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I do think teams have a plan for our goal kicks as they have become very predictable. I’m all for playing it out from the back but it has to be at the right time. The keeper and skipper should have gone long for a couple to get us up the pitch and calm everyone’s nerves.
To be honest I was happy with the team selection when I saw it and thought we would put on a good show.
Unfortunately far to many players were well below par with Chair and Paal having absolute stinkers.
We lacked energy and tempo and our decision making was wrong for the vast majority of the game. Stoke had a game plan how to play us and it worked perfectly for them especially with our now very predictable goal kick routine.
Not surprised we look vulnerable at set pieces Chair, Paal, Hodge, Smyth = Midgets United FC
Thanks Clive - Yes a few good memories in there that you have called back of the archives - I particularly remember the great Paul Furlongs goal at home to Luton to send them down and keep us up.
Onto Sunday - Unfortunately due to work commitments I will miss the game. It seems to me every time we have an opportunity to make some meaningful ground on those above us we find a way to lose. Can this rabble find a way to buck the trend........ I'm not so sure.
All we can do is continue to get behind the team and hope this really is a turning point.
The fans have been magnificent this season so please continue sing loud and....Come on you R'rrs
Thanks for another great report Clive - Spot on as always.
I am definitely at the acceptance stage and have been for a few weeks. I go to games now expecting us to lose and anything else is a bonus. I find it really helps with mental health and getting stressed and angry as we find yet another way to lose games.
I have also come to terms with relegation and in a strange way am looking forward to some interesting away days next season.
Clive - I think this is one of your best articles yet and a shame it might have got lost a bit as a match preview.
I skim read it quickly at the time and thought I must go back to that when I have time.
Well I have just gone back to yet - Absolutely spot on with everything about our current situation.
Don't worry I also tell myself I will stop getting so emotionally involved in games and it never lasts past the first ten minutes and always brings a smile to the fellow season ticket holders round me in Block G.
"about as welcome as a Young Conservatives float at the Notting Hill Carnival"
Thank you Clive for your magnificent humorous writing it really helps get us through a very depressing period supporting our club.
Neil Critchley was spot on and Gareth for all his faults tried to install some mental strength into these players but they really are pathetic wimps.
As I said before we are down and the plan for the rebuild in League 1 should start now not pissing more money up the wall signing expensive loan players who will join the rot and just go through the motions.
Still can't believe how well the attendances have held up. It really is fantastic support from our fans.
Thanks Clive - Can't argue with anything in that preview. All that hope right up to the 86th minute at Hillsborough now vanished.
We should not be surprised the majority of this team are woefully short of everything to be playing at this level and the reason no other clubs want any of them. They have been poor under 4 different managers.
I have resigned myself to relegation now as it helps my mental health in doing so.
I must say though the fans have been magnificent over the last 2 years we always turn up in numbers and back the team. Best of luck and safe travels to everyone heading for sleepy Suffolk this evening - We desrve so much better.
I love Chair to bits he is always fit and available and really cares for the club.
but....
When he was at AFCON we had a great run and won games without him. When he returned Warburton put him straight back in the team at Peterborough away which was the start of this horrible two year decline and Chair has played in most of the games since.
Could Chair be a big part of our problem - Teams know they just need to nullify him and not a lot else happens. Do other players keep relying on him to try and produce some magic so don't make lung busting runs to get into the box when we are attacking? Has Chair become too predictable and takes to many touches always cutting in on his right and trying to shoot? Does Chair not track back quickly enough when we lose the ball? Is Chair better suited to come of the bench as at Preston?
I guess we will only know properly if he is sold or has a period of games out the team or on the bench.
Personally I think if we get any offer over £4M he should go which may be a good move for both parties.....
As I say I love him to bits but its an interesting scenario..........
Thanks Clive - I was watching non league keeping track on my phone. At 4.45pm I checked still 0 v 1. I was happy so went into the bar expecting a celebratory pint and us up to 19th.
Ouch!!!!!
Still hurts Tuesday morning and only just been able to watch the goals.