Matchday thread, Reds v Cambridge.

A young lad, from a foreign country, scores the equalizing goal in injury time and celebrates, and you want to criticize. Definitely harsh.

 

It really wasn't good enough. Forget the amount of possession. The times we had the ball in the final third and looked genuinely clueless was worrying. There were good chances to cross, not taken. Times we could have had a dig, came and went. Then, a couple of times, decent crosses went in and the forwards stood and watched. Finally, DKD gets a shot off and rattled the bar. Then, even more finally, Lewis makes a back post run and meets a great cross. It isn't rocket science.

The amount of sideways and back passing goes completely against Neerav's stated desire. Honestly, watching Nwakali and McCarthy (the worst culprits) walk an inch with the ball, pretend to turn or move, walk an inch, then play a three-yard square ball was beyond frustrating. Maël, with hit and miss results at least plays the occasional ball into a channel, or goes on a run. Last weekend, it was the other way around. Aimless long balls down the flanks. Just mix the play up a bit. Don't be predictable one way or t'other.

I don't reckon many have much to smile about today, but the defending was diabolical. They weren't even under much stress either. Yet looked all at sea whenever Cambridge attacked. I appreciate there's no Roberts, no Earl. But let's not kid ourselves. They've been available 90% of the time. We aren't talking Kitching and Andersen here. Sort the backline first and foremost this summer. It's the foundation, platform to build from. The wingbacks can't defend and don't offer enough the other way either. I like Pines and Maël as lads. And they've both (the latter especially) had a good crack at it here. Not good enough defensively.

Positives? More convinced than ever that my own desire, to see more youngsters involved is the way to go. Blandy is a very promising centre mid, can play at the back. He was our best player today, out of position. And Flavell was as good as anything else we've had between the sticks this season. Plus, the kid Barratt was alright previously. And of course, Fabio now fit should be starting every game.

So there were good little signs. Whoever the club sees as part of the future, players who'll be here next season and beyond, let's see them now, and stop including folk who won't be here. I don't know who they are, but the club will. Plan for next season.

My POTM Bland, followed by Jalo.

Stats to follow...

 

Stats

Touches:
de Gevigney 110
Nwakali 106
McCarthy 102

Aerial duels won:
McCarthy 7
Bland 4
Pines 4

Tackles won:
McCarthy 2
O’Keeffe 2
Watters 2

Pass completion percentage:
De Gevigney 91%
Watters 90%
O’Keeffe 88%

Shots:
Phillips 3 (all off target)
Keillor-Dunn 3 (all off target)
Nwakali 2 (1 on target)

Best three players from WhoScored:
Bland
O’Keeffe
McCarthy

Best three players from Opta:
Nwakali
McCarthy
Bland

 

Much better performance once Jalo, Russell, Lewis and Humphrys came on. Much more urgency. Oh and Well done Bland.

 

Thought Bland was excellent in that second half. Probably my MOTM too

 

I think the word for our style is Glacial.

The players with the ball don't know what to do with it, except pass backwards or sideways, sometimes turning an attack into a clearance by our own goalkeeper.

Having said that, the players without the ball don't give them any options by presenting for the ball.

Also, the crosses into the box where none of our forward players (Note, I didn't say Strikers), even make an attempt to connect.

 

First goal for the club, an important goal as well. We'd all celebrate like that

 

Bland has just spoken really well in Legends. Wouldnt have been my choice but was steady.

A group of lads who have lost a lot of confidence. Genuinely thought we were better than last few home games.

 

Bland and Jalo.

Better than the rest. Easily

 

O'Keefe should have celebrated today, he managed to put a decent cross in !!!!

 

Exactly ,let the lad enjoy his moment,probably won't be many more.

 

Replay?.....so I gather you not been?

 

I'd expect the head groundsman will be having a word with him after that kneeslide.

 

Absolutely

 

Totally agree, he ain’t good enough, trouble is though he his a little bit better than such as Pines, that just shows how much a sorry mess we are in I am afraid when he needs to be in team because others are total shyyte

 

But it begs the question why have we got so many midfielders & loanees on the books instead of giving our own a chance?

Have a smaller squad, maybe 18 or so senior pro’s & then you’ve got your Bland’s, Jalo’s, Barrett’s, Flavell’s & maybe Yoganathan, Lofthouse & Marsh too rather than loaning them out to round out the squad.

Bland looked far better today out of position at RWB & right back than Lambikosa has.

This is what infuriates me when people have sympathy with the owners when they’re losing fortunes. Most people are more understanding & supportive when it’s young academy lads making up the squad & giving it their all. When we sign loanees there’s an expectancy for them to deliver straight away as they’re only here for the short term.

 

Another good match summary by you.
We're watching walking football and its dull dull dull.
Completely agree with you. Start prepping for next season now. Move into transition mode.
Do not play anyone who will not be here next season.
Fabio looked **** hot today and he should srart every week. Is Bland a midfielder?
Thought he did ok but just ok. If he is midfielder then play him there....and play Flavell too.
Rebuild. Rebuild. Rebuild.

 

Think today has shown that young lads who actually want to play and care are the way to go forward the rest of this season. Bland got better as the game went on, Flavell was confident in goal and other than their goal (which I haven’t seen back yet) performed well when he was needed. Jalo is ten times the threat of Humphreys, Watters and the rest of the 10 bob front line rolled into one. Get rid of all but 4/5 senior players and chuck the young lads in, might not improve in quality wise but they’d graft a lot better and it’d be a lot easier to get behind. Nothing left to lose this season so might as well try because the first teamers in our “Top 4 squad” are lazy, unfit and rubbish.

 

Proof that stats mean **** all. De gevigney had a cracking pass completion rate because 99% of them were two yard passes to the bloke stood next to him

 

Tbf, Benson had 100% before he went off so I didn’t include him.

But you are right.