Gower

[Beefy]

Now we all know that Gower didn't have his best game today but already from flicking through the boards I can see signs of him getting scapegoated here. We didn't lose today because of Mark Gower. Gower wasn't even that bad. I mean yeah he did a lot of things very badly, but he's the guy we play through, he's the guy who creates our chances and when he's not playing well it looks twice as bad as it does when anyone else is off form. But his build-up play wasn't bad, he put a couple of tackles in and he chased back and defended pretty well imo. And at least he's a player who doesn't hide from the ball, he always wants it and he always believes in his ability to do something with it.

I just don't think that people should forget that having a handful of bad games doesn't make someone a bad player. And cheering a substitution like we did today only refects badly on us. I haven't seen the tape but from reading another forum I've heard that that came accross on Sky quite clearly.

 

[Shoebury Shrimper]

If he would have been subbed earlier then the cheer would not have been so load.

 

[Shrimpersarmy]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ April 10 2005,23:09)]Gower wasn't even that bad

Err... yes, he was.

 

[stid]

Quote[/b] (Shrimpersarmy @ April 10 2005,23:25)]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ April 10 2005,23:09)]Gower wasn't even that bad

Err... yes, he was.

Afraid I have to agree. We should have lost in the first 20 mins when Gower lost the battle on the wing with the Wrexham player with the silly hair, leaving Che hopelessly exposed. We dealt with that by switching Gower and Petts, but that meant we had abandoned the balance that has served us so well for so many games.

If Gower was unfit then he shouldn't have played. Otherwise, he had a real stinker, which hopefully he'll be professional enough to put behind him.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (Shrimpersarmy @ April 10 2005,23:25)]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ April 10 2005,23:09)]Gower wasn't even that bad

Err... yes, he was.

Ok he was. But the point still stands. He wasted a lot of opportunities that he had to get the ball in but aside from that his general play was no worse than it is any week. Of course some would argue that getting the ball in is precisely what he is in the side to do and what he is paid to do.

Someone said in another thread that he doesn't try. Thats complete garbage. He was getting the ball in the right-back spot most of the time today.

He had a 'mare today, but lets not lose perspective. We're talking about one of the best players at the club and even at this level.

 

[Guest]

I didn't hear any complaints from people in the semi final when he smashed that shot into the top corner of the bristol rovers net.

Sure he has had a bad season. But it was our first loss in 18 and we are second in the league.

Every player has a bad game occasionally....except for Barrat.

 

[bas blue]

bad game yes, appalling , no

 

[Ron Martin]

Yes he had a bad game, however there were many other players in a blue shirt who were hardly outstanding and I thought that the reaction to Gower being subbed was not far of appalling.
I would hope that the core fans who turn out week on week would not stoop to that level.
For heaven sake it wasn't his fault that Tilson hadn't done the decent thing and made the change earlier in the game ? In fact it is arguable that he should have been in the starting eleven given current form - though that is a different matter.

 

[tomasufc 4eva]

By the way, where was Nicky? He wasn't on the bench and none of my mates thought that he was injured so wouldn't he have been the perfect replacement for Gower?

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Gower was the worst player on the pitch, and when Gower has a bad game we lack creativity.

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (tomasufc 4eva @ April 11 2005,08:56)]By the way, where was Nicky? He wasn't on the bench and none of my mates thought that he was injured so wouldn't he have been the perfect replacement for Gower?

Nicky was in the stands somewhere, I think and really should have been given the opportunity to come on from the bench when it was clear that Gower was not performing to his best.

 

[rabbloke]

Gower was the worst player on the pitch but it was not entirely his fault. If he is unfit he should not have played. if it was not his day he should have been substituted earlier. Tilly must hold his hands up and accept a part of the blame. Gower was not alone however in the ineffectual stakes. Che has won my admiration this season for his application but his distribution is woeful. The same remark goes to jupp. Maher whom I rate either passed sideways or when he knocked it long it was too long. Pettefer is a terrier and I appreciate the work he does in breaking the oppositions attacks but his passing and crossing are so poor it negates the rest of his game. The creativity to produce chances in the final third of the pitch is sadly lacking. I know we are a good side in league 2 but even there we have drawn so many times through lacking the ability to unlock defences with that little bit extra. Well done to the team for being at a lofty position in the league and I hope we can achieve automatic promotion. Well done to the team for getting to the LDV final and giving a lot of lads a good day out. We must stop expecting so much. The unbeaten run had created a false confidence in the level of our ability. The final showed our weaknesses and flaws and just how much needs to be done.

 

[stickyboy]

Gower was awful. He is probably one of most skilful players and was one of my favs up until the recent injury problem. Since then he doesnt seem fit enough and look interrested enough (harsh?). As his fitness is a problem then either McCormack or Nicolou must start Friday, Gower would be a good player on the bench to come on last 30 mins or so to recover a game with his skill with fresh legs....and please ditch those f*cking white boots!

 

[The Fitter]

If Gower had of tried using his left foot just once it would of been nice. Every time he cut inside he had to try and cut out again to get onto his right foot resulting in loss of posession each and every time.

Please please please don't let this defeat ruin our title bid.

 

[southend4ever]

gower's main problem yesterday was that he was trying to do too much with the ball and not take the ption available. I would suggest the white boots to get attention on television meant that he was trying very hard to impress. he couldn't string a pass together and struggled to beat the first man when crossing unless hitting a corner.

 

[Guest]

it will be interesting in the close season, if gower wants away from the club, as i feel he knows he would struggle at a higher level, cos lets face it for the last 2 months he has been living on his name, and yesterday he was simply awful, know we know jupp is pretty poor as well, but for gods sake 3 times he was in space on the right, but the showpony opted instead to try and cut inside and then lost possession

 

[Upminster Blue]

Yes, Gower was poor and what makes it worse is that we know what he can do. On-song, he certainlly could have been the match winner and we'd all be raving about him now.

However, in my eyes, his performance was not as bad as those who booed and jeered him off the pitch when he was substituted.

 

[Bath Shrimper]

i didnt think gower played that bad yesterday & i dont think he should have been subbed when he was. Has everyone forgot the penalty we should have been given?

If any of the midfield should have been subbed it should have been maher as he did pretty much nothing all game & just looked tired.

 

[Guest]

Maher did nothing all game? What f**king game were you watching?

 

[yobbo_shrimper]

I thought maher lost the plot again should have walked .