell underestimated the gulf in class between say a Perry Ng and a Tyrell Warren or a Tom Lowey and a George McEachran and has had to adapt his approach accordingly. That's not disrespect intended to Warren and McEachran either, the latter particularly has proven to be a decent L2 CM.

I have to say the rolling it around and having 60 or 70% posession at home and not doing anything with it is grating on me and although there were quite a few circumstances out of our control i fear crowds of under 5k (I think that was the first one in a few years for a Saturday game) will become more regular .

I don't think Colchester were that bad , the lad on the right and Taylor were a nuisance and offer the sort of unpredictability we seem to miss badly at home ; it's all very pedestrian which is a massive contrast to away performances .

Yep, Stocky might have lost his bet but is probably owed an apology for being dismissed for saying we simply aren't very good at possession based football as that is quite clearly the case right now.

And yep, agreed on Colchester. Wanted it more than us and other than Ainley's chance they created the better opportunities. They were what you'd expect from a Cowley side scrapping for their first away win in a while.

 

[jacobncfc]

Yep, Stocky might have lost his bet but is probably owed an apology for being dismissed for saying we simply aren't very good at possession based football as that is quite clearly the case right now.

And yep, agreed on Colchester. Wanted it more than us and other than Ainley's chance they created the better opportunities. They were what you'd expect from a Cowley side scrapping for their first away win in a while.

It’s a style of football that feels very dependent on the quality of player you’ve got, especially in those creative positions. We’ve been fantastic to watch generally for the last three or four years since we started, but that entire time we’ve been lucky enough to pretty much always have had at least one of Rodrigues, Jones and Crowley playing. With players like that it feels like you’re probing and moving the opposition around to get them on the ball in the right position to play a defence-splitting pass, or the opposition doubles up on them and then you’re trying to find the space that’s there somewhere else. Even when it’s lots of passing that doesn’t immediately seem like it’s going anywhere, you always feel that moment is coming.

The last few games with none of them there it’s become pretty mind-numbing to watch. I think we’ve scored one goal from open play in our last five home games or something.

 

[Luke Imp]

You clearly watch a lot of Grimsby. Seems a little odd

I can assure you I do not!

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Every week I say we can’t get any worse, and every week we do.
Something has to change soon.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Interesting parallels and differences to be drawn from this. I can't decide if not being able to come back from losing positions at Crewe is massively concerning in that it's a huge problem for us right now (only one win from a losing position and that was at Carlisle when they were playing banter football before they tightened up) or if it's reassuring that this was eventually fixed in Artell's first job.

The major difference you've highlighted there is that it sounds like you were always creating loads, whereas this just simply isn't the case for us. We're nowhere near creative enough. One thing I do remember you lot saying is that he is exceedingly stubborn and wouldn't deviate from his philosophy on the pitch, but he had to last season and we've picked up the majority of our best results this season playing a more pragmatic way.

The major red flag for me has always been the wealth of talent he had at his disposal at Crewe. Even if we had the biggest budget in the division we'd not be able to bring in a squad as good as your L2 promotion side, so when it's pointed out that Artell has a promotion from this division it comes with this caveat. I think it's entirely possible that Artell underestimated the gulf in class between say a Perry Ng and a Tyrell Warren or a Tom Lowey and a George McEachran and has had to adapt his approach accordingly. That's not disrespect intended to Warren and McEachran either, the latter particularly has proven to be a decent L2 CM.


Yep, Stocky might have lost his bet but is probably owed an apology for being dismissed for saying we simply aren't very good at possession based football as that is quite clearly the case right now.

And yep, agreed on Colchester. Wanted it more than us and other than Ainley's chance they created the better opportunities. They were what you'd expect from a Cowley side scrapping for their first away win in a while.

When he first took over he tried his philosophy but we got well beaten by 10 man Luton, Doncaster and it culminated in a humiliating loss at a soon to be relegated Hartlepool where we got battered 4-0. The only time it had worked really was when we beat you 5-0 and blew you away in the opening half an hour out of nowhere! He then ripped it up and had us fighting for every ball and playing direct and it worked as it got the best out of Chris Dagnall, Jordan Bowery and Callum Cooke.

The following season we were back to standing off opponents and endless passing to nowhere. We were creating but not putting chances away and then constantly getting done on the break as we wouldn't tackle. So it was very frustrating. We then signed Paul Green who could tackle and it transformed us. It's no surprise that when he broke his leg in August 2018, our form between then and December was awful. His first game back? We defeat the league leaders 2-1 and then spend the next 2 and a half years in excellent form.

Maybe you're lacking a tough tackling midfielder in the middle and look a bit lightweight? I don't know for sure as 2 minutes highlight packages on Youtube each game are as much as I see of Grimsby. But what I do know is that his system is entirely reliant on a midfield general in the park breaking up the play and starting off moves.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

When he first took over he tried his philosophy but we got well beaten by 10 man Luton, Doncaster and it culminated in a humiliating loss at a soon to be relegated Hartlepool where we got battered 4-0. The only time it had worked really was when we beat you 5-0 and blew you away in the opening half an hour out of nowhere! He then ripped it up and had us fighting for every ball and playing direct and it worked as it got the best out of Chris Dagnall, Jordan Bowery and Callum Cooke.

The following season we were back to standing off opponents and endless passing to nowhere. We were creating but not putting chances away and then constantly getting done on the break as we wouldn't tackle. So it was very frustrating. We then signed Paul Green who could tackle and it transformed us. It's no surprise that when he broke his leg in August 2018, our form between then and December was awful. His first game back? We defeat the league leaders 2-1 and then spend the next 2 and a half years in excellent form.

Maybe you're lacking a tough tackling midfielder in the middle and look a bit lightweight? I don't know for sure as 2 minutes highlight packages on Youtube each game are as much as I see of Grimsby. But what I do know is that his system is entirely reliant on a midfield general in the park breaking up the play and starting off moves.

We have that player, Curtis Thompson, he's excellent, but injury prone and can only last about 70 mins. That's why he's playing for us...

 

[Valeite]

Seemed like a good advert for league 2 tonight at the Vale on Sky, much better than the majority of the overhyped prem stuff. We need a few of our midfielders back soon. Both sides should be in the shake up at the end of the season

 

[Grimsby Road]

It’s a style of football that feels very dependent on the quality of player you’ve got, especially in those creative positions. We’ve been fantastic to watch generally for the last three or four years since we started, but that entire time we’ve been lucky enough to pretty much always have had at least one of Rodrigues, Jones and Crowley playing. With players like that it feels like you’re probing and moving the opposition around to get them on the ball in the right position to play a defence-splitting pass, or the opposition doubles up on them and then you’re trying to find the space that’s there somewhere else. Even when it’s lots of passing that doesn’t immediately seem like it’s going anywhere, you always feel that moment is coming.

The last few games with none of them there it’s become pretty mind-numbing to watch. I think we’ve scored one goal from open play in our last five home games or something.

That's pretty much how I see it , the mixture of good recruitment and a decent budget has seen you with what I would call standout players at this level . We have effectively a mid range budget , with what i would suggest are good to average league 2 players but no one with that outstanding quality of a Crowley or Jones to dictate a game in that way . I think we will probably drop off to some degree and finish mid -table . Like someone else mentioned Artell had a unique model at Crewe with some outstanding players who have gone on to play higher . Here we are using the data with limited resource to try and cherry pick players who are (what they perceive) undervalued - whether that + time and an average budget will equal any sort of success I suppose can't be judged for another year or 2 really ; I'm still not sure whether Artell will be a success or it will implode and go badly wrong - it's weird as after him being here a year I thought there would be a better indicator of how it would go .

 

[Si Robin]

We have that player, Curtis Thompson, he's excellent, but injury prone and can only last about 70 mins. That's why he's playing for us...

Bloke should be top end League 1, arguably bottom end Championship with his ability.

A shame he's made of glass, it really is.