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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Aug 13, 2019 23:30:27 GMT 1
Graham Barrow aka 'Grandpa Chester' as caretaker manager of STFC is nailed on. The waiting game. It's just a question of guessing the right month. Late September maybe? I'm going for October though. Serious question though. Why didn't you take the Cup tonight seriously? 'Squad rotation' from Sammy The Snake in what's proved to be a lucrative competition? Or is he resting players...after 3 games in a new season? Baffling. Second question. Why didn't you fans take it seriously? Attendance: 2,830 (164 Rotherham fans) Despite the shaky start for the romantic side up the road, across the border, 5,200 of us turned up. Attendance: 5,517 Away: 307 Is the League Cup off your radar? 1960–61 is the last time you did anything. Think you will find old son that we have done more in this competition than your lot have done in the last dozen years or so. We actually did better than you tonight - being a League team we did get to the first round. Enjoy the FA Trophy when it comes round.
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Post by randomtictacs on Aug 14, 2019 0:50:17 GMT 1
Worrying performance. Tactics (ours) somewhat naïve. Stronger language will be reserved for if I ever have to experience a similar shambles again. I trust it was a one-off and some lessons will be learned.
It was almost as if our management had never seen Rotherham play. Strange. If you were going to pick Shrews team and formation from our current squad to get smashed by their 'style' of play.......then 3-5-2 with slowish wing-backs a re-shuffled defence, munchkin or slowest tracking midfielders and stationary forwards.....is the way to go.
So , you do have to ask the question. What were you thinking Ricketts ? If Waterfall had not gone off injured, the result would have been the same or worse. The problem was mainly due to the midfield being totally overrun. There is a very large hole requiring an experienced, mobile, hard tackling defensive midfielder to fill.
Only highlight of the evening (apart from the dogs abuse that their timewasting-wet-as-a-13-stone-dishcloth goalie got for pathetically feigning injury, after a hard-working Rowlands got somewhere close to closing him down) was the singing from the South Stand after we had gone 0-4 down.
Well done to all those involved - the 'lets pretend we've scored a goal chant' may well become a classic.
Oh and can someone on the board, please look into the poor choice of kit colour for playing evening games against a backdrop of mostly dull blue, with bits of colour - seating. You wonder why some of our players sometimes appear 'invisible' to the crowd or their team mates? Its because they literally are. You have half a second to look up and spot James Rowlands or a non-moving Fey at 30-40 yards, against backdrop of the west or North stand, before being tackled. Good luck with that one. Too many sidewards/backwards/I can't see where to pass it panics, followed by hoof-ball to the only guy they can spot (white haired bloke up front) ensues. Basic marginal gains stuff. We really don't have the margins to waste. Make our players more visible in low light night games.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 5:45:36 GMT 1
First time I've seen the new team (squad) and of course have to bear in mind that we made so many changes but my god that was poor. A few random observations from the game, well 45 mins as I left at half time:
Morison & Fej have no understanding of a partnership whatsoever and after about 15 mins looked as disinterested as the rest of us. That was the most worrying aspect for me as they are our first choice strikers, although in their defence they had no service.
To start with a middle 3 of McCormick, Walker and Rowland was criminal, totally dominated and was men against boys. They offered nothing going forward and even worse no protection for the back 3, even though they were sat so deep. Rowland looked the senior pro out of the three though and wasnt shy, a little bit of positivity.
Goldbourne is still not a wing back and offers no attacking threat down the left whatsoever. When he receives the ball, his first instinct is to stop the ball and look back/sideways, he does not fit into the 3-5-2 and hopefully I'll see much more of Giles this season.
A little bit of good news is corners no longer hit the first man, unfortunately though they now appear to miss everyone as they are that deep.
Based on what I've been reading and been told from pre season and first couple of games, it sounds like we aren't going to be easy on the eye and that was evident last night. Someone mentioned it earlier but all 3 games, the opposition have bad 60%+ of the ball, considering we have a 5 man midfield that stat is ridiculous. I'm not anti 3-5-2 but depending on how it is used and the personnel it can be ridiculously defensive and dull to watch, that is us at the moment sadly.
Finally, whilst I really dislike some of our fanbase for their attitude to Rickerts and their eagerness for him to fail, last night was a major own goal. Yes the league cup is clearly not taken seriously by all but in recent years we have had some good times and to go out like we did was disgraceful. Seeing him make 8 changes and losing 4 nil at home, it certainly gives more ammunition to those questioning him, as well as raising eyebrows amongst other fans.
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Post by criftins on Aug 14, 2019 7:47:50 GMT 1
What really worries me is the apparent see saw application to games depending on who the opposition is. Having seen many of the games in which Ricketts has been in charge it seems to me that we are motivated for the “big games” ie both matches v Wolves and the game v Stoke last season and v Portsmouth this season, when it comes to the bread and butter games MK, last night etc we look disinterested and lack motivation. To me that’s the biggest problem we have especially when you here Ricketts talk the talk about not wanting to lose well for me his teams don’t have the consistency the passion or the application whoever plays and for me that’s a major part of his job. Huge game now on Saturday against an in form Dale if we lose with a whimper we all know how the crowd will react and to be honest I think Ricketts will have had enough time to prove the many doubters wrong.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Aug 14, 2019 8:12:45 GMT 1
Murphy - 2: kicked a few long badly, lost goals through his legs, rooted to his line at all times.
Barnett - 6: looked one of our most composed on the ball, but not a right back. Positionally shakey but my MOTM
Waterfall - 2: Thanks for coming!
Beckles - 3: appalling on the ball, not much better defending.
Ebanks-Landel - 4: didn’t really notice
Golbourne - 4: Ill suited to a wing back role, regularly done for pace
Walker - 3: Not sure what sort of midfielder he is, didn’t tackle and couldn’t pass. Only credit that he didn’t disappear and kept going.
Rowland - 5: Tried throughout and didn’t stop running, the odd impressive moment but mostly bullied out of it
McCormick - 5: As per Rowland
Morrison - 3: Did he touch the ball?
Okenabirhie - 4: Effort but looked slow and didn’t touch the ball within 30 yards of their box
Pierre - 6: the only one who seemed to want to get stuck in to their collection of big s**thouse forwards
Whalley - 5: lively as per, should’ve won a penalty
Giles - N/A: Crossed one into the South Stand.
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Post by Mortgagehound on Aug 14, 2019 8:13:01 GMT 1
Last night was an awful display driven by poor team selection.
If I knew that we were fielding such a weak team I wouldn’t have bothered making the 200 mile round trip to go to the game.
The defence played like they had just been introduced to each other in the dressing room before kick off. The goalie looked liked he isn’t going to be a threat to our number 1
Morison and Mr O were poor
Barnet had some nice touches in the first half but faded away second half, and young Rowland looked bright.
Rotherham made us look poor all over the pitch.
Foxie and I walked out when the fourth goal went in.
I just hope Roly gave our leader a good bollocking in the board room post match
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Post by stuttgartershrew on Aug 14, 2019 8:16:48 GMT 1
The interview with Ricketts in the Shropshire Star isn't good reading at all. He let the fans down last night, that's not how I want us go about the League Cup.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Aug 14, 2019 8:19:42 GMT 1
IF we win on Saturday and Tuesday it will soon be forgotten but it’s the sort of selection, result and performance that quickly drains any sort of early season goodwill.
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Post by thesensationaljt on Aug 14, 2019 8:34:01 GMT 1
Urgently need reinforcements as it's clear we have no strength in depth. I don't mind Ricketts embarrassing himself, but leave me out of it. If I'd driven to the alleged match, I'd have been out of there in 5 minutes.
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Post by block18shrew on Aug 14, 2019 8:52:20 GMT 1
www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2019/august/sam-ricketts-post-rotherham-united/Desperate stuff. How many times does he want to say that Rotherham were a Championship side last season. Yes they were. But they were also relegated. And if so then why set up the way we did. Total buffoon, always looking for excuses. On another note...to have not sorted the midfield and attack by now at this stage of the season is criminal. We have needed a creative midfielder all summer and it’s obvious we are holding out for a loanee striker...let’s hope it’s someone who can score goals because we don’t look like scoring in a month of Sunday’s. Shambolic. It also doesn’t matter how good the defence is if you are going to give up 60+% possession in each game...ultimately we will concede and as we don’t look like scoring......tough season ahead unless the next month sees some serious strengthening. Can’t fault the signings made in the summer but the football on show lacks cohesion and is abysmal to watch.
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Post by salop27 on Aug 14, 2019 8:58:21 GMT 1
Ricketts could sign three prem players today and we'd still struggle as unfortunately it seems he can't coach. He seems to have got some yes men in to tell him he can while people who disagree have not been retained or are playing with the youth team. Untill I see some new evidence I'm now firmly in the Ricketts is not the man to move the club forward camp.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 9:09:53 GMT 1
I’ll put my head above the trenches and likely get shot at from all directions but prior to last night the first team squad had 6 missing through injury - Shaun Williams, Ryan Sears, Oliver Norburn, Josh Laurent, Lennell John Lewis & Daniel Udoh, we can now add Luke Waterfall & Scott Golbourne to the list. That’s 7 players unavailable for selection prior to kick off last night (Eisa omitted due to impending transfer) and now 9 missing prior to kick off vs Rochdale. I can understand Ricketts reasoning for his selection and though understanding supporters frustration and anger also feel that the league is far more important and if the manager backs up last nights defeat with a win on Saturday then things won’t seem so bad, especially if he can add to the now heavily depleted squad
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Post by kuffdam72 on Aug 14, 2019 9:14:16 GMT 1
www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2019/august/sam-ricketts-post-rotherham-united/Desperate stuff. How many times does he want to say that Rotherham were a Championship side last season. Yes they were. But they were also relegated. And if so then why set up the way we did. Total buffoon, always looking for excuses. On another note...to have not sorted the midfield and attack by now at this stage of the season is criminal. We have needed a creative midfielder all summer and it’s obvious we are holding out for a loanee striker...let’s hope it’s someone who can score goals because we don’t look like scoring in a month of Sunday’s. Shambolic. It also doesn’t matter how good the defence is if you are going to give up 60+% possession in each game...ultimately we will concede and as we don’t look like scoring......tough season ahead unless the next month sees some serious strengthening. Can’t fault the signings made in the summer but the football on show lacks cohesion and is abysmal to watch. it is abysmal football it was last season and looks like continuing well in to this. I missed my first home league Cup tie for years last night because of that reason.
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Post by stuttgartershrew on Aug 14, 2019 9:20:04 GMT 1
Yeah, someone really ought to tell Ricketts Rotherham are a 3rd division side. As are we.
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Post by blamber on Aug 14, 2019 9:23:29 GMT 1
With all those changes and Ricketts' desire to keep players fresh, I had hoped to see Udoh last night given that a 36 year old striker might be grateful for a rest and that we are clearly finding it difficult to score goals. So I don't understand why he isn't being given a chance when no fewer than 8 changes were made...and still we can't score.
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Post by darkshrew on Aug 14, 2019 9:23:35 GMT 1
Murphy - 5: not a game he'd like to remember - but IMO not the liability some were making him out to be. Barnett - 5: clearly not his position. Waterfall - N/A: Good grief - took Morris out of the game and involved in the first two goals - only played two minutes Beckles - 5: couple of mistakes, but generally ok. Ebanks-Landel - 6: looked much happier when Pierre was on the pitch - generally solid. Golbourne - 5: did ok - final ball lets him down as a win-back. Walker - 4: Couple of flashes to suggest there is a player there but some really poor mistakes. Rowland - 5: So much smaller than their No 17 it looked odd - ran his heart out and came into the game more 2nd half, quick feet and some good touches but he looked like a kid lost on the pitch in the first half hour. McCormick - 5: Again, some flashes that suggest he is a player, but the midfield was men against boys Morrison - 1: He was the captain ? If it was two yards away from him he could not be arsed. Okenabirhie - 5: Better than the opening game by a mile, but not really linking with anyone as we had no midfield.
Pierre - 7: really brought the ship under control - much more solid with him there. Whalley - 8: ran for everything - if Morrison had shown half of that passion we would have done better. Giles - N/A: made no impact.
How on earth can Ricketts put that midfield out and expect a different result ? Combined with a lack of tactics (not least going forward) - we stood no chance.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 9:26:34 GMT 1
With all those changes and Ricketts' desire to keep players fresh, I had hoped to see Udoh last night given that a 36 year old striker might be grateful for a rest and that we are clearly finding it difficult to score goals. So I don't understand why he isn't being given a chance when no fewer than 8 changes were made...and still we can't score. Because Udoh is injured, that’s why - see my post above. Six out with injury prior to last night and add both Eisa and Grant to the list as unavailable and that’s 8 players missing which is now 10 prior to kick off vs Rochdale
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 9:35:13 GMT 1
I’ll put my head above the trenches and likely get shot at from all directions but prior to last night the first team squad had 6 missing through injury - Shaun Williams, Ryan Sears, Oliver Norburn, Josh Laurent, Lennell John Lewis & Daniel Udoh, we can now add Luke Waterfall & Scott Golbourne to the list. That’s 7 players unavailable for selection prior to kick off last night (Eisa omitted due to impending transfer) and now 9 missing prior to kick off vs Rochdale. I can understand Ricketts reasoning for his selection and though understanding supporters frustration and anger also feel that the league is far more important and if the manager backs up last nights defeat with a win on Saturday then things won’t seem so bad, especially if he can add to the now heavily depleted squad I struggle to agree with this, in my mind only 3 of the players you quoted missing are really anywhere near the first team or league 1 standard (Laurent, Norburn & Ro S Williams) with Sears and Udoh who may develop but as for the others IMO they are conference / well past there sell by date....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 9:40:08 GMT 1
Sam, I want my team to go out and give no less than 100%. That's not much to ask for is it?
I get the impression from some that last night was only a league cup game, that it doesn't really matter, that we don't want to further risk our best available starting eleven for fear of injury.
A second string side yes but we were taken to the cleaners last night and I for one really do hope that Rowland had strong words with the manager after the game. If the senior pro's go missing on the night (which by all accounts they did) then that's not acceptable to the supporters who made the trip to the NM last evening. If we lose then at least make a fist of it.
And please, let's not just shrug our shoulders and say it was only the league cup. Show the competition the respect it deserves.
This heavy defeat worryingly highlights our lack of strength and experience in depth and we are only a week and a bit into the new season.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 9:43:37 GMT 1
I’ll put my head above the trenches and likely get shot at from all directions but prior to last night the first team squad had 6 missing through injury - Shaun Williams, Ryan Sears, Oliver Norburn, Josh Laurent, Lennell John Lewis & Daniel Udoh, we can now add Luke Waterfall & Scott Golbourne to the list. That’s 7 players unavailable for selection prior to kick off last night (Eisa omitted due to impending transfer) and now 9 missing prior to kick off vs Rochdale. I can understand Ricketts reasoning for his selection and though understanding supporters frustration and anger also feel that the league is far more important and if the manager backs up last nights defeat with a win on Saturday then things won’t seem so bad, especially if he can add to the now heavily depleted squad I struggle to agree with this, in my mind only 3 of the players you quoted missing are really anywhere near the first team or league 1 standard (Laurent, Norburn & Ro S Williams) with Sears and Udoh who may develop but as for the others IMO they are conference / well past there sell by date.... But they are still a part of that squad and still missing, whether we rate them or not and of that 29 there will be at least 10 unavailable this weekend
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Post by WATR on Aug 14, 2019 9:52:22 GMT 1
Considering the team that was put out, I'm not surprised or concerned about the result. What I am concerned about is why barely a week into the season we're having to put a second string out in a major competition, seemingly due to fitness / injury reasons. What is going on?
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Post by venceremos on Aug 14, 2019 9:56:55 GMT 1
Have any of last night's midfield three played a single complete game of league football between them? Could be wrong but I don't think so and I'm not sure Barnett has either.
It wasn't just bad in itself, last night's performance highlighted how we're struggling to create any sort of chances and how powder puff our attacking play is. We look in desperate need of a couple of good quality signings.
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Post by Minormorris64 on Aug 14, 2019 9:57:16 GMT 1
At my age I probably haven't got that many nights left. I certainly don't want to waste them watching s**t like that. You should have turned right into the Tuns and come and had a couple of pints with moi instead.
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Post by tvor on Aug 14, 2019 10:15:35 GMT 1
Yeah, someone really ought to tell Ricketts Rotherham are a 3rd division side. As are we. For all the nonsense talk by Ricketts about a Championship side, they were comfortably beaten at home on Saturday by a side who were two divisions below them last season.
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Post by tvor on Aug 14, 2019 10:19:48 GMT 1
Considering the team that was put out, I'm not surprised or concerned about the result. What I am concerned about is why barely a week into the season we're having to put a second string out in a major competition, seemingly due to fitness / injury reasons. What is going on? We were told we needed to wait until a full pre-season was under our belts and the fitness issues of last season would be a thing of the past. There is already talk of needing to rest players just three games into the season to keep them fresh and Ricketts is already making reference to having to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday next week.
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Post by northwestman on Aug 14, 2019 10:27:00 GMT 1
It looks to me that at least Rotherham took the competition seriously with their team selection.
Mind you, they must be pretty confident of not playing next Tuesday, as they are due to play Bury!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 10:30:05 GMT 1
Considering the team that was put out, I'm not surprised or concerned about the result. What I am concerned about is why barely a week into the season we're having to put a second string out in a major competition, seemingly due to fitness / injury reasons. What is going on? We were told we needed to wait until a full pre-season was under our belts and the fitness issues of last season would be a thing of the past. There is already talk of needing to rest players just three games into the season to keep them fresh and Ricketts is already making reference to having to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday next week. Sam getting the excuses in early 😕
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Post by tvor on Aug 14, 2019 10:30:29 GMT 1
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Post by tvor on Aug 14, 2019 10:37:35 GMT 1
We look like a club up its own arse the way we've gone about this. Why are we playing a second string in a decent competition - the season's barely started, I can't believe we're keeping players fresh for Saturday. Agree 100% By all means play the reserves for the EFL Trophy. However, chucking the League Cup in the first round (actually the first 3 minutes) by "resting" players to concentrate on the league after 2 games, and then getting spanked at home off Rotherham is absolutely tinpot. Shall we just not enter any extra competitions at all next year in case it distracts us from the chase for 11th? I hope this is one hell of a half time teamtalk. Sadly the lack of respect shown to old established cup competitions by higher division clubs is gradually creeping down the divisions.
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Post by venceremos on Aug 14, 2019 10:42:40 GMT 1
Considering the team that was put out, I'm not surprised or concerned about the result. What I am concerned about is why barely a week into the season we're having to put a second string out in a major competition, seemingly due to fitness / injury reasons. What is going on? We were told we needed to wait until a full pre-season was under our belts and the fitness issues of last season would be a thing of the past. There is already talk of needing to rest players just three games into the season to keep them fresh and Ricketts is already making reference to having to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday next week. To be fair to Ricketts, the "resting" of players doesn't necessarily mean resting them from past exertions. Certainly at this stage of the season it's more about trying to keep them fresh throughout the season and minimise injury risks. The benefit of not playing an extra game in August might be felt by a player much later in the season. That's modern management and I think it's legitimate forward planning. I accept that but I still think there were too many changes if there was any serious intention to be competitive last night.
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