Wigan Athletic away Tuesday 26/11/24

[Shoemender]

I like McCarron. I think there's a player in there.

Totally agree. Should have done better with his one on one, but unless he's not fully fit, don't understand why he's not given more game time. He's at least as good, if not better than most players we've got. Not sure of his best position though.

[Manwork04]

Possibly, more one footed than Pinnock and that’s saying something. Needs to stay behind after training and work on his finishing.

You obviously didn’t go to Barnsley or Notts County.

[WestHaddonCobbler]

You obviously didn’t go to Barnsley or Notts County.

Certainly did, also went to Kettering at home, you obviously missed that one

[WasRambo]

Just back from the game

Well that went from painful to frustrating.

We were dreadful first half and in particular the first 20. I was happy to see Both Fosu and Roberts both starting but that soon changed. There was a few nice interchanges but that first goal... How we go from being on the edge of their box to conceding is beyond me. Too much pi55ing about, Couchane again beaten too easily and. Then before you know it, we're two down after more tentative, non committal defending.

That was a match with two teams terrified of losing but we just stood off too much first half and gave them a head start.

Second half was better. For some reason Wigan took their foot off our throat and we got back into it. They were wasteful at times but if McCarron had finished better and had their keeper not made a decent save or two we could have had a draw at least. They weren't good but first half we gave them so much time we made them look it.

I was surprised Roberts was tugged and Eyoma was enforced but otherwise you'd have to save Brady's substitutions improved us. Though how Pinnock lasted is beyond me.

Anyway, need to check the highlights on a few things but initial rundown...

Burge... One good save but need to check highlights for their first
Eyoma... Not on long enough to rate
Odimayo... Anonymous
NGW... Decent but knackered by the end
Guthrie... Solid asusual
Couchane... Takes too long to get going, megged for their first but neat and tidy otherwise
Pinnock... Total and utter dogs***e
McGeehan... Anonymous
Fosu... Hugely disappointing
Roberts... Marginally less disappointing than Fosu
Hondermarck... Ok but he's a grafter, nothing more

McGowan... A few errant passes but given the break, did ok
Hoskins... Did okay tbf, given he ended up at right back
Eaves... He's no Haaland but he'll worry most L1 defences.
McCarron... If only this lad could finish. But then he'd be in Stokes first team I guess
Waghorn... Think he only touched it once and that was a pass to the opposition

Anyway, off to bed.

[west stand oap]

Guthrie picked up his 4th booking tonight so he needs to avoid getting another in the next 2 games or he will get a 1 match ban.

[Joes Sweet Left Foot]

Guthrie picked up his 4th booking tonight so he needs to avoid getting another in the next 2 games or he will get a 1 match ban.

If he gets booked against Stevenage next week and Eyoma is out for at least 2 weeks we could be going into the game against Posh without a recognised centre back, could be interesting. Mind you posh are piss-poor as well this year.

[Risdene]

Whilst the first half was unacceptable Brady got a decent reaction in the second half.

The length of the injury situation is getting beyond a joke!

[Mysterious Curle]

Safe to say November has been an absolute disaster.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Attendance: 7,754 (154 Cobblers fans)

[DrillingCobbler]

I watched the game on tv.

First half overall - Good Lord. First 20 minutes - wow.
Taking into account the opposition, cant think of a worse 45 minutes application wise during Brady's tenure. Totally unacceptable. Effort levels and desire totally non-existent pretty much across the whole team. Fosu is turning into that stereotypical player who plays a blinder on a nice August sunny day but 'can he do it somewhere up north (take your pick) on a cold Tuesday evening in the winter?!' I think we are now finding out why he is playing for us and not in the championship somewhere. Not sure how he was not withdrawn instead of Roberts at half time...

Brady is on a tightrope in terms of how he deals with these players. Due to injuries he can ill afford to be to hard yet it was crying out for at least a double sub after 30 minutes last night 'to make a point'. I understand why he didn't throw his toys out of the pram and indeed on balance I wouldn't have done either in his/our situation. Tough job he's got at the minute juggling things about. He got a good reaction at half time so I guess whatever he said had its desired effect which for me is a big positive because we looked like we were heading for a hammering.

Eaves showed us what we have been missing. Its not just about his ability, its the 'war horse' mentality he spreads across the team. Simply put he's a leader. We've got a few show ponies who need to be kept on their toes and Guthrie at the other end of the pitch doesn't have that influence on them. The midfield combo of Honders and Chouchane was totally outbattled by their Wigan counterparts. If Sowerby had been alongside one of them then whoever it was would have played much better. Guthrie aside, the spine of the team was weak last night.

We are limping along at the minute (no pun intended) and its evident that in January we need an experienced midfielder and another Eaves type forward. There's a few we should be able to ship out to create the room needed to bring them in. The balance isn't quite right in terms of the demographics/characters we have. Those players will be hard to find though during the season, our best bet would be a couple of older lads on loan who are not getting in their respective teams.

No need to panic but it could have should have been a thrashing last night and then the mood on here would be a lot noisier. A point would have been a robbery even though we nearly brought one back.  Brady said it how it was in his interview, I listened to that and it was comforting given he managed to basically say we were absolutely crap without actually pinpointing the blame towards anyone in particular or indeed the group as a whole. It was a really good interview.

[west stand oap]

“November has been an absolute disaster”, yes really should have won at Birmingham and Blackpool, if you can only bring back 2 points instead of 6 from those games we are in trouble.

[Mysterious Curle]

“November has been an absolute disaster”, yes really should have won at Birmingham and Blackpool, if you can only bring back 2 points instead of 6 from those games we are in trouble.

Thoughts on Kettering (L), Cambridge (D), Wigan (L)?

[Risdene]

Thoughts on Kettering (L), Cambridge (D), Wigan (L)?

18th in League 1 is not bad for a half fit reserve team!

[Madrid Cobbler]

Only saw 2nd half last night where we were OK, but the problem clearly came before that. Just seen extended highlights and Burge definitely should have saved the first goal. Shot came fairly close to his body and should have been able to push it round the post easily. Shame, because he's been much better recently. Was a bit surprised to see Chouchane taken off as he'd looked really good in the second half. Definitely a case of points dropped.

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

Thoughts on Kettering (L), Cambridge (D), Wigan (L)?

If you were a Manchester City fan, do you think you'd want Guardiola sacked now? Honestly, serious question.

[Observing]

If you were a Manchester City fan, do you think you'd want Guardiola sacked now? Honestly, serious question.

Hardly the same comparison is it.

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

Hardly the same comparison is it.

I'm not comparing. I'm just asking a question based on his endless stream of negativity.

[XVK]

Some happy little pilgrims this morning

[DavCobb]

Sacking? No one has mentioned sacking? Whether that is JB or Pep.

[WasRambo]

If you were a Manchester City fan, do you think you'd want Guardiola sacked now? Honestly, serious question.

One City fan on TalkSport was calling for exactly that.

Unlikely City will ever sack Pep. He'll walk first. Thing is, only France and Italy left for him and not sure how attractive he'd find either.

That said, he could retire tomorrow and probably be the most successful club manager ever