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Post by littgull on Aug 29, 2009 21:41:23 GMT
Decided to have a pub meal on the way back from the 25 mile trip to Bradford which was definately the highlight of the day. We were all geared up to have a pre match curry in Bradford (the capital of curries) but realised too late that the curry houses were all closed (during daylight hours) due to Ramadan.
So to the game, A bright sunny and beeezy late summer day - perfect for football. We did not play well but we weren't awful either. The final score of 2 - 0 flattered Bradford as the second goal was scored with almost the last kick of the match gfrom a counter attack when we had everybody upfield pressing for an equaliser.
Likewise, the first goal was scored in the one minute added time of the first half. A soft free kick conceded (can't remember who by) out on their right flank. The challenges in the goal mouth from the free kick appeared to be almost in slow motion and bang we go in undeservedly one down.
There was no lack of effort from any player but I do feel that after 5 league games 2 major weakneeses have become clearly evident.
Firstly, there is a worrying lack of pace throughout the whole side. Bradford had little pace as well and their new signing, the winger described as 'jet heeled' only came on in the last 15 minutes but showed enough to make me feel grateful he didn't play the other 75 mins.
Secondly, the full back problem needs sorting out. Nicho's lack of pace is going to be ruthlessly exploited at this higher level although he did not have too bad a game today. But the persistence in playing Robbo at RB is beginning to really irritate me. He should be partnering Charnock (who was actually quite poor today) as our first choice CBs at the expense of the error strewn Todd.
Stevens played well first half but ran out of steam in the 2nd to be replaced by Carayol who was, i'm afraid, absolutely dreadful.
Hargreaves played well and would be my pick as our best player on the day. Sills too, is a concern, he looks too immobile for this level and perhaps this is why he struggled when previosly playing at this level. Rendell did quite well when he came on for Sills in the 2nd half and livened things up.
We had no problem mounting attacks, just lacked the cutting edge with Benyon trying hard enough but failing to win any of the physical battles. He was subjected to some rough treatment and did stick at it but unfortunately we needed more than that.
A team with pace (e.g. Dagenham) would have slaughtered us today and likewise Bradford who looked no better than lower mid table.
However having said all that a performance of the standard we put in away at Burton would have been easily enough to have taken 3 points today.
My recommendations - sort the full back positions out and get a couple of proven (with pace) loanees in. Perhaps easier said than done.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 29, 2009 21:57:12 GMT
Many thanks for your report and I hope you enjoyed your evening meal, it is clear we do have a few areas of concern and it may be the case we will have to get to Christmas and then look to bring in a few players in the transfer window.
It is never going to be easy in this league with a team that is made up with many players who have only been conference players. Still its very early days yet and hopefully things will get better and we can keep around the mid table. We do need to pick up what points we can, as we could hit the bottom if we fail to do that.
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Post by capitalgull on Aug 29, 2009 22:14:56 GMT
Many thanks for your report and I hope you enjoyed your evening meal, it is clear we do have a few areas of concern and it may be the case we will have to get to Christmas and then look to bring in a few players in the transfer window. It is never going to be easy in this league with a team that is made up with many players who have only been conference players. Still its very early days yet and hopefully things will get better and we can keep around the mid table. We do need to pick up what points we can, as we could hit the bottom if we fail to do that. There is still the loan market to exploit, which if rumours of Buckle's imminent departure for Colchester are true, may be the only way any new manager has to bring in 'his' players. If I remember rightly, the market completely closes for seven days at 5pm on Tuesday, but after that loan deals can still be made and free agents can be signed. Apparently Colchester are going to be approaching a manager in a current role on Sunday - I'm not sure if I actually want it to be Buckle or not... |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 29, 2009 22:24:30 GMT
Andy it would depend on two things for me, one I would not want to see him go if it disrupted our season and harmed the progress we have made, but two if as Chris seemed to suggest some were not pulling in the same direction and that was anything to do with Bucks, then maybe him going would be best.
I still would hope he stays and gets the team firmly established in league two, but its only good for him to stay, if that is what we really wants for himself.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Aug 29, 2009 22:51:20 GMT
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 30, 2009 6:22:01 GMT
1- We were all geared up to have a pre match curry in Bradford (the capital of curries) but realised too late that the curry houses were all closed (during daylight hours) due to Ramadan. 2- Firstly, there is a worrying lack of pace throughout the whole side. Bradford had little pace as well and their new signing, the winger described as 'jet heeled' only came on in the last 15 minutes but showed enough to make me feel grateful he didn't play the other 75 mins. 3- Secondly, the full back problem needs sorting out. Nicho's lack of pace is going to be ruthlessly exploited at this higher level although he did not have too bad a game today. But the persistence in playing Robbo at RB is beginning to really irritate me. 4- A team with pace (e.g. Dagenham) would have slaughtered us today and likewise Bradford who looked no better than lower mid table. However having said all that a performance of the standard we put in away at Burton would have been easily enough to have taken 3 points today.  1- Has anyone considered whether or not Ramadan is affecting Mustapha Caryol's performance? I don't know whether or not he is a practising Muslim, but there was a fiery debate on LBC (Nick Ferrari) this week on the very subject after comment made by Jose Mourinho about extreme fasting being no good for the professional athlete especially in the self denial of essential fluids. 2- Lack of pace from the flanks was identified by the radio commentary team yesterday and seeing as that came from Julian Gaunt and David Thomas ~ the only pairing they use with a combined extensive knowledge of the professional game; I would take that on board. As well as Carlisle is playing he does not possess blistering pace and neither does Stevens which is why the manager experiments with Caryol...................pace however, is no good without ability and reliability to use that asset properly. 3- Nicho and his lack of pace will be a recurring problem and has to be counter set by his exceptional ability to deliver a good ball...................when and if that ability becomes a luxury because of the weakness, is when the manager has to act. It's what lower division management is all about and it's why Nicho didn't hold down his place at the far more "elevated" level of Sheffield Wednesday whilst he was there. Mansell's "much patched up and repaired body" was mentioned by DT and it is surely that and that only that is preventing him playing at right back form the start at the moment. We often fail to appreciate that not every pro' is one hundred per cent fit for one hundred per cent of the matches and therefore have no appreciation of how debilitating and limiting playing with injuries can be. 4- That's the million dollar question...................how many teams in League 2 possess such pace, and how come then that we coped quite adequately with the so called "pacey" Championship sides in the FA Cup last season? I don't pretend to know the answer mind you, just making the observation and asking questions. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 7:30:28 GMT
1- Has anyone considered whether or not Ramadan is affecting Mustapha Caryol's performance? I don't know whether or not he is a practising Muslim, but there was a fiery debate on LBC (Nick Ferrari) this week on the very subject after comment made by Jose Mourinho about extreme fasting being no good for the professional athlete especially in the self denial of essential fluids. Who knows? But, yes, I did have that thought myself yesterday whilst studying a poster of fasting times in a takeaway on Manningham Lane. Merse, in fact, would have been appalled by my performance on the day. All that wonderful choice in Bradford but, running late (too much TUFC historical chat at Tamworth services and too many roadworks on the M1), we fell into the trap of second-rate fish and chips. An easier trip, admittedly, for ourselves than the team. It must have been the sad business on the M5 on Friday night. I received a phone call from somebody frantically trying to reach that evening's Weston v Weymouth game - they abandoned hope at Bridgwater - and it sounded chaotic. Just one of those things I suppose. And, dearie me, what a sorry show at Valley Parade. Littgull's observations are pretty much in order and - if anything - his posting was a touch more upbeat than our deflated analysis over a cup of half-heartedly served (and made) coffee at Frankley services on the way home. A lack of pace indeed (from our team and "barista" alike) and something rather worrying about how "lost" the team appeared at times in the second half. It was one of those games where you sat and asked whether something was significantly wrong - events at the club? or confidence/performance issues affecting too many of the most senior players at the same time? The post-match urinal talk - always an intriguing barometer of supporter feeling (informed or otherwise) - was heavy with complaints about a lack of commitment and pace up front (on the pitch, naturally, if you catch my drift). Overall not a wonderful game. We had lots of possession but also plenty of vulnerability. A "there for the taking" match (both ways) from which a team can often take barely-deserved spoils although - ultimately - we could have got a point, didn't and can't complain. As for the future - managerial outcomes notwithstanding - it's right to flag up the issue of the loan market (and remember the January window isn't always the Great Panacea it appears). Anyway we live in hope. A year ago I came back from Crawley in a similar frame of mind. Then, a week or two later, my travelling companion of yesterday went off on holiday to the Lakes and - by the time he returned - we'd turned the corner. The good man is heading up the M6 to the shores of Esthwaite Water this coming weekend with our best wishes.... |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 30, 2009 8:56:48 GMT
An easier trip, admittedly, for ourselves than the team. It must have been the sad business on the M5 on Friday night. I received a phone call from somebody frantically trying to reach that evening's Weston v Weymouth game - they abandoned hope at Bridgwater - and it sounded chaotic. Just one of those things I suppose. Well two goals conceded right at the end of each half suggests a lack of concentration accentuated by fatigue..................hence the statistical proof over many years of late goals deciding matches. Reserves of much needed mental and physical strength would have been undoubtedly reduced by that farce of a trip. We hear the manager getting stick for no "plan B", when I plan a journey ~ even one with just a few minutes notice ~ I always have a fall back route in my head just in case.....................it's essential as anyone who works in logistics will tell you; am I right or wrong Longie? |
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Post by longeatongull on Aug 30, 2009 9:09:36 GMT
An easier trip, admittedly, for ourselves than the team. It must have been the sad business on the M5 on Friday night. I received a phone call from somebody frantically trying to reach that evening's Weston v Weymouth game - they abandoned hope at Bridgwater - and it sounded chaotic. Just one of those things I suppose. Well two goals conceded right at the end of each half suggests a lack of concentration accentuated by fatigue..................hence the statistical proof over many years of late goals deciding matches. Reserves of much needed mental and physical strength would have been undoubtedly reduced by that farce of a trip. We hear the manager getting stick for no "plan B", when I plan a journey ~ even one with just a few minutes notice ~ I always have a fall back route in my head just in case.....................it's essential as anyone who works in logistics will tell you; am I right or wrong Longie? This has been an interesting subject to read--planning/coaches/journeys etc etc. Having been involved in the Bay with Wallace Arnold many moons ago I remember oh so well camping at Plainmoor waiting for the cheque for payments. Football clubs always seem to think that coach companies run team coaches for prestige rather than to pay bills. On the journey planning subject you always have a plan b and c but the sad events on friday "with the geezer on the bridge" is totally unavoidable. Once you have gone past a motorway exit there aint no escape (the most frustrating part of driving)---hence always have a choccy bar/bottle of water and a good read!!! |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 30, 2009 10:52:13 GMT
when I plan a journey ~ even one with just a few minutes notice ~ I always have a fall back route in my head just in case.....................it's essential as anyone who works in logistics will tell you; am I right or wrong Longie? On the journey planning subject you always have a plan b and c but the sad events on friday "with the geezer on the bridge" is totally unavoidable. Once you have gone past a motorway exit there aint no escape (the most frustrating part of driving)---hence always have a choccy bar/bottle of water and a good read!!! Yep; there's a "permanent supply" of Red Bull, Water, dried apricots and something to read in my vehicle as well as a pair of underpants (mine  ), toothbrush and my passport.................anything else out of the normal expectations I figure I can always buy at a motorway services if needed! I don't know how far up the M5 they had got on Friday, but cutting East towards the A37/A4/ M4 and A34/ M40 routes would have been my "Plan B". |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 30, 2009 12:41:50 GMT
We hear the manager getting stick for no "plan B", when I plan a journey ~ even one with just a few minutes notice ~ I always have a fall back route in my head just in case.....................it's essential as anyone who works in logistics will tell you; am I right or wrong Longie? It seems that the team coach left NA at 11 and the incident occurred at around 1, closing the motorway. We would almost certainly have been past "the point of no return" even if we had received the information as soon as the problem arose. It doesn't matter how many plans you have if you can't get to a motorway exit. Even if you could, the volume of traffic would mean that any alternative route would be gridlocked by thousands of others trying to escape the same way. It is a case of just bad luck rather than bad planning. |
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Aug 30, 2009 12:44:45 GMT
11.00am IMO is too late on a Bank Holiday Week-End.
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Post by darryl on Aug 30, 2009 13:39:59 GMT
For what it is worth, I actually had a conversation on Thursday afternoon with a member of the backroom staff about this very problem of when and which way to go. I advised not going toward Manchester but going cross-country and avoiding the M62, I'm not sure if my advice was taken!!!  We all know that traffic coming down toward Devon is always a nightmare but going 'up' country isn't always so bad. Anyway, the conversation, naturally enough in my opinion, was which way to go after Bristol? As mentioned earlier no-one could have foreseen the dramas that delayed the team and this really was a case of bad luck. However, I travelled up to Bradford on Saturday morning starting out at 7.30 in the a.m. and was in the Bradford Arms by 12.15pm, so on a Bank Holiday weekend in future it may well prove more beneficial to travel on the day.... |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 30, 2009 14:22:17 GMT
However, I travelled up to Bradford on Saturday morning starting out at 7.30 in the a.m. and was in the Bradford Arms by 12.15pm, so on a Bank Holiday weekend in future it may well prove more beneficial to travel on the day.... Friday's on the motorways have been getting steadily worse and worse for years now and in my opinion are now at nightmare levels. I had to make a journey from Chiswick to Gatwick at 1pm on Friday and I deliberately minimised use of the M25 due to it's shocking Friday reputation, in fact once I had planned to join it at Leatherhead I still had a contingency plan to avoid it altogether if needed..................journey time for that trip was 50 mnutes. True to form by the time I was heading back, the M25 was like a car park in both East and West directions and my trip to North London (via a stop off at Waterloo) took me three hours despite ducking and diving in and around Croydon to minimise the overused A23, and avoid both Brixton and Camberwell...............notorious gridlock areas on a Friday afternoon/evening and more so on a Bank Holiday. You really do need to know what you're doing when people entrust you with their travel so that they do not miss planes or trains or meeting or performance deadlines. Like a good football referee, the ideal professional driver is one you do not realise is there ~ has his brain constantly ticking over and his ear discreetly to the traffic bulletins so that before you know it you're at the end of your newspaper/ipod listening and you are there. It really makes my day when the occasional client let's you know they were aware of your professionalism, but so many just do not realise how hard you have worked or how much thought you have applied to their journey; but I take their silence as a compliment. |
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Post by Yellow on Aug 30, 2009 17:40:53 GMT
merse I never realised you were a London cabbie with ‘the knowledge’ and everything.
It explains so much about your posts.
After a while even a decent Devon bloke can end up being transformed into one of those “know-it-all” black cab drivers that bore their clients to death by downloading their brains through the glass window, whether they want to hear it or not.
“Here I had that Paul Buckle in the back of my cab once...”
“Here I won best poster of the week once...”
“Blah blah blah”
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), toothbrush and my passport.................anything else out of the normal expectations I figure I can always buy at a motorway services if needed!
