I notice we haven’t had a CS lecture on how we’re all idiots, and Sadler is a genius, lately.
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Early season, we were noting how strong the bench was . In the EFL trophy, the second XI looked stronger than anything we’d had in previous seasons down here. Yet this run has been marked by players being used in alternative positions as if we’re threadbare. I don’t think we’ve done too badly for injuries this season. Losing Hall and Earing was a blow, but not one which couldn’t have been predicted given their records. And we knew both were out for a long time well before the transfer window closed. Even then, a fall off to mediocrity could have been excused. The fall off a cliff is Sadler’s own.
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If only things were that simple. I don’t disagree that the likes of Chang can make a difference, but those 12 mins had a lot more to do with the fact that Harrogate decided to just sit in and defend the 2-1 lead, and as we’ve all seen over the years when we’ve sat deep like that, you invite the opposition on to you and are put under a load of pressure and often concede a late equaliser.
Had Harrogate not done that, I suspect they would have gone away with a win.
So whilst it might still be the right thing to do, don’t expect that by just changing those players in the starting line up we’ll suddenly transform into providing that attacking threat and pressure throughout a game.
Ah, TheRedPrince, I see we’re all back to wondering where I’ve been hiding! Well, it’s simple really – sometimes you just need to step back and appreciate the nuance of the situation. This whole Sadler ‘project’ has been like a slow-motion film, but in the most fascinating way. I’ve been letting it play out, because as they say, you don’t want to rush these things.
Now, let’s talk about why I haven’t posted. You know how people say nothing worth having comes easy? Well, it’s a bit like that. Yes, we’ve gone 11 games without a win, and yes, we’re playing a style of football that’s about as intricate as a brick wall. But think about it! Long balls? Brilliant – why waste time with intricate passing when you can just throw it long, straight to the opposition’s keeper? It’s a time-saver! We’re essentially playing football on fast forward. Why bother with possession, when we can just skip to the part where the other team scores? It’s efficient, really.
And the defence? Ah yes, the defence. I’ve always said that defending is overrated. Sure, we’ve conceded loads recently, but come on, who needs a solid backline when we can have endless entertainment watching the other team get as many chances as they want? It’s like a footballing buffet – everyone gets a taste, and who doesn’t love a bit of variety?
As for the squad, well, it’s just classic Sadler – he knows exactly what he’s doing, even if the rest of us are still waiting for the revelation. It’s like when you’re cooking a stew, and you just need to let it simmer before you add the salt. Sure, you might not want to eat it yet, but when it’s done, oh boy, will it be worth it.
So to everyone wondering where I’ve been – just know that I’ve been quietly watching, because when this all clicks (and it will), I’ll be here, reminding you all that we did have a plan all along. You just need to trust the process, even if that process involves being absolutely terrible at times. It’s all part of the experience, isn’t it?
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I think it tells you everything about Sadler if you listen to his comments yesterday when asked about leaving Comley out .He is far to closely attached to his players and agonises over leaving certain players out regardless of form this is a very slippery slope for a manager and I think cracks in the squad have appeared of late, confidence is at an all time low .he’s now lost the plot and as someone said earlier he’s throwing mud at the wall and seeing what sticks and even this is more successful than nis past efforts trying to play manager .
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We had a good first 12 minutes without them on the pitch. I’ve realised it doesn’t matter who the starting 11 are because for 70 mins in between we are just going to hoof the ball to Jamma.
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4 3 3
Barrett Williams Weir Gordon
Hall Chang Allen
Adomah Matt Asiimwe
442
Asiimwe Williams weir Allen
Adomah Chang hall Gordon
Matt Levi
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I would have thought the same until I saw Asimwe who is absolutely good enough, yet couldn’t get a look in until it was forced.
Agree above that Sadler wasn’t exactly shafted by the board in January… other than the strikers. Really poor recruitment, research not done. Granted we missed out on targets on the list, but it must have been a very long list to end up with Harrison and Levi.
Both have done okay at times, Levi looking the better of the two, but as I said elsewhere, neither would be starting for any of the other three sides in and amongst it. We got the forward signings terribly wrong and ultimately, that and Sadler refusing to adapt to that has knocked us and so player confidence has also taken a beating. If/when we fail, this must be considered and all must take a share of the blame/accountability.
For the failure, Sadler must pay the price by losing his job.
Trivela must accept it wasn’t good enough on their part too and get it right in the summer. More higher quality permanent signings, especially a goal scorer.
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There is nothing to suggest he would have failed, to be honest. He started one game and we put zero balls in the box (until he went off) and that was that.
As JumboTrudgeon said, he rescued a vital point at Doncaster, not forgetting scoring two to rescue a point v Salford. Without those we’d probably be completely out of it all now. I forgot he got a last minute winner v Bradford. Okay this was earlier in the season but goals are goals and he still knows where to be. The chance that dropped to Amantchi in the last seconds yesterday, DJ is putting that one away every single time, because he would be anticipating it and react immediately, rather than get stuck in his own feet.
Talking of Adomah, another player criminally wasted with his talents. Running around up front all the time with his back to goal, rather than using his flair to influence the game. Fair play he’s done okay with what he has been asked to do.
And I agree with all of your points in this post and pretty much all the others you have posted about the situation.
This is on Sadler, not Trivela not backing him in January. I think any manager worth anything would have got this Walsall side over the line from the position we were in.
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When Bradford lost their top goal scorer they were forced to change style of play It’s simple really .Yesterdays last 12 minutes proved we have the players capable of doing so
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The problem being that we haven’t played football for months.
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What? I’ve chosen not to listen to the interviews, but who TF thought that this was actually a question that needed to be asked?
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I bet even Comely himself didn’t question it!
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Ready between the lines as you always have to with Sadler because most is sheer waffle he played Comley and Daniels because he thought we needed some experience and old heads on the pitch .( and I Would agree with that but they also need a bit more than that )so he picks 2 players who have had little game time poor recent form and recovery from injuries.who bring little to the table to improve us .Is it not surprising we are we’re we are .he has no faith in young talented players .
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Can I enhance that..
Use pre-season last year to develop that plan utilising effective wide players and bring in Adomah and sign Kamwa (I know you didn’t rate him Stretch but your not always right).
Hone that plan once the Lowe system had achieved it’s aim of a win..
We often started poorly or quietly in games.
I also think Levi Johnson and Harrison (pre recent injury) are decent strikers if they were played into a system appropriately.
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It’s quite simple really. The last 12 minutes should be the template for the last 3 games or heaven forbid the last 6 games. Play the ball on the grass and I’m sure we’ll get our rewards. Mat needs to do that. If not we’re not going anywhere
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Round of applause just for the ‘Bollock Chops’, I haven’t heard that one in years. 
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Currently having to deal with the thought that those blokes who turn up to a match having had 10 pints and go for 5 pisses during the game probably know more than Sadler 
I’m a big fan of “bollock chops”. Still very much in the regular vernacular of our family.
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Harrogate were well drilled but they were quite basic, the times we actually passed the ball we looked by far a better team, and what a shock, they can actually do it. It was infuriating how we reverted to the defending on the edge of our box smashing it aimlessly. It was tactical as well, because he moved Jamma basically into midfield for a period.
He totally lost me on Friday, It was obvious we could out play them if we had just kept it up, So what we conceded a crap goal, id rather have continued to try and attack our own end. We had to win that game in the first half attacking the home end, we all knew it. Never mind the subs being half hour too late. If he cant learn a lesson from the fact if we had played another 10 mins ive no doubt we would have gotten a 3rd he will never learn.
We cant bloody defend anyway so why he keeps trying to be a shithouse side i have no idea. There should have been encouragement amongst fans from the way we finished the game, but we are just all left wondering where thats been for a long time.
Im no huge fan of DJ, but to not put him on the bench at this point in our season is utterly criminal.
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