Nuneaton Match thread

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

Before Xmas we played fast attacking football that punished teams . Since Xmas it's been slow , boot it predictable stuff , real non league stuff . Why ? Losing 2 quality players in neilson and pond and signing players who havnt delivered like devitt and LJL .

Nail on the head!

Hurst's comments sound worryingly like those we heard at various times last season after some dreadful performances when half the team was different.

Even a few weeks ago you simply couldn't have anticipated we would go on such a terrible run of form. We certainly weren't playing all that well, but we still looked solid at the back, compact in midfield and were grinding out results. For that to disappear suddenly is baffling, to tell the truth.

The managers aren't liked by many of the fans but I think a lot of the stick they are getting for this bad run ignores the fact that it is the players themselves whose performances have dropped horribly, particularly the forwards and the wingers. The criticism for team changes such as dropping Thomas for Wood may be good in hindsight, but Thomas was very poor on Saturday, looking knackered and Wood had a very good game at left-back last time I saw him play there. Cook has been in poor form of late as well so trying LJL is perhaps understandable. Just a pity he doesn't look up to much. The new Damien Spencer on what we've seen so far.

For me, I think that the fact performances have deteriorated so badly in the lead up to the 'big' Wembley game says rather more about the character of the players than anything else. A poor performance in the week immediately before the game is typical for many teams, but surely not when keeping in the promotion race is so vitally important after such a poor run?

Regardless of what happens on Sunday (which I don't expect to be very enjoyable for Town fans), I'm more worried that I can't see the players getting back to doing what they managed so well for much of the season - grinding out results.

Quoted from AdamHaddock

Hurst is usually  calm and composed in these interviews but he really sounds at the end of his tether

That's the worry for me - it is his and Scott's job to organise, inspire and motivate the team - they're not doing it.  They don't seem to know what to do. Wembley is always going to be a massive distraction - no matter what anyone says.  Tonight Disley, Pearson, Cook, Thomas and McKeown should all have been rested for Sunday.  Artus, Thanoj, Wilson, Southwell and Fleming couldn't have done any worse!

Wembley is going to be a pretty horrible day out if we play like we have been doing. Will we be the first team that gets booed by their own fans at Wembley (excluding England)? I wouldn't bet against it at the minute.

Quoted from aldi_01

If people are embarrassed about being a town fan at any time they can intercourse off. We've been excrement for two weeks.
I still stand by that after Sunday we will improve if by magic. What does annoy me is that these managers have said you get picked on your performances in games and training yet we know that players who've been poor the last few games will get a game...

We have been excrement for best part of 12 years, and yes at times I'm embarrassed (plus at times angry) but don't you dare tell me to intercourse off after 40 years you knob.

Quoted from aldi_01

If people are embarrassed about being a town fan at any time they can intercourse off. We've been excrement for two weeks.

I still stand by that after Sunday we will improve if by magic. What does annoy me is that these managers have said you get picked on your performances in games and training yet we know that players who've been poor the last few games will get a game...

We've been excrement for ten years but tonight was the worst performance we have ever put in.

Quoted from Maringer

Even a few weeks ago you simply couldn't have anticipated we would go on such a terrible run of form. We certainly weren't playing all that well, but we still looked solid at the back, compact in midfield and were grinding out results. For that to disappear suddenly is baffling, to tell the truth.

Injuries to key players in midfield probably a factor !
Even key defenders are carrying knocks.