Ian Buxton's Bat

Both of them
They have averaged less than one goal per game this season, and we've conceded the fewest goals in the league (even less than Pompey)
Not to be complacent, as stranger things have happened, but as long as we stay focussed at the back we will be fine
 

Maybe it's worth betting on Bolton! Then, if we don't make it, it'd be quite a nice bit of compensation!

Tempted to put a fiver on Bolton at 14/1 and a few quid on Posh at 25/1 to at least create a decent sized sorrow-drowning beer fund.
I have faith in the team and management to get the job done but, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking that we've had fewer dire, game-changing reffing decisions than last season and unwarranted red cards and pens can still bite (Case study: Sir Curtis @ Sheff Wed).
If I were PW, I'd be making loads of noises in the press this week that officials have to be absolutely certain of things before dishing out reds and pens at this stage of the season. I'd be happy fo a no pens and no reds pact for the last two games.

We'll end up renewing come what may because it's a common interest in our family and, bluntly and selfishly, I think watching ugly football is better than gardening, shopping and DIY.
We're also fortunate enough to be able to make football part of a day out with meal and drinks which does mean that the footy doesn't 100% determine whether it's been a good day or not.
That said, if all games were night matches (and with the international breaks there are too many) I don't think we'd bother with PW in league 1 because that is more of a work-drive-football-drive-bed scenario with not a lot to dilute your boredom/disappointment when games or results are poor. 
We could cherry pick games (as I think a lot will do) but I can't be faffed with the faffing.
Basically we'll renew because we love the club.....and I'm lazy.

First promotion for 17 years. First automatic promotion for nearly 30 years. Let’s counter your argument and say you think that finishing 3rd, playing good football but failing where it really matters is an achievement?
The arrogant attitude that anything less than running away with the title with triple figure points is a failure is why big clubs like Sunderland, Ipswich, Notts Forest etc got stuck down here for longer.
Less than two years ago we had about 6 players, no academy, no manager and had to play pre-season in temporary shirts because we didn’t even have kits. We were also put under restrictions, which still haven’t run out yet. So yes, I think getting automatic promotion in this timeframe is an achievement. A very good one, actually.

In place of who though? To finish in the top 2 we’d have needed 22 more points at least, that’s a big, big swing for another manager to achieve. And it was with a squad assembled by somebody else. You’ve said before “I hate this team”, so clearly the players didn’t have what it took any way?
I’m not Warne’s number 1 fan, I’m not sold that he is the right long term option for us and I’d have been very happy to see him sacked after Stevenage away. But he’s gone on to make us dogged, resilient and efficient.
I can accept people may dislike his playing style or his personality, whatever, but I can’t see how anybody could argue that he’s not done an excellent job - providing we finish the job - given the circumstances.
He’s taken a side who was pieced together under restrictions by a different manager, straight out of administration, and built an ethos and an atmosphere that a lot have clearly bought into. I really don’t think it matters how big a side we are or how many fans we have, to be in this position 20 months after nearly ceasing to exist is a wonderful achievement.
Whether he finishes next season as our manager or not will remain to be seen, but he absolutely deserves the opportunity to take us into the Championship.

The football this season has rarely been pretty, I don’t think anyone can deny that and the thought of more of the same isn’t very appetising. However, how much of that is down to the manager’s preferred style and how much is down to a need to adapt and do whatever it takes to get out of this league? Probably a combination of both. On the latter point, a lot of games this seem to blur into each other (which maybe says it all) but I reckon a lot of our entertaining football has come against the better teams in the league (I can’t substantiate that theory before anyone asks, it’s just a gut feeling). So, on that basis, I think we’ll either get rolled over pretty much every week (or, if we’re lucky manage to cling on for a point or three every now and then) or, we’re able to make some decent recruitment in the summer and will be able to go toe to toe with the more talented teams you get in the Championship - matching them to an extent in terms quality of football. 
 
Obviously the former is what we all fear whilst the latter is what we all want. I for one (not that it’s up to me of course), am prepared to give PW the benefit of the doubt and accept that, to a degree, the quality of football we have seen this season has been down to the league we’ve been playing in. I totally get that some members on this forum really don’t rate him, don’t like his football, don’t think anything will change if we go up, and want him gone but, I’m hoping such individuals (not aimed at you by the way) give their Warne out campaign a bit of a rest next season for at least a dozen games.

If we go up I think PW will have absolutely earned a crack at the Championship.
I’ve enjoyed the season but have been critical of the style of play because I think we’ve got the squad to have got equally good or even better results in league 1 by playing more through the midfield and more on the deck.
But…..PW knows what he’s doing. Every game is a battle and we’re very rarely out of a game…..and, conversely, only very occasionally out of sight and cruising. I can only remember Stevenage away where we hadn’t got a sniff of something at the 85+ minute mark.
Against Cheltenham, the pragmatism is frustrating. Against Leeds, Notts Forest or Burnley next year, it may be just the right approach to grind enough points for mid table……and far, far less frustrating to watch.

 

If we go up I think PW will have absolutely earned a crack at the Championship.
I’ve enjoyed the season but have been critical of the style of play because I think we’ve got the squad to have got equally good or even better results in league 1 by playing more through the midfield and more on the deck.
But…..PW knows what he’s doing. Every game is a battle and we’re very rarely out of a game…..and, conversely, only very occasionally out of sight and cruising. I can only remember Stevenage away where we hadn’t got a sniff of something at the 85+ minute mark.
Against Cheltenham, the pragmatism is frustrating. Against Leeds, Notts Forest or Burnley next year, it may be just the right approach to grind enough points for mid table……and far, far less frustrating to watch.

 

If we go up I think PW will have absolutely earned a crack at the Championship.
I’ve enjoyed the season but have been critical of the style of play because I think we’ve got the squad to have got equally good or even better results in league 1 by playing more through the midfield and more on the deck.
But…..PW knows what he’s doing. Every game is a battle and we’re very rarely out of a game…..and, conversely, only very occasionally out of sight and cruising. I can only remember Stevenage away where we hadn’t got a sniff of something at the 85+ minute mark.
Against Cheltenham, the pragmatism is frustrating. Against Leeds, Notts Forest or Burnley next year, it may be just the right approach to grind enough points for mid table……and far, far less frustrating to watch.

 

If we go up I think PW will have absolutely earned a crack at the Championship.
I’ve enjoyed the season but have been critical of the style of play because I think we’ve got the squad to have got equally good or even better results in league 1 by playing more through the midfield and more on the deck.
But…..PW knows what he’s doing. Every game is a battle and we’re very rarely out of a game…..and, conversely, only very occasionally out of sight and cruising. I can only remember Stevenage away where we hadn’t got a sniff of something at the 85+ minute mark.
Against Cheltenham, the pragmatism is frustrating. Against Leeds, Notts Forest or Burnley next year, it may be just the right approach to grind enough points for mid table……and far, far less frustrating to watch.

 

If we go up and PW wants to play 2 in midfield then trying to sign him is a no brainer. 
imo he’s as good around the pitch as Shinniesta and better in the air.
If he’s going to play a 3 and, heaven forbid, try to control games more or play through midfield then it’s less clear cut……but that’s not going to happen.
if we go up I’d like an Ebou flying salute T-shirt…..for me that’s the image of the season so far.

ATG
1Wildsmith 6.5…..had almost nothing to do so impossible to get a great score
35Nelson 7……untroubled defensively. Troubled their defence at set pieces 
5Bradley 7.5……good goals and solid in defence 
6Cashin 7……hands full with their 17 at times. Did very well 
2Wilson 7…..so much more of a threat from wingback. I’d have stuck with a back 4 and I’d have been wrong!
12Smith 7……hardly touched the ball and quite a few over hit passes but managed to have a very good game….how does that work?
23Fornah 6….very little time
32Adams 8…..destroyed as per….plus carried the ball with great energy today
10Waghorn 6…. Very little time
17Sibley 8…..my MOTM…..really good going forward and defensively. Better as a wing back but has done admirably in a 4
16 Tommo 7…..wouldn’t have picked him and I’d have been wrong. Team really benefitted from his high pressing 
4Hourihane 6….no time….but world’s best sub. Always cajoling and encouraging as he warms up.
9Collins 6.5…..great work rate and some good hold up play. Got very little off the ref
14Washington 6….just on long enough to miss a couple of decent chances! To be fair he worked very hard to get in position to miss them
11Méndez-Laing 7…..much better than of late. Great pressing and work rate
7Barkhuisen 7……with another CF, he’d have had 2 fantastic assists in no time on the pitch. Just the man for counter attacking 
PW got a lot right today. completely dominated Orient who were pretty toothless.
Thought the ref and linesmen were inept. No game changing mistakes but so many errors on throw-ins and corners, free kicks to Orient for next to no contact and then let their defenders pretty much assault Collins on occasions.
Completely failed to deal with our time-wasting and then only added on 4 mins. 😉

ATG
1Wildsmith 6.5…..had almost nothing to do so impossible to get a great score
35Nelson 7……untroubled defensively. Troubled their defence at set pieces 
5Bradley 7.5……good goals and solid in defence 
6Cashin 7……hands full with their 17 at times. Did very well 
2Wilson 7…..so much more of a threat from wingback. I’d have stuck with a back 4 and I’d have been wrong!
12Smith 7……hardly touched the ball and quite a few over hit passes but managed to have a very good game….how does that work?
23Fornah 6….very little time
32Adams 8…..destroyed as per….plus carried the ball with great energy today
10Waghorn 6…. Very little time
17Sibley 8…..my MOTM…..really good going forward and defensively. Better as a wing back but has done admirably in a 4
16 Tommo 7…..wouldn’t have picked him and I’d have been wrong. Team really benefitted from his high pressing 
4Hourihane 6….no time….but world’s best sub. Always cajoling and encouraging as he warms up.
9Collins 6.5…..great work rate and some good hold up play. Got very little off the ref
14Washington 6….just on long enough to miss a couple of decent chances! To be fair he worked very hard to get in position to miss them
11Méndez-Laing 7…..much better than of late. Great pressing and work rate
7Barkhuisen 7……with another CF, he’d have had 2 fantastic assists in no time on the pitch. Just the man for counter attacking 
PW got a lot right today. completely dominated Orient who were pretty toothless.
Thought the ref and linesmen were inept. No game changing mistakes but so many errors on throw-ins and corners, free kicks to Orient for next to no contact and then let their defenders pretty much assault Collins on occasions.
Completely failed to deal with our time-wasting and then only added on 4 mins. 😉

ATG
1Wildsmith 6.5…..had almost nothing to do so impossible to get a great score
35Nelson 7……untroubled defensively. Troubled their defence at set pieces 
5Bradley 7.5……good goals and solid in defence 
6Cashin 7……hands full with their 17 at times. Did very well 
2Wilson 7…..so much more of a threat from wingback. I’d have stuck with a back 4 and I’d have been wrong!
12Smith 7……hardly touched the ball and quite a few over hit passes but managed to have a very good game….how does that work?
23Fornah 6….very little time
32Adams 8…..destroyed as per….plus carried the ball with great energy today
10Waghorn 6…. Very little time
17Sibley 8…..my MOTM…..really good going forward and defensively. Better as a wing back but has done admirably in a 4
16 Tommo 7…..wouldn’t have picked him and I’d have been wrong. Team really benefitted from his high pressing 
4Hourihane 6….no time….but world’s best sub. Always cajoling and encouraging as he warms up.
9Collins 6.5…..great work rate and some good hold up play. Got very little off the ref
14Washington 6….just on long enough to miss a couple of decent chances! To be fair he worked very hard to get in position to miss them
11Méndez-Laing 7…..much better than of late. Great pressing and work rate
7Barkhuisen 7……with another CF, he’d have had 2 fantastic assists in no time on the pitch. Just the man for counter attacking 
PW got a lot right today. completely dominated Orient who were pretty toothless.
Thought the ref and linesmen were inept. No game changing mistakes but so many errors on throw-ins and corners, free kicks to Orient for next to no contact and then let their defenders pretty much assault Collins on occasions.
Completely failed to deal with our time-wasting and then only added on 4 mins. 😉

ATG
1Wildsmith 6.5…..had almost nothing to do so impossible to get a great score
35Nelson 7……untroubled defensively. Troubled their defence at set pieces 
5Bradley 7.5……good goals and solid in defence 
6Cashin 7……hands full with their 17 at times. Did very well 
2Wilson 7…..so much more of a threat from wingback. I’d have stuck with a back 4 and I’d have been wrong!
12Smith 7……hardly touched the ball and quite a few over hit passes but managed to have a very good game….how does that work?
23Fornah 6….very little time
32Adams 8…..destroyed as per….plus carried the ball with great energy today
10Waghorn 6…. Very little time
17Sibley 8…..my MOTM…..really good going forward and defensively. Better as a wing back but has done admirably in a 4
16 Tommo 7…..wouldn’t have picked him and I’d have been wrong. Team really benefitted from his high pressing 
4Hourihane 6….no time….but world’s best sub. Always cajoling and encouraging as he warms up.
9Collins 6.5…..great work rate and some good hold up play. Got very little off the ref
14Washington 6….just on long enough to miss a couple of decent chances! To be fair he worked very hard to get in position to miss them
11Méndez-Laing 7…..much better than of late. Great pressing and work rate
7Barkhuisen 7……with another CF, he’d have had 2 fantastic assists in no time on the pitch. Just the man for counter attacking 
PW got a lot right today. completely dominated Orient who were pretty toothless.
Thought the ref and linesmen were inept. No game changing mistakes but so many errors on throw-ins and corners, free kicks to Orient for next to no contact and then let their defenders pretty much assault Collins on occasions.
Completely failed to deal with our time-wasting and then only added on 4 mins. 😉

ATG
1Wildsmith 6.5…..had almost nothing to do so impossible to get a great score
35Nelson 7……untroubled defensively. Troubled their defence at set pieces 
5Bradley 7.5……good goals and solid in defence 
6Cashin 7……hands full with their 17 at times. Did very well 
2Wilson 7…..so much more of a threat from wingback. I’d have stuck with a back 4 and I’d have been wrong!
12Smith 7……hardly touched the ball and quite a few over hit passes but managed to have a very good game….how does that work?
23Fornah 6….very little time
32Adams 8…..destroyed as per….plus carried the ball with great energy today
10Waghorn 6…. Very little time
17Sibley 8…..my MOTM…..really good going forward and defensively. Better as a wing back but has done admirably in a 4
16 Tommo 7…..wouldn’t have picked him and I’d have been wrong. Team really benefitted from his high pressing 
4Hourihane 6….no time….but world’s best sub. Always cajoling and encouraging as he warms up.
9Collins 6.5…..great work rate and some good hold up play. Got very little off the ref
14Washington 6….just on long enough to miss a couple of decent chances! To be fair he worked very hard to get in position to miss them
11Méndez-Laing 7…..much better than of late. Great pressing and work rate
7Barkhuisen 7……with another CF, he’d have had 2 fantastic assists in no time on the pitch. Just the man for counter attacking 
PW got a lot right today. completely dominated Orient who were pretty toothless.
Thought the ref and linesmen were inept. No game changing mistakes but so many errors on throw-ins and corners, free kicks to Orient for next to no contact and then let their defenders pretty much assault Collins on occasions.
Completely failed to deal with our time-wasting and then only added on 4 mins. 😉

We don't HAVE a CM in front of Smith and Adams

Or a right footed player, playing as an inverted winger who gets a sitter on his weaker foot?
Call me old fashioned but....next season, if we still have PW - with his get it wide and get crosses in philosophy - I'd like to see a left footed left winger and a right footed right winger a) for getting decent crosses in and b) for scoring back post sitters!

I think it boils down to two things....possibly three:
Whether you think the team is better than its sum parts.......that's what good managers achieve and many don't believe PW hasn't achieved that, despite us being in 2nd place.
Is the football good to watch?........I see a lot of snarking at those who are openly critical of the style of play but very few who openly think it's great.
But, I get your point. I'm not sure how it works..... but you can enjoy the season and the results without particularly enjoying the football itself. I'm sort of in that position and reasonably confident we'll hold on to 2nd place.
The other possibility is that we get very high quality football pumped into our living rooms for the rest of the week and unrealistically expect our squad to play error-free in the same manner. I find Man City quite boring to watch on occasions but the game against Real Madrid was a thriller. City made nearly 700 passes with over 90% completion and their outfield players only played 10 long balls. Last night we made 375 passes with less than 70% completion with 60 long balls by outfield players. 
Mrs Bat said to me this morning "I know we've got season tickets again and we may get promoted but I can't stand another season of this sh*t"
That's where a lot of people are I'm afraid.

I think it boils down to two things....possibly three:
Whether you think the team is better than its sum parts.......that's what good managers achieve and many don't believe PW hasn't achieved that, despite us being in 2nd place.
Is the football good to watch?........I see a lot of snarking at those who are openly critical of the style of play but very few who openly think it's great.
But, I get your point. I'm not sure how it works..... but you can enjoy the season and the results without particularly enjoying the football itself. I'm sort of in that position and reasonably confident we'll hold on to 2nd place.
The other possibility is that we get very high quality football pumped into our living rooms for the rest of the week and unrealistically expect our squad to play error-free in the same manner. I find Man City quite boring to watch on occasions but the game against Real Madrid was a thriller. City made nearly 700 passes with over 90% completion and their outfield players only played 10 long balls. Last night we made 375 passes with less than 70% completion with 60 long balls by outfield players. 
Mrs Bat said to me this morning "I know we've got season tickets again and we may get promoted but I can't stand another season of this sh*t"
That's where a lot of people are I'm afraid.

I think it boils down to two things....possibly three:
Whether you think the team is better than its sum parts.......that's what good managers achieve and many don't believe PW hasn't achieved that, despite us being in 2nd place.
Is the football good to watch?........I see a lot of snarking at those who are openly critical of the style of play but very few who openly think it's great.
But, I get your point. I'm not sure how it works..... but you can enjoy the season and the results without particularly enjoying the football itself. I'm sort of in that position and reasonably confident we'll hold on to 2nd place.
The other possibility is that we get very high quality football pumped into our living rooms for the rest of the week and unrealistically expect our squad to play error-free in the same manner. I find Man City quite boring to watch on occasions but the game against Real Madrid was a thriller. City made nearly 700 passes with over 90% completion and their outfield players only played 10 long balls. Last night we made 375 passes with less than 70% completion with 60 long balls by outfield players. 
Mrs Bat said to me this morning "I know we've got season tickets again and we may get promoted but I can't stand another season of this sh*t"
That's where a lot of people are I'm afraid.

RTV
1Wildsmith  7.........one great save, one strange header after a bad mistake and slip
2Wilson  5.5........not his best night going forward but clean sheet and always tries to make things happen
35Nelson  6.5.......clean sheet, played well
6Cashin  7.......clean sheet and tried to get us moving forward
17Sibley  6.5.......got pelters in the match thread but clean sheet and thought he did OK, especially first half
11Méndez-Laing  5.....bad miss, some poor end product but doesn't hide
12Smith  6.5......another game where he looks good but hardly has any touches (32 in 77 mins) which isn't going to control influence any game. Don't blame him because he showed what he can do with the pass for NML's golden chance......must be frustrating playing as a proper central midfielder for a manager who only really wants them to defend
16Thompson  6.......OK...not much time
32Adams  7.5......really strong performance. He IS a midfield destroyer
27Blackett-Taylor  3.5......bad miss and hid. (16 touches in 59 mins). Possibly time to leave him out of the squad and try again next season in either another league or with another manager. Quality player in there but this isn't working.
4Hourihane  6.......should've started with Smith and Adams imo. Gets on the ball and tries to make stuff happen (27 touches from 59 mins onwards). Showed defensive weakness but showed defensive savvy.....he was the recipient of JW's last second header. If he wasn't there we may have lost. But.......that free kick...... FFS
14Washington  5.5.......strange one. He was our main outlet and threat but just isn't quite good enough. When he's fresh he's a threat with clever runs but when he's tired he's a passenger. Watched the highlights and I think the pass to CBT was actually quite cute....I think the pass on the ground would have been cut off so the chip-through was clever
7Barkhuizen  5....not involved.....but would start him on Sat. 
9Collins  5......hardly involved but seemed to be playing almost as a 10 which is a thankless task in a team told to avoid using midfield, and a role he's frankly not very good at
10Waghorn. 5.....sadly, added nothing. See Hourihane for thoughts on that free kick!
Another game where my ratings sort of taper down from back to front. It would be good if RD or Rams TV could ask PW if he is deliberately not using centre midfield as an offensive option - it drives me mad because a) we have players in the squad capable of dominating games at this (low) level and b) it gives the opposition something to think about rather than knowing full well we are going long or wide

I think it boils down to two things....possibly three:
Whether you think the team is better than its sum parts.......that's what good managers achieve and many don't believe PW hasn't achieved that, despite us being in 2nd place.
Is the football good to watch?........I see a lot of snarking at those who are openly critical of the style of play but very few who openly think it's great.
But, I get your point. I'm not sure how it works..... but you can enjoy the season and the results without particularly enjoying the football itself. I'm sort of in that position and reasonably confident we'll hold on to 2nd place.
The other possibility is that we get very high quality football pumped into our living rooms for the rest of the week and unrealistically expect our squad to play error-free in the same manner. I find Man City quite boring to watch on occasions but the game against Real Madrid was a thriller. City made nearly 700 passes with over 90% completion and their outfield players only played 10 long balls. Last night we made 375 passes with less than 70% completion with 60 long balls by outfield players. 
Mrs Bat said to me this morning "I know we've got season tickets again and we may get promoted but I can't stand another season of this sh*t"
That's where a lot of people are I'm afraid.

I think it boils down to two things....possibly three:
Whether you think the team is better than its sum parts.......that's what good managers achieve and many don't believe PW hasn't achieved that, despite us being in 2nd place.
Is the football good to watch?........I see a lot of snarking at those who are openly critical of the style of play but very few who openly think it's great.
But, I get your point. I'm not sure how it works..... but you can enjoy the season and the results without particularly enjoying the football itself. I'm sort of in that position and reasonably confident we'll hold on to 2nd place.
The other possibility is that we get very high quality football pumped into our living rooms for the rest of the week and unrealistically expect our squad to play error-free in the same manner. I find Man City quite boring to watch on occasions but the game against Real Madrid was a thriller. City made nearly 700 passes with over 90% completion and their outfield players only played 10 long balls. Last night we made 375 passes with less than 70% completion with 60 long balls by outfield players. 
Mrs Bat said to me this morning "I know we've got season tickets again and we may get promoted but I can't stand another season of this sh*t"
That's where a lot of people are I'm afraid.