Lack of entertainment

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

Get over, last week we were going up via the play offs, now it's doom and gloom and we're dire and boring, get a grip.

Quoted from Mariner_09

Get over, last week we were going up via the play offs, now it's doom and gloom and we're dire and boring, get a grip.

Well said. We've almost just had a solid month unbeaten!!

No body's saying it's doom and gloom!! I'm saying I'm a season ticket holder and once in a while I'd like to watch some entertaining attacking football!!! Surely that's not too much to ask????

What are you after,  a medal for being a season ticket Holder?  You take the good with the bad.

Quoted from Balaby

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

give your head a wobble we've just come off a good run of games flipping doom and gloom brigade out in force again tonight.

Quoted from Balaby

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

Are you the guy they interviewed on humberside by any chance?

Every team in what ever league has a bad day at the office, today was ours

Quoted from Perkins

What are you after,  a medal for being a season ticket Holder?  You take the good with the bad.

Do you want a medal for being a bell-end.

Here, have 100.

It is very boring watching Town at home to be fair.

Quoted from psgmariner

It is very boring watching Town at home to be fair.

Agreed and it has been for some time now. As a fan, we keep turning up and hoping things will change but we haven't got the players with the ability to break down the opposition. As soon as the first went in, it was an uphill struggle because they could just sit back and soak up the paltry attempts we made to break them down. If we get the first goal, it's a different game but we very rarely do and we don't do comebacks because we haven't got the quality. We are relying on 2 full backs to create something, as there is nothing else across the middle to stretch the opposition. We can't pull teams out of shape with all those defensive players in the side. We need players that can get behind the opposition and until we do, we will continue to struggle at home. The home form of Exeter is even worse than ours but they looked very good today and their team suits away games, much as ours does.

Where are all these good games a lot of you keep going on about. half the good results have been bad games and todays was even worse than the second half at Hartlepools. We are not all doom and gloomists but realists. We are seemingly getting worse-Bignot is trying different players in different positions to try to sort out our shockingly inadequate midfield but to no avail-the players he inherited are just not good enough and he knows it I hope and hope and hope that we are successful in getting the players he is after and hope they will be as good as the new defender.

He's pretty much right, don't know why people are having a go. We're in a good position, there's no disputing that, but that doesn't mean we're not both excrement and boring to watch at BP.

Personally I'm finding the football a lot more entertaining than last season- even when we lose.
Have you forgotten all those all those 0-0 or 0-1 results at home against Nuneaton, Guisely and the like?

Quoted from wigworld

Personally I'm finding the football a lot more entertaining than last season- even when we lose.
Have you forgotten all those all those 0-0 or 0-1 results at home against Nuneaton, Guisely and the like?

Till today, yes.  

Quoted from wigworld

Personally I'm finding the football a lot more entertaining than last season- even when we lose.
Have you forgotten all those all those 0-0 or 0-1 results at home against Nuneaton, Guisely and the like?

At least Exeter were entertaing and their third goal was worth the entrance fee. I clapped the teams off at the end but my thoughts were that the applause were more for the opposition than ourselves.

When MB was first appointed didn't the majority of you sign a pact that you can't moan about him until the end of the season? or something along those lines?

Quoted Text

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

I've got some nipple tassels if you need to spice up your life a bit.

Quoted from Garth

Every team in what ever league has a bad day at the office, today was ours

Agree but the BP office this season has seen too many bad days.

Quoted from ginnywings

At least Exeter were entertaing and their third goal was worth the entrance fee. I clapped the teams off at the end but my thoughts were that the applause were more for the opposition than ourselves.

I thought they where excellent all day and the experience of their manager in the way they came and played stood out. A lot of clubs should learn from them as many would have been sacking Tisdale after their start but everybody pulled together set their sights forward and held their nerve...............is there a lesson there I wonder?

On top of the team the fans where also top class and considering came in numbers considering the journey.

I don't think it was particularly the tactics employed by the managers but the quality of player on view using brain power as well as skill. I didn't see anybody trying to take charge on the pitch to try to improve moral . Majority of players not good enough and if they were race horses they would be selling platers no matter who their trainer or jockey was

Is it only entertaining when Town play well and win? Seems to me many fans only watch half the game, remember there are another eleven players out there and entertainment can come from them too.

Quoted from oldun

Is it only entertaining when Town play well and win? Seems to me many fans only watch half the game, remember there are another eleven players out there and entertainment can come from them too.

I wish I could be that non-partisan! I guess because I support GTFC then the chance of being entertained is usually lost when they don't play well. I get frustrated at the lack of anything of an entertaining nature coming from Town and that clouds my judgement about how entertaining the opposition may be. Having said that their third goal was a cracker and got as warm a round of applause from around where I sit as anything seen this season by our opposition.

Quoted from barralad

I wish I could be that non-partisan! I guess because I support GTFC then the chance of being entertained is usually lost when they don't play well. I get frustrated at the lack of anything of an entertaining nature coming from Town and that clouds my judgement about how entertaining the opposition may be. Having said that their third goal was a cracker and got as warm a round of applause from around where I sit as anything seen this season by our opposition.

"Listen" when you have seen as many Town games as I have you take a more pragmatic philosophical view I of things, Of course I always want Town to win and in style if poss, but I have learned that if that does not happen today it will in a future game. "Listen", I will be there next Sat and who knows that might just be the one and yesterday will be forgotten. Onwards and upwards.

Quoted from barralad

I wish I could be that non-partisan! I guess because I support GTFC then the chance of being entertained is usually lost when they don't play well. I get frustrated at the lack of anything of an entertaining nature coming from Town and that clouds my judgement about how entertaining the opposition may be. Having said that their third goal was a cracker and got as warm a round of applause from around where I sit as anything seen this season by our opposition.

"Listen" when you have seen as many Town games as I have you take a more pragmatic philosophical view I of things, Of course I always want Town to win and in style if poss, but I have learned that if that does not happen today it will in a future game. "Listen", I will be there next Sat and who knows that might just be the one and yesterday will be forgotten. Onwards and upwards.

I like many Town fans get a bit romantic about entertaining football at BP, why would we not at various times in the late 70s, 80s and the 90's and I'm sure before then we where truly "spoilt".

However since the 2004? we have been at the lowest level in league football and in recent years non league, both the "4th division" of the FL and non league are not renowned for many sides who play Champaign football.  

In an era of 5 in mid field, 1 up front, diamonds, the press, super athletes and false 9s etc... its even harder as teams visit and often host to not get beat. Remember 4th division footballers are 4th division footballers for a reason ad might always have problems breaking down sides that stop them playing.  

Quoted from Balaby

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

It's taken you long enough. Or have you missed the last 10 years?

Let's face it most people leave happy if they win and less happy if they don't, especially in league games where the opposition are of roughly the same quality (at least on paper). Football's a very frustrating game to watch because nearly every move breaks down and goals are so infrequent. Even televised games between so-called elite sides are frequently dull and boring. If you really want to be constantly "entertained" regardless of the result there are sports much more amenable. The highs in football are much higher than in any other sport, that's why I like it best, but it's certainly never been a sport of non-stop guaranteed high entertainment.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I thought they where excellent all day and the experience of their manager in the way they came and played stood out. A lot of clubs should learn from them as many would have been sacking Tisdale after their start but everybody pulled together set their sights forward and held their nerve...............is there a lesson there I wonder?

On top of the team the fans where also top class and considering came in numbers considering the journey.

They didn't hold their nerve though.
Exeter have given Tisdale notice as they couldn't afford his settlement costs. Since they did so they have gone on their great run of form.

Quoted from Cloudy

They didn't hold their nerve though.
Exeter have given Tisdale notice as they couldn't afford his settlement costs. Since they did so they have gone on their great run of form.

Really, where did that come from? Very unusual. Interesting to see the lift in results on the back of it.

'If you want entertainment go and watch a bunch of clowns.'
Alan Durban Stoke Manager 1980s

How to play football by Bill shankly

1. A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.

2. Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.

3. The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don’t know the game.

4. If you’ve got three Scots in your side, you’ve got a chance of winning something. If you’ve got any more, you’re in trouble.

5. If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be.

6. At a football club, there’s a holy trinity: the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.

Quoted from londonmariner2

'If you want entertainment go and watch a bunch of clowns.'
Alan Durban Stoke Manager 1980s

How to play football by Bill shankly

1. A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.

2. Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.

3. The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don’t know the game.

4. If you’ve got three Scots in your side, you’ve got a chance of winning something. If you’ve got any more, you’re in trouble.

5. If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be.

6. At a football club, there’s a holy trinity: the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.

NUMBER 2 - The answer to why we were 2nd best on Saturday !

At league level every footballer should be able to trap a ball, control it in only a couple of movements and be able to pass the ball at correct weight, preferably in front of the receiving player to run onto, rather than stop to receive and not facing their own goal all of the time.

Quoted from Balaby

Enough is enough!! I can't help myself any longer! Week after week I go watch town, waiting to be entertained. One game this season I have had this fulfilled (Stevenage). Other than that it's been absolutely appalling. Week in week out of non entertainment. The manager can talk the good game but for sure we can not deliver!! There's only so much people can take until the crowds will dwindle. Today's performance was up there with one of the worst, not one proper chance and certainly no prolonged pressure of any kind. The formation and tactics just don't work, especially at home where we supposed to be the team that force the game to the opposition. I like any town fan want the team and manager to do well but I also pay good money to be entertained!!! That I am definitely not being!!! And at the end of the day that is what we supposed to be!!!

Did you listen to MB's post match interview? A lot can be deduced from it IMO. We know he wants to play fast attacking positive football, and let's be honest the fans crave this as it's ingrained in our blood as GTFC supporters. However he made the point that the current crop are not as technically blessed as some of our league 2 counterparts. He said he could easily turn this team into a long ball team and go more direct, but that's not his style. This crop is in the mould of a PH team. His style was certainly not conducive to fast free flowing football. I honestly have faith in this manager and I believe the entertaining football will come, but if you do not have the technical attributes to play that style then how can you implement it straight away. This is his inherited team, and given time he will get the right calibre into the club for sure. Just stop flipping moaning and expecting the world when we're not quite good enough just yet. We're mid table in our first season back in the FL. That itself is a positive foundation to build upon.  

Quoted from GTFC_85

Did you listen to MB's post match interview? A lot can be deduced from it IMO. We know he wants to play fast attacking positive football, and let's be honest the fans crave this as it's ingrained in our blood as GTFC supporters. However he made the point that the current crop are not as technically blessed as some of our league 2 counterparts. He said he could easily turn this team into a long ball team and go more direct, but that's not his style. This crop is in the mould of a PH team. His style was certainly not conducive to fast free flowing football. I honestly have faith in this manager and I believe the entertaining football will come, but if you do not have the technical attributes to play that style then how can you implement it straight away. This is his inherited team, and given time he will get the right calibre into the club for sure. Just stop flipping moaning and expecting the world when we're not quite good enough just yet. We're mid table in our first season back in the FL. That itself is a positive foundation to build upon.  

I think what Marcus has said is spot on and actually vindicates PHs style in that PH could only get the team to be effective playing in a certain way as the players at the club had/have limited ability & skill.  
What it does feel like though is that we are trying to do things without the required personnel at the risk of losing games as well as winning some which we have done and notably against Plymouth & Carlisle. Some fans are happy with this strategy some are not.
Personally I am o.k. with it but would like to see those wins happen at BP...........Oh and at Stevenage n the 28th then I can walk round the local Asda with my Town shirt on and not get any smart bottom comments from the local numpties..

I agree totally, maybe the manager should adapt his tactics to suit the group. My point I guess was the response to the OP who wanted entertaining football right away when we're not in a position to do this (yet)

Quoted from GTFC_85

Did you listen to MB's post match interview? A lot can be deduced from it IMO. We know he wants to play fast attacking positive football, and let's be honest the fans crave this as it's ingrained in our blood as GTFC supporters. However he made the point that the current crop are not as technically blessed as some of our league 2 counterparts. He said he could easily turn this team into a long ball team and go more direct, but that's not his style. This crop is in the mould of a PH team. His style was certainly not conducive to fast free flowing football. I honestly have faith in this manager and I believe the entertaining football will come, but if you do not have the technical attributes to play that style then how can you implement it straight away. This is his inherited team, and given time he will get the right calibre into the club for sure. Just stop flipping moaning and expecting the world when we're not quite good enough just yet. We're mid table in our first season back in the FL. That itself is a positive foundation to build upon.  

I think that is a little unfair to Hurst, he consistently built teams that were organised and scored a decent amount of goals. We started this season pretty well and he left us in a decent position. I think people are right to say he was cautious but his teams always knew their positions and generally had a go at home.
I am certainly not of the thinking that these players cannot play football, I would suggest its more about organisation and getting the best from them. Its harder to chop and change now players cant be loaned outside the window, It means that managers have to get the best out of what they have got. On Saturday there was a distinct lack of method to the play, we did tend to just roll it between the back 3 and then lump it aimlessly. The players look unsure of where they should be and that is worrying. I would like to think that Bignot can improve us and he needs to be given time to see if he can do this, but I am less than convinced from what I have seen and heard that he will. All that said it is difficult to be a success in football management and most managers fail at the job they are given.

But if Marcus knows he hasn't got the players capable of playing to that formation, then why do it ?  He has stated that in his opinion they are not gifted enough to play the style he wants them to. So play them to the style they can play (even if you don't like that style), get rid when you can, and when you do have the players capable of playing the way you want that's fine. I'll be happy enough as long as we don't go down, but don't ask the players to do something they are not capable of and then bad mouth them when they can't do it.  

I listened to MBs interview Saturday and I can understand that he wants to play in a certain way. But like he said these players in his opinion are not technically correct for them to play it. So like previous posters have said, why not play it differently until he can get the players he requires to do so? Wether these technically gifted players are going to come from Solihull, Gateshead and Biggleswade is another question. Given time I think Marcus can do a good job but playing six defenders in a team just so they can play his preferred system seems bizarre. Anyway here's hoping for a better performance on Saturday and at Stevenage the week after!! I'll be there at both, hopefully entertained UTM

Looking at it from another angle. Maybe he's sussing out who can play the way he wants and ship out who can't. With 36 points in the bag, he may feel he's got that leeway to gamble for a few games for longer term gains..

Quoted from Bigdog

Looking at it from another angle. Maybe he's sussing out who can play the way he wants and ship out who can't. With 36 points in the bag, he may feel he's got that leeway to gamble for a few games for longer term gains..

I am 100% sure this is the case and we have to trust his judgement, he does need to ensure though whilst at BP that we still get a few shots on target in the process otherwise those that don't understand what he is doing might stop tuning up.  

I've got a feeling there'll be at least two or three changes for next Saturday. He showed faith with the side that got a great results at Carlisle and Hartlepool and that decision blew up in his face.

Surely the problem is that he hasn't got the players to play the way he wants to, which is why they ended  at 3-5-2 with lots of defenders in the team. We simply haven't got the forward thinking players of sufficient skill levels to do anything other than play the way we are doing. It has brought a bit of success but Exeter exposed our deficiences because they were smarter and quicker than us, just as they have been at many away grounds this season. At home when we have more of the ball and are expected to attack, the shortcomings in the team are ruthlessly exposed. It's a lot simpler to go away from home, sit back and let the opposition try to break you down. We have done to Carlisle and Plymouth what Exeter did to us. I wouldn't think that we'd be playing 3-5-2 if we had skillful wingers and creative midfielders and i don't think that is MB's preferred way of playing. It's currently the best of the bad options is my take on it.