Mansfield's Park.

[ClarenceInDefence]

It hit the far post first , are you insane? If it was in the bottom left hand corner he might well have got a hand to it. It was the post which did for him.

I meant far post. Of course that makes me insane. 

A sure sign a person has lost a debate is when they conveniently ignore several points yet nitpick on one word.

And yes, he should never be beat by a shot across the face his goal from such an angle by it going in at his far post.

He looks embarrassed by it Evers, it really is that poor!

[Coolcat]

If Cornell had saved everything in sight, guess what...it would have been 0-0!

Like Evers, I'm not Cornell's biggest fan but...it is totally the opposite to what Fez has posted (which is easily proven by looking at previous threads/posts) the defence of Cornell has been in total response to the witch-hunt, scapegoating to a ridiculous degree, especially following the Carlisle game and even more so, yesterday!
To suggest he was 'totally at fault' (having watched highlights - thus a snipit, excluding buildup or factors elsewhere on the pitch) is as near to an ott witch-hunt there can be!

[Patmore]

Actually I think virtually everyone has clearly said there are other issues with the team, and have also acknowledged that he made some decent saves yesterday. I’ll even agree that one of them was actually a great save.

But he regularly lets in really soft goals. And he let at least three in yesterday. It is no use making one great save after you have already gifted the opposition a lead. I can't remember exactly what the statistics are, but the team scoring first in a game rarely goes on to lose it. He keeps giving that vital  first goal away and we keep failing to win games.

You are obviously happy with him in goal.
I think it is one  of our biggest problem areas and needs addressing.
I will repeat what I said after Carlisle. If he keeps playing, the same thing will keep happening and we will keep losing. He is, it has and we are.

[guest48]

I think there is one person who said Cornell was responsible for all four goals. A few are debating about the first, possibly should have saved it, but there's no real argument about the 2nd and 3rd, they are both goalkeeping mistakes.
   I agree entirely that there were a lot worse players out there yesterday but that doesn't cover up that Cornell should have stopped at least 2 of the goals. Buchanan has to take some of the blame for a couple of the goals and Odoffin certainly played a big part in the first goal. The problem with being a keeper is that virtually every mistake results in a goal. It's all very well him making a great save, and the one before half time was a great save BUT he the goes and lets in 2 very poor goals.  I do think he is one of the few who gave it his best shot yesterday, but that doesn't change the fact that he concedes an average of one out of every two shots on target.

[Scott]

Hi all,
After watching the cobblers last weekend at Mansfield and can honestly say that was the worst performance I have seen.
My opinion (for what it’s worth)
Supporters will forgive ability but for all players to put in no effort is a disgrace.

Going to football is expensive and on this occasion was a day wasted.

Dean losing his job is a shame but no sentiment in football and he had to go especially after that interview at end of game.

All those players should be ashamed and embarrassed (especially at end of game coming over to clap all the supporters who wasted there time and money)

If any of the players read this forum
Put some bloody effort in and give us something to cheer about.

Have some respect for yourself and pull your sleeves up and have a go.

You should all hang your heads in shame as you were well and truly beaten by a team I would expect that are paid a lot less than you.
That it RANT over

[everbrite]

You are obviously happy with him in goal.
I think it is one  of our biggest problem areas and needs addressing.
I will repeat what I said after Carlisle. 

Nobody is entirely happy with Cornell in goal - that’s  a comment made to justify yr argument. I doubt it is true. The problem you have so much latent hate for Cornell that it envelops your thinking. The point you are missing is that he is number one goalie up until Jan unless Codfington/Ward replace him.  Ward has never played in an EFL game yet! Some of your OTT comments hint at at little immaturity.

[everbrite]

I meant far post. Of course that makes me insane. 

A sure sign a person has lost a debate is when they conveniently ignore several points yet nitpick on one word.

And yes, he should never be beat by a shot across the face his goal from such an angle by it going in at his far post.

He looks embarrassed by it Evers, it really is that poor!

Don’t be daft - it’s a cardinal point! If it was going in the far corner Cornell may well have got a hand to it!. Watching the shot behind the goal it was the post which did for Cornell. There is a notable difference in angle between post and far corner. What do you think Frank?

[DrillingCobbler]

This whole debate with regards to Cornell is rather futile.

The goals we conceded were very poor goals, and our keeper wasn't blameless for any of them. He did make some very good saves though.

Up until Saturday, his inclusion in the team was justified based on the fact that we only have a very inexperienced alternative. Who by all accounts looked wobbly at Wycombe.  Its not rocket science...we should have brought in a proper number 1 during the summer. Going into the season with an average at best goal keeper was always a mistake. Id have rather the money spent on the 4 new players signed have all been put into the signing of one goalkeeper instead. The goal keeper is the most important member of the team, and its a position which is often overlooked in that sense.

I read earlier on this thread that Cornell has been playing above himself. Id agree. And despite his perceived errors on Saturday he was still arguably man of the match for us. He certainly was in my eyes. And its also fair to say that only him and Foley have so far come out of this season with any credibility. The rest of them, to a man...have been a huge disappointment.

Should be play Ward tomorrow? May as well toss a coin. Theres 9 players in front of him who Id be looking at first and foremost. Listening to KT's interview, we may have someone new in place for that game. That needs to be the case if we are to stand any chance of getting a positive result. We are cannon fodder at the moment, and no swapping of keepers/playing a few kids/Changing captain etc is going to change that before an outsider comes in and kicks off a fresh start.

[claretarmy]

A few have said that this is the worst performance they've witnessed (Including Tim Oglethorpe) from Northampton.

Was it really worse than the Sc***horpe home game back in November 2011?!

[ClarenceInDefence]

Don’t be daft - it’s a cardinal point! If it was going in the far corner Cornell may well have got a hand to it!. Watching the shot behind the goal it was the post which did for Cornell. There is a notable difference in angle between post and far corner. What do you think Frank?

Good god. I said I meant to say far post, it was a mistake. I clearly state in my post that the shot goes across the face of his goal so this would make it impossible for the shot to go in at his near one ffs. I can only assume you're being deliberately obtuse, as after all this seems to be very much your style.

I'll state it again. The first goal is shocking. Cornell should save that 9 times out of 10. It makes no sense how he can be beat from that angle with a shot in at his far post which has gone across the face of his goal. I contend it was almost as difficult to not get at least a touch on it than it was to get no-where near it. The goal speaks for itself. However, it's worth noticing the reactions of Cornell and Buchanan after it has gone in. Cornell appears embarrassed (as he should be) and Buchanan simply stands motionless staring at the ball in the net as if he can't believe what's just happened.

He cost three goals on Saturday. However poor the defence played does not in any way detract from those three terrible mistakes.

He made one excellent reaction save from a header in the first but at least 2 of the other three saves he made are routine and he should be making them. As regards the one excellent save, he's the only player with the opportunity to make them while we pick him so I struggle to give him to much praise for that as the keeper should be making the occasional 'excellent' save. There's no reason to assume that Ward or even Coddington wouldn't make the odd excellent save if they were given a regular chance.

You have been backing Cornell all season, I see now you're showing signs of back-tracking. You say we're stuck with him until January, but I would question if we are. I find it hard to believe there are no unattached keepers that could be bought in between now and then that could do a better job than Cornell.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

A few have said that this is the worst performance they've witnessed (Including Tim Oglethorpe) from Northampton.

Was it really worse than the Sc***horpe home game back in November 2011?!

I wasn't at that Sc***horpe game but it wasn't so much the worst performance, we can sometimes accept that.
It was the depressing way that the players appeared to give up and not put any effort in.
One of many, but an example was Buchanan towards the end when their player went by him, he didn't even attempt to tackle just a futile attempt to grab hold of him, then just stood and watched as he went on towards goal.  It was very reflective of the majority of them.

It was sad, I don't believe that I have ever seen a Cobblers team appear to 'not try' as much as Saturday.
If they suddenly turn it on tomorrow...

[just.reading]

A few have said that this is the worst performance they've witnessed (Including Tim Oglethorpe) from Northampton.

Was it really worse than the Sc***horpe home game back in November 2011?!

Shrewsbury?

[Ron Obvious]

A few have said that this is the worst performance they've witnessed (Including Tim Oglethorpe) from Northampton.

Was it really worse than the Sc***horpe home game back in November 2011?!

Bristol Rovers debacles  in 2017, either would do?

[everbrite]

Shrewsbury?

Thought the two Peterborough games recently were pretty bad; nothing compares with the 2nd half performance of last Saturday tho'!

[Dan]

Have to agree with Everbrite. The second half was the most gutless pathetic display that I've ever witnessed from us.

[ClarenceInDefence]

This whole debate with regards to Cornell is rather futile.

The goals we conceded were very poor goals, and our keeper wasn't blameless for any of them. He did make some very good saves though.

Up until Saturday, his inclusion in the team was justified based on the fact that we only have a very inexperienced alternative. Who by all accounts looked wobbly at Wycombe.  Its not rocket science...we should have brought in a proper number 1 during the summer. Going into the season with an average at best goal keeper was always a mistake. Id have rather the money spent on the 4 new players signed have all been put into the signing of one goalkeeper instead. The goal keeper is the most important member of the team, and its a position which is often overlooked in that sense.

I read earlier on this thread that Cornell has been playing above himself. Id agree. And despite his perceived errors on Saturday he was still arguably man of the match for us. He certainly was in my eyes. And its also fair to say that only him and Foley have so far come out of this season with any credibility. The rest of them, to a man...have been a huge disappointment.

Should be play Ward tomorrow? May as well toss a coin. Theres 9 players in front of him who Id be looking at first and foremost. Listening to KT's interview, we may have someone new in place for that game. That needs to be the case if we are to stand any chance of getting a positive result. We are cannon fodder at the moment, and no swapping of keepers/playing a few kids/Changing captain etc is going to change that before an outsider comes in and kicks off a fresh start.

Despite my posts on Cornell I'm under no illusions that there aren't other considerable problems with the team, but he is one of 5-6 players from Saturday that should be nowhere near the XI  and possibly even the 18 for a long time IMO. These are: Cornell, Taylor, Buchanan, Hoskins, Odoffin and Bowditch. Of those 6 I have less issue with Odoffin as he's a young and inexperienced player and is among the newest members of the squad, but he should be benched for the coming matches. I don't particularly 'dislike' Bowditch but he simply doesn't offer enough to be a starter and I think we have better options.

As for the other 4 they have been our ever presents and in my view are our worst performers this season by some distance.

Since August last year Taylor and Buchanan have been easily our most regular players at the back by some stretch. In that time they have started 42 league matches at the same time for a total of 76 goals conceded! This is a shocking record and speaks volumes. Despite how often they berate team mates after we concede IMO they are our the most culpable members of the squad by far.

I also find it interesting that both backed Austin for the job and Buchanan at least was reinstated in the team by him after the sacking of JFH despite the large defensive improvement whilst he was out of the side. It should also noted that JFH attempted to resolve the LB issue before the January window, by playing first George Smith and then Hanley in front of Buchs to seemingly give him some protection, so he obviously saw this position as a big cause for concern early on in his tenure. It should also be noted that JFH dropped Buchanan from not only the XI but the 18. Was Buchanan injured? If not then I think this is pretty telling. Austin was JFH's assistant but his actions as manager show that he clearly did not agree with him regarding this.

Further to this, Austin was seemingly happy to drop certain player due to one or two off-colour performances but others retained their place however bad they played and also seemed immune from criticism even at the very end. I can't help but think that something stinks about this whole situation.

Hoskins has started 28 matches since August last year and made 9 appearances as a sub. In that time he has scored twice and assisted a mere 4 goals. It's a dreadful record for a winger/forward. The woeful poor pass/cross he made on Saturday has summed up his contribution so far this season at least and he now needs to be dropped asap. To say he's had his chance in the side would be an understatement.

Frankly all 4 of these need shifting in January if there is anyone would have them.

[GrangeParkCobbler]

Have to agree with Everbrite. The second half was the most gutless pathetic display that I've ever witnessed from us.

As I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t know what was said at half time in the dressing room. Maybe some kind of falling out, how was the KVV substitution handled? Did it happen after a row? Or did DA go in there and make an example of him?
The fact the players came out a few minutes before Mansfield, and the performance they put in tells me that it kicked off at half time and most of them had the arse for the next 45 mins.

[Gen.Disorda]

Thought the two Peterborough games recently were pretty bad; nothing compares with the 2nd half performance of last Saturday tho'!

Ohh the Peterborough game where Byrom was hung out to dry was a pretty bad one !

That Horrible 1-5-1-2-2 formation

            GK
RB  CB CB CB LB
         Byrom
RW                LW
        ST   ST

[Ron Obvious]

As I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t know what was said at half time in the dressing room. Maybe some kind of falling out, how was the KVV substitution handled? Did it happen after a row? Or did DA go in there and make an example of him?
The fact the players came out a few minutes before Mansfield, and the performance they put in tells me that it kicked off at half time and most of them had the arse for the next 45 mins.

I think you could be correct.

[OCoole]

Despite my posts on Cornell I'm under no illusions that there aren't other considerable problems with the team, but he is one of 5-6 players from Saturday that should be nowhere near the XI  and possibly even the 18 for a long time IMO. These are: Cornell, Taylor, Buchanan, Hoskins, Odoffin and Bowditch. Of those 6 I have less issue with Odoffin as he's a young and inexperienced player and is among the newest members of the squad, but he should be benched for the coming matches. I don't particularly 'dislike' Bowditch but he simply doesn't offer enough to be a starter and I think we have better options.

As for the other 4 they have been our ever presents and in my view are our worst performers this season by some distance.

Since August last year Taylor and Buchanan have been easily our most regular players at the back by some stretch. In that time they have started 42 league matches at the same time for a total of 76 goals conceded! This is a shocking record and speaks volumes. Despite how often they berate team mates after we concede IMO they are our the most culpable members of the squad by far.

I also find it interesting that both backed Austin for the job and Buchanan at least was reinstated in the team by him after the sacking of JFH despite the large defensive improvement whilst he was out of the side. It should also noted that JFH attempted to resolve the LB issue before the January window, by playing first George Smith and then Hanley in front of Buchs to seemingly give him some protection, so he obviously saw this position as a big cause for concern early on in his tenure. It should also be noted that JFH dropped Buchanan from not only the XI but the 18. Was Buchanan injured? If not then I think this is pretty telling. Austin was JFH's assistant but his actions as manager show that he clearly did not agree with him regarding this.

Further to this, Austin was seemingly happy to drop certain player due to one or two off-colour performances but others retained their place however bad they played and also seemed immune from criticism even at the very end. I can't help but think that something stinks about this whole situation.

Hoskins has started 28 matches since August last year and made 9 appearances as a sub. In that time he has scored twice and assisted a mere 4 goals. It's a dreadful record for a winger/forward. The woeful poor pass/cross he made on Saturday has summed up his contribution so far this season at least and he now needs to be dropped asap. To say he's had his chance in the side would be an understatement.

Frankly all 4 of these need shifting in January if there is anyone would have them.

Great post