ginner's match ratings revisited

Hello gentlemen (and token ladies) apologies for missing the Yeovil game, I was away visiting the missus and couldn't be back in time, though I hear that it was one to miss.

Today, on my lonesome again, I spontaneously decided to sit in the West Stand to avoid the "Scuse me mate, you're in my seat" fiascos that plagued the game against Swindon. Wooden seats, no leg room, got overcharged for my coke at half time but full of friendly people, a decent atmosphere and a PA system that works. I think I might be there next game an all. I say friendly people, I wandered over to the press box (ever so exciting!) after the game and Allen ignored me. Brutal.

Barnsley played their usual 4-4-2, sometimes on the deck, though all too frequently a bit direct to Bazza. I've said it before, I'll say it again, the high balls are chuffing *****. He might get the odd flick on to no-one but more frequently we lose possession and put ourselves under pressure. He likes it on the deck. I like it on the deck. Brentford were a foot taller than us in most positions and hoofing it forward is monotonous idiocy.

GK - Nick Colgan - I was disappointed walking down to the ground to hear Scarsella on the bench as it told me Flinders had lost his fitness battle for today and we'd be starting with Colgan. However, today, I thought he displayed himself quite well. Faster off his line than usual, fired up with the defence and encouraging the team forward for a winner in the second half. Didn't have many saves to make. My only niggles are that he's likely to try and punch crosses and set pieces without being particularly reliable on either and that he kicks to the oppositions dominating central defenders rather more frequently than he throws out and sets us off with possession down a wing. 7

DR - Neil Austin - Now I've skimmed over Heaney's ratings when I first came on here and he's got his as borderline man of the match. I'm afraid I don't agree. Ozzy is one of my favourite players but I thought he had a bad day today. Going forward both wingbacks looked pretty comfortable on the ball and Ozzy made some good runs and interceptions higher up the field, however, today he was up against one of our league's better left wingers and his ventures upfield, compounded by his lack of pace, allowed Tabb to get free several times on the left hand side with balls over the top. To recover he made some 'committed' some would say 'reckless' saving challenges. If anyone was going to get sent off today then it should have been Austin. 6

DL - Robbie Williams - Robbie is a demi-God. He's composed with the ball at his feet, with a range of passing and crosses, he's rarely out of position and wins everything in the air. His height and jumping ability helped to deal with Owusu who I thought was a real handful. Unlucky not to score with a shot cleared off the line. 8 M-O-M

DC - Paul Reid - Won a lot in the air and made some important challenges. I think it was him that stopped their number 7 when he was clean through in the first half and odds on to score. I didn't see what his first booking was for but the second, for an unintentional handball was utterly ridiculous. We were comfortable enough in this game but we might miss him when he's suspended. Kay in I'd imagine? 7

DC - Matt Carbon - Won a lot in the air but to me looked nervy. I think he was supposed to be marking Owusu, free shot unmarked, when they scored straight from kickoff. A bit of a clumsy challenge very nearly resulted in a penalty against us (to me it was one!). Our defence wins a lot of high balls but when the opponents do get a successful flick-on then, as a whole, they're slow to react and it often results in a scoring chance. For me, they should play deeper. I want Carbon to be the central defender we need. I think he can be, on a good day with high confidence. 6

MR - Chris Shuker - The first half must have been a novelty for him, Jay Tabb's only about his height! Did a lot of running, pulled off some good passes and had a few shots. Chased a few hopeful balls to try and get a shot in, sometimes continuing even after the keeper had it in his hands. Naughty Chris! In my opinion though, today he was very frustrating. Didn't beat the left back at all, once when behind him he slowed down and let him catch up to be between him and the goal. Every cross into the marker or easy for the keeper. I thought he was better in the second half, doesn't matter which side he's on given he can't cross with either foot. 6

ML - Martin Devaney - A lot taller than our usual wingers and pretty nippy too. Had some good touches and passes, though the understanding's not there yet and a few passes went astray or balls unchased. Hugs the line a lot when sometimes it would have helped us keep possession if he'd have come inside to offer an easier ball. A bit disappointing first half, however in the second half, when his obvious right footedness wasn't such a disadvantage he got some fantastic crosses in, clearing the man from deep or beating him to reach the touchline and cross from there. Had to come off because he's probably not match fit, I though, think he looks promising. 7

MC - Jacob Burns - Against a very physical team Jacob was an important man, willing to get stuck in and win the ball and confident enough on it to help us keep possession. He does the Makalele with easy short balls a lot of the time. I appreciate him for bucking the general trend and not choosing the hit and hoof so often. Got forward well with some good runs in support of the strikers and giving Shuker someone to pass to when he didn't feel like losing it, though unfortunately he didn't have his shooting boots on. 7

MC - Stephen McPhail. Some good passing play and accurate set pieces including a free kick Conlon could have scored from in the first half diagonally over the defence and a corner for a Williams' rocket. Good play with Hayes and Devaney down the left hand side to try and break through the Brentford defence the right way and not improbable route one. 7

SC - Barry Conlon - People seem to have forgotten some of the good work Bazza did in the first half come the second whistle. A great shot on target from the aforementioned McPhail freekick and some good linkup play with Hayes. The temptation is there when Conlon laiks to use him as an aerial target man, however he was dominated today by some big and dirty centrebacks. Numerous times he took a shove in the back which the useless referee failed to see or ignored and though clearly having no luck the defence asked him to try and try again for balls he had little chance of winning. Substituted ten minutes after he should have been to sarcastic cheers which will likely do nothing for his confidence. Rather cruel I think. 60 or so minutes of such a physical game, the poor lad was clearly knackered. 6

SC - Paul Hayes - Hayes still looks like a fantastic buy and a real prospect, will run all day for the team (or at least the first 60 minutes) finding space in good areas, showing good control to keep possession and bring others in or get away a first time shot. He's clearly working with a shoot on sight philosophy and, though they don't always have the power to hit the back of the net, he looks a real danger. His hard work was worthy of a reward in a period of good Barnsley pressure, worked hard to get to the loose ball and a good, clever cross, turned into the goal by their own man. Work on the stamina. 8

Subs:

MR - Nathan Jarman - Didn't get too long on the field, when the game had already begun fizzling out, not quite of the same exciting standard as the first half. Brentford came out after half time much more organised and spoilt our play. It must be very frustrating being Nathan, numerous times he was free out on the right, hands in the air, begging for the ball and got nothing for all his running (Shuker can't hit it that far!). Showed pace I hadn't seen before nearly making us a goal near the end. 7

DR - Dale Tonge - I thought it was harsh on Dale to drop him from the starting eleven, but with Devaney coming in someone had to go. Again, didn't get too long on the field, but looked comfortable with Tabb when asked. 6

SC - Anthony Kay - Came on for Conlon in what was probably the last ten minutes. Did nothing, but the game was dead by then. Saw him having a laugh and a joke with Tonge on the bench, he was a lot less nervous than me. Good for team morale. Is his dad the physio? 6

Manager - Andy Ritchie - A one all draw with a good, well organised and physical side today that people are expecting to finish well up the league. I'm satisfied, but given we looked a different class technically for much of the game it's disappointing, particularly to have conceded for about a minute's lack of concentration and one of their few real chances. He's got the team playing well, with belief, occasionally some nice football and we're still (on paper) a lot better defensively than last year. I thought he got some of the subs wrong today though. 60 minutes on the clock I'd have had Conlon off for Jarman/Kay and Austin (on a booking and struggling with Tabb) rather than Robbie (attackers in his pocket, making chances going forward) off for Tonge (pacier). 7

Good luck for the away matches anyway lads, see you for Forest.

My team for the next game:

GK - Flinders (if fit, if not Colgan)
DR - Tonge
DL - Williams (Chilvers if signed)
DC - Kay
DC - Carbon
MR - Devaney
ML - Shuker/Wroe (Williams if Chilvers signed)
MC - Burns
MC - McPhail
SC - Nardiello (if fit, if not Richards if signed, if not Conlon)
SC - Hayes

 

Reid will be suspended for the next game!

 

Yes, I know.

I'm not sure if you can appeal against two yellows.

But we should.

 

RE: Yes, I know.

Im just been pedantic! ff

 

I just realised what I did.

I thought you were suggesting "we might miss him" meant he might not be suspended, whereas it was my intention to express hope that whoever comes in to replace him will hopefully have a stormer, we'll keep a clean sheet and win comfortably, though the defence does look weaker without him.

Fixed. (Y)

 

A good read..

Apparently Williams got taken off because he was tired according to Ritchie.

He did have a very good game though..

 

RE: I just realised what I did.

Top Guy!ff

 

Almost immediately after he was running up and down the touchline warming down and saluting the fans

Who were very appreciative.

Still, after 120 minutes midweek it could well be true.

 

who is CHILVERS Ginner? who's he play for etc....

 

Defender from Colchester who we were rumoured to be signing earlier in the week

When some believable stories were flying around and some less so.

Used to be in Arsenal reserves. Very tall and strong in the air can play centreback (which is his usual position) or leftback. Colchester fans call him The Rock and by all accounts he's well thought of with good reviews.

 

Link

http://www.cu-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/PlayerProfiles/0,,10424~19070,00.html

 

Sorry! What do you look like? Had no idea lol, wouldn't deliberately ignore anyone! ff

 

I'm not bitter.

You had your back to me and your cans on. I didn't want to shout you incase you were going out live and Shaun Doyle security were giving me looks that suggested they wouldn't approve of me tapping you on the shoulder.

As the name suggests I've got red hair. I look about 15. Or something.

 

RE: I'm not bitter.

Lol yes they can be a bit of a pain on occasions

Ah well say hi another time pal.

 

Must have been watching a different game today to give Ozzy 6!!!!