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Quoted from Yoda

Hurst will tinker is to death
Let’s face it he’s good with a small squad on a tight budget , give him money he is useless.
Bought in loads of players on long term deals still doesn’t know his best eleven.
Thank god i never bought a season ticket.
Lower mid table at best.

Jesus wept. There’s always one or two but well done mate. Unbalanced overreaction of the week. Just out of interest - do you read the Daily Mail/Express?
Permanently outraged?

A bit early to decide anything yet give it 10 or so games then give us your opinion.

Is it too early? I mean he's got 2 seasons of evidence and he's carried it on into this season

Two seasons of what, success????

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Is it too early? I mean he's got 2 seasons of evidence and he's carried it on into this season

One which saw us promoted. The other our best finish for donkeys years and an FA Cup quarter final.

Hurst Out 😂

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Two seasons of what, success????

Tinkering. Obviously. I'd hardly call it success under Hurst either, more like juat getting over the line.

Was 4 wins at home last season.?

Quoted from headingly_mariner

One which saw us promoted. The other our best finish for donkeys years and an FA Cup quarter final.

Hurst Out 😂

A promotion he almost blundered after his one man team lost their one man and a lucky FA Cup run. You must ve forgetting our what 4 home wins all last season

Not sure the one man in a one man team can score 16 goals in a season ;D

Absolute state of this thread. What are we suggesting if we're unhappy with today's 'tinkering'? That they should have sent Maher out on crutches?

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Is it too early? I mean he's got 2 seasons of evidence and he's carried it on into this season

Your repetitive dislike of Hurst still makes you make laughable statements that takeaway any meaningful observations you may make. If i remember right you have made the same personal comments at the start of the last two seasons and they didnt end too badly. May i suggest you wait until the end of this one.

You've got to pick a better reason for having a pop at Hurst than complaining he tinkers too much when he's picked 10 of the 11 who started the previous league match, and the only change was an enforced one through injury.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Absolute state of this thread. What are we suggesting if we're unhappy with today's 'tinkering'? That they should have sent Maher out on crutches?

Would of been quicker than waterfall m8 lol

Quoted from Chrisblor

You've got to pick a better reason for having a pop at Hurst than complaining he tinkers too much when he's picked 10 of the 11 who started the previous league match, and the only change was an enforced one through injury.

Why let facts get in the way of an agenda?
You cannot reason with stupidity-don’t waste your time trying.

Anyone got a link to Hurst post match please??

Quoted from Chrisblor

You've got to pick a better reason for having a pop at Hurst than complaining he tinkers too much when he's picked 10 of the 11 who started the previous league match, and the only change was an enforced one through injury.

I mean that's not difficult, is it? He plays dull unattractive football, signs workmen instead of footballers (he might have done a better job on this with one or two this season), he tinkers with winning sides, he picks teams to "counter" other teams instead of forcing other teams to do that to us, he has our midfield sit so deep we might as well play with 8 defenders, he only allows us to attack with 3 players and only one of them is allowed in the box, the same corner routine every corner, kick it to the big guy at the back post, the same freekick routine hoof it to the big guy at the back post, refuses to make subs, when he does make subs they're like for like as he has no plan B. I would carry on but my curry is ready.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

A promotion he almost blundered after his one man team lost their one man and a lucky FA Cup run. You must ve forgetting our what 4 home wins all last season

And there we have it. The rewriting of history to fit an agenda.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

I mean that's not difficult, is it? He plays dull unattractive football, signs workmen instead of footballers (he might have done a better job on this with one or two this season), he tinkers with winning sides, he picks teams to "counter" other teams instead of forcing other teams to do that to us, he has our midfield sit so deep we might as well play with 8 defenders, he only allows us to attack with 3 players and only one of them is allowed in the box, the same corner routine every corner, kick it to the big guy at the back post, the same freekick routine hoof it to the big guy at the back post, refuses to make subs, when he does make subs they're like for like as he has no plan B. I would carry on but my curry is ready.

Made a change after 30 minutes today.

Hurst is like marmite to our fanbase but one thing I do not like about him is he always gives far too much credit to the opposition to the detrement of ourselves. Do we really have a style of play?..not really because Hurst sets up to counter the opposition.
Sometimes I'm convinced he wants to prove a "how clever am i" point. Why can't he just decide on a style of play for us sbd bloody stick to it, give us a bleeding identity because right now, we haven't got one

Quoted from Hagrid

Made a change after 30 minutes today.

This is an excellent point that I'd forgotten until now.

Quoted from Hagrid

Made a change after 30 minutes today.

Some are saying he was forced in to it, Glennon was injured apparently..
**edit** just listened to Hurst post match, not for the first time but I was talking out my ar$e.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Some are saying he was forced in to it, Glennon was injured apparently..

PH said he replaced Glennon to make sure he didn’t get sent off.

Quoted from barralad

And there we have it. The rewriting of history to fit an agenda.

Hardly, should we talk about how he relegated us, taking us from about 6 spots clear to bottom of the table or do the happy clapper rose-tinted specs stop you from seeing that as well?

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

PH said he replaced Glennon to make sure he didn’t get sent off.

More likely because the number 11 had waltzed past him half a dozen times as if he wasn’t there ( plus the times he wasn’t there) in the first 30 minutes.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Absolute state of this thread. What are we suggesting if we're unhappy with today's 'tinkering'? That they should have sent Maher out on crutches?

Exactly. Just utter cobblers.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

I mean that's not difficult, is it? He plays dull unattractive football, signs workmen instead of footballers (he might have done a better job on this with one or two this season), he tinkers with winning sides, he picks teams to "counter" other teams instead of forcing other teams to do that to us, he has our midfield sit so deep we might as well play with 8 defenders, he only allows us to attack with 3 players and only one of them is allowed in the box, the same corner routine every corner, kick it to the big guy at the back post, the same freekick routine hoof it to the big guy at the back post, refuses to make subs, when he does make subs they're like for like as he has no plan B. I would carry on but my curry is ready.

Eat it with a spoon and remember to breathe (it’s safe through the nose). Then have an early night.

Tinker man for “dropping” an injured player and bringing in one that was fit 🤣🤣🤣
A one man team that got us promoted 🤣🤣🤣 (let’s not mention he brought in this so called one man team), I’m glad the other 20 (estimated) goslscorers didn’t contribute 🤣🤣🤣
FA Cup quarter finals….. lucky 🤣🤣🤣. That is one hell of a lot of luck.
I’m waiting for a we was fortunate to win the games we did, and we only did that because we somehow luckily scored more goals than the other teams.

Good to see a defeat has made a lot of people happy, so they can have a good moan, no matter what
This thread is pure comedy.

Flappy, knicker wetting nonsense.

Few people maybe had a too much ale and sunshine.

Instead of arguing amongst ourselves I thought this thread was to give our opinions on todays match. Today we were absolutely shite and it looked as if we had no plan A never mind a plan B. There can be no arguing amongst ourselves with this statement.and surely there can be no differing opinions from anybody who professes to have any knowledge of football

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Hardly, should we talk about how he relegated us, taking us from about 6 spots clear to bottom of the table or do the happy clapper rose-tinted specs stop you from seeing that as well?

Just give me one instance outside of the Southampton game in the cup run where we were lucky.
I'll wait..

Quoted from barralad

Just give me one instance outside of the Southampton game in the cup run where we were lucky.
I'll wait..

I agree with you (although Richardson’s rectal winner vs Burton was a bit rabbit-in-a-hat trick).

How can you have a pop at a manager for “almost blundering” a promotion they did actually achieve?!

Quoted from tashee69

Tinker man for “dropping” an injured player and bringing in one that was fit 🤣🤣🤣
A one man team that got us promoted 🤣🤣🤣 (let’s not mention he brought in this so called one man team), I’m glad the other 20 (estimated) goslscorers didn’t contribute 🤣🤣🤣
FA Cup quarter finals….. lucky 🤣🤣🤣. That is one hell of a lot of luck.
I’m waiting for a we was fortunate to win the games we did, and we only did that because we somehow luckily scored more goals than the other teams.

Good to see a defeat has made a lot of people happy, so they can have a good moan, no matter what
This thread is pure comedy.

Ignore him mate, he's just a troll. I blocked him ages ago.

Quoted from Yoda

Was 4 wins at home last season.?

We won 7 at home in the league, v more than we lost. Plus cup wins.

Quoted from mariner91

How can you have a pop at a manager for “almost blundering” a promotion they did actually achieve?!

You can in a reality in which you regurgitate historical grievances to back up a factually incorrect statement to suit a silly agenda.
The agenda in which everything that goes right is luck and happenstance and everything that goes wrong is the fault of Paul Hurst.
I particularly enjoyed the lunacy of using a promotion and a great cup run as a stick to beat the manager with.
Hilarious!

Every year we have variations of this conversation when we fail to take the league by storm and we drop back to the "bedding in" observation about the players. Notts County were second favourites and lost so little last season we were one of the last teams to beat them in a home league game the season before last.

Quoted from Sandford1981

You can in a reality in which you regurgitate historical grievances to back up a factually incorrect statement to suit a silly agenda.
The agenda in which everything that goes right is luck and happenstance and everything that goes wrong is the fault of Paul Hurst.
I particularly enjoyed the lunacy of using a promotion and a great cup run as a stick to beat the manager with.
Hilarious!

Yup. Correct. Some people seem relaxed about making themselves look silly via a blend of overreaction, entitlement, selective memory and topped with the cherry of seemingly not really understanding the nuances of professional football.

We’re all disappointed. Truth. We’re probably all a bit concerned about one or two things. 1 point from the first two games isn’t ideal. The thing is, I think, to not allow yourself to extrapolate that to extreme reaches and then spaff a load of nonsense on the internet that disregards all that and makes you look like you’ve been watching football about ten minutes and that reality is a f@cking big surprise to you.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

Hardly, should we talk about how he relegated us, taking us from about 6 spots clear to bottom of the table or do the happy clapper rose-tinted specs stop you from seeing that as well?

I dont like to get personal....but you I could easily make an exception. Come to think that you embarrass yourself without ever knowing it.

Quoted from chaos33

Yup. Correct. Some people seem relaxed about making themselves look silly via a blend of overreaction, entitlement, selective memory and topped with the cherry of seemingly not really understanding the nuances of professional football.

We’re all disappointed. Truth. We’re probably all a bit concerned about one or two things. 1 point from the first two games isn’t ideal. The thing is, I think, to not allow yourself to extrapolate that to extreme reaches and then spaff a load of nonsense on the internet that disregards all that and makes you look like you’ve been watching football about ten minutes and that reality is a f@cking big surprise to you.

Bolox pal..those of us that have watched all Hurst teams know what to expect, it doesn't matter who he signs, the style of play hasn't sbd probably never will change...
It's turgid, try not to lose and pragmatic...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Bolox pal..those of us that have watched all Hurst teams know what to expect, it doesn't matter who he signs, the style of play hasn't sbd probably never will change...
It's turgid, try not to lose and pragmatic...

Aaah so so right the very tactics that saw us create history in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. What a tw@t he is.

I think everybody should log off the internet and carry on drinking and it will all be better for it tomorrow.

Quoted from 140381

I think everybody should log off the internet and carry on drinking and it will all be better for it tomorrow.

Excellent advice. Have just opened a bottle of very nice Malbec. Will be much more agreeable tomorrow.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Bolox pal..those of us that have watched all Hurst teams know what to expect, it doesn't matter who he signs, the style of play hasn't sbd probably never will change...
It's turgid, try not to lose and pragmatic...

Well, I wouldn’t expect anything different from you, having solidly proved yourself to be of strictly limited intellectual capacity.

He's done it again hasn't he?

Yoda...starts a thread he knows will be controversial, lights the blue touchpaper and retires whilst we all argue amongst ourselves.
Mad at myself for falling for it...agsin.

Quoted from barralad

He's done it again hasn't he?

Yoda...starts a thread he knows will be controversial, lights the blue touchpaper and retires whilst we all argue amongst ourselves.
Mad at myself for falling for it...agsin.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ??) Spot on

Wow.Lost a game 3-2 away to a very good footballing team .All of a sudden all the players are crap ,All played badly ,Managers shite .Come on guys there were some very good performances today .The difference for me was 2 quick skillful wide men that they made good use of and a flukey equaliser .On the day they were better than us .It's football,it happens .onto Tuesday UTM

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst will tinker is to death
Let’s face it he’s good with a small squad on a tight budget , give him money he is useless.
Bought in loads of players on long term deals still doesn’t know his best eleven.
Thank god i never bought a season ticket.
Lower mid table at best.

What a ridiculous comment 2 league games in 🤦‍♂️

Quoted from Yoda

Was 4 wins at home last season.?

4 wins at home and we still managed to finish higher than we have in years. You'd think the way some people talk we went from challenging for the league championship every year to this when Hurst took over. Got us promoted from the NL at the first time of asking, led us to our highest league finish in how many years? Some people still deluding themselves into thinking we should be in the championship because we were like 25 years ago. Need to change the bar you measure things against with reality for once and not things that happened decades ago. As soon as we win a game most of these people who only post when we lose will vanish and the regulars will overreact positively instead of negative.

I felt setting up with 2 central midfielders at Notts County was extremely naive.

I thought he’d sacrifice the number 10 and move Clifton into a midfielder 3 anchored by Conteh with Hunt the other side.

Conteh looked his best in the final 20 minutes when he was central in front of the back 4 and could dictate play more.

By attempting to play 4-2-3-1 we ended up with the 2 wingers being constantly pinned back by their wing back play and it became a 4-4-1-1.

If you sacrifice the number 10, the extra man in midfielder allows the 2 wingers the opportunity to play 5 to 10 metres further forward where they can be more of a threat and force the wing-backs to do more defending.

As a result of the system Clifton on the left wing fell into the trap where he was ineffective going forward whilst simultaneously offering little to no protection to Glennon/Efete.

And to compound the midfield overload the understanding between Waterfall & Rodgers was non existent.

Last week with Rodgers and Maher we held a good high line throughout. Yesterday Waterfall constantly dropped 5 metres beyond the starting line of defence whilst the other 3 held the higher line. This allowed Nemane the opportunity to cause havoc down our left side as he could go beyond Glennon/Efete before the pass and know he’ll be onside. It just made it easy for him.

We need 4 or 5 additions and 2 or 3 need to be moved on ASAP.

Another left back. Either a right back or another centre back depending your opinion of Mullarkey’s capabilities as a modern L2 full back. Another central midfielder. And another winger- hopefully with a goal threat.

Amos and Holohan should be top of the list of players told their game time will be limited and they can leave if they can find another club.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Another left back. Either a right back or another centre back depending your opinion of Mullarkey’s capabilities as a modern L2 full back. Another central midfielder. And another winger- hopefully with a goal threat.

This isn’t aimed at you. You make some very good points.

However, you have to chuckle, that it was only a couple of weeks ago that Glennon and Clifton were both mentioned on here as the best LB/midfielder outside of the Championship and Mullarkey as the greatest undiscovered talent since Susan Boyle.

The reality lies somewhere in between.

Like shågging in a brothel, Glennon needs protection. When Clifton provided that last season (Brighton etc), Glennon looked a better player.

I must admit, I had hoped and expected that with a full pre-season and with Hurst’s full-back knowledge, we might see a sharper, fitter, defensively savvy, Glennon this season. We still might but it’s not looking good so far.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

This isn’t aimed at you. You make some very good points.

However, you have to chuckle, that it was only a couple of weeks ago that Glennon and Clifton were both mentioned on here as the best LB/midfielder outside of the Championship and Mullarkey as the greatest undiscovered talent since Susan Boyle.

The reality lies somewhere in between.

Like shågging in a brothel, Glennon needs protection. When Clifton provided that last season (Brighton etc), Glennon looked a better player.

I must admit, I had hoped and expected that with a full pre-season and with Hurst’s full-back knowledge, we might see a sharper, fitter, defensively savvy, Glennon this season. We still might but it’s not looking good so far.

My suggestion that we need a new LB is more to do with it being obvious that Amos has no future at the club and in effect we only have 1 at the club at present.

Glennon is clearly an excellent footballer who is left constantly exposed in our current system.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

My suggestion that we need a new LB is more to do with it being obvious that Amos has no future at the club and in effect we only have 1 at the club at present.

Glennon is clearly an excellent footballer who is left constantly exposed in our current system.

Glennon is paid to defend he couldn’t manage that yesterday it was almost a man against a boy it was that one sided. Perhaps he won’t face another winger like that again all season but I suspect he will , just having a decent delivery from a dead ball situation isn’t good enough.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Glennon is paid to defend he couldn’t manage that yesterday it was almost a man against a boy it was that one sided. Perhaps he won’t face another winger like that again all season but I suspect he will , just having a decent delivery from a dead ball situation isn’t good enough.

Folarin and Odoh at Harrogate for starters! Folarin burned past Amos as if he wasn't there last year.

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst will tinker is to death
Let’s face it he’s good with a small squad on a tight budget , give him money he is useless.
Bought in loads of players on long term deals still doesn’t know his best eleven.
Thank god i never bought a season ticket.
Lower mid table at best.

I'm glad you didn't get a season ticket as well! The thought of you sitting next to me and spending 90 minutes berating PH would make me lose the will to live.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Glennon is paid to defend he couldn’t manage that yesterday it was almost a man against a boy it was that one sided. Perhaps he won’t face another winger like that again all season but I suspect he will , just having a decent delivery from a dead ball situation isn’t good enough.

I cannot understood why people continue to rate Glennon. He has never been able to defend has no positional sense and looks lethargic. The decent crosses he put in his first loan spell have also virtually dissappeared..

Quoted from chaos33

Yup. Correct. Some people seem relaxed about making themselves look silly via a blend of overreaction, entitlement, selective memory and topped with the cherry of seemingly not really understanding the nuances of professional football.

We’re all disappointed. Truth. We’re probably all a bit concerned about one or two things. 1 point from the first two games isn’t ideal. The thing is, I think, to not allow yourself to extrapolate that to extreme reaches and then spaff a load of nonsense on the internet that disregards all that and makes you look like you’ve been watching football about ten minutes and that reality is a f@cking big surprise to you.

I was concerned yesterday.

The Wimbledon game was a game with not much in it. I thought we should have just edged it but in the end could have lost it with the penalty.

Yesterday even though we twice took the lead I thought generally it was against the run of play. I thought they looked a decent side who play possession football without always looking threatening (but they scored 3 times).

The main concerns for me are the gaps between players and departments. Rose looks isolated as Vernam and Eisa are not close enough to him. Rose is a nuisance but you have to hunt in packs. There seemed to be little continuity between the midfield and attackers and it seemed to be played all on the hoof and positionally we were all over the place at times.

I thought Waterfall looked very rusty and had no rhythm which in fairness is to be expected. It’s not often you can question his commitment but allowing the cross and dangling a foot half heartedly summed up the game. In mitigation he was left exposed when Mullarkey stepped into midfield.

However, individually I think the players we have recruited look better than what we had and all my concerns can be altered with game time and training. It’s virtually a new team and I don’t expect it to happen instantly. If I’m seeing the same 10 games in then perhaps I’ll change my view but in the mean time I’m going to be old fashioned and give the lads some time instead of losing the plot after 2 (two!!!!!!) league games.

HHHMMM just got back from holiday ...lets see what happens on Tuesday , kettle on
UTM 2023--24

Quoted from Chrisblor

You've got to pick a better reason for having a pop at Hurst than complaining he tinkers too much when he's picked 10 of the 11 who started the previous league match, and the only change was an enforced one through injury.

On some threads last season were complaints he didn't bring on subs quickly enough.

Quoted from Croxton

Folarin and Odoh at Harrogate for starters! Folarin burned past Amos as if he wasn't there last year.

Interesting you should mention those two players. I went to see Harrogate v FGR yesterday (my 10 year old son was born in Harrogate so naturally, supports them) and it was a really poor game between two mediocre teams. In fact, if they’re not both in the bottom six at the end of the season I’ll be shocked, but, Folarin and Odeh caught the eye to some extent. Odeh is short but incredibly quick and quite tricky, although he suffers with that classic characteristic of looking a real threat on that basis, but usually produces nothing. This was the case yesterday. Harrogate have very little threat beyond what he promised. Folarin is a little different in the sense that he’s taller and stronger but is also quick and looks a threat down the right hand side as his footwork is good. That said, Harrogate failed to mount any pressure or produce any clear cut chances to score against very average opponents. If we can’t overcome them, I’d be concerned.

FGR look entirely functional and well organised but with no real threat. They deploy a long ball quite often, but haven’t got anything up front or out wide to make you concerned. They have one really tidy midfielder who caught the eye in Kyle McAllister. Best player on the pitch.

Other noteworthy points - Luke Armstrong was sub - presumably because he’s said he wants to leave. He came on and looked physically really strong but didn’t do anything to impress. He had one chance for a clear cut shot but hit it straight at the keeper. He was booed by a few in the sparse crowd - a little over 2000. FGR brought about 80 fans. There was no atmosphere at all and nothing to create any. A dreary spectacle between two poor sides.

Quoted from DB

On some threads last season were complaints he didn't bring on subs quickly enough.

He clearly had no choice anyone with basic knowledge of football tactics could see it

My only concern is the lack of players supporting Rose, and in the box when crosses come in. Surely we must play 2 up front at home and attack the visiting team. I quite liked us playing 3-5-2, do we have the players to play that formation? It's certainly a more attacking formation for home games.

I know it's Premier League, but watching Aston Villa away at Newcastle, they were getting 4-5 players in the Newcastle box when attacking. relatively we should be able to do the same in League Two, unless instructions have been given to not do that. But why would that be the case when we are at home? Are we too worried about countering the other teams tactics, instead of letting them worry about ours?

I'm surprised I've posted this as I very rarely talk about tactics, but I just don't understand why we are not attacking teams on our home ground.

Well we’ve only played one home game, but I would also like to see us be more aggressive up front, starting on Tuesday. I think it’s fair to expect more from players like Eisa and Vernham who need to raise their game and influence the outcome to greater effect. A returning Khan would also be welcomed as he’s a skilful forward.

Quoted from GrimRob

Every year we have variations of this conversation when we fail to take the league by storm and we drop back to the "bedding in" observation about the players.

Think this maybe due to Grimsby's decent history albeit a long while back. Back in the old top flight just after the war and played top flight football before the war as fans will know . Now football has changed with rich owners investing more in lower league clubs whereas in the past the maximum wage allowed for a more even playing field .

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst will tinker is to death
Let’s face it he’s good with a small squad on a tight budget , give him money he is useless.
Bought in loads of players on long term deals still doesn’t know his best eleven.
Thank god i never bought a season ticket.
Lower mid table at best.

Do you know what am bloody pleased you didn’t buy a season ticket too

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst will tinker is to death
Let’s face it he’s good with a small squad on a tight budget , give him money he is useless.
Bought in loads of players on long term deals still doesn’t know his best eleven.
Thank god i never bought a season ticket.
Lower mid table at best.

Don't feed the troll!

Quoted from crusty ole pie

Do you know what am bloody pleased you didn’t buy a season ticket too

He have struggled to afford one. His mam only gives him a quid pocket money.

Around 60 players used in two and a half years may be considered tinkering.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Around 60 players used in two and a half years may be considered tinkering.

Or the necessary changes to the squad after a relegation and then a subsequent promotion.

Quoted from 123614

I know it's Premier League, but watching Aston Villa away at Newcastle, they were getting 4-5 players in the Newcastle box when attacking. relatively we should be able to do the same in League Two, unless instructions have been given to not do that. But why would that be the case when we are at home? Are we too worried about countering the other teams tactics, instead of letting them worry about ours?
.

They lost 5-1 didn’t they?

Quoted from headingly_mariner

One which saw us promoted. The other our best finish for donkeys years and an FA Cup quarter final.

Hurst Out 😂

Promoted from the dog and duck league not a lot to shout about realy and a finish half way up the bottom devision . Again not much to shout about . Lets all forget who took us down to non league as that dont count does it

Quoted from RonMariner

They lost 5-1 didn’t they?

Yes, and we also lost, but unlike them, didn't attack in numbers to try and win it.

Quoted from 123614

Yes, and we also lost, but unlike them, didn't attack in numbers to try and win it.

I’d suggest that, seeing as we lost 3-2 and they lost 5-1, we came closer to winning it than they did.

Quoted from grimsby pete

A bit early to decide anything yet give it 10 or so games then give us your opinion.

Exactly this, the start of this season has me in mind of 2017 when my other team (Llanelli Scarlets) spent 2016 building nicely into the top half of the table after years of underachieving and european qualification, bought in some more talent over the summer and then.....lost all 5 of the opening games of the season. I wanted the coach sacked like most other fans at the time, but to prove just how little I really know about professional sport they turned it round from game 6 on and won the league playing sublime rugby, also reaching the semi finals of Rugby equivalent to the champions league.

I'm not saying Town will now storm the league, but give em a few games at least before we start shouting Hursts out

Quoted from denni266

Promoted from the dog and duck league not a lot to shout about realy and a finish half way up the bottom devision . Again not much to shout about . Lets all forget who took us down to non league as that dont count does it

Taken a lot of time & quite a bit of money for some teams to try and get out of that so called Dog & Duck league. I think I see the real problem here and that is you are stuck in the footballing world from 20+ years ago. Footballs moved on. So called non league teams are professional now and splash a fair bit of cash around. We are not a Championship club kicking above our weight anymore. Get the impression you’d rather have seen Hurst fail in the promotion season and you seem to be one of those who gets some sort of kick out of a defeat so you can have a moan.

Quoted from denni266

Promoted from the dog and duck league not a lot to shout about realy and a finish half way up the bottom devision . Again not much to shout about . Lets all forget who took us down to non league as that dont count does it

What do you really think Grimsby's level is ? Dog and duck league is ridiculous

Quoted from kia82kaha

What do you really think Grimsby's level is ? Dog and duck league is ridiculous

You’re making the error of thinking that Denni is capable of any remotely positive sentiment, or of evolving his perception of what he expects from Town from where it was in 1935.

Quoted from chaos33

You’re making the error of thinking that Denni is capable of any remotely positive sentiment, or of evolving his perception of what he expects from Town from where it was in 1935.

It's funny you should say 1935 I see this the other day

Come on then what’s the starting XI for tomorrow night - will he tinker or stick? The way he talked up our performance in the post-match, I’ll think he’ll stick. I’d go with:-

Eastwood
Mullarkey
Rodger(s)
Waterfall
Efete

Hunt
Conteh
Clifton

Vernam(s)
Rose
Pyke

Rose a bit deeper and Vernam a bit more of a free rein to get on the ball. I don’t see the point of Vernam and Eisa unless we get them on the ball a lot more, neither seems to want to put in the hard yards to go find it. So picking both is a massive luxury, if it’s only one I’d go with Vernam with Eisa on the bench.

Quoted from sam gy

I’d suggest that, seeing as we lost 3-2 and they lost 5-1, we came closer to winning it than they did.

Both of us got zero points.

We manage to get a goal in the final minute, we get a draw, they manage to get a goal in the last minute, they still got absolutely hammered 5-2.

If you can't see the difference between losing by one goal and scoring two, than losing 5-1, then, well, i don't know why i'm even bothering typing this anymore haha.

We both lost, by how many goals doesn't matter. Besides my posts are about why we are not attacking more in home matches, I only included the Villa match to show how many players they get forward when attacking in an away match, I have no doubt that there are many more teams who get more players forward, especially at home.

I would not call PH a tinker man but he has this incredible habit of signing crap unfit players and putting them straight in the team …… Pepple , Gnoua and loan players a plenty

Quoted from 123614

We both lost, by how many goals doesn't matter. Besides my posts are about why we are not attacking more in home matches, I only included the Villa match to show how many players they get forward when attacking in an away match, I have no doubt that there are many more teams who get more players forward, especially at home.

Ok, but on this occasion, our gameplan worked better than theirs.

This is like two bald men squabbling over a comb. It was a cr@p original point, swiftly punctured.

However….we do need to be bolder and more attacking in home games, starting tomorrow.

A couple of stinkers on Saturday, so should Hurst tinker or not for tomorrow?

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Come on then what’s the starting XI for tomorrow night - will he tinker or stick? The way he talked up our performance in the post-match, I’ll think he’ll stick. I’d go with:-

Eastwood
Mullarkey
Rodger(s)
Waterfall
Efete

Hunt
Conteh
Clifton

Vernam(s)
Rose
Pyke

Rose a bit deeper and Vernam a bit more of a free rein to get on the ball. I don’t see the point of Vernam and Eisa unless we get them on the ball a lot more, neither seems to want to put in the hard yards to go find it. So picking both is a massive luxury, if it’s only one I’d go with Vernam with Eisa on the bench.

Don’t see Pyke starting he looked ia long way off on Saturday

Quoted from jamesgtfc

A couple of stinkers on Saturday, so should Hurst tinker or not for tomorrow?

Glennon and Hunt out and play vernams and rose up front in the Taylor Mcatee role

Quoted from It Bites

Glennon and Hunt out and play vernams and rose up front in the Taylor Mcatee role

I said to mates I went with walking out of ML, whilst we’ve improved the squad at the back and in midfield a pre-hammy injury and fit Taylor along with McAtee is better than what we have now at 9 and 10. Both helped us keep the ball moving in the final third, which Notts did so well via McGoldrick. If you end up with a dead end on one side, hold the ball up, lay it off and switch it. Instead we were hitting the cul-de-sacs and losing possession .

Quoted from It Bites

I would not call PH a tinker man but he has this incredible habit of signing crap unfit players and putting them straight in the team …… Pepple , Gnoua and loan players a plenty

Not knowing the details but Pepple came on loan as part of the deal with Luton for McAtee. We may have had to play him so many times!

1) it was 7 home wins last season
2) the 'dog n duck league' contained us , Wrexham, Southend, Chesterfield, Notts County & Stockport plus ex League clubs in Halifax, Aldershot, Yorquay, Yeovil, Barnet & Dagenham

If Khan is fit I’d swap him for Vernham.

Quoted from chaos33

If Khan is fit I’d swap him for Vernham.

He isn’t.

Oh well…..if CV keeps his place, the time is now. We need to see this player.,

Quoted from chaos33

Oh well…..if CV keeps his place, the time is now. We need to see this player.,

I don't think he has been as bad a lot of people make out.
Definitely could've done better but some of the criticism is over the top in my opinion.
He has done some decent stuff going forward and defensively.
I can understand the high expectations, certainly hasn't lived up to them yet but he can be a real asset for us.

Concern is a lack of form for a few, and how open we look, together with a striker being isolated. Finding answers to all that isn’t easy. Does Hurst stick with current set up (pending injuries/fatigue) and persevere until it comes good (it inevitably will at some point) - or does he consider shoring us up a bit?? But then he risks the wrath of those wanting to be more positive. It’s not easy.

Does Glennon need taking out for a bit? Do we have a three in the middle instead of two? Do we go with two up?

May be worth giving Khouri a run out, alongside Conteh? Does Hunt play too deep?

There’s a million and one questions between us all I’m sure, but it’s up to Hurst to solve and players to perform. The worry is you need a result to get confidence, and the fixture list isn’t kind. Need a result sooner than later, otherwise pressure grows on players and fans get restless. Fans haven’t been negative for 2 seasons, quiet at home but understandable as you have to have moments on the pitch to get crowd involved, but not sure some will settle for another season of home games struggling for results.

And I do wish he’d not talk opposition teams up as much..he’s made Mansfield seem like Real Madrid, can’t be best message to send to your own players particularly when you play them again within 10 days. Also talked Notts C up, before and after..and Salford…would be nice to give opposition something to think about sometimes..

Ah well..here’s hoping to a few questions being answered tomorrow 👍

Quoted from marinerjase

Concern is a lack of form for a few, and how open we look, together with a striker being isolated. Finding answers to all that isn’t easy. Does Hurst stick with current set up (pending injuries/fatigue) and persevere until it comes good (it inevitably will at some point) - or does he consider shoring us up a bit?? But then he risks the wrath of those wanting to be more positive. It’s not easy.

Does Glennon need taking out for a bit? Do we have a three in the middle instead of two? Do we go with two up?

May be worth giving Khouri a run out, alongside Conteh? Does Hunt play too deep?

There’s a million and one questions between us all I’m sure, but it’s up to Hurst to solve and players to perform. The worry is you need a result to get confidence, and the fixture list isn’t kind. Need a result sooner than later, otherwise pressure grows on players and fans get restless. Fans haven’t been negative for 2 seasons, quiet at home but understandable as you have to have moments on the pitch to get crowd involved, but not sure some will settle for another season of home games struggling for results.

And I do wish he’d not talk opposition teams up as much..he’s made Mansfield seem like Real Madrid, can’t be best message to send to your own players particularly when you play them again within 10 days. Also talked Notts C up, before and after..and Salford…would be nice to give opposition something to think about sometimes..

Ah well..here’s hoping to a few questions being answered tomorrow 👍

A good well thought out post and somewhere close to my thinking .

I am a Hurst fan , but also understand his relatively succesful style in the lower leagues is not always easy on the eye and people who pay 20 odd quid to be entertained for 2 hours are left feeling short changed at home , the style is normally much more suited away (especially when teams open up ) .

I think the most interesting question now is - does he revert to type (which like you say will risk the wrath of the fans) or persevere with this more fluid but open style against by my count 6 teams out of the next 8 games whom have on paper better players than us , who I would not fancy opening up against - that might be negative , but it's a results based business .

I actually think the more pragmatic old style was made for these first 10 games .

Quoted from sam gy

Ok, but on this occasion, our gameplan worked better than theirs.

Err, I don't think so, once again, we lost.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

A couple of stinkers on Saturday, so should Hurst tinker or not for tomorrow?

Suspect we will see Green for Hunt plus whatever he decides to do at left back and the rest will be no change

Remind me where we were in October of AB’s first season of his second stint?
This team will take 10 - 12 games to gel. I’d be really interested to see where we are then and where we are after the next ten after that. I’d say we’ll be 0.5 to 1 point a game better by then.

Quoted from 123614

Err, I don't think so, once again, we lost.

Yes, but I would imagine losing 5-1 is a lot more demoralising to the squad than losing 3-2. Also a goal difference of -4 , as opposed to -1 , at the end of the season could make a big difference to the final league placing. Nobody likes to lose but the greater the loss, the more the psychological damage.

If you take the title of this thread and then the main arguments within it I can't help but feel you're at a contradiction.

Hurst is a tinkerman and it's affecting our performance because players don't understand one another - Certain players weren't good enough and so they need dropping.

Hurst is a tinkerman and we're not progressing because he's signed 60 players - We need to sign better players if we're going to progress through the leagues.

The call to play the same team every week because that's how players gel is then met with so and so wasn't good enough and so and so should be in. That contradicts the argument of keeping the same team AND the ability for players to gel. It seems that some are expecting an entire squad to be match sharp, gelled and flowing before the first competitive game which my personal opinion is unrealistic.

Quoted from rancido

Yes, but I would imagine losing 5-1 is a lot more demoralising to the squad than losing 3-2. Also a goal difference of -4 , as opposed to -1 , at the end of the season could make a big difference to the final league placing. Nobody likes to lose but the greater the loss, the more the psychological damage.

I get what you are saying, but a goal difference of -4 after just 2 games is irrelevant.

Quoted from chaos33

This is like two bald men squabbling over a comb. It was a cr@p original point, swiftly punctured.

However….we do need to be bolder and more attacking in home games, starting tomorrow.

My point exactly!

Quoted from gtfc_chris

If you take the title of this thread and then the main arguments within it I can't help but feel you're at a contradiction.

Hurst is a tinkerman and it's affecting our performance because players don't understand one another - Certain players weren't good enough and so they need dropping.

Hurst is a tinkerman and we're not progressing because he's signed 60 players - We need to sign better players if we're going to progress through the leagues.

The call to play the same team every week because that's how players gel is then met with so and so wasn't good enough and so and so should be in. That contradicts the argument of keeping the same team AND the ability for players to gel. It seems that some are expecting an entire squad to be match sharp, gelled and flowing before the first competitive game which my personal opinion is unrealistic.

Quite.

Most were generally happy with the Wimbledon performance and only really disappointed by the result on Saturday. The only thing that would disappoint me is if we revert to the turgid football served up at BP for most of last season. We need to get on the front foot and fire up the fans.

I would go with the same eleven that started the first two games but just tweak the set-up.  Midfield 3 with Hunt and Clifton pressing ahead of Conteh.  Vernam and Eisa wide cutting in, not central and drifting out to the wings.

I don't think it's the XI selected that necessarily prevented us from picking up more than 1 point, but the way we've set up to play.

Obviously big question marks over Glennon after the last two games.  He doesn't fancy Amos though, clearly.  Efete did ok on Saturday when he came on but he's not a natural down there.  In the absence of a natural left-footer further forward, I think there's some definite merit in having something to resemble balance.    If it's a definite no-go on Glennon and Amos I would be half tempted to put Khouri there.  Did ok a few seasons back when asked to do a job there, not ideal but options are limited.

I've a feeling he'll bring Green into the midfield to add some steel, which I'm ok with but that means you've got to let Conteh go further forward.  Otherwise it's 2 guys sat in front of the back four.  Conteh driving forward could be a bit Jay Matete like.

Quoted from 123614

I get what you are saying, but a goal difference of -4 after just 2 games is irrelevant.

It isn't if that -4 is maintained and still there at the end of their season. Playing a gung-ho style of football and getting beaten with a large negative goal difference can be the difference between promotion or a play- off place - or a play- off place or being an also ran. It can also be the difference between league survival and relegation.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I would go with the same eleven that started the first two games but just tweak the set-up.  Midfield 3 with Hunt and Clifton pressing ahead of Conteh.  Vernam and Eisa wide cutting in, not central and drifting out to the wings.

I don't think it's the XI selected that necessarily prevented us from picking up more than 1 point, but the way we've set up to play.

Obviously big question marks over Glennon after the last two games.  He doesn't fancy Amos though, clearly.  Efete did ok on Saturday when he came on but he's not a natural down there.  In the absence of a natural left-footer further forward, I think there's some definite merit in having something to resemble balance.    If it's a definite no-go on Glennon and Amos I would be half tempted to put Khouri there.  Did ok a few seasons back when asked to do a job there, not ideal but options are limited.

I've a feeling he'll bring Green into the midfield to add some steel, which I'm ok with but that means you've got to let Conteh go further forward.  Otherwise it's 2 guys sat in front of the back four.  Conteh driving forward could be a bit Jay Matete like.

I hope that he doesn't bring Green in for any reason. Under the new rules, he's a walking yellow card.

I can't help but think that our personnel would be more suited to a 5-3-2. Mullarkey looks more centre back than right back and Efete and Glennon look more like wing backs. Play the same 3 in midfield with Harry narrower and either Vernam or Eisa (or Pyke if fit) in and around Rose.

I'm always a little bit wary about having a really tall full-back as it is difficult for them to turn quickly enough against nippy smaller players. Not impossible, but difficult. Efete is over 6 feet tall and is quick enough, but I'm not sure about Mullarkey in that role yet, even though he looks a capable footballer with the ball at his feet.

The problem with Efete is that he's quick and strong but his delivery into the box is really poor. Can't play somebody who can't cross as a wing-back and expect to create too much.

Glennon is a good crosser, but lacks the pace (and perhaps fitness?) to get up and down the line.

If only we had another Danny Andrew. He was fast enough and good enough that we didn't even bother with a left-midfielder when he was playing much of the time!

Quoted from Maringer

I'm always a little bit wary about having a really tall full-back as it is difficult for them to turn quickly enough against nippy smaller players. Not impossible, but difficult. Efete is over 6 feet tall and is quick enough, but I'm not sure about Mullarkey in that role yet, even though he looks a capable footballer with the ball at his feet.

The problem with Efete is that he's quick and strong but his delivery into the box is really poor. Can't play somebody who can't cross as a wing-back and expect to create too much.

Glennon is a good crosser, but lacks the pace (and perhaps fitness?) to get up and down the line.

If only we had another Danny Andrew. He was fast enough and good enough that we didn't even bother with a left-midfielder when he was playing much of the time!

But, as a wing back, Efete offers a goal threat to get forward and on the end of left wing crosses and from set pieces. I don't know the stats but he does get goals.