Can Wanderers Mackem pay? - Official Match Thread

[thebish]

and "mediocre" is exactly what we were under Megson
would you be biting off any hands for that?

I'd certainly be happy enough with what Coyle has given us so far - of course I'll always hope for more - but perfectly happy I'd be to be back in the Premiership in 2012/13 as well.

[lovethesmellofnapalm]

and i'm happy (with some qualification) with what Coyle has given us so far
better entertainment and attitude - but i'd have been happy with that part even if we had finished bottom half

doesn't change my opinion that we remain a side nearer to Wigan et al than our league position suggests

[BL3]

no - i'm claiming to have been proved partly right because in a fair percentage of games this season we have been shite- not poor, not "not quite at it" but shite and we have fallen short (not just short) because of that shiteness.
and if i said next season we will be in a relegation scrap and finished fourth bottom i'd be right.
but i'm not saying that- i'm saying we may well be mediocre unless improvements are made

Every team has spells were they are 'shite'. Chelsea could win the title but they lost 0-4 at home to Sunderland earlier in the season in the middle of a terrible run. Liverpool could finish 5th but they spent the first half of the season nearer the bottom three. Man Utd didn't win an away game for ages earlier on in the season.

Why is that we're expected to cruise through the season playing like world beaters? Why is the bar raised so much higher for us? OC has got the best out of the current squad on more occasions than not and yet you prefer to highlight the poor performances as if it somehow 'proves' your point about us struggling next season.

What makes you think that he's not capable of bringing in more players like Sturridge or Holden? Where's the evidence that he won't be able to motivate the current players again next season? Why do you assume that we're going to struggle rather than improve?

[lovethesmellofnapalm]

no - i'm claiming to have been proved partly right because in a fair percentage of games this season we have been shite- not poor, not "not quite at it" but shite and we have fallen short (not just short) because of that shiteness.
and if i said next season we will be in a relegation scrap and finished fourth bottom i'd be right.
but i'm not saying that- i'm saying we may well be mediocre unless improvements are made

Every team has spells were they are 'shite'. Chelsea could win the title but they lost 0-4 at home to Sunderland earlier in the season in the middle of a terrible run. Liverpool could finish 5th but they spent the first half of the season nearer the bottom three. Man Utd didn't win an away game for ages earlier on in the season.

Why is that we're expected to cruise through the season playing like world beaters? Why is the bar raised so much higher for us? OC has got the best out of the current squad on more occasions than not and yet you prefer to highlight the poor performances as if it somehow 'proves' your point about us struggling next season.

What makes you think that he's not capable of bringing in more players like Sturridge or Holden? Where's the evidence that he won't be able to motivate the current players again next season? Why do you assume that we're going to struggle rather than improve?

been back up through the thread and can't find the post where i've said any of the above. i'm just saying he has to do the above if we are to keep moving forward and not struggle and on current form i think i've got a fair point.

[TKIZ!]

The depth of the squad showed yesterday, they looked tired till Bibi came on. But again opened up by no proper midfield.

[BL3]

been back up through the thread and can't find the post where i've said any of the above. i'm just saying he has to do the above if we are to keep moving forward and not struggle and on current form i think i've got a fair point.

Let me help you then...

OC still has a bit to prove for me. I'm not saying he's not the messiah just that he might not be.

I do suggest it is a "finer margin" between us being mediocre-poor next season with the current squad than it is being a team who will challenge for trophies/get into Europe.

[lovethesmellofnapalm]

been back up through the thread and can't find the post where i've said any of the above. i'm just saying he has to do the above if we are to keep moving forward and not struggle and on current form i think i've got a fair point.

Let me help you then...

OC still has a bit to prove for me. I'm not saying he's not the messiah just that he might not be.

I do suggest it is a "finer margin" between us being mediocre-poor next season with the current squad than it is being a team who will challenge for trophies/get into Europe.

help again!
how does any of the italicised address the following

"What makes you think that he's not capable of bringing in more players like Sturridge or Holden? Where's the evidence that he won't be able to motivate the current players again next season? Why do you assume that we're going to struggle rather than improve?"

key words i suggest are "with the current squad" - therefore, apologies for being obvious, the test of his management will be what he brings in. if nobody that improves us comes in then we'll struggle

[BWFC_Insane]

You only need to see and hear the fans reaction away at Blackburn and at home to Sunderland.

If you think everyone is fully happy and that its all happy clappy then you must be sitting around different people to me.

Whatever people might want to say about this season there are two absolutes.

One is that we're going to be in the premiership again which is a fantastic achievement.

The other is yet to be determined and that is whether we'll improve on our 13th/14th place finishes in the last two seasons.

However, NOBODY can argue that the defeat at Wembley and the non show of our overpaid and overpampered "premiership standard players" has done a LOT of harm. The subsequent switching off and dire end to the season with 3 lifeless and effortless shows has not helped. People will kid themselves but the game yesterday against a second string Sunderland who also had nothing to play for was no different to the defeats we suffered a couple of seasons ago. Embarrassing and also not exactly helpful for persuading folk who are still bitterly furious over Wembley that they should bother going next season.

The fact that some of our regular team members are beginning to flag yet are picked every game also doesn't help the cause.

I don't know why anyone can argue that criticism isn't justified for periods of this season especially the past 4 or 5 weeks. If you look at the review thread most are giving the season a score of 7 or more. Which suggests folk are generally happy but are fed up or angry with certain aspects.

I certainly don't think any player in our squad or the manager can be immune question or criticism recently. I don't see why anyone would want them to be. Its fine to remind people of perspective of the season. Which I think most accept.

Doesn't mean that everything is absolutely hunky dory!

[RobbieSavagesLeg]

^^ This.

[thebish]

You only need to see and hear the fans reaction away at Blackburn and at home to Sunderland.

If you think everyone is fully happy and that its all happy clappy then you must be sitting around different people to me.

I don;t think anyone has claimed everyone is happy - have they??

I have supported the Whites for many decades - and I have to say, I don't recognise this "everyone happy" scenario you seem to think is possible/desirable...

if we're ever that - we won't be Bolton!

[thebish]

^^ This.

^^ not this!

[jaffka]

Anyone able to explain the reason why around 20 chav Sunderland fans thought it was good idea to walk into the club shop singing a song with swear words?

[LiOC]

Anyone able to explain the reason why around 20 chav Sunderland fans thought it was good idea to walk into the club shop singing a song with swear words?

I was there too. Now I'm not against language in football grounds, but going into the shop to try and pick a fight, singing a stupid songs, swearing, arguing with who I presume is the manager when they were messing around with shirts is just idiotic and childish. I think Sunderland fans definitely come near the top of fans I hate the most list.

Also, if they "wanna go home", why do they just not bother coming?

[bobo the clown]

... and, apparently we ... "... live near a motorway" which is one of the odder chants I've ever heard.

[Lord Kangana]

Motorways are a peculiarity to them. They don't get to see them much. Bit like seeing the Taj Mahal or something. A song is understandable in the circumstances.

[BL3]

However, NOBODY can argue that the defeat at Wembley and the non show of our overpaid and overpampered "premiership standard players" has done a LOT of harm.

I don't know why anyone can argue that criticism isn't justified for periods of this season especially the past 4 or 5 weeks.

Done 'a LOT of harm' to who? The sort of knee-jerk types who throw in the towel after a couple of bad performances? I notice you left the Arsenal game out of your mini round-up.

We've got one of the smallest squads in the Premier League. We've spent feck all. Before the season started I would have been happy with mid-table and a cup run this season. The fact that we've never really been involved in the relegation battle that has included half the league at one stage or another, is an unexpected bonus.

If you're seriously trying to say that criticism is justified then you are sadly lacking any sense of perspective.

[Lord Kangana]

Its his teenage angst.

He'll be writing poetry next about how Owen Coyle never looks at him, and why, why, why did his one true ginger love leave him.

[officer_dibble]

no

but i do suggest it is a "finer margin" between us being mediocre-poor next season with the current squad than it is being a team who will challenge for trophies/get into Europe.

as an aside - with hindsight now that they are probably safe who would take Birmingham's season over ours?

Yup......
Win something and I'll be happy for a lifetime....

We're tossing it off at the moment and its shit! Get this season finished and see what happens this summer. Can't see it being much of a lap of honour against City meself....yet ultimately better than a season under Megson and finishing 13/14th

i think we'll finish about 12th which will be good progress from last year. Just a shame the lads haven't applied themselves to get (a) a cup final (or even a respectful semi final exit) and (b) a better finishing position. Assuming we do finish 12th, that's a million quid down from 8th.

[Bruce Rioja]

with hindsight now that they are probably safe who would take Birmingham's season over ours?

Good question, but no, not at all. Firstly, to watch a team whose default formation is 4-5-1 and that has its supporters fearing relegation all season? I think we all know the answer to that one.
Tell you what though - my mate Big Matty the Bluenose is crashing over at mine tomorrow night. I'll ask him whose season he'd have taken and will report back.

[Raven]

You only need to see and hear the fans reaction away at Blackburn and at home to Sunderland.

If you think everyone is fully happy and that its all happy clappy then you must be sitting around different people to me.

Whatever people might want to say about this season there are two absolutes.

One is that we're going to be in the premiership again which is a fantastic achievement.

The other is yet to be determined and that is whether we'll improve on our 13th/14th place finishes in the last two seasons.

However, NOBODY can argue that the defeat at Wembley and the non show of our overpaid and overpampered "premiership standard players" has done a LOT of harm. The subsequent switching off and dire end to the season with 3 lifeless and effortless shows has not helped. People will kid themselves but the game yesterday against a second string Sunderland who also had nothing to play for was no different to the defeats we suffered a couple of seasons ago. Embarrassing and also not exactly helpful for persuading folk who are still bitterly furious over Wembley that they should bother going next season.

The fact that some of our regular team members are beginning to flag yet are picked every game also doesn't help the cause.

I don't know why anyone can argue that criticism isn't justified for periods of this season especially the past 4 or 5 weeks. If you look at the review thread most are giving the season a score of 7 or more. Which suggests folk are generally happy but are fed up or angry with certain aspects.

I certainly don't think any player in our squad or the manager can be immune question or criticism recently. I don't see why anyone would want them to be. Its fine to remind people of perspective of the season. Which I think most accept.

Doesn't mean that everything is absolutely hunky dory!

Well said that man!