I’m slightly puzzled that Wycombe fans - who so recently lived through the 10 year Ainsworth era - would be giving the team stick for struggling to get through Stevenage today. That was a hugely tough game against a team who sat in and gave very little away, and then fed on any scraps on the counter. This was our modus operandi in away games under Ainsworth for years.
Throw in the added pressure of having to win this one and you can see why this was a huge struggle today. Well done to the team and management for finding a way.
I don’t think the booing is helpful, but the frustration at that particular passage of play was understandable. I can get over him kicking it straight to their keeper (mistakes happen) but the lack of urgency before he did so was bizarre. Still, some very important saves from him recently so will cut him some slack.
I’m with you on that point Steve and despite some of the negativity on here and in the ground at times, we are now in the playoffs at the very worst. Hands up who expected that back in August.
Their back four nullified our front two today. Did Kone get a shot other than the header from the corner?
I thought we looked most dangerous when we got our two big Centre backs forward for corners and free kicks.
We need to find a way to break down a well organised defence if we are going to thrive at a higher level. Extreme Pace or extreme skill needed to thread the pass or dribble past a man. Fred started well with a bit of both but faded. GMac great when he came on.
We caught up two points on Wrexham!
Seems as though the reunion might not happen now, if he was stretchered off in their match today.
Yes saw that, I actually posted about it on the ‘Other football’ thread.
I hope he’s OK and it’s not too serious.
Just got back. I don’t know why people say we play 5 at the back, we are playing 3 with both wingbacks high and wide, Taylor covers left defence and grimmer Right. I was really annoyed with the negativity in the terrace, Norris in the last few games as shown why he is number 1 command the box gets a fist in corners and made a brilliant save today. Distribution is getting better each game, the one where he kicked it up to the keeper, if he had played to Leahy and he messes up Stevenage had a 3 on one against him. I don’t think Dodds is too defensive, we created enough to get at least 3 today. Kone chance and if Humphries looked right of him Udoh would if had a clear run at goal. The fans asking for the press all the time mustn’t of realised how hot it was on the pitch, when the final whistle went the players where shattered and had given there all. I’m with the player let’s get behind them and stop being negative
On the Sky feed, it obviously picks up a lot of vocal people from FA stand. There was this one chap, who kept on being picked up by the Mic shouting ‘switch it, f*cking switch it’. I’m not sure he understands the skill and danger of lobbing passes from one flank to another. Although I’m sure his tactical masterclass was somewhat sponsored by the Rebellion Brewery.
It was a bit of poor play. But booing an individual for one bad pass mid game it OTT.
I must admit it was strange reading this thread back having been at the game. Yes, it’s nervy and frustrating at times but such is a promotion battle. I thought the crowd were nervy at times but willing, and the atmosphere, while not electric, certainly wasn’t the worst it’s ever been.
The official club feed has just put out a message saying ‘from jeers to cheers, in one kick’. Not sure if this is a deliberate batten down the hatches tactic to keep the players fired up, or whether the apathy/toxicity/delete as applicable is really getting to them.
I have my gripes about certain things but everything in my being wanted that ball to get sucked into the net today. I don’t doubt others felt the same but it’s funny times we live in.
I am in agreement with those who say we should actively support the team in the ground and try and remain positive.
That is very different to discussing the (perceived) negative aspects of a performance in a forum like this.
I feel I am perfectly within my rights to comment on what I saw as a pretty uninspiring game of football for long spells (although to be fair whoever commented on the hear out there made a valid point which at the time I probably didn’t appreciate) and compare it unfavourably with how we were playing a few months ago (whilst recognising that there are a myriad of reasons for that).
That doesn’t mean I am anti-Dodds or anti-Data Dan or that I don’t want us to win - of course I do and I was cheering and clapping them on along with most of the crowd as the clock ticked down before we scored and was periodically punching the air with joy all the way home.
But boy. I am finding how we play a little depressing to watch. (And I take the point about watching GA teams - but then it always felt like we were fighting the odds).
I saw Grimmer telling his teammates to ignore the home fans at one point in the first half, it was extremely clear. That plus his social media post today, and McCleary’s multiple comments about the crowd shows that they are definitely getting wound up by our fans treatment of them.
Yes, we aren’t playing the scintillating attacking football we played in October and November, but we are still 3rd in the league, guaranteed play offs before Easter, and 3 points off our highest ever League 1 total.
Some perspective required I think. The booing of Norris and some of the shouts from the terrace in the first half today were pathetic. I’m not sure why I’d bother if I was one of our players.
I didn’t think the crowd were that bad today. I think there were some individual gripes and moans from the crowd that the players picked up on, but the collective were behind the team throughout. It wasn’t the best atmosphere, but then it was a bitty game. The crowd responded when we had spells of pressure and made some good noise in the closing stages.
Every crowd has a few who are more interested in moaning rather than getting behind the team. Probably our crowd isn’t the best at drowning them out. I thought the crowd was generally positive today though.
Ask the players what they think. It’s quite clear from their social media comments after the game today that they disagree, and are getting fed up with the negativity.
I think the heat of this season’s topsy turvy promotion chase and everything that’s gone on has had a cumulative effect and tested everyone’s tolerances and mental resilience. But we need to try and block that out for now and come together. As mentioned, I thought the crowd was mostly united and behind the team from the off, bar during Norris’ dithering act. But he more than made up for that with a fine save.
As the cherry blossom continued to fall, I thought we’d never score. Until we did and won the game. And that’s all that matters today.
Only just catching up on this thread. Maybe we’re slightly insulated in the old main stand but apart from one moment when Norris took an age to take a kick and them lumped it straight to their keeper, the crowd seemed well onside, vocal.and encouraging. Maybe the players pick up individual comments more than we do in the stands. Yes it was a frustrating watch much of the time but generally I thought the fans got behind the team and no one could doubt the absolute joy and passion for the goal and at the end.
We attacked well against Shrewsbury
Brilliant post. As per usual!