Gas v Latics MDT

I totally agree with this.

We are a work in progress and those that refuse to acknowledge this season as a new project divorced from last season are just exposing their own negativity, revelling in the glowing endorsement of their derogatory sniping and hubris that they have somehow been proved correct.  I am sick of hearing from Pseudo fans that seem unable to recognise they derive greater pleasure in seeing The Gas fail to succeed!  


We have a much better squad in terms of balance, potential and talent as a team, over individuals - I will accept that in Evans and Collins we have yet to match their individual brilliance, but as a collective, I would argue that the potential is there to become a successful team (yes, I mean promotion!), with the next crop of players moving on to better things.  

Griffiths has been a great signing for us and for those that just don't get the 'Loan System' this is exactly why you should support it.  In order to exploit the loans system we should have players in that we would not normally be able to.  In theory, they have greater talent and almost certainly, have greater potential to become better players than The Gas could have. The aim is for 'mutual' benefit for both clubs, and for the player themselves.  If a player did not need the experience, and was not prone to making mistakes, and already had the consistency to develop into their own first team player, then they would clearly not have signed for their parent club.

Griffiths is a year or two ahead of Ward in terms of development, having come to us with just over a hundred senior league and cup appearances against Ward's around twenty-four.

Ward is being carefully managed, and I would argue that regardless of your opinion of whether he should have gone out on loan, you would surely agree that the decision would not have been easy. Staying with the club as first choice would have been bold and potentially reckless.  it would have required an additional goalkeeper of such ability and character to be first choice themselves.  But finding either a good young prospect, with the same risks as Ward seems pointless, and an experienced goalkeeper willing or at least able to acknowledge their own lack of first team appearances would be difficult.  And being on the bench for us would not help.

So the current position seems more than acceptable to me.  And actually reinforces, rather than derides Matt Taylor's opinion of him.  I believe this is fully supporting the premise that Ward will come back to us with the aim of being our future No.1.  Not forgetting, as we often seem to do, that we can bring in an emergency loan should Griffiths becomes injured or suspended.  Ward is gaining experience and confidence and is currently being given every opportunity to fulfil that talent with us.

I accept fully that Ward, given the opportunity, could have given the same positive impact, with a series of fine saves and match wining performances.  I can also see, however, the condemnation of the naivety of allowing a young talent be our first choice with his relative inexperience, had he been in goal for us yesterday.  

Young players will be inconsistent, and will make mistakes.  It is the risk we have to take if we also want the benefit of that talent to develop and realise that potential.  Young players bring the exuberance and enthusiasm that makes it a joy to watch them play.  What Gashed cannot share the joy of a Bilongo or Omochere goal or assist when they have clearly enjoyed it so much themselves?

 I believe that in this current squad, we have plenty of that, with just about the required experience to allow this team to flourish - Give it time people.  Time and patience.


UTG!

Yes.

"We made a promise, that we'll never part..."

Can't do any worse. 2 goals from a packed box and a keeper that can't take a ball out the air at the far post? 2 on the half way line will take at least 3 opposition players. Leaving everyone back isn't working.

And then complaining about the lack of money being available.

If we had my way MT would have never been employed after his Rotherham disaster.

I would have also stopped paying JB, assuming we are still paying him, as soon as he brought Rovers into dispute with his Vine etc tweets. I can't see the Professional Manager's Association would ever support a claim for unfair dismissal if he ever brought one.

Why? I hope you aren't suggesting that managers are unable to change results during a season. Otherwise the turnover of managers would be ridiculous.

Fwiw, I don't think that MT is here to get us promoted to the Championship, that's a bonus should he do so. I think he is here to steady the ship and help lay the foundations while things are simultaneously sorted out off the pitch.

What evidence is there on MT's CV he can turn things around at a L1 club, he managed Exeter for just 11 games in L1 after they were promoted. At Rotherham he failed hopelessly after he spent £1m+ in the summer. Last season we were doing OK under Mangan then hopelessly lost our way under MT, this season we're doing no better in recent games.

Where's the next win coming from in these league games?

Posh (A)
Wycombe
Charlton
Burton (A)
Blackpool
Huddersfield (A)

The easiest looking game is probably Wycombe but we rarely beat them at the Mem and they'll just love the way we defend set pieces.

We can win 4 out of those 6 games, posh and Huddersfield being the loses in my opinion.
The rest of them are no great shakes, a bad day yesterday but we will get better. Time to get behind the boys rather than slagging them off!
Time will tell of course but I’m sure we will be fine.

Sometimes? 😂