Not winning well enough?

[Ferrite]

Bit disappointing to see so many complaints online about us winning an actual game of football. Bear in mind, Hallam’s goal was the first time we’d even been ahead in 8 league games, I think, going back to February. Yet all you see is people complaining that we were too defensive, not exciting enough, the game was crap, my favourite player was not picked, blah, blah, blah. At the moment, given how terrible things have been for the last couple of years for this club, a few wins is the most important thing. Get some points, then see how confidence grows in this very young team. See them get more ambitious. See Cox pick more attacking line-ups. See players, fans and Cox trust each other. All of that will come but for now I’ll take a few scrappy wins – and it’s not like we have to suffer through actually watching crap games at the moment so one less thing to complain about!

Let’s get behind this side, let’s not be sniffy about 3 points.

[cassidystash]

Don’t think there have been any/many complaints about the 3 points, they were badly needed. The complaints about the type of football I can understand, we were promised attacking football and, as this is the latest in a list of unfulfilled promises, then fans are bound to express concern. Similarly regarding selection, it’s not ‘favourite’ players not being selected but BEST players that fans are missing, (and best players out of position when they are picked) Whether you support the complaints or not it’s all perfectly understandable IMO, you must know that Bru posters know best! Our ideals will take time, we have to be patient.

[Anonymous]

No-one’s complaining about winning. The worrisome thing for me was that we could easily have lost that game if it wasn’t for Watson. It’s good Watson had a stellar performance, but we can’t rely on the goalkeeper winning it for us in most games.

The positive thing was the team ethic and there are glimpses of good play there. I do not want to doubt that. However, I remain to be convinced that we’re bound to see a more positive strategy in the future. Hopefully we will, it is possible, and I am certainly not calling for any scepticism of Cox’s position, but the early signs aren’t convincing. It is by no means guaranteed. It could be argued that the negativity was for defending a lead, but it only just about worked against an average side. I don’t see harm in questioning a tactic which had us living dangerously.

cassidystash is right. Most see someone like Eisa, for example, as one of our best players and I think it would be rather contentious to say otherwise, so when he’s left out, and the replacement/resulting performance is no better, there are bound to be questions from fans. Sure, we’re not privy to training and ideas of the coaches and managers, but we’re allowed to form an opinion based on what we see. We’re supporters of the club, but that doesn’t mean we need to shut off our own critical faculties for blind cheering on of whatever the manager or players do. We should strive to be measured in criticism, and sometimes many aren’t, but I don’t see harm in holding an opinion if argued politely and reasonably enough.

Anyone going too far and saying Cox is going to fail or needs to be sacked will be daft, and probably will be daft for some time, as I doubt it would even be sustainable to go on a manager hunt again under pandemic conditions. However, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people to complain about yet more boring, negative football being played after suffering this dross for a while now, and losing with it, especially when we’re not guaranteed anything better. I hope you’re right in that things do change, but try to be a bit more forgiving of some who vent, especially after the emotional time of match day. Yes, we don’t have to watch, but given I pay for the games on ifollow, I feel like I should, and I want to pay because it helps the club in these times.

[Ferrite]

cassidystash wrote:

n’t think there have been any/many complaints about the 3 points, they were badly needed.

I never said they were, people are complaining about how they were gained.

Anonymous wrote:

The worrisome thing for me was that we could easily have lost that game if it wasn’t for Watson. It’s good Watson had a stellar performance, but we can’t rely on the goalkeeper winning it for us in most games.

Sure but a goalkeeper is one of the team’s 11 players and is allowed to play well. Even better to see Rory Watson finally show some real promise and deliver a match-winning performance. That should be a positive for me.

Anonymous wrote:

cassidystash is right. Most see someone like Eisa, for example, as one of our best players and I think it would be rather contentious to say otherwise, so when he’s left out and the replacement/resulting performance is no better then there are bound to be questions from fans. Sure, we’re not privy to training and ideas of the coaches and managers, but we’re allowed to form an opinion based on what we see. We’re supporters of the club, but that doesn’t mean we need to shut off our own critical faculties for blind cheering on of whatever the manager or players do. We should strive to be measured in criticism, and sometimes many aren’t, but I don’t see harm in holding an opinion if argued politely and reasonably enough.

Presumably, you think Cox is not an idiot? So shouldn’t we trust him to make the right decisions for the team? Sure, if things go badly for a long period of time, then by all means question him but doesn’t he deserve the benefit of the doubt for now?

Look, I do get it, we’ve had a succession of managers who’ve been, at best, conservative and at worse outright negative. But people carping on about “attacking football” when we’ve just won one game, the first in 8 matches and only fourth in 16 league games this year, is just a bit premature in my opinion.

Anonymous wrote:

I hope you’re right in that things do change, but try to be a bit more forgiving of some who vent, especially after the emotional time of match day. Yes, we don’t have to watch, but given I pay for the games on ifollow, I feel like I should, and I want to pay because it helps the club in these times.

That’s fine but that patience & forgiveness needs to be shown to the team and its management too. Give them a chance.

[Anonymous]

Nothing against a goalkeeper playing well, and that is a positive for Watson, but it’s concerning when it seems like we’re reliant on him playing well.

I don’t think Cox is an idiot, and I want to be proven wrong when I have doubts. I appreciate it’s too early to genuinely question him in any meaningful way. I am just worried that it’ll be more slog and things won’t change. I guess because this is what it has been like for a while.

[mistertonmick]

It was great seeing Rory get a man of the match performance, but remember he has played about 50 games to get one, so just pleased to see him have a better start to the season with no major errors and hopefully now he is virtually the senior defender I hope the improvement continues, regarding the defence my biggest concern is right back and don’t think Hornshaw is a full back but hopefully he gets better, the centre defence looks solid, I like Vincent, Hallam and Spence but Hippolyte looks like he has potential but seems to do better for the first 45 minutes, Gilliead is a good player, Loft has had 3 decent games and 1 shocker, but I don’t like playing 1 up front at home, can’t understand though why Eisa i’snt starting because you need some league experience in the team, same with Macatee, it’s OK Neil saying he is pushing the local lads into the team but supporters pay to see the best team available and I hope this isn’t the reason Colclough and Co are being left out the team.

Also what has happened to the exciting attacking football, the result was great on Saturday but for once Rory Watson saved us from a possible defeat, and that is something I have never said before.

[Northumbiron]

It’s a football forum.

Contributors are allowed to moan!

[Awaywego]

Thats nice to know NI, thought it was just our lass that moaned.

[BigLeftToe]

Mostly Cox’s own fault…you don’t come in on day one professing to play attacking football (in a 4-4-2) and then deliver the exact opposite.

Stating that Eisa, a winger, “needs to get the ball and run at players” as the reason he didn’t play is bonkers…what are wingers supposed to do for crying out loud!? He’s arguably our best player and can win games on his own, so get him in the team.

[TwoWrights]

Awaywego wrote:

Thats nice to know NI, thought it was just our lass that moaned.

I’ll leave it, I like to work for my entertainment on here, the above is handed on a plate! ;-)

[Ferrite]

Northumbiron wrote:

It’s a football forum.

Contributors are allowed to moan!

I reckon we’ll lose more than we win this season, we should at least enjoy these rare days in the sun!

[bartonscorpion]

No body complains about the tree points Ferrite, we complain about the system of dropping the full team into defence for the last 25 minutes, nine times out of ten the team will concede at least one goal, so we will not even b in a position of complaining aboutwinning, simply be cause we will notend up winning, it is bloody stupid letting an average team constantly play in your penalty box, on Saturday we got lucky, that will not often happen like that.

[WonderGoals]

Ferrite is becoming the new club guard dog…it appears he’s taken over from the other wally. Any, and I mean any posts of criticism towards the style of play e.t.c “even if coupled with a valid reason” will be immediately shot down and you’ll be moaned at for moaning.

Ironic I know but they you go.

I personally think having a manager coming through the door who told every man and his dog about “this will be a new era, we’ll attack from the off and get excitement back in the club/town” to then be met with mind numbing safety first style of play, dodgy formation and your best attacking player not playing because he’s too attack minded is a bit of a kick in the nuts.

I don’t know what’s going on with Eisa. Why anybody would leave their best attacking player out because he’s too positive is beyond me ?

If Cox hasn’t banged his head, resulting in an undiagnosed mental condition then I’m struggling to understand what he’s doing.

Must be the fumes from the steel works, we’ve had countless managers who either talk a good game, or, go down this weird defensive path and slowly mentally disintegrate before our very eyes.

I like Cox but usually this kind of madness he’s starting to display usually ends up rearing it’s ugly head further down the line.

Cox might buck the trend, instead of descending into madness…he may start off a bit crazy and then do a complete u turn and be true to his word and fulfil his supposed attacking football philosophy.

You never know !

[Pele]

Has to be Eisa and Colclough on wings for me, so what if they don’t offer as much defensively,let the Attacking players attack and the defenders defend.

[Awaywego]

Come on TW I like to give freebies out.Some of us like humour.

[Northumbiron]

Liverpool won the PL because Klopp stuck with Mane, Firmino & Salah when all three were fit. I can’t see Ancelotti moving away from James, Calvert-Lewin & Richarlison after the start they’ve had.

Play your best players in their best position in a system they’re comfortable with.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Cox doesn’t yet know his best players or has been forced by injury (some may say because of an imbalanced squad) to play a system that they’re not comfortable with.

I’m also wondering if there will still be movement in and out before the window closes.

[cassidystash]

Hard to see how Dales, Olomola, Mooney, Jarvis, Pugh and maybe more are going to get anywhere near the matchday squad if we don’t have a massive injury crisis. Is Cox keeping Eisa and McAtee out of the picture until the transfer window closes?

[Ferrite]

WonderGoals wrote:

Ferrite is becoming the new club guard dog…it appears he’s taken over from the other wally. Any, and I mean any posts of criticism towards the style of play e.t.c “even if coupled with a valid reason” will be immediately shot down and you’ll be moaned at for moaning.

Thanks for your kind words.

I think we’ve got a real problem with expectations as a supporter base, too many of us still seem to be in the “promotion to the Championship” mentality. We need to get real. This is what we are now for the time being. You can either enjoy it and get behind the team or you can moan and look like an entitled Premier League fan. Your choice.

cassidystash wrote:

Hard to see how Dales, Olomola, Mooney, Jarvis, Pugh and maybe more are going to get anywhere near the matchday squad if we don’t have a massive injury crisis. Is Cox keeping Eisa and McAtee out of the picture until the transfer window closes?

I’ve been wondering the same, I would have thought that some sales would be crucial but, realistically, how many clubs are going to be making signings now?

[BigLeftToe]

Something has to be going on transfer wise with Eisa and McAtee. Eisa isn’t too bad defensively and always works his socks off, plus can score out of nowhere…no reason not to be in the team.

The process of elimination deduced that Beestin must have been the other player who was self-isolating along with McAtee. He gets back in the team but McAtee doesn’t because he has missed training? Hmmmm

[lesgeo]

Weren’t we told ‘no offers in for any player/s?’
It doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t folks out there sniffing and making pertinent enquiries.

[WonderGoals]

Ferrite wrote:

I think we’ve got a real problem with expectations as a supporter base

No expects us to romp the league. What is annoying a lot of people is we’re not getting what we were promised. All I wanted was for us to have a go and at least try and play in a positive manner.

Not playing Eisa because he’s too positive is an absolute disgrace.

Play the best players in their positions and let them do their thing. All I want is passion, work rate and for our best players to be playing where they should be.

I don’t expect 3 nil wins every week.

I don’t think expecting that is too much to ask.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

WonderGoals wrote:

Ferrite wrote:

I think we’ve got a real problem with expectations as a supporter base

No expects us to romp the league. What is annoying a lot of people is we’re not getting what we were promised.

He’s had 3 League Games!!!!

All I wanted was for us to have a go and at least try and play in a positive manner.

Not playing Eisa because he’s too positive is an absolute disgrace.

Play the best players in their positions and let them do their thing. All I want is passion, work rate and for our best players to be playing where they should be.

I don’t expect 3 nil wins every week.

I don’t think expecting that is too much to ask.

[barnardsboots]

Think there’s a reality check needed here. Attacking play comes from confidence and the ability to get in the opposition half, hopefully the penalty box and then create chances. So, to achieve that basically we have to be better man for man than the opposition. With a team of mainly under 23’s, inexperienced manager, and on the back of an awful 2/3 seasons lets take little wins. Judge after 10 games.

[bartonscorpion]

The prblem is ARardyou say lets take little wins and judge after 10 games, I fear that this may be our only win in these ten games you are on about, we hav had about five shots on target in our last three matches, thats over four and a half hours play!!!!!!!!!

We will be in the relegation area again by that timew, alreasy out of the League Cup 1st rd and also out f the FL Tophy, and another 1st round xit of the FA Cup will end our season by November, so you are all happy the way things are going???

[WonderGoals]

Why does Cox need 10 games to play players where they should be playing and for us to play positively ?. Cox has the players here but he’s gone down the safety first road.

I’m just disappointed because we’re getting something entirely different to what he promised.

Not playing Eisa because he’s not as good defensively as Hippolyte when playing against Carlisle at home….come on, I expect more positivity than that.

I will gladly wait though and see where we are after 10 games. Playing Rowe at RB should make a big difference.

Not really sure what Vincent is adding in CM. Spence is pretty good but he needs somebody alongside him who offers a bit more.

May as well give Beestin or Hornshaw a go there and see how they get on.

[Pele]

I think for the first time ever on this forum I actually agree with wonder_goals,this start to the season feels similar to the one under Nick Daws.

Not playing Eisa because too positive, we was playing Carlisle at home ffs not Madrid away.

Give Colclough a run of games on the right and get him up to speed, Eisa on the left and let’s actually get at some teams.

[mistertonmick]

not the Scunthorpe way nowadays Pele, we have to grind out results, entertainment is off the radar.

[Northumbiron]

If there’s clubs interested in Colclough and Eisa get them sold and buy a leader, preferably in CMF, and maybe a keeper of some experience, because as good as Watson was on Saturday knowing our luck he’s bound to get injured or suspended.

[cassidystash]

I reckon Colclough will be on a good wedge, probably beyond most of L1 & L2. That aside, have you seen anything in the last 18 months that you think would encourage anybody to buy him?

[waltersleftfoot]

Agree with Cass,nothing would tempt me to buy colclough,Gillead is the best RW in the league,get him out there,Eisa on the right,a proper pair of full backs,and a CMF who can organize,there must be someone out there with experience at this level thats available,Dawsonesque

[Author]

Posts