We Played Like a Bunch of Old Pros

[William Henry Foulkes]

An ugly professional win.

Walked a fine line today, and sometimes stepped/trampled over it. But good to see we have that in our locker.

Hammond, the Beard, Coutts, Edgar, Sammon all used their experience

When we were 1-0 up and had a corner Edgar was doing his nut, I had no idea what he was on about, but he was, of course, telling us to take it short. Obvious, but we weren't going to do it.

Great to see he had the nous, confidence, and motivation.

 

[judge]

Delighted we won today and after slagging them off all aeason for basically being cowards it was nice to see them put a shift in but im afraid we were still dire and how we won that game god only knows

Hope its the start of a run as all runs start somewhere but this group of players have a habit of resting on their laurels after one or two decent performances

 

[SwissBlade]

Praise for the result, but let's not get excited with this, we were pretty awful

 

[Stretch]

Did what we had to in the absence of any real quality. Enjoyed watching Hammond today, looked like the midfield general we have needed.

Thought I saw the beginning of some fight and passion at Barnsley, had we not conceded late on we would have taken much more confidence from that match.

As it stands today should at least instill some belief. Add some pace and quality back into the side and we could turn a corner.

 

[alcoblade]

It wasn't professional and we should have lost that one. We got away with it today, simple as that.

UTB

 

[Rodders]

Did what we had to in the absence of any real quality. Enjoyed watching Hammond today, looked like the midfield general we have needed.

Thought I saw the beginning of some fight and passion at Barnsley, had we not conceded late on we would have taken much more confidence from that match.

As it stands today should at least instill some belief. Add some pace and quality back into the side and we could turn a corner.

I'd agree, but our problem is we don't have players who can do both, just either or. We desperately need a player who can do the ugly stuff, but then keep the ball ticking over. Taking 3 players to do the work of 2 is really limiting us.
Also, I felt we were set up solely to get a point, hassle Coventry and make it as hard as possible for them to get anything. The problem then comes when we have to impose ourselves on teams - we just don't have it in our locker to attack at pace and catch teams out.

 

[Barney]

We played like a bunch of old

We got outmuscled or outskilled in virtually every contest. Really poor.

All this false positivity really harks me off as well, it really isn't deserved. It was an awful performance as usual.

 

[bladesmanluke]

We were outclassed, but it was good to see us fight tooth and nail. You can't ask for much more than that from limited players

 

[mosbolad]

It wasn't professional and we should have lost that one. We got away with it today, simple as that.

UTB

So that's 3 points to Coventry? Hard lines Blades, 'eres me thinking we won! Onwards and erm..... downwards?

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

 

[Blade56]

Praise for the result, but let's not get excited with this, we were pretty awful

Can we get to the playoffs playing like we did today with the players we have today?

Luck doesn't stretch that far.

 

[alcoblade]

So that's 3 points to Coventry? Hard lines Blades, 'eres me thinking we won! Onwards and erm..... downwards?

Read what I wrote and responded to, and not what you want to read will you.

It wasn't a professional performance - we got lucky, and I'm delighted with that.

UTB

 

[robbiez666]

An ugly professional win.

Walked a fine line today, and sometimes stepped/trampled over it. But good to see we have that in our locker.

Hammond, the Beard, Coutts, Edgar, Sammon all used their experience

When we were 1-0 up and had a corner Edgar was doing his nut, I had no idea what he was on about, but he was, of course, telling us to take it short. Obvious, but we weren't going to do it.

Great to see he had the nous, confidence, and motivation.

Professional is not the word I'd use. Two of our players should have been sent off. They only got away with it due to a weak ref.

I would say they were disciplined. We worked hard, kept great concentration levels and restricted them to very little. That is the huge improvement for me. Marking, harrying, restricting.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

It wasn't professional and we should have lost that one. We got away with it today, simple as that.

UTB

Baffling. I thought we did a sorts of ugly professional things well today.

It could easily have been 0-1 and us down to ten men, so I'm not getting overexcited, but we broke up play all game, like so many teams have done to us, and then closed the game out really well.

One highlight was the Beard just passing the ball out of play.

Coutts and the Beard keeping possession like they did last week.

"Uncarded" and very effective fouls high up the pitch when we lost possession against a team that could break quickly.

Also we stayed down for "fouls". Scoogs's shoulder injury. Golden Globes all round. And the wild challenge on him towards the end, he actually sprang up, then went back down again.

They got no rhythm or momentum.

Bury, for instance, played us and the ref for fools - we gave some back today.

 

[SwissBlade]

Can we get to the playoffs playing like we did today with the players we have today?

Luck doesn't stretch that far.

Simple answer - no

We don't have anywhere enough to win the play offs. I'd rather finish 7th alphabetically than go into the play offs

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

Exactly.

 

[robbiez666]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

The workrate and commitment has definitely improved over the last few games but it has been at the expense of the attack. We desperately need two lively winger if we're going to carry on playing this way. We're not creating chances but are restricting the opposition.

 

[alcoblade]

Baffling. I thought we did a sorts of ugly professional things well today.

It could easily have been 0-1 and us down to ten men, so I'm not getting overexcited, but we broke up play all game, like so many teams have done to us, and then closed the game out really well.

One highlight was the Beard just passing the ball out of play.

Coutts and the Beard keeping possession like they did last week.

"Uncarded" and very effective fouls high up the pitch when we lost possession against a team that could break quickly.

Also we stayed down for "fouls". Scoogs's shoulder injury. Golden Globes all round. And the wild challenge on him towards the end, he actually sprang up, then went back down again.

They got no rhythm or momentum.

Bury, for instance, played us and the ref for fools - we gave some back today.

I think it's absolutely baffling to describe that performance as professional - we were lucky our fullback wasn't sent off, lucky Hammond wasn't sent off, we were lucky we didn't spill it over our own line, our centre half kept passing it to their players, our right winger can't / won't run forward. When we had chance to shoot at goal and a flapper of a keeper, we chose to cross the free kick.

It was error ridden, boring, and classless. To our credit, we fought hard considering we are generally physically weak.

But we are so bad right now that all we need is a result, we got it, and I'm happy.

UTB

 

[mosbolad]

Read what I wrote and responded to, and not what you want to read will you.

It wasn't a professional performance - we got lucky, and I'm delighted with that.

UTB

"It wasn't professional and we should have lost that one. We got away with it today, simple as that."

To be fair Alco your first post doesn't sound as if you are all that delighted? If you replaced 'we' with 'they' it would very much sound like you were angry and frustrated that the opposition had snatched victory.

If you say you are delighted though I will go along with that and we can all be delighted together! Joking (or me being sarcastic) aside, its refreshing when for once the luck rides with us and we get a scrappy win and a clean sheet. UTB

 

[Rodders]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

Our players played how they generally play today. My concern is that we don't have that extra oomph in our locker to put teams to bed where we are expected to be on the front foot. Its been our Achilles all season, and will only be rectified in January, not with this current set of players.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I think the point is that we do have quality in our squad (by league one standards) but at the moment those players aren't showing that quality, because their confidence has gone. When that happens, you don't just hang around and wait for it to come back. You get out their and fight and try to win with sheer effort and determination.

When a bad runs end, it rarely ends when a struggling team suddenly rediscovers it confidence overnight and out-classes the opposition with minimal effort. It usually ends when a struggling team manages a couple of ugly wins, which have little to do with quality, and lots to do with hard work. These wins start to bring the confidence back, and then the quality starts to reappear, and the wins become better wins. Hopefully in the process that team has learnt the lesson that they can't just take it easy and wait for their quality to win the game. They have to match the opposition for effort before their skills can show through.

I'm not saying this is definitely the end of our bad run, and the start of a run at the play-offs. It may not be. However, if we are working on the basis that it's meaningless because we didn't show much quality, I think we were looking out for the wrong signs.

I think the signs of a turnaround are there. I think we've genuinely shown that added determination and work rate in the last few games. We've conceded 1 goal in 270 minutes (scoring goals hasn't really been the problem this season - conceding them has - so that improved defensive record is critical) and I don't think the fact that this coincided with Brayford's return is a coincidence. I agree that we still need a clear out and new signings in January and in the summer, but I have hope that following a couple of ugly wins, we will begin to see some of that quality show through in the players we have.

Great post Workington blade confidence is a major factor and a few more displays like that and it will flood back.it wasn't pretty but feel the three points.I have seen blades teams in the past come out of bad
runs in a similar. fashion(that's how most teams get out of a bad run).we wernt out classed just playing a team full of confidence on the back of a. long unbeaten run.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think it's absolutely baffling to describe that performance as professional - we were lucky our fullback wasn't sent off, lucky Hammond wasn't sent off, we were lucky we didn't spill it over our own line, our centre half kept passing it to their players, our right winger can't / won't run forward. When we had chance to shoot at goal and a flapper of a keeper, we chose to cross the free kick.

It was error ridden, boring, and classless. To our credit, we fought hard considering we are generally physically weak.

But we are so bad right now that all we need is a result, we got it, and I'm happy.

UTB

Different notions of professionalism.

I enjoyed every minute of it. Like a good horror film.

At times they were the fresh faced teenagers - and I was cheering for Jason Voorhees.

And for them to finish a goal down, a man down, and with Scoogs doing step overs by the corner flag was a joy to behold.

 

[Large Mendonca]

We actually showed some bottle today , for the first time in ages. It's almost like the team have been given some sort of ultimatum............

 

[alcoblade]

Our players played how they generally play today. My concern is that we don't have that extra oomph in our locker to put teams to bed where we are expected to be on the front foot. Its been our Achilles all season, and will only be rectified in January, not with this current set of players.

Yep, agreed. I've completely given up on this set of players - so I don't really care about the quality of performance - I think we are bad enough to get relegated so 3 points is all that matters.

Unlike the other truly woeful sides I've witnessed, and this ranks down there with them, we don't have any areas where we are miles away - just too many bang average 3rd division players. Replace Collins with a good centre half and Coutts with a dynamic midfielder, and we'd look a completely different side. Add a new keeper (well played today though George) and a top big man up front,we could be promotion contenders next season. Too late for this season, IMO.

UTB

 

[finlaytheblade]

Read what I wrote and responded to, and not what you want to read will you.

It wasn't a professional performance - we got lucky, and I'm delighted with that.

UTB

If what you say is true about luck . then it's pleasing we had some today
we haven't had a lot of that this season

 

[Rodders]

Yep, agreed. I've completely given up on this set of players - so I don't really care about the quality of performance - I think we are bad enough to get relegated so 3 points is all that matters.

Unlike the other truly woeful sides I've witnessed, and this ranks down there with them, we don't have any areas where we are miles away - just too many bang average 3rd division players. Replace Collins with a good centre half and Coutts with a dynamic midfielder, and we'd look a completely different side. Add a new keeper and a top big man up front,we could be promotion contenders next season. Too late for this season, IMO.

UTB

I'd go with that, we're probably about 6 -10th as a true position - ok, will lose some, will win some, but just not good enough to consistently challenge.
I'd have to say, out of that middle 3, Bash is looking the spare part at the moment for me. We have the "enforcer" in Hammond, the ticker-over in Coutts, we just need the driving force in there to help us impose on teams.
Coutts was decent today, if you're just expecting him to keep the ball and move it on. If we're expecting much else from him, which we probably have to from someone in the middle, given the wings are so poor then he's not your man.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Can we get to the playoffs playing like we did today with the players we have today?

Luck doesn't stretch that far.

Good job we won't be playing Coventry every week and we can maybe change it up occasionally.

 

[Bladesince59]

We almost have a keeper though.

 

[Bladesince59]

Simple answer - no

We don't have anywhere enough to win the play offs. I'd rather finish 7th alphabetically than go into the play offs

No

 

[blade too long]

Well my first live game for a year .and got to see close up the task at hand was it dreadful as I was told
.in parts we played well the first 25 minutes we passed well enough and Coventry were pushed back .but no real penetration.
Then the momentum waned. The second half we played far too deep for 25 minutes and 3.players Collins Coutts and Woolford.made too many errors or lacked any energy. The subs did change us up a gear and we returned to a bit of fluency and grsbbed a vital win. We got some redress for brayfords no goal last game .so something did balance out The ref was dreadful. Strangely gave Coventry free kicks evry time we breathed on their players .but didnt send off mceverly. A truly weird display from him
Overall some good .some bad and Collins who deteriorated as the game went on Coventrys best chances we provided which to me if we can get in 3 and lose 6 or 7.and improve the balance theres still hope.the midfield was light weight and was much more mobile when Flynn snd Scougs joined the fray