Back at the hotel in Peterborough, a few random thoughts - hard not to feel pretty disappointed given that we should have been out of sight and home and hosed by half time with the chances we had. We battered them really for 45 minutes, and in that first half two things were really noticeable - the high press that caused them constant issues, and the midfield trio of Luca, Kane and Phillips that ran so many games last season were in total control. Also, if the pitch is clearly cutting up massively in the goalmouth before the game, perhaps our goalkeepers might be better off practicing crosses in the goal specifically set up for practice. The torn up goalmouth cost us one goal in the first half and nearly cost us another when Williams again slipped before the goal, when he also seemed to lose his footing. Max Watters gives nothing. He's absolutely abysmal. One of the worst players we have ever had and its baffling that he was brought on today. How bad must Cosgrove be if he can't get game time and Watters can?
Let’s not forget that, Andersen apart, last season’s defence was made up of 2 new signings who had played mainly lower league or Scottish football, a Championship loanee, like McCart, who got injured early on, another Championship loanee who came in mid-January, playing 22 games, and a player that just about every Reds fan would have happily seen leave at the beginning of the season. We make them all sound like Beckenbauer, Moore and Stones! Cundy played more games than Thomas and the consensus was that he wasn’t much cop. There’s certainly nobody clamouring for his return from injury like we did with Connell. McCarthy was unlucky, picking the injury up so early, likewise Edwards, another Championship loanee, who was the only new defender that was consistent. And at the beginning of last season, no way would any of us predicted that we’d be using the loss of Kitching as an excuse for our defence not being up to it this season. He was a complete liability the season before. Duff improved him though, and improved the defence as a whole, with good coaching. We’re 20 odd games in now, but with no improvement to any of them.
While its annoying, I suppose context does have to be used, even though it can be used to just put some positive fake/spin on it. I was delighted with how we went at them to begin with, such a positive start and hopefully this might be what we'll see more of from now on. I still think we must be hoping for the Play offs this season, and if we don't that will be a big disappointment. But to start so well like we did, away at the team who are thinking about automatic promotion.. well maybe we are capable of doing better than just the top six.
Cosgrove has been pretty ineffective when he’s come on, so maybe a change was a good idea, but I’d have gone for Jalo, rather than Watters
My lad was at the game and said exactly the same. Said Watters was a waste of a shirt when he came one. Offered zilch….
The first half, and the way we pressed them into making mistakes, was very encouraging. We’ve scored a few goals in the last couple of games from winning the ball back deep in the opposition half, and forcing the opposition into errors. The high press relieved the pressure on our defence too. Difficult to keep that kind of play up for 90 minutes though, so still need to work on the defence.
League table at this point last season. 40 points but from 1 less game 4th I’m the table. 9points behind 2nd but with 2 games in hand. Probably fair to say we are behind where we were last year. Marginally.
Yeah when games are going for over 100 minutes these days, its near impossible to expect that sort of energetic pressing throughout. And that is frustrating.
I don’t recall claiming to be an authority. I play the ball, not the man, though. I might disagree with what was said, but I’ll give my reasoning for disagreeing and I’m more than happy for people to disagree with me, and I’m quite happy to change my view if someone points things out that I’ve missed or not considered, or if I am just wrong. What I won’t do is start attacking the person themselves, or using aggressive tones against the person I disagree with. Too much of that on here. It’s why I stop posting for lengthy periods, when it starts to feel like a primary school playground. I prefer to talk like adults.
About what? I didn't mention Duff, who I thought was the best we've had for a long time. But if you deny he had better players to work with, you are truly deluded, along with....,,,,,,paul. When did Thomas join us?Just think Collins could be better than those I did mention, which included Struber and Stendal. With a window and experience. Don't think seventh, currently is bad at all.
I forecast 2-2 before the game and would have been happy with that, but after totally battering them for 40 minutes and 2-0 up, and could have been out of sight, then gifting them a goal either side of the break makes it feel like 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained. Watters? Why, how, god knows. We've just discovered a less exotic Obbi Oulare. Bobby said today the only flaw in Jalo's make up is the fact he needs 10-15 minutes to get going, a nudge to Collins to give him longer? So Collins answer is give him nothing and play a man short with Watters on the pitch instead. Bonkers. Lots of clubs play 18 year olds regularly. I fear Jalo will leave for somewhere that will do just that.
Sorry to offend, but I feel you did not consider all I posted before replying. Last season and Duff were not alluded to, yet you chose to focus on that when formulating your response. Disappointing, for you to then climb on your splendidly high horse.
