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Post by garethl on Dec 23, 2023 20:18:34 GMT
Forgot to add absolutely stonewall red card not given against their man. Wouldn’t have made any difference to the result but happened in front of me and was an extremely bad miss by the ref who was well placed.
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Post by halftimet on Dec 23, 2023 20:28:29 GMT
You cannot expect much to change in 4 days. Would the result have been any better under Matt? Probably not.
We need a miracle to stay up but it is that time of year.
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Post by Amber Aleman on Dec 23, 2023 21:33:45 GMT
First things first. Jason was dealt a particularly difficult hand for his first game in charge, with less than a week's notice, at an emotional time, and against a side 4th in the table with only one league defeat to their name all season. In those circumstances, I thought he did better than might have been expected.
We set up as 4-5-1 (or, if you like, 4-2-3-1), with Omari Patrick restored to the starting XI. With no regular centre backs available, the makeshift central defensive pairing of Joe Kizzi and Sam Hart were among our better performers. We got to 24 minutes without conceding; a week earlier we were 4-0 down at that point. But we then got caught out by a cross that seemed to be going out but was headed into our goal at the far post.
At half-time Jason took off Coley and N'Guessan, who'd had poor first periods, and bought on Pereira and O'Brien. We did then look better for a while, but scoring opportunities for Smith and Pereira weren't converted. After Mansfield got their second, it was all over. A late spell of pressure from us came to nothing.
Unfortunately other results didn't go our way, and we now find ourselves nine points adrift of 22nd-placed Colchester, albeit with a game in hand. We're now in the unenviable position of desperately needing a win from at least one of our next two games, both of which are away to top-half sides.
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Post by Del on Dec 23, 2023 22:38:17 GMT
The good news is that it was better than last week, but I think we sat too deep until they scored just inviting pressure which finally told on 25 mins. I fully understand why Jason did that after last weeks hammering, but in hindsight we may of been better playing our usual game from the start. Sam Hart and Kizzy did a great job at the back, but if the ball just keeps coming back something is going to give eventually and it did. We just don't have an out ball from the back, and we don't have the likes of Bugiel or the old Dundo who can hold up the long ball so something sticks going forward. Its simply through lack of fit players, we need Eastie back big time, and need to get at least 1 or 2 in the transfer window. We need 12 wins from 24 to have a realistic chance of survival, that is 1.5pts per match starting now, and that is playoff form. Gillingham did it last season with a change of manager and good purchases in the window. If we don't do that we are what's technically know as knackered. 50 points is not the magic figure in league 2. Was in the national league with 4 down but 44 points should be enough to survive.
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Post by os on Dec 23, 2023 23:02:15 GMT
The good news is that it was better than last week, but I think we sat too deep until they scored just inviting pressure which finally told on 25 mins. I fully understand why Jason did that after last weeks hammering, but in hindsight we may of been better playing our usual game from the start. Sam Hart and Kizzy did a great job at the back, but if the ball just keeps coming back something is going to give eventually and it did. We just don't have an out ball from the back, and we don't have the likes of Bugiel or the old Dundo who can hold up the long ball so something sticks going forward. Its simply through lack of fit players, we need Eastie back big time, and need to get at least 1 or 2 in the transfer window. We need 12 wins from 24 to have a realistic chance of survival, that is 1.5pts per match starting now, and that is playoff form. Gillingham did it last season with a change of manager and good purchases in the window. If we don't do that we are what's technically know as knackered. 50 points is not the magic figure in league 2. Was in the national league with 4 down but 44 points should be enough to survive. Looking at those above the drop zone, they are averaging a point a game, so I think at least a couple of them are going to get 46pts+.
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Post by ggl on Dec 23, 2023 23:36:00 GMT
I admire those who still believe that we can get out of this mess but personally I just cannot see it . I say this as a glass half full type of bloke but realism has kicked in for me big time now . I know that we do not have the budgets of a lot of clubs in this league but for me mistakes have been made at all levels of our club :
The Board : In my opinion they failed to see the writing on the wall with regards to Matt , or if they did they either bottled it or out of some misplaced loyalty left an easy decision too late . The regular opinion in football is to give a new season ten games to see how a team and a manager in trouble is performing . Well , we were hardly setting the league alight . Lots of moans about poor referee decisions and not enough time in training sessions because of midweek matches . Sorry , but Matt should have gone a couple of months ago , even though he is a nice bloke .
Matt : Nice chap I’m sure we would all agree and one who genuinely wanted SUFC to do well . However , his revamping of the team has been little short of a disaster . Yes I know that we have had injuries and that it appeared there were fractures in the dressing room towards the end of last season that prompted this revamp but still a disaster . Of course this all comes down to money and quite probably he was not given enough because we only have so much in the pot without getting into serious debt. But …. without naming names some of the players he signed either have lost interest in playing for the club or are just not good enough to do so at this level . The latter I would question because at the start of the season I really was quite excited about some of the players we had attracted . Well , that excitement ship sailed a very long time ago for me . Also a common fault with Matt was his over reliance , in my humble opinion , of the same old failing tactics and same old time to throw on substitutes to inevitably chase a game that we were losing . As has been said so many times on this forum this season other clubs had sussed us out and how to beat us . Well , Matt should have had a plan C , D and E but did not appear to have one .
The Players : Injuries aside it appears that some either did not want to play for Matt , this club or for their own personal pride . It makes me wonder why a couple in particular signed for us . Did we offer too much money of they simply could not get a game ANYWHERE else ? Well to those who no longer want to put in a performance for our club good luck getting somebody else to sign you .
Future Manager : cannot blame him or her yet but I would question why somebody with a proven track record would want to come to a club sinking a lot faster than the Titanic did . They would surely know they will be managing a NL side next season and some would not want to drop that far . Of course if he/she could get us to stay up then their CV would look mighty impressive but with us needing three wins just to ( hopefully) catch up with the clubs above that looks unlikely . Also , what funds would be available to get some players in ? Not much I’m guessing unless the bar is doing a roaring trade with us fans drowning our sorrows to excess .
Future Players : Same position as the future manager in that many would not want to drop out of the EFL . Our best hope in my opinion would be loanees . Not impossible but would they give the cause everything ….. cancel that , just giving 25% effort in matches would better some of our current “ players “ .
OK , well done if you have reached the end of my essay without falling asleep or drinking yourself into a coma . I await the knives no doubt being sharpened for me for my lack of belief in miracles but this is what I feel . Merry Christmas !
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Post by pinewalker on Dec 24, 2023 0:51:46 GMT
I agree with most of what GGL has written. I can add that it is immensely difficult to bring in what is most of a completely new squad, all strangers to each other, and be lucky enough to see them gel into a team. See Nottingham Forest. It seems to be the case also that some apparently good players are let go or sold at what seem to be bargain prices because the club they are leaving knows they are injury prone. Matt was courageous enough to try it, but it quickly became apparent he was out of luck with this group of players.
GGL and others have queried what our budget for players is. You know Sutton United Football Club Ltd must like all other Limited Companies file accounts and lists of shareholders with Companies House annually and has done so up to May 31st 2022. You can inspect these free of charge on the Companies House website, enter the name, or the registration number 00519334. With SUFC and indeed many other companies it worthwhile to read the last section - 'notes to the accounts' first. "Going concern. The company has been able to settle its obligations when required since the year end and believes it will continue to be able to do so for the following year. The company has primarily achieved this with the issue of significant additional share capital."
In other words SUFC is loss-making but has covered the shortfall by selling more shares. End of facts -now it is opinion. Use your own judgement to determine the likelihood of the Directors finding new investors prepared to purchase more shares, because without that they would be reckless to spend the remaining shareholders equity.
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Post by paz on Dec 24, 2023 1:09:14 GMT
Well going by the performance and position, another poor result and another chance to get points lost.
But putting it into perspective. We have no fit centeral defenders (an on going injury issue we always have) and a managers first game at the helm. I think the first half looked like a team who just got hammered 8-0, just had their manager sacked and was extremely low on confidence. But in the last 10m of the half we found our feet a little and should have equalised. Coley and NG probably had their worse games for us and I was not surprised to see them subbed.
I dont really agree the players are not trying, but for some reason just not good enough. But while Mansfield looked a very tough team to beat, aside from their goals did not create much, they just took their chances and we did not.
I thought Jason did set us up differently and we did improve as the game went in which is the best he could do, its just a shame we cant judge him with more time. Onto Wimbledon which is going to be every bit as tough.
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Post by ggl on Dec 24, 2023 7:45:32 GMT
In reply to both pinewalker and paz I would say that I am not complaining about the Boards lack of investment or that all of the players are not trying . I said that some do not appear to be giving their all and with regards to funding we are like say Fulham trying to compete with Manchester City in the transfer market ! I think this season is now a lost cause and it would be foolish to get into very serious debt trying to play catch up .
Merry Christmas to All
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Post by andycapp on Dec 24, 2023 8:00:59 GMT
Can anyone nlighten me of what was said in the programme.
Comment above:- Slightly off-topic but a lengthy, interesting and informative article in today's double-issue programme by Tim Allision not just about the managerial situation but touching on a number of relevant off-field matters. Thank you Tim![/quote]
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Post by Del on Dec 24, 2023 8:28:51 GMT
Honestly i think it is rubbish to say the players are not trying.That is more of a reaction to losing games. I see plenty of effort on the pitch but often a lack of quality. I will also give you an example. You have a young player like Christian who last season was playing two levels below Football league.He won't be consistent week after week and it was probably Matt's original intention to bring him along gradually. Thrust into a relegation battle he will probably have one good game and one bad game. Over the years we have had plenty of players who require time to improve.
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Post by boomboom on Dec 24, 2023 9:08:33 GMT
Can anyone nlighten me of what was said in the programme. Comment above:- Slightly off-topic but a lengthy, interesting and informative article in today's double-issue programme by Tim Allision not just about the managerial situation but touching on a number of relevant off-field matters. Thank you Tim! [/quote] Essentially, the Board has been looking at its own performance off the pitch as well as matters on it and how it can improve. You can, of course, always buy the programme on-line or at the Newport match as it's a double issue.
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Post by davethegrave on Dec 24, 2023 9:22:15 GMT
Well to start with it was difficult having to play a back four who are all full backs. Injuries have been terrible for us. Mansfield have only lost one game all season so we were up against it before we started.
The starting line up was obviously to try and tighten things up and the half time substitutions were both clear for everyone to see. This doesn't seem to happen very often. The second half performance was much better and having a Premier League player who wants to shoot whenever he can shows up some of his lesser team mates.
So I saw great improvements in the second half. Also I agree that Bouzanis needs to go back to free up for another defender where we are sadly lacking. I mentioned the need for a left back before because I thought they were both long term injuries but were back today.
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Post by Del on Dec 24, 2023 10:51:36 GMT
Can anyone nlighten me of what was said in the programme. Comment above:- Slightly off-topic but a lengthy, interesting and informative article in today's double-issue programme by Tim Allision not just about the managerial situation but touching on a number of relevant off-field matters. Thank you Tim! [/quote] It's on the main web site now.
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Post by paz on Dec 24, 2023 11:52:35 GMT
In reply to both pinewalker and paz I would say that I am not complaining about the Boards lack of investment or that all of the players are not trying . I said that some do not appear to be giving their all and with regards to funding we are like say Fulham trying to compete with Manchester City in the transfer market ! I think this season is now a lost cause and it would be foolish to get into very serious debt trying to play catch up . Merry Christmas to All This is a big question now. Do we invest in the second half of this season, or secure a safe landing into the Nat league? While I think it is such a shame we could not continue our competitive time in the league, I cant see how we can turn this around. And by the time Jan comes we could be out of sight. In which case we should lay off our high earners who we think will leave at the end of the season anyway, find a cheaper training location and start making the nessesery cuts, using the second half of the season to build a new team for the nat league, the who team needs rebuilding and replacing, perhaps keeping a hand full to guide new young blood in, who knows we may even bounce back. The reason I say this, is because in order to save this season we are going to need significant investment from now into Jan, and this could prove desasterous should we still go down, which would remain a big possibility. I just think our long term players are past their best and the new players not quite good enough, which is probably why they have not been picked in their last clubs. If we invest significantly in the rest of the season, we MUST stay up, or we could send the club until oblivion. Call it defeatist, but I think this lot staying up will be nothing short or a miracle.
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