Sat in the East Lower today, lovely view and occasionally some sunshine. The PA system was indecipherable and so unfortunately I was left wondering who some of the legends were as they wandered over our way. Still, a great result, two good goals, a clean sheet. GK - Nick Colgan - I'm sorry, I've no faith in him, he makes me panic every time there's something for him to do. I expect the defence feel much the same way, Carbon on a few occasions went for more difficult clearances into touch rather than back to the keeper. Saved a penalty, which ultimately he should be blamed for us conceding and that got Robbie sent off. Also badly judged the flight of a ball leaving Kay with a difficult clearance off the line. Still, we did score from it. 4 DR - Dale Tonge - Excellent in the air and at feet, rarely beaten all afternoon and won us back possession on several occasions. I also like how he takes up space when we're in possession allowing for an easy ball out of defence. 8 DL - Neil Austin - Made some crunching and timely tackles in the second half on their tricky right winger Shakes. When Robbie was on the field and Swindon were in possession Robbie would track back with Neil going more central, it made us look very assured! The freekick just before the block with hands on the line wasn't, very hard done by. 7 DC - Anthony Kay - As usual very capable in the air. A real asset when every team we come up against is playing long balls. An excellent clearance on the line also, however, very nearly lost possession a few times in dangerous circumstances under pressure from Cureton. 7 DC - Matt Carbon - Played again today as he did against Bristol City last season. I think he must be chosen ahead of Vaughan and would form an excellent partnership with Reid on his return from injury. Good positioning, superb in the air, he intimidates attackers and he's even comfortable with the ball at his feet. An excellent bursting run forwards in the second half that almost had Tony Kay wetting himself. 9 MR - Chris Shuker - Found himself some space on the right hand side allowing us keep possession under pressure and got some good crosses in. Excellent strike for our second goal. Also pleased to see him covering at rightback when Tonge bombs forward, it's great teamwork. If only he was a few inches taller we'd lose the ball less as it pings over his head and into touch. 7 ML - Robbie Williams - Robbie wasn't quite as dominant in the air today as the other day at Leeds, yet still he's a real benefit to the team, wins the ball back in midfield and gets decent crosses in. He's a real threat on set pieces, nearly scoring in the first half. When we lose possesion in our own half he drops back to leftback giving us 5 along our backline, he also sacrificed himself to stop a goal. Future legend in the making. 8 MC - Jacob Burns - I like Burns, he's a grafter and a grafter is usually a necessity alongside McPhail to give our midfield bite. Today I'm probably doing him a disservice but he went relatively unnoticed except for a few sloppy balls where we lost possession. 6 MC - Stephen McPhail - Today McPhail had a good game, he was given a fair bit of space to look up and find passes and got himself stuck into a fair few challenges in the air and on the deck, even took a few clouts for his trouble. Has great awareness, when he's going to recieve the ball he's looking around for someone in space and any challenge coming in, that helps him keep possession for our team and on a few occasions today he was special to watch. If he's going to be the main freekick taker though then I'd like to see more of a goal scoring threat around the box. 7 SC - Paul Hayes - I saw Hayes for the first time against Leeds where he didn't seem up for it, maybe lacking a bit of pace or fitness but was largely dominated and anonymous barring a shot from the edge of the area. Today was very different, a real handful for the Swindon defence, chasing down and fighting for it strongly. won a lot of ball in the air or shielded it from challenges with his back to goal allowing him to play others into space or make a shot for himself. Excellent finish for his goal, fired up he celebrated with the fans and went close with a few other shots. Good partnership forming with Nardiello. I hope we see today's Hayes more frequently than the Hayes against Leeds, a bit of consistency and he's a quality buy that will improve the team on last year. He's also younger than me so he's plenty of time to keep improving. 9 SC - Daniel Nardiello - A lot is expected of Daniel Nardiello. Against Leeds when he came on you wondered how we could even consider starting without him, making a goal out of nothing. Missed a penalty in the first half, possibly denting his confidence, but made a few chances for himself from mid-range by turning his man. Doesn't always keep possession, loses challenges in the air or from behind on occasion where more is expected. The second half I felt he really aquitted himself well, working hard as a lone striker and threating with pace. If we're to use him most effectively he needs the ball in at his feet and not punted. I'm sure he'll score a few this season, but I'd like to see him get in behind the defence when he gets free rather than striking early from what is often too far out. 7 Subs: ML - Nicky Wroe - I thought Hayes was unlucky to have been brought off as Nardiello had done less to that point, however, Andy knows more than me. Wroe battled on the near (left) side second half to rush their midfielders and win the ball, preventing Swindon building much pressure. Didn't really waste possession, got forward on occasion to give the defence a breather, though unfortunately, made no clear cut chances. What seemed like a lack of pace allowed Swindon to win the ball when he looked in the clear. 7 SC - Barry Conlon - Barry came on fresh and terrorised a tired Swindon backline. He didn't really have scoring opportunities but he provided an outlet for Barnsley and helped keep possession in the Swindon half through some good control, strength and forcing the defenders to clear into touch. Only on a few occasions did he forget he was a lone striker and flick onto no-one. Despite his height I still think he prefers the ball into his feet and we should fight the urge to play more direct to him if we're to make the most of our possession and most benefit the team. 7 MANAGER - Andy Ritchie - Had the team playing a standard 4-4-2 with everyone sure of their jobs. The strikers linked up well together and the defence looked largely composed and assured. But for a few minutes after Robbie William's sending off when there was a bit of panic and impromptu reorganising we always looked like we could prevent Swindon scoring and maybe add to our own tally. It's a credit to the team that it didn't look as if Swindon had an extra man. Both of Ritchie's substitutions were tactical and yielded good results with Wroe strengthening the midfield when we were under pressure and Barry Conlon giving us determination and menace to get the ball in their half the last ten minutes. Ritchie's only error today was pickig Colgan, but I hope and think he has the nouse to correct that in our next game. 8
Ta, having read it now I pretty much agree with yours. Wierd that. You need to look at your notes less when interviewing and listen to what is said though.
RE: Ta, having read it now I pretty much agree with yours. Wierd that. Which interview do you mean? I never have notes except at the Open Day where it was a little rushed if the truth be told, I guess you're referring to that.
Then I apologise I think I've only ever seen you interview **** last Sunday. I thought when you asked him about how he'd change the match day experience he should have quipped something about letting people go home happy having won.
RE: Then I apologise No it's fine mate... it's just that we weren't sure who was coming up until the actual day which made it tricky. Plus the questions were very specific and I didn't want to forget any. Doing players and managers interviews after a game or even before one is a piece of cake, never use notes for them.
Can't get Oakwell1575 What with living in the sticks of Wakefield and getting to train to and from the ground.
RE: Can't get Oakwell1575 Which train do you normally get? I get the train from Leeds to Barnsley, the 11.16 today that gets in at 11.48 as went for a drink with a mate before I had to be at the Well for 1.30pm. Goes through Kirkgate, I assume you get a later one.
RE: Actually today I got a lift Yeah do so mate... would be good to put another face to a name! Will either be on the 11.16 or 12.16, probably the earlier one.
That all depends If my reports aren't met with enthusiasm then we're in the precarious situation where I have to provide my own. Whereabouts do you sit? Any spare seats nearby? I need somewhere to call home for Yeovil.
"very nearly lost possession a few times in dangerous circumstances under pressure from Cureton" I love this word NEARLY. In relation to a Mr A Kay it's always NEARLY did summat NEGATIVE (but didn't). And in Shuker's case, the word NEARLY generally crops us as a positive, as a "NEARLY took the ball off the defender" (but never) Mostly, a generally good assessment, tho yes, harsh on Burns - How else does McP get to play (if not for someone else doing spadework) MOTM: McP ** Hayes * Nardiello (if football is about attacking, these 3 did the biz) Of course, if I was on £100k year or more, I'd say: MOTM: Shukes ** the little right winger bloke * whoever scored our 2nd. (Now I've re-read that I wonder how random it sounds, but them that know will know)
