Awful game plan.
Even in the first half Tactics and team were obviously not working. Why wait until 89th minute to change it and then take off Kioso who was our best player by a country mile?
Midfield missing again, what paddy what’s his name gives us I don’t know. Noble way out of sorts

It’s not really a surprise that we aren’t getting the the best out of central midfielders when we play two with wing backs, I would like someone to explain to me how that can work? Featherstone got slaughtered on Tuesday now it’s Noble and McLaughlin.

Would love to know what hawkes and woods have done wrong


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I think they should of went for someone a bit more expierienced which is what ive been saying all along like a Martin Allen type at Barnet with some "Contacts" in the game rather than getting players that are from the north east and want to move back because there Career is near the end or ending soon or loans from Boro or Sunderland it ain't going to work we NEED a expierienced head! But then again I'm a great believer in time so give him until half the season at least then see where we are before making any proper judgments we are only 3 games in.

Three up top with wing backs is just not a good formation. We need to drop a striker and bring in another midfielder for the next game. The side looked really unbalanced today, with about 40 yards between our midfield and strikers at all times. Which just led to us launching the ball up front at every opportunity. Bates needs to recognise this and quickly because today was very poor.

It’s a ridiculous formation I would an explanation of how it’s meant to work at this level.

I'll agree with that it isn't going to work at this level, Surely he must of recognised his best formation/players positions in pre season though rather than chipping and changing 3 games in.

Master Bates like his predecessor seems unable to change what he believes to be the winning tactic. Even though its obvious that the opposition have it sussed and they start to double up when attacking down the wings which drags us all over the place.
Their goal was only a matter of time during the game.
In addition we don't appear to have any natural wing backs - so why play with them anyway? As ever nothing makes sense
If we dont change then a repeat of the relegation battle of last season seems inevitable - and yes I believe that even at this stage - Deja-vu!!

I'd go for a 4-3-3 me like, Cassidy in the middle off the front 3 James on the left so he can cut in on his right, Muir on the other side, Noble, Featherstone, Hawkes any suggestions for the back 4 folks? haha

What's happening with woodsy then has he jumped ship or what?

THIS, if we have another Manager who persists in playing a formation which the players plainly aint' capable of adopting to we're in for another dismal season. Why does Luke James fall over every time he's surrounded by the opposition, he should be much stronger than that.

it is if you have a 3 of Luiz, Ramos and Chellini

Worse game for years!!!!
Weve fially got some decent players but yet again....another manager with no clue!!!!

In reply to the comment about Bates being unable to change... we’re three matches in. If he hasn’t changed in a few weeks then I’d worry. 100% think we should change formation but it was interesting after the last game that Muir said the system was good and they all understood their roles. Again, the formation needs changing in my view but I can understand why a manager would persevere with it for a few games, given the work that went in pre-season. If Bates continues with this much longer though I’d ask questions but as of today, I’d still give him the benefit of the doubt that he’s learning and there’s plenty of time. Calls for his head (mainly from a minority on Facebook) are ridiculous.

You could spend all night debating worst game ever ..... I think we've all been here before , many many times ...

Fylde game early doors last season would be my worst game , up there with a 0-0 draw with Workington in the 70s

After three games as a manager he should know whether HIS selections and tactics are working. That, yesterday, was bloody awful. Surely Bates must have thought during the first half that his tactics weren’t working.
Surely in training this week he must work on a plan B. He’s got a week to try something new.
We need 4 in midfield to control the game a bit more so James and Muir and even Cassidy can run onto. Two in midfield is simply not working as proven.

Something has to be going on with Woods. How on earth can last seasons top scorer not even make it into match day squad?