[Guest_freelander2_*]

Mark Jones, on Aug 11 2010, 08:15 AM, said:

My take for what its worth.

I think we got ripped apart for both goals by better players who had speed, skill and nouse. I thought the two Boro goals were well deserved. To start throwing blame around is pretty pointless. Lee had a brilliant game Saturday and I personally think he did well last night, OK it would have been nice had he got behind the shot for the second goal but he didn't. Like T_F said, Lee is inconsistent and its hard to argue with that but inconsistent footballers ply their trade in the lower leagues and that's a fact.

I really enjoyed the game last night, even the 4 Forest fans who came with me were off their seats in the second half. I thought Allot did all right, I thought Page did OK and when Breckin pushed on I thought he caused them problems. The turning point most definitely was the introduction of Niven, I am not his #1 fan but he did really well.

I left finding it difficult to point a finger at any of our players thinking they were rubbish, I think they pulled together well and didn't give Boro an easy ride.

The first half we were unsettled by a quick, slick passing Boro side and I think our players gave them too much respect but as we approached half time I could see us getting stuck in more and dictating play, I was convinced at half time that we could nick a draw and I certainly hadn't written us off.

After the break and the introduction of Niven we seemed to take the game by the scruff of the neck and push on, the success we had down the right hand side will, I am sure leave Gordon scratching his head, the only problem was the final ball and when we did get it right, we scored a fine goal good enough to grace any Premiership ground.

We continued to push them right up to the very end, I think the introduction of Niven, the pushing up of Breckin was tactically a very good decision and I tip my hat to Sherridan.

All in all I had a brilliant night despite the loss, the fans were the best I have seen them for a very long time, for the exiles that had to watch it on TV I imagine you were enjoying it too, but what you don't get on TV is the feel of the atmosphere inside the ground, it made the night for me.

As I have said, consistency is not something you will get at this level so I will enjoy performances like that whenever I get to see them. It would be nice if we could bottle that up and present it to Port Vale on Saturday.

Well done CFC, Well done Sherridan and the players and a big well done to the crowd, they were brilliant.

I'm glad the second half came alive otherwise we could have been looking at a 0-5 scoreline. Boro were a very good side, far better than what Barnsley & Derby had to offer.

I think the lads need to have a bit of belief in themselves and then we'll start to see some real success.

An enjoyable evening, more night matches please.

[rs1978]

Pretty much agree with that, Mark. When we play a team that are - let's face it - better than us, I just hope that (a) we don't get battered and ( we give it a good go and attack. So, on this basis I'm pleased.

With a bit more luck we could have taken them to extra time, but with a bit less luck we could have been looking at a bit of a pasting.

Breckin at right back worried me - he's probably not quick enough to play at centre half in League Two, so he was always going to struggle at right back against a Championship side. I thought he was 'all at sea' early on, but - to be fair- did improve as the game went on. As - I think - he struggled that drew players across to try and help out, leaving gaps elsewhere to be exploited. That said, I'm sure Breckin did at least as well Gray would have done who I guess was the other option. Page did well on the whole, apart from standing off for the first goal.

I thought all the Midfield was good - Allott perhaps slightly less impressive, uncharacteristically giving the ball away cheaply a few times. Although Mattis got the goal again (and had a good game), I think Whitaker will prove to be the more influential signing - very clever player - would have loved him to get the goal following the one-two with Lester...liquid football as Alan Partridge might say!

On the evidence so far, I hope we keep Griffiths for longer than a month. Only concern is getting caught out for height like Phil Picken, apart from that potential drawback, very impressive. With Morris and Griffiths, Robertson will struggle to get back in the team - perhaps Robertson is due back roughly around the same time as Griffiths loan ends?

Talbot did well - worked very hard as usual and did cause some problems. For me, still doesn't possess the necessary Striker's instinct and doubt he ever will but fine for filling in on a temporary basis...better than the alternatives I think.

Vintage Jack Lester performance for me (good and bad)...brilliant with his back to goal, strength, intelligence, willing running and horrible to play against. Unfortunately, there was - in my opinion - some diving, plenty of off the ball stuff and the challenge on the touch line on the West Stand could have been a red card from my viewpoint.

Niven helped to drive us forward when he came on and it seems very unfair/unfortunate that we can't find him a spot in the First XI at the moment.

That's more or less everybody covered...Ford was solid and comfortable (especially second half). I think solid and comfortable will be used to describe him a lot this season. Tommy will be disappointed with the second goal without question, but good apart from that - hope it doesn't knock his confidence. Hunt very good as well - better than I first thought from pre-season.

[Zorro]

Thank you - the best 2 posts I've read on here.
Your write ups are both spot on without picking individual players out and 'slagging' them off. A game is made up of 90 minutes of involvement by a 'team', yet most fans only remember the mistakes, howlers & bad passes.
During any game, it is worth watching the movement of individuals rather than the action that follows the ball.