[JT_Spire]

Last night was a truely shocking display and when put in to context with some of the other scores, a couple of 5-0 away wins for some of our nearest rivals, it was a disasterous result.
Instead, as the home side when taking the lead we go on to boss the game, we instantly looked shakey and uncomfortable and despite them not creating a deal in the way of chances, they looked the better footballing side.

I cant remember one occassion in the match where one of our players actually took the ball past one of theirs whereas our full backs looked very very poor defensively and they became wise to this.
Ford looked out of sorts tonight and i think he prefers to play along side Mattis as his performances when partnered with Breckin and then Robertson have been way down. Gregor himself is not a centre back and looked poor in possession as opposed to Mattis who likes to carry it forward. The lack of home clean sheets is alarming, considering we have had 3 out of 3 on the road.

Midfield
Allott and Whittaker both had shockers, often selling each other well short in the pass and failing to link in any way with our front 2/3 later in the game. Corners short were wasted and what the hell was the short free kick all about as Tommy was racing forward in the dying embers. They also struggled to get talbot in the game, who might as well have been sat in the stand. Morris started brightly and was unlucky not to score earlier but as i saw from his loan spell last season, he isnt quick enough to be a winger and doesnt have the legs for the full 90.

Attack
We all know that Davies is a quality player and his goals have been crucial so far this season. Yesterday, for me, was his worst game in a blue shirt. His touch was very poor, he never found his range and im afraid he is far too greedy when it comes to choosing a pass/cross or having a shot. Either that or he just doesnt take a look, but several were guilty of that.
I feel sorry for Jack, he is still our best player and although he himself would say he probably should have scored after talbot was stopped by their keeper, his creativity is way beyond anyone i have seen in this league and as soon as he isnt on the pitch we look bereft of ideas.

So the blame has to go to JS. Without fail, Jack will be taken off between 65 and 70 mins and that gave them a massive lift. It was 'job done' and i feel if Jack had stayed on the full 90, Ben Futcher wouldnt have as Jack had got under his skin and he was winning free kicks consistantly. Our heads seemed to drop even further. Im afraid that Bowery and Boden are not yet good enough at this level to provide adequit cover for Lester or Davies (who keeps picking up stupid bookings and must be close to a 1 match ban). The loaning out of Clay was ridiculous and our lack of depth on the bench was noticable tonight, and why only 6 subs? 4-3-3 or whatever it was with Davies wide left was useless, as he was out of the game, and tactically we made poor decisions, short corners, free kicks etc which must come from training. I dont remember one meaningful shot on target in the second half and as the home side, chasing the game for half of it, thats unacceptable.

Positives
Tommy kept the score respectable with an outstanding 1 on 1 save and a good parry from a free kick in the first half
We are still in the top 3 and nobody expects us to go without losing at home over the course of the season and when players come back (Mattis, Lowry, Downes, Morgan) the line up and bench will look instantly stronger with more options.
We have a great chance to get to round 3 of the cup. Instant revenge would be sweet with the incentive of possibly one of the big boys at the b2net. If Lester doesnt start at Burton, then it makes his withdrawal from the Oxford game completely stupid.

Whilst it was an absolutely woeful display, we have to remain positive as we are still in a good position. If things dont turn around soon and we are on their backs already, we could be in for a long and unsuccessful season. Show us what you're made of blues!

[Johnnyspireite7]

JT_Spire, on 24 November 2010 - 12:56 PM, said:

Last night was a truely shocking display and when put in to context with some of the other scores, a couple of 5-0 away wins for some of our nearest rivals, it was a disasterous result.
Instead, as the home side when taking the lead we go on to boss the game, we instantly looked shakey and uncomfortable and despite them not creating a deal in the way of chances, they looked the better footballing side.

I cant remember one occassion in the match where one of our players actually took the ball past one of theirs whereas our full backs looked very very poor defensively and they became wise to this.
Ford looked out of sorts tonight and i think he prefers to play along side Mattis as his performances when partnered with Breckin and then Robertson have been way down. Gregor himself is not a centre back and looked poor in possession as opposed to Mattis who likes to carry it forward. The lack of home clean sheets is alarming, considering we have had 3 out of 3 on the road.

Midfield
Allott and Whittaker both had shockers, often selling each other well short in the pass and failing to link in any way with our front 2/3 later in the game. Corners short were wasted and what the hell was the short free kick all about as Tommy was racing forward in the dying embers. They also struggled to get talbot in the game, who might as well have been sat in the stand. Morris started brightly and was unlucky not to score earlier but as i saw from his loan spell last season, he isnt quick enough to be a winger and doesnt have the legs for the full 90.

Attack
We all know that Davies is a quality player and his goals have been crucial so far this season. Yesterday, for me, was his worst game in a blue shirt. His touch was very poor, he never found his range and im afraid he is far too greedy when it comes to choosing a pass/cross or having a shot. Either that or he just doesnt take a look, but several were guilty of that.
I feel sorry for Jack, he is still our best player and although he himself would say he probably should have scored after talbot was stopped by their keeper, his creativity is way beyond anyone i have seen in this league and as soon as he isnt on the pitch we look bereft of ideas.

So the blame has to go to JS. Without fail, Jack will be taken off between 65 and 70 mins and that gave them a massive lift. It was 'job done' and i feel if Jack had stayed on the full 90, Ben Futcher wouldnt have as Jack had got under his skin and he was winning free kicks consistantly. Our heads seemed to drop even further. Im afraid that Bowery and Boden are not yet good enough at this level to provide adequit cover for Lester or Davies (who keeps picking up stupid bookings and must be close to a 1 match ban). The loaning out of Clay was ridiculous and our lack of depth on the bench was noticable tonight, and why only 6 subs? 4-3-3 or whatever it was with Davies wide left was useless, as he was out of the game, and tactically we made poor decisions, short corners, free kicks etc which must come from training. I dont remember one meaningful shot on target in the second half and as the home side, chasing the game for half of it, thats unacceptable.

Positives
Tommy kept the score respectable with an outstanding 1 on 1 save and a good parry from a free kick in the first half
We are still in the top 3 and nobody expects us to go without losing at home over the course of the season and when players come back (Mattis, Lowry, Downes, Morgan) the line up and bench will look instantly stronger with more options.
We have a great chance to get to round 3 of the cup. Instant revenge would be sweet with the incentive of possibly one of the big boys at the b2net. If Lester doesnt start at Burton, then it makes his withdrawal from the Oxford game completely stupid.

Whilst it was an absolutely woeful display, we have to remain positive as we are still in a good position. If things dont turn around soon and we are on their backs already, we could be in for a long and unsuccessful season. Show us what you're made of blues!

Next yellow would be his 4th, Davies wasn't booked last night It was their keeper for timewasting.

This post has been edited by Johnnyspireite7: 24 November 2010 - 01:09 PM

[Zytok]

Johnnyspireite7, on 24 November 2010 - 01:07 PM, said:

was it entirely necessary to quote the entire post?

[BlueRover52]

KevoBMMD, on 24 November 2010 - 12:24 PM, said:

I think every player was thinking about Saturday.

They didn't tackle in case they got injured or booked or even sent off.

Possibly an inpact of the previous Ref and the ridiculous sending off and the lack of appeal.

It was more of a passive friendly approach from Town. They lost the Ball too easily and won it back very rarely.

Lets hope I'm right and Saturday is another Bounce Back from Defeat.


I thought Gregor actually played better than most of the team really and regarding the headed clearance. That's the importance of having a working midfield to win second balls, Track Back and Support.

We kept possesion and passed it around but nothing worthy of causing an inpact or a threat. Too much across the park and not enough forward.

All the team looked comfy in the first half while Oxford offered nothng.Different tale in the second half when they put us under pressure and harassed us all over the park.Teams who come and have a go will have a chance against us until we learn to be composed on the ball,keep the ball,make clinical passes to players who actually make space for themselves.Closing the opposition down when they have the ball and actually making a tackle might come in handy!

[Johnnyspireite7]

Zytok, on 24 November 2010 - 01:22 PM, said:

was it entirely necessary to quote the entire post?

Why not everyone else does!

[spireitetoo]

Johnnyspireite7, on 24 November 2010 - 01:07 PM, said:

Next yellow would be his 4th, Davies wasn't booked last night It was their keeper for timewasting.

i thought davies got booked when having a spat with the keeeper, tryin to speed him up??

[Johnnyspireite7]

spireitetoo, on 24 November 2010 - 05:27 PM, said:

i thought davies got booked when having a spat with the keeeper, tryin to speed him up??

No only booking last night was Clarke.
http://news.bbc.co.u...v_3/9206365.stm

[fishini]

BlueRover52, on 24 November 2010 - 01:26 PM, said:

All the team looked comfy in the first half while Oxford offered nothng.Different tale in the second half when they put us under pressure and harassed us all over the park.Teams who come and have a go will have a chance against us until we learn to be composed on the ball,keep the ball,make clinical passes to players who actually make space for themselves.Closing the opposition down when they have the ball and actually making a tackle might come in handy!

True the worrying thing is that it is 2 dire home games on the trot now. No idea against Burton and even fewer against Oxford. The lack of quality outside the first 11 will hurt us come the end of the season

[Sammy Spireite]

Just to confirm one thing, Brecks was at the game last night.

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

Rodney, on 24 November 2010 - 09:17 AM, said:

Thought he had the ball stuffed up his shirt,hope father and baby are doing well. Does anyone know if he's had a Cesarian or route one.

he was at the game and as they only played 1 up front i think either him or Page would have given us more balance with gregor at left ack

[WarwickshireSpireite]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on 24 November 2010 - 07:45 PM, said:

he was at the game and as they only played 1 up front i think either him or Page would have given us more balance with gregor at left ack

Tend to agree.If Gregor had played left back we would have got more joy down the left as the occasions we got the ball out to Morris he looked effective but we just didnt do it often enough and Lomax is no LB and as a consequence he is not comfortable to overlap.

Virtually everything went right to Talbot in the first half and was all to predictable.

That being said thought we played well enough first half to have gone in a half time 2 or 3 up, but as soon as they went in front our heads dropped until the last 10. Think technically we are good enough to succeed but at times lack mental strength.

[DIFH]

fishini, on 24 November 2010 - 07:10 PM, said:

True the worrying thing is that it is 2 dire home games on the trot now. No idea against Burton and even fewer against Oxford. The lack of quality outside the first 11 will hurt us come the end of the season

Na les, we have to invest to guarantee promotion. On top of Lowry, Skippy and gregor back on board we'll be ok, baring a disasterous run of injuries.

[Walton Spireite]

fishini, on 24 November 2010 - 07:10 PM, said:

True the worrying thing is that it is 2 dire home games on the trot now. No idea against Burton and even fewer against Oxford. The lack of quality outside the first 11 will hurt us come the end of the season

Correct.

To me it is staring us in the face - the board either invests in some quality then it's going to go pear shaped yet again.

This is what I wan't for Christmas.

1)Another Centre back as cover for Mattis or Ford - Can't wait for Downes and Breckin & Page are finished.
2)Centre Midfielder - Some one who can tackle and win the ball.
3)Left Winger with PACE - Morgan will miss more games than he plays.
4)A decent Striker to bring on when Jack has to come off - Forget Boden & Bowery simply not good enough.

If we are serious about promotion then this is what we need.

[Johnnyspireite7]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on 24 November 2010 - 07:45 PM, said:

he was at the game and as they only played 1 up front i think either him or Page would have given us more balance with gregor at left ack

But as has been confirmed by Shez on back of Despicable Times Brecks has got a virus so wouldn't have played. God, even when he's not playing he's getting stick. We've started to develop boo-boys again.

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

Johnnyspireite7, on 25 November 2010 - 08:02 AM, said:

But as has been confirmed by Shez on back of Despicable Times Brecks has got a virus so wouldn't have played. God, even when he's not playing he's getting stick. We've started to develop boo-boys again.

Why is that stick?

[philly8mt]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on 25 November 2010 - 11:00 PM, said:

Why is that stick?

Correct .. I see no stick??

[Johnnyspireite7]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on 25 November 2010 - 11:00 PM, said:

Why is that stick?

What were the first five words of your post? So what if he was at the game if he's recovering from a virus he wouldn't be played would he cos he could pass the virus on. He can still come and watch the game just don't go near the rest of the players.

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

Johnnyspireite7, on 26 November 2010 - 08:34 AM, said:

What were the first five words of your post? So what if he was at the game if he's recovering from a virus he wouldn't be played would he cos he could pass the virus on. He can still come and watch the game just don't go near the rest of the players.

Christ you lead a sheltered life if you think that's stick. You should get out more.

If the club had also announced before that he had a virus it may have stopped my post. Hindsight is wonderful isn't it. Why didn't you post that he wasn't an option before earlier in the thread to save everyone time?