Post-Match Thread and Ratings Huddersfield Town 2-1 Southend United

[Cricko]

Post your match reports and ratings here please.

Anybody back yet? ;)

 

[chapperzUK]

Spencer gets a 7, should have had a hattrick ;)

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Spencer gets a 7, should have had a hattrick ;)

That's probably what OBL will give to Macca, which does surprise me as I thought she wanted to give him one.

 

[Pubey]

Mildy 6
Sankofa 6.5
Francis 6.5
Barrett 6.5
Malone 6
Laurent 6.5
Macca 6
Grant 6
Moussa 6.5
Scannel 7
Barney 6.5

subs:
christophe 5
Freedman 6
spencer 8

 

[ibwiajwa]

We just can't defend away from home. Do we practise defending set pieces? Scannell NEEDS TO LOOK AROUND! It's too easy to defend against us with Barnard so isolated up front and we can't seem to pick out a decent final pass. At least Spencer looks like he might prove me wrong...

 

[maninasuitcase]

We played a 4-5-1 formation which won us the game last season when Barnard dropped into the midfield to like up the play to Robinson upfront. This year Barney played the lone striker role with Laurent moving to the right wing. In the first half we were out played and were lucky to approach half time drawing after Mildenhall was left rooted to his line as a Huddersfield header came back off th bar. Huddersfield were lucky to take the lead when Mildenhall appeared to stop the ball crossing the goal line but the lino gave it.

In the second half we were much better reverting to a 4-3-3 formation and matched them in footballing terms apart from attempts on goal. Until Spencer's 89th minute strike our attempts on goal remainded at zero.

I'd have to see there second goal again, but I thought Mildenhall might have come for that one too.

 

[Rob Noxious]

Uh-oh ...

I'd have to see there second goal again, but I thought Mildenhall might have come for that one too.

... where's Wiggy? :unsure:

 

[bilbyboy]

We played a 4-5-1 formation which won us the game last season when Barnard dropped into the midfield to like up the play to Robinson upfront. This year Barney played the lone striker role with Laurent moving to the right wing. In the first half we were out played and were lucky to approach half time drawing after Mildenhall was left rooted to his line as a Huddersfield header came back off th bar. Huddersfield were lucky to take the lead when Mildenhall appeared to stop the ball crossing the goal line but the lino gave it.

In the second half we were much better reverting to a 4-3-3 formation and matched them in footballing terms apart from attempts on goal. Until Spencer's 89th minute strike our attempts on goal remainded at zero.

I'd have to see there second goal again, but I thought Mildenhall might have come for that one too.

I still believe that the best form of defence is attack, Barnard is a great striker, but when he is alone up front he is not fast enough and he is not strong enough, we need to be attacking not holding or defending, i don't care if we concede 10 goals, as long as we score 11. We know our defence is weak, therefore we need to make our attack strong. End of. UTB.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

As I said in the other thread, 1st half Huddersfield were all over us from the start and could've easily been more than 1-0 up. We had a decent spell at the start of the 2nd half but their 2nd goal killed us off. We were putting balls into the box but they were either straight at the keeper or straight at the defender because no one was attacking them. Moussa and McCormack didn't get forward enough for the 4-5-1 formation. Huddersfield were simply better than us, played better football and got more men forward. I never thought we were going to come back despite Spencer's goal, which was the only thing we had to cheer all afternoon. Very quiet away support but not surprising. Ratings:

Mildenhall 6 - would like to see their 1st again although the player didn't really protest much. Otherwise didn't have any great saves to make, solid on crosses.

Sankofa 6 - Given a tough game by their left winger but solid enough, didn't get forward much as expected.

Francis 6 - Shaky start at CB but did alright for the rest of the game. Excellent ball for the goal.

Barrett 7 - Solid (that must be my most used word on SZ), made a couple of good tackles.

Malone 6 - Struggled at times and didn't get much help on the left from Scannell. Didn't produce a lot attacking-wise.

Laurent 5 - Frustrating. Rarely beat his man and when he did, he lost the ball. Jelly legs.

McCormack 7 - His usual self, got stuck in and tried to get things going. One of the few to show any passion. Saw him having a big moan at Laurent a few times, Barrett had to hold Laurent back at one point.

Grant 6 - Didn't really notice him

Moussa 5 - Quiet and ineffective again. Maybe he could do with a rest, if only we had the players.

Scannell 7 - Best 90 minutes I've seen from him but that's not a big statement. Started brightly and was probably our best attacking outlet. Worked hard and didn't struggle too much with his fitness.

Barnard 6 - Battled hard on his own up front with little service. Had a couple of long-range shots in the 1st half, got frustrated in the 2nd.

Subs: All barely touched the ball but Spencer took his goal well, held off Clarke who's bigger than him and finished with a nice volley into the top corner.

Nice stadium, similar to the Reebok and JJB with separated stands rather than a bowl. And the best, most friendly stadium announcer I've ever heard, praised the 251 fans on a couple of occasions for making the long trip. Only bad point is the food selection, no burgers and small, overpriced pies.

 

[Lord Football]

That was really frustrating. We did the hard thing by not conceding in the first 20 minutes, when frankly Huddersfield passed us to death. They could have (maybe should have) scored at least twice. We defendly strongly and resolutely. As the half went on we came back into it, and seemed to have blunted Huddersfield's attacking flair. Then we went and defended like an U13s team. We did the hard thing by forcing the Huddersfield winger out wide when they'd found the overlap, but then let him get a weak cross in. We stood, watched, did nothing and allowed their forward an easy chance that took a deflection past Mildenhall.

Second half we came out all guns blazing, took control of the game and it looked like we were the only team likely to score. Then they grabbed a corner, we stood like statues and that was 2-0.

Most annoyingly, we didn't force their keeper to make any saves of note. Our goal, nicely taken as it was, was nothing more than a consolation and Clarke (obviously showing empathy for his former team mates) was at fault,.

My overall assessment is at it has been all season. We play some nice stuff but have no cutting edge, no craft and seemed to get punished everytime we make a mistake at the back. I reckon we need another 24 points to be absolutely safe, which looking at our remaining home games is something we should do. But we mustn't take anything for granting for a lot of those sides will be scrapping for points themselves.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Disappointing really, I thought we played well enough to get something and even hope that we might nick it. Huddersfield's GK is a bit of a liability and will get them punished before long, typical Clarkey type defence, lots of hoofed balls out. Maybe we need to try this sometimes instead of attempting to play it out. Franno did this once and cleared it almost out for a goal kick t'other end. Not enough tackling going on by anyone.

The announcer there is fantastic, thought so last visit, made us very welcome, mind you, so did their fans. Arrived as the team got off the coach, bit of dejection we thought amongst some, and once again, body language on the pitch was not good. Well done to Franny Laurent for being the first of our players to come to the fans at the end and also to Tilly for making sure everyone else did. Absolute 100% praise for Peter Clarke for the respect he gave to us, the acknowledgments and all, I swear there was a tear in his eye!

Mildy - 6, did ok considering just back from injury, wobbled with the one off the crossbar but got better after. Still not 100% sure on 1st goal
Sankofa - 6, also did ok, looked composed, now just grow some strength and get some tackles in
Francis - 7, my MOTM, thought he had a great game on the whole, looked comfortable and guessing this is where he'll be for next few matches now. Plus, of course, another fantastic assist for Spencer - brilliant through ball
Barrett - 6, another who did ok, what he was asked, so nice to see him and Clarke having such a cuddle at corner times!!! ;)
Malone - 6, still a little raw, but I think we're really going to miss him. Didn't link as well with Scannell as he has done with others
Laurent - 6, had some glimpses of the Laurent attacking flair and did get some crosses over but trouble was midfield wasn't pushing on enough
Moussa - 5, no, still does nothing for me, looked disinterested for a lot of it, him and Grant got in each other's way a lot
McCormack - 6, no-one's mentioned when he was seemingly brought down in the penalty area while on a run in the 1st half at 0-0, looked a pen from where we were, it was Clarkey that calmed him down though. Last player to come over to us again, it's almost as if he thinks each game is going to be his last now so savouring the moment :'(
Grant - 5, doesn't seem to know what he's doing anymore, from being composed in defence he's now looking lost in the 5 man midfield
Scannell - 6, ok, not as good as at Orient, but at least used his weight - not very subtly admittedly
Barnard - 7, never gave up the whole time, but when he was out wide there was no-one pushing on into the box

Subs: Made too late imo
Christophe for Grant - 7, came on very brightly, and I thought worked hard and got forward
Spencer for Scannell - 7, what a debut! Absolutely skinned Clarke when he was clear 2nd favourite for the ball. Would have liked to see him with Barney
Freedman for Barnard - 6, took a lot of stick from the Huddersfield fans but came on looking bright

Officials: Ref was great, unobtrusive, no bookings and not over fussy. Only criticism was that the linesman flagged NOT to allow the 1st goal and was better placed, oh and Barnard and Laurent were both getting fouled a lot but nothing being given

Us: Well, we were a little quiet at times although there were a lot of croaky voices on the coach!

 

[OldBlueLady]

And a few comments from Huddersfield supporters on 606 - we are far too hard on our own team!!!

As well as Barnard, Alan McCormack always seems to have a blinder against us, so there's the two scorers for Southend. McCormack's one player I do rate very highly and really would like us to acquire at some point. (see, now that's several other teams now who've said that, you lot are too harsh!)

A good win against a good Southend team who worked hard and didn't give us any time on the ball. First half was fairly even and we were probably lucky to go in 1 up at half time.
Thought we played better in the 2nd half and just about shaded it. The defence looked solid enough up until the Shrimpsters scored.

2-1
smithies didnt have a save to make..
he blamed p clark for their consolation goal..
he was also to blame, his starting position really needs working on..
other than that it was ok and 3 points is what we need, not performances..
they came for a draw or a sneaky one on the break, and their keeper wasted time even when they were losing, how weird is that???

and finally from a Bradford fan:

Could one of you kind terriers do a player watch for us today?

Southend's number 2, Simon Francis.

Was a great player at City then Neil Warnock ruined his career.

Keep an eye on him!

 

[TrueBlue]

And a few comments from Huddersfield supporters on 606 - we are far too hard on our own team!!!

As well as Barnard, Alan McCormack always seems to have a blinder against us, so there's the two scorers for Southend. McCormack's one player I do rate very highly and really would like us to acquire at some point. (see, now that's several other teams now who've said that, you lot are too harsh!)

A good win against a good Southend team who worked hard and didn't give us any time on the ball. First half was fairly even and we were probably lucky to go in 1 up at half time.
Thought we played better in the 2nd half and just about shaded it. The defence looked solid enough up until the Shrimpsters scored.

2-1
smithies didnt have a save to make..
he blamed p clark for their consolation goal..
he was also to blame, his starting position really needs working on..
other than that it was ok and 3 points is what we need, not performances..
they came for a draw or a sneaky one on the break, and their keeper wasted time even when they were losing, how weird is that???

and finally from a Bradford fan:

Could one of you kind terriers do a player watch for us today?

Southend's number 2, Simon Francis.

Was a great player at City then Neil Warnock ruined his career.

Keep an eye on him!

Pinch of salt - they dont watch this crap every week

 

[mattytheshrimper]

anyone notice m-voto's hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GBJ]

Just seen the goals, and must say the defending for both were absolutely disgracefull. ****ing pub team standard, and that's an insult on pub teams.

1st goal - Malone has to make the tackle, Francis needs to be stronger and/or make the tackle, Sankofa doesn't understand the word positioning, and finally, 5, yes F-I-V-E blue shirts stop and watch the ball travel right across the box for Rhodes to tap in easily.

2nd goal - If you don't jump and try and head the ball, then you get punished. Same old story, we're crap at defending set pieces

Nice take by Spencer though...

 

[Lord Football]

Officials: Ref was great, unobtrusive, no bookings and not over fussy. Only criticism was that the linesman flagged NOT to allow the 1st goal and was better placed, oh and Barnard and Laurent were both getting fouled a lot but nothing being given

No he didn't, he flagged for the goal (it was clearly over anyway, you could tell that from the top of the stand). Just to clarify. If the assistant thinks it is a goal he will flag (which he did), if he doesn't he wont (because there is nothing to flag for). First thing I always do (coz I am sad ex ref) when those things happen is look at what he is doing in the vain hope my eyes aren't working. Sadly, they were.

 

[OldBlueLady]

No he didn't, he flagged for the goal (it was clearly over anyway, you could tell that from the top of the stand). Just to clarify. If the assistant thinks it is a goal he will flag (which he did), if he doesn't he wont (because there is nothing to flag for). First thing I always do (coz I am sad ex ref) when those things happen is look at what he is doing in the vain hope my eyes aren't working. Sadly, they were.

Well, I bow to your superior knowledge Kerry but just seemed strange to me - I'd have thought waving your flag wildly and staying rooted to the spot indicates that it's not a goal otherwise surely you'd be heading back for the centre spot

 

[Lord Football]

It depends very much on the instructions the ref gives him. If the ball had, say, cannoned down off the bar then he may well have been heading towards the centre circle. But I do agree that he was probably ref we've seen this season.

 

[Rob Noxious]

Like GBJ said, that was some woeful defending! :thumbdown: Malone was a bystander when the ball went across him for their first goal and Rhodes (who is not the tallest) managed to pip both Osei & Franno to the header for their second. Great ball by Franno for Spencer's goal though, and didn't he take it well? :clap:

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

The ball clearly crossed the line, so it was a goal.
I was more annoyed at the second goal, Sankofa not only got beat in the air by the striker jumping about a foot and a half higher, but got shoved out the way in the process like a man against a boy.