Salford City v Barrow, match thread

[Desmond2-2]

Talk is cheap PW and you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig!

It's not simply a case of one bad game. The current collapse started 6 weeks ago since Jan. 06, with only 1 win since then.

We have the worst last 7 games Performance (5 points from a possible 21) except for 2 of the bottom 3 teams.

Facts don't lie and no post-interview sweet talk or pitch blaming can make up for the on-field disgraceful performances and results.

Something is not right, something has gone wrong with the defence and allowing 5 goals today, the season's worst proves that, as we have an excellent goalie.

I didn't see today's game, but would suggest going 4-4-2 and playing 2 proper full-backs who can tackle and defend instead of asking 2 attacking wing-backs to do that.

If we continue with a seemingly flawed formation and poor team selection, we will undoubtedly drop out of the play-off zone.

But with a 6 point cushion and 5 of the next 7 games at home, IF we play our best players (ie: Whitfield who only came on at 80 mins!) and stop rotating so many players every week, we've every chance to make the play-offs.

Get all this into perspective, team's with a lot more money, support and sponsorship are also struggling, we have a squad of about 14 really good player's, we couldn't afford to strengthen, we have player's who probably know they won't be here next season, as much as I want promotion I won't be too upset if we just fail. We don't want to do a Carlisle. We'd need much better player's and no disrespect to Pete Wild he's never managed at that level and if it all went wrong it could finish his enthusiasm etc , we're giving it our best , I thought what's happening now could happen, I told the legend Mr Daly such, let's try to keep cool head's over these results!

Your sentiment I agree with Nige, but pre collapse we all thought we had an excellent starting 11 and bench, so I’d say we have 17/18 good players. “We couldn’t afford to strengthen “ are you serious man, we brought in probably one of the best strikers at this.level, as his 4 goals have proven. The manager is now displaying his lack of football knowledge,awareness.He’s far to reactive, constantly chopping and changing, particularly midfield and attack, 5 changes yesterday was suicidal, he focuses far to much on our opponents and bigs them all up, even FGR. Continuity in any team brings rewards.

[Bakewell Blue]

Most of your comments on here are just wrong and a massive overreaction - are you a Carlisle fan in disguise? As others have said in response to you, you need to get some perspective. We haven’t played well since Wrexham, but we aren’t rubbish (look at what we did at Notts County and against MK Dons).
All teams have bad patches - look at Stockport County’s recent form. I hate losing and I think PW tinkers a bit but he is a better manager than anyone on this forum. Not making the playoffs would be gutting, but look back at our first two seasons in the EFL and appreciate how far we have come.

I really don’t think they are. I think this barrow team was the real deal and was the best defensive side in the league for a large proportion of the season and now look like a bunch of Sunday league players. Just because where we are now is an improvement on what we once had doesn’t mean it’s exempt from criticism. I just feel that’s an easy excuse, this is the best chance we’ll probably ever have to get into league 1 and I don’t enjoy a team of capable players [SwearFilter] it up the wall.

Promotion this year could set us up for decades in the football league and build us a proper infrastructure. Very annoying watching it slip away from stupid errors and team selections and a lack of character in the team

Thanks for the response - I can agree with most of that, other than suggesting the players lack character. Sometimes you get into a rut and can’t get out of it, either individually or as a team. You can drop players or give them a rest, but the team needs to turn up every week

In response to my original post Simone asked why PW changed it after good results against Notts County and MK Dons. Good question. I think it is because PW likes to change his line up and tactics to take on the team we are playing (and he now has the squad depth to do it). Great when it works but egg on your face when it doesn’t. Even the best don’t get it right - I went to Man City v Chelsea last night and everyone around me was moaning about Pep not making changes when they were struggling to break Chelsea down. City could easily have list that game.

[andyg]

Wish City had lost. But you are right about the point of us fans know best (we all know Pep is rubbish!!!!). PW like all other managers will be looking at fitness levels in training (I heard, but might be wrong, Chester was rested due to fatigue), attitude etc etc & if we'd won 2 out of the last 3 when changing it around he's be lauded as far sighted, flexible, brilliant et etc as a manager. When you change something its always a risk. He should know a little more know about who he picks next Saturday. Yep we have a lot of games at home on our difficult pitch from now on but lets not make that an excuse lets try and get out of this rut asap. Still don't understand the Telford situation though.

[bhbb]

I really don’t think they are. I think this barrow team was the real deal and was the best defensive side in the league for a large proportion of the season and now look like a bunch of Sunday league players. Just because where we are now is an improvement on what we once had doesn’t mean it’s exempt from criticism. I just feel that’s an easy excuse, this is the best chance we’ll probably ever have to get into league 1 and I don’t enjoy a team of capable players [SwearFilter] it up the wall.

Promotion this year could set us up for decades in the football league and build us a proper infrastructure. Very annoying watching it slip away from stupid errors and team selections and a lack of character in the team

Thanks for the response - I can agree with most of that, other than suggesting the players lack character. Sometimes you get into a rut and can’t get out of it, either individually or as a team. You can drop players or give them a rest, but the team needs to turn up every week

In response to my original post Simone asked why PW changed it after good results against Notts County and MK Dons. Good question. I think it is because PW likes to change his line up and tactics to take on the team we are playing (and he now has the squad depth to do it). Great when it works but egg on your face when it doesn’t. Even the best don’t get it right - I went to Man City v Chelsea last night and everyone around me was moaning about Pep not making changes when they were struggling to break Chelsea down. City could easily have list that game.

It’s very frustrating to see standards drop knowing you what people can do. I’ve supported barrow through thick and thin and will continue to do so. If I wanted to watch a team win every week I’d go and support a top premier league side. I just know this will be a time we all look back on in the future and think yeah, this was the chance.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

Your sentiment I agree with Nige, but pre collapse we all thought we had an excellent starting 11 and bench, so I’d say we have 17/18 good players. “We couldn’t afford to strengthen “ are you serious man, we brought in probably one of the best strikers at this.level, as his 4 goals have proven. The manager is now displaying his lack of football knowledge,awareness.He’s far to reactive, constantly chopping and changing, particularly midfield and attack, 5 changes yesterday was suicidal, he focuses far to much on our opponents and bigs them all up, even FGR. Continuity in any team brings rewards.

The reason we could bring Stockton in was that we shipped two players out on loan. Bringing him in still put us up to our limit on FFP. and Burton I suspect are still paying a percentage of his wages. I also believe that if Garner had not gone to Wild expressing a desire to go out on loan to get regular games we wouldn't have brought anyone in during January.

[blue nige]

Get all this into perspective, team's with a lot more money, support and sponsorship are also struggling, we have a squad of about 14 really good player's, we couldn't afford to strengthen, we have player's who probably know they won't be here next season, as much as I want promotion I won't be too upset if we just fail. We don't want to do a Carlisle. We'd need much better player's and no disrespect to Pete Wild he's never managed at that level and if it all went wrong it could finish his enthusiasm etc , we're giving it our best , I thought what's happening now could happen, I told the legend Mr Daly such, let's try to keep cool head's over these results!

Your sentiment I agree with Nige, but pre collapse we all thought we had an excellent starting 11 and bench, so I’d say we have 17/18 good players. “We couldn’t afford to strengthen “ are you serious man, we brought in probably one of the best strikers at this.level, as his 4 goals have proven. The manager is now displaying his lack of football knowledge,awareness.He’s far to reactive, constantly chopping and changing, particularly midfield and attack, 5 changes yesterday was suicidal, he focuses far to much on our opponents and bigs them all up, even FGR. Continuity in any team brings rewards.

Fair points mate and I agree didn't want to critise Wild thought you might attack me !

[Cromwell58]

Excellent support for the team, started off well with a visit to Prestwich for a few pints why the police turned up I do not know everyone was well behaved. Salford were the better team and strange how we went for it in the last 10 mins when it was too late that commitment should be from the first minute.

[olbarrafancumbak]

Wild is still young and learning (in the grand scheme of things) he has a great right hand man and support with backroom staff. He will be bitterly disappointed I'm sure, just like we all are.
We have been blessed massively this season and last compared to our first two seasons where we were lucky to still be in this league!
Wild is human and will make mistakes, just unfortunate that they all seem to be happening at this stage of the season when we are so close to the top and also the closing pat of the season..
We need a reaction from the players, some passion, fight and desire, give us some of that over the next few games and I'm sure it will give us the confidence to push on.

Now is not the time to get frustrated, not the time to bash the players individually and collectively, we need solidarity and unity.
The volume button at HS needs to be raised to another level, scarves, banners, bouncing, screaming shouting..the full Monty! (Not literally full Monty )

[McMark]

There was some good, some bad and some down right ugly things about our play yesterday.
We needed change that’s for sure as we have definitely looked jaded and PW duly obliged. I agree Campbell, Spence and Foley would probably of given us more impetus going forward and defensive nous when required but instead of a tweak here and there we went for a full makeover, but in Pete Wild & Co We Must Trust.
Some really well worked goals by us, but vulnerability at the same time. Ultimately we just struggled to close down a rampant Salford team who quickly went through the gears after looking pretty mediocre themselves for much of the first half. The bad again was our lack of being able to close down attackers who opened us up at will especially in the second half.
All is not lost we are still in an enviable position in the league. We need a week of team bonding and heart to hearts with players and management alike. Let’s not let this become a psychological thing we have a very good team and management who can still go on to make it a really memorable season.

[xerxes]

Nothing like standing under a leak in the stand getting wet

Probably not as wet as I got cycling home!

As regards the game, there has been the predictable amount of complaining in this thread. I don't understand why people think a team like Salford should be easy for us. In both games against us this season they have looked a decent side, and I think they are in a false position.

I agree with what has been said about the Gotts chance. The only thing I can think of as an explanation was that he took the extra touch to try and get it on his right foot. Whether that was a turning point or not is debatable - I think on yesterday's form we might still have lost from 3-1 up.

Anyway, after three consecutive defeats we now take on Bradford who have three consecutive wins. A good time to end both those sequences, and I can see it happening.

A totally unrelated bit of trivia - that was the first 5-3 game I have ever seen, in fact I can't remember any 5-3 Barrow game in nearly 60 years of following the club - can anyone else?

[Arvo]

A totally unrelated bit of trivia - that was the first 5-3 game I have ever seen, in fact I can't remember any 5-3 Barrow game in nearly 60 years of following the club - can anyone else?

Boston United 3 Barrow 5. 1996-97 season. Referenced here if you can find it among the ads and pop-ups. https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/sport ... er-2921639

[xerxes]

A totally unrelated bit of trivia - that was the first 5-3 game I have ever seen, in fact I can't remember any 5-3 Barrow game in nearly 60 years of following the club - can anyone else?

Boston United 3 Barrow 5. 1996-97 season. Referenced here if you can find it among the ads and pop-ups. https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/sport ... er-2921639

I'd forgotten that one. Blackstock was never popular at Barrow!

I've just found another - 27th April 1975, NPL - Mossley 5 Barrow 3.

[vialli 9]

The Manager seems to be doing what he did last year after Christmas....when he seemed to 'lose his nerve' , and confidence, in his early season tactics. The high press and attack mindedness seemed to be replaced by a desire ' not to lose.' ; Which is not the same as trying to win.
Changing 5 of the starting 11 is asking for trouble. What does he do now? Replace the 5 replacements? Just look at the starting 11 that were winning and change an odd player if needed but don't panic . We are still very well placed and I'm pretty sure we'd have all taken this position in Feb at the start of the season.

This is only my own opinion. It means nothing.

[Spanner]

A totally unrelated bit of trivia - that was the first 5-3 game I have ever seen, in fact I can't remember any 5-3 Barrow game in nearly 60 years of following the club - can anyone else?

We lost 5-3 (also in torrential rain on a muddy pitch) at Altrincham in the 1988/89 FA Trophy 3rd round. We were 5-0 down at one point.

[Bingo]

The Manager seems to be doing what he did last year after Christmas....when he seemed to 'lose his nerve' , and confidence, in his early season tactics. The high press and attack mindedness seemed to be replaced by a desire ' not to lose.' ; Which is not the same as trying to win.
Changing 5 of the starting 11 is asking for trouble. What does he do now? Replace the 5 replacements? Just look at the starting 11 that were winning and change an odd player if needed but don't panic . We are still very well placed and I'm pretty sure we'd have all taken this position in Feb at the start of the season.

This is only my own opinion. It means nothing.

He seemed to bottle it at Halifax when it come to the crunch. He should be desperate to prove himself and actually win something but I feel his attitude is all wrong. Just because we've never had it so good doesn't mean we should just accept going to shit.