We were in a relegation battle. Unless we completely implode we are pretty much safe. Last three away games have seen two injury time winners and a late equalizer. And I agree entirely with what you say.excessbee wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 7:53 am I like the strategy Coughlan employs whereby we continue to press in the last ten minutes. Flynn’s thinking was always that a point is OK, let's hold on to it, thus sitting deeper and deeper and far too often paying the penalty. There was none of that evident last night.
I entirely agree with this synopsis.Stan A. Einstein wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 8:16 amWe were in a relegation battle. Unless we completely implode we are pretty much safe. Last three away games have seen two injury time winners and a late equalizer. And I agree entirely with what you say.excessbee wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 7:53 am I like the strategy Coughlan employs whereby we continue to press in the last ten minutes. Flynn’s thinking was always that a point is OK, let's hold on to it, thus sitting deeper and deeper and far too often paying the penalty. There was none of that evident last night.
I would add that Coughlan has to work with what he has. We don't have a strike force capable of allowing us to play open football. His tactic seems to be to out muscle the opposition, keep it tight and use being exceptionally fit to go for it late on.
It may not be the best entertainment but it's a bloody sight more entertaining than losing week in week out.
So at start of season we where 7 points off the top of the table where we in a promotion battle?Stan A. Einstein wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 8:16 amWe were in a relegation battle. Unless we completely implode we are pretty much safe. Last three away games have seen two injury time winners and a late equalizer. And I agree entirely with what you say.excessbee wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 7:53 am I like the strategy Coughlan employs whereby we continue to press in the last ten minutes. Flynn’s thinking was always that a point is OK, let's hold on to it, thus sitting deeper and deeper and far too often paying the penalty. There was none of that evident last night.
I would add that Coughlan has to work with what he has. We don't have a strike force capable of allowing us to play open football. His tactic seems to be to out muscle the opposition, keep it tight and use being exceptionally fit to go for it late on.
It may not be the best entertainment but it's a bloody sight more entertaining than losing week in week out.
Jim,UPTHEPORT wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 10:27 amSo at start of season we where 7 points off the top of the table where we in a promotion battle?Stan A. Einstein wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 8:16 amWe were in a relegation battle. Unless we completely implode we are pretty much safe. Last three away games have seen two injury time winners and a late equalizer. And I agree entirely with what you say.excessbee wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 7:53 am I like the strategy Coughlan employs whereby we continue to press in the last ten minutes. Flynn’s thinking was always that a point is OK, let's hold on to it, thus sitting deeper and deeper and far too often paying the penalty. There was none of that evident last night.
I would add that Coughlan has to work with what he has. We don't have a strike force capable of allowing us to play open football. His tactic seems to be to out muscle the opposition, keep it tight and use being exceptionally fit to go for it late on.
It may not be the best entertainment but it's a bloody sight more entertaining than losing week in week out.
We haven't been in a relegation battle
In my view probably not. We simply don't have the players to do that. It's said so often that football is a results business. And for once I am in agreement with the majority. I think Coughlan has done a superb job. I think he is pragmatic and would prefer to win 1-0 than lose 5-4.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
Agree with you that we don't have the quality of player to play with greater freedom and entertainment. The overall accuracy of forward passing and crossing from the players is currently far to often poor to be able do so. Not that we shouldn't aspire to improve those inaccuracies of course.Stan A. Einstein wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:43 pmIn my view probably not. We simply don't have the players to do that. It's said so often that football is a results business. And for once I am in agreement with the majority. I think Coughlan has done a superb job. I think he is pragmatic and would prefer to win 1-0 than lose 5-4.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
Great game at Anfield last night. Sh!te game at Hartlepool. I bet I enjoyed last night a bloody sight more than every Red Scouser did.
I think that depends greatly on whether we can solve this season's enigma of Aaron Wildig who was again missing from the 18 last night.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
Now Jason Bowens illness is out in the public domain perhaps Sam Bowen has stepped up a gear and gone ahead of him in the pecking order.Amberexile wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 1:44 pmI think that depends greatly on whether we can solve this season's enigma of Aaron Wildig who was again missing from the 18 last night.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
From memory,Aaron wasn’t in the squad for a few weeks then came in for the Stevenage game.He played 20 minutes or so and hasn’t made the squad since.This suggests that he has some ongoing injury problem which seems to have dragged on all season.This may explain why Morecambe weren’t keen on giving him a longer contract.The enigma goes on.Amberexile wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 1:44 pmI think that depends greatly on whether we can solve this season's enigma of Aaron Wildig who was again missing from the 18 last night.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
Reported in the 'gus that both Wildig and Townsend both travelled to Hartlepool, but failed late fitness tests, but they and Adam Lewis may all be available for selection Saturday.Percy plunkett wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 2:57 pmFrom memory,Aaron wasn’t in the squad for a few weeks then came in for the Stevenage game.He played 20 minutes or so and hasn’t made the squad since.This suggests that he has some ongoing injury problem which seems to have dragged on all season.This may explain why Morecambe weren’t keen on giving him a longer contract.The enigma goes on.Amberexile wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 1:44 pmI think that depends greatly on whether we can solve this season's enigma of Aaron Wildig who was again missing from the 18 last night.Kevinmoorefellover wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 12:34 pm We’re inching towards safety, which is good to see. However, possibly through necessity, the football has been grinding. Hartlepool fans reckon yesterday’s game was one of the poorest they’ve seen and that the ‘least worst team won’. My question is, once we’re safe, will we be able to play football with greater freedom and a greater degree of entertainment?
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