Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: richtherover on August 30, 2025, 03:03:57 pm

Title: Today's game
Post by: richtherover on August 30, 2025, 03:03:57 pm
Bit scrappy, bit untidy, gave the ball away a lot and looked a bit shaky at times. Far better than Rotherham overall though and another welcome 3 points. We should have won by a bigger margin and going into the last 5 minutes hanging on to a one goal lead is not good for the blood pressure for us oldies. Another brilliant performance by Captain Fantastic Owen Bailey. What a player we have on our hands. Onwards lads. :rtid:
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Spilsby Red on August 30, 2025, 03:44:33 pm
What a defence we have
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Filo on August 30, 2025, 03:55:01 pm
What a defence we have

Was gutted when Olowu left but I think our defence is stronger than last year
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Padge_DRFC on August 30, 2025, 03:56:12 pm
Imagine when we really click and go up a gear. They were utterly atrocious and starting to look like us a few years ago
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: PDX_Rover on August 30, 2025, 04:06:31 pm
Rotherham fans were absolutely woeful. Like a morgue in the away end. Funny AF.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Spud on August 30, 2025, 04:12:13 pm
Never seen such a poor Millers side but they did make it scrappy at times, which was obviously their best bet. I'd have taken one nil all day, but we should have put that to bed. O'Riordan, Nixon or Bails for motm for me.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: BerlinRed on August 30, 2025, 04:17:01 pm
What a defence we have

Was gutted when Olowu left but I think our defence is stronger than last year

No comparison. They're lightyears ahead of what we had last year. Smart recruitment again from Grant!
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: CoppsOnTheRocks on August 30, 2025, 04:21:45 pm
I think we were not anywhere near our best version of ourselves today, but that said, you've got to feel like these are the wins that you need at the end of the season. In that they're the ones that could easily go either way, but will add up.

Today was scrappy and we only really settled in the first half, middle onwards. Second half we didn't look settled to me. Badly need that striker though don't we.

All round, good overall game and always good to beat Rovrum.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Usher wide. on August 30, 2025, 05:00:25 pm
I thought we weathered the first 10-15 minutes start to each half & grew into the game after those periods.

Yes there were times when we couldn’t get hold of the ball, but we kept our shape & nullified anything they tried to build.

We hit the crossbar first half & the post 2nd half. Ajayi & Hanlan could have put the game to bed 2nd half.

Can’t recall TLT having a ‘real save’ to make.

Thought O’Riordan was immaculate today as was Pearson who won more headers than he lost against ‘basketball sized’ forwards.

Thought we were good for the 3 points.

They want to think themselves fortunate that Mols wasn’t fit to play.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: turnbull for england on August 30, 2025, 05:54:53 pm
I thought we weathered the first 10-15 minutes start to each half & grew into the game after those periods.

Yes there were times when we couldn’t get hold of the ball, but we kept our shape & nullified anything they tried to build.

We hit the crossbar first half & the post 2nd half. Ajayi & Hanlan could have put the game to bed 2nd half.

Can’t recall TLT having a ‘real save’ to make.

Thought O’Riordan was immaculate today as was Pearson who won more headers than he lost against ‘basketball sized’ forwards.

Thought we were good for the 3 points.

They want to think themselves fortunate that Mols wasn’t fit to play.


TLT did really well narrowing angle for a save first half
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: drfchound on August 30, 2025, 05:58:57 pm
I thought we weathered the first 10-15 minutes start to each half & grew into the game after those periods.

Yes there were times when we couldn’t get hold of the ball, but we kept our shape & nullified anything they tried to build.

We hit the crossbar first half & the post 2nd half. Ajayi & Hanlan could have put the game to bed 2nd half.

Can’t recall TLT having a ‘real save’ to make.

Thought O’Riordan was immaculate today as was Pearson who won more headers than he lost against ‘basketball sized’ forwards.

Thought we were good for the 3 points.

They want to think themselves fortunate that Mols wasn’t fit to play.


TLT did really well narrowing angle for a save first half

And also pushed away a decent volley in the second half.
He did miss a cross though which he tried to punch away.
His long kicking isn’t a patch on that of TSL.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Padge_DRFC on August 30, 2025, 06:02:46 pm
There's times where I think TSL volleys that 60 yards on a plate to the winger turning the opposition back 4 facing their own goal.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Chris Black come back on August 30, 2025, 06:03:32 pm
I thought we weathered the first 10-15 minutes start to each half & grew into the game after those periods.

Yes there were times when we couldn’t get hold of the ball, but we kept our shape & nullified anything they tried to build.

We hit the crossbar first half & the post 2nd half. Ajayi & Hanlan could have put the game to bed 2nd half.

Can’t recall TLT having a ‘real save’ to make.

Thought O’Riordan was immaculate today as was Pearson who won more headers than he lost against ‘basketball sized’ forwards.

Thought we were good for the 3 points.

They want to think themselves fortunate that Mols wasn’t fit to play.


TLT did really well narrowing angle for a save first half

He’s good. Very happy with him.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: IDM on August 30, 2025, 06:10:19 pm
Imagine when we really click and go up a gear. They were utterly atrocious and starting to look like us a few years ago

I remember folks waiting for months and months for us to “click” last season too..
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: allezallezallez on August 30, 2025, 06:26:49 pm
Very scrappy today....still took the 3 points though :-)
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Padge_DRFC on August 30, 2025, 06:30:24 pm
Imagine when we really click and go up a gear. They were utterly atrocious and starting to look like us a few years ago

I remember folks waiting for months and months for us to “click” last season too..

Last 6 games when it counted
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: ncRover on August 30, 2025, 06:35:05 pm
There's times where I think TSL volleys that 60 yards on a plate to the winger turning the opposition back 4 facing their own goal.

If you combined TSL’s distribution with TLT’s shotstopping that goalie wouldn’t be getting a L1 loan!
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Pintolager on August 30, 2025, 07:20:07 pm
We certainly did enough to win today and the defence was great, I just think more composure is need at times and a little bit of thought, but a win is what we deserved.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: IDM on August 30, 2025, 08:00:11 pm
Imagine when we really click and go up a gear. They were utterly atrocious and starting to look like us a few years ago

I remember folks waiting for months and months for us to “click” last season too..

Last 6 games when it counted

It counts all season.  The three points today are the same as points later in the season.

I get what you mean though..
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Spilsby Red on August 30, 2025, 08:46:48 pm
On Clifton. He is a grafter. I saw (watching on tv), he gets frustrated with himself I something doesn’t go right. That’s a positive. Every team needs a grafter.
Gibson had a big opportunity today with Moly out. He didn’t take it. There is a footballer in him, just not consistent. When he was subbed his body language was poor. Lacking in confidence it seems.
We win and lose as a team. Some players need an arm round them.
The team stuck together and played for each other. A word on Hanlan, short time he was on he tried to put himself about. Some players need time to adjust. Maybe this new loan signing might push him.
Just my thoughts. But lots of positives.
Arsenal won games 1-0 many years ago with a strong defence. That is what we have. 
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Miller23 on August 30, 2025, 09:20:00 pm
Rotherham fans were absolutely woeful. Like a morgue in the away end. Funny AF.

We don’t have much to cheer about I’m afraid.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: grayx on August 30, 2025, 09:53:45 pm
I think we have a great keeper & back four, a great midfielder, 2 great wingers & a very good but past his best striker.
There are a few gaps to fill to make us genuine play off challenges but im sure GM knows that.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Pancho Regan on August 30, 2025, 10:07:39 pm
I agree with Filo - I was disappointed to lose Olowu and wondered how Grant would re-build our back four after 3 departures.

But his recruitment has been brilliant and we are much stronger this season. O’Riordan is class, Pearson has taken Big Tom’s role to the next level, and Jay and Grehan are quality.

This was a very satisfying win today and we continue our excellent start to the season.

Chuffed to bits.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Alan Southstand on August 30, 2025, 10:38:15 pm
Just an observation on those comments, Pancho, you’re right, of course, but O’R is not our player (more’s the pity). Probably the stand- out signing of the summer, but then Grehan also appears to be very good.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: ForsolongaRover on August 30, 2025, 11:57:38 pm
Close came on after 69 minutes and I cannot recall seeing him involved in the match. Did he miss his chance to make an impression or was I just not paying attention?
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Matt#26 on August 31, 2025, 12:35:21 am
Close came on after 69 minutes and I cannot recall seeing him involved in the match. Did he miss his chance to make an impression or was I just not paying attention?
Pretty sure he put a good block in on the 18 yard line
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: dickos1 on August 31, 2025, 01:08:03 am
Not easy coming on as a central midfielder when your side is under the cosh. He did a lot of work chasing around the pitch but didn’t see much of the ball but nobody did during that period.
O riordan is our player this season, and that what the point was, irrelevant if he’s our player next season or not.
Bailey might not be, moly might not be.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Ryaldinhio on August 31, 2025, 03:27:16 am
Close came on after 69 minutes and I cannot recall seeing him involved in the match. Did he miss his chance to make an impression or was I just not paying attention?

We didn't have a lot of the ball which doesn't bode well for a ball playing midfielder. He did make two particularly strong challenges which I clearly remember thinking , bloody hell close!
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on August 31, 2025, 07:34:33 am
Close came on after 69 minutes and I cannot recall seeing him involved in the match. Did he miss his chance to make an impression or was I just not paying attention?

We didn't have a lot of the ball which doesn't bode well for a ball playing midfielder. He did make two particularly strong challenges which I clearly remember thinking , bloody hell close!

Yes, I remember one meaty block tackle and another vital headed clearance which contributed to our clean sheet.

There was one pass late on which I think he should have took more time over when he played it down the line to nobody.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: idler on August 31, 2025, 10:26:58 am
He might have also scored if Ajayi had passes to him late on. I only saw it on the highlights but he looked well placed.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: scawsby steve on August 31, 2025, 08:08:32 pm
He might have also scored if Ajayi had passes to him late on. I only saw it on the highlights but he looked well placed.

Absolutely, Idler. From the South Stand the option to pass to Close looked so obvious.
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: drfchound on August 31, 2025, 09:24:03 pm
He might have also scored if Ajayi had passes to him late on. I only saw it on the highlights but he looked well placed.

Absolutely, Idler. From the South Stand the option to pass to Close looked so obvious.

It did SS but if Ajayi had scored …………
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: Pancho Regan on August 31, 2025, 09:37:52 pm
Close came on after 69 minutes and I cannot recall seeing him involved in the match. Did he miss his chance to make an impression or was I just not paying attention?

We didn't have a lot of the ball which doesn't bode well for a ball playing midfielder. He did make two particularly strong challenges which I clearly remember thinking , bloody hell close!

Correct - Close went full-on into a 50/50 tackle and won it.
My immediate thought was of those fans who say he never tackles ……
Title: Re: Today's game
Post by: ForsolongaRover on August 31, 2025, 10:28:43 pm
Ajayi looked anxious to impress and it seemed to affect his judgment. Coming on as a sub he was anxious to impress, but that desire overtook what was best for the team. Let’s hope that when the game is analysed with the players, he will learn from this kind of selfish mistake.