Fans (so called) slagging off our own players

[McNasty]

I wasn't dis-agreeing with you in the slightest --- I think our fans have been spoilt a bit over the last few years and are very impatient.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Unfortunately this is exactly the problem with our beloved Chairman not paying the staff and almost running the club into the ground.

I think that nearly, if not all, of the players forced out of the club have signed for higher level clubs ( despite Martin's comments when he drove them away ) and have been replaces by inferior quality footballers to suit Martin's policy of not paying decent wages --- oops, I forgot the wages cap---- and as a result some fans are not prepared to give the players time to gel or even put up with the lower standard that we have taken on.

Pay peanuts --- need I say more ?

I think that might just be a tad harsh against a group of players who, yesterday aside, looked to be giving their all to the club. Yesterday's performance and team selection was way below the level expected, Sturrock's admitted as much, and we need to understand that throwing a squad together within two weeks was always going to cause this sort of problem. If we're that woeful in a month or two, then we can start worrying...

 

[GBJ]

I think a lot of us knew that the first dodgy performance was gonna see the 'bring tilson back' brigade surface,

Correct me if i'm wrong, but you were one of the 'Tilly out', people? After yesterdays waste of time, doesn't it make you appreciate Tilly a little bit? At least he tried to play football. All we've seen today is kick and rush. Maybe after 3/4+ years of watching hoofball, you'll pray for a manager like Tilly again?

I think that might just be a tad harsh against a group of players who, yesterday aside, looked to be giving their all to the club. Yesterday's performance and team selection was way below the level expected, Sturrock's admitted as much, and we need to understand that throwing a squad together within two weeks was always going to cause this sort of problem. If we're that woeful in a month or two, then we can start worrying...

This was said many times last season. Thw writing was on the wall then and it is now IMO.

Only something special will lift us this season

 

[Jack The Flag]

Martin fault ;)

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but you were one of the 'Tilly out', people? After yesterdays waste of time, doesn't it make you appreciate Tilly a little bit? At least he tried to play football. All we've seen today is kick and rush. Maybe after 3/4+ years of watching hoofball, you'll pray for a manager like Tilly again?



This was said many times last season. Thw writing was on the wall then and it is now IMO.

Only something special will lift us this season

That Justin from CBeebies gets everywhere!

 

[EastStandBlue]

This was said many times last season. Thw writing was on the wall then and it is now IMO.

Only something special will lift us this season

Last season has nothing to do with this season... Last season, we had a threadbare squad who'd mostly been together for at least a year, who hadn't been paid and only had one full-time centre back. At this moment in time, the current crop have only been together for the best part of a month, have only played three League games and are still training for match fitness and continuity.

As Sturrock quite rightly says, the Vale side we played yesterday are 18 months in the making and should be right in the mix for the title come April/May, let alone the Play-Offs.

The football we played yesterday was a result of the team selection. Easton and Grant couldn't decide who had what role in midfield, while Simpson's absence reduced our centre-halfs to the long ball game... Tilson did try and play football, but we were reduced to the same long ball game for large parts of last season with next to no quality from our central midfielders, only last year it was left to Simon Francis to maybe create something.

 

[West Stand Benfleet Blue]

Fans pay the wages, we have aright to show our feelings but I agree use of insulting names from daytripper fans is not what is needed. We saw better in earlier matches lets hope yesterday was an off day.
I for one will be happy if we end up mid table so we can consolidate for future seasons.

 

[GBJ]

Last season has nothing to do with this season... Last season, we had a threadbare squad who'd mostly been together for at least a year, who hadn't been paid and only had one full-time centre back. At this moment in time, the current crop have only been together for the best part of a month, have only played three League games and are still training for match fitness and continuity.

As Sturrock quite rightly says, the Vale side we played yesterday are 18 months in the making and should be right in the mix for the title come April/May, let alone the Play-Offs.

The football we played yesterday was a result of the team selection. Easton and Grant couldn't decide who had what role in midfield, while Simpson's absence reduced our centre-halfs to the long ball game... Tilson did try and play football, but we were reduced to the same long ball game for large parts of last season with next to no quality from our central midfielders, only last year it was left to Simon Francis to maybe create something.

I'm not trying to highlight the problems with last season, i'm simply saying it was obvious that we would struggle. We were in a huge pile of dump last season, and it was obvious to a few that we would struggle.

Now onto this season. Completely different set of circumstances, but brand new problems. Leaking goals, not scoring enough, no special talisman-like talent to rely on. I can't comment on the Aldershot game as I wasn't there, but yesterday and the Stockport game showed that we will struggle in majortiy of games. We never look like scoring, and yesterday looked like conceding every time Vale attacked. Ther midfield was disjointed (at best) and the defence resembled a collinder. Now, OK they might not know each other/been together long, but they are still 'pro' footballers at the end of the day. This isn't new to them.

Don't get me wrong, I kind of buy the idea that the team need time to gel and Sturrock doesn't know his best XI yet, but as I said, these guys aren't children. The majority have played football at this level and higher for many years. It's that mollycoddling attitude why so many footballers are primadonna pussies. People are too quick to make excuses for them. I mean, a player recieves a dead leg, and that means 2 weeks off injured? Playing 120 minutes means they're tired for the next 4 days? LOL, these guys are superfit athletes, not school kids. Anyway, I digress.

I honestly think that the current crop, just haven't got the natural ability, and for me, the writing is on the wall again. Something is needed. A talisman in the squad? Different tactics? who knows. Guess we'll see as the weeks unfold

 

[EastStandBlue]

I'm not trying to highlight the problems with last season, i'm simply saying it was obvious that we would struggle. We were in a huge pile of dump last season, and it was obvious to a few that we would struggle.

Now onto this season. Completely different set of circumstances, but brand new problems. Leaking goals, not scoring enough, no special talisman-like talent to rely on. I can't comment on the Aldershot game as I wasn't there, but yesterday and the Stockport game showed that we will struggle in majortiy of games. We never look like scoring, and yesterday looked like conceding every time Vale attacked. Ther midfield was disjointed (at best) and the defence resembled a collinder. Now, OK they might not know each other/been together long, but they are still 'pro' footballers at the end of the day. This isn't new to them.

Don't get me wrong, I kind of buy the idea that the team need time to gel and Sturrock doesn't know his best XI yet, but as I said, these guys aren't children. The majority have played football at this level and higher for many years. It's that mollycoddling attitude why so many footballers are primadonna pussies. People are too quick to make excuses for them. I mean, a player recieves a dead leg, and that means 2 weeks off injured? Playing 120 minutes means they're tired for the next 4 days? LOL, these guys are superfit athletes, not school kids. Anyway, I digress.

I honestly think that the current crop, just haven't got the natural ability, and for me, the writing is on the wall again. Something is needed. A talisman in the squad? Different tactics? who knows. Guess we'll see as the weeks unfold

I remember in July saying that the best we could realistically hope for this season would be consolidation and was questioned by a selection of people on here... I still think the squad we have is one or two ingredients away from being very reasonable at this level (those being a pacey forward and a creative midfielder in the Guttridge fashion).

Saying that we're "leaking goals" is a bit reactionist in my opinion, as up until yesterday most were saying how much better we've looked at the back. Against Stockport there was an air of controversy surrounding the goal as Clohessy switched off following the linesman flagging and it's only yesterday out of the 5 games I've seen us play under Sturrock that I've thought we've looked weak in that position. Sturrock, I imagine, will see this as the opportunity to unleash Moshni, and I think he'll get at least 30 minutes against Wolves to get him accustomed for Bradford.

I think we'll be signing a striker on loan to improve our frontline and, when Moshni is fit and the familiarity is at a decent level, we'll improve our consistency and we'll start to pick up results and points.

I'll be interested to hear exactly how many clubs at this level have a talismanic player... Rotherham have Le Fondre, but I can't think of many other iconic players who strike fear into other teams. They're a rare commodity at this level and, more often than not, leave for higher, more attractive climbs should they not get promoted. If Le Fondre keeps scoring like he is at this moment, I'll be stunned if he's still at Rotherham in February.

My biggest concern, however, is our run of fixtures. We've got Bradford away, a well-drilled Torquay side at home, then we're off to Northampton before entertaining Morecambe at home. Four very tough fixtures in a tight League and, given how quick the crowd have been to turn on the players, unless they pick up a handful of points there I can only see the crowd getting more hostile and making the task even more daunting.

 

[Smiffy]

Well those of you not happy sitting next to whingers, moaners, slaters etc etc, should head over to W Block. The support on offer over there yesterday was pretty damn good all things considered.

 

[twobob]

Couldn't agree more with ESB's comment "....My biggest concern, however, is our run of fixtures. We've got Bradford away, a well-drilled Torquay side at home, then we're off to Northampton before entertaining Morecambe at home. Four very tough fixtures in a tight League and, given how quick the crowd have been to turn on the players, unless they pick up a handful of points there I can only see the crowd getting more hostile and making the task even more daunting...."

Certain members of our fan base are very mercurial in their support and will turn on the team if results don't improve soon. How they think this help the team I'm not sure. Perhaps they should consider, would they do their job better if people were shouting abuse at them?

 

[Cockle43]

Well those of you not happy sitting next to whingers, moaners, slaters etc etc, should head over to W Block. The support on offer over there yesterday was pretty damn good all things considered.

Indeed.

TBH not many of us there yesterday, what with V, holidays et al but to those who were with us in V and W well done in difficult circumstances.


One observation though; this rebuilding of the squad and rapport with the supporters thing is a two way street. When you have a section of the crowd giving their all to show support through what was a pretty dismal performance it would be nice if at the end of it all more than a half hearted attempt by ONE player to acknowledge that support was made. So to all the players out there yesterday I would suggest that if the club is to move forward then you also need to respond to the supporters who are paying hard earned money towards, hopefully, paying your wages and turn out week in and week out, home and away, rain and shine, promotion or relegation and who will still be here long after you've gone. At the moment most of the crowd hardly know the players names so have difficulty relating to them therefore the players need to help build that essential rapport between crowd and team. The only way now is forward and to be ONE SUFC against the world.

 

[GBJ]

Certain members of our fan base are very mercurial in their support and will turn on the team if results don't improve soon

Yes they will and rightly so. It's a very real possibility that after 5 games, we could be bottom of the table with 1 maybe 2 points. I think that is time for concern.

 

[McNasty]

One observation though; this rebuilding of the squad and rapport with the supporters thing is a two way street. When you have a section of the crowd giving their all to show support through what was a pretty dismal performance it would be nice if at the end of it all more than a half hearted attempt by ONE player to acknowledge that support was made. So to all the players out there yesterday I would suggest that if the club is to move forward then you also need to respond to the supporters who are paying hard earned money towards, hopefully, paying your wages and turn out week in and week out, home and away, rain and shine, promotion or relegation and who will still be here long after you've gone. At the moment most of the crowd hardly know the players names so have difficulty relating to them therefore the players need to help build that essential rapport between crowd and team. The only way now is forward and to be ONE SUFC against the world.

Do you think that it might be the players are more concerned with getting in the showers before the leccy runs out than thanking the fans ? Or possibly the majority see playing for SUFC as just another job with no loyalty to the club whatsoever ?

 

[twobob]

Yes they will and rightly so. It's a very real possibility that after 5 games, we could be bottom of the table with 1 maybe 2 points. I think that is time for concern.

As you say after 5 games. if we're bottom after 25 games then is the time for concern. The saying "Rome wasn't built in day" spring to mind.

 

[GBJ]

As you say after 5 games. if we're bottom after 25 games then is the time for concern. The saying "Rome wasn't built in day" spring to mind.

So does the saying "too little, too late".

After 25 games we could be X amount of points off the pack, and looking impossible to catch them. If after 5 games we are struggling badly and constantly making schoolboy errors, then i'd say relegation will be a formality. Gelling, working out best players is one thing, but the inability to play basic football, i.e. passing, shooting, movement is another, and one that will see any team fail

 

[McNasty]

I say let's settle for 10 games then chaps.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

So does the saying "too little, too late".

After 25 games we could be X amount of points off the pack, and looking impossible to catch them. If after 5 games we are struggling badly and constantly making schoolboy errors, then i'd say relegation will be a formality. Gelling, working out best players is one thing, but the inability to play basic football, i.e. passing, shooting, movement is another, and one that will see any team fail

I loved Tilly, but I always thought his biggest mistake was the way he kept picking Lee Bradbury as a main striker. People kept saying, yes he doesn't score, but he holds the ball up well and is an intelligent player. Meanwhile, we got relegated. I see the same thing happening with Blair Sturrock, yeah but he holds the ball up well and works his socks off. BUT.
I think once the manager gets over starting his son in the side, bring in Hall on the other wing, Moshni at the back and Simpson in midfield, and either teach Soares to be a proper winger and go down the wing and be available there, if not get someone in that can, plus if Luggy finds the goalscorer he is looking for, then I think we will end up having a good season.

 

[twobob]

After I sent I thought 25 games was perhaps too many but to panic after 5 games seems irrational. After all we would be a maximum of 14 points behind with 41 games to go, or with 123 points to play for.

Yesterday was one of the worst performances I've seen for a while (and some last season weren't great but were still better than yesterday) but I still think it is too early to make a call on how we will do this season.

 

[Paul Shrimper]

The point about the players not applauding the fans hits the nail on the head. At least after every game Tilly and Brush joined most players in going around the pitch. That is one way in which Sturrock and the players can get through to the fans and it would not cost a penny!

UTB
Up The Shrimpers