Post by buster on Aug 17, 2008 21:29:02 GMT
Apologies for the time delay but only just got back from a week on the sunny Riviera.
Reflections on the Woking night:
pre match:
Only memorable thing was listening to Sham 69 thinking maybe they're trying to whip up some atmosphere, only for it to be cut short way before the great ending. Change in announcer i think, but nothing else.
The match:
Sat in the family stand so had a good view of our defence first half.
1. was a little concerned with Pokes indecision. on 3 occasions he delayed making a call or coming for the ball. The last one of which resulted in the nasty collision with hodges. Hearings not what it used to be, but it didn`t sound like he was commanding the box with confidence. I`m not criticizing him but an awful lot was spoken of him pre season. My point would be to say that it`s very early days and he`s a young lad after all, so we may need to bear with him and not expect him to be the difference straight away.
2. Lack of pace in defence - Until we equalized we didn`t seem able to pick up they're runs into the box.
3. Hargreaves - I do worry that if he stays at CB he will cost us penalties, goals and red cards. Still has the habit of grabbing hold of his marker, which was how he conceded the free kick.
4. finishing - Saw PB working on the front 4 in the warm up. They didn`t look too convincing. Sadly it flowed over into the game. Sills had a real off night missing 3 sitters. Header after 5 mins which he couldn't`t get over, a one on one which he hit at the keeper and the painful slow motion effort during injury time at the end. Which incidentally I thought was turned around for a corner by the defenders hand.
To the credit of the team though they turned the score around.
The odd thing was the pattern of play had been devoid of any quality yet the game contained 3 quality goals.
not sure about pokes positioning couldn`t tell from our seats but the Woking lad put it away well.
Benyon shielded the ball well and drilled in a good shot for his, then set up Carlisle for a neat finish which was just about the only thing Carlisle did all game.
Came away thinking its 3pts but it was a typical Utd experience. Little atmosphere in the ground, and the old nerves and heart were tested to the final whistle.
Saw the dull opening home game last season against Grays and wondered how we would score goals so am not reading too much into the performance against woking.
This squad may take a little longer to gel. I hope the fans are patient and get behind whatever team PB puts out.
From early results so far this could be a season of surprises. So keep the faith.
buster
Reflections on the Woking night:
pre match:
Only memorable thing was listening to Sham 69 thinking maybe they're trying to whip up some atmosphere, only for it to be cut short way before the great ending. Change in announcer i think, but nothing else.
The match:
Sat in the family stand so had a good view of our defence first half.
1. was a little concerned with Pokes indecision. on 3 occasions he delayed making a call or coming for the ball. The last one of which resulted in the nasty collision with hodges. Hearings not what it used to be, but it didn`t sound like he was commanding the box with confidence. I`m not criticizing him but an awful lot was spoken of him pre season. My point would be to say that it`s very early days and he`s a young lad after all, so we may need to bear with him and not expect him to be the difference straight away.
2. Lack of pace in defence - Until we equalized we didn`t seem able to pick up they're runs into the box.
3. Hargreaves - I do worry that if he stays at CB he will cost us penalties, goals and red cards. Still has the habit of grabbing hold of his marker, which was how he conceded the free kick.
4. finishing - Saw PB working on the front 4 in the warm up. They didn`t look too convincing. Sadly it flowed over into the game. Sills had a real off night missing 3 sitters. Header after 5 mins which he couldn't`t get over, a one on one which he hit at the keeper and the painful slow motion effort during injury time at the end. Which incidentally I thought was turned around for a corner by the defenders hand.
To the credit of the team though they turned the score around.
The odd thing was the pattern of play had been devoid of any quality yet the game contained 3 quality goals.
not sure about pokes positioning couldn`t tell from our seats but the Woking lad put it away well.
Benyon shielded the ball well and drilled in a good shot for his, then set up Carlisle for a neat finish which was just about the only thing Carlisle did all game.
Came away thinking its 3pts but it was a typical Utd experience. Little atmosphere in the ground, and the old nerves and heart were tested to the final whistle.
Saw the dull opening home game last season against Grays and wondered how we would score goals so am not reading too much into the performance against woking.
This squad may take a little longer to gel. I hope the fans are patient and get behind whatever team PB puts out.
From early results so far this could be a season of surprises. So keep the faith.
buster