rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 17:38
We’ve been beaten by quality, why are people moaning?
I fully expected to lose that one. They have spent a lot of money on proven quality players, and Warne has got them playing.
We gifted them two of the three first goals. That can happen against relative quality. Our players on the pitch huffed and puffed, but the gap in resources is evident. Not helped by playing Thomas, Archer and Broom, and a 3 at the back with a young lad in behind AJB on the wrong side. A questionable set -up, given the opposition.
The next couple of games are crucial to gauge our relative position, and Flynn's ability to get the most from the resources at his disposal. And we will need someone to get what we have playing to the best of their abilities.
rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 17:38
We’ve been beaten by quality, why are people moaning?
I fully expected to lose that one. They have spent a lot of money on proven quality players, and Warne has got them playing.
We gifted them two of the three first goals. That can happen against relative quality. Our players on the pitch huffed and puffed, but the gap in resources is evident. Not helped by playing Thomas, Archer and Broom, and a 3 at the back with a young lad in behind AJB on the wrong side. A questionable set -up, given the opposition.
The next couple of games are crucial to gauge our relative position, and Flynn's ability to get the most from the resources at his disposal. And we will need someone to get what we have playing to the best of their abilities.
rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 17:38
We’ve been beaten by quality, why are people moaning?
I fully expected to lose that one. They have spent a lot of money on proven quality players, and Warne has got them playing.
We gifted them two of the three first goals. That can happen against relative quality. Our players on the pitch huffed and puffed, but the gap in resources is evident. Not helped by playing Thomas, Archer and Broom, and a 3 at the back with a young lad in behind AJB on the wrong side. A questionable set -up, given the opposition.
The next couple of games are crucial to gauge our relative position, and Flynn's ability to get the most from the resources at his disposal. And we will need someone to get what we have playing to the best of their abilities.
indeed silk purse, sows ear
Silk purse not necessary. Tatty old leathery wallet will do me. As long as it doesn't resemble today's efforts.
I fully expected to lose that one. They have spent a lot of money on proven quality players, and Warne has got them playing.
We gifted them two of the three first goals. That can happen against relative quality. Our players on the pitch huffed and puffed, but the gap in resources is evident. Not helped by playing Thomas, Archer and Broom, and a 3 at the back with a young lad in behind AJB on the wrong side. A questionable set -up, given the opposition.
The next couple of games are crucial to gauge our relative position, and Flynn's ability to get the most from the resources at his disposal. And we will need someone to get what we have playing to the best of their abilities.
indeed silk purse, sows ear
Silk purse not necessary. Tatty old leathery wallet will do me. As long as it doesn't resemble today's efforts.
rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 17:38
We’ve been beaten by quality, why are people moaning?
People are moaning because there is actually a reasonable way to lose games.
MK Dons were good, the ref was awful but Cheltenham were absolutely horrific. From the moment they hit the post we were miles off it. Mazionis getting a yellow card on 4 mins - regardless of how soft - basically took him out of the game as a defender.
There was so much wrong today, and a lot of it is on Flynn. AJB on the left - this has never worked and it's been tried too many times already. Conceding two of the first three goals from set-pieces!! I don't care about budgets, organisation costs nothing! Young looked miles off the pace, neither JT or Archer came out with any credit, and I'm left feeling sorry for George Miller again because he was left up top feeding off less than scraps.
I don't think Bennett was all bad today, and we definitely looked more solid when he and Wilson went to two at the back. Why anyone was surprised he started is beyond me though. He's effectively Flynn's general on the pitch - the only time he doesn't start is if it's a nothing game or he physically can't come onto the pitch. I don't agree with it, but we need to get used to it. To be honest, based on his record, it won't be long before he picks up another injury so people will just have to find someone else to blame.
I'll say this - I hate how MK Dons came about. I don't believe in franchising in football and am firmly of the belief that they stole their place in the Football League. With that being said, the setup there is second to none. The staff were fantastic, the seats are the comfiest seats I've ever been in at a football ground and the surrounding area is great for anyone wanting something to eat. I was so early, I could have even taken in a film. Put a proper pub on the site and it would be almost perfect.
Si, two years ago on the pod you said something that I’ve always remembered: “I don’t want Wade sacked, but if he went tomorrow, I wouldn’t be disappointed”
Absolutely sums up how I feel about Flynn. We seem to take one step forward, two back under his tenure. He might keep us up, and he might talk a good game, but tactically, organisationally, in team selection, he leaves an awful lot to be desired.
We have to accept that we have had a very difficult start to the season. Chesterfield and MK Dons will be up there, and I firmly expect both to go up automatically. That MK Dons team today would give most of League 1 a run for their money.
But, by the same token, there's a way to lose and today was unforgivable.
rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 19:42
Still doesn’t answer my question. 3 games in , we have Crawley and Accrington next. . 4 points from 2 and who will be moaning then?
Crawley and Accrington aren't until September.
Its bromley and barnet next.......need 3 points as a minimum.
Si Robin wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 20:09
I'm in two minds on him.
We have to accept that we have had a very difficult start to the season. Chesterfield and MK Dons will be up there, and I firmly expect both to go up automatically. That MK Dons team today would give most of League 1 a run for their money.
But, by the same token, there's a way to lose and today was unforgivable.
The three performances in the league imo have been very poor.
Barely enter opposition pen area,hardly any decent passages of play or any kind of quality other than the odd bit of skill from thomas.
3 games i think we forced the opposition keeper into a save just once in each game.
The basics today went out the window,its worrying.....things can change but how long do we realistically give.
I'll be honest I wanted flynn,but as the quote above.....I'd not be bothered if he wasnt our manager tomorrow.
rooner wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 19:42
Still doesn’t answer my question. 3 games in , we have Crawley and Accrington next. . 4 points from 2 and who will be moaning then?
Crawley and Accrington aren't until September.
Its bromley and barnet next.......need 3 points as a minimum.
We need some goals and decent strong performances. Plus 4 points. Else I'll be worried, and it will be over to Bloxham and shortly I imagine Garlick as to take action. However, for me, that's better players rather than a change in first team manager in the short term because I can't think of anyone better that could come in and make a material improvement with the players we have.
Si Robin wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 20:09
I'm in two minds on him.
We have to accept that we have had a very difficult start to the season. Chesterfield and MK Dons will be up there, and I firmly expect both to go up automatically. That MK Dons team today would give most of League 1 a run for their money.
But, by the same token, there's a way to lose and today was unforgivable.
The three performances in the league imo have been very poor.
Barely enter opposition pen area,hardly any decent passages of play or any kind of quality other than the odd bit of skill from thomas.
3 games i think we forced the opposition keeper into a save just once in each game.
The basics today went out the window,its worrying.....things can change but how long do we realistically give.
I'll be honest I wanted flynn,but as the quote above.....I'd not be bothered if he wasnt our manager tomorrow.
I'm a firm believer in giving 10 games from the start of the season unless we're getting absolutely pumped in every game.
Bromley is going to be tough, but there has to be a reaction to today. Failure to beat Barnet - a team who've also lost their first 3 games - would be disaster zone.
andgarod wrote:But we say that about every team we play
As I said before we need to hang in and not be adrift come Christmas
We need a new 1st team coach to replace downes
So on what basis is Downes at fault? Genuinely interested in your thought process.
Downes was responsible for the defensive coaching when he was last assistant manager here and we shipped goals for fun, same thing happened at Torquay and he's brought back and once again defending is a problem. He is not a good coach and is here because of the Director of Football.
Jerry St Clair wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 20:06
Si, two years ago on the pod you said something that I’ve always remembered: “I don’t want Wade sacked, but if he went tomorrow, I wouldn’t be disappointed”
Absolutely sums up how I feel about Flynn. We seem to take one step forward, two back under his tenure. He might keep us up, and he might talk a good game, but tactically, organisationally, in team selection, he leaves an awful lot to be desired.
We have a decision to make, Flynn might talk a good game but things have started horrendously. Yes we've played two top teams but that does not excuse today. On Tuesday we face a team with a low budget who are the sort of side we used to be, big, organised, a nightmare to play against. Right now I would make them favorites to beat us because are not organised, constantly chopping and changing and trying to find out how to play.
Plenty of calls for Flynn to go but I doubt very much anything will change until the new owner takes over.
MG won’t want to be propping up the whole of the EFL for too long.
For starters we do need to improve the coaching staff.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride for sure.
Yesterday was the first game I missed. I do love going to MK as its a great stadium.
Glad I swerved that one to be honest.
Good review Si thank you.
As a betting man I thought we would loose first three games of the season. As lately we have been slow starters due to the annual churn. As there has been slightly less player wise ...I thought we might nick a point.
The real test is the next 4 home games. All winnable on paper. Our next couple away games look pretty horrid too!
If we can't find our rhythm in those 4 then Flynn will be under huge pressure and rightly so.
I do feel a bit sorry for him as our squad is quite clearly inferior and for us to compete everyone needs to be on their A game.
You can't single out coaches or players.
Win as a team lose as a team. That's my coaching mantra. But stick together. If you work hard you get what you deserve...quality aside.
Sounds like we had another c!#p ref that's 3 this season already. What the hills going on?
Just hold onto the memories from Exeter for a few more days....attacking coherent football with intent. Great work rate and a decent ref!!
Is the squad really that bad? It's a bit lop sided and light in a few places but it's not one that should be worried about relegation if managed correctly. It has a good amount of league one/two experience with some bright young players and only few you would question if they are league two standard at best.
If we perform like we did against Exeter, then we'll be ok. If we perform like we did against MK, I doubt it. The whole build up sounded defeatist and there was nothing in that performance to suggest other than the team knew they were going to lose.
I've come to respect Flynn (and I don't understand why Downes is getting all the flack). But that interview yesterday was concerning. All the i'm out of ideas red flags were there.
The current board are not going to do anything until the takeover is complete, and then it's up to the new man.
HamTown wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 14:28
Goalkeeping errors happen but he just sat there watching from then on
But the point is that Flynn hasn't got the confidence in 17yr old Diallo to play him - unless there's an injury - so Day hasn't got any competition for the first team atm . Day could throw the ball in the net in every single game coming up ( not saying that he will mind) and Flynn will stick by him as he's not got much choice.
Diallo needs to go out on loan to play competitive football,he won`t learn enough by watching others mistakes ?
asl wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 17:34
On the plus side, we surely weren't anticipating points from that game. If we'd have played really well and only lost 1-0, we'd have the same number of points as we have now.
Trying to find a positive spin...Those extra 4 goals weren`t really positives
Jerry St Clair wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 20:06
Si, two years ago on the pod you said something that I’ve always remembered: “I don’t want Wade sacked, but if he went tomorrow, I wouldn’t be disappointed”
Absolutely sums up how I feel about Flynn. We seem to take one step forward, two back under his tenure. He might keep us up, and he might talk a good game, but tactically, organisationally, in team selection, he leaves an awful lot to be desired.
The problem with Flynn is he isn`t going anywhere the same as any team he coaches ?
Si Robin wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 20:09
I'm in two minds on him.
We have to accept that we have had a very difficult start to the season. Chesterfield and MK Dons will be up there, and I firmly expect both to go up automatically. That MK Dons team today would give most of League 1 a run for their money.
But, by the same token, there's a way to lose and today was unforgivable.
The three performances in the league imo have been very poor.
Barely enter opposition pen area,hardly any decent passages of play or any kind of quality other than the odd bit of skill from thomas.
3 games i think we forced the opposition keeper into a save just once in each game.
The basics today went out the window,its worrying.....things can change but how long do we realistically give.
I'll be honest I wanted flynn,but as the quote above.....I'd not be bothered if he wasnt our manager tomorrow.
That`s the problem i suspect Mr.Flynn feels exactly the same !
TheTownClub wrote: ↑17 Aug 2025, 08:05
If we perform like we did against Exeter, then we'll be ok. If we perform like we did against MK, I doubt it. The whole build up sounded defeatist and there was nothing in that performance to suggest other than the team knew they were going to lose.
I've come to respect Flynn (and I don't understand why Downes is getting all the flack). But that interview yesterday was concerning. All the i'm out of ideas red flags were there.
The current board are not going to do anything until the takeover is complete, and then it's up to the new man.
Downes gets flack because of his link to GJ and the fact he was appointed before Flynn.
As I understand it, AJB was on the left because Harmon hasn't played much since January. He wasn't supposed to play the full 90 mins on Wednesday, so was rested as a result yesterday. I've no idea on how true that is, but it's what I've been told.
I didn't expect much from yesterday, but I expected the team to dig in and battle. They didn't do that until the second half yesterday, and even then it's arguably only because MK took their foot off the gas.
I can’t see Flynn being moved on just yet (like others have said, I’d not be bothered if they all were) but 4 of the next 5 league games are against teams we’d be expecting to compete with. A poor points return from those and Flynn might be under more pressure.
I think the whole football management set up is something the MG will need to look at quite quickly and bringing it all into unison, as I don’t believe for one minute it is, or has been since last preseason.
I think this squad, on paper, is good enough to stay out of danger, unfortunately the game isn’t played on paper though!
It feels like we at a stick or twist moment for the club. Do we fire Flynn and give a new manager time in the window to bring in some of their own players or do we give him until Christmas and say there must be progress or you are gone. Does Mike Garlick release more money this window instead or do we make other changes at the club to help Flynn, lot's of decisions this week.
Well what is patently obvious is that the defence coaching offered up too many free headers at the back post last season and it seems with a mainly new defence we are at it again
Ihearye wrote: ↑17 Aug 2025, 10:20
Well what is patently obvious is that the defence coaching offered up too many free headers at the back post last season and it seems with a mainly new defence we are at it again
Well in Day, Bennett, Cundy and Wilson we’ve got more than enough experience to sort that out on the park. Just ignore what the DC says!
Robin wrote: ↑17 Aug 2025, 10:19
It feels like we at a stick or twist moment for the club. Do we fire Flynn and give a new manager time in the window to bring in some of their own players or do we give him until Christmas and say there must be progress or you are gone. Does Mike Garlick release more money this window instead or do we make other changes at the club to help Flynn, lot's of decisions this week.
No guarantee that the MG deal will be completed by the end of the window, but if it is or isn’t I don’t think MF will get the boot for a good while.
Short term fix is to bring in a decent coach, we are light in that department and there are no doubt plenty of experienced coaches champing at the bit to be given an opportunity at this time. We’ve had help in short bursts in that department in the past.
Robin wrote: ↑17 Aug 2025, 10:19
It feels like we at a stick or twist moment for the club. Do we fire Flynn and give a new manager time in the window to bring in some of their own players or do we give him until Christmas and say there must be progress or you are gone. Does Mike Garlick release more money this window instead or do we make other changes at the club to help Flynn, lot's of decisions this week.
No guarantee that the MG deal will be completed by the end of the window, but if it is or isn’t I don’t think MF will get the boot for a good while.
Short term fix is to bring in a decent coach, we are light in that department and there are no doubt plenty of experienced coaches champing at the bit to be given an opportunity at this time. We’ve had help in short bursts in that department in the past.
That is, for me, the major worry. There seems to be a feeling among some that there is no need to panic as we will be signing better players very soon, because of investment. I look at our bench and the thought of the matchday squad getting us through until January is not particularly inspiring
HamTown wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025, 14:28
Goalkeeping errors happen but he just sat there watching from then on
But the point is that Flynn hasn't got the confidence in 17yr old Diallo to play him - unless there's an injury - so Day hasn't got any competition for the first team atm . Day could throw the ball in the net in every single game coming up ( not saying that he will mind) and Flynn will stick by him as he's not got much choice.
Diallo needs to go out on loan to play competitive football,he won`t learn enough by watching others mistakes ?
Exactly - this is the problem that we've got showing our lack of squad depth by not having two #1s ( or at least a second 'keeper who is experienced enough/trusted by the manager enough to start a few games). Every so often in our history, we've had young keepers from higher-level clubs happy to come in and play to great effect (Butland, Josh Griffiths spring to mind) - but this avenue seems to have dried up. One game at the end of the season doesn't really say "you're in my future plans" and we've possibly lost out on decent keepers like Pardington, Flinders and Max Harris by hardly playing them when they're here.
) and Flynn will stick by him as he's not got much choice.