What have I missed?

Logged off early last night to enjoy an evening with the better half. Logged on an hour ago to read through two pages of the board, to catch up like, and as well as reading critical posts by the bucket load, I noticed 'banned idiot' emblazoned across Madmark, Shenk and Hemsworth's usernames. Now, I didn't come across anything in the two pages of threads from any of the trio mentioned that would - in my opinion - constitute a ban from the BBS. So I'm guessing a thread or two has been deleted?

Whatever went off, I find it a pretty sad way to spend an evening after a wonderful afternoon yesterday where we saw our lads grind out a crucial three points and another clean sheet at Oakwell. Our last three victories - 2-0, 1-0 and 1-0. And there are those who still believe Danny hasn't improved our fortunes. But they're entitled to that opinion, just as I'm entitled to mine. Here's mine, on yesterday. I'll try keeping it brief, we're off out for a walk at St. Ives in an hour with the family and our dogs. Might treat misen to an ice cream.




I really enjoyed yesterday. Always feels better when the weather is decent, helps with the optimism, as does alcohol. Spent a good couple of hours in the No7 with some cracking people as usual. And I was back in my favourite seat in the lower tier of the West Stand after cheating on her for the last couple of games. Saw some more cracking people, the regular lads down there, and we had a lovely 60 minutes or so of banter, piss taking (gave that Abdoun chap some reight hammer, bless him).
I wasn't 'pissed' pissed, but definitely felt the 6 or 7 pints and was in 'gobby basterd' mode yesterday. I must have done my mates heads in with my shouts for us to 'shoot' whenever we got near their box. Jennings finally listened and we took a deserved lead that we then protected well in my opinion.
It wasn't pretty at times, but it was another win and clean sheet against a club sitting 5th in the table. It reminded me of last season under Flicker. The graft, the unity between fans and players, the atmosphere late on, and the victory. Very reminiscent of the great escape.

Some ratings:


Steele (8/10) - Near faultless display. Thought he could have come for the cross that Mackie headed wide, but other than that he was bang on. The save he made from Abdoun late on wasn't outstanding or owt, it was routine for a keeper of his quality. It was him coming off his line in a crowded box and claiming a last gasp hanging cross that impressed me most. I love him. I know others have their doubts etc, but aye, I love him.


Hunt (6) - Reminds me of Wiseman when defending, the more I see of him. But offers more as a forward outlet than mardy Scott ever did. And if I'm being fair, he's just one of many in our squad who've had little football (for whatever reasons) over the last 12 months or so. So it's good to see him get 90 minutes again.


Cranie (7) - Impressive as ever. Love how comfortable on the ball he is for a centre half. Typical Keith Hill centre half. Cool, calm and decent in possession. However, like Keith Hill centre halves he switches off now and again, or goes wandering. But overall, another decent showing from COG's only real competition for POTY.


Ramage (8) - The 'other' type of centre half. The guy who puts his body/head/heart on the line. Not always to good effect, but yesterday - one or two lapses aside - he was back to his best after an apparently shocking display last week. Won lots of headers, especially late on as Forest chucked everything at us. The best of the back four in my opinion.


Kennedy (6) - He's improved under Danny. He never hides away, always wants the ball. I admire that. However, like Wiseman before him, he shirks challenges in the box so often it infuriates me. Didn't even try and stop Mackie first half. But he's definitely improved when defending one on one. Put one particularly crunching tackle in on Abdoun first half, and was tidy going forward, linked well with Jennings. Nearly gave me an heart attack in injury time. And it's for that, and the Mackie non-challenge that he doesn't get a 7 that the rest of his game deserved.


O'Brien (7) - Typical/standard Jim performance. Makes some lovely runs, movement better than his decision making though, and he's very early with most of his passing/crossing etc. Has more time than he thinks. But he ran his blood to water and despite tiring late on I enjoyed watching him as usual.


Dawson (7) - Similar to Jim in that it was a typical performance from Daws. 100% as ever. Just lacks quality in certain areas. But offers a lot more than mere 'running around' as some suggest. His positioning yesterday was great, made one or two great interceptions, as well as two 'meaty' tackles that I thought he was lucky to get away with. Typifies the spirit needed in a dogfight.


Woods (7) - Quality first half. Made some great interceptions and looked impressive on the ball. Great left foot and uses it well from dead ball situations. Tall lad as well, and another who lacks games so no surprise to see him fade as the game wore on. I liked him.


Mellis (6) - Not his best game, but not (IMO) the 'shocker' that some insist it was. Neat and tidy in possession and involved in all our good attacking play as usual. But he certainly wasn't as committed as he's been recently in tackles/aerial duels. But then, perhaps Danny told him not to get involved, with Dawson/Woods in there? Dunno.


Jennings (8) - Consistent laiker. Simple as that. He's getting better and better under a manager who clearly trusts him. Reminds me of Butterfield in terms of close control, and has a shot on him to match Jacob, and we finally saw a deserved goal for his efforts. Clearly enjoying his football, and looks our biggest asset all of a sudden, which helps. That 4 year contract now looks good business. Would have given him a 9 but he sold Kennedy short in the latter stages which could have cost us on another day.


O'Grady (7) - Worked his bag off, led the line magnificently. WE had a West Ham supporter with us yesterday watching his first reds game and he raved about COG. The strength he has is second to none. Tireless, selfless, POTY by a mile.




Supporters - 10.

You Reds.

 

Good summary that, Whitey.

 

Pretty accurate summary that mate...other than the 6-7 pints...I reckon tha could add 1or 2 more on to that.

 

Fair words as usual mate. Don't disagree with any of it.

 

It's brief by Whitey's standards...

 

I wasn't criticising you, Fi. Not at all. But I seriously couldn't see why three of em were banned based on what I'd read, unless like I said there were deleted posts/threads. But I can see your reasoning. Let em simmer down (not sure Mark does simmering down, to be fair, bless him).

Anyways, it was good to see you as usual yesterday. I apologise for my language if (I'm guessing) it was a tad colourful, especially with you having your daughter with you. But yes, good to see you, was very cliquéy.

 

As I'm Spartacus says, for me, that was brief. Nearly wrote an epic blog about it, so think on.

 

It's the most 'well oiled' I've been pre-match for a long while. It was that Yorkshire stuff that did for me. And to think, had I brought my bank card as planned, I was meant to stay in the 7 for the WSB gig thing. I'd have been killing/loving folk with another pint or two down me.

Lightweight basterd, I am.

 

Disappoints me when folk agree. Reight fancied an argument. I ought to have logged on last night by the looks of it.

 

Must be the ale, because you've baffled me there.

Who we dissing?

 

I thought it was you, to be honest....

 

Good read until you once more managed to bring keith hill into it, stopped reading after that

 

I'll be honest mate, I never read any of that.

Therefore, I can't disagree on owt

 

Heehee, so was it him?...well I must apologise for his behaviour, he was always brought up to say ""pull that finger"

 

So you read most of it then. I'll remember to start each thread I post with the name Keith Hill included, just to save you bothering in future. I'm nice like that.

 

Yh you're right.