2020/21 General Match Thread

[joethegill]

Are you including us hitting the post and your keeper making a worldy save? You played well, but when we clicked up the gears we absolutely tore you apart.

We're missing a few players so will take the point.

That's about all you had in terms of efforts though - we had one off the line from Mandron late on, and O'Keefe missed a sitter at 2-1. Your two goals were well worked and you had more possession but you didn't do too much with it, so not sure about the tearing apart. First 40 and last 25 was all one way traffic, with you having the upper hand either side of half time.

As for missing players - we couldn't even fill the bench!

 

[RLC]

You know how football works right?

Yes, you put eleven players on the pitch.....

 

[T.A]

Yes, you put eleven players on the pitch.....

I’m guessing all you Tranmere fans have one brain to share?

 

[Marked Ox]

We deservedly lost to Burton last night. We weren't very good but Burton were well organised, worked hard and effective.

 

[Bucket_]

Our American owners aren't ones for knee-jerk instability, so his job is safe regardless. Still a long way to go, but unless Jackett adopts a braver offensive style of play, I think this could turn in to a very uninspiring season.

I'd still back Jackett to sort things out. We still have a bit of time left in the transfer window. Another late Ben Thompson-type signing would do the trick He definitely needs some results quickly though as a poisonous home atmosphere can fast become difficult to ignore by the owners.

I missed this one but gave my season up for someone from Barcelona. Told them to expect more messy than Messi but I certainly wasn't expecting Jackett to go to the extremes of negativity. 5 defenders + 2 defensive midfielders against 8 outfield players?! WTF?

He can find a playet but seems to ignore what made them effective enough to consider signing. Marquis didn't get all his goals at Doncaster with this sort of service. Jackett was a defender once but doesn't seem able to inspire ours. His tactic is purely pack our box and hope the numbers work in our favour.

FWIW we did play some pretty good attacking football last night; we’re playing it on the floor more, and slowly waking up to having a striker that actually makes runs and stretches defences. Once we click we’ll score a lot of goals, I’m sure of it.

I’m just beginning to calm down after seething all night and this morning. It’s fast becoming obvious that we’re in a near opposite situation to the one we found ourselves in this time last year - last season we had a team that overperformed initially and exponentially gained confidence, resulting in the belief that we *would* win, no matter what. That coupled with the most settled and best back line we’ve seen at Pompey in years gave us the run we had until the New Year, when injuries hit and we lost Ben Thompson. It was unsustainable with the depth of squad we had and we were always punching above our weight, but it was a classic example of what confidence can do to a team.

Now this year we have imo a much stronger squad overall, and look like we'll be very potent going forward, but find ourselves with a very different and unsettled back four that's leaking poor goals, and leaking confidence for the entire team now too.

The one thing that's carried over throughout is the negative, safety-first attitude from the management. It's the most frustrating thing to see a team gain the lead and then become increasingly defensive and invite pressure instead of going for the jugular and putting a game to bed, yet it's what we see constantly from Jackett's team. It breeds a fearful attitude who's priority is to just defend defend defend, and when it doesn't work out it destroys confidence fast. Bringing on an extra defender to go 5 at the back last night, at home, against 9 men, while it has some understandable logic, was the most parody worthy Jackett decision we've seen yet. As soon as two of the three CBs went for the same header defending a long punt it was obvious it had completely unsettled the team, against an excellent side we were already struggling to deal with.

This will go one of two extreme ways I reckon, either we click, settle and get it together, or the negative tactics and increasingly impatient fans cause it to go south fast. And last night indicates it's going to be an uphill battle to get us into promotion contention form.

Coventry look good though. Mason looks a player.

 

[Davidimp]

LOL at Danny Cowley's post-match interview claiming our second goal was offside because our player was "laying down on the goal line". I know he's a decent manager, but think he needs his eyes checking.....the player is at least 4 feet away from the goal line and not offside as the moment Bowery strikes it, the Lincoln defender's left leg is nearer the goal than any part of our player's body. After he's had his eyes checked he needs to slow down the video and watch again.

The rest of his interview post match was more interesting on the ongoing farces at Bury and Bolton, especially calling Dale the 'asset stripper', worth a listen, the rest of it was typical post match guff.

 

[Bar Carousel]

I wasn't there last night, BC. According to the commentary, it sounded like our central defenders had a shocker? I think that, coupled with the problems at full back (Brown off injured and McCrorie in an unfamiliar role) probably led to Jackett throwing Burgess on and putting everyone behind the ball against nine men. Maybe he just didn't trust his defence at that point?

Raggett was getting slated by the commentary team - did he affect Downing who seems to have done OK in the other games? Raggett's performance is a worry as he came with a big reputation - hopefully just first game nerves and he'll improve.

I'd still back Jackett to sort things out. We still have a bit of time left in the transfer window. Another late Ben Thompson-type signing would do the trick He definitely needs some results quickly though as a poisonous home atmosphere can fast become difficult to ignore by the owners.

The back four just didn't look comfortable at all. Downing (who i had been impressed with up until then) looked shaky partnered with Raggett, who despite high praise on his signing looked very uncomfortable throughout. To be fair, neither had played together before so it was bound to be hard for them. Add in a young scottish midfielder still getting to learn his team mates thrown in at full-back and it was pretty much a recipe for disaster. I thought Haunstrup looked the pick of the bunch when he came on, so some positivity at least.

That said, we were two goals up at home against ten and then a goal up against nine. Jackett chose to try to hold on to the win, and not exploit the gaps with our impressive forward players. He has to take responsibility for this one. Let's just hope he learns and focuses more on the impressive attacking element in our side from now on.

 

[Bar Carousel]

FWIW we did play some pretty good attacking football last night; we’re playing it on the floor more, and slowly waking up to having a striker that actually makes runs and stretches defences. Once we click we’ll score a lot of goals, I’m sure of it.

I’m just beginning to calm down after seething all night and this morning. It’s fast becoming obvious that we’re in a near opposite situation to the one we found ourselves in this time last year - last season we had a team that overperformed initially and exponentially gained confidence, resulting in the belief that we *would* win, no matter what. That coupled with the most settled and best back line we’ve seen at Pompey in years gave us the run we had until the New Year, when injuries hit and we lost Ben Thompson. It was unsustainable with the depth of squad we had and we were always punching above our weight, but it was a classic example of what confidence can do to a team.

Now this year we have imo a much stronger squad overall, and look like we'll be very potent going forward, but find ourselves with a very different and unsettled back four that's leaking poor goals, and leaking confidence for the entire team now too.

The one thing that's carried over throughout is the negative, safety-first attitude from the management. It's the most frustrating thing to see a team gain the lead and then become increasingly defensive and invite pressure instead of going for the jugular and putting a game to bed, yet it's what we see constantly from Jackett's team. It breeds a fearful attitude who's priority is to just defend defend defend, and when it doesn't work out it destroys confidence fast. Bringing on an extra defender to go 5 at the back last night, at home, against 9 men, while it has some understandable logic, was the most parody worthy Jackett decision we've seen yet. As soon as two of the three CBs went for the same header defending a long punt it was obvious it had completely unsettled the team, against an excellent side we were already struggling to deal with.

This will go one of two extreme ways I reckon, either we click, settle and get it together, or the negative tactics and increasingly impatient fans cause it to go south fast. And last night indicates it's going to be an uphill battle to get us into promotion contention form.

Coventry look good though. Mason looks a player.

Great summary Bucket.

 

[wangle]

Thought Lincoln deserved so much more there, but our defence held firm and luck was on our side. An excellent 3 points

I didn't go, but my old man said that we deserved to win. However, said your defence was superb. He seemed pretty happy as if we play like that we should be fine.

You can't win them all.

 

[Seaaaa]

That's about all you had in terms of efforts though - we had one off the line from Mandron late on, and O'Keefe missed a sitter at 2-1. Your two goals were well worked and you had more possession but you didn't do too much with it, so not sure about the tearing apart. First 40 and last 25 was all one way traffic, with you having the upper hand either side of half time.

As for missing players - we couldn't even fill the bench!

It was a game of 3 thirds First 30 we were awful and you were rightly 2-0. After that we scored 2 good goals before half time. Second half till about the 70th minute we had all the ball hit the post and your keeper made a brilliant save. The last 20 was all you think our players looked knackered but we defended really well.

 

[Don Tonberry]

I'm still pissed off.

Yes, we had a stonewall penalty denied and a goal ruled out because the inept referee wanted to send a Cov player off but that cannot excuse that result. Awful defending and even worse management from Jackett who lost the fans last night. He'll struggle to get them back, too.

 

[Fedora Dale]

We had the chances to win last night, but they didn't go in - inaccurate shooting and good goalkeeping being equally culpable. McGeady and Wyke didn’t miss.

But there were some squeaky bums amongst the Sunderland fans for the last few minutes.

 

[Luke Imp]

You had a lot of possession, but apart from hitting the crossbar in the last few seconds, and a couple of chances in the first half, you didn't really threaten - our defence was strong and limited you to passing it about around the box. Williams was right next to one of your defenders, don't know how you can inconclusively say he was definitely offside - I initially thought it had gone in off the Lincoln player that's how close he was. Either way the original shot was on target, wasn't a massive deflection that changed the course of the ball.

Lincoln do look a better side than last season though, very quick. Tyler Walker is a real talent and a handful. Lincoln in general have recruited very well over the summer. Reckon they'll be comfortably top 10.

Still not sure where we stand as a team in this league - we've played one game less than most teams, we've beaten Lincoln and Shrewsbury and had a close game away to Wycombe. If we can get a result at home to Posh I'll be optimistic of top 10.

The speed of thought in our midfield with the additions of Payne and Morrell has increased significantly, which has sped up our play. That's brought out a bit more in other players as well. We had a bit of pace in the side last season but our play was quite measured and deliberate whereas this season it's much more fluid.

We're just such a small squad, in effect 17 or 18 and two are injured medium term (both CM's) so the three younger lads who should be going out on loan are finding themselves on the bench.

 

[Luke Imp]

Cowley went right in the EFL last night after the game, as I'm sure some have read about. Not sure whether the full interview made it up but at one point he has a few firm words for the interviewer, something along the lines of, "...keep rolling, don't you dare take me off air...".

Good news for Joe Morrell as well who's been called up the Wales squad for their 2020 qualifiers, which means he'll miss the Wycombe game.

 

[Boz]

Tranmere fans hows George Ray getting on with you lot?

Mellon decided to split the fledgling central defensive pairing of Monthe and Nelson from the end of last season and pair Ray with Monthe instead. Neither player has looked particularly comfortable but early days.

 

[PUSBCCFC]

Surprised Pompey fans are so annoyed. A point against us is a huge result, even with 9 men.

 

[SeasideKurt]

That's about all you had in terms of efforts though - we had one off the line from Mandron late on, and O'Keefe missed a sitter at 2-1. Your two goals were well worked and you had more possession but you didn't do too much with it, so not sure about the tearing apart. First 40 and last 25 was all one way traffic, with you having the upper hand either side of half time.

As for missing players - we couldn't even fill the bench!

Not entirely sure that's correct. We had big Gnando fizz one past the post. We had another deflect over for a corner. And we also had one of our CBs from a corner head over. So you need to remember the game a bit better.

Either way, was a good point and either side could have won or lost that game.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Corey Blackett Taylor red card getting rescinded because he’s only a young lad and played 3 games in a week. Welfare issues.

 

[Gassy]

Lincoln City boss slams EFL and says Doncaster have 'huge advantage' ahead of League One clash

“It’s a huge disadvantage for us, there’s no hiding place from that"

“They’ve now had a free week while we’ve played five games this month so far" - Doncaster have played 4 btw

“So what do I do on Friday? Do I cancel the game and let everyone know by social media?"

“I feel sorry for us because MK Dons have played 25 per cent less than us because they didn’t play Bury on the first day of the season."

“So there are huge issues with the integrity of the division. A league should be a level playing field and it’s not a level playing field.”

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.u...KGPmwclvJuPZyrOYV5kE_hueHNYxIE5viBtrKP9bn0cUc

What an absolute belled. How he has made himself & Lincoln the victim here is unreal.

I seriously hope when we play Lincoln on 14th September we will moan because they've played one less game than us and how they have a 'huge advantage' because of it.

I honestly quite liked the bloke but the article has completely changed my mind on him. What a prat.

 

[Guernica]

Don't get your beef. The postponement is an advantage for Donny over us. He then goes on to have a go at the EFL like most of us have said and supported the fans who have been shafted by individuals.

 

[Luke Imp]

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.u...KGPmwclvJuPZyrOYV5kE_hueHNYxIE5viBtrKP9bn0cUc

What an absolute belled. How he has made himself & Lincoln the victim here is unreal.

I seriously hope when we play Lincoln on 14th September we will moan because they've played one less game than us and how they have a 'huge advantage' because of it.

I honestly quite liked the bloke but the article has completely changed my mind on him. What a prat.

He's slagging the EFL off and used the Doncaster/Lincoln thing as an example of how it's impacting the league (Barton also used the Lincoln/Doncaster comparison).

That's a very selected bit from his full interview. At no point was it a 'poor old Lincoln' type of interview.

I'd also point out that between these two lines:

“They’ve now had a free week while we’ve played five games this month so far" - Doncaster have played 4 btw

“So what do I do on Friday? Do I cancel the game and let everyone know by social media?"

...there were other sentences. They've been cut and pieced together. Before the 'cancel the game' comment, that was in reference to Bolton (not Bury or Doncaster) who cancelled their game despite using more players than us this season and that we had a squad of 18 with 2 or 3 out injured.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Don't get your beef. The postponement is an advantage for Donny over us. He then goes on to have a go at the EFL like most of us have said and supported the fans who have been shafted by individuals.

Cowley was having a go at the fl not us or Bury however I doubt we gained any advantage due to us needing games to gel, we might be fresher but I think the game time would have been more beneficial.

 

[Gassy]

Mate, he's about the EFL and how Lincoln are suffering from their mistakes. He's moaning it's unfair that MK Dons played one less game. He's complaining that Doncaster now have a 'huge advantage' - how it playing Tuesday & Saturday a huge disadvantage to you?

This happens about 15-20 times per season.

We also have 2/3 long term injuries, if you only have 18 in your squad then simply put that's your problem. To then moan about it saying "a league should be a level playing field" is pathetic. It is level, if you couldn't assemble a squad then who is to blame? The EFL?

Just because he says he feels sorry for the fans after, doesn't mean he isn't being the victim. Its not a huge disadvantage. It's petty to start saying "Do I cancel the game and let everyone know by social media".

He literally said "I feel sorry for us" yet some how you don't think he's claiming to be the victim? I'm all for supporting your own manager, especially when he's been so successful for you, but some times you have to take a step back and realise that his comments are a bit ridiculous here.

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Danny Cowley in loving a good moan shocker...

 

[Bartonyellow]

Shrewsbury away on Saturday both of us on the back of great wins.
Tough game but I fancy us to edge this.
We looked really good at Oxford, and even our two defeats were narrow and with chances.
I'm off to this. Last time I went was our first game in the EFL and we learnt a quick lesson.

 

[Guernica]

Mate, he's about the EFL and how Lincoln are suffering from their mistakes. He's moaning it's unfair that MK Dons played one less game. He's complaining that Doncaster now have a 'huge advantage' - how it playing Tuesday & Saturday a huge disadvantage to you?

This happens about 15-20 times per season.

We also have 2/3 long term injuries, if you only have 18 in your squad then simply put that's your problem. To then moan about it saying "a league should be a level playing field" is pathetic. It is level, if you couldn't assemble a squad then who is to blame? The EFL?

Just because he says he feels sorry for the fans after, doesn't mean he isn't being the victim. Its not a huge disadvantage. It's petty to start saying "Do I cancel the game and let everyone know by social media".

He literally said "I feel sorry for us" yet some how you don't think he's claiming to be the victim? I'm all for supporting your own manager, especially when he's been so successful for you, but some times you have to take a step back and realise that his comments are a bit ridiculous here.

I'll leave that to you but I still don't get what he's done wrong. Of course he focused on how the problems affect us as it's his job and Donny not playing Tues is obviously an advantage for them. Perhaps if you watched the whole interview you'll get that the focus was primarily on the lack of action from the EFL and how it's now affecting the league as a whole rather than the two clubs. I was pleased that he stuck his head above the parapet and called out the EFL on their poor governance and decision making rather than say nothing. Whilst it's only a small thing, it got on the front page of BBC football site and hopefully adds a little more pressure on to the EFL to make sure this farce doesn't happen again.

 

[Luke Imp]

Mate, he's about the EFL and how Lincoln are suffering from their mistakes. He's moaning it's unfair that MK Dons played one less game. He's complaining that Doncaster now have a 'huge advantage' - how it playing Tuesday & Saturday a huge disadvantage to you?

This happens about 15-20 times per season.

We also have 2/3 long term injuries, if you only have 18 in your squad then simply put that's your problem. To then moan about it saying "a league should be a level playing field" is pathetic. It is level, if you couldn't assemble a squad then who is to blame? The EFL?

Just because he says he feels sorry for the fans after, doesn't mean he isn't being the victim. Its not a huge disadvantage. It's petty to start saying "Do I cancel the game and let everyone know by social media".

He literally said "I feel sorry for us" yet some how you don't think he's claiming to be the victim? I'm all for supporting your own manager, especially when he's been so successful for you, but some times you have to take a step back and realise that his comments are a bit ridiculous here.

The interview was welcomed by Bolton, Bury and other Clubs fan when it went round social media on Wednesday. I'm sure if it was *that* bad, then more people would've judged it to be 'poor old Lincoln'.

The level playing field comment is clearly with regards to the weakened sides that Bolton are putting out at the minute, meaning their first few opponents have effectively been handed 3 points. Anyone who plays them later will probably not have that luxury of being able to pick up easy wins. That was his point there.

 

[PuB]

I can’t see that he’s said anything wrong, just used Lincoln as an example (and why shouldn’t he). Like Luke says above anyone playing Bolton are being effectively handed three points and a boost to their goal difference, how is that fair to the rest of the teams once they come out of admin and no doubt sign a whole new team?

Bolton, the same as Bury, shouldn’t have been allowed to play any games until the mess is sorted.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I'll leave that to you but I still don't get what he's done wrong. Of course he focused on how the problems affect us as it's his job and Donny not playing Tues is obviously an advantage for them. Perhaps if you watched the whole interview you'll get that the focus was primarily on the lack of action from the EFL and how it's now affecting the league as a whole rather than the two clubs. I was pleased that he stuck his head above the parapet and called out the EFL on their poor governance and decision making rather than say nothing. Whilst it's only a small thing, it got on the front page of BBC football site and hopefully adds a little more pressure on to the EFL to make sure this farce doesn't happen again.

I’m still unsure how we have an advantage it’s only four games in how the fuck can they be tired?

 

[Gassy]

The interview was welcomed by Bolton, Bury and other Clubs fan when it went round social media on Wednesday. I'm sure if it was *that* bad, then more people would've judged it to be 'poor old Lincoln'.

How nice, but I've also seen it slated by L1 & L2 supporters in a facebook group as well as 1 or 2 on one of our forums. People have judged it like that.

Sure there are 2 sides to viewing it, but anyone who thinks a team playing on a Tuesday compared to a Saturday is a 'huge advantage' really needs to look at their squad fitness. Every single team apart from Bury, Bolton & the teams they were supposed to play also played 5 games in half a month, yet he's reacting like Doncaster have been given a free pass & are enjoying their time on holiday while Lincoln have to struggle to get by.

I can’t see that he’s said anything wrong, just used Lincoln as an example (and why shouldn’t he). Like Luke says above anyone playing Bolton are being effectively handed three points and a boost to their goal difference, how is that fair to the rest of the teams once they come out of admin and no doubt sign a whole new team?

Bolton, the same as Bury, shouldn’t have been allowed to play any games until the mess is sorted.

Can't argue with your last sentence, but the paragraph before is wrong IMO. Firstly Coventry drew 0-0 with Bolton. But also, what does he want? First he moans that Donny have a huge advantage (its been a long season clearly), then says he feels sorry for them because they probably would have beaten Bolton which would have in your words "handed three points and a boost to their goal difference"

Should we remove the January transfer window? Because if a club gets bought out mid season and has a huge increase in budgets, it's then not fair on the other teams.

I think my biggest problem with what he's saying is how Lincoln are at a 'huge disadvantage'. That is complete bollocks.