Collins out

So in your opinion it's a weaker league this season (I actually agree with you on this part) but then you're not enjoying the performances and he's apparently lucky. To counter that, I would add that Collins is working with an inferior squad than MLH had at his disposal last season, some of the defenders that Collins is working with are so poor, however, he can't be held liable for stupid individual errors that likely wouldn't be seen on a Sunday league pitch. It's a results driven business and yes whilst performances haven't been too pleasing on the eye, no one can argue with the position he's currently got us in. If you look at a couple of games where we've dropped points from winning positions (Peterborough away and Wigan at home) then arguably he could have potentially had us top of the table right now.
I think there's a lot of improvement to come from this squad and hopefully Donovan Pines will provide some much needed quality and pace at the back. I think a couple more additions are also needed in key areas. Cosgrove and Watters for whatever reason just haven't done it and I'd be looking to bring a striker in to support Cole and McAtee.
When Collins was appointed, my remit for him was a play off place minimum, if he fails to achieve that after 46 league games then I think his position should come under serious scrutiny but for now I'm happy with the position he's currently got us in and hope to see us really push on in these remaining 20 odd league games.

 

No connection.Supported Barnsley since the mid 60's.I'm pretty much always positive because its better than being negative.I know a bad game when I see one and I know a good game when I see one.Before computers it was a pint after the game gave our views and that was it.Nowadays every detail no matter how small is scrutanised to within an inch of its life.My initial post on this thread was about early mistakes by our defence which led to a chaotic start to the game,nothing more nothing less.

 

My point is we look more threatening and score goals when we ditch that style of play and make runs into the opposing half blast night was a great example.

 

For all the negativity from myself included. Fact is we're better positioned for a push at automatic than we were last season. Nobody is going to be smashing the 100 point barrier this season so 12 wins might do it.

 

Interesting point. I never wanted Ismael out although I detested the football we played in the last third of that season. Regardless of how bad I thought we were to watch he had us punching way above our weight for a period. Wherever, I've criticised the style I've been told, perfectly understandably, that winning football was enjoyable football. Yet here we are, 5th, in touch with automatic, playing winning football and some want him sacked.

 

We do have a couple of major differences.

Ismael would not allow messing about at the back. Which yesterday saw us nearly 3 down in the 1st 10 minutes.

Ismael also had us pressing like buggery all over the pitch. Especially the front 3. We don't press half as much these days.

I enjoyed Ismael's approach and we were winning. Our football this season I'm falling asleep with but we are winning. But that might just be me. I'm certainly not enjoying winning nearly as much under our current style

 

It’s easy to moan about the style of play without addressing the obvious issue that we’ve got a defence that is dire for the top end of league one.

You can not play high up the pitch with the defence we’ve got. Any combination of Lopata, De Gevigney, McCart, Shepherd, Cundy & McCarthy in it has no pace in it. It would be suicide.

It’s obvious that the manager sees this & that’s why Williams has played there & why (I’m presuming) Pines has been signed.

I wouldn’t be so quick to say it’s Collins style of play to play how we do considering that when he did play Dodgson in the back 3 at Peterborough we played a high line & pressed more when we had the pace at the back to support it.

To moan about Williams not winning headers & not mention how many times his pace has got us out of danger or allowed us to get further up the pitch is a bit of an oversight.

If you’d played Lopata or McCarthy there instead for the last few months then I’d imagine we might have won a few more headers but I think we’d have far worse results.

 

I don't think it's a weaker league. I think the top 4 aren't as strong as the top 4from last season (us included) - but the rest of the league aren't weaker.

The accumulated points from the various clubs backs this up.

 

Only 5 teams have conceded fewer goals this season - the top 4 and Stevenage. Oxford have conceded the same and another couple of teams have conceded 31. Our defence is struggling - and is certainly worse than it was - but it is still one of the best in the division.

 

Totally agree with your post mate and my feelings exactly, and you are right about our defenders not being good enough (no pace/height), you must get sick of mentioning on here because loads are missing your point and I can only assume this is because they know nothing about how to defend

 

I disagree with your point regarding stupid mistakes and decision making on the field of play etc.Good managers/coaches improve players and we are consistently seeing defenders making mistake after mistake.

 

You make some good well articulated points regards Williams at CB is not ideal choose which way you look at it as we're also missing his quality at RWB, that being the case why are we persisting in playing this formation then with a patched up back line? why not simply play with a back 4 ? Play Williams RB cadden LB and 2 from a choice of 4 CB's ? Where's the logic shoehorning someone to play out of position
Could easily play 433 or a 4231 that gives width up top

 

They making mistakes because they aren’t good enough...end of....you cant always make a silk purse out of a sows ear, it’s not that simple ffs

 

That’s such an awful point of view.

I can only assume someone said the same about you at an early age.

 

Lol.... why is it awful?.....some footballers will only get to a certain standard, sorry to say it but that’s how it is no matter how good their coach is

 

All this

 

Out of interest, are you of the opinion we could all become professional footballers or concert pianists or fighter jet pilots? There's no ceiling for any of us, we all have the potential to be up there with the best at whatever we choose?

 

Is Williams out of position? He's played in a back 3 in the Championship for us, and done well. Albeit not for a prolonged period of time.

Unfortunately this season he's not playing with 2 other centre backs that will win most of their challenges for the ball, either arielly or on the floor.

 

[QUOTE="Come on Tarn, post: 3233952, member: 121221"
.Good managers/coaches improve players and we are consistently seeing defenders making mistake after mistake.[/QUOTE]

Only partly true... even the best manager can't make them run faster or jump higher or hit pinpoint passes, there's no chance of improving some players who are incapable of learning... that's why they're lower league footballers.