Reality check

billytwodogs

billytwodogs

Vital Squad Member
Numquam opportunitatem omitte opportunitatem omittendi.

The only thing we’re good at is what brought us here in the first place and is what is preventing us and others getting out of this league, being inconsistent. I think every side from (and including) Carlisle downwards, not geographically but league position wise, suffer from it.

Last night’s result/performance was typical of a non-league side. The opposition were in 19th position, 3pts above the relegation berths and had won 2 away games all season at Truro and Tamworth. Unfortunately that’s the company we keep now and what looks like for the foreseeable future. Certain current pools’ players are not up to National league standards, we’re not just talking one or two.
It needs a reboot but where do we start.
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I see today's game, Halifax at home, as being a watershed for the season.
Win and we could be in that final Playoff place
Lose and we will have proven, beyond doubt, that the squad is just not up to the task.

Fingers crossed 🤞
 
Agreed! In the short term we could break into the playoffs, it’s in our hands, putting pressure on Southend to get something at Carlisle later in the day.
If we win today and Carlisle do us a favour it’s still only short term until we find the elusive consistent behaviour to maintain that final playoff place.
We’re at home and should be going all out for the win however we all know how cautious Featherstone is and that he will probably set out to not lose the game. Very dangerous tactics and a very dangerous game he is playing always erring on the side of caution.

Is he looking over his shoulder and seeing the owner naked from the waist up in a black hood wielding a large sharp instrument? If he is he has to prove his worth which will only come by winning games. Success is achieving that last playoff place, anything less has to be seen as failure in the eyes of the manager/coach and the owner. No pressure there then.
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Sitting at home and seeing the line up it looks like that midfield won’t see much of the ball and if they do they won’t have it for long.

There will have to be some graft carried out this afternoon or it’s going to be a very hard watch from the terraces, probably through fingers or from behind the sofa for those watching online.
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Southend getting beat 2-0 at half time. Today has to be added to the ever lengthening list of missed opportunities under the current incumbent. Don’t get me wrong he was a player I have respect for however it’s a huge leap, not many successfully make, into football management.
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Good draw for Southend in the end, can only see the last playoff place changing hands between Southend and Halifax.
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Old Poolie said:
I see today's game, Halifax at home, as being a watershed for the season.
Win and we could be in that final Playoff place
Lose and we will have proven, beyond doubt, that the squad is just not up to the task.

Fingers crossed 🤞
Click to expand...
Think the squad may be up to challenge for the final playoff spot, it’s the selection process, absolutely baffling at times, how any of yesterday’s midfield started before Miley is just nonsensical. From outside looking in it appears he is picking his favourite 11 rather than his best 11, that’s when you know it’s time to go.
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I'm not going to be one of those asking for management change, in any walk of life the step up from worker / player to management is difficult and can take time to accomplish. However, there does appear to be a lack of consistency in some of the recent team selection, though this could be injury or attitude related as we on the outside aren't in possession of all the facts. Also, as with previous season finales, there are players in the squad who'll know that they won't be at Pools next season and motivating them will be a challenge!

I do think yesterday's results have finished any liklihood of reaching the Playoffs this season and Pools now need to focus on building towards next season.
 
A win today at Truro, perhaps not the greatest of results / performance but a win and clean sheet nevertheless!
Under Nicky Featherstone the away results have generally been good, however home form has seriously dented hopes of reaching the Playoff places. Perhaps this is because of tactics, however I'm of the opinion that the "hostile " atmosphere in Vic Park has much to do with home form. A reason for my not going to games in recent years.
Remember that the promotion season under DC was during Lock down when "supporters " were absent - no coincidence IMO.
 
The Wealdstone result shows, beyond doubt, that the current squad is not up to Playoff standard.
I do think that the performance perhaps is indicative of an underlying problem within the Club beyond the capabilities of the players and team management.
 
They’ve let enough chances slip through their fingers. Francis saw the lack of enthusiasm, skill and ambition and was away at the first opportunity. Should have built around him and Miley in the midfield.
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