Chorley

[darlo_baron]

Slept on that, as little as I got. I’ve never felt so despondent.

And I suppose therein lies the problem. How many of the players can you actually say care? Quitting like that is stuff you expect to see from poor under 14 sides. They are decently paid footballers, many without another job. Any sign of adversity and they fold.

Supporters of the club pour money into it every year and the return is non existent. You can accept defeat but not in that manner and it’s been the identify of this team since the start of the season. I’d never pull my BTB contribution but I increased it for this season and I’m left wondering why I bother.

An 8-0 defeat is not forgotten. It’s an absolute disgrace. I’m sure we will win games coming up but any respect there was for this team died last night. There needs to be an understanding that everything they earn is a direct result of fan contributions and there’s a responsibility that comes with that. Mainly actually trying.

I agree with all of that -although I’m not sure about many players don’t have another job? Really?

I’d be surprised if the likes of Liddle, Curry, Salkeld and a few others (aware two of these lads are not playing) had a huge secondary income if anything. Happy to be proven wrong. It’s not like the first Conference North season where half of them were working a trade a few hours before an evening kick off or going to a nightshift after (Thompson).

[50 years]

I did not think we would get anything from the game last night, but 8-0 was not in my thinking. Having watched the goals, (made one of my better late decisions not to go to the game but listen on the radio), that was school boy stuff. Players watching the ball not runners, not organised and half hearted, chasing a game even late on that was lost instead of shutting up shop and trying to sneak a goal to salvage some pride. All 11 players look defeated walking back to position after each goal.

While the players deserve all the condemnation for there attitude and lack of fight and belief, JG must take a fair bit of the blame, 1-0 down with a player sent off. He knows confidence is low and we conceded easy, he could have organised quickly into a strong 4 4 1, bring Platt on, maybe even put him in at centre half and Burton in front of the back 4, (as he looks like he has a "footballing brain", can break play up and read passes and mobile), also Moke on for his experience for one of his midfield new boys. Would expect that there are few managers who would not have made some quick decisions in our position?

I wonder if Burton will want to extend his loan? Can't be good for his confidence being in a team with no belief.

Couple of other things JG said the other week that Lawler can't play 2 games a week because of his back but put him in, also he keeps mentioning that the team look tired for the Tuesday games, but the other teams we play also play Saturday and seem full of life, what are we doing different?

We may escape the drop, but on current evidence it will be by the skin of our teeth and other teams having a worse season.

[QUAKERMAN2]

Yes the players capitulated and have to take the blame for this defeat, but which manager in their right mind keeps 3 attacking players on the field when we're 3 down, then 4 down, then 5 down. We're going to lose the game at that stage, so shut up shop as best you can and limit the damage.

I'm not calling for Gowling to go or stay, but a 5 year old could have managed that team better tonight.

This is part of the problem making it very hard to accept JG, he gets so many basics very wrong and has done throughout his tenure.

Every manager that I can remember sacrifices an attacker and tightens up when down to 10, more so when it’s early on. Not him. Surely Platt should have been straight on, he was fresh for gods sake not having played Sat. Ridiculous to keep him on bench all game.

Rowe was getting slaughtered all game down left yet he had Griffiths on bench.

Apart from Burton which was almost a no brainer, I haven’t seen one of his signings past or present that are of the standard we need to improve us, not one. Jury out on the new striker obviously.

Absolutely agree regarding his signings, Burton apart they have been woeful and certainly are worse than the players left out.Last night Ngundu,Lindley and Rowe were far too lightweight, yet no place in the team for Platt,Griffiths,Sukar and even Mustoe.Just don't get his thinking one little bit.
Looks like we are a laughing stock judging by comments from fans of other clubs....thanks a million Josh....please do the honourable thing and offer your resignation hopefully today.

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[StevieMardenboro]

In my son's footie team in Yorkshire the county cup is played in two year age bands . . So under 13s might get drawn against under 14s. These goals remind me of those matches . . you don't even get the sense that Chorley are playing well. We are just nowhere.

[real_darlo_85]

My concern is the manner of defeat. As others have mentioned it seems JG made more baffling tactical decisions last night. Not changing things to even try and shut up shop, instead shipping 8 goals severely impacting goal difference and probably undoing any of the positives from the wins recently. Even with those recent wins it just feels like papering over the cracks, for me it's a case of 1 step forward and more than 2 back every time. He'll have done a hell of a job if he keeps us up but nothing at the moment fills me with confidence that JG is the manager to do this especially after last night's disaster.

[theoriginalfatcat]

To those who went last night I would ask did T.T. have a good game?

From looking at the goals I would suggest that numbers 2, 5 and 6 are saveable.

[Comfortably_numb]

Such a contrast from last Saturday's game where the players did everything you'd hope for.

I wonder if Gowling's main (only?) ethos / style of play is too quirky for a struggling team?

Last night an extreme situation, but at 1-0 down with a man off, you change your principles and line up with 4-5-0. Keep yourself in the game as long as pos and with a little luck ride out a 0-1 defeat or if very lucky nick a goal to gain a point.

If Gowling wants to be an entertaining manager fine - but needs to wait until we're mid table and safe first.

[eddie-rowles]

I was angry last night and now resigned to the fact unless manager resigns we are relegated. JG signings Hannah, Robson,Windfield,Rowe,Lindley, Ngandu, Simms have been poor and not improved the squad. Watching Rowe and Lindley jumping out of tackles and Simms running like a puppy dog chasing a balloon what does Sukar,Mustoe Griffiths think I'm dropped for these players who have no interest what happens to Darlo. Dressing room has gone, players are going/gone in less than two months Gowling and Rose have ripped the heart out of this club that has taken years to rebuild.

[QUAKERMAN2]

I was angry last night and now resigned to the fact unless manager resigns we are relegated. JG signings Hannah, Robson,Windfield,Rowe,Lindley, Ngandu, Simms have been poor and not improved the squad. Watching Rowe and Lindley jumping out of tackles and Simms running like a puppy dog chasing a balloon what does Sukar,Mustoe Griffiths think I'm dropped for these players who have no interest what happens to Darlo. Dressing room has gone, players are going/gone in less than two months Gowling and Rose have ripped the heart out of this club that has taken years to rebuild.

Spot on.

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[Feethams 1965]

I think that is possibly the biggest defeat in my time of watching Darlington going back to the 1960s. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong tonight. All I would say is, let’s try to refrain from knee jerk reactions, and everyone needs to keep calm.

Yes I think you're right. I can remember Mansfield putting seven past us at Feethams in the early seventies and our young goalkeeper going off in tears at the end but eight, I mean eight?... It's going to take more than a cabinet reshuffle to sort this out.

[Old Git]

I think that is possibly the biggest defeat in my time of watching Darlington going back to the 1960s. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong tonight. All I would say is, let’s try to refrain from knee jerk reactions, and everyone needs to keep calm.

Yes I think you're right. I can remember Mansfield putting seven past us at Feethams in the early seventies and our young goalkeeper going off in tears at the end but eight, I mean eight?... It's going to take more than a cabinet reshuffle to sort this out.

From memory I think it was Southport not Mansfield.

[don'tbuythesun]

After that worldie is it worth trying Moke up front?

[aveda]

There was seven against us at York mid 80s too

[CrazyDarlo]

Based on how the first 5 minutes played out, I’m very confident that Chorley would’ve won this game easily 11 v 11. JG points out that the players looked tired after Saturday and he’s definitely right but why is that the case? Chorley are part time, they played Saturday, what’s the difference?

I just can’t believe that at no point did any professional pride kick in when the scoreline just got more and more embarrassing. Far too much focus and blame is being placed on the management and not on the players who allowed it to happen. With Nelson’s red card, Lawlor and Rivers going off injured, there wasn’t much room for JG to change anything.

What I would say is that sacking the manager after one really bad game definitely does not feel like a sensible move.The last three games prior to yesterday have seen real improvement, even in the Peterborough game there were some signs of life in the performance. I do believe that all of the permanent signings Gowling has brought in (prior to yesterday) look like decent additions.

Regardless of management, a hell of a lot is probably going to depend on getting Asante fit and close to his best. If we do that I can’t really see us going down but it’s a big if.

[MB86DFC]

Based on how the first 5 minutes played out, I’m very confident that Chorley would’ve won this game easily 11 v 11. JG points out that the players looked tired after Saturday and he’s definitely right but why is that the case? Chorley are part time, they played Saturday, what’s the difference?

I just can’t believe that at no point did any professional pride kick in when the scoreline just got more and more embarrassing. Far too much focus and blame is being placed on the management and not on the players who allowed it to happen. With Nelson’s red card, Lawlor and Rivers going off injured, there wasn’t much room for JG to change anything.

What I would say is that sacking the manager after one really bad game definitely does not feel like a sensible move.The last three games prior to yesterday have seen real improvement, even in the Peterborough game there were some signs of life in the performance. I do believe that all of the permanent signings Gowling has brought in (prior to yesterday) look like decent additions.

Regardless of management, a hell of a lot is probably going to depend on getting Asante fit and close to his best. If we do that I can’t really see us going down but it’s a big if.

One really bad game?

Spennymoor?
Tamworth?
Kings Lynn?
Blyth?

Were these good games?

All the signings look good? I’d say none of the permanent signings look good so far. And the less said about most of the loanees the better

[CrazyDarlo]

Based on how the first 5 minutes played out, I’m very confident that Chorley would’ve won this game easily 11 v 11. JG points out that the players looked tired after Saturday and he’s definitely right but why is that the case? Chorley are part time, they played Saturday, what’s the difference?

I just can’t believe that at no point did any professional pride kick in when the scoreline just got more and more embarrassing. Far too much focus and blame is being placed on the management and not on the players who allowed it to happen. With Nelson’s red card, Lawlor and Rivers going off injured, there wasn’t much room for JG to change anything.

What I would say is that sacking the manager after one really bad game definitely does not feel like a sensible move.The last three games prior to yesterday have seen real improvement, even in the Peterborough game there were some signs of life in the performance. I do believe that all of the permanent signings Gowling has brought in (prior to yesterday) look like decent additions.

Regardless of management, a hell of a lot is probably going to depend on getting Asante fit and close to his best. If we do that I can’t really see us going down but it’s a big if.

One really bad game?

Spennymoor?
Tamworth?
Kings Lynn?
Blyth?

Were these good games?

All the signings look good? I’d say none of the permanent signings look good so far. And the less said about most of the loanees the better

I was speaking about the most recent performances which I would say there were clear signs of improvement.

[MB86DFC]

Based on how the first 5 minutes played out, I’m very confident that Chorley would’ve won this game easily 11 v 11. JG points out that the players looked tired after Saturday and he’s definitely right but why is that the case? Chorley are part time, they played Saturday, what’s the difference?

I just can’t believe that at no point did any professional pride kick in when the scoreline just got more and more embarrassing. Far too much focus and blame is being placed on the management and not on the players who allowed it to happen. With Nelson’s red card, Lawlor and Rivers going off injured, there wasn’t much room for JG to change anything.

What I would say is that sacking the manager after one really bad game definitely does not feel like a sensible move.The last three games prior to yesterday have seen real improvement, even in the Peterborough game there were some signs of life in the performance. I do believe that all of the permanent signings Gowling has brought in (prior to yesterday) look like decent additions.

Regardless of management, a hell of a lot is probably going to depend on getting Asante fit and close to his best. If we do that I can’t really see us going down but it’s a big if.

One really bad game?

Spennymoor?
Tamworth?
Kings Lynn?
Blyth?

Were these good games?

All the signings look good? I’d say none of the permanent signings look good so far. And the less said about most of the loanees the better

I was speaking about the most recent performances which I would say there were clear signs of improvement.

Peterborough away was dog s***
2nd half against Chester was not great
Last night was abysmal

We have had moments in previous games where we looked ok, such as Alfreton away and at home to Brackley and South Shields.

Nothing has improved

[theoriginalfatcat]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

[MB86DFC]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

[theoriginalfatcat]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

The defending is poor granted, however some of the goalkeeping shouldn't be above criticism.

[Darlofan97]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

Correct.

Tommy should have saved the fourth, mind.

There was nothing much he could really do about the others. Chorley were clinical.

[theoriginalfatcat]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

Correct.

Tommy should have saved the fourth, mind.

There was nothing much he could really do about the others. Chorley were clinical.

What's your opinion on goal 6, 97 ?

It's subjective I know, but to me he could have done better.

[Quakers2009]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

I agree.

[Darlofan97]

I've been looking at these goals again on the highlights and something caught my eye.

In goals 5 and 6 T.T. just seems to idly swing a defeated leg out, why doesn't he at least attempt to get down on the ball? To me it's not a good look

For years (but not lately) I’ve seen goalie warm ups where the goal keeper has frequent low balls hit to him - left side, right side, left side, right side over and over again. This is surely practice for getting down quickly then getting back up again and is done at a high tempo, so why is T.T. not getting quickly down in a normal manner, or at the minimum - swinging out a leg in gusto?

You mean the two that are rifled into the net from near enough point blank range with no defenders to be seen? Yeah I expect he should have saved both of those …

Correct.

Tommy should have saved the fourth, mind.

There was nothing much he could really do about the others. Chorley were clinical.

What's your opinion on goal 6, 97 ?

It's subjective I know, but to me he could have done better.

It would have taken a freak save to save it considering the speed & direction of the shot, and the fact Whitehouse is pretty central & could have slotted in either side.

If you look at where the ball ends up in the net, it’s very close to the right angle of the netting at the back of the goal.

[Darlofan97]

A few things have hurt from me last night:

1) It appeared a number of players went straight down the tunnel straight after the full-time whistle, and didn't acknowledge the away fans at the end. That is poor, and shows a lack of character.

2) The lack of apology from any player since full-time.

3) The lack of taking responsibility from Josh Gowling. He has apologised, yes, but he has not taken responsibility for last night. He's listed the red card, "being tired" (Chorley played on Saturday), the injuries, the freak goal, but stopped short of taking overall accountability for the loss.

Some of the individual performances were very poor, yes, but I absolutely cannot believe that a 3-0 down, away from home, down to 10 men, we have set-up - tactically - the way which we did in the second half. Pressing like mad. Unreal stuff.

Rewatch the fourth goal. I count 5 Darlington players pressing in Chorley's half, leaving just 4 outfield players in our own half.

Gowling wants to lament being done by a long ball? The defence was ridiculously too high, and we left ourselves exposed time & time again.

Sometimes it's about damage limitation, defending in two low-blocks in our own half and allowing Chorley to play in front of you.

Sadly, 70%+ of last night's humiliation is on him. It didn't have to be anywhere near as bad if the game was managed correctly.

Oh, and the fifth was also a disgrace. Rowe sauntering back after ridiculously bursting forward at 4-0 down (not needed). Nobody dropping in to cover and Chorley are in down the side. Appalling.