markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,313
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Post by markf on Apr 29, 2023 20:55:30 GMT
Embarrassing? For who, the fans, players, management or all?
Tell you what is embarrassing, and that's getting relegated out of the FL after 102 years and then saving arguably your best performance of the season for when it counts for diddly squat.
As for those who walked out, that's their perogative but can't help thinking like some on this board there has been a bit of an over reaction. Have they forgotten the level we are currently playing at?
The last two performances have not been indicative of Matt's time in charge and while we have lost matches under him before this last eight days, they have not generally been in this manner.
A poor run obviously hits the confidence and couple that with the constant of absences to key players through either injury or illness and you end up with the last two results.
I would agree a change of personnel and strengthening in certain areas is required but I am pretty sure Matt knows that too.
Before the season started I would have frankly taken anything above the bottom two.
We have been spoilt the last two seasons and our first in the EFL was not something many of us or indeed any football follower would have predicted. So, perhaps this roller coaster of a season, form and results wise is a bit of a reality check to those who think the sun shines over the VBS constantly and forever.
Guess what.
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Post by is4 on Apr 30, 2023 7:26:50 GMT
Sorry Sol,you've missed out on the custard creams!! Try again next week!!
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Post by is4 on Apr 30, 2023 7:37:06 GMT
Looking at Matt's body language yesterday during the game he sertainly was not a happy person. Comments have been said both for and against the present status. Hopefully a response and result next week to see the season out. Then the management will be able to get down and sort out the problems in the squad.
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mmm
Spectator
Posts: 22
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Post by mmm on Apr 30, 2023 8:18:08 GMT
I'm very grateful to everyone at the club for giving us another amazing season in the 4th tier of English football, finishing in comfortable midtable, which was beyond the wildest dreams of any supporter until 2 years ago.
So the team have now collapsed as they're clearly exhausted. We should be sympathetic. I think the 2nd season in a higher league is often the hardest season, as it doesn't have the novelty of the 1st season, and it's not yet our 'natural' league, making it harder to attract the best players, the highest levels of sponsorship, etc.
At the final game of the season, whatever the performance or the result, I want to show my appreciation for the season as a whole, wish them a good long summer break, look forward to welcoming some reinforcements over the summer, then look to go again, refreshed, in a few months' time.
Up the U's!
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Post by is4 on Apr 30, 2023 9:08:44 GMT
GREAT COMMENT and sentiments.
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Post by Andy K on Apr 30, 2023 9:25:00 GMT
If I'm correct, I believe we are on our worst league run since the 2007-2008 season. Mathematically however we can't finish lower than 16th (and the 4 clubs directly below us play each other on the last day of the season).
In all honesty, with a club of our size and a tiny budget for this level, that's actually a decent return. Especially with the injuries we've had this season. But maybe it does highlight how reliant we are on a few key players. I supposed with the previous budget caveat, that's about all we can do, but the way in which we were ripped open yesterday I felt was a bit more than just being "leggy". Firstly 3 of their 4 goals were classic counter attack ones. It would have been a 4th without a moment of madness from House. The 4th goal was bad defending.
To be fair, although Rochdale will be playing in the National League next season, they were by far not the worse team I've seen this season in the league. Whether we made them look good or they are actually ok is a matter of opinion.
To me I think the issue here is that Matt is knackered. It's been a really tough season and we're seeing the consequence of them. He needs a good, relaxing break. A couple of weeks off away from footy, playing golf. He'll come back refreshed ready for a new challenge.
I was at the game yesterday, and really beyond Harry and at times Enzio, I don't think anyone had a good game. A few had a terrible game. I'm really hoping that the players get a good break too, especially the defenders. At no point did I ever think about leaving the match before the final whistle. To me that's not supporting your team is. And win or lose, I'll be at the last game of the season. To me, supporting your team isn't just turning up when you're winning.
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Post by davep on Apr 30, 2023 10:08:44 GMT
An excellent and honest post from Andy. Matt is definitely looking exhausted. I would hope that our Director of Football is supporting Matt and giving him the benefit of his own experience at the moment.
Agree with comments about Rochdale as well. I don't think there has been a really bad side in EFL2 this season (like Scunthorpe were last season). AFC Wimbledon probably even more pleased than us that there is only one more game to play this season.
Woking v Bromley and Barnet v Boreham Wood in the NL Play Offs next week. All four of those clubs will be dreaming of earning the opportunity to renew old acquaintances with us next season.
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Post by amberfc on Apr 30, 2023 10:39:38 GMT
Strange old season. But - comfortably still in L2 which is a fantastic achievement.
But - defo looks like we need a rest. Shouldn't be too critical given the challenges we've faced this year.
Looking forward to next season!!
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,195
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Post by jr on Apr 30, 2023 10:46:12 GMT
Andy makes some good points.
I was one of those that left early. To me it was painful watching and clearly it wasn’t going to get any better. For my own sanity and health it was best that I left. That’s a first for me by the way and I hope it doesn’t happen again.
It was a toothless performance. Some of us have spent £300 plus this weekend. It certainly soured the evening’s festivities in Rochdale.
These things happen of course and best it’s now when we’re safe and not the start of the season.
Matt and Jason have had many questions answered over the past few weeks and are probably clearer now on what they need to do in the summer.
Nevertheless it’s still a good season as others have mentioned and we’ve more than held our own again with probably the lowest playing budget in the league.
Let’s hope we finish the season with a good performance next Monday.
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Post by Stewart on Apr 30, 2023 11:45:24 GMT
It has been interesting reading the Rochdale fans view on various forums. They spoke more of our inept performance than their 4-1 win. That says it all!
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Post by Big Al on Apr 30, 2023 15:44:10 GMT
So in a nutshell we are all in pretty violent agreement - ie we are pleased this group has kept us in L2 for another season, we continue to punch a little above our weight given our budget but we are concerned that our recent run of form is an indicator as to how we will perform next year.
One area I am a little less aligned with is the ‘Matt is furious/ Matt is tired’ line. I am sure he is both those things and let me be clear he has done a great job on getting us to where we are and keeping us here but let’s not lose sight of the fact that recruitment is partly/ mainly his responsibility as is how the team is set up each week and motivated to perform
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Post by pinewalker on Apr 30, 2023 19:41:59 GMT
So in a nutshell we are all in pretty violent agreement - ie we are pleased this group has kept us in L2 for another season, we continue to punch a little above our weight given our budget but we are concerned that our recent run of form is an indicator as to how we will perform next year. One area I am a little less aligned with is the ‘Matt is furious/ Matt is tired’ line. I am sure he is both those things and let me be clear he has done a great job on getting us to where we are and keeping us here but let’s not lose sight of the fact that recruitment is partly/ mainly his responsibility as is how the team is set up each week and motivated to perform I am happy we are still in L2. I wouldn't presume to say Matt is tired or fuming - I don't know. This management's track record is of being ruthless rather than sentimental where they need to be, so I expect that the first choice XI next season may have at least 5 new faces. What will not change is that Sutton will have one of the smaller squads, as they have this season. That makes durability vital, a good player on the injured list isn't any good for the team. I expect that to be a significant factor in the recruit or retain decisions.
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Post by halftimet on Apr 30, 2023 20:23:24 GMT
There will need to be changes next season. This season recruitment frankly has been a disappointment. We signed two forwards in the January window. One continues to be brought off the bench for cameo roles so I assume is not deemed good enough to start. The second January acquisition has only featured once in a warm up. Our cover at centre back got injured within 5 minutes on their debut and when they came back from a long layoff looked yards off the pace.
Our other forward loan signing has appeared a handful of times and I would guess has already gone back to his parent club. Of our two summer loanees one has been injured for long spells and the other young forward was not deemed good enough.
One or our other summer signings appears fleetingly on the bench to occupy a vacant seat and we know will never come on. Another has suffered vertigo which left them out of contention for a number of weeks. In fairness they have been the best outfield new signing. Our other summer signing did not perform and is currently in Scotland.
Our other January loan signing whilst popular is nowhere near his previous form.
Apologies if I have missed anyone.
Edit: I missed out our goalkeeper who has been outstanding and a candidate for player of the season.
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Post by Andy K on Apr 30, 2023 20:32:27 GMT
So in a nutshell we are all in pretty violent agreement - ie we are pleased this group has kept us in L2 for another season, we continue to punch a little above our weight given our budget but we are concerned that our recent run of form is an indicator as to how we will perform next year. One area I am a little less aligned with is the ‘Matt is furious/ Matt is tired’ line. I am sure he is both those things and let me be clear he has done a great job on getting us to where we are and keeping us here but let’s not lose sight of the fact that recruitment is partly/ mainly his responsibility as is how the team is set up each week and motivated to perform I am happy we are still in L2. I wouldn't presume to say Matt is tired or fuming - I don't know. This management's track record is of being ruthless rather than sentimental where they need to be, so I expect that the first choice XI next season may have at least 5 new faces. What will not change is that Sutton will have one of the smaller squads, as they have this season. That makes durability vital, a good player on the injured list isn't any good for the team. I expect that to be a significant factor in the recruit or retain decisions. In all honesty, I don't think they are. In the opening match of the season we started with 9 players out of 11 that were part of the National league winning squad. The only two that were not were replacements for 2 players that decided to move on. If they stated it would have been 11 out of 11. Even with injuries, on Saturday, 8 players that started were in that same squad. Only Smith, House and Enzio didn't play in that NL winning season, and House was a Sutton player anyway. That's not a ruthless management team. That's a management team that is loyal to their players. Something reinforced by the predictably of the team selections this season. Not that it's a fault. It's a rarity and something our success has been built upon. I'll be very surprised if there are wholesale changes at the managers choice.
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Post by os on Apr 30, 2023 22:32:21 GMT
There will need to be changes next season. This season recruitment frankly has been a disappointment. We signed two forwards in the January window. One continues to be brought off the bench for cameo roles so I assume is not deemed good enough to start. The second January acquisition has only featured once in a warm up. Our cover at centre back got injured within 5 minutes on their debut and when they came back from a long layoff looked yards off the pace. Our other forward loan signing has appeared a handful of times and I would guess has already gone back to his parent club. Of our two summer loanees one has been injured for long spells and the other young forward was not deemed good enough. One or our other summer signings appears fleetingly on the bench to occupy a vacant seat and we know will never come on. Another has suffered vertigo which left them out of contention for a number of weeks. In fairness they have been the best new signing. Our other summer signing did not perform and is currently in Scotland. Our other January loan signing whilst popular is nowhere near his previous form. Apologies if I have missed anyone. WOW! I would get in some much trouble if I had said that on here...
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