The ianevattable sacking

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm not at all fussed about keeping possession for possession's sake. It's largely boring.

Nobody sensible wants possession for possession's sake. What dominating the ball does is it lets you occaionally have a breather when you've been pressing hard. Helps when you go 1-0 up - let them chase you.

In their 46 league games last season, Stockport scored 96 (highest in division) so it doesn't sound like they weren't doing anything with their high possession rates. They also only conceded 48 - second-lowest (behind Mansfield, and fewer than Parky's Wrexham).

[nicholaldo]

7th would not be a good performance, for me, and would be worse than 5th/3rd. That's part of what people are seeing...

Yeah, given the financial support he's been provided with, it's definitely something of an indictment rather than an argument in his favour.

[GhostoftheBok]

Challinor turned down the chance to speak to Birmingham, didn't he? I've intentionally not mentioned him for that reason.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Challinor turned down the chance to speak to Birmingham, didn't he? I've intentionally not mentioned him for that reason.

If so, it’s clearly not the chequebook but the “project” that attracts Challinor. Even with managerial ego I can understand people swerving St Andrews. But yeah, he may be settled.

[GhostoftheBok]

If so, it’s clearly not the chequebook but the “project” that attracts Challinor. Even with managerial ego I can understand people swerving St Andrews. But yeah, he may be settled.

I don't know what his decision-making process was, but it was apparently his choice not to speak to them.

The players here might need a new voice after 4 years of Evatt. I'm not convinced that's right, but maybe. If it is then any number of decent coaches would give us a boost.

8 of these lads are brand new and showed up to play for this guy. Collins is pretty new. There are others that love him (Thommo, Johnston, et al).

So if the dressing room needs a boost I don't think it's a "they're sick of him" thing, it'll be the other way. Too comfortable and not pushed enough. If it is that then the threat of the sack will probably make Evatt less kind to his favourites.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

The players here might need a new voice after 4 years of Evatt. I'm not convinced that's right, but maybe. If it is then any number of decent coaches would give us a boost.

8 of these lads are brand new and showed up to play for this guy. Collins is pretty new. There are others that love him (Thommo, Johnston, et al).

So if the dressing room needs a boost I don't think it's a "they're sick of him" thing, it'll be the other way. Too comfortable and not pushed enough. If it is that then the threat of the sack will probably make Evatt less kind to his favourites.

For the record, not that I think you were particularly asking me, I don't think the players "aren't playing for the manager" as the complaint usuaully goes. I think the manager isn't getting the best out of these players. Or maybe not yet, but he can't afford many more showings like the last two Saturdays.

[GhostoftheBok]

I think the manager isn't getting the best out of these players.

He's not at the minute.

What I will say is I've not watched any of them and though "You're crap, mate."

When you buy some players on decent whack you worry about whether they'll look alright. They do look like good footballers.

We know the lads we've still got from last season are good footballers, regardless of denials from corners.

If Evatt can't get them going then another manager will.

[Armchair Wanderer]

I'm not saying that he's lost the dressing room as no one knows, but it does look like a few of the players have perhaps stopped believing him, stopped listening to him, there is certainly some disharmony - quite a few arguments, finger pointing etc. amongst the players yesterday.

I'm not convinced that the players like this new plan A 2.0 formation, I think they are confused by it.

If it's "the plan doesn't work" that's one thing or if it's "we haven't quite got the hang of it yet", it's a bit different.

The concerning thing for me over the summer was the plan A 2.0 thing, seems very stubborn, which is fine if you're winning games.

The ownership team are new to football? I'd imagine they wouldn't want to do anything too hasty, but I'd have probably made a change in the summer.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I think the manager isn't getting the best out of these players.

He's not at the minute.

What I will say is I've not watched any of them and though "You're crap, mate."

When you buy some players on decent whack you worry about whether they'll look alright. They do look like good footballers.

We know the lads we've still got from last season are good footballers, regardless of denials from corners.

If Evatt can't get them going then another manager will.

Yeah. I've seen us sign some shite. This isn't that. It's a plan not working. Yet? Well it's running out of time, and as you say, if he can't get a tune out of this decent little orchestra, someone else will pick up the baton.

[GhostoftheBok]

Yeah. I've seen us sign some shite. This isn't that. It's a plan not working. Yet? Well it's running out of time, and as you say, if he can't get a tune out of this decent little orchestra, someone else will pick up the baton.

Might be a case of playing a couple of closed door games during the international break, especially if there's a freebie coming in.

He's not going, I think we all know that - so it has got to be fixed.

Heads, bodies and tactics need to get sorted. Fast.

Sounds like Toal will miss Huddersfield at least. Probably more. Jones and Williams I've no idea - but sounds unlikely they'll be back. Lolos looks like missing that one too. Forrester and CMG obviously longer term.

Who is currently supposed to be available?

Baxter, Southwood and Coleman
Santos, Forino and Johnston
Schon, Cogley, Matheson and Tutu
Matete, Thommo and Sheehan
McAtee, Collins, Dempsey and Arfield
Charles and Vic

Is that everyone?

16 outfield players available.

Getting very tight at centre half. 3 lads all with recent injury issues.

Most of Evatt's best 11 is available, though. Along with some impact subs.

Do you risk the tune-up matches, or is it cotton wool time?

[Prufrock]

What was the shape first half Saturday? Still 343 or back to 352 with McAtee up top.

I think it will turns on whether he can get that front three to click, however you organise them. If he can, it's got the talent to score a hatful of goals at this level. And that takes the pressure off everything else.

I'd be tempted to start them for an hour against Barrow with the next week off for two of them.

[GhostoftheBok]

What was the shape first half Saturday? Still 343 or back to 352 with McAtee up top.

Was often the 2, because we were asking McAtee to run in behind. Once the ball was into build up it was the 2 #10s.

If we go direct it's not much different, if at all.

[TANGODANCER]

16 outfield players available. Getting very tight at centre half. 3 lads all with recent injury issues.
Most of Evatt's best 11 is available, though. Along with some impact subs.Do you risk the tune-up matches, or is it cotton wool time?

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

[GhostoftheBok]

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

Anyone tried asking her to control a ball after mile 10?

[Worthy4England]

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

Anyone tried asking her to control a ball after mile 10?

Or her sphincter for that matter.

The marathon a day was Kevin Sinfield. I'm pretty sure he can generally control a ball after mile 10, usually whilst still having some large people trying to physically knock him off it...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

Anyone tried asking her to control a ball after mile 10?

Or her sphincter for that matter.

The marathon a day was Kevin Sinfield. I'm pretty sure he can generally control a ball after mile 10, usually whilst still having some large people trying to physically knock him off it...

HANDBALL!!!!!

[Prufrock]

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

Anyone tried asking her to control a ball after mile 10?

The comparisons between her and footballers begin and end with Gary Linekar.

[GhostoftheBok]

The comparisons between her and footballers begin and end with Gary Linekar.

Dodgy moustaches?

[TANGODANCER]

The comparisons between her and footballers begin and end with Gary Linekar.

Yes indeed, strangely, I agree ; about as relevant (daft?) as sacking a successful manager four games into a new season for losing two. Off with his head.. Makes a lot of managers look like they believe they're stealing a living. Hey ho..

[Worthy4England]

I sometimes wonder after watching films of somebody like Paula Radcliffe run 26 miles in a marathon and yet pro footballers get "tired" so easily? Who was it who ran a marathon a day for months not long ago? Just wondering..?

Anyone tried asking her to control a ball after mile 10?

Or her sphincter for that matter.

The marathon a day was Kevin Sinfield. I'm pretty sure he can generally control a ball after mile 10, usually whilst still having some large people trying to physically knock him off it...

HANDBALL!!!!!