Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on February 25, 2024, 10:01:37 am
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The first of two hard away games including the rearranged Bradford game against two sides who are mirroring our form improvement, Walsall yesterday winning 2-0 at Harrogate the second goal being credited to Mo Faal late of this parish.
It was Walsall's third win on the trot and has moved them up to 8th in the division only three points outside the play off places and they must have credible ambitions of attaining getting up there among the players and shakers in the playoffs in a division where a lot of teams in the top half of the division will have the same thoughts points being so close. Whether a sign of a good all round good standard or a poor standard up for debate, while we have been admittedly poor for a long period this season before our recent improvement, not many of the teams involved in the race have struck me of being special, some up there a big surprise.
So what have we got, our better run has been built on just improving midfield energy and basic defending down the centre of the field, and getting the ball forward quicker giving our strikers more to work with.
The surprise to me is how long it took for the penny to drop me harking on like a broken record up to and including Christmas about our soft midfield nothing passes, no tackles and generally messing about at the back with the same players making the same mistakes and play every week.
Now that is in the past, and those wearing the shirt should, injury allowing keep their place and makes the managers job a lot easier, players like Biggins looking different players now they are playing a more natural game at a higher pace, and in more advanced areas of the field.
Terry Bramall has worked wonders.
Walsall's last home game was a very credible win 2-1 against Mansfield, not the medias favourite team but the best side in the division, so a great win and achieved with less possession and stats all round and something they achieved at Harrogate winning 2-0 with only 35% possession there as well, so must be a good side on the counter and resolute in defence.
Draper and Hutchinson are their top scorers in double figure the rest being spread out, but resigned Josh Gordon from Burton on loan and Mo Faal to strengthen their options up front in the last transfer window so to be respected and only Mansfield in the division have let in less goals than the 14 they have conceded at home so a hard nut to crack, and a hard game ahead of us.
So few if any changes for me, probably our biggest recent test of our improvement, a place we have had mixed results and displays at in the past, and a need to keep our heady run going as long as possible for supporter interest.
Lots to discuss about our team, and this fixture, please have your say.
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Top scorer Draper got recalled by Lincoln.
Wood and Anderson will be up against experienced target man Jamille Matt, and I’d back them to handle him.
Might be a tough game for our forward line as Walsall’s back 5 has kept 2 clean sheets on the bounce.
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They seem to ve the real deal and will probably take some stopping but, there's no reason why we can't knock them off their stride. It's going to be tough but the way we are playing, the players are going to relish the challenge plus there maybe an added incentive if our lads feel they were snubbed by Faal. They certainly won't want him getting one over us.
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They seem to ve the real deal and will probably take some stopping but, there's no reason why we can't knock them off their stride. It's going to be tough but the way we are playing, the players are going to relish the challenge plus there maybe an added incentive if our lads feel they were snubbed by Faal. They certainly won't want him getting one over us.
I don’t get why people keep banging on about Faal. We had him for 5 months on loan. He doesn’t owe us any loyalty. He came here finding his feet, helped us with a few goals, did his best and has decided to continue a loan elsewhere at a club closer to home. I really wouldn’t take it personally. Anyone booing him says more about them than it does him.
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They are strong at home and tough to beat. Have only lost 3 league games at home this season, a record bettered only by Mansfield, Wrexham and Barrow. Last 5 home league games has seen them beat both Mansfield and Wrexham, although they drew with Sutton and lost to Newport. This will be a real tough test, on paper.
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They seem to ve the real deal and will probably take some stopping but, there's no reason why we can't knock them off their stride. It's going to be tough but the way we are playing, the players are going to relish the challenge plus there maybe an added incentive if our lads feel they were snubbed by Faal. They certainly won't want him getting one over us.
I don’t get why people keep banging on about Faal. We had him for 5 months on loan. He doesn’t owe us any loyalty. He came here finding his feet, helped us with a few goals, did his best and has decided to continue a loan elsewhere at a club closer to home. I really wouldn’t take it personally. Anyone booing him says more about them than it does him.
I’m with you on that one. He seemed like a good lad, threw himself into his loan and played well for the most part. Lost form towards the end but I don’t think he should be vilified. He could’ve handled his departure better but you have to accept with loan players you have little control over them as they’re not your player.
If we boo him and get on his back it’s only going to give him extra motivation to score.
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We are well capable of winning this one as well and should not fear Walsall at all. They should be more afraid of us. The days when all the oppo had to do was lob enough long balls into our box to be sure of scoring are gone now that we have a commanding keeper. We have goals in us too, i would not be surprised if we got a hatful regardless of their apparent tight defence.
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Think a hatful is unlikely but we can go there with confidence.
Let them worry about us.
Can see a very tight game.
Going for a 1-1 draw but we could win it.
Absolutely we can.
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A draw wouldn’t be a bad result IMHO. That would mean 6 games unbeaten at 2ppg.
But of course we should be playing to win, the lads should be full of confidence now.
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They seem to ve the real deal and will probably take some stopping but, there's no reason why we can't knock them off their stride. It's going to be tough but the way we are playing, the players are going to relish the challenge plus there maybe an added incentive if our lads feel they were snubbed by Faal. They certainly won't want him getting one over us.
I don’t get why people keep banging on about Faal. We had him for 5 months on loan. He doesn’t owe us any loyalty. He came here finding his feet, helped us with a few goals, did his best and has decided to continue a loan elsewhere at a club closer to home. I really wouldn’t take it personally. Anyone booing him says more about them than it does him.
I certainly wasn't banging on about Faal. I mention him in one sentence. Whatever circumstances he moved on, our players wouldn't want a former teammate to get one over them, even if they wish him well otherwise.
For the record, I liked Faal and would rather he stayed, so I haven't taken it personally and won't be booing him.
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Selby, there’s been more than you banging on about our midfield, when all and sundry were critical of our defence! Also, I’ve also suggested on numerous occasions about having a keeper that not afraid to come off his line and take command. At long last, GM has seen fit to put this right and, hey presto, the defence starts to look better. I agree, though, that this isn’t the sole reason for our upturn - but there’s no denying that it’s helped.
Onto the next, I would say, 3 games. Walsall, Bradford away and Crewe at home. If we get anything at all from those 3 tough games, I’ll know we’ve turned a corner, but we shouldn’t feel any less despondent if we get zero points, as our improvement over the last 5 has been noticeable.
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We will not lose any of them
Well definitely no more than 1
Mystic Meg has spoken
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Edit**
3 draws would be good going for them 3 very tough games. I think that’s what will happen.
Just spotted also that Walsall have a fixture on Tuesday this week. We will be a bit fresher.
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We will not lose any of them
Well definitely no more than 1
Mystic Meg has spoken
I once slapped Mystic Meg when she was laughing.
I always wanted to strike a happy medium.
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We are in the home end.
My godson is a Walsall fan and he has 'reward tickets' from school so we are taking him, sitting on our hands and keeping our mouths shut.
Last time I went in the home end, away was at Scunny when LFW scored that injury time equaliser. I didn't manage to sit on my hands that day.
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We are in the home end.
My godson is a Walsall fan and he has 'reward tickets' from school so we are taking him, sitting on our hands and keeping our mouths shut.
Last time I went in the home end, away was at Scunny when LFW scored that injury time equaliser. I didn't manage to sit on my hands that day.
That was in Feb 2004. Twenty years ago. Just let that sink in.
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We are in the home end.
My godson is a Walsall fan and he has 'reward tickets' from school so we are taking him, sitting on our hands and keeping our mouths shut.
Wow what a stat.
Last time I went in the home end, away was at Scunny when LFW scored that injury time equaliser. I didn't manage to sit on my hands that day.
That was in Feb 2004. Twenty years ago. Just let that sink in.
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We will not lose any of them
Well definitely no more than 1
Mystic Meg has spoken
I once slapped Mystic Meg when she was laughing.
I always wanted to strike a happy medium.
Jimmy, that joke's as bad as the one about the clown giving a nun a piggy-back.
Virgin on the ridiculous.
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This game was always going to be important - but after their win last night it takes on even more significance if Rovers are to retain a slim chance of a play off spot.
Really looking forwards to it, I would expect we'll take a good following ( 5 or 600 ?? ) and if we can put out the same squad as the last few games - with hopefully the welcome bonus of Westbrooke returning for a spot on the bench there is no reason why we cant come back with the three points.
I hope Grant makes 2nd half changes a bit earlier - last week Molly and Biggins were ineffective after 55 minutes, so let's get Waters and Hursty on who both gave us more spark - Waters in particular linked it all together and pushed them right back.
RTID
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For the first time in years (I think) we went through February without a defeat.
Hopefully we can now carry the good form through March.
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I hope Grant makes 2nd half changes a bit earlier - last week Molly and Biggins were ineffective after 55 minutes, so let's get Waters and Hursty on who both gave us more spark - Waters in particular linked it all together and pushed them right back.
RTID
It's all about opinions but I thought Biggins was man of the match and Moly always looked dangerous (brushing aside his 'fresh air' shot!).
No way would I pick Waters ahead of Moly. I've been disappointed with Waters so far. Lots of energy and effort but zero end product.
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For the first time in years (I think) we went through February with a defeat.
Hopefully we can now carry the good form through March.
Even without a defeat hound. :)
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I hope Grant makes 2nd half changes a bit earlier - last week Molly and Biggins were ineffective after 55 minutes, so let's get Waters and Hursty on who both gave us more spark - Waters in particular linked it all together and pushed them right back.
RTID
It's all about opinions but I thought Biggins was man of the match and Moly always looked dangerous (brushing aside his 'fresh air' shot!).
No way would I pick Waters ahead of Moly. I've been disappointed with Waters so far. Lots of energy and effort but zero end product.
I agree it's all about opinions but FFS the description you've used " Lots of energy and effort but zero end product " fits Molly like a glove over the last 2 years - and how could he not even make connection with the ball late on V Wimbledon - the two volleys he blazed over from close range away at Harrogate, etc,etc,etc.
Sorry but for me Hurst plays every time over Molly.
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For the first time in years (I think) we went through February with a defeat.
Hopefully we can now carry the good form through March.
Even without a defeat hound. :)
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Yes, indeed. It isnt easy to write a post with my grand daughter climbing all over me.
Edited now.
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I hope Grant makes 2nd half changes a bit earlier - last week Molly and Biggins were ineffective after 55 minutes, so let's get Waters and Hursty on who both gave us more spark - Waters in particular linked it all together and pushed them right back.
RTID
It's all about opinions but I thought Biggins was man of the match and Moly always looked dangerous (brushing aside his 'fresh air' shot!).
No way would I pick Waters ahead of Moly. I've been disappointed with Waters so far. Lots of energy and effort but zero end product.
I agree it's all about opinions but FFS the description you've used " Lots of energy and effort but zero end product " fits Molly like a glove over the last 2 years - and how could he not even make connection with the ball late on V Wimbledon - the two volleys he blazed over from close range away at Harrogate, etc,etc,etc.
Sorry but for me Hurst plays every time over Molly.
Did you see Moly's goal against Grimsby?!
He should definitely be scoring more than he does, but 4 goals and 7 assists this season is not "zero end product".
So you also think Waters should be starting ahead of Biggins?
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Moly is no world beater but it’s much safer having him in the XI from the start over Hurst. Kyle is good as an impact player currently, he was lively off the bench last week.
That’s why Grant rarely subs Moly off because losing his tracking back and work rate mid game is risky.
While Hurst is pleasing on the eye with the ball he can’t win the ball back can he?
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Walsall appear to struggle against teams below them in the table, maybe they have a complacency issue, let’s hope so. Westbrook back in contention bodes well with the new lad so the bench will offer far more options than we’ve had in a long time
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Walsall appear to struggle against teams below them in the table, maybe they have a complacency issue, let’s hope so. Westbrook back in contention bodes well with the new lad so the bench will offer far more options than we’ve had in a long time
I agree and said exactly the same on the “Form Table” thread on 26 Feb.
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No matter the result, how good is it to be properly excited about going to games once again. Looking forward to tomorrow!
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The only downer I see is the ref for tomorrow's game, we have lost every game he has been the ref for us, hopefully tomorrow is another game added to the run of 5 unbeaten, great displays of defending, good solid attacking play and a flurry of goals to boost the goals from a - to a + very soon, however if offered a 1-0 win for rovers right now I'd snap your hand off for it.
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The only downer I see is the ref for tomorrow's game, we have lost every game he has been the ref for us, hopefully tomorrow is another game added to the run of 5 unbeaten, great displays of defending, good solid attacking play and a flurry of goals to boost the goals from a - to a + very soon, however if offered a 1-0 win for rovers right now I'd snap your hand off for it.
Every Rovers fan would take a 1-0 win tomorrow.
This will be a very tough game.
I will be pretty happy with a draw and that’s my forecast.
A win tomorrow and that seriously sends out a message to our future opponents.
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If the wind gusts get above 7mph Hurst cannot play. Molyneux also offers a lot more without the ball in comparison to Hurst. Again not difficult
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At the moment I think consistency in our style of play and personnel is more important to get the points we require to move well away from problems in the division we made for ourselves the first half of the season.
Keep the run going if possible and encourage players to play for a start rather than just throwing shirts into the changing room and encourage a competitive atmosphere and see where it takes us, if and when we are completely marooned with no worries of relegation and play offs impossible then is the time to look at different things for next season.
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Hope Mo isn’t booed today. Would make us look a bit tinpot too.
The best thing is to show that we aren’t really that fussed to the Walsall fans as we’ve replaced him with a better player.
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No about 7k home fans watched him score their 3rd ..
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
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Let Wallsall have their moment in the sun.
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Let Wallsall have their moment in the sun.
I’d imagine they don’t see beating a team that’s been in the bottom 5 all season at home as particularly noteworthy.
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
Down to earth with a bump with weak defending for all the goals . Not getting to the second balls enough . It’s another poor performance against a better side and demonstrates how far we are still from being a competitive team .
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
Down to earth with a bump with weak defending for all the goals . Not getting to the second balls enough . It’s another poor performance against a better side and demonstrates how far we are still from being a competitive team .
Give over. Going into the game rovers were top of the form table in last 5. That didnt happen by chance
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
Down to earth with a bump with weak defending for all the goals . Not getting to the second balls enough . It’s another poor performance against a better side and demonstrates how far we are still from being a competitive team .
Give over. Going into the game rovers were top of the form table in last 5. That didnt happen by chance
Who have we beaten in worthy of that statement ?
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
Down to earth with a bump with weak defending for all the goals . Not getting to the second balls enough . It’s another poor performance against a better side and demonstrates how far we are still from being a competitive team .
We're not that far from being a decent team. It's small margins that make a difference. Concentration levels, organisation, belief, resilience, discipline are all factors that come into play and the players will know they are capable of better than that result today. .
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
The first goal wasn’t from a corner.
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
Down to earth with a bump with weak defending for all the goals . Not getting to the second balls enough . It’s another poor performance against a better side and demonstrates how far we are still from being a competitive team .
We were average for the first 20 mins but after that I thought we dominated for a good 50 mins and for a deserved equaliser. We were on top then, but the 2nd goal was massive for whoever got it.
We had chances today to have won that
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Well, with the keeper, Wood and Anderson I thought the chances of us conceding from corners and set pieces were greatly reduced, but all three from corners today suggests something has gone majorly wrong with our organisation.
Shame having got back in the game and having the ascendancy for all of 7 mins!
As suggested above, those who boo players for just being them, usually get what they deserve. If a player does summat on the pitch to warrant it then fair do's but Faal has definitely had the last laugh.
The first goal wasn’t from a corner.
Sorry. My bad.
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We were meh today, could have been better. We lost, that's football.
Certainly need to improve at set pieces though.
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From the sound commentary the subs failed to make the hoped-for impact and things rather tailed off. When Waters arrived there were great expectations and more recently many words were written in praise of Biamou. Too early to judge in the latter case perhaps, but what was the general impression?
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Waters was excellent when he came on last week
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Waters was excellent when he came on last week
i mean he was ok but that's a stretch
i wouldn't offer him a contract in the summer, there's better out there
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Thought him and hurst were both very good last week when they came on.
Today we had just as many opportunities as they did, but we weren’t as clinical
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Waters is not very good. Runs a lot yep. Not seen anything else. Would hope we'd not be signing him
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Don’t think Waters brought anything today. Not sure why Hurst went off.
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Too many games IMO where we've become worse in games following subs.
Rowe was another pointless sub today unless Maxwell couldn't walk
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Thought him and hurst were both very good last week when they came on.
Today we had just as many opportunities as they did, but we weren’t as clinical
Here we go again.
Their second and third goals came from players being totally unmarked at set pieces.
We didn't have any remotely similar chances, because very, very few sides in this division are as inept as we are at defending set pieces.
We did well to get back into the game after going behind, but the ease with which Walsall put us under pressure after we equalised was sobering, and the defending for the second and third goals did have an air of inevitability about it.
Until we fix that, we haven't got any chance of being consistently competitive in this division.
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It happens. Let’s move on. Been on a decent run. Walsall are doing well.
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Thought him and hurst were both very good last week when they came on.
Today we had just as many opportunities as they did, but we weren’t as clinical
Here we go again.
Their second and third goals came from players being totally unmarked at set pieces.
We didn't have any remotely similar chances, because very, very few sides in this division are as inept as we are at defending set pieces.
We did well to get back into the game after going behind, but the ease with which Walsall put us under pressure after we equalised was sobering, and the defending for the second and third goals did have an air of inevitability about it.
Until we fix that, we haven't got any chance of being consistently competitive in this division.
Here we go again!
Listen to grants interview, you might struggle to understand what he’s saying but to simplify it for you the two set piece goals were down to him and his staff.
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Thought him and hurst were both very good last week when they came on.
Today we had just as many opportunities as they did, but we weren’t as clinical
Here we go again.
Their second and third goals came from players being totally unmarked at set pieces.
We didn't have any remotely similar chances, because very, very few sides in this division are as inept as we are at defending set pieces.
We did well to get back into the game after going behind, but the ease with which Walsall put us under pressure after we equalised was sobering, and the defending for the second and third goals did have an air of inevitability about it.
Until we fix that, we haven't got any chance of being consistently competitive in this division.
More negative drivel.
We had an identical chance that cleared off the line twice, we had balls that were inches away from falling to an unmarked player in their box but it rolled inches the wrong way.
We’ve just gone to a very good side and given them a great game, we’ve also lost 1 game in 6 but still we have the same old negative folk pining after Schofield who can’t acknowledge anything positive.
It’s embarrassing
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Thought him and hurst were both very good last week when they came on.
Today we had just as many opportunities as they did, but we weren’t as clinical
Here we go again.
Their second and third goals came from players being totally unmarked at set pieces.
We didn't have any remotely similar chances, because very, very few sides in this division are as inept as we are at defending set pieces.
We did well to get back into the game after going behind, but the ease with which Walsall put us under pressure after we equalised was sobering, and the defending for the second and third goals did have an air of inevitability about it.
Until we fix that, we haven't got any chance of being consistently competitive in this division.
More negative drivel.
We had an identical chance that cleared off the line twice, we had balls that were inches away from falling to an unmarked player in their box but it rolled inches the wrong way.
We’ve just gone to a very good side and given them a great game, we’ve also lost 1 game in 6 but still we have the same old negative folk pining after Schofield who can’t acknowledge anything positive.
It’s embarrassing
What's embarrassing ... is being 20th in league two!
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Just seen the highlights and listened to McCann.
Their first goal. A bad error for us to give the ball away but a great cross for the lad to bury.
Our goal, great cross for Hurst to bury.
McCanns taken responsibility for making the call that left the goalscorer unmarked at the edge of the box. Still disappointing we didn't get a block in.
Third. Faal won the gamesmanship contest with the keeper, giving him a nudge but a weak response from Lo Tutala in attempting to claim the ball.
It's another step on the learning curve. We got outsmarted.
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
Everytime we win it’s because we’re playing a team that’s not very good.
I know which point of view I’d rather have
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Dabermoo told us that Mr Purkiss had never reffed us to a win and despite our 71% possession, Walsall only officially conceded 8 fouls in trying to regain the ball, yet did so without a single caution as against our 5 yellow cards for 13 fouls. Hoden expressed surprise at his leniency with Walsall and the Faal challenge on Lo Tutala was such an instance.
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I thought the ref was shocking today. Number of clear pushes by them he missed.
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"The decisions we made as a staff has hindered the result today."
That's our manager, he took accountability.
We move on.
#RTID
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Every time we lose the same posters come on the forum picking the bones out of why we lost.
They are never as conspicuous when we win.
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Dabermoo told us that Mr Purkiss had never reffed us to a win and despite our 71% possession, Walsall only officially conceded 8 fouls in trying to regain the ball, yet did so without a single caution as against our and 5 yellow cards for 13 fouls. Hoden expressed surprise at his leniency with Walsall and the Faal challenge on Lo Tutala such an instance.
The refs last game he had for us was also a 3-1 loss to Harrogate, very harsh on rovers yellows today considering the amount of fouls for and against today, I do think the shot cleared off the line had crossed the line but with how crowded the 6 yard box was I can understand it not being clearly sighted, I felt Sterry had a game to forget today but win as a team and lose as a team, onwards to bradford and get back on track.
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We lost to a better team today. Simple as that. They were better than us and we played into their hands. They are a counter attacking team that sit in, let you pass it around in the areas they want you to and then spring. They are very good without the ball.
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We lost to a better team today. Simple as that. They were better than us and we played into their hands. They are a counter attacking team that sit in, let you pass it around in the areas they want you to and then spring. They are very good without the ball.
We’ve seen this a lot haven’t we. Teams can let us have the ball knowing that we haven’t got the individual creativity to break a tight defence down.
When looking at League 2 players “chances created” you don’t see a Rovers player until 29th (Molyneux) and then 70th (Ironside) on that list.
We haven’t won a league game after going behind all season.
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We lost to a better team today. Simple as that. They were better than us and we played into their hands. They are a counter attacking team that sit in, let you pass it around in the areas they want you to and then spring. They are very good without the ball.
We’ve seen this a lot haven’t we. Teams can let us have the ball knowing that we haven’t got the individual creativity to break a tight defence down.
When looking at League 2 players “chances created” you don’t see a Rovers player until 29th (Molyneux) and then 70th (Ironside) on that list.
We haven’t won a league game after going behind all season.
Having the ball isn’t necessarily a positive. As Jose says “you are most vulnerable when you have the ball”. There isn’t a better example of that fact than us.
Win 5-1 at Grimsby having less of the ball. Loads of ball today and beaten comfortably.
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Words can be used to fit the situation.
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Walsall clearly had a game plan that neutralised our main tactic of the last few weeks. We've been drawing centre forwards into a press on our centre backs when we have the ball at the back. That's left space for Craig to receive the ball in a deep lying midfield position and launch attacks.
They neutralised that by simply not being pulled in, and thereby gave Craig zero space. So we had to move the ball out to full backs, at which point their midfielders tigerishly pressed us.
It was really quite impressive to watch how disciplined they were. We didn't have a clue how to deal with it for the first 30 minutes. We got better after that, at getting down the flanks at them. But Craig was nothing like as effective as he had been recently. And as a result, we created very few good chances.
Baby steps. I've liked the new tactic, but we do need more quality through the middle, or stronger and more confident full backs if we are to cope with a team playing like Walsall did today.
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We lost to a better team today. Simple as that. They were better than us and we played into their hands. They are a counter attacking team that sit in, let you pass it around in the areas they want you to and then spring. They are very good without the ball.
That is a very telling observation and one I’d not noticed amongst the stats. In all the recent games they have won they’ve had less than 50% possession. When they’ve not won they’ve had more than 50% - remarkable really. We had more possession than any other opponent recently, but a fair amount of it in our own half.
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My guess is that most teams possession is gained in their own half.
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From what I had read before the game, Walsall played a pressing game, they definitely did their homework on us and just let us pass around where we couldn’t hurt them. Our stats probably looked brilliant.
They are on a tremendous run but personally I thought we were poor yesterday and missed Moly.
Surprised Nixon wasn’t in the squad as Maxwell looked to be blowing out his arse yesterday
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From what I had read before the game, Walsall played a pressing game, they definitely did their homework on us and just let us pass around where we couldn’t hurt them. Our stats probably looked brilliant.
They are on a tremendous run but personally I thought we were poor yesterday and missed Moly.
Surprised Nixon wasn’t in the squad as Maxwell looked to be blowing out his arse yesterday
Thought Maxwell had another good game yesterday, probably our MOTM.
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
Ifs & Buts and Maybe’s .its the name of the game . We didn’t prove much of an opposition when you allow their chances to be converted and we barely created enough ! Back to the drawing board :clapping:
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
Ifs & Buts and Maybe’s .its the name of the game . We didn’t prove much of an opposition when you allow their chances to be converted and we barely created enough ! Back to the drawing board :clapping:
Welcome back
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
Ifs & Buts and Maybe’s .its the name of the game . We didn’t prove much of an opposition when you allow their chances to be converted and we barely created enough ! Back to the drawing board :clapping:
We created the same as they did they were just more clinical. Can’t remember Timmy making a save
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Looks like Richard Wood had an off day. I think with that attacking full back combination both centre halves need to be on it.
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Every time we lose, we had chances that didn't fall to players, but if they had and we'd scored them, we'd have won.
Ifs & Buts and Maybe’s .its the name of the game . We didn’t prove much of an opposition when you allow their chances to be converted and we barely created enough ! Back to the drawing board :clapping:
We created the same as they did they were just more clinical. Can’t remember Timmy making a save
Peak Dickos here.
We conceded 3. And you reckon not being able to remember us making a save is a positive?
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If they create 3 chances the whole game and score all 3 then. Then that means we either defended well throughout the game or they were very clinical.
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Walsall have been struggling for years, the manager has done a good job there. Our run was going to come to an end somewhere. Just start another run, keep doing the same things. We lost to a decent side for this league. Very disappointed at having to say that. At the start of the season I saw a lot of hope for us doing well. Never saw us in this position.
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If they create 3 chances the whole game and score all 3 then. Then that means we either defended well throughout the game or they were very clinical.
Quantifying how threatening a team is by something as open as “chances created” is just meaningless isn’t? Does every threatening passage of play have to end in a direct shot to be threatening? They are a playoff standard team and they have proven that this season. We’ve shown no evidence of being anything better than a lower half team so far this season.
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Not sure it’s meaningless no. If I side creates nothing over 90 mins then in no way can they be described as threatening.
I never mentioned a shot as I’ve stated many times on here that shots on target is a meaningless statistic. A chance created to me means getting balls flying across the 6 yard box, getting into 2v2 situations, getting players in behind.
We’ve been good at that over the last few weeks, you can argue we’ve not played anyone any good, but we’ve played these shite teams earlier in the season and created nothing.
We’ve definitely improved
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Dickos.
Who are you arguing with?
No-one, literally no-one is saying that we haven't improved. The point most of us are discussing is how much further we still have to go. While you are saying that if Walsall hadn't scored 3, and we'd made contact with balls that we didn't, and their keeper hadn't saved the resulting effort, we'd have been ok.
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Not sure it’s meaningless no. If I side creates nothing over 90 mins then in no way can they be described as threatening.
I never mentioned a shot as I’ve stated many times on here that shots on target is a meaningless statistic. A chance created to me means getting balls flying across the 6 yard box, getting into 2v2 situations, getting players in behind.
We’ve been good at that over the last few weeks, you can argue we’ve not played anyone any good, but we’ve played these shite teams earlier in the season and created nothing.
We’ve definitely improved
I think we have improved as well. Just to nowhere near a playoff quality side as some think.