Brentford, A view from the other side

Dear Alan;

I have never done this before, but I just had to write and express my
disbelief at the referee-ing performance (sic) at Griffin Park this
afternoon.

I find it hard to believe that a clown like this can be allowed to
referee at League level. He was such a "homer" it was untrue.

I thought we were much the better side in the first half, but I
really thought Barnsley could have pulled it back after the break.

The penalty was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen and was
greeted with howls of laughter from all of us. Our striker simply
lost his foot and mis-kicked.

Obviously we are very pleased with the result, as this puts in a
strong position in the promotion frame, but I do know that if my team
was on the end of a refereeing performance such as that witnessed at
Griffin Park this afternoon then I would not be a very happy bunny!

I am sure that the messageboards and e-mail lists will be pretty
feisty in Yorkshire this weekend; if they are not, they bloody well
should be!



Regards, Paul Stedman (Brentford)

 

Says it all really. n/t

 

yeah but lets be right

we were poor in the first half and thats where the game was lost. lets learn from that and regroup for the pool game. we need to concentrate on cementing a play off spot now.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

Chef Tyke, I understand what you're saying but the operative word in your statement is "Learn". Do you honestly think that after 37 games there is going to be a major re-think in the way which we play? Do you think that Ritchie will approach the remainder of the games with an added degree of urgency? will he sign a strong and powerful midfield playmaker and is he tactically capable of playing a game which takes into account the strengths and weakness's of the opposing team. You cannot play or approach in the same way, a game where the quality of gamesmanship is ions apart. For example, I think that Scnuthorpe and Rotherham play a different game to those of say, Doncaster R. and Brentford.The latter two teams are very physical and one has to adapt to that situation but we do'nt seem to have the type of player to do that.It is in the interest of the club that, the manager learns well in advance the opposition( the enemy) as would an army officer before a battle. It is'nt rocket science and while there are some on here who will perceive this as an attack on Ritchie, I can assure you it is'nt but I am merely trying to understand his approach to the game,the man needs to learn and learn very quickly otherwise his season will be over before he knows it. The team have some very difficult games ahead but does Ritchie have the strength and depth in player quality to ensure a degree of success. If not what has he got to do about it? Must he go out and get a loanee or is he so confident that he can achieve success with what he's got. The Board I understand have given him the green light to go out and get somone. It has been reported that he has already been unsuccessful with a couple of players that he's tried to bring in but has faild. I find it odd however and that other teams appear to be able to get their man when monies are made available. I do think however that Ritchie needs to stand back and take stock of what he has and has'nt got and to make appropriate moves to rectify the pending problem.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

mm, see your point and you use doncaster as an example - but we are higher in the league than them! brentford have had a few seasons to forge that team together and hopefully that is what ritchie will do. yes, ritchie tried to get in players and failed but i don't think it is as simple as just going out to the shops and buying a big mac! ritchie is in his first full year in charge here and we have seen an improvement on the previous season. he has bought well in the transfer market - devaney, richards, tommy wright all look decent players, as does howard. burns was a blow but i think there is more to it than meets the eye. we might not go up this year but we will have had a great season and so long as we keep improving then i will be happy.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

Just where are we going to sign this "strong and powerful midfield playmaker" from?

There's a transfer window so we can't make a permanent signing - unless it's a player without a club in which case I doubt anyone would be happy as he surely couldn't be up to much if he doesn't have a club.
With regards to a loan deal, then I'm with the manager on this, he has to be very careful not to bring in a player that could upset the morale of the permanent staff...you might not think that matters but I'm astounded by how many people say in one sentence that the manager has no man-management skills and then critise him for saying he won't bring in plaers that will upset the team morale.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

Why should it upset morale,they are professionals FFS, the player brought in would supposedly be in the style of Burns a player who has gone not one of the present ones and as there is'nt an ideal replacement in their ranks its not like displacing one.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

i think mr ritchie should learn from this season because he,s been tactically inept at times.I still honestly believe that we have the best squad inn this league and should have pissed promotion,his tactics leave a great deal to be desired at times.we have improved this season so he,s done a decent job but it should have been so much better.

 

RE: yeah but lets be right

I find it amusing that a man who has played at the highest level-been in the game nearly 30 years-worked for top managers and successfully managed this club for the past 18 months-can be called tactically inept by an assortment of butchers bakers and candlestickmakers.Such irony.Oh and some people think he has built the best squad in the league.