Histon v. Torquay United 9th August 2008

thanks crooky, Dave T made it sound a much different game, he seemed to think we played Histon off the park with some very good football. Mind you he always does ;D

Well you were there mate and I trust your view, sure Merse will also tell it as it was. I tell no lies mate, I was here thinking we played very well, had most of the game and were very unlucky not to get all three points.

So much for having to listen on the radio ;D

You would have thought with Stevens and Carlisle, we should have had the width we required, I think we had at least 8 corners, did you think the substitutions changed the game in any way.

Like I said crooky, thats how the game was made to sound to us listening on the radio, I'm all for putting positive spin on things where I can, but I do feel match commentary's and match reports should really reflect how the game really was.

I often think we lack width when Danny plays, I do like him but he does get lost in the game and tends to drift inside to try and get more of the ball.

I didn't go to the game, so am not going to comment too much on this one, I am disappointed with the result (Torquay let me down on a 6 away wins accumulator which would of won me £400 ) reading the report on the official site you would think we had one 3 nil, so thanks to everyone who has given us a more truer report on todays game.

I don't think the substitutions were that unorthodox they were both like for like swaps and Carayol is always going to have an impact coming off the bench injecting a bit of pace into our play and hugging the byline. Green has failed to score yet for us and I have a feeling PB just wanted to show him he has to work a bit more and EARN his place in the side having said that I am disappointed we have again failed to score from open play, the back 4 certainly isn't the best in the division and I am expected us to concede more than we did last year, if the goals don't start coming soon we may find ourselves lingering around mid table

Were still unbeaten, and a win on Tuesday will see us with 4 points from 2 games, its not all that bad is it?

Match Summary

1st Half

We played some neat passing football, retained the ball, worked some good wide positions, and created very few chances. Histon showed little promise, and were restricted to a couple of scrambled chances.

2nd Half

Stevens and Carlisle seemed to tuck in, reducing our width, and making ball retention harder. Our goal- after some good work on the left wing, stevens was tripped when going nowhere in the area, harsh, but definitely a penalty. After this our best move of the game manipulated Carlisle into a central position 10 yards out, with time and space, crying out for a first time shot (albeit on his left foot) instead he took two touches, and then missed horribly. Their goal – I was at the wrong end but it looked alarmingly simple.

Star ratings – 5 equals mediocre.

Poke 8 – Great first half, was tempted to give him a 9, but as we conceded 8 it is. Very commanding, but could be more vocal.

Mansel 6 Alright, nothing special.

Todd 6 see mansell

Hargreaves 4 – Seemed constantly out of position, why as a midfielder he kept getting in the defences way I have no idea..

Hodges 5 I was expecting more from him, he might be better suited to left midfield where he would get morte of the ball.

Carlisle 1 (and he only got that because he tried hard) He missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0, several times in the first half we worked the ball to him in great positions, only for him to pick out their ‘keeper with unerring accuracy. Tim Sills relies on a quality service from wide areas, Carlisle failed to supply. I blame the song, “he used to be … “

Wroe 7 good movement, some good passes, generally solid.

Thompson 9 my MOTM quality defending, good movement, vision, and passing, looks to be a superb addition.

Stevens 7 – not really in the game, kept drifting inside, denying us the width our passing style now demands. Seemed to come to life abit in the second half, and did some great work for the goal.

Benyon 6 – Worked very hard. However some weak shooting, and a desperate need for some extra pace let him down.

Sill – unclassified. Without a good level of service from the wings Sills’ talents will be wasted. While he won many flick ons (often going to a Torquay player) his great strength is attacking crosses, when the wingers deliver, then Sills can do his stuff, until then he is hamstrung by his teammates, hence the score.

Subs

Dsane – 6 added some pace and extra threat, did give the ball away a little to often though.

Carayol – 7 some good runs, a real threat, gave us the width that Stevens struggle to supply, made us seem much more balanced.

i may have been a little harsh, but for me he was the stand out disaster today.

he did get into some good positions, but the product just wasn't there.

However given his pedigree, and his endeavor I fully expect him to come good.