Our players who are league 2 standard

[Stan Marshall]

Witness yesterday's instructions in a game where we saw a bewildered Slocombe wondering which of our marked players he should kick the ball out to, was it their fault also for wondering where they should stand, as lively as the Terracotta Army? It was plain for all to see that he was going to pass it to Camaron who would look round, walk left, then right, still looking round, thinking he was visiting Madam Tussauds, before passing it back to an advancing Slocombe who then booted the ball upfield - that really foxed Salford! But was he and the rest of the the team following orders from a man totally out of his depth?[/QUOTE]

Wasn’t this the same under LW though - such as Mansfield at home? Admittedly, the Stags are a much better side than Salford, but the fact is we don’t know what to do from goal kicks if the opposition go man to man. The constant passing back to Slocombe, who then dwells on the ball for an eternity, also leads to the lack of intensity which is another major concern. High intensity is so important to the way we play.

In addition, our defence has been a shambles all season. I did believe the problem would be addressed in the January transfer window, but sadly it wasn’t. We desperately needed at least one effective centre back (preferably two) but that didn’t happen and the result is we continue to gift goals to the opposition.

Another concern is our inability to play for 90 minutes. How many times have we stopped playing in the second half, particularly at home? Again, this has been an issue all season. Late winners are a rarity - not even when we take a 5-4 lead in injury time!!

[The_Don_ORiordan]

I think it's rather unfair to single out players who are having a bad game here and there. They might be playing to a "style" dictated to them by a manager who's having a bad game almost every game. All of our first team have more good games than bad but SM is having the opposite. Therefore his effect is a negative one if he's experimenting with different formations that don't work, as in shifting Macca to the left and Jones to the oppsite wing, but will he learn? Results so far would show he isn't learning now, apart from two games won where he changed the team for the next game, it showed too in the somewhat mystifying lack of cohesion inasmuch as we sank in both without trace.

Witness yesterday's instructions in a game where we saw a bewildered Slocombe wondering which of our marked players he should kick the ball out to, was it their fault also for wondering where they should stand, as lively as the Terracotta Army? It was plain for all to see that he was going to pass it to Camaron who would look round, walk left, then right, still looking round, thinking he was visiting Madam Tussauds, before passing it back to an advancing Slocombe who then booted the ball upfield - that really foxed Salford! But was he and the rest of the the team following orders from a man totally out of his depth?

I don’t totally disagree chap. But some players just are not good enough no matter what style we play and whoever is manager.

The club captain wasn’t good enough last season as a defender, and he keeps proving this time and time again. The basics when someone is running at you are either fully commit to a challenge or drop back to give you the opportunity for a later challenge/block.

He did neither. He’s just not good enough. No manager is going to change that for him now. So whilst there is clearly big issues around the manager, the problem that has been as clear as day to many before the season even started continues.

That said, Baldwin needs fining for picking up so many stupid bookings.

[Smigpie]

It’s the style of play we have adapted making it so easy to play against plus we have no ability either coaching or playing wise to mix it up and have a plan B during tight games. Salford are fighting for their lives and we couldn’t hurt them at any point during the game and how many goals have they conceded this year. I’ve said it before, we need to adapt our style of play to the league we are representing and not fantasy football.

[The_Don_ORiordan]

It’s the style of play we have adapted making it so easy to play against plus we have no ability either coaching or playing wise to mix it up and have a plan B during tight games. Salford are fighting for their lives and we couldn’t hurt them at any point during the game and how many goals have they conceded this year. I’ve said it before, we need to adapt our style of play to the league we are representing and not fantasy football.

Would playing hoofball have meant Cameron would have tackled the player running through?

The style is an issue, but no matter what style you need the players to execute it. We have too many who are not good enough.

[BJPIE]

II will respond to OP original question and his interpretation that they can be effective at this level and above.

Certainties:
Macari
Palmer
Bostock
Langstaff
McGoldrick
Crowley
Langstaff
Jones
Robertson

Potentially:
Jatta (physucality)
Scott
Baldwin ( if he loses his arrogance and has someone he respects alongside)
Chicksen ( could do a job in a 4. Quick, does sense danger, just dont ask him to forward.
TAR ( Id like to see him in a 4 at R
JOB (player coach, use in emegency)

Never:
Cameron ( he is really poor as a player and captain)
Rawlo ( great pro but too slow now)
Brindley ( doesnt want to play)
Nemane (Crowley acts as his guide dog. He wouldnt have a clue unless he's spoon fed opportunities to cross which with remarkable consistency fails to find a team mate)
Slocombe
Stone
Brooks ( if he cant get a game in front of thec3 we have now, its a waste of a wage
Austin ( sad to say this because he really tries, but probably a little lightweight and not quick enough to compensate)
Munakandafa ( no progress, doesnt look good enough)

Not seen enough but probably no:
Bajrami
Morias
Randall

Cant say yet:
Colkett

Would keep with potential to bring through:

Mahovo
Sanderson

[LaxtonLad]

It’s the style of play we have adapted making it so easy to play against plus we have no ability either coaching or playing wise to mix it up and have a plan B during tight games. Salford are fighting for their lives and we couldn’t hurt them at any point during the game and how many goals have they conceded this year. I’ve said it before, we need to adapt our style of play to the league we are representing and not fantasy football.

Our style of play was fine in non-league when we were finding the time to ponder our next move but we are still playing the same way against better managers who have better players but we still expect to control games. It's an obvious fact but we haven't addressed it. We kept at first much the same defence which is now definitely looking shaky even though we have brought in fresh faces. We also have bought a totally unknown striker for £125K when we should have been looking for a couple of big and ugly but canny experienced defenders, imagine if Jatta gets injured, what then? Still a wobbly defence, that's what. In my opinion though, by far the major problem is the inexperienced manager who still has no idea who is playing well and who is an also-ran.

[Could'vebeenacontender]

II will respond to OP original question and his interpretation that they can be effective at this level and above.

Certainties:
Macari
Palmer
Bostock
Langstaff
McGoldrick
Crowley
Langstaff
Jones
Robertson

Potentially:
Jatta (physucality)
Scott
Baldwin ( if he loses his arrogance and has someone he respects alongside)
Chicksen ( could do a job in a 4. Quick, does sense danger, just dont ask him to forward.
TAR ( Id like to see him in a 4 at R
JOB (player coach, use in emegency)

Never:
Cameron ( he is really poor as a player and captain)
Rawlo ( great pro but too slow now)
Brindley ( doesnt want to play)
Nemane (Crowley acts as his guide dog. He wouldnt have a clue unless he's spoon fed opportunities to cross which with remarkable consistency fails to find a team mate)
Slocombe
Stone
Brooks ( if he cant get a game in front of thec3 we have now, its a waste of a wage
Austin ( sad to say this because he really tries, but probably a little lightweight and not quick enough to compensate)
Munakandafa ( no progress, doesnt look good enough)

Not seen enough but probably no:
Bajrami
Morias
Randall

Cant say yet:
Colkett

Would keep with potential to bring through:

Mahovo
Sanderson

Great post
Don't disagree with any of your assessments
Luke left at the right time (for him) just as L2 opposition managers realised how to play against us
Poor old Stuart Maynard was left with a UXB
The players are more nervous at home than away as the fans naturally show their unhappiness at idiotic passing around at the back between panicky defenders who more often than not end up passing the buck back to the keeper
Who then boots it upfield (unless an opposing forward intercepts the back pass as has happened a ridiculous number of times this season)

[cjpieman]

Great post
Don't disagree with any of your assessments
Luke left at the right time (for him) just as L2 opposition managers realised how to play against us
Poor old Stuart Maynard was left with a UXB
The players are more nervous at home than away as the fans naturally show their unhappiness at idiotic passing around at the back between panicky defenders who more often than not end up passing the buck back to the keeper
Who then boots it upfield (unless an opposing forward intercepts the back pass as has happened a ridiculous number of times this season)

Luke left at the right time ??????

We had just won 3-0 and 5-0 at home. Sure away was proving difficult but even if you think we may have won just 2 of Maynard’s home games we would still be in and around the playoffs.
The man has not got a clue, he never achieved anything at Wealdstone (Dean Brennan got them promoted then left for Barnet) our owners are absolutely deluded if they believe he has the skills to manage at this level.

[i961pie]

II will respond to OP original question and his interpretation that they can be effective at this level and above.

Certainties:
Macari
Palmer
Bostock
Langstaff
McGoldrick
Crowley
Langstaff
Jones
Robertson

Potentially:
Jatta (physucality)
Scott
Baldwin ( if he loses his arrogance and has someone he respects alongside)
Chicksen ( could do a job in a 4. Quick, does sense danger, just dont ask him to forward.
TAR ( Id like to see him in a 4 at R
JOB (player coach, use in emegency)

Never:
Cameron ( he is really poor as a player and captain)
Rawlo ( great pro but too slow now)
Brindley ( doesnt want to play)
Nemane (Crowley acts as his guide dog. He wouldnt have a clue unless he's spoon fed opportunities to cross which with remarkable consistency fails to find a team mate)
Slocombe
Stone
Brooks ( if he cant get a game in front of thec3 we have now, its a waste of a wage
Austin ( sad to say this because he really tries, but probably a little lightweight and not quick enough to compensate)
Munakandafa ( no progress, doesnt look good enough)

Not seen enough but probably no:
Bajrami
Morias
Randall

Cant say yet:
Colkett

Would keep with potential to bring through:

Mahovo
Sanderson

I agree with the majority of that but would swap Nemane with either Chicksen or Tar.

[1955pie]

II will respond to OP original question and his interpretation that they can be effective at this level and above.

Certainties:
Macari
Palmer
Bostock
Langstaff
McGoldrick
Crowley
Langstaff
Jones
Robertson

Potentially:
Jatta (physucality)
Scott
Baldwin ( if he loses his arrogance and has someone he respects alongside)
Chicksen ( could do a job in a 4. Quick, does sense danger, just dont ask him to forward.
TAR ( Id like to see him in a 4 at R
JOB (player coach, use in emegency)

Never:
Cameron ( he is really poor as a player and captain)
Rawlo ( great pro but too slow now)
Brindley ( doesnt want to play)
Nemane (Crowley acts as his guide dog. He wouldnt have a clue unless he's spoon fed opportunities to cross which with remarkable consistency fails to find a team mate)
Slocombe
Stone
Brooks ( if he cant get a game in front of thec3 we have now, its a waste of a wage
Austin ( sad to say this because he really tries, but probably a little lightweight and not quick enough to compensate)
Munakandafa ( no progress, doesnt look good enough)

Not seen enough but probably no:
Bajrami
Morias
Randall

Cant say yet:
Colkett

Would keep with potential to bring through:

Mahovo
Sanderson

I think this is an excellent post that addresses what the OP wanted.
Personally I would be quite happy for Nemane to be here next year. He has the potential to be a match winner and I would have been much happier if he had been on the bench yesterday. Given that Jodi and Macca probably won't be here next season, I think that is all the more reason for us to keep him.
Also Austin is a good hard working squad player but shouldn't have been playing yesterdays role. Be good to keep him around.
Other than that I think you are spot on.