Barrow v Salford match thread

[Broughton Fan]

Hard to get over such a poor performance last night,no goal threat their keeper never had to make a save from open play,the system of one up top with two wider players isn’t working,when the midfield get it it’s too slow because there aren’t enough options and even if we get it wide there is only an odd player to pick out,so I would go back to having two up top with someone behind them in a free role this would give more threat through the middle and would also free up more space for our wingbacks to get forward,this worked at Colchester and we have gone away from it,I thought Harris did alright last night he just needs more support.This might mean bringing in a more physical forward my suggestion is Joe Nuttall who is set to sign for Scunny so Keith Hill must have seen something in him and it would mess up one of our relegation rivals,behind the front two whoever Cooper chooses I would go for Gotts if fit or if not Devitt who should have something to prove to Newport.with Ellis going out on loan and Arthur going back I would assume a centre back is imminent,we are a better team in terms of retaining possession than last year but we haven’t got a Quigley who can score out of not a lot of service and you wonder at times where the next goal is coming from,we tend to do better when teams come at us so it wouldn’t be big surprise if we pulled out a surprise away win in one of the next two,the only good news last night was that Scunny lost but we are in a mess if we are relying on other teams to lose.Finally on Cooper it would be stupid to get rid of him now,we will have to trust that he gets the balance right as there is enough quality in the squad but the players at the end of the day have to show it

[spirit of 1990]

That was absolutely awful, there is no way what we’re seeing now is any better than the worst we witnessed last season.
One and a half seasons, four managers, a shed load of money and who knows how many players - many of whom are/were on wages way beyond their abilities and we still look like a team of players plucked from the NL North.
Sadly my match day highlight is now looking at, and hoping the teams below us are losing.

[mall]

Then Cooper can have the close season to plan, recruit, and prepare the team properly. If next season doesn't show progress, then we would be entitled to question his position.

Not being funny but he had that this season didn`t he ?

The problem is people and our board are obsessed with the "Barrowcelona " yes that was great but we do all that AFTER we become established in this league , Cooper has to be honest ditch all this 3 at the back lark and play to our strengths it`s our only hope because at the moment we`er dancing in the dark .

I agree Nige. We 'are' dancing in the dark-We really have to prove to be tougher than the rest of the bottom six.

[beachy01]

No one talking about our Paul for that first goal?

To be fair to Farman, Hunter’s free kick appeared to take a big deflection which left him with no chance to make the save.

Just seen the higlights, no deflection, took a step behind his wall, poor goalkeeping...again

[Jim]

Then Cooper can have the close season to plan, recruit, and prepare the team properly. If next season doesn't show progress, then we would be entitled to question his position.

Not being funny but he had that this season didn`t he ?

No he didn't, Nige. Managers don't just wait til May then go out looking for players. The groundwork is done for months before the end of the season. Cooper had no time to prepare before being handed the job in May (I think it was). Allowing for players' holidays, he probably only had 6 weeks or so to get to know the players and to get ready for the new season. Then there were the problems with traing locations.

Ironically, of course, we hit the ground running, or at least almost running. Unfortunately, it didn't last, but that's history.

[blue nige]

Then Cooper can have the close season to plan, recruit, and prepare the team properly. If next season doesn't show progress, then we would be entitled to question his position.

Not being funny but he had that this season didn`t he ?

No he didn't, Nige. Managers don't just wait til May then go out looking for players. The groundwork is done for months before the end of the season. Cooper had no time to prepare before being handed the job in May (I think it was). Allowing for players' holidays, he probably only had 6 weeks or so to get to know the players and to get ready for the new season. Then there were the problems with traing locations.

Ironically, of course, we hit the ground running, or at least almost running. Unfortunately, it didn't last, but that's history.

when a manager is interviewed he's asked about players he can bring in etc sorry but he had plenty of time! example Swindon they had nobody signed on 2 weeks before the season!

[SayitagainSam]

A good Manager plays to his strengths, not to his weaknesses.

Why the tactic of playing long, high balls from the back, usually Platt and Banks, plus crosses from Brough & Hutton from the wings, into the penalty box, when our 3 forwards, James, Wakeling & Gordon are 5' 10" minnows, Harris is 6', with their backs to the ball?

The vast majority of opponents central defenders are 6' plus, sometime 6'3"- 6'5", they are facing the ball and defensive heading comes naturally to them.

The chances of our strikers (the 2 new ones are mere boys) scoring from a header are slim to none, so they can't be blamed when the odds are so stacked against them.

The TOP teams (Championship, Champions League) play short-passes, 1 - 2's, diagonal plays, on the ground, in and around the box, as that creates the best scoring opportunities.

Hope Mr Cooper can watch some TV games and copy how the top Managers coach their teams.

Something has to change tactically for us to start scoring as the only goal we have scored in recent games was into our own net!

[Gazza]

Then Cooper can have the close season to plan, recruit, and prepare the team properly. If next season doesn't show progress, then we would be entitled to question his position.

Not being funny but he had that this season didn`t he ?

The problem is people and our board are obsessed with the "Barrowcelona " yes that was great but we do all that AFTER we become established in this league , Cooper has to be honest ditch all this 3 at the back lark and play to our strengths it`s our only hope because at the moment we`er dancing in the dark .

I agree Nige. We 'are' dancing in the dark-We really have to prove to be tougher than the rest of the bottom six.

Absolutely. I fear for My Hometown (side) and wonder if we can stay in the Promised Land or will we be back in the Badlands of the National League? The problem, is too many players are earning Easy Money at the minute when they should be Working on a Dream.

[saltcellar]

This is what we are up against.

Matt Smith the big no 19 centre forward who is 6ft 6 inches and played for Salford last night, was signed a week ago from Millwall on a free transfer.
According to Cooper, the wages he is on would pay for 7 Barrow players

[russell_anderson]

That was absolutely awful, there is no way what we’re seeing now is any better than the worst we witnessed last season.
One and a half seasons, four managers, a shed load of money and who knows how many players - many of whom are/were on wages way beyond their abilities and we still look like a team of players plucked from the NL North.
Sadly my match day highlight is now looking at, and hoping the teams below us are losing.

Completely agree. I'm afraid the recruitment has proved to be very poor since Evatt left.
It seems that none of our subsequent manager can recognise a player.
Whatever tactics and motivation a manager possesses, it counts for little if your players aren't good enough and ours aren't.

[NUFFSAID]

Here's a thought... One or two players have really gone off the boil Dec/Jan . Stephens, Gott, Platt and even Brough......... Is it down to Rumours about transfers, offers, scouts etc, head turned. don't want to get injured. Cooper saying out of contract. Transfer windows always plays mind games, particularly those with agents and young/niave.

Time to knuckle down, show everyone what their about now me thinks.

[Gazza]

Here's a thought... One or two players have really gone off the boil Dec/Jan . Stephens, Gott, Platt and even Brough......... Is it down to Rumours about transfers, offers, scouts etc, head turned. don't want to get injured. Cooper saying out of contract. Transfer windows always plays mind games, particularly those with agents and young/niave.

Time to knuckle down, show everyone what their about now me thinks.

Heard last night that at least one player may have signed a pre contract agreement at another club, something MC alluded to in his Post match interview after the Mansfield game. He does say it as it is to be fair!

[Methuselah]

Aren,t we at the end of February now.Why is this being posted?