Bland & Jalo

Awful keeping for the goal. We could have saved it. He did OK rest of the game.

 

Pretty sure there was a handball by them in the lead up to the goal. One of 3 big issues the ref missed or ignored. The backpass was a puzzling one! How was that not a free kick?

and as for not commiting players down the right it was tip tap triangles on the right but nobody going for it. We were screaming for em to get into the space.

 

According to the iFollow commentator, the knee does not count as a back pass.

 

I was very impressed by both Bland and Jalo. Bland looked solid and composed. Jalo changed the game and brought some excitement, a commodity which has been sadly lacking this season. I agree with others that both players should figure regularly for the rest of the season.

 

It’s only a pass with the foot which counts. As it came off the knee it was allowable. Amazing the amount of people losing their head over it in the stands when they simply don’t know the rules!

 

That explains it then.

From the east stand lower where we were we didnt see the knee - it looked like he used his foot or apeared so.

 

I think that's harsh. One of the best moments of the season was him grabbing a goal away at Cambridge for me.

 

For a laugh?

 

Not exactly worth the money we have wasted on him though ? Must be between 2 and 3 hundred grand , probably more with a sign on bonus / nics etc

he’s been dreadfully lazy for most the season.

 

Agreed. Surprised more defenders don’t do a cheeky down on one knee to pass back to keeper and waste a bit of time.

that said I think the 6 second rule is still in place, just never enforced

 

What do you mean down on one knee to pass mate ? Isn't that manipulation of the ball so would be a foul?

 

NOOOOOOOOOOO, he'd score against us.

 

Schoolboy defending throughout the entire game yet again. Players running towards the ball instead of picking up their own man. The number of times we allow players to easily get on the goal side is astonishing. The first goal and other chances leaving the goalie with 1 on 1.

So many chances up front spurned.

I now, would let fringe players, get the opportunity of 1st team games. This is probably the first season for many a year where nothing is on the line, position wise at this stage.

 

I thought Bland was tidy but took the easy option in the first half. Understandable really because he’s a young land. Second half he got better and looked the part. Yes he’s got a lot to learn but we should be investing our time in him rather than loanees.

Jalo change the game and gave us tempo, skill and direct running which we have none of. He needs a good run of games now.

Flavell should’ve done better for the goal but his distribution was decent. He needs time to become accustomed to first team football and then grow in confidence.

I see no point what so ever in playing loanees unless we have any thought of signing them permanently, or players we’re likely to release in the summer. I’d also give more minutes to McCann, Dyer, Wilkinson and the mythical Nathan James.

 

Is there a striker that can anticipate a ball into the box?

 

I agree with pretty much everything said in this thread and a mention too for Lewis. Yes I know he was only on the pitch for a short time but he was prepared to make the run and get up there where it hurts to get that Jalo cross into the net.

 

Flavell, Bland, Jalo, Barrett and I'd even add Dyer to the mix, should all regularly be getting game time between now and the end of the season. I'm not necessarily suggesting they should be starting week in week out, but certainly playing ahead of the players who likely aren't going to be here next season such as Gauci when fit, Rodriguez, Lembikisa, McCarthy, Humphrys, Benson, Pines and Lewis.

 

Horrible day for football and I think Jalo took advantage of that against tired players and a poor side. He will face better players this season and let's see how effective he will be before we make him the saviour, its not fair on him.

 

Considering Jalo has just come back from surgery and missing 3 months of football, I thought his contribution yesterday was excellent. The only real bright spot.

Like others I wish he'd spend a lot more time on his feet, but that was the most encouraging performance I've seen from him. If he's fit enough, get him starting games now,

 

Bland really spiced things up in the middle.