2020/21 General Match Thread

[That Fat Centre Half]

Committed the cardinal sin of conceding first against Wycombe. Thought the penalty was quite soft, a rather flamboyant drop to the floor but we put ourselves in an awful position what with the oil tanker like speed of our centre halves from a simple ball over the top. Perhaps the ref was sceptical as he didn’t even book Bradley who would have been off, already on a yellow.

Since then a rather frustrating time of it, some possession but done cock all with it and Wycombe doing a good job of breaking up play and doing there thing.

Bradley and Pearson not dealing with Akinfenwa at all so maybe Ainsworth did do his homework! Did we scout either Bradley or Pearson at all? Think Cuthbert is better with the ball than either of these 2 so not sure what they are doing playing together to be honest.

 

[mowgli]

Thought the penalty was quite soft, a rather flamboyant drop to the floor

Sorry but Danny Hylton i needn't say any more!

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Sorry but Danny Hylton i needn't say any more!

Ha yep no doubt about that he likes a flop! Always find it amusing Wycombe seem to have a special hatred of him despite the fact he is literally the perfect player for how you play!

 

[Jamo]

Absolutely battering Gillingham but only 2 nil at half time. I'd obviously take that come full time but need to keep up the pressure and put the game to bed asap after half time.

 

[Jamo]

Ffs we should be about 5 nil up but Gillingham scramble one in. Stupid commentators making out the game was up at half time, idiots. Brown trousers time now.

 

[Wibbin]

1-1 with the Gas, they've had one chance, a pen, which Payne scored. We've just equalised through an OG. They are rightly down to 10 men and could conceivably be down to 9.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Yet again a crappy first half costs us. Wasteful second half despite a dramatic improvement. Got to learn to be more consistent and clinical.

 

[Super_horns]

3 sent off at the end of the Southend Charlton game !

 

[Jamo]

Went from cruising to hanging on at the end vs Gillingham but listening to it that was down to them taking the game to us rather than us slackening off. Delighted with the 3 points and to still be unbeaten.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

The penalty miss by Wycombe really galvanised us and we played far far better after it. Before it was all pretty poor really. Some superb chances and I think we can be justifiably disappointed to have not won it. Some really good saves by their keeper from Lee and Pelly, really unlucky that the breakaway one v one fell to Potts and not an attacker, he still should have buried it mind. Can’t afford to waste guilt edged chances like that.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Easy! PUP

 

[Fedora Dale]

Wasn't there, but based on reports from our forum we were a tad fortunate today.

First half, Dale woeful, Cov wasteful.

Second half Dale much improved, Calvin Andrew(!) shows how to finish, Cov huff and puff, Henderson has 3 disallowed for offside, Dale also hit woodwork. Squeaky bums as Cov continue to press, but despite another substituted goalie Dale hold on, just...

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Doncaster Rovers - ending 100% records left right and centre

Should have won as well

 

[womble76]

We got what we always get at Burton

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Forgot to add, dont think JJ in midfield worked at all and that was a big part in the rather lacklustre play of ours. He didn’t do anything particularly wrong I didn’t think he was just not in the right positions really. Having said that I was surprised he came off as I thought Stacey was genuinely dreadful going forward today, would have put JJ back to full back given Stacey the hook.

O’kane looked really good, picked some good passes and played a big role in the improved performance in the 2nd half, should start next week over Shinnie if that’s what we want to do who was as usual an away game no show.

Still not sure on Bradley and despite his goal Pearson. I don’t really understand why they were signed as they look so incredibly uncomfortable with how we want to play.

 

[Bobbin']

3 sent off at the end of the Southend Charlton game !

Best 5 minutes ever at a football game. 87th minute winner followed by a punch up, what more do you want?

Still not really sure what happened.

 

[Bottega Don]

We were pretty poor yet again.

Third time this season we've been battered and somehow stole a point. Not gonna happen all season though, we need to fix our issues.

Feel sorry for McCall, don't think he knows the shit he's got himself into by agreeing to be our gaffer.

 

[nelsonpfc]

Lowe and Curtis running rampant in league one so far this season. Just goes to show the benefit in investing in a decent scouting network. Lowe from Hampton and Richmond, Curtis from Derry City. Not many players will shrug Gary Sawyer off the ball. We were so in control today is was ridiculous. Shame Curtis is on international duty next week, but at least we have Andre Green, Wheeler and Joe Mason as back up!

 

[joethegill]

Just seen our line up for away at Barnsley and we are effectively playing four strikers.
It will either be a master stroke by Lovell and we will win 6-5 or, as I suspect, be a bloody good hiding.

We've done this 4 games in a row and not won any of them. It's a tactic that just doesn't work. No surprise we came back into the game today once we took one of the attackers off and brought a midfielder on - we more or less had Barnsley shitting themselves from that point.

We were nowhere near them first half though, and they didn't need the ridiculous penalty decision in their favour to assert their dominance really. They were well worth a 2 goal lead at half time for certain.

Lovell needs to ditch this idea that strikers can play in the wide positions of a 4-4-2 quickly. 1 point from 12 using it indicates that.

 

[Craig]

Was never a penalty. I’ve seen us on the opposite end of decisions like that more than a few times though so I’ll take it.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Unlucky not to get the win today. Should have scored from a host of chances at the end, especially the 4 on 1, Pelly striking the inside of the post and Cornicks rushed shot with only the keeper to beat. Wycombes tactics today were disappointing but effective. Slow the game right down, waste as much time as possible and con the ref into two awful penalty decisions. The first penalty was for a tumble from their attacker who'd managed to get in front of his man. Ref was surely unsighted with our defenders blocking his view and should have consulted his linesman who had a clearer view and did not indicate any foul. The second was a push from Akinfenwa while Collins was trying to head clear resulting him being off balance and the ball hitting his hand. Clear foul and again the ref didn' t consult his linesman. Luckily Shea saved that. The tide turned after that and we began to see Luton at their best. Speed of movement, using the flanks and getting men into the box.
I'd be worried if I was a Wycombe fan with these home tactics, especially against a fellow promoted team. They'll be a lot more difficult games to come.
We need to get some consistency into our game. Thats three first half performances that have been way below par. Get that sorted and we could really press for one of those play off spots.
O'Kane looked class when he came on. Feel he is exactly the type of player we have been missing this season. Calm on the ball and sees opportunities.

 

[Craig]

Doncaster Rovers - the unbeaten enders

Should have won as well

Peterborough are still unbeaten, you have to actually beat them to end their unbeaten record. Muppet.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

That's a classic that.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Peterborough are still unbeaten, you have to actually beat them to end their unbeaten record. Muppet.

You still going round editing my posts? Fruit cake

 

[Hooped Wizard]

That's a classic that.

Fake news

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Unlucky not to get the win today. Should have scored from a host of chances at the end, especially the 4 on 1, Pelly striking the inside of the post and Cornicks rushed shot with only the keeper to beat. Wycombes tactics today were disappointing but effective. Slow the game right down, waste as much time as possible and con the ref into two awful penalty decisions. The first penalty was for a tumble from their attacker who'd managed to get in front of his man. Ref was surely unsighted with our defenders blocking his view and should have consulted his linesman who had a clearer view and did not indicate any foul. The second was a push from Akinfenwa while Collins was trying to head clear resulting him being off balance and the ball hitting his hand. Clear foul and again the ref didn' t consult his linesman. Luckily Shea saved that. The tide turned after that and we began to see Luton at their best. Speed of movement, using the flanks and getting men into the box.
I'd be worried if I was a Wycombe fan with these home tactics, especially against a fellow promoted team. They'll be a lot more difficult games to come.
We need to get some consistency into our game. Thats three first half performances that have been way below par. Get that sorted and we could really press for one of those play off spots.
O'Kane looked class when he came on. Feel he is exactly the type of player we have been missing this season. Calm on the ball and sees opportunities.

Looking at the replays I think the 2nd one is a blatant penalty to be honest, any “push” is minor at best, Collins shouldn’t be jumping up with both hands aloft regardless of it. The first is soft but Bradley’s made his own problems by positioning himself terribly, you can’t let attackers get goal side like that and not expect them to make the most of any contact.

We are showing good play in patches but there are reasons we haven’t got the consistency at the moment. The defence just look shakey with how we are asking them to play and we haven’t got the balance of the midfield right yet either. Maybe Okane can be what we need there and when Berry comes back that may help too. That and some pretty average finishing.

The finishing and the midfield may very well improve and there indeed promising signs there i think but I’m finding our defence and how uncomfortable they seem to be to be a bit of a concern. I said it above but I don’t really know what we saw in the 2 centre halves that made us think they’d work with how we want them to play.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Looking at the replays I think the 2nd one is a blatant penalty to be honest, any “push” is minor at best, Collins shouldn’t be jumping up with both hands aloft regardless of it. The first is soft but Bradley’s made his own problems by positioning himself terribly, you can’t let attackers get goal side like that and not expect them to make the most of any contact.

We are showing good play in patches but there are reasons we haven’t got the consistency at the moment. The defence just look shakey with how we are asking them to play and we haven’t got the balance of the midfield right yet either. Maybe Okane can be what we need there and when Berry comes back that may help too. That and some pretty average finishing.

The finishing and the midfield may very well improve and there indeed promising signs there i think but I’m finding our defence and how uncomfortable they seem to be to be a bit of a concern. I said it above but I don’t really know what we saw in the 2 centre halves that made us think they’d work with how we want them to play.

No FCH its a clear push on Collins and a foul. Akinfenwa is a big lad and his outstretched arm clearly causes Collins to lose his balance. I also think Akinfenwa reaction to the penalty says it all. That said the penalty save was the catalyst for our comeback. It got our fans going which in turn lifted the players. I'm not sold on the defence either. They look a little flat footed and any team which plays the ball over the top into the space behind will cause us problems. I'd like to see Sheehan back in.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I have no doubts Sunderland will be in the top two, but I think they underestimated us. They could have been down to 9 men pretty easily, as players got frustrated at Holmes, Browne etc running through them.

A word for Shandon Baptiste, who had a ridiculous game in the middle of the park. Also for every local we met, they were a very friendly bunch.

After six games, we have played 5 of the top 8. Barnsley still remain the best I've seen.

 

[Jamo]

Was never a penalty. I’ve seen us on the opposite end of decisions like that more than a few times though so I’ll take it.

As soft as it was, it was our first at Oakwell since October 2016 so I don't care

 

[Kim Mitten]

Best 5 minutes ever at a football game. 87th minute winner followed by a punch up, what more do you want?

Still not really sure what happened.

The tackle by Kightly started it, rightly he was sent off for the tackle. Then the Charlton player headbutted Kightly, rightly he was sent off.
Powell has done an interesting interview about the ensuing melee. The ref has told him he sent off Oxley because he had grabbed someone by the throat, Powell has seen the replays and cannot see him do anything other than pushing and has asked the ref why he didn't send off the other 15 or so also pushing and shoving.
Hopefully they'll contest Oxley's red.

Fair result though, we are really struggling for consistency but the injuries have not helped and it's getting silly with these reds added in.
If Oxley is suspended we are down to one fit 18 year old keeper, Powell has said he hopes for an emergency loan.

Midfield is just a joke, Powell made a mistake for me playing Mantom today, admitted afterwards that he is 'maybe 50% fit' and now won't train during the week. So every midfielder bar an 18 year old who has started one League Cup game is injured, that includes the other 17 and two 18 year olds in the first team.
Demetriou who played centre mid last week is now off on international duty and Kightly who could play centre mid as well is suspended 3 games.
Barring some miracle I literally have no idea what the team will look like next week, or what formation we'll play trying to play so many players out of position.