Let's talk about the Salford City game

[Lesonthewest]

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

We had 2 chances to nip that attack in the bud, before it got to Tom's challenge, can't put all the blame on him.

[GazLaz]

We looked like a very tired team in the second half. Doesn’t bode well for playing Friday/Monday.

[Ryaldinhio]

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

We had 2 chances to nip that attack in the bud, before it got to Tom's challenge, can't put all the blame on him.

Not to mention 11 men behind the ball and a soft free kick that should have been saved????

[Ryaldinhio]

We looked like a very tired team in the second half. Doesn’t bode well for playing Friday/Monday.

I agree Gaz and even more worrying it needed changing from 55mins, thought usual GM 70 when it got to 75 I k ew he had no confidence in his bench of the threadbare squad.

Hopefully we don't get any injuries but I'm worried for:
Street
Maxwell
Sterry
Wood or McGrath (whichever they rush back)

[Alan Southstand]

Sounds, from GM, that any of the 3 could be back, with (maybe) JI having the better chance!

[steve@dcfd]

The lack of composure going forward cost us three points this evening.it came from three show ponies who believe they can win games on their own despite running down bind alleys. Kelly from midfield can run with ball that’s a fact but no end product either a pass or shot just loses the ball. Gibson looks good but all he wants to do is shoot with his right foot his left is no good to cross with. 2/3 occasions he broke ball second half with Street or Molyneux in better positions did he pass no he shot more like a back pass. Then we come to Molyneux again he wants to cut in and shot with his left foot but when he did not one good effort on goal. Yes he at least did pass the ball which should have led to a goal. The front three and Kelly looked like individual players did they want interlink with each other only Street. If they are going to do things by themselves then they must score.
Yes you blame tiredness or poor wall for their goal but we needed better play in forward area and more composure.

[Plumbster]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

[dickos1]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

Someone talking a bit of sense at last!
It’s a good point!
We need 8 points now from the last 4 games, maybe a couple less but 8 will secure it

[BillyStubbsTears]

I liked the idea of us getting the ball forward quickly against a side that had a lot more possession and committed players forward. We looked bright doing that for the first 30 mins. But we faded then and didn't seem to have the legs to take the game to them after that.

And however you look at it, our poor run against the better sides goes on. That's now 5 points from our last 11 matches against teams in the top 10 when we played them (draws against Notts C, Crewe, Walsall, Wimbledon and Salford, defeats against Bromley, Chesterfield, PV, Walsall, Wimbledon and Grimsby).

We still don't look strong enough to control games against the better sides, and that's got to change very quickly now, with a squad that's threadbare and struggling for energy.

Big deep breath and fingers crossed for Friday. That has to be a win I think, given the final three games.

[Ryaldinhio]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

We went toe to toe with another competitor in L2 and these IMO had better quality in a few Individuals.

Felt like an important 3pts but was not be all and end all. We move onto 7 undefeated.

Undefeated in top 7 places:

Port vale 7
Bradford 0
Walsall 0
DRFC 7
Wimbledon 2
Notts C 0
Grimsby 2

Told ya that stats can be manipulated to serve a purpose....... 

[StocksArmy]

Disagree with a lot of posts. Didn’t think we looked tired at all. Final ball and decision making cost us the game. Thought we were well worthy of 3pts however….. speaking of the final ball is killing us in a lot of games. Gibson in particular and every opportunity we have been handed in numerous recent games we have fallen short. I’m starting to resign myself to and season in league 2 next year.

[GazLaz]

Disagree with a lot of posts. Didn’t think we looked tired at all. Final ball and decision making cost us the game. Thought we were well worthy of 3pts however….. speaking of the final ball is killing us in a lot of games. Gibson in particular and every opportunity we have been handed in numerous recent games we have fallen short. I’m starting to resign myself to and season in league 2 next year.

The wingers being poor was emphasised by the change of shape. Moly and Gibson had very few options to recycle possession when they were on the ball in the final third. Ended up playing non existent passes or running into dead ends.

[dickos1]

Moly coukd easily of had a hat trick last night and Gibson also had a few great chances
I thought it was a good performance and definitely a step up from Recent ones

[Spud]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

Someone talking a bit of sense at last!
It’s a good point!
We need 8 points now from the last 4 games, maybe a couple less but 8 will secure it

Agree with talking sense, but who on earth has a coffee at midnight? Insane lol.

[drfchound]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

Someone talking a bit of sense at last!
It’s a good point!
We need 8 points now from the last 4 games, maybe a couple less but 8 will secure it

Agree with talking sense, but who on earth has a coffee at midnight? Insane lol.

Maybe he had a long drive ahead of him and was feeling a bit tired.
I would do the same under those circumstances.

[Usher wide.]

Thank goodness we have Street.

A quality strike for the opening goal from a brilliant pass by Bails.

Then a totally unnecessary ‘tackle’ by Anderson (thanks Tom but you’re past your ‘sell by date’) gives them the only chance on goal from which they score.

We were p**s poor against a side that I forecast will be in this division or even lower for the next three years.

However, come Good Friday we can resurrect our position in this division with a win against Tranmere. If we don’t win that game then we have truly under performed this season.

Christ Usher, you have changed your tune. Calling me out on here last week for giving Gibbo grief after an absolute shit show for 87minutes before 1 cross, now your going into writing calling out a long standing servant like Amderson for giving a free kick away.....that there was all 11 men behind and then a shot on target our keeper should save and you call out the foul?

Watch the goal again because for me it looked a poor strike of the ball and the bounce made it over the keeper.

Hey ho. It's all opinions. Atleast have some consistency fella, I do.

There’s a big difference between pointing out a mistake by a player on a forum & persistently shouting at a player from the stand when he’s in a position to hear you telling him how crap he is…….fella.

[i_ateallthepies]

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

We had 2 chances to nip that attack in the bud, before it got to Tom's challenge, can't put all the blame on him.

Not to mention 11 men behind the ball and a soft free kick that should have been saved????



Very harsh on the keeper that.  The free kick was a yard outside the 18yd line.  The keeper couldn't see the ball until it passed the wall.  He reacted but the ball was too well struck and he had virtually no chance to save it.  The blame goes to those two on the end of the wall, what the hell were they doing stood legs apart and gaps between them and the wall.  The shot was too close to get it up and over the wall so they needed to make a solid wall.

[Filo]

The scorer shouldn’t have been on the pitch after that out of control tackle on Molly

[Usher wide.]

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

We had 2 chances to nip that attack in the bud, before it got to Tom's challenge, can't put all the blame on him.

Not to mention 11 men behind the ball and a soft free kick that should have been saved????



Very harsh on the keeper that.  The free kick was a yard outside the 18yd line.  The keeper couldn't see the ball until it passed the wall.  He reacted but the ball was too well struck and he had virtually no chance to save it.  The blame goes to those two on the end of the wall, what the hell were they doing stood legs apart and gaps between them and the wall.  The shot was too close to get it up and over the wall so they needed to make a solid wall.

Patrick Kelly turned side on otherwise the ball would have hit him in the chest.

If you’re not going to ‘stand tall’ then don’t stand in a bloody ‘wall’!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Disagree with a lot of posts. Didn’t think we looked tired at all. Final ball and decision making cost us the game. Thought we were well worthy of 3pts however….. speaking of the final ball is killing us in a lot of games. Gibson in particular and every opportunity we have been handed in numerous recent games we have fallen short. I’m starting to resign myself to and season in league 2 next year.

The wingers being poor was emphasised by the change of shape. Moly and Gibson had very few options to recycle possession when they were on the ball in the final third. Ended up playing non existent passes or running into dead ends.

Yes, and listening to McCanns post match interview when he talks about poor decision making in the final third, it's been a repeating theme all season. Disappointing that he's not been able to improve that area of play one way or another. He said way back he wanted to give the players freedom to make decisions but clearly he hasn't done enough to set the parameters for players to make those better decisions. That's where SO'D made a difference by questioning why players made certain decisions and exploring other options on the pitch, even when they made the right decisions to reinforce the good stuff. Every marginal improvement helps. Unfortunately, it's rather late in the day to change his methods of coaching for it to have much effect.

[Plumbster]

Just stopped for a coffee on way home and bit surprised at general reaction. I thought that was a good point against a decent team- they had some very good individuals, reminded me of the team Crawley put together last season to get through play offs. Yes we showed our usual limitations but we were up against better players, especially in midfield, and I thought we showed a lot of heart and could have nicked it. Still think we are in it.

Someone talking a bit of sense at last!
It’s a good point!
We need 8 points now from the last 4 games, maybe a couple less but 8 will secure it

Agree with talking sense, but who on earth has a coffee at midnight? Insane lol.

Maybe he had a long drive ahead of him and was feeling a bit tired.
I would do the same under those circumstances.

I was driving back to Hexham ha

[ForsolongaRover]

There was a lot of energy about the first 20 minutes or so which Salford had difficulty in countering and  although the passing had a degree of speculation about it, we were perhaps  a bit unfortunate not to capitalise on it.

As for their goal, as Usher says, it was clear from just the one in-match replay that Kelly turned sideways, so he's going to regret that.

We tired as the match went on and cohesion got worse. Gibson, who i like more than most of you, had a poor first half and ought to have been subbed then. It was probably a time for McCann to be bold and he played very safe by not making changes till too late.

[GazLaz]

Anderson was the only fit centre half and apart from the foul (which we should have defended better) he was probably our best player. Won pretty much everything in the air again. My man of the match!! Midfield was the problem today along with a lack of composure up front.

We had 2 chances to nip that attack in the bud, before it got to Tom's challenge, can't put all the blame on him.

Not to mention 11 men behind the ball and a soft free kick that should have been saved????



Very harsh on the keeper that.  The free kick was a yard outside the 18yd line.  The keeper couldn't see the ball until it passed the wall.  He reacted but the ball was too well struck and he had virtually no chance to save it.  The blame goes to those two on the end of the wall, what the hell were they doing stood legs apart and gaps between them and the wall.  The shot was too close to get it up and over the wall so they needed to make a solid wall.

Patrick Kelly turned side on otherwise the ball would have hit him in the chest.

If you’re not going to ‘stand tall’ then don’t stand in a bloody ‘wall’!

The keeper should have saved it. Very poor goalkeeping.

[dickos1]

He’s 18 yards out and absolutely smashed it, keeper wouldn’t have even seen it until it was passed him.
No way that’s down to the keeper, it’s a poor wall that’s caused that

[GazLaz]

He’s 18 yards out and absolutely smashed it, keeper wouldn’t have even seen it until it was passed him.
No way that’s down to the keeper, it’s a poor wall that’s caused that

The keeper sets up the wall. It was his side so it’s his responsibility to set up the players in front of him and to save it. It wasn’t in the corner.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I agree with Gazlaz, better keeper says it.  I'm still not sure TSL is of the level we need, yes he's improved but he doesn't keep us in games like other keepers do in this league.

Still a bit deflated about last night, we badly need wins. Feels like we're a 4th/5th placed side unfortunately, just not ruthless enough.

[dickos1]

He’s 18 yards out and absolutely smashed it, keeper wouldn’t have even seen it until it was passed him.
No way that’s down to the keeper, it’s a poor wall that’s caused that

The keeper sets up the wall. It was his side so it’s his responsibility to set up the players in front of him and to save it. It wasn’t in the corner.

The wall was there but the wall turned their back!
The wall is only 15-16 yards away from the keeper he wouldn’t even of seen it until it was past him

[steve@dcfd]

He’s 18 yards out and absolutely smashed it, keeper wouldn’t have even seen it until it was passed him.
No way that’s down to the keeper, it’s a poor wall that’s caused that

The keeper sets up the wall. It was his side so it’s his responsibility to set up the players in front of him and to save it. It wasn’t in the corner.

Watch it Kelly turns sideward and the ball goes pat him arms down by his side and turns to his left which allowed the ball through

[pib]

I agree with Gazlaz, better keeper says it.  I'm still not sure TSL is of the level we need, yes he's improved but he doesn't keep us in games like other keepers do in this league.

Still a bit deflated about last night, we badly need wins. Feels like we're a 4th/5th placed side unfortunately, just not ruthless enough.

I agree. The season has that feeling about it doesn't it. Last night wasn't a terrible performance and result in isolation, but at this stage of the season it's the sort of game to test your mettle and we couldn't quite do it. You'd expect a promotion side to step it up a level but we didn't look like we had another level to step up to.

Feels like we end up in the play-offs now and that worries me.

[DonnyOsmond]

Ignoring the wall, TSL fell down, he didn't even put a hand out and it wasn't even that fast of a shot. We always have to score 2 because TSL will concede any shot on target against him.