Post by stevek192 on Dec 22, 2019 11:09:40 GMT
What a week- from the emotions and the highs of that great victory at Ipswich which was so quickly after rocked by the interview from the Manager which gave the Board a point of no return to a backs to the wall victory at Plymouth in the Cup to one of the best if not the best performances at home this season which showed two teams who both deserve to be where they are in the table. Even if they wanted to keep GC; which they obviously did by turning down two approaches; the treacherous interview signalled the end and Graham Coughlan knew that but whilst the family bit might have been the truth behind his decision the bit which IMO might have been nearer the truth is that he had taken us as far as he could. Lets look at it from a different viewpoint - here you had a Manager who had achieved results better than even DC and all those games in League 1 rather than Conference, League 2 and League 1 and yet his presence at the club and I believe his ethos divided the fans.He was looked on as a "yes man" from the moment he took over but perhaps this is exactly what we needed at the time and maybe it is what we need again this time around because if your Manager is always at odds with the owners it can only end one way.
Coming out of the game yesterday I actually thought to myself that perhaps his going was right for our club because I had saw a match that I really enjoyed. Ok we hadn't won and yet I had the feeling that if GC had been in charge yesterday we would have lost that game and my reasoning for saying this is that it was pretty well the team that GC would have put out but there was something about those same players that was changed - it was like the chains had been removed and there was almost a belief in the players that they can achieve something. I have to say that the football under GC has been some of the bleakest I have seen in over 50 years of watching the Gas particularly at home and I ask everyone the question- Could GC have ever changed that style of play or indeed did he ever really have any intention whatsoever of changing it? My feeling is that he had taken us as far as he ever could and the fact he has left us in so much a better position than when he took over is something for which we should always be grateful and little short of a miracle BUT and this is a big but his decision to leave may yet turn out to be one of the best decisions from our club point of view yesterday convinced me that these players are capable of playing good ,exciting attractive football- all words that I could never really use after a GC game irrespective of the result. Suddenly passing the ball did not look a problem and there was far less of the general hoofing that had littered most of the home games under GC.
The big questions now are Can it last? How much of it was Maher and his staff responsible for? Is there somebody else who can take the reigns now and build on that performance and with a few adjustments in January make us the machine we have become but with much more attacking intent? Some , although I feel it will be the minority would say give Maher the chance to start on a Managerial career and truthfully I feel we could do worst but please if the Owners do this only offer a 1 year deal or a deal to the end of this season. If this is not their intention then who can take us forward from the list of Managers that have been set out by the betting odds? I can honestly say that at the present time I do not have a clue as to who can make a success of this job out of the candidates and what the effect of any change will be and that is down to one word- Ambition. What is the ambition of our club? Is there a vision either from our current owners or any prospective buyers? The silence at our club has gone on too long to really know their intentions or where we really stand at the present time. The next appointment is very important and is a difficult choice as there are so many plusses and minuses against any of the candidates. Recently result wise the decisions made have turned out well even though each appointment has been looked on as the "cheap option" but maybe it is also the sensible option. Only time will tell but whoever gets the job lets get behind him or should I say in this day and age him or her! Anyway on to yesterdays match through individual performances.
Jaakola: 8 A couple of shaky handling moments but also some outstanding goalkeeping and saves that took the breath away. He is as important to us as JCH and IMO is the best keeper in this division and the best keeper we have had in many many years. He was obviously wasted at Reading and was completely ready to take a step down to become a regular number 1. One of the many signings that GC made for which we can be grateful but I hope that TW was totally the man behind the successes of the signings because that would give us hope that it can continue!
Menayese: 7.5 Makes some mistakes and visibly tired towards the end against the fresh pair of legs but his overall performance was one of power, strength, a certain calmness in possession and one who can only get better with more appearances. For a big man he has a surprising turn of pace.
Craig: 9.5 MOM Man mountain, organiser supreme and in the form of his life with us. Against the best attackers in this division he showed why he is probably one of the best defenders in this division and the best centre half we have had since Andy Tilson, yes I include the mighty Steve Elliot in this.
Kilgour: 8.5 Another fantastic performance from another youngster who has a bit of class about him. His timing of tackles has really shone recently. Like Menayese hye does have that certain rawness about him at times but the tru7th is that as a unit the three central defenders are a perfect foil for each other and each make so many contributions in the 90 minutes that enable you to forget the odd error.
Rodman: 8 His performances are getting better week by week and yesterday he was a key figure and it looked very much as if he has been given more of a license to go forward than under GC and he was a lot happier in his role and always looked capable of taking on his player and beating him. Made good use of both his height and his pace and I have little doubt that he is capable of producing 10 goals this season.
Clarke: 6.5 Missed a golden opportunity to give us the 3 points when clean through at the end with only the keeper to beat, the only thing you can guarantee with Ollie Clarke is a booking. Yesterday was very much a mixed bag from him and he was the least effective player but better than he has been on many occasions this season and his effort and enthusiasm cannot be faulted.
Upson: 8 A few stray passes but a controlling influence that shone through. I have long said that he is a good footballer and it is surprising just how often he gets himself in the right position to win the ball. His partnership with Sercombe is starting to gel and even without Ogogo we won a lot of the battles.
Sercombe: 8.5 Outstanding performance and the only thing lacking was a goal which he should have put right in the final seconds when he twisted and turned but hit a rising shot over the bar when he should have burst the net. He can be a very important player in the coming 5 months. He controlled the offensive side of the midfield and was always wanting the ball.
Leahy: 7 Another player who is improving with every game and again shows that we as fans should not take any notice of what previous clubs supporters say about a player. Remember that a player leaving a club is rarely going to receive rave reviews especially when their club has been relegated!
Nichols: 7 Covered a lot of ground and a masterclass in holding up the ball and retaining possession. He is without doubt a good footballer if you take goal scoring out of the equation.
Smith: 7 I think he will be a very good player as he has pace and ability on the ball and a certain confidence about him and him and Nicholls combined well both without setting the world alight but both giving a good account of themselves.
JCH: 6.5 lacking in match fitness but what he does do is immediately he enters the fray you see the fear in the opponents and suddenly we looked more than capable of winning the game as Peterborough put two players on him and we could then find more space. Can we hold on to him? Who knows but if we do then we have every chance of making the play offs. IMO we should be holding on to him barring an offer in excess of 2m. If he was at Peterborough they would be rating him in the 4-5m bracket and would probably get it!! Our owners should just look at how Peterborough work.
Adeboyejo: NOLE.
Ref 5 Some awful decisions and lack of consistency but compared to some we have had he was reasonable.
Crowd 9 A new found togetherness and got behind the team from the start. We all know that the appointment of a certain manager would increase the attendance substantially but would it be the right choice ? I am not convinced enough. Fair play to all Peterborough fans to their contributions to the Teddy Bears and donations for the Children's Hospital. Well done to everybody in fact.
Posh 8 A good side and iMO one of the best sides seen at the Mem this season apart from the falling over tactics but that said we have our own contributors to that. I can actually see them going up this season unless they again have their customary dip in form. With two strikers providing a total of 27 goals and a midfielder nearing 10 already it is credit to our team that they didn't score but with that fire power I just can't see them failing this season.
Kevin Mayer and staff- Did their jobs and the players did theirs. I will leave it at that as at this stage he is very much an unknown factor.
So we move on and have the chance Boxing Day to push on but this is Rovers so you never know! Happy Christmas to all Gasheads. UTG
Coming out of the game yesterday I actually thought to myself that perhaps his going was right for our club because I had saw a match that I really enjoyed. Ok we hadn't won and yet I had the feeling that if GC had been in charge yesterday we would have lost that game and my reasoning for saying this is that it was pretty well the team that GC would have put out but there was something about those same players that was changed - it was like the chains had been removed and there was almost a belief in the players that they can achieve something. I have to say that the football under GC has been some of the bleakest I have seen in over 50 years of watching the Gas particularly at home and I ask everyone the question- Could GC have ever changed that style of play or indeed did he ever really have any intention whatsoever of changing it? My feeling is that he had taken us as far as he ever could and the fact he has left us in so much a better position than when he took over is something for which we should always be grateful and little short of a miracle BUT and this is a big but his decision to leave may yet turn out to be one of the best decisions from our club point of view yesterday convinced me that these players are capable of playing good ,exciting attractive football- all words that I could never really use after a GC game irrespective of the result. Suddenly passing the ball did not look a problem and there was far less of the general hoofing that had littered most of the home games under GC.
The big questions now are Can it last? How much of it was Maher and his staff responsible for? Is there somebody else who can take the reigns now and build on that performance and with a few adjustments in January make us the machine we have become but with much more attacking intent? Some , although I feel it will be the minority would say give Maher the chance to start on a Managerial career and truthfully I feel we could do worst but please if the Owners do this only offer a 1 year deal or a deal to the end of this season. If this is not their intention then who can take us forward from the list of Managers that have been set out by the betting odds? I can honestly say that at the present time I do not have a clue as to who can make a success of this job out of the candidates and what the effect of any change will be and that is down to one word- Ambition. What is the ambition of our club? Is there a vision either from our current owners or any prospective buyers? The silence at our club has gone on too long to really know their intentions or where we really stand at the present time. The next appointment is very important and is a difficult choice as there are so many plusses and minuses against any of the candidates. Recently result wise the decisions made have turned out well even though each appointment has been looked on as the "cheap option" but maybe it is also the sensible option. Only time will tell but whoever gets the job lets get behind him or should I say in this day and age him or her! Anyway on to yesterdays match through individual performances.
Jaakola: 8 A couple of shaky handling moments but also some outstanding goalkeeping and saves that took the breath away. He is as important to us as JCH and IMO is the best keeper in this division and the best keeper we have had in many many years. He was obviously wasted at Reading and was completely ready to take a step down to become a regular number 1. One of the many signings that GC made for which we can be grateful but I hope that TW was totally the man behind the successes of the signings because that would give us hope that it can continue!
Menayese: 7.5 Makes some mistakes and visibly tired towards the end against the fresh pair of legs but his overall performance was one of power, strength, a certain calmness in possession and one who can only get better with more appearances. For a big man he has a surprising turn of pace.
Craig: 9.5 MOM Man mountain, organiser supreme and in the form of his life with us. Against the best attackers in this division he showed why he is probably one of the best defenders in this division and the best centre half we have had since Andy Tilson, yes I include the mighty Steve Elliot in this.
Kilgour: 8.5 Another fantastic performance from another youngster who has a bit of class about him. His timing of tackles has really shone recently. Like Menayese hye does have that certain rawness about him at times but the tru7th is that as a unit the three central defenders are a perfect foil for each other and each make so many contributions in the 90 minutes that enable you to forget the odd error.
Rodman: 8 His performances are getting better week by week and yesterday he was a key figure and it looked very much as if he has been given more of a license to go forward than under GC and he was a lot happier in his role and always looked capable of taking on his player and beating him. Made good use of both his height and his pace and I have little doubt that he is capable of producing 10 goals this season.
Clarke: 6.5 Missed a golden opportunity to give us the 3 points when clean through at the end with only the keeper to beat, the only thing you can guarantee with Ollie Clarke is a booking. Yesterday was very much a mixed bag from him and he was the least effective player but better than he has been on many occasions this season and his effort and enthusiasm cannot be faulted.
Upson: 8 A few stray passes but a controlling influence that shone through. I have long said that he is a good footballer and it is surprising just how often he gets himself in the right position to win the ball. His partnership with Sercombe is starting to gel and even without Ogogo we won a lot of the battles.
Sercombe: 8.5 Outstanding performance and the only thing lacking was a goal which he should have put right in the final seconds when he twisted and turned but hit a rising shot over the bar when he should have burst the net. He can be a very important player in the coming 5 months. He controlled the offensive side of the midfield and was always wanting the ball.
Leahy: 7 Another player who is improving with every game and again shows that we as fans should not take any notice of what previous clubs supporters say about a player. Remember that a player leaving a club is rarely going to receive rave reviews especially when their club has been relegated!
Nichols: 7 Covered a lot of ground and a masterclass in holding up the ball and retaining possession. He is without doubt a good footballer if you take goal scoring out of the equation.
Smith: 7 I think he will be a very good player as he has pace and ability on the ball and a certain confidence about him and him and Nicholls combined well both without setting the world alight but both giving a good account of themselves.
JCH: 6.5 lacking in match fitness but what he does do is immediately he enters the fray you see the fear in the opponents and suddenly we looked more than capable of winning the game as Peterborough put two players on him and we could then find more space. Can we hold on to him? Who knows but if we do then we have every chance of making the play offs. IMO we should be holding on to him barring an offer in excess of 2m. If he was at Peterborough they would be rating him in the 4-5m bracket and would probably get it!! Our owners should just look at how Peterborough work.
Adeboyejo: NOLE.
Ref 5 Some awful decisions and lack of consistency but compared to some we have had he was reasonable.
Crowd 9 A new found togetherness and got behind the team from the start. We all know that the appointment of a certain manager would increase the attendance substantially but would it be the right choice ? I am not convinced enough. Fair play to all Peterborough fans to their contributions to the Teddy Bears and donations for the Children's Hospital. Well done to everybody in fact.
Posh 8 A good side and iMO one of the best sides seen at the Mem this season apart from the falling over tactics but that said we have our own contributors to that. I can actually see them going up this season unless they again have their customary dip in form. With two strikers providing a total of 27 goals and a midfielder nearing 10 already it is credit to our team that they didn't score but with that fire power I just can't see them failing this season.
Kevin Mayer and staff- Did their jobs and the players did theirs. I will leave it at that as at this stage he is very much an unknown factor.
So we move on and have the chance Boxing Day to push on but this is Rovers so you never know! Happy Christmas to all Gasheads. UTG