Peterborough V Darlington

[AndyPark]

I'm sorry but I disagree with that about Hazel.

He's offered absolutely nothing virtually all season, was carried by Beck last season too.

He spends most of his time either arguing with officials or offside.

Doesn't offer enough for me to continue being in this starting 11, I'd give Nelson a start ahead of him if Gowling is going to persist with 1 up top. If by some stretch, we go with 2. Maybe, just maybe Hazel & Nelson might work together.

[LoidLucan]

It wouldn't be at all surprising if the current bottom 3 are the bottom 3 come the end of the season, with a real scramble to avoid being the other relegated side. Eight league and cup games into the new man's tenure and we still look a long way off being able to put together a run of good results. Poor goals conceded and struggling to create goals ourselves is still the hallmark of our displays in the main. It doesn't bode well.

[MikeinBlack2]

Were fcuked well and trully! We need someone who can bully the players into a more solid team with some self belief. Maybe get rid of Gowling now and try and persued Will Hatfield to be player manager?

[DavidCurriesMullet]

I'm sorry but I disagree with that about Hazel.

He's offered absolutely nothing virtually all season, was carried by Beck last season too.

He spends most of his time either arguing with officials or offside.

Doesn't offer enough for me to continue being in this starting 11, I'd give Nelson a start ahead of him if Gowling is going to persist with 1 up top. If by some stretch, we go with 2. Maybe, just maybe Hazel & Nelson might work together.

He wasn't carried by Beck. If anything, carried by Lambert. Total lack of creativity and width this season. Nelson would do nothing as the lone front man either. He is not the player we had first time around, and is never going to be. Injuries have done for him unfortunately.

[loan_star]

Create chances and play him where he isnt expected to do all the donkey work, Hazel is a 15 - 20 goals a season player at this level.
Yeh lets get rid and see him start to bang the goals in for someone else while we still persist with 1 up front and cant hit a barn door.........

[CrazyDarlo]

I'm sorry but I disagree with that about Hazel.

He's offered absolutely nothing virtually all season, was carried by Beck last season too.

He spends most of his time either arguing with officials or offside.

Doesn't offer enough for me to continue being in this starting 11, I'd give Nelson a start ahead of him if Gowling is going to persist with 1 up top. If by some stretch, we go with 2. Maybe, just maybe Hazel & Nelson might work together.

Nelson would do nothing as the lone front man either. He is not the player we had first time around, and is never going to be. Injuries have done for him unfortunately.

There was a always a good chance of him not being the same player, there was plenty of evidence of that last season. Lord Alun gave him a 2 year contract. No other club would’ve done that. One of many poor pieces of business conducted in the summer that put us in this position.

[Quakerlad]

I'm sorry but I disagree with that about Hazel.

He's offered absolutely nothing virtually all season, was carried by Beck last season too.

He spends most of his time either arguing with officials or offside.

Doesn't offer enough for me to continue being in this starting 11, I'd give Nelson a start ahead of him if Gowling is going to persist with 1 up top. If by some stretch, we go with 2. Maybe, just maybe Hazel & Nelson might work together.

Good to disagree, all have differing opinions.

Mine is that Hazel as a 2nd striker alongside a big man who holds the ball up and brings others into play would do the business for us.
I think if we hadn’t seen Nelson previously then we would all be saying that he isn’t answer either to be honest.

Let’s remember that pre Beck he got 25+ goals consistently for a number of seasons. Ok, lower level but natural goal scorers which he is are really hard to find in my view.

[e4sby]

The summer business is looking worse and worse by the game...

Alun brought it:

Harvey Kelly - never a keeper at this level as long as i've got a hole in my...
Toby Lees - a massive disappointment, needs someone stronger next to him
Jordan Mustoe - looked ok in pre season then fell off a cliff
Jordan Windass - I hope we don't pay Oldham much, hamstrings made of cheese strings
Tom Platt - proven at this level, just needs to play in a position in front of a back 4
Cameron Salkeld - has shown flashes of the talent he possesses, just doesn't seem fit enough to play 2 games in 4 days
Mitchell Curry - not seen the lad play but on paper wasn't the striker we needed at the time

From the above list only Platt (when not played in front of a 3) has looked an improvement. Salkeld in patches, there isn't any leaders on that list which we seem to be crying out for!

On top of that he gave extended contracts to Moke, Griffiths and Liddle, only Griffiths has been a regular. Nelson given a 2 year contract looks to have been misguided as he still doesn't seem the player we all once knew he can be.

Fans are crying out for Jas Sukar to be in the side, he's not a patch on Burton and looks very limited at left back in the times he's played there. He certainly won't make the difference that is required.

Gowling has brought in 2/3 half decent players that have improved the sign, we are just crying out for a leader at the back and another leading the line - pretty hard to come by when the budget is spent and we are 3 months into the season!

I agree Gowling has made mistakes in his short tenure, I just don't see another manager getting a much improved performance out of the players we have at our disposal - they are the ones that have to cut out the individual errors that a costing us goals nearly every game!

[Spyman]

The summer business is looking worse and worse by the game...

Alun brought it:

Harvey Kelly - never a keeper at this level as long as i've got a hole in my...
Toby Lees - a massive disappointment, needs someone stronger next to him
Jordan Mustoe - looked ok in pre season then fell off a cliff
Jordan Windass - I hope we don't pay Oldham much, hamstrings made of cheese strings
Tom Platt - proven at this level, just needs to play in a position in front of a back 4
Cameron Salkeld - has shown flashes of the talent he possesses, just doesn't seem fit enough to play 2 games in 4 days
Mitchell Curry - not seen the lad play but on paper wasn't the striker we needed at the time

From the above list only Platt (when not played in front of a 3) has looked an improvement. Salkeld in patches, there isn't any leaders on that list which we seem to be crying out for!

On top of that he gave extended contracts to Moke, Griffiths and Liddle, only Griffiths has been a regular. Nelson given a 2 year contract looks to have been misguided as he still doesn't seem the player we all once knew he can be.

Fans are crying out for Jas Sukar to be in the side, he's not a patch on Burton and looks very limited at left back in the times he's played there. He certainly won't make the difference that is required.

Gowling has brought in 2/3 half decent players that have improved the sign, we are just crying out for a leader at the back and another leading the line - pretty hard to come by when the budget is spent and we are 3 months into the season!

I agree Gowling has made mistakes in his short tenure, I just don't see another manager getting a much improved performance out of the players we have at our disposal - they are the ones that have to cut out the individual errors that a costing us goals nearly every game!

The bit I've highlighted in bold is particularly concerning considering one of the players on that list was made captain!

[MikeinBlack2]

Will Hatfield shoulkd be the Captain

[Lallacab]

The summer business is looking worse and worse by the game...

Alun brought it:

Harvey Kelly - never a keeper at this level as long as i've got a hole in my...
Toby Lees - a massive disappointment, needs someone stronger next to him
Jordan Mustoe - looked ok in pre season then fell off a cliff
Jordan Windass - I hope we don't pay Oldham much, hamstrings made of cheese strings
Tom Platt - proven at this level, just needs to play in a position in front of a back 4
Cameron Salkeld - has shown flashes of the talent he possesses, just doesn't seem fit enough to play 2 games in 4 days
Mitchell Curry - not seen the lad play but on paper wasn't the striker we needed at the time

From the above list only Platt (when not played in front of a 3) has looked an improvement. Salkeld in patches, there isn't any leaders on that list which we seem to be crying out for!

On top of that he gave extended contracts to Moke, Griffiths and Liddle, only Griffiths has been a regular. Nelson given a 2 year contract looks to have been misguided as he still doesn't seem the player we all once knew he can be.

Fans are crying out for Jas Sukar to be in the side, he's not a patch on Burton and looks very limited at left back in the times he's played there. He certainly won't make the difference that is required.

Gowling has brought in 2/3 half decent players that have improved the sign, we are just crying out for a leader at the back and another leading the line - pretty hard to come by when the budget is spent and we are 3 months into the season!

I agree Gowling has made mistakes in his short tenure, I just don't see another manager getting a much improved performance out of the players we have at our disposal - they are the ones that have to cut out the individual errors that a costing us goals nearly every game!

The bit I've highlighted in bold is particularly concerning considering one of the players on that list was made captain!

You need more than one or two leaders in a side though! We certainly do not have enough

[Darlofan97]

People need to start talking about the obvious....which is:

1) The decision to sell Kaine Felix

2) Opting against extending Finlay Barnes' loan

3) The decision to replace neither.

Gowling has now finally seen the light & ditched 3/5 at the back, the problem being we now have a squad stacked with full/wing-backs, when priority should have been ensuring Felix & Barnes stayed, or, replacing them like for like.

Rivers is the only winger in the squad. Salkeld can play right-wing, but he is our make-shift centre-forward!

This is why I cannot be too critical of Hazel for last night's performance; he is playing right-wing!

[e4sby]

The summer business is looking worse and worse by the game...

Alun brought it:

Harvey Kelly - never a keeper at this level as long as i've got a hole in my...
Toby Lees - a massive disappointment, needs someone stronger next to him
Jordan Mustoe - looked ok in pre season then fell off a cliff
Jordan Windass - I hope we don't pay Oldham much, hamstrings made of cheese strings
Tom Platt - proven at this level, just needs to play in a position in front of a back 4
Cameron Salkeld - has shown flashes of the talent he possesses, just doesn't seem fit enough to play 2 games in 4 days
Mitchell Curry - not seen the lad play but on paper wasn't the striker we needed at the time

From the above list only Platt (when not played in front of a 3) has looked an improvement. Salkeld in patches, there isn't any leaders on that list which we seem to be crying out for!

On top of that he gave extended contracts to Moke, Griffiths and Liddle, only Griffiths has been a regular. Nelson given a 2 year contract looks to have been misguided as he still doesn't seem the player we all once knew he can be.

Fans are crying out for Jas Sukar to be in the side, he's not a patch on Burton and looks very limited at left back in the times he's played there. He certainly won't make the difference that is required.

Gowling has brought in 2/3 half decent players that have improved the sign, we are just crying out for a leader at the back and another leading the line - pretty hard to come by when the budget is spent and we are 3 months into the season!

I agree Gowling has made mistakes in his short tenure, I just don't see another manager getting a much improved performance out of the players we have at our disposal - they are the ones that have to cut out the individual errors that a costing us goals nearly every game!

The bit I've highlighted in bold is particularly concerning considering one of the players on that list was made captain!

I should’ve made myself a little clearer, I didn’t mean to include Platt as a player who wasn’t a leader. Platt and Hatfield are the only ones I’d put in the leader category, maybes Griff and Burton


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[e4sby]

People need to start talking about the obvious....which is:

1) The decision to sell Kaine Felix

2) Opting against extending Finlay Barnes' loan

3) The decision to replace neither.

Gowling has now finally seen the light & ditched 3/5 at the back, the problem being we now have a squad stacked with full/wing-backs, when priority should have been ensuring Felix & Barnes stayed, or, replacing them like for like.

Rivers is the only winger in the squad. Salkeld can play right-wing, but he is our make-shift centre-forward!

This is why I cannot be too critical of Hazel for last night's performance; he is playing right-wing!

1) I’ve heard Felix wanted to be away in the summer, only to be convinced to sign for another year. Obviously the travelling and playing in a poor side had taken its toll and wasn’t willing to commit to training twice a week

2) Is Finlay Barnes that good? Without looking I doubt he’s smashing it at York and barring 1/2 flashes I’m not sure he’s a player you need when the chips are down

3) Gowling has come in with his ideas on how to get the best results with the current squad, adding some younger players/pace which some haven’t worked out.

If we had kept Felix and Barnes would we be in a better position? Probably not.

I honestly don’t think formation would make that much difference currently. Confidence is extremely fragile and when this side goes a goal behind that’s it for them.

I do think if we had scored first we’d have won last night. We controlled the first 30 minutes without creating loads but looked better than we have done.


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[LoidLucan]

Jack Lambert is even further down the pecking order at Kidderminster with their latest loan signings and he would be ideal for a bit of creativity (and goals) in attack. But I suppose they'd want a contribution on the wages front if he was loaned out unlike the Academy kids we've brought in.

[Darlofan97]

People need to start talking about the obvious....which is:

1) The decision to sell Kaine Felix

2) Opting against extending Finlay Barnes' loan

3) The decision to replace neither.

Gowling has now finally seen the light & ditched 3/5 at the back, the problem being we now have a squad stacked with full/wing-backs, when priority should have been ensuring Felix & Barnes stayed, or, replacing them like for like.

Rivers is the only winger in the squad. Salkeld can play right-wing, but he is our make-shift centre-forward!

This is why I cannot be too critical of Hazel for last night's performance; he is playing right-wing!

1) I’ve heard Felix wanted to be away in the summer, only to be convinced to sign for another year. Obviously the travelling and playing in a poor side had taken its toll and wasn’t willing to commit to training twice a week

2) Is Finlay Barnes that good? Without looking I doubt he’s smashing it at York and barring 1/2 flashes I’m not sure he’s a player you need when the chips are down

3) Gowling has come in with his ideas on how to get the best results with the current squad, adding some younger players/pace which some haven’t worked out.

If we had kept Felix and Barnes would we be in a better position? Probably not.

I honestly don’t think formation would make that much difference currently. Confidence is extremely fragile and when this side goes a goal behind that’s it for them.

I do think if we had scored first we’d have won last night. We controlled the first 30 minutes without creating loads but looked better than we have done.


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Felix was happy to stay, but Gowling wanted him to train twice a week, which was against what was agreed in the summer. I understand Gowling wanting "all hands on deck", but someone of Felix's calibre (15 G/A in 22/23 + 3 pens won ) is worth making a concession for, especially given our deficiencies in front of goal.

Barnes is at Scarborough & is doing well by all accounts.

Btw, Gowling has added no wingers in to the side which is a huge issue now we appear to be playing a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1. You say he has added pace, but not out wide.

Gowling has made a series of poor decisions that has ultimately culminated in him coming under huge pressure:

1) Signing Robson & Hannah who have cost us about 5/6 goals between them + dropping Taylor for Robson.

2) Allowing Felix & Barnes to leave & not replacing them

3) Adopting a poor formation (3/5 at the back) that has cost us goals (e.g. Spenny second goal, Kings Lynn first goal etc).

[theoriginalfatcat]

Personally I don’t think Felix is a huge miss. His name didn’t stand out on a team sheet in the way that Stephen Thompson’s did or other “star” players from previous teams.

I think he would have stayed if we were pushing for promotion but seeing as we’re most definitely not - he took his chance to avoid the aggro and split.

[onewayup]

Create chances and play him where he isnt expected to do all the donkey work, Hazel is a 15 - 20 goals a season player at this level.
Yeh lets get rid and see him start to bang the goals in for someone else while we still persist with 1 up front and cant hit a barn door.........

Totally agree with this he Hazel will always score goals if he's got a running mate. He is expected to be a lone striker ,NEWS FLASH , Hazel is not a lone striker definitely a 15/20 goal a season playing the right system .

[Darlofan97]

Personally I don’t think Felix is a huge miss. His name didn’t stand out on a team sheet in the way that Stephen Thompson’s did or other “star” players from previous teams.

I think he would have stayed if we were pushing for promotion but seeing as we’re most definitely not - he took his chance to avoid the aggro and split.

Or Gowling came in & changed his training schedule from what was already agreed?

He has signed for Peterborough Sports, who will also be down there come May. He’s hardly jumped ship to a much, much better side.

The truth is we are going to miss Felix’s goals & assists, whether you rate him or not.

Letting him go was poor, not replacing him is even worse.

[theoriginalfatcat]

I see the points you’ve made 97 but he, like most of the other Darlo players haven’t made much impact this year.

[Spyman]

If Gowling's intention (rightly or wrongly) was to play with wing-backs, you can understand him not being in a rush to use what budget he had to bring in wingers.

We've moved to a back 4 in the last week. Perhaps if he's planning on sticking with this formation he's now looking at how he can strengthen the wide areas? He's not playing football manager - these things might take a bit longer than 3 days.

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[AndyPark]

Why the hype round Barnes? He didn’t offer much whilst he was here.

I didn’t rate him that much..

[Darlofan97]

He is a lot better than what we currently have.

Regardless, him & Felix should have been replaced with a pair of wingers.

[CrazyDarlo]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

[Darlofan97]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

[Spyman]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

What were his stats from January onwards, out of interest? That should be a reasonable sample size.

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[Darlofan97]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

What were his stats from January onwards, out of interest? That should be a reasonable sample size.

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Dropped off with a couple of goals, but his assists & creativity stayed the same.

[CrazyDarlo]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

Fair enough didn’t realise he’d played that little minutes. January onwards then.

[Spyman]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

What were his stats from January onwards, out of interest? That should be a reasonable sample size.

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Dropped off with a couple of goals, but his assists & creativity stayed the same.

How many assists and chances created?

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[Darlofan97]

How many goals and assists does Felix have for this Darlo side, this season? His numbers for a dramatically better Darlo team isn’t relevant.

He only played 360 minutes this season.

Why are you wanting to base your opinion on a really small data-sample size, completely disregarding both the eye-test & the data over a much more prolonged period?

What were his stats from January onwards, out of interest? That should be a reasonable sample size.

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Dropped off with a couple of goals, but his assists & creativity stayed the same.

How many assists and chances created?

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4 assists pre-January & 4 assists post-January.

His xG per match also increased post-January, from 0.16 to 0.22.

It was 13 G/A he got in 22/23, not 15 as I stated earlier.

Like I said, a huge mistake letting him go.

If I get time, I'll go through his Expected Assists which looks at chances created per 90, pre & post Jan.