Pressley Interview (7 Viewers)

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Well that's reasonable, but what would you have done instead? Brought Webster on at left back? Brought him on at centre half and shuffled Pennington to let back?

With hindsight, that MIGHT have been a better option, but it would have unsettled the defence which was looking solid. And at the time Stokes got injured, I'm sure most people would have brought Haynes on.

Assuming Stokes couldn't continue thats fair enough but whats the crack with bringing on G Thomas for Williams when Jackson and Turgott were on the bench. Why weren't Willis and C Thomas on the bench either, ok not massively experienced but more experience than Haynes, G Thomas and Finch. Why did he let Swanson go out on loan?

 

---

[KG7]

Assuming Stokes couldn't continue thats fair enough but whats the crack with bringing on G Thomas for Williams when Jackson and Turgott were on the bench. Why weren't Willis and C Thomas on the bench either, ok not massively experienced but more experience than Haynes, G Thomas and Finch. Why did he let Swanson go out on loan?

I think Willis was injured.

apparently G.Thomas has looked bright in the last few games?

im not sure about Connor - I was surprised that he wasn't on the bench, but I doubt he would have been an option instead of Stokes or Williams. Perhaps instead of Barton, but Pressley has been pilloried for playing C.Thomas on here (as he has for playing Swanson)...

Pressley is far from perfect, but I think a lot of people on here are quick to blame him for decisions that are perfectly reasonable, because they want him out. They are also quick to dismiss him of credit, because they want him out. We were set up to hurt United today and played with fluency and a cutting edge, yet this is ignored, How many managers have managed to get Barton playing effectively and consistently? this is ignored. Fleck and O'Brien drove forward many times from midfield, and created nearly twenty five chances, this is ignored.

I think we should be looking at each decision with a degree of emotional detachment, and today I think he made some excellent calls that were ultimately undone by Pennington being overconfident and unsettling the defence, leading to two minutes of panic.

 

[wingy]

Assuming Stokes couldn't continue thats fair enough but whats the crack with bringing on G Thomas for Williams when Jackson and Turgott were on the bench. Why weren't Willis and C Thomas on the bench either, ok not massively experienced but more experience than Haynes, G Thomas and Finch. Why did he let Swanson go out on loan?

Willis Is apparently Injured

In answer to KG7 It's fair enough citing Inexperience but a contradiction when he states he'd love to have team of Academy starlets and has brought In several loanees just passed A level age

 

[KG7]

I also think we are severely underestimating the importance that we, as fans, can play in the run in. United were a dirty, niggly side, but their fans were so vociferous in contesting decisions after the sending off they put pressure on the ref who consistently gave them dubious free kicks, and played on when our players were fouled. On more than one occasion, he only out the whistle to his lips after the roar of the crowd.

additionally, they had three players in his face all the time putting pressure on him. I hate to see this, but it clearly has an impact and maybe we should be sending more than O'Brien in to regularly question decisions with the ref!

 

[KG7]

Willis Is apparently Injured

In answer to KG7 It's fair enough citing Inexperience but a contradiction when he states he'd love to have team of Academy starlets and has brought In several loanees just passed A level age

Thats a fair point, he's stated many times that this is the plan for the club, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad decision to put inexperience in the team. It can be both a long term plan for the club, and the reason we conceded two goals today. It doesn't mean he has to be fired.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I think Willis was injured.

apparently G.Thomas has looked bright in the last few games?

im not sure about Connor - I was surprised that he wasn't on the bench, but I doubt he would have been an option instead of Stokes or Williams. Perhaps instead of Barton, but Pressley has been pilloried for playing C.Thomas on here (as he has for playing Swanson)...

Pressley is far from perfect, but I think a lot of people on here are quick to blame him for decisions that are perfectly reasonable, because they want him out. They are also quick to dismiss him of credit, because they want him out. We were set up to hurt United today and played with fluency and a cutting edge, yet this is ignored, How many managers have managed to get Barton playing effectively and consistently? this is ignored. Fleck and O'Brien drove forward many times from midfield, and created nearly twenty five chances, this is ignored.

I think we should be looking at each decision with a degree of emotional detachment, and today I think he made some excellent calls that were ultimately undone by Pennington being overconfident and unsettling the defence, leading to two minutes of panic.

Only seen the Scunthorpe match, he looked ok not great did G Thomas.

If Pressley thinks G Thomas is a better option than Williams(he wasn't injured, he could have left him on and not made that substitution) /Turgott/Jackson then fine but then he can't then cite his inexperience as to why it went wrong.

Same with Finch and C Thomas, if Pressley thinks Finch is better than C Thomas then fine but then don't blame inexperience when you left out a more experienced player in favour of Finch/G Thomas.

Looking at chances created today is a bit pointless, Sheffield Utd were chasing the game, throwing bodies forward to get back in the game AND they had 10 men.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Thats a fair point, he's stated many times that this is the plan for the club, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad decision to put inexperience in the team. It can be both a long term plan for the club, and the reason we conceded two goals today. It doesn't mean he has to be fired.

The reason he should be fired is we are in a bottom 4 with a squad that shouldn't be in the bottom 4.

 

[ccfcway]

The reason he should be fired is we are in a bottom 4 with a squad that shouldn't be in the bottom 4.

not forgetting that this season Waggott wants us challenging for promotion !

 

[wingy]

I also think we are severely underestimating the importance that we, as fans, can play in the run in. United were a dirty, niggly side, but their fans were so vociferous in contesting decisions after the sending off they put pressure on the ref who consistently gave them dubious free kicks, and played on when our players were fouled. On more than one occasion, he only out the whistle to his lips after the roar of the crowd.

additionally, they had three players in his face all the time putting pressure on him. I hate to see this, but it clearly has an impact and maybe we should be sending more than O'Brien in to regularly question decisions with the ref!

A tactic of many teams who've won promotions over recent seasons, Norwich In particular come to mind,possibly Southampton, Leicester and Burnley first time

It May have worked five seasons ago when we had the semblance of a semi full stadium but Is hardly going to have any sway currently
I recall the crowd being fairly partisan back In those times, I certainly was and can't recall many refs being Intimidated
Me currently am hardly attending and am nearing mature status so I can't take the blood pressure headaches and sore throats

 

[KG7]

Only seen the Scunthorpe match, he looked ok not great did G Thomas.

If Pressley thinks G Thomas is a better option than Williams(he wasn't injured, he could have left him on and not made that substitution) /Turgott/Jackson then fine but then he can't then cite his inexperience as to why it went wrong.

Same with Finch and C Thomas, if Pressley thinks Finch is better than C Thomas then fine but then don't blame inexperience when you left out a more experienced player in favour of Finch/G Thomas.

Looking at chances created today is a bit pointless, Sheffield Utd were chasing the game, throwing bodies forward to get back in the game AND they had 10 men.

I don't think it's pointless, people are claiming we were being defensive when we should have been attacking ten men. I'm saying we did.

Yes, perhaps with hindsight g.thomas for Williams wasn't a great decision. But at the time I thought it was a decent one. Williams was looking tired, was on a booking, and had been ineffective. Perhaps, he was doing more going backwards than I was giving him credit for.

Do you think he was referring to Finch and Thomas as being inexperienced? Or Pennington at the back?

 

[KG7]

The reason he should be fired is we are in a bottom 4 with a squad that shouldn't be in the bottom 4.

You can't really argue with a sweeping statement like that but that doesn't mean every decision he makes is a bad one. And neither does it mean that every press statement that he makes is bullshit or idiotic, which is how he is portrayed by the majority of people on here.

 

[wingy]

Thats a fair point, he's stated many times that this is the plan for the club, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad decision to put inexperience in the team. It can be both a long term plan for the club, and the reason we conceded two goals today. It doesn't mean he has to be fired.

You've cited Pennington there for the traits that helped get us a point v Scunthorpe with a MOM second half display
Are you saying Webster should come back In or as you said elsewhere that he could have come on with Pennington to LB
Another point you're making Is that people want Pressley out like Its a witchunt
when the reality Is It Isn't personal at all
It's the realisation that he will lead us to div 4,a realisation some spotted at least two months ago
We surrendered ourselves to relegation barely two seasons ago
Status Is huge to most fans couple that with the extraordinary events circling our club and another drop could be terminal
We cannot, should not accept relegation at any cost
There are constraints, there are extenuating circumstances ,we know where they stem from
He, along with the media should follow the lead of many thousands of fans who are doing their best to expose the shambolic path the current board and owners take

 

[KG7]

You've cited Pennington there for the traits that helped get us a point v Scunthorpe with a MOM second half display
Are you saying Webster should come back In or as you said elsewhere that he could have come on with Pennington to LB
Another point you're making Is that people want Pressley out like Its a witchunt
when the reality Is It Isn't personal at all
It's the realisation that he will lead us to div 4,a realisation some spotted at least two months ago
We surrendered ourselves to relegation barely two seasons ago
Status Is huge to most fans couple that with the extraordinary events circling our club and another drop could be terminal
We cannot, should not accept relegation at any cost
There are constraints, there are extenuating circumstances ,we know where they stem from
He, along with the media should follow the lead of many thousands of fans who are doing their best to expose the shambolic path the current board and owners take

Hey Wingy, I dont understand some of your questions, but happy you answer them if you can clarify them!

1-Pennington...can you clarify what you mean here?
I thought in the main he was great today (what a tackle in the box midway through the second half) but there was a strange moment just before their first goal when he appeared to be overconfident that the ball was going out of play, then regained control of it, and played a short back pass which let their striker in, who missed an open goal. Thirty seconds later our defence was jittery and disornganised and they scored. So overall I thought he played well but had a momentary lapse of concentration/over confidence which I think opened the door for United.

2-I'm not saying that Webster should come back in, or go to left back. I was trying to invite other possibilities for the substitution which Pressley was being criticised for. IMO Haynes on at left back was the best option at that time, but Webster on at left back, or centre back was an option, of course.

3-I'm not saying it's a witch hunt. What I'm saying is that every decision he's making, and every word he is saying is being plastered all over here as proof that he's a bad manager, or an idiot. They are not all bad decisions, or stupid statements. In fact, some of them are good decisions (or at worst reasonable decisions) and accurate statements.

The rest of your statement I'm in general agreement with. I am not convinced by SP, but neither am I convinced that a new manager is the answer. I'm just trying to say that not everything he does or says is proof that he's a bad manager or an idiot.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I don't think it's pointless, people are claiming we were being defensive when we should have been attacking ten men. I'm saying we did.

Yes, perhaps with hindsight g.thomas for Williams wasn't a great decision. But at the time I thought it was a decent one. Williams was looking tired, was on a booking, and had been ineffective. Perhaps, he was doing more going backwards than I was giving him credit for.

Do you think he was referring to Finch and Thomas as being inexperienced? Or Pennington at the back?

Well in his interview when he was talking about inexperience he specifically mentioned Haynes, Finch and G Thomas.

You seen them today so I'll take your word we attacked them but at 2-0 it sounded like we started sitting back and playing on the counter

 

[KG7]

Well in his interview when he was talking about inexperience he specifically mentioned Haynes, Finch and G Thomas.

You seen them today so I'll take your word we attacked them but at 2-0 it sounded like we started sitting back and playing on the counter

I haven't heard the interview, only read the transcript on here, which doesn't mention the players.

We were in total control of the game, attacking frequently, solid at the back. It was a great performance, until two minutes of panic.

I took a look back at the BBC website to see if they reported it as I'd seen it after I heard everyone moaning about defensive substitutions coming out of the game. It reports a steady period of pressure on united's goal after both subs. Gonna try and attach a screen grab.

In addition to the chances there were also many attacks that resulted in cleared crosses that don't fall into a statistic.

 

[ccfcway]

in isolation, you wouldnt get rid of SP on todays performance

sadly, you cant take today in isolation

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I haven't heard the interview, only read the transcript on here, which doesn't mention the players.

We were in total control of the game, attacking frequently, solid at the back. It was a great performance, until two minutes of panic.

I took a look back at the BBC website to see if they reported it as I'd seen it after I heard everyone moaning about defensive substitutions coming out of the game. It reports a steady period of pressure on united's goal after both subs. Gonna try and attach a screen grab.

In addition to the chances there were also many attacks that resulted in cleared crosses that don't fall into a statistic.

I've listened to the interview and they are the three he picks out, the three who he brought on.


You've convinced me, we were sensational today. Can't believe we managed to secure a superb point, so proud of the lads for picking up a credible draw. PUSB!

 

[chiefdave]

It doesn't really matter how we played or what the stats show. Lets face facts, nobody was confident of us holding on to a 2 goal lead against a team with 10 men, people were posting about it. And that sums up the problem, it wasn't a once off freak occurrence. Time and time again we let teams come back into games and draw or win late on.

We've in the relegation zone, that hasn't happened by accident. How many other teams around us are sitting back with their manager, owners and local press saying everything is fantastic? Pretty much every other team has either seen their manager walk or sacked them.

Look at next weekends fixtures, or the weekend after that. If you were a fan of any other team in the bottom four you'd be more confident of saving yourselves than we are.

You can see the script for next week already with Baker coming back. Two teams down in the bottom four have very winnable games. As bad as things are now they could be a lot worse this time next week.

 

[KG7]

in isolation, you wouldnt get rid of SP on todays performance

sadly, you cant take today in isolation

No, perhaps not, but I don't think you can ignore the performance because it suits an argument either.

I haven't seen as many games as most of you this season, my last one was Doncaster away, but I was shocked at how organised, incisive, and confident we were today.

I was expecting a turgid yawn a thon full of passes along the back four across our eighteen yard box, but really enjoyed the game. Is this the level of performance that everyone's been getting angry at? Or was today an improvement?

Ive got an episode of breaking bad to watch so catch you all tomorrow.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

No, perhaps not, but I don't think you can ignore the performance because it suits an argument either.

I haven't seen as many games as most of you this season, my last one was Doncaster away, but I was shocked at how organised, incisive, and confident we were today.

I was expecting a turgid yawn a thon full of passes along the back four across our eighteen yard box, but really enjoyed the game. Is this the level of performance that everyone's been getting angry at? Or was today an improvement?

Ive got an episode of breaking bad to watch so catch you all tomorrow.

Assuming it was as good as you make out, against 10 men remember, then it is an improvement as we were crap the last match vs Scunthorpe.

 

[ccfcway]

No, perhaps not, but I don't think you can ignore the performance because it suits an argument either.

I haven't seen as many games as most of you this season, my last one was Doncaster away, but I was shocked at how organised, incisive, and confident we were today.

I was expecting a turgid yawn a thon full of passes along the back four across our eighteen yard box, but really enjoyed the game. Is this the level of performance that everyone's been getting angry at? Or was today an improvement?

I've got an episode of breaking bad to watch so catch you all tomorrow.

we played against 10 men for the majority of the game and yet still only had 50% of the possession.

Enjoy breaking bad, rather like CCFC, you know exactly whats going to happen, in the end it all falls apart

 

[KG7]

It doesn't really matter how we played or what the stats show. Lets face facts, nobody was confident of us holding on to a 2 goal lead against a team with 10 men, people were posting about it. And that sums up the problem, it wasn't a once off freak occurrence. Time and time again we let teams come back into games and draw or win late on.

We've in the relegation zone, that hasn't happened by accident. How many other teams around us are sitting back with their manager, owners and local press saying everything is fantastic? Pretty much every other team has either seen their manager walk or sacked them.

Look at next weekends fixtures, or the weekend after that. If you were a fan of any other team in the bottom four you'd be more confident of saving yourselves than we are.

You can see the script for next week already with Baker coming back. Two teams down in the bottom four have very winnable games. As bad as things are now they could be a lot worse this time next week.

Dave, these are perfectly logical reasons for wanting SP out - what I'm saying is unfair is holding up his every word and decision as proof that he's shit.

If I were the board I'd stick with him. He has to do better, but I've seen enough from him for me to put my faith in him. The most worrying thing about him is so far he has only once in his two years convincingly arrested a bad run of form. But this seems to be something that all City managers have a problem with.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

You obviously are happy with relegation kg

 

[ccfcway]

you do know that they expected a promotion push this year and we are in drop zone ?

 

[KG7]

we played against 10 men for the majority of the game and yet still only had 50% of the possession.

Enjoy breaking bad, rather like CCFC, you know exactly whats going to happen, in the end it all falls apart

Ha, how many times have I read on here that possession stats are meaningless?

Also, I have seen us play shite against ten men far too many times to write off a good performance!

take it easy

#pusb #pressleyinontodaysperformance

 

[KG7]

You obviously are happy with relegation kg

I most definitely am not, but I think we'll be okay.

 

[KG7]

you do know that they expected a promotion push this year and we are in drop zone ?

Yeah, I understand why you want him out.

He clearly needs to do better, but promotion was hardly realistic as most of us were saying when we lost the fifty goals of Wilson, Clarke, baker and moussa. Granted, neither was relegation, but looking at the fixtures, I have enough faith to give him a few more weeks at least.

 

[ccfcway]

I most definitely am not, but I think we'll be okay.

again, you do know that they expected a promotion push this year and we are in drop zone ?

Peterborough manager has just gone as they expected a promotion push and they are mid table

 

[DaleM]

Yeah, I understand why you want him out.

He clearly needs to do better, but promotion was hardly realistic as most of us were saying when we lost the fifty goals of Wilson, Clarke, baker and moussa. Granted, neither was relegation, but looking at the fixtures, I have enough faith to give him a few more weeks at least.

Needs to be gone tomorrow. New bloke in Monday. If not it's div 4 Imo.

 

[sw88]

Well that's reasonable, but what would you have done instead? Brought Webster on at left back? Brought him on at centre half and shuffled Pennington to let back?

With hindsight, that MIGHT have been a better option, but it would have unsettled the defence which was looking solid. And at the time Stokes got injured, I'm sure most people would have brought Haynes on.

Webster was out of the equation. No issue with Haynes coming on, although he did get stuck in possession quite a lot.

Do however think a lot of pressure was put on Thomas and maybe Jackson on the left of midfield for the last part would have been the better option. Maybe move Williams inside when Barton needed to go off?

Dont like to think we 'needed' Webster, but if he needed to come on to add experience, so be it. Go to a 5 man defence when 2-0 up.

 

[Ibby]

The club sadly cant afford to sack him. The club needs to stay up some how and then get a takeover.

 

[Astute]

You can't really argue with a sweeping statement like that but that doesn't mean every decision he makes is a bad one. And neither does it mean that every press statement that he makes is bullshit or idiotic, which is how he is portrayed by the majority of people on here.

How many good decisions that he has made can you think of? Can think of many bad ones he has made.

How many good and truthful statements has he made? Would say that the majority of them are different to what we see in the game.

You seem to think that we will survive this season. Where do you think that the points will come from? The teams at the bottom are gaining points. We are in the bottom 4 in 21st place. 23rd place is 1 point away with a better GD. 19th place is 5 points away. How much longer are you going to have faith in SP? Our squad isn't a bottom 4 one. It isn't a relegation one. I blame SISU for most of our problems. But not this one. Their fault was for giving SP a contract he did nothing to deserve. Maybe they thought they would sell him like they did MR.

So we can't afford to get rid of SP? To me we can't afford to keep him. We are heading for Division 4 FFS. The level that a club from a small town looks to escape. One step away from losing our league status. Our support is falling away. This costs our club a lot more than a bit of compo. It could even signal the end of our club if it continues.

We can't blame everything on SP. There are many people and institutes that are to blame for the position we find ourselves in. But he has much better than a relegation squad under him.

 

[hill83]

You can't really argue with a sweeping statement like that but that doesn't mean every decision he makes is a bad one. And neither does it mean that every press statement that he makes is bullshit or idiotic, which is how he is portrayed by the majority of people on here.

Technically you are right. But the time for rationality is long gone. Sack the buffoon.

 

[Tommystours]

I also think we are severely underestimating the importance that we, as fans, can play in the run in. United were a dirty, niggly side, but their fans were so vociferous in contesting decisions after the sending off they put pressure on the ref who consistently gave them dubious free kicks, and played on when our players were fouled. On more than one occasion, he only out the whistle to his lips after the roar of the crowd.

additionally, they had three players in his face all the time putting pressure on him. I hate to see this, but it clearly has an impact and maybe we should be sending more than O'Brien in to regularly question decisions with the ref!

Absolutely agree we got nothing in the second half and SU players fell over at every opportunity, and Doyle plus 2 were in the refs face every time we put a tackle in trying and successfully getting players booked.
i felt we were pretty good until Clough made a sub and put an extra man in midfield and instead of us leaving 2 in their half we tracked back , and a few minutes of madness and panic at the back cost us the points

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

Absolutely agree we got nothing in the second half and SU players fell over at every opportunity, and Doyle plus 2 were in the refs face every time we put a tackle in trying and successfully getting players booked.
i felt we were pretty good until Clough made a sub and put an extra man in midfield and instead of us leaving 2 in their half we tracked back , and a few minutes of madness and panic at the back cost us the points

Where did Doyle learn about getting in the refs face? I think it was here with Denis Wise in one of the best spells we have had in recent years because it works Wise spent more time reffing the game than the ref and he hardly used to leave his side to help him with the decision, for years we have had a soft side we need some real rough players in to get out of whichever league we are in next year