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Post by tangerinedream on Mar 25, 2017 21:16:20 GMT
I don't really care too much as to what our play off rivals do in terms of results as my opinion is that if we win our games then anything less for them is an absolute bonus. Even now as I write this I haven't looked at all our rivals full time scores preferring to concentrate on our own efforts. However, having spoken to a number of fans today at Boston there is fast becoming a growing concern about our present form and whether it is good enough to guarantee a top five place come the last day of the season. Based on what I've witnessed since the five goal demolition of AFC Fylde I have to admit to being worried about our prospects of finishing in the top five if we continue to perform the way we have in recent weeks. Yes we have come back from the brink of defeat against Stockport and Chorley, narrowly beaten lower league sides Stalybridge and Telford by a single goal, admittedly battled well with a 1-0 win at Brackley before being out enthused by Tamworth and then by a lowly Boston United side today. It has been suggested that our decision to go full time maybe having an adverse effect on those players who either have decided not to go full time or who know that they will not feature in Bernard and Jonno's plans for next season. I personally don't buy into that theory. Have other teams figured us out or are we simply unable to change our style of play to suit the occasion? I thought today at Boston we lacked width which limited our options and we're still punting the ball upfield too many times for my liking. What happened to our passing game? It seems that after we've made a couple passes we seem to want to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible which invariably leads to us losing possession. We've got the quality players who can get into the opposition area and draw a challenge so let's start doing it. We seem to have lost our way recently and the remedy for that is to get our passing game going again and keep the ball down which proved so effective at the start of the season.
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Post by Chris P. Bacon on Mar 25, 2017 21:33:36 GMT
We seem to have lost the ability to make simple passes. When under pressure, we resort to the 'hoof'. I thought we'd got past this once and for all, but it's been there to see on the last few games.
The fact that we perked up and had lots more chances on the second half actually starts to make it worse now. A team with two successive promotions and second in this league shouldn't need a verbal onslaught from the gaffers to play the type of football we've seen at our next this season. Now sometimes, an opposing team just figures us out. But this is happening game after game after game.
We are now something like Eighteenth in the current form table over the last five games. The fact that Fylde and Chorley are also close by us, doesn't cheer me up a jot. I think there is something to be said about the full time announcement and players having one eye on where they might be next season. Either that or they just don't give a shite. It's the same few players performing game after game and the same players letting the team down.
If we don't make the play offs, and it's looking less likely every game, then we have nobody to blame but ourselves. It won't be bad luck, but the fact that we seem intent on throwing away all that we've worked so hard for. If needs be, I can accept a season of consolidation, but that will be hard to take when we've done so we to date. I hope the majority of the squad look in the mirror tonight and feel a little ashamed for taking their wages or match fee and turning out the kind of performances they have recently.
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Post by mozzer on Mar 25, 2017 23:36:30 GMT
After our dismal game against Skelmersdale on 12th March last season, I asked similar questions. We were in a poor run of form, and the quality on the pitch was sorely lacking. A few shot me down; some agreed. Fortunately, the team proved me wrong from the very next game against Halesowen, going on an unbeaten run that culminated with promotion.
I feel as if we're in the same situation now. It's 8 league games in a row that we have been well below par. We have took 11 points from a possible 24 in that period, which is possibly more than our performances have deserved, but nevertheless not too bad considering. I'm hoping that the team can turn it around once more, but with each lacklustre game and dropped points, it becomes less and less likely. Performances aren't always the most important thing at this stage of the season; it's about digging out results. However, if we keep playing like we have been doing, then it's hard to see where the points will come from, or (most importantly) if we'll acquire enough to stay in the top five. We're perhaps a little lucky that a fair few of the top 7 have dropped points recently.
I always believe that in a full league season you deserve to finish wherever you finish. If we end up in the top five, we'll deserve it; likewise, should we not make the cut. It would just be a shame to undo all the good work from earlier in the year to fall at the final hurdle. That said, whatever happens it will still be a good season for the club overall.
Based on what I have seen in the last couple of months, I am having serious doubts as to whether we can hang on to a playoff spot. I truly hope that Salford will prove me wrong again. A win against Altrincham on Saturday is a must but not a given.
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Post by tangerinedream on Mar 26, 2017 9:07:29 GMT
I always believe that in a full league season you deserve to finish wherever you finish. If we end up in the top five, we'll deserve it; likewise, should we not make the cut. It would just be a shame to undo all the good work from earlier in the year to fall at the final hurdle. That said, whatever happens it will still be a good season for the club overall. |
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Post by Chris P. Bacon on Mar 26, 2017 9:42:25 GMT
Yup. That Darlo game could be crucial, to both teams. That'll make a change! 😏
But you're right. No matter what's happened on the last few weeks, it's still in our own hands. Even without a second leg home advantage, I'd always back us in a crunch game.
So we go again and we put the last few games behind us. There's still time to build some form and we did it last season. If we can build from here, we may just hit a good run of form for the playoffs. The battle for the top two is also getting interesting. I've always felt that Fylde would do enough, bug I'm not so sure now.
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Post by asalfordfan on Mar 26, 2017 14:04:37 GMT
I don't think any of the teams in the top 10 have done enough to 'guarantee' a playoff position Kiddy aside. Up until before Tuesday night I was more than confident that we were good enough to go and cement third place but having seen our last 180 minutes of football I would suggest we look like we've hit the proverbial brick wall!
Wether that be the sheer intensity of the league or the fact we seem to now be struggling with 1 or 2 injuries I'm not sure but we along with Chorley, Halifax, Darlo et al all need to find some consistency and fast.
The season has been brilliant as a learning curve so far and I'm sure we'd all be bitterly disappointed if we now fell out of the playoff positions at this stage.
As for yesterday, I was told Poolie failed (another) fitness test before selection and also George Green failed to show up for the team coach which made the managers have to make changes to their planned starting 11.
Brad was absolutely stupid picking 2 booking up so quick but I actually though we played better when he was sent off and massive credit must go to the other 10 he left behind for putting up such a battling performance. Scotty and Billy were unbelievable along with a few more but Hine was again a passenger (apart from his throws) and Allen seems to pick up injuries like Poole any time he starts.
A few selection dilemmas I would suggest now the deadline to sign new players has passed!
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Post by returntosender on Mar 26, 2017 17:01:00 GMT
First off all a good turn out at Boston yesterday.I still think we will end up in the play offs.But yesterday as I said to TD we have started playing like Wimbledon of the crazy gang days route one, but he said we dont get the same results.Yesterday we started the hoofing after five minutes it was like strawberries to a donkey for their defenders,but we peresisted with it.The question is are they being told to play this way,if yes it is not working .Yes James Poole and Jordan weren't able to participate and Green was not their for what ever reason but we still had enough quality to have done better.Boston were better organised than us,and that as to be down to their manager.Yes Brad Barnes was silly to say the least he doesn't need us to tell him that,but with Brad what you see is what you get he plays on the edge you cannot fault is commitment.As Alec Ferguson would say it is squeky bum time,but other teams will be suffering just like us.Lastly with Jordan not being available,I would definitely have played Craig King who can beat a man and how Norris can get in before Sam Walker is beyond me
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Post by asalfordfan on Mar 26, 2017 17:12:40 GMT
First off all a good turn out at Boston yesterday.I still think we will end up in the play offs.But yesterday as I said to TD we have started playing like Wimbledon of the crazy gang days route one, but he said we dont get the same results.Yesterday we started the hoofing after five minutes it was like strawberries to a donkey for their defenders,but we peresisted with it.The question is are they being told to play this way,if yes it is not working .Yes James Poole and Jordan weren't able to participate and Green was not their for what ever reason but we still had enough quality to have done better.Boston were better organised than us,and that as to be down to their manager.Yes Brad Barnes was silly to say the least he doesn't need us to tell him that,but with Brad what you see is what you get he plays on the edge you cannot fault is commitment.As Alec Ferguson would say it is squeky bum time,but other teams will be suffering just like us.Lastly with Jordan not being available,I would definitely have played Craig King who can beat a man and how Norris can get in before Sam Walker is beyond me What we're used to is fast, attacking football and that is what the managers brought to the club. I don't believe for one minute that they have said to the lads play long ball. In fact, the only times we have done this is Tuesday and yesterday and as I've said in a different thread is that because the lads are tired and the easy option is to just punt the ball upfield? As for Norris I totally hear what your saying about him. It if we're being totally honest Walker not Barnes have set there careers at Salford alive in the same vein that Scott and Gary Stopforth did! |
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Post by Hughesy on Mar 26, 2017 19:55:07 GMT
First off all a good turn out at Boston yesterday.I still think we will end up in the play offs.But yesterday as I said to TD we have started playing like Wimbledon of the crazy gang days route one, but he said we dont get the same results.Yesterday we started the hoofing after five minutes it was like strawberries to a donkey for their defenders,but we peresisted with it.The question is are they being told to play this way,if yes it is not working .Yes James Poole and Jordan weren't able to participate and Green was not their for what ever reason but we still had enough quality to have done better.Boston were better organised than us,and that as to be down to their manager.Yes Brad Barnes was silly to say the least he doesn't need us to tell him that,but with Brad what you see is what you get he plays on the edge you cannot fault is commitment.As Alec Ferguson would say it is squeky bum time,but other teams will be suffering just like us.Lastly with Jordan not being available,I would definitely have played Craig King who can beat a man and how Norris can get in before Sam Walker is beyond me how many away fans was there? honest answer please. |
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Post by andrewg on Mar 26, 2017 20:05:37 GMT
how many away fans was there? honest answer please 67 out of a total attendance of 1242, according to Boston's twitter. |
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Post by tangerinedream on Mar 26, 2017 20:11:39 GMT
First off all a good turn out at Boston yesterday.I still think we will end up in the play offs.But yesterday as I said to TD we have started playing like Wimbledon of the crazy gang days route one, but he said we dont get the same results.Yesterday we started the hoofing after five minutes it was like strawberries to a donkey for their defenders,but we peresisted with it.The question is are they being told to play this way,if yes it is not working .Yes James Poole and Jordan weren't able to participate and Green was not their for what ever reason but we still had enough quality to have done better.Boston were better organised than us,and that as to be down to their manager.Yes Brad Barnes was silly to say the least he doesn't need us to tell him that,but with Brad what you see is what you get he plays on the edge you cannot fault is commitment.As Alec Ferguson would say it is squeky bum time,but other teams will be suffering just like us.Lastly with Jordan not being available,I would definitely have played Craig King who can beat a man and how Norris can get in before Sam Walker is beyond me how many away fans was there? honest answer please.  |
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Post by Hughesy on Mar 26, 2017 20:31:43 GMT
All credit to everyone who made the long journey, would of been more if there was a coach, oh i wonder why there wasnt one, I'll have a pint of your finest 'bitters' 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
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Post by christianwright94 on Mar 27, 2017 7:41:07 GMT
I'd like to see Walker and King given a go this weekend. I think Burton and Walker are exactly what we need at this moment in time, a midfield that if there isn't an opening will keep the ball ticking. Our productivity on the ball in recent weeks hasn't been there and change is definitely needed.
Hine was none existent on Saturday and Allen wasn't far behind. King definitely seems to give us more of an outlet when he's on that right hand side as he's at least willing to beat the man.
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Post by salfordiandude on Mar 27, 2017 8:25:50 GMT
I hope we don't start playing long ball football, we have enough quality in our squad to play football. Let's play the hungry players, maybe a few players are expecting to be picked, yet we have great players on the bench eager to prove their worth.
I think Walker has to start on Saturday, hopefully Poolie isn't too far away with passing a fitness test, and hopefully GG is found alive and well!?
Going back to the topic title....... Of course we are good enough to make play-offs, we've shown that throughout the season and we are still in the play-offs. Going on form, it would look like we wouldn't make them, but now is the time to pull up our socks, grind our teeth, and ensure we all make those play-offs.
CAPITAL LETTER REQUEST
CAN WE AS FANS WATCH THE GAME FROM THE SAME POSITION AND CHEER AND SING THE TEAM ALONG? WHERE'S THE BEST POSITION WITHIN THE GROUND? CAN WE GET THE CLUB TO TWEET ABOUT A SINGING SECTION?
Now is the time to get behind the guys!
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Post by RealPaulScott on Mar 27, 2017 8:38:34 GMT
I'm singing from the half way line in the new stand, good all round view and I'll sing on my own if needs be, but trust me, i will be singing and cheering on the boys  |
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