We are getting behind

[Mikero]

Other clubs are spending loads of money buying in mediocre players so that their fans have someone to moan about, surely it is worth running up debts to do this. We have not got enough sicknotes. There could be a major crisis if James Alabi starts banging them in, who is going to be scapegoat of the season then?

Mikero

[Cheshunto]

If not Alabi then probably Josh Wright if he hasn’t scored 30 goals by Christmas

[F*ck The Poor & Fat]

We’ve got enough sicknotes thanks. Brill Turley and Jobi yet to play and Dayton who may make an appearance this season. A fair percentage of senior players.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Lings my main go to scapegoat this year. Although reckon the GK position has a lot of potential.

[Lucky7]

Lings my main go to scapegoat this year. Although reckon the GK position has a lot of potential.

So no change from last season on the scapegoat front hmmm

[Rich Tea Wellin]

A bad player is a bad player, it doesn't matter if they are wearing a new kit or not.

[Buckingham]

This idea that Alabi has been unfairly castigated as a "scapegoat" really is bizarre.

The facts:

Was bought in as a first choice striker last summer, ended the season as 5th choice
Scored 2 goals, all season, in the conference
Justin (RIP) stuck him on the transfer list as he obviously didn't rate him
Anybody who has seen him play and has half a brain knows that he's nowhere near League 2 standard
The bloke runs around like a headless chicken
Contrary to popular opinion he isn't even that strong. I've seen him get rolled a few times.

All evidence points to the fact that the guy simply isn't good enough for League 2. The belief that he'll suddenly start banging in goals is delusional and goes against all logic.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

This idea that Alabi has been unfairly castigated as a "scapegoat" really is bizarre.

The facts:

Was bought in as a first choice striker last summer, ended the season as 5th choice
Scored 2 goals, all season, in the conference
Justin (RIP) stuck him on the transfer list as he obviously didn't rate him
Anybody who has seen him play and has half a brain knows that he's nowhere near League 2 standard
The bloke runs around like a headless chicken
Contrary to popular opinion he isn't even that strong. I've seen him get rolled a few times.

All evidence points to the fact that the guy simply isn't good enough for League 2. The belief that he'll suddenly start banging in goals is delusional and goes against all logic.

Inject this into my veins!

[BiggsyMalone]

A bad player is a bad player, it doesn't matter if they are wearing a new kit or not.

I think calling him a bad player is generous.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

This idea that Alabi has been unfairly castigated as a "scapegoat" really is bizarre.

The facts:

Was bought in as a first choice striker last summer, ended the season as 5th choice
Scored 2 goals, all season, in the conference
Justin (RIP) stuck him on the transfer list as he obviously didn't rate him
Anybody who has seen him play and has half a brain knows that he's nowhere near League 2 standard
The bloke runs around like a headless chicken
Contrary to popular opinion he isn't even that strong. I've seen him get rolled a few times.

All evidence points to the fact that the guy simply isn't good enough for League 2. The belief that he'll suddenly start banging in goals is delusional and goes against all logic.

WHY DO YOU HATE THE CLUB SO MUCH???

[koppio]

This idea that Alabi has been unfairly castigated as a "scapegoat" really is bizarre.

The facts:

Was bought in as a first choice striker last summer, ended the season as 5th choice
Scored 2 goals, all season, in the conference
Justin (RIP) stuck him on the transfer list as he obviously didn't rate him
Anybody who has seen him play and has half a brain knows that he's nowhere near League 2 standard
The bloke runs around like a headless chicken
Contrary to popular opinion he isn't even that strong. I've seen him get rolled a few times.

All evidence points to the fact that the guy simply isn't good enough for League 2. The belief that he'll suddenly start banging in goals is delusional and goes against all logic.

Well said Buckingham! Unlike a lot of people on this board, you are definitely not a "fence sitter".

[CreamofSumYungGai]

In terms of scapegoats, I can see Alabi making a handful of sub appearances, the realisation dawning on everyone that he's still not good enough to be a footballer, and then being left out altogether. So he will escape any scapegoating.

I can see Ling getting some when he's picked ahead of Judd for God knows what reason and despite mediocre performance after mediocre performance, retaining his spot. All capped off by Ling picking up an injury, Judd coming in and playing really well, then getting bombed out when Ling is half fit.

Wright is a potential - I know he comes with Bechetti baggage, I know he's from a bloody awful family - but I reckon he's going to do the business for us and avoid any abuse.

I have a horrible feeling Coulson may make it onto the list too - there's bit of a jump up, he's a year older, he'll have even less protection ahead of him than he did last season with no Jobi, I can see him struggling a bit. If we go to a 4-4-2 and Happe isn't playing, don't be surprised if he cops some flak.

[Give it to Jabo]

No way can I see super-Joshy as a hate-figure. At all.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

No way, he's got a big forehead.

[eagwgw]

Some players make easier scapegoats than others. I think the point was reached with Alabi where people felt sorry for him and so the pendulum swings the other way despite performances not improving. The same thing happens with Sam Ling - if he signed a new deal today you'd get the same people congratulating the club on the 'right decision' even though there is nothing to suggest it is.

I think these two will be largely immune as fans have some bizarre doublethink about them, ie simultaneously expecting they can be good at League Two level while suspecting they will deliver the same type of performance we have always seen, thus covering all bases.

I don't think this season will be plain sailing, and I reckon the first players to start to feel the heat from the fans will be those that who obviously don't bust a gut for the cause. so people like Wright, JMD, Brophy, maybe Angol as well if things aren't going well. I can see the defence being OK, a lot of goodwill carried over from the season before.

[Lucky7]

To even ask who the scapegoat might be is very embarrassing for you all

I wonder how many of you are/was not very good in your workplace but still got a salary for it

It’s like your wanting players to fail so you can justify your virtual bollox

[Buckingham]

To even ask who the scapegoat might be is very embarrassing for you all

I wonder how many of you are/was not very good in your workplace but still got a salary for it

It’s like your wanting players to fail so you can justify your virtual bollox

Agreed. A really strange thread this.

Having said that, I’m sticking to my guns about Alabi. And it has nothing to do with him being a “scapegoat”. The guy belongs nowhere near a League 2 squad.

I’ll admit that he was hugely entertaining during his erratic sub appearances last season. But that novelty will very quickly wear off if we find ourselves in a position where we are genuinely relying on him for goals due to injuries to the other strikers.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

To even ask who the scapegoat might be is very embarrassing for you all

I wonder how many of you are/was not very good in your workplace but still got a salary for it

It’s like your wanting players to fail so you can justify your virtual bollox

Ah a classic apologist. My work is full of them meaning people who are awful at their job, get away with being awful because no one wants to call it out or hold them to account.

[Buckingham]

To even ask who the scapegoat might be is very embarrassing for you all

I wonder how many of you are/was not very good in your workplace but still got a salary for it

It’s like your wanting players to fail so you can justify your virtual bollox

Ah a classic apologist. My work is full of them meaning people who are awful at their job, get away with being awful because no one wants to call it out or hold them to account.

I’m not awful at my job, but I certainly do go through periods where I’m purposely lazy. Usually if I know I can get away with it.

Instead of being proactive and productive, I scrap through with the bare minimum and waste time doing things like posting on a Leyton Orient message board from my phone.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

To even ask who the scapegoat might be is very embarrassing for you all

I wonder how many of you are/was not very good in your workplace but still got a salary for it

It’s like your wanting players to fail so you can justify your virtual bollox

Ah a classic apologist. My work is full of them meaning people who are awful at their job, get away with being awful because no one wants to call it out or hold them to account.

I’m not awful at my job, but I certainly do go through periods where I’m purposely lazy. Usually if I know I can get away with it.

Instead of being proactive and productive, I scrap through with the bare minimum and waste time doing things like posting on a Leyton Orient message board from my phone.

Wonder is Alabi posts on here from the bench during a game?

[Buckingham]

Ah a classic apologist. My work is full of them meaning people who are awful at their job, get away with being awful because no one wants to call it out or hold them to account.

I’m not awful at my job, but I certainly do go through periods where I’m purposely lazy. Usually if I know I can get away with it.

Instead of being proactive and productive, I scrap through with the bare minimum and waste time doing things like posting on a Leyton Orient message board from my phone.

Wonder is Alabi posts on here from the bench during a game?

If it’s anything like his performances on the pitch he’ll miss the target and end up posting comments on a Wycombe Wanderers message board by mistake.

[Red_Army]

In terms of scapegoats, I can see Alabi making a handful of sub appearances, the realisation dawning on everyone that he's still not good enough to be a footballer, and then being left out altogether. So he will escape any scapegoating.

I can see Ling getting some when he's picked ahead of Judd for God knows what reason and despite mediocre performance after mediocre performance, retaining his spot. All capped off by Ling picking up an injury, Judd coming in and playing really well, then getting bombed out when Ling is half fit.

Wright is a potential - I know he comes with Bechetti baggage, I know he's from a bloody awful family - but I reckon he's going to do the business for us and avoid any abuse.

I have a horrible feeling Coulson may make it onto the list too - there's bit of a jump up, he's a year older, he'll have even less protection ahead of him than he did last season with no Jobi, I can see him struggling a bit. If we go to a 4-4-2 and Happe isn't playing, don't be surprised if he cops some flak.

Why is his family awful? That's a bit personal.

[gshaw]

I’m not awful at my job, but I certainly do go through periods where I’m purposely lazy. Usually if I know I can get away with it.

Instead of being proactive and productive, I scrap through with the bare minimum and waste time doing things like posting on a Leyton Orient message board from my phone.

Wonder is Alabi posts on here from the bench during a game?

If it’s anything like his performances on the pitch he’ll miss the target and end up posting comments on a Wycombe Wanderers message board by mistake.

Kinda ironic as give Alabi his dues he tends to hit the target but puts the ball straight at the keeper more often than not.

[Disoriented]

Other clubs are spending loads of money buying in mediocre players so that their fans have someone to moan about, surely it is worth running up debts to do this. We have not got enough sicknotes. There could be a major crisis if James Alabi starts banging them in, who is going to be scapegoat of the season then?

Mikero

Are you for real?

[Mikero]

Can you not see irony when you look at it? Sorry if it was too subtle.

Mikero