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.