I don't think I've seen as many balls hoofed 40 yards forward than any other game for a few year, Its really frustrating that we can't simply keep hold off a lead in games and keep dropping points, Eastleigh,Harroagte,Braintree, If it wasn't for Scott Loach today we would off lost that 4-1 5-1 they created way more chances than us, Also I feel for Luke James every time a ball is hoofed up forward he can never win a header against the size off the defenders in this league, Yes he works hard but does it benefit the team sometimes? I think not. Then Bates takes Muir off for Hawkes and still balls are getting hoofed 40 yards up the field with only him up front!! Ludicrous, Another draw next week for me against boreham wood in my book will be a good result. As much as it is frustrating saying that these games we should be putting to bed, Eastleigh, Braintree, Aldershot, Ebbsfleet.

Tactically inept.

True, I don't get the taking Muir off when it's 1-1 and leaving James upfront on his Todd chasing balls and trying to win headers when he simply cant win them, I've watched him in every home game this season and a few away games and he gets bullied off the ball to much for my liking way to easily, Not saying it's his fault like a just don't get leaving him up there on his todd.

I don’t think Muir was fully fit, he did take a knock early on in the second half

Looked a bit sluggish, maybe rigours of full time game catching up with him. May need a rest.

Did you miss him going off injured on Tuesday? Surely the kick on his ankle was the reason!?

Yup ! you may be right there. Still think he is looking fatigued though and injuries tend to follow soon after.

Woods; why was he taken off?

Bates has to look at his tactics on tuesday night salford keeped changing 451/433 and can score goals at a canter we were a rigid 352 and never really had a shot on target.
Today was the same rigid tactics and probably our worse performance of the season its just to easy for teams to work us out and if bates carnt see this then we will just have hope for the best and plenty of penalties.

I am sick of the long ball to the left wing - which either go out of play i r the opposition win.
Bates says we didn't play today - I think our goal was a fluke and who the hell signed Williams instead of a big forward who Muir and James could play off.
4 : 3 : 3 for me.

The commentator and Eddie Kyle on Tees said Muirs goal was a brilliant finish they were raving about it, I’ve read a few saying it was a ‘fluke.’ Maybe people at the other end of the ground?

Resign Scott Harrison as a centre forward?

Muir's goal was sublime.
Woods was taken off because he was abysmal

Hell off a finish he deffo meant it.

Woods was very poor today

Agree, hell OF a finish!

He meant it, quality strike , the only thing he did like all game.

What does everyone mean. Bates says we're overachieving this season. He only trains players for 70 minute. Never liked him and hating him more every week. He like any other shitty manager we have had.

That was an awful performance yesterday, no balance to the team disjointed, predictable, laboured, how many times were players getting in each others way, short passes to somebody 3 yards away, trying to walk the ball into the opponents net. We telegraphed every pass, not sure what the plan if any was supposed to be. Other teams are realising if our wing backs are closed down we have no width, yet another game where the half time penalty shoot out was more entertaining than the game itself.....yawnfest.

We need wingers. The strikers are being forced wide and for some reason the midfield take forever to push forward in to the box. James and Muir are good players at this level but they need help. Bates tactics are also dreadful at times but his hands are also tied by our lack of quality in certain areas.

When you have no width you need your midfielders to charge forward (quickly) at the opponents defence trying to pull them out of position creating space between and behind, our midfield yesterday was static, one paced and devoid of any spark, by the time they got to the edge of the opponents box the momentum had been lost. Some of them looked like they had a lieu day booked in.

This.

When they are playing well, that midfield three are fluid, play quick balls to feet and make runs into the box. Yesterday all three of them didn’t do any of it.

Again I don’t mind the system, and I don’t think Bates sends them out to be rigid, but if your midfield are not at it then it makes it much more difficult

We could have had a top of the range manager. Sadly, they're either too busy on message boards or driving taxis to be available. What a shame.

Loach should have save their goal, he made three harder ones.

Just seen Muir’s finish- brilliant!

I think he just got bored of saving all those shots so he just thought he would let one in just to make a game of it.

But he didn't. So be thankful he saved the three harder ones or we'd lost 4-1. Logic innit?

Good post that


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Does Bates inspire you? I also feel underwhelmed with him and we need a winger.

One who lives near you!?

After the past two years and considering our league position, if someone offered me this then I'd have been made up. I can afford to be patient. Some people suffer from Viz's Spoilt Bastard syndrome and coming on here is the equivalent of holding their breath till they get what they want.

Muir is out of his depth in this league.church league more his level and take tactless bates with him.

I dont think the owner will be too bothered as he bought Pools for a song.

Yes a Singh Song

Good God, they're all emerging blinking into the sunlight.... unless of course it's a mick take, although I have my doubts.

Proof that you are the result of that night of affection between Mr M Butt and Hartleblue...

Arguably been one of our best players this season.

I am pleading the 5th amendment on that one.

Change 'affection' to 'affliction'....or even 'infection'!

Your username says it all

Woods was abysmal?
He is probably the only player who could see and make that pass over the top for the Muir goal

He missed ‘Needs’ off the start.