[lesgeo]

Kirkby, home Burnley 15/2/92. 2 – 2.
Met my pro ref friend for a pint in Gainsborough after the game.
He said: “Don’t say a word about the ref. I speak first.”
He then listed every error from a pro point of view then said, “So, for me, he gets a zero.”
I had already reached the same conclusion. My notes said ‘Football cannot survive such men.’

15/4/95 Gurnam Singh once had a zero. Lost to Donny 0 – 5. He was responsible for four of their goals. Their assistant manager said we should have had two penalties. At least SIX match changing decisions in 90 minutes.
That’s why poor performances cannot get really low marks. You have to leave room for performances like this pair.

Incidentally, thought Deadman didn’t do as badly as fans were suggesting in ‘that game’. (Can’t recall what it was. And going through my notes is a time-consuming task.)

[lesgeo]

Our group stopped marking refs two years ago.
Out of interest I took a look back at Mr K’s marks.
Incredible – highs and lows but not that much in the middle.

[lesgeo]

Watch Miller go now that he has signed for Walsall!

[lesgeo]

This squad will not be relegated short of even longer injury lists than we started the season with.

I can dream of a top half finish, I reckon.

21 out – 11 in. Sounds sensible.

Considering the budget, I think Neil has done a decent job.

We look to have a working defence with improved GK.

We have some decent CMs + new blood to fire ’em up.

Bit thin on wide players, maybe.

Three big lads who can lead the line but an awful lot resting on the shoulders of Scrimshaw.

Neil can now decide on systems to use.

Biggest issue is that we look set to work through with three CBs. That can only work as long as all three stay fit. Backup looks thin.

If we do play 3/5 at the back – it is how the rest of the plan is going to work which concerns me a bit.

Get stuck in Neil. Prove the doubters wrong.

[lesgeo]

Another Harry?

[lesgeo]

He got stuck in – which was what I liked.
Had to have been ‘ring rusty’. So, all in all, may or not chase for the first eleven but will, at least, be an option.

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Ferrite

[lesgeo]

I’m not saying that people cannot criticise, WG – it’s just been so over the top.
There’s a big difference between “I really am not too impressed with X” – which may well be wholly reasonable but things like “The worst player we have ever signed” is cruel, inaccurate, unhelpful, confidence-destroying and a classic knee-jerk response.

[lesgeo]

You cannot find too many folks less PC than me, BJ.
But, forgetting all the tired modern labels – there is something we used to call ‘decency’.
Having ‘a larf’ at someone else’s expense is bullying.
‘Banter’ is what happens only between mates & family you know for certain can take it. If just one feels uncomfortable in a group – it is wrong.
(As a former teacher how many bollockings have I issued over years to gobby, bullying teens who claim that their nastiness is ‘just a bit of banter, sir’.)
Yes – I know there are people out there whose sensitivities can border the ridiculous who can be a real pain – but we must try to live with one another.
‘Love thy neighbour’ takes a bit of beating.
Do I practise what I preach?
Please list all the personal insults I’ve used on Bru over the last decade or so.

[lesgeo]

Maybe the solution is to give the lad a narrower brief. Work this flank. If you find yourself in a position to beat a man; outrun a player; get in a telling pass; make a cross – then just do it! If you can’t – then don’t lose possession.

Just a thought.

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alcazar

[lesgeo]

I agree. Neil is now in the position to start getting the best out of his players – and it is beginning to show.
Rory’s command of his area yesterday was the best ever seen from him.

I do not think that it has helped massively when so many on here have attacked so many players as being: useless; the worst GK we have ever had; the worst player ever signed by the club etc.
Rory, Jarvo and Hippo have all suffered those kinds of attacks. Rushing to judgements rarely makes things better but can utterly destroy confidence.
(Me? – I’ve only ever had a real go at just one player – he’s now at Lincoln.)

Devarn Green is an enigma. You just know that there is enough ability and speed in there to turn him into a pretty good player but we do struggle to get it out of him. The lad tries – and works – he is no sluggard.
I can only conclude that the issue is in decision-making. That is something tough to train into a player.

[lesgeo]

Sorry BS – I can’t approve of any woman having to undergo that kind of treatment.
Pig ignorance is pig ignorance.

I may not be PC in any way but I believe that demonstrable racism, provable sexism, malicious ageism etc are all totally unacceptable.
Pig ignorance is pig ignorance.

Definitely pig ignorant.

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Ferrite

[lesgeo]

Edinburgh Festival ’til 30th August.
I understand that’s where Burnsey can be found at this time of the year.

[lesgeo]

But it was sooo bad from the players last year, AWG, that it is quite a relief to see a group of lads with some real guts and determination. They look to be wearing the shirt with pride. That really does my heart good.
Credit to you there, Neil!

Good to see Jarvis. Not hugely effective but he worked hard and has been out for almost a year. He looks as if he has filled out a bit since last season and wasn’t afraid to let people bounce off him.

Could be a very different – and almost certainly – a stronger side by the next game.

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IRONINTHEBLOOD, BarnardFoxtonBarker..

[lesgeo]

Reasonable for fans to think of coming back.

[lesgeo]

To be fair to the chairman, the injury crisis probably cannot be levelled at his door.
I do want to know why this keeps happening season after season. All things happen for a reason. Is it the same reason every season – or different ones?
Why us?
Is there a problem with the backroom staff?
Do we only sign players who have somehow proved that they are totally brittle?

We are in 18th place – I have to think we might have been a little higher still without so many hors de combat.
Again, to be fair to the chairman, first indications are that we have an improved squad on last year.
It does disappoint that we have not managed to get one loanee in this week, however.

[lesgeo]

Combine the two?

[lesgeo]

Would it perhaps help not use fans/customers at all but refer to those who venture to the SVS as punters?

[lesgeo]

I have a dream, Cass.
One day there will BE clean seats at the SVS.

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ironking

[lesgeo]

… if we meet any time – I’ll tell you.

[lesgeo]

Oh, WG. You know not what you say.
I know DH personally and many who have connections to him. I also knew his father.

[lesgeo]

UTI99 – just as a matter of interest – where do YOU think really bad mistakes have been made? (For simplicity’s sake, I think we can accept it if you trim the list to around ten.)

Why are the casual supporters now virtually extinct?

Why do you think that hardcore supporters have – completely out of the claret and blue – stopped coming?

Do you honestly, hand on heart, believe that Bru is unrepresentative of the main body of fans?

Your posts remind me of the proud mother at the march past of her son’s passing out parade in the army.
“Look at that – our Jimmy is the only one in step!”

Do remember that for six+ years, this writer gave the chairman complete benefit of the doubt.

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bartonscorpion, Sharp_Shooter24, ironking, Peter Promise, cassidystash, alcazar

[lesgeo]

Thanks BLT. Nice when your gut feeling is backed up by something more tangible.
So, folks. The big question:
WHY?

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ironking, BigLeftToe, alcazar

[lesgeo]

The competition was better without these ‘nursery sides’.
They add nothing whatsoever to the MM Cup.

[lesgeo]

The reffing is far better than this time last season when a ‘Paddington hard stare’ would almost always result in the award of a free kick.
Reffing improved towards the end of last season when whistle-happy officials seemed to be acting under different orders and it has continued on that path, IMHO.

It looks to me that we have a rather different recurring problem. As in seasons-a-many, the injury lists border on the unbelievable. With two first teamers damaged and a couple who usually sit on the subs’ bench – we’d be fairly okay. But …

I invite those with time on their hands and who have an inquisitive mindset to do some hunting around the division for stats to see how we compare to other sides.
Last year, I did some quarter-baked hunting around and asking the question. Not at all statistically acceptable but fans of bigger and better teams were regularly reporting far fewer crocks.
In fact, not one person asked could believe what I was telling them about our annual situation.

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ironking, inspector, alcazar

[lesgeo]

BS – if on the East side of Sheffield – Whitby’s Fish restaurant in Catcliffe – 1st exit off the Sheffield Parkway – is terrific eating in. Huge portions. Not quite so brilliant with takeaways.

Takeaways – Frymaster on Attercliffe Rd, S9 is regularly and rightly voted best in the city. Lunchtimes only. Small restaurant attached – GREAT prices. Much cheaper than Whitby’s eating in – parking not the best.
Trouble is if we wish to do a takeaway – it deteriorates a notch on the awkward drive back to ours.
So, if not eating in the car – buy from Richmond Fisheries on Richmond Rd, S13 and remember to ask for fish to be ‘crispy’.

BS – good to see you appreciate the truly important things!
(Now tell me you prefer Irish to Scotch and we are mates for life!)

[lesgeo]

I do rather wonder if new owners would be required to pay hire charges on the ground.
Not having seen the specifics of ‘this wonderful Coolsilk deal’ – I am not in any position to comment.

Anyone?

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SODIron

[lesgeo]

I actually want the ‘turnstiles to click’.
Ever fewer paying to get in is good news for nobody. It can only help the club add to its brand new debts.

Back in the day, apprentices who cleaned the boots of senior players would have also cleaned the stands.
Not the worst system in the world so that 16-18 year olds don’t get too cocky and do get a preparation for the real world.
I’m guessing that it’s no longer permitted today.

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alcazar

[lesgeo]

UTI99 – along with countless others, I tried my level best to give my support to the Chairman for as long as it was humanly possible.
My entire philosophy of life is to give people as much of a chance as I can do.
However, there comes a time when people throw their hands in the air and say ‘no more!’

I like good fish and chips. I am a fan. I shall always like them every week or so. (A bit like my beloved team, eh?)
Where I live there are a host of chippies which serve third grade rubbish. I continue to like fish ‘n’ chips but refuse to waste my money in those establishments.
When I find a good one – it has my loyal support.

You may not get it but impecunious supporters find it tough to fork out loadsa cash for a third rate product.
They vote with their feet, you see. Not rocket science, is it?

BUT. We must distinguish between the hard core of supporters and those on the periphery. That latter group are lost because of what has happened in recent seasons and they ain’t coming back unless huge incentives are provided: ie) real quality football. But do not expect them all to return even then. They feel cheated you see. As casual supporters, their loyalty cannot ever be taken for granted.

The problem is that now THE HARD CORE are also voting with their feet. A product they once loved has become third rate and fetid.
Would I use a restaurant that is grubby, often dirty, with fourth grade toilets, poor value and a product nowhere as good as it used to be? – Well. For the moment … yes. But …

I have already written on here that none of my supporter friends from over years and decades attend any longer. Not one!

So UTI – how’s it feel wearing extra large, extra strong blinkers, huh?

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iron64, Meldrew, vader, inspector, alcazar, BigLeftToe, bartonscorpion, cokeovenkid, Peter Promise, cassidystash, Ironawe, Square Ball Bullimore

[lesgeo]

Really well argued, WG.

[lesgeo]

The temptation not to play 4-4-2 is increased dramatically by having three CBS who are both experienced and amongst our most successful current players.
I feel that Neil wants them all included and adjusts formations to make that happen.
I wrote yesterday about not liking the ‘narrowness’ in a 4-3-3. Today, I’ll say that I prefer a 5-3-2 to the very similar 3-5-2.
In the latter, you need FBs with a great deal more experience as it is designed to advance the FBs much further up the pitch – but the former gives a greater control of the system and the play of the opposition.
Effectively, today was a 3-5-1-1 and it left gaping holes all over.
How about an out and out 4-4-2 with Davis in front of the CBs – close enough to be there to cover in the defence itself if required. He’d be better at it than Kenyon, IMHO.

[Author]

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