[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

The football on the whole this season has been turgid, and there’s no getting away from that, however you have to put the season into context.

Cox inherited the most disjointed and poorly assembled team I’ve seen in my time watching the Iron, I honestly thought we’d had it as a football league club. There’s no overstating how shit we were.

Over time he’s organised the players, got them working hard consistently, set up a mean defensive unit ( when they’re fit) and created a positive atmosphere of ‘togetherness’ which has been mentioned by the players. He’s managed to get a tune out of Loft who was dismissed almost instantly by most of us, and allowed some of the younger players such as Rowe, O’Malley to break into the first team.

Howe aside, nearly everyone signing since his appointment has had a positive influence on the team: Howard, Brown, Taft, Karacan have all contributed.

There were people, including some on here, calling for his head before the Grimsby game; if Swann proceeded to swing the axe I’m convinced we’d be sitting somewhere between Barrow/Grimsby/Southend.

When fans are back next year there will have to be an improvement in performances. At the minute we are a poor attacking outlet and cannot break teams down, Cox will know, and needs to address this during the summer. Languishing in the lower reaches of league 2 will also not be acceptable.

However, I see Cox as a long term project and hopefully he feels the same about us. We’ve had a lot instability during the last few years and it will be a breath of fresh air to see the same manager in the dugout for another season.

I hope he’s given time to prove his worth.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

No excuse, not good enough tonight by a long stretch. Almost like we’d ran out of ideas as soon as the whistle was blown.

Definitely not going to blow it out of proportion because the results recently have been excellent. Still lots of work to be done though.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

DarrynStampGoalMachine wrote:

cassidystash wrote:

Who wants to stay?

That one will be the key and I worry the answer will be not many.

I’d be surprised if many players expect to, or find, offers from higher placed clubs this summer. Who knows what the post covid age will bring but surely with most clubs hanging on financially by a thread, wages will stagnate or even reduce aswell as squads being trimmed.

If we can have this core of players secured by the June I’d be more than happy:

Howard
Taft
Mcghaey
Onarisie
Rowe
O’Malley
Spence
Beestin
Karacan
Gillead
Loft
Van Veen
Green

As alluded too, we need to think carefully about future signings and kick the habit of warehousing players.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

bartonscorpion wrote:

Just for interest what are the views regarding the Scunny penalty ????, I thought it was a bit harsh myself.

Clear cut Peno

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Happy with that performance.

For another makeshift side the players again looked: organised, determined and slightly more assured in possession. I also thought we put together some nice passages of play- especially in the 1st half.

I was impressed with Hippolyte’s contribution but would always prefer to see Eisa on the wing, he often looks a little lost up front. Kev still isn’t match fit and needs to managed carefully. Hallam looked good first half at the tip of the diamond and made some clever runs. Still think we need to try and create some more chances in a game though.

Defence was solid enough and good to see Rowe and O’Malley get some game time, fast becoming my first choice full backs. Clarke to his credit looked better at CB again. Concerning to see Mcghaey go off though.

Special mention has to go Spence though- I thought that was an outstanding display and the lad deserves full credit. Butt and Keane would have been proud in the stands.

3 users thanked author for this post.

MK Iron, premier iron, Alfred

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Expected changes but surprised to see Hippolyte and Hallam back in the side, big opportunity for them to prove their worth.

1 user thanked author for this post.

inspector

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

The manager gets a 5 rating and the after a 1-0 win against top Of the league away from home !?!

at least the Cambridge commentators seemed to appreciate the effort even if some our fans don’t.

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mistertonmick

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

That is an outstanding result

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

I’d happily take a point tonight. Not fussed how we go about getting it.

We’re not clear of the woods yet and Grimsby/Barrow are due an upturn in form at some point

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Outclassed this half.
So many sloppy balls and poor defending throughout.
Be amazed to see us take anything from this.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Positive changes made.
Van Veen, Mcgahey and O’Malley’s inclusion fill me with confidence.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

The second half subs and performance showed there was intention to win the game, I just don’t think we possess the know how to break teams down effectively. I still believe our full backs are far too defensively minded- Bolton’s full backs were busting a gut to join attacks and subsequently forced 2 of our main threats in Gillead and Green, back in our half.

Last night I’d have liked to more balls played behind Bolton’s centre halves and forced them to defend facing their own goal. We make life too comfortable for opposition goalkeepers and defenders sometimes.

the positives were Kev and Mcgahey back in the side. Getting Kev back to full fitness will change the dynamic of our team for sure. However, as Heath points out, the risk of relegation has diminished so there is no excuse not to be having more of a go against sides.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Need to stop defending so narrow and allowing those wide players possession. Gillead and Green don’t know whether they are wing backs or wingers at the minute.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

If Onarisie isn’t fit I’d put Bedeau straight in, possibly look to include Spence for one the 2 CM as rotation is key with a packed schedule.

Be more than a happy with a point tonight , but it would be good to see the team play with more freedom. The results have greatly improved so let’s see some positive performances to match

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

DarrynStampGoalMachine wrote:

One of the most embarrassing performances I’ve seen from a team trying to cheat to win free kicks and penalties. Harrogate should be ashamed of that today. Pathetic. Glad the ref seemed to catch on to it 2nd half.

March has try something different after getting bullied by Onarisie all afternoon.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Excellent result even if the performance was scrappy. Thought Onarisie and Loft were outstanding, can’t believe the transformation in Loft since Xmas: First touch, passing and finishing have all improved and he now looks the real deal.
Great time to score aswell, how often do we concede just before or after half time usually ?

Credit to the team and Cox again tonight

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Only question mark for me is what more does O’Malley have to do to sustain a place in the team?

Other than that happy with the team and pleasing to Karacan straight back in.

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cassidystash

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Amazed the game is on.
Happy with the starting 11.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Ferrite wrote:

Baffling. There are serious questions to be asked about the direction of our club and people are just looking to score pointless victories over other posters, with every thread degenerating into tedious, juvenile name-calling.

It’s a shame and probably stops a few more people posting on here.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Ferrite

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Not bothered if the Bradford game gets called off.

2 week break will the do squad some good; Kev and Mcgahey should be back in the squad and less games for Karacan to miss

1 user thanked author for this post.

Iron-awe

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Main thing to take from that is how does the land ownership deal work when the Swann’s leave town? Do we have our assets transferred and default back to paying loans ? At What rate are we buying back the assets ? Is there a leasehold contingency in place if the assets remain with Coolsilk?

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Any links to information on this?

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Howard

Rowe
Onarisie
Taft
O’Malley

Gillead
Beestin
Spence
Green

Eisa
Loft

Kev loves an Oldham fixture so wouldn’t be surprised if he comes on and scores!

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Bizarre signing

Clarke
Rowe
Mcgahey
Hornshaw at a push.

Need to get out of the habit of bloating the squad unnecessarily.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Good piece of business.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

lesgeo wrote:

Surprised nobody has been in for McAtee.

Can’t tell if there’s a touch of sarcasm there Les

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lesgeo, inspector

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Nice dilemma for Cox to have when Mcghaey Is back fully fit.

Cant see how you can drop Taft after recent performances though, he’s doing great and an actually a loan signing who adds something to the team.

Begs the question why have Bolton let him go?

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

cassidystash wrote:

Brilliant result but I have to make one comment meant to be constructive not negative.
We had 80 minutes against a GK making his league debut and he didn’t have to make a save.

He made a right mess of that simple cross to collect from Loft. Wouldn’t have harmed having a few Long range efforts at him

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cassidystash

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Any scout worth his salt will be keeping tabs on him from now on. Some superb performances and I still don’t think he is 100% fit.

The Recruitment team have taken a rightful bashing this year but Manny has been some find.

[Cliff Byrne’s Right Peg]

Yep. Fantastic week and full credit to Cox and the players. We might not be the attacking outfit he promised but the organisation, fitness and sheer graft is there for all to see.

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IRONINTHEBLOOD

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