Will the airport be open @hkpete ?
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Disappointed to go out the Cup last night. Enjoy cup matches under the lights even though it’s rarety of recent years. But we must now draw a line under it and take what positives there were from the game into Saturday at Crewe… And there were positives… Lavery’s confidence should be high after last night. Hardy is exactly what we need to compliment Sincs and Kins. Again Hardy helped change the course of the game when he came on, think we have unearthed a gem here. I do believe We have the makings of A good team .
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS UTS !!
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A lot of over the top reactions on here.
First half was poor, very poor but let’s have some perspective that Jules, Bates and Mollett were tasting their first competitive game this season. They need time and patience.
Second half after the substitutions was very much like Saturday. No coincidence that it’s been Hardy that has changed the game on both occasions.
One thing I thought Clarke got wrong last night was having Jules and Mollett side by side. Would have thought Sadler between the two would have made more sense. Crawley exploited that weakness all half.
There were positives, it’s not the end of the world. If we get a reaction and beat Crewe then last night was worth it.
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Disappointed not to see Hardy start last night but at least he’s now proven it in two games that he can make the difference. Let’s be honest, it isn’t the most important competition in the world to us, you could tell that is attendance, atmosphere and the play. We wanted it towards the end but I have to say I’m not that bothered, more about minutes and gaining confidence for a few players and that’s exactly what it did for Lavery. Hope to see him start Saturday.
Not sure I’d start Hardy away from home though, see how the game is going and possibly bring him on.
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We HAVE to stop this poisonous booing, as other posters have said, we have a new team a new owner and a new manager, they deserve some sort of leeway while they are trying to gel, players don’t need us to tell them if they haven’t put a shift in, I’m pretty sure DC will do that, and from what I am reading every player is giving no less than 100%, so let’s stop it now, just like the campaign to get 6000 at the first home game, let’s start another campaign to get behind the club, at least until we deem that they are not pulling their weight, when we play away it is very rare to see any negativity from the fans, unlike home support, so let’s try and emulate our away support to home games.
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To be honest, I expected more from last night’s game, but I’m not overly disappointed that we lost. Jules didn’t look up to speed, CCM got caught out too much first half but did improve in the second and Bates showed some good touches and passes, but the game seemed to pass him by a little. I like how he always wants the ball.
Positives were Lavery’s first goals (crap penalty though) and Hardy again who definitely needs to start at home. Another poster has said already he compliments the work rate of Kinsella and Sinclair well. Some of his touches and turns to create space for himself were great to see.
Sat in the OAP behind the dugouts last night - DC does not stop all game does he (love it!) he is constantly giving instructions to the players. My highlight was him shouting ‘bullshit’ over and over at the fourth official when the ref blew when we were counter attacking.
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Disappointed fans were booing the players, we have a manager and owner who will make sure these players give everything for our club and so far you can’t fault anyone’s efforts so anyone who booed needs to have a word with themselves
Yes it was a disappointing result but I’d much rather us have lost in this competition than this weekend at Crewe, so lets stay positive and get that away end sold out and help the lads get back to winning ways
UTS
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I said the same thing about the position of Sadler. The experienced players needed the young lads alongside them, so with Jules in the middle of the 3 he would have Clarke and Sadler supporting him either side. The pace of Jules could also be used to cover Clarke and Sadler who at times last night looked like they were off the pace.
As long as we getting something from the Crewe game then this can be written off as a good learning exercise and a reset of expectations moving forward.
Right, I thought I would leave this alone as I couldn’t be bothered, which seemed fitting.
However, people have made the effort to come and are entitled to an opinion.
It’s a pity the team took an hour to try and make a game of it.
The first half was shocking.
Gordon and Adebayo worked very hard against 5 defenders.
The midfield and defence admired their efforts from a different time zone.
They needed to be 10-20 yards further forward.
The build up play was utterly predictable and turgid.
This ‘shape’ would have been fine had it have worked.
However, when 8 defenders leave a straight corner ball to the unmarked centre half at the near post this all looks rather silly.
We simply have to be more adventurous, especially at home.
That is down to the manager, I’m afraid - and we were warned.
The comments about Gordon are a little harsh again.
He worked hard and did little wrong, however Lavery must start on Saturday.
That’s no particular reflection on Gordon, we just needed something different.
Ironically, he would do well away from home.
Just bear in mind at Northampton he bundled the ball home, but it already crossed.
And against the vegans he was most unfortunate with a spectacular effort.
Despite all of that, we still almost got a draw.
Everyone worked hard and contributed, which is already a vast improvement on last year.
I would imagine Salford underestimated the Romesh as well, they are a good team.
Fred off First Dates is particularly effective up front for them.
Hardy is a class act in this league from this cameo.
What I want to know is can he do it on a manicured and ironed lawn at Forest Green on a mild and pleasant Tuesday night in February?
Roberts - mixed
Norman - criminally underused. Often in acres of space in the turgid 1st half
CCM - better suited to a 4 I think
Jules - lots of potential, a long way off match sharp
Sadler - fine
Clarke - fine
Sinclair - played really well at DM, he shouldn’t have been there but…
Bates - some excellent flashes, but out of his depth - no crime there
Kinsella - ropey first half, much better in the second
Gordon - all said above
Adebayo - likewise, played well
Subs:
McDonald - a real handful 4th division winger - all pace and trickery, no brain - liked hjm
Lavery - nice touches, certainly added something
Hardy - deserves his own paragraph.
DC - was lucky not to be cautioned for his appalling show of dissent for a start.
Got it all tactically wrong 1st half, but the changes were utterly effective which is a real bonus.
We haven’t seen effective subs for some years.
I’m far more optimstic about a bunch of players with some limitations in the 4th division than I have been about teams for some time. That tells its own story. We’re in a better position than we were when Hibbitt started, as a comparison. I’m still looking forward to Crewe - and I don’t think I’ve ever said that.
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Really good post. Your second “block” of comments is especially apt. I commented earlier that the gap between midfield and the two up front was a big problem and it is with the personnel in the team last night. Adebayo won numerous balls in and around the box but had no support and Gordon also did some good stuff in and around the box but lacked support.
Having said that it is early days…15 new players and a new coaching team. We must ,as supporters, give them the space and time to gel . At least we know that they are all trying to do the right thing and I am confident that we will come good and soon.
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I’ll find out after the Plymouth game.
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I actually keep forgetting Crawley is league two team. Reality is Crawley could finish mid table and hopefully Walsall will be top 7 but there’s certainly little between the teams and this is different to losing to Macclesfield (two divisions gulf) and Newport in last few years.
More disappointed with lack of cup run as I do think that could’ve added to feelgood factor in this new era and of course provided some extra finance which is all important with the change in the club’s personal circumstances…
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DC said he had to get mins into legs and looking last night thought CCM was under used at times open a lot of times, Bates looks to get on the ball never hides, but may be bit light weight at mo Kins was same but he’s come on for playing more competitive mens football, Jules looks comfortable on the ball may have a bit nervous making his debut but does look like there’s a player there give it time and they all need time to get used to each other still and we have missed a defensive midfielder without Guthrie or Liddle just to sit in front of back 4, I would rather have Sinclair much further forward harassing there players than in the defensive roll he played last night saying that I thought he was MOM again, so all in all give it time DC will get it right ONWARDS AND UPWARDS onto Crewe we go in full voice UTS
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I think bit by bit,game by game,training session by training session,DC is finding out who can play where,and who can’t.Lets face it,a guy with the coaching qualifications that DC has will work it out in the end,trial and error is the best way to find out what your players can do,I think in 10 games time DC and his coaches will have worked it all out.
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jesus christ calm down
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Agree, Also once the players start trusting even more in DC coaching methods then results and performances levels should Rise.
So how many fans were booing? A few hundred? Two or three? Was it a full on sack the board and manager ‘boo’ of the Whitney type or just a spontaneous ‘that was boring’ type of boo. Is there any danger that a complete non-event has now turned into a club vs fans re-fracture? A complete non event to me.
Very very few. I didn’t even notice.
I was in the OAP stand. All I heard were people sucking on their werthers originals.
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I was sat right behind our bench and didn’t hear any negativity at all. I’m so happy this ‘booing’ has now been brought to everyone’s attention though. So what do we think the underlying cause of this booing is? Lets analyse.