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- 5 Dec 2017
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The really obvious fact from tonight is that the players are clearly not playing for Des Buckingham and that is a huge problem.
The performances are nowhere near being acceptable - and they have not been since he was appointed - but when the players don’t want to play for the manager or believe in the Manager you have to part company. That’s the harsh reality of the situation.
It is simply not working and it will get worse. Bring in Michael Duff or someone of that ilk and prepare for 2024-2025.
I thought Bolton looked very good too but we made it easier for them. That first goal was really well taken and the build up looked great on TV but we shouldn’t be allowing them the time and space to just play it across our back line like that and then have a man spare on the back post.
Cumming showing signs of being the new Jack Stevens. I think he has to do better with that low cross shot and similarly the Cheltenham goal at the weekend. I’ve been really disappointed in him, he’s nowhere near the quality of Beadle.
As much as it pains me, and having slept on it, I wouldn’t be too bothered if I woke up to news that he was gone this morning.
I felt he needed time and deserved time, but it just isn’t clicking and it was clear last night that he really has lost the players.
Last night was as acid test and we failed miserably. I can’t see how he can turn this around anymore and I feel that after last night he has blown his chance to earn more time.
Pains me to admit it because he really hasn’t had long, but when it’s completely broken, it needs replacing.
On current evidence, Cumming is a million miles away from Beadle. He doesn't fill me with any confidence at all, and it looks like our mediocre bottom half of league 1 back four agree with me too.I think losing Beadle in January was a huge blow to our chances.
What a shambles this season has become. Given our recent results I'd say our true position is probably about 18th - anyone above is likely to get somewhere between 1 - 3 points off us.
I think this is a rather large nail in the coffin for the dream of an Oxford born manager.
Been months and you don't see any patterns of play, structure in build up, fluidity, you can't even tell what the actual plan is. Is it just get it wide?
W must be the easiest team to defend against at the moment.
I'd argue we have 3 of the top 10 midfielders in league one. WE DON'T PLAY THROUGH MIDFIELD. They look like they've never been on a pitch together before. Even Robinson's teams, whilst they weren't overall successful, you'd know we'd probably win the battle in the middle of the park.
The frustration is unquantifiable at the moment. Might as well see it out to the end of the season, but I think we need to start planning for managerial replacements now.
On current evidence, Cumming is a million miles away from Beadle. He doesn't fill me with any confidence at all, and it looks like our mediocre bottom half of league 1 back four agree with me too.
What a clusterfuck we've become.
The thing that upsets me the most though is the final whistle, players stood joking with their Bolton counterparts, ambling over and barely looking apologetic. Dale looked royally fucked off but apart from that there didn’t look an ounce of hurt on the faces of the players, that ultimately is what the fans remember. Is it a mentality thing? Do we have leaders in our squad? Moore, Brannagan, Mcguane, Long, Brown, Bodin, Murphy - all part of our abysmal run last year, all part of abysmal runs in previous seasons, why does it keep happening? Why has Brannagan not left to go elsewhere? Does he believe he has it in him? We can see the ability, but would he rather stay where he has it easy? He seems to be the exception to most of the fanbase, but if anything he’s part of the problem. That’s a spine of players who look great with no expectation, but as soon as there’s a bit of pressure they crumble.
I do agree, but if that is down to the players not trying because he "wasn't their choice", coupled with a pretty mediocre and imbalanced squad of players still bearing the scars of two years of Robinson madness, then what is Des supposed to do?Des looks a broken man and on a purely humane level you have to feel for the bloke. I just don’t think we are seeing any signs that give us hope, bar this one Pompey performance. I’d be behind the guy if I could see some positives emerging but it’s all so sorry, disjointed and dispiriting.
Just got back home to Bampton.
Even after last nights whipping, it doesn’t feel anywhere as bad as the 2-2 against Northampton .
I'll be shouted down. Elliott.
Really?I dont think Bolton played well at all, that defeat was totally down to us being absolutely pathetic. You did the basics well and worked much harder than us even in first gear.
Its no criticism of Bolton at all, but that was all on us tonight.