26-12-2025, 21:39
I think if you only watched the highlights from today's game, you could sympathise with Mason.
We missed at least 4-5 real sitters. While Bristol's goals, IMO, were both goalkeeping errors...
However, over the course of 90 minutes, it really was an abject performance for the best part.
Bristol's first goal probably should've been disallowed, as the player who hopped over the ball was in an offside position. However, I still think Wildsmith should've got down to it. Don't know what he was doing to be gonest.
Second goal, I don't think you can be beat at your near post from there. That's goalkeeping fundamentals.
At the other end, Heggebo and Diakite missed 2 real sitters. Price could've squared for Johnston to have an open goal but shot straight at the keeper. Grant also missed a couple of presentable chances.
Mason can't be blamed for that lack of quality. Our recruitment has been, for the best part, dreadful for years. Heggebo looks the part, but otherwise we've bought some real dross.
However, I personally can't get past Mason constantly selecting Issac Price. Diakite. Joe Wildsmith.
It wasn't a surprise to me today that we looked better when Illing-Junior replaced Price because he's a better player. He wants to go forward. Price just wants the glory of scoring a goal and when that's not on, he picks the easy pass to the centre halves every time. I don't see how you can be 2-0 down and have Daryl Dike on the bench until nearly the 80th minute when he's probably one of the best strikers in the division.
Yes, our playing personnel is lacking, but Mason can't see the wood from the trees. He's had plenty of time now, I don't him getting any better.
I assumed when Mowbray was sacked that the owners had aspirations of getting promoted. If that is the case, Mason needs to go now. I appreciate that even a good manager would struggle to get us in the playoffs with this poor squad, but they might at least be able to pick the best team.
We missed at least 4-5 real sitters. While Bristol's goals, IMO, were both goalkeeping errors...
However, over the course of 90 minutes, it really was an abject performance for the best part.
Bristol's first goal probably should've been disallowed, as the player who hopped over the ball was in an offside position. However, I still think Wildsmith should've got down to it. Don't know what he was doing to be gonest.
Second goal, I don't think you can be beat at your near post from there. That's goalkeeping fundamentals.
At the other end, Heggebo and Diakite missed 2 real sitters. Price could've squared for Johnston to have an open goal but shot straight at the keeper. Grant also missed a couple of presentable chances.
Mason can't be blamed for that lack of quality. Our recruitment has been, for the best part, dreadful for years. Heggebo looks the part, but otherwise we've bought some real dross.
However, I personally can't get past Mason constantly selecting Issac Price. Diakite. Joe Wildsmith.
It wasn't a surprise to me today that we looked better when Illing-Junior replaced Price because he's a better player. He wants to go forward. Price just wants the glory of scoring a goal and when that's not on, he picks the easy pass to the centre halves every time. I don't see how you can be 2-0 down and have Daryl Dike on the bench until nearly the 80th minute when he's probably one of the best strikers in the division.
Yes, our playing personnel is lacking, but Mason can't see the wood from the trees. He's had plenty of time now, I don't him getting any better.
I assumed when Mowbray was sacked that the owners had aspirations of getting promoted. If that is the case, Mason needs to go now. I appreciate that even a good manager would struggle to get us in the playoffs with this poor squad, but they might at least be able to pick the best team.