How do you judge this one?
I said five matches ago that I wasn't bothered about results so would judge things on performances & SG's invention.
By those guide lines, we were terrible.
SG sent us out to defend. We showed no invention in the first half. We were 1-0 down & probably deserved to be 3-0 down.
In the second half (as so often happens), we did better. It probably had more to do with Watford getting edgy but we finally had a shot after an hour. Nowhere near the goal but it was a shot.
Kirkland was undoubtedly our star. Then when all seemed lost, Nuhui miss hit a shot from eight yards. It went into the ground then bounced into the roof of the net. After that, Kirkland saved again but from the corner, Isgrove burst clear with an empty net at his mercy but the referee blew for time as there were already fans on the pitch.
On the other hand, we drew away to a promoted side. So some might offer praise for a good result.
Kirkland - 8
Vermijl - 5
Lees - 5
Buxton - 5
Helan - 5
Maguire - 5
Semedo - 6
Melo - 6
Lee - 5
Lavery - 5
Keane - 5
.......................
Nuhiu - 5
May - 5
Isgrove - 6
What did we learn?
SG cannot get us going from the first minute. We are good at keeping it tight and can get a draw against a lot of sides. We lack imagination to win enough matches. We are durable and have an ability to hang in matches so can get a lot of draws and maybe steal a 1-0.
While some might be fooled by the result, our whole performance was insipid and the first half was a disgrace. If we continue with these tactics next season then we will probably be mid table again. If we want to challenge for promotion, there has to be a total change of mindset. We have to go for the win in every match and play more adventurous tactics, maybe even ones that surprise the opposition.
We have beaten the points total achieved by DJ two years ago by two points. He was castigated for that yet now with a 25% bigger budget some fans are happy with how SG has performed in a much weaker division. Next season will probably be tougher again. Neither of Watford or Bournemouth are that great and probably two of the relegated sides are likely to be stronger than the promoted sides. The relegated sides this season were terrible and Bristol City & MK Dons plus whoever comes up through the Playoffs will undoubtedly be better.
We need to improve to get 13th again. However, with big money likely to be spent and even decent players like Semedo & Maguire rumoured to be on their way, it appears that we are seriously putting together a group of players capable of promotion. It just needs some inventive tactics and I suspect that SG will probably only get a couple of months to show that he is the man for the job.
Finally, someone who has never let us down - the fans. Another brilliant performance. We have travelled in our numbers from Brighton to Watford and many places in between. While there have been some subdued days, generally the noise levels have been great even in adversity. There have been great performances (Boro, Forest) and great late moments (Blackburn, Rotherham, Bournemouth, Watford) but there was also great support on those not so great days (Fulham, Derby & Reading).
This is going to be a very interesting summer & we will know in the next few days the size of our ambition when we see who is leaving. No doubt fans will be glued to social media before we get back on the treadmill next August.
MK sold Ali for a big fee but most of that money will go towards reducing debts. He will probably get some but most of it will be clever loan signings.
I said five matches ago that I wasn't bothered about results so would judge things on performances & SG's invention.
By those guide lines, we were terrible.
SG sent us out to defend. We showed no invention in the first half. We were 1-0 down & probably deserved to be 3-0 down.
In the second half (as so often happens), we did better. It probably had more to do with Watford getting edgy but we finally had a shot after an hour. Nowhere near the goal but it was a shot.
Kirkland was undoubtedly our star. Then when all seemed lost, Nuhui miss hit a shot from eight yards. It went into the ground then bounced into the roof of the net. After that, Kirkland saved again but from the corner, Isgrove burst clear with an empty net at his mercy but the referee blew for time as there were already fans on the pitch.
On the other hand, we drew away to a promoted side. So some might offer praise for a good result.
Kirkland - 8
Vermijl - 5
Lees - 5
Buxton - 5
Helan - 5
Maguire - 5
Semedo - 6
Melo - 6
Lee - 5
Lavery - 5
Keane - 5
.......................
Nuhiu - 5
May - 5
Isgrove - 6
What did we learn?
SG cannot get us going from the first minute. We are good at keeping it tight and can get a draw against a lot of sides. We lack imagination to win enough matches. We are durable and have an ability to hang in matches so can get a lot of draws and maybe steal a 1-0.
While some might be fooled by the result, our whole performance was insipid and the first half was a disgrace. If we continue with these tactics next season then we will probably be mid table again. If we want to challenge for promotion, there has to be a total change of mindset. We have to go for the win in every match and play more adventurous tactics, maybe even ones that surprise the opposition.
We have beaten the points total achieved by DJ two years ago by two points. He was castigated for that yet now with a 25% bigger budget some fans are happy with how SG has performed in a much weaker division. Next season will probably be tougher again. Neither of Watford or Bournemouth are that great and probably two of the relegated sides are likely to be stronger than the promoted sides. The relegated sides this season were terrible and Bristol City & MK Dons plus whoever comes up through the Playoffs will undoubtedly be better.
We need to improve to get 13th again. However, with big money likely to be spent and even decent players like Semedo & Maguire rumoured to be on their way, it appears that we are seriously putting together a group of players capable of promotion. It just needs some inventive tactics and I suspect that SG will probably only get a couple of months to show that he is the man for the job.
Finally, someone who has never let us down - the fans. Another brilliant performance. We have travelled in our numbers from Brighton to Watford and many places in between. While there have been some subdued days, generally the noise levels have been great even in adversity. There have been great performances (Boro, Forest) and great late moments (Blackburn, Rotherham, Bournemouth, Watford) but there was also great support on those not so great days (Fulham, Derby & Reading).
This is going to be a very interesting summer & we will know in the next few days the size of our ambition when we see who is leaving. No doubt fans will be glued to social media before we get back on the treadmill next August.
(03-05-2015, 22:51)Imre varadi Wrote: didnt they let sours sign a player of theres and be loaned back for millions ? maybe they arnt money bags , but they arnt poor like we where either ?
Anyway ms i would like the match ratings in stay or fcukoff style !!!
MK sold Ali for a big fee but most of that money will go towards reducing debts. He will probably get some but most of it will be clever loan signings.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.