It was a typical DJ finish. Like many, I wonder why he hasn’t played more but I don’t agree with some of the sentiment spoken on here against Sadler for not playing him or him not playing as much being the reason we aren’t in the playoffs. It’s all hypothetical. We don’t know the reasons he hasn’t featured more, he has had a couple of injuries and maybe isn’t fit enough to carry out the role Sadler wants him to play, but I am happy to trust Sadler’s judgment calls at this stage.
The referee was good but chickened out of 2 penalty decisions but we lost because we are too inexperienced at the moment. The game became frenetic and we badly needed a wise old head to direct our play. MS must take some of the blame for the defensive set up which was unable to deal with Cook.
On the season as a whole we are not yet good enough to challenge. The players give their all and I like most of them but we need more nous in the forward areas to have a chance next season.
Would it? It’s really not that simple.
Langstaff has 27 at Notts County, they’re not in the play offs.
Matt Smith has 23 for Salford, they’re not in the play offs.
Evans has 21 for Newport, they’re not in the play offs.
That’s 3 of the top 4 scorers in the division.
There are plenty of reasons why we’ve fallen a bit short and why we didn’t win today and I wouldn’t put DJ at the top of that list. In any case he’s almost certainly on his way in the Summer so we need to move on from him. I think if we could sign Faal either permanently or in a season loan he could produce a similar number if goals and contribute much more in his all round game.
I think there’s more than enough reason to question the decision though. If you’re going to make a big deal of the signing of a player whose already proved he can score goals once here, and despite limited game time has a decent rate this season, fans are going to ask the question. Especially when you are losing key games and spurning great chances (not just today).
Again I agree. Question the decision by all means. I just don’t think it’s been as significant as some others do with respect to our league position.
I put that as a view, rather than a fact as some seem to on the other side of the argument.
After a sabbatical for a year, I took up my old seats with a season ticket for next season. More for my old man rather than the football in all honesty as I haven’t really missed it.
I took in the away games at FGR and MK as my lad wanted to go, and today was my first 3rd home game of the season, with the last being in October.
The first 20 mins was the best I’ve seen us over the last three games I’ve been to, the next 70 mins had me checking the cooling off period on those season ticket purchases.
Ultimately the game summed up our season, good for a bit, average to woeful for the rest. All those who looked at 3 home games on the bounce with any real thought that this was going to see us across the line I would suggest haven’t watched Walsall for long.
Thankfully the playoff talk can be put to bed and we can focus on what is needed in the summer, with some big recruitment decisions required. That includes players here already under contract as to whether we can improve with them still in the building.
Everybody does that on both sides of any argument to be fair. Id have thought having your best striker on the pitch at any given point would give you a better chance though.
You would think so yes. I’m not on either side tbh. He was good last season and I thought he did well in the first few games this, but I’m also happy with the way we have played this season without him and particularly during the second half of the season when he has played, he’s not been anywhere near as good .
I think that’s harsh, he smashed the winner with a great finish in the last game to keep us in the hunt, and should have won us a pen today easily.
It’s not a given you’ll have an effect off the bench most of the time, but it’s harsh to say he’s not been good.
We can add Matt and Knowles to the released list after that outing today.
Both absolutely horrendous - for differing reasons.
The ‘pace’ of Matt when through on goal was hilarious. Legs have gone.
Tom Knowles managed to put in a performance on par with Newport at home. Absolutely dreadful.
6,700 attendees and thousands of pints of NoFo sold I would think so .
I actually couldn’t believe that. He was so slow I think he went backwards.
That was a big sort of ‘ahhhh yep - he’s done’ moment wasn’t it?
Fair enough
A game of 2 poor defences and 1 good centre forward with Nous.
I am the ultimate opportunist and optimist but even I will say it , the last four weeks a couple of which I spent following this great love of ours close up. I’m not commenting on any game but as a group we truly missed a great opportunity not to just be 7th but to be in with a chance of 5th or 6th. Maybe it’s bad luck , maybe it’s being a young side, there are so many factors .
Next season has to be the year, it just has to be. I still believe this club is on the up.
I wouldn’t say it is that safe. Wimbledon definitely finish above us if they beat us, only need Gillingham or Bradford to win and we won’t.
Not to put a negative spin on things
I said on the other thread i’d give him another year - based on that alone, i wouldnt. Literally looks like he did when he first signed, if not worse and that says something.
Think the time has come, Jamma.
Harrogate would need to turn around a 9 goal GD for us to finish 13th so I can safely spend the winnings I reckon
I misread it as top ten, sorry. Enjoy the winnings fella