Why such a poor start?

[Smiffy]

So we have had the worst start in 20 years. 3 defeats (1 cup) out of 3. No goals scored, 7 goals conceded (4 in cup), injury problems and now Timlin suspended for a game.

But what is the reason for this awful start?

• Are the players not fit enough?
• Are the players not good enough?
• Are the players not focussed enough?
• Is the manager adopting the wrong tactics?
• Is the manager selecting the wrong team?
• Is the team not settled enough?

Or are there more deep rooted issues here that we are unaware of?...on and/or off the pitch?

Not a lot to be upbeat about at the moment. But, we are only a few games into the season. No need to panic just yet. We do need to start seeing an improvement quickly though.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

The manager is trying to play a long ball style with too many 'ballers' in the side.

 

[Hawkwell Blue]

But, we are only a few games into the season. No need to panic just yet. We do need to start seeing an improvement quickly though.

You've answered your own question.

 

[south247]

I find the injuries deeply troubling. The goalkeeper situation has been well documented. And the lack of CMs an issue too.

There has to be things going on behind scene. Plus some of the tactics have been a bit bizarre.

BUT, it is only 2 games in so hope springs eternal

 

[Kevin Hogg]

We have let in 7 and scored zero.

 

[Jam_Man]

We have let in 7 and scored zero.

Sigh. Why are people still using a game against a Championship team.

We have played two teams at our level and lost them.

Played 2 lost 2. Conceded 3.

Losing to Peterborough will not affect our promotion hopes.

 

[Jam_Man]

The manager is trying to play a long ball style with too many 'ballers' in the side.

No he isnt, on Saturday we didnt try to play long ball at all until Cresswell came on.

 

[Kevin Hogg]

Sigh. Why are people still using a game against a Championship team.

We have played two teams at our level and lost them.

Played 2 lost 2. Conceded 3.

Losing to Peterborough will not affect our promotion hopes.

Because it was a COMPETITIVE, 1st eleven match.
Just because you want to pick and choose what counts and what does not count. It will go into the record books as "Lost 0-4". Fact.

Argue with the Football League, Southend United, UEFA, FIFA...it was a competitive match.

We have not scored in three and let in seven. Fact!!!!!!!!

 

[Jam_Man]

Because it was a COMPETITIVE, 1st eleven match.
Just because you want to pick and choose what counts and what does not count. It will go into the record books as "Lost 0-4". Fact.

Argue with the Football League, Southend United, UEFA, FIFA...it was a competitive match.

We have not scored in three and let in seven. Fact!!!!!!!!

It was a competitive match against a team two leagues above us where a defeat is not an unacceptable outcome.

It will go down in the records books as the Chelsea 4-1 defeat did, no one will care as we were expected to lose.

Using it to say we are in bad form in the league is pointless.

 

[Kevin Hogg]

It was a competitive match against a team two leagues above us where a defeat is not an unacceptable outcome.

It will go down in the records books as the Chelsea 4-1 defeat did, no one will care as we were expected to lose.

Using it to say we are in bad form in the league is pointless.

But if we had won 6-0..and then lost our opening two League games, everbody would point to the fact that we had won 6-0. It counts.
Admittedly it has no direct bearing on League 2 points but it is still an indication and a part of our poor start.

 

[Kevin Hogg]

Jam Man. You use the Chelsea defeat. But how often do we all talk about or watch the game at Stamford Bridge? According to your view..that great performance did not matter and does not count...because the replay doesn't..in your opinion.

 

[Jam_Man]

But if we had won 6-0..and then lost our opening two League games, everbody would point to the fact that we had won 6-0. It counts.
Admittedly it has no direct bearing on League 2 points but it is still an indication and a part of our poor start.

If we had beaten a team in the championship it would have been a massive achievement so yes it can be used as a measurement.

In any game you have a likelihood of winning. In the league we have an expectation to be able to win any game, so if we do draw or lose one disappointment is expected.

When you play a team two leagues above there is no expectation to win, so if you lose it doesnt matter, you havent underachieved . However if you win it means you have over achieved.

Its like losing to Chelsea 4-1 holds no significance as they should win, yet beating Man Utd was a massive achievemen becuase we shouldnt have.

Jam Man. You use the Chelsea defeat. But how often do we all talk about or watch the game at Stamford Bridge? According to your view..that great performance did not matter and does not count...because the replay doesn't..in your opinion.

Same point, the draw is an achievement because we achieved a result that we shouldnt be expected to, the replay doesnt mean anything because we got the result that a team in our position should expect to.

 

[Kevin Hogg]

So Jam Man, it is ok to lose at Cobblers on Saturday? They are above us in the league, at home and in better form. We shouldn't be expected to win...so it won't count if we lose?

Every game counts.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Peterborough have lost both league games including one at home last night. They are not a great Championship side. If it had been Wolves/Cardiff/Blackpool, then your point may be valid.

The chances are Peterborough will be near the bottom of the Championship, and we should be near the top of League 2. This means that there should not be a 4-0 gap between them.

Winning would of been unexpected, and I think if we had lost 1-0, 2-1, 2-0 or something close, people would not be so quick to include the result, as a narrow loss would of been "expected".

To lose 4-0 was very poor, so its all part of the poor start we have had.

 

[Jam_Man]

Peterborough have lost both league games including one at home last night. They are not a great Championship side. If it had been Wolves/Cardiff/Blackpool, then your point may be valid.

The chances are Peterborough will be near the bottom of the Championship, and we should be near the top of League 2. This means that there should not be a 4-0 gap between them.

Winning would of been unexpected, and I think if we had lost 1-0, 2-1, 2-0 or something close, people would not be so quick to include the result, as a narrow loss would of been "expected".

To lose 4-0 was very poor, so its all part of the poor start we have had.

They are still a Championship side so the point is still valid.

Losing two games doesnt mean they are the worst team in the league, or should the likes of Sheff Utd be beating Man Utd ? (In fairness Posh arent a great CCC side but any team with Taylor and Boyd in arent a poor side compared to league two.

So Jam Man, it is ok to lose at Cobblers on Saturday? They are above us in the league, at home and in better form. We shouldn't be expected to win...so it won't count if we lose?

Every game counts.

No because as I said they are in the same league as us and not two divisions above us so we have realistic expectations to win that game, same as Accrington.

Off to smash my head into a brick wall. :headbang:

 

[Napster]

Peterborough have lost both league games including one at home last night. They are not a great Championship side. If it had been Wolves/Cardiff/Blackpool, then your point may be valid.

The chances are Peterborough will be near the bottom of the Championship, and we should be near the top of League 2. This means that there should not be a 4-0 gap between them.

Winning would of been unexpected, and I think if we had lost 1-0, 2-1, 2-0 or something close, people would not be so quick to include the result, as a narrow loss would of been "expected".

To lose 4-0 was very poor, so its all part of the poor start we have had.

:hilarious::hilarious:

Sorry but that's ridiculous logic.

 

[Smiffy]

I know people will be quick to shoot me down. But I simply cannot believe all is well behind the scenes.

It is my opinion, I am not saying it is fact. But I get the feeling that there are things going on that are upsetting the atmosphere off the pitch as well as on it.

There seems to be a cloud hanging over us. Again my opinion. And I am genuinely fearful for what is in store off the field and the repercussions on it.

I am hoping that I am completely wrong and things will start looking up very soon though of course.

 

[Jam_Man]

I know people will be quick to shoot me down. But I simply cannot believe all is well behind the scenes.

It is my opinion, I am not saying it is fact. But I get the feeling that there are things going on that are upsetting the atmosphere off the pitch as well as on it.

There seems to be a cloud hanging over us. Again my opinion. And I am genuinely fearful for what is in store off the field and the repercussions on it.

I am hoping that I am completely wrong and things will start looking up very soon though of course.

We know there are financial issues.

How that affects Timlin getting sent off Im not sure and its too easy a peg to hang the league start on for me.

 

[Napster]

I know people will be quick to shoot me down. But I simply cannot believe all is well behind the scenes.

It is my opinion, I am not saying it is fact. But I get the feeling that there are things going on that are upsetting the atmosphere off the pitch as well as on it.

There seems to be a cloud hanging over us. Again my opinion. And I am genuinely fearful for what is in store off the field and the repercussions on it.

I am hoping that I am completely wrong and things will start looking up very soon though of course.

The thing is, things haven't been well behind the scenes since the Rubin boys. There's been a raft of bad chairmen and bad managers, interspersed with managers who we get lucky with, like Tilly and Webb.

 

[Smiffy]

We know there are financial issues.

How that affects Timlin getting sent off Im not sure.

Too easy a peg to hang the league start on for me.

I have not mentioned about Timlin getting sent off have I?

What I am saying is, I feel there are off the field problems that are perhaps contributing to poor performances thus far, from certain individuals.

But more of a concern for me, is just how bad is our current financial state? Unless Ron or A.N. Other is putting in £100k a month, then we must really be up **** creek without a paddle. Here's hoping we are keeping the tax man happy. There must be another huge bill due about now?