Old Spalding Ram

Something we seem utterly incapable of at the moment.
Hindsight's a wonderful thing, but even before the kick-off last night, both my son and I were staggered at the lineup, given the attacking talent we had on the bench. This, for a home fixture against a team at the wrong end of the table with a dreadful winless streak. 
Neither of us is given to irrational knee-jerk reactions, being intelligent and level-headed men, but both of us have concluded that a change has to take place.  We know it won't be this season, so we'll suck it up and support the players, but we need to have a change at the helm in the Summer - whatever division we are in (League 1, most likely).  As others have said, attendance will continue to slide and this will impact revenues, given the turgid, lackluster and unexciting fayre being served.  Something is clearly not working, given the talent on paper at PW's disposal.  This group of players simply can't be so bereft of ideas; it must be down to how they are being coached to play the games. This league is a dire standard and whilst yes, we are still 2nd, I don't think that's because of our superiority, but rather the failings of others.
For the first time in my 60+ years of following this great club, I have never felt this despondent.  We will only get so many 'get out of jail' cards dealt and we must be near the end of them now.  We shouldn't have to rely on luck, but that's the only hope left right now for me.  If we do manage to limp out of this League, we'll face an even bigger challenge without some material change! 

The ball control and passing are woeful at times. Do they just do set pieces in training?
And throw ins? Lost count of the times we threw to an unopposed Charlton player. Ludicrous.
I’m telling you, Sonny Bradley messes that team up. Take him out, let Cashin and Nelson do what they did so well. Play two proper full backs and have six players ahead of them who can create goals. It’s not rocket science.

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Here’s an insightful tactical appraisal of the first 45 minutes pinched from the Charlton forum! 👍😁

“Their brand of shyte is marginally more creative than our brand of shyte. Utter shyte nonetheless. This league is just, well, utter shyte.”

Hopefully.🐏👍
                                  Wildsmith
                  Nyambe Nelson Bradley Cashin
                                Smith Adams
                     Wilson.      Bird.         NML
                                      Gayle

Hopefully.🐏👍
                                  Wildsmith
                  Nyambe Nelson Bradley Cashin
                                Smith Adams
                     Wilson.      Bird.         NML
                                      Gayle

So can I be bothered to fight my way through rush hour traffic, struggle to find a parking space followed by a long walk to the stadium. And then spend another £30 or so pre-match to watch the team trying to play while wearing their Paul Warne-designed straight jackets and throw away another chance to advance our promotion chances and then trudge back to the car disappointed, frustrated and angry?
Damned right I can. On my way right now!
COME ON YOU RAMS!!!!
PS my Amazon order of full stops and commas arrives in the morning!

Need to dust ourselves down and get back to winning ways tomorrow night, 2 massive home games, which I believe with our supporters roaring us on, we have a great chance to win both games, hope to set up in a 4-3-3 formation, and play with two wingers NML and Barks or CBT, and up front Gayle, with Waghorn coming on after 75 mins, going for a Derby 2-0 win Once A Ram Always A Ram. 

Wildsmith
                       Nyambe   Nelson   Cashin   Elder
                                    Adams.    Hourihane 
             Mendez-Laing          Bird.          Blackett-Taylor
                                              Gayle
 

Whatever one thinks of his commentary, I think Ed’s return is a great example and encouragement for others who suffer from similar problems and can’t believe they’ll ever get better, let alone return to work.

"Pick that one out of the net, Mark Crossley!"

I've been an advocate for Bradley all season in that I've stated that I didn't believe his early performances really showed us what we signed and his recent form has to some extent vindicated that opinion. That said, Nyambe has to start games IMO. From a defensive perspective, I'd still go with him, Nelson, Cash and Fozzy* and rotate in Sonny as needed, or start him if we really have to play a 3. Given how much better we can look at times when playing a 4-3-3, fans' frustration that it does not happen more often is understandable.
We're not going to creep over the line with damage limitation tactics and whilst I agree some of our players need to be more brave, perhaps Warne himself does too. I do think the eulogising of Barnsley is a bit daft though. Folk saying categorically that we can't beat them over two legs, if indeed if even comes to that, I find unfathomable. Have folk not learned, even after nearly two season in this division, that anyone can beat anyone and on what basis have they suddenly become world beaters? If we're as poor as some choose to make out then a scrappy 2-1 win at home should hardly set pulses racing.
*fitness notwithstanding

Wildsmith
                       Nyambe   Nelson   Cashin   Elder
                                    Adams.    Hourihane 
             Mendez-Laing          Bird.          Blackett-Taylor
                                              Gayle