watchtheballboys
Youth Team
A game of two halves.......why????
It really was that old cliche ' a game of two halves' going from the quite ridiculous to the at times sublime.
With all the 'Believe' papers blowing in the wind at half time it was little wonder some, inlcuding the Big Shrimp folded the sheet to read 'lie' more in honour of Ron than the team although all the hype about there being a belief that avoiding relegation was a distinct possibility obviously was not shared by the players, certainly after the first half display!
The ball distribution was very poor with overhit passes which once again I think was not helped by the stupidity of always watering the pitch before each half commences. Without the water the ball may have held up a little and given players more of a chance. Our apparent inability to pass along the ground at a sensible pace makes it so difficult for the receiving player to control the ball. Macca was guilty of this so many times with half volleyed passes to chest rather than feet.
The second half was all we had hoped for in terms of effort and excitement. It was not wrong to have expected this level of commitment from the kick off and we did well to come back into the game, probably should have won it with the Vernon headed chance at the end.
Their second goal was down to the very poor control of Grant although you cannot fault his effort throughout the match albeit his shooting attempts from distance were questionable.
Christophe was poor throughout although the team generally are as expected struggling with confidence, the hit and hope kicks up field was clear evidence of this.
Laurent did what he has the capability to do when he puts his mind to it and was a threat throughout. The first goal needed that deflection but apart from that he made some scintilating runs, missed some excellent chances, including in the first half when he should have placed not blasted the ball but really far far to late in the season to show us what he can really do!
Results elsewhere went against us last night so I think it is far too steep a hill to climb to avoid relegation which is sad. We should on paper anyway be too good to go down but football is littered with teams 'too good' to be relegated.
Shame but I wonder if the inevitability of relegaton will influence how Ronnie acts today at court as I believe staying up was key to his long term plan?
My ratings....
Mildy ~ 7 ~ did all expected of him with a great save at the end when their player was through. Did rant a bit when the ball was knocked out of his hands.....
Francis ~ 7 ~ has become more consistent as the season goes on. Some great tackles and reasonable distribution.
M'Voto ~ 6 ~ did ok but for a big guy does not dominate the attacker, even the diminutive McDonald.....
Baldwin ~ 7 ~ similar to M'Voto regarding Mc but a good game generally apart from the little up in the air sequence in the first half!
Herd ~ 7 ~ great throws and a good game in the second half especially
Moussa ~ 7 ~ some good runs although the enforced layoff due to suspension did tell in the first half.
Macca ~ 6 ~ some good Macca of old runs but I did think he would be sent off as he does not learn to keep his mouth shut and wound up the ref troughout.
Grant ~ 7 ~ for the effort throughout but he does turn into trouble so often when an easy layoff opportunity is there, their second goal was down to him!
Christophe ~ 4 ~ off the pace, poor quality passing throughout..........poor!
Vernon ~ 6 ~ did ok but does not challenge wholeheartedly in my view, leaps like Barney with little chance of really getting the ball, should have scored late on.
Laurent ~ 8 and MOM ~ his 'good game' of the season, he usually has one! Looked all over the place in the first half but played really well in the second passing the ball a bit more than usual. Deserved his goals but perhaps should have had a third from the numerous chances.
Cannot see many of the above team being with us next season, the loanees will go back to their respective clubs and would not be surprised if Mildy, Francis, Laurent and possibly Macca and Moussa do not want hang around.
Well done last night, some faith restored but we have to face up to the inevitability of the second division next year which is so so sad.........
It really was that old cliche ' a game of two halves' going from the quite ridiculous to the at times sublime.
With all the 'Believe' papers blowing in the wind at half time it was little wonder some, inlcuding the Big Shrimp folded the sheet to read 'lie' more in honour of Ron than the team although all the hype about there being a belief that avoiding relegation was a distinct possibility obviously was not shared by the players, certainly after the first half display!
The ball distribution was very poor with overhit passes which once again I think was not helped by the stupidity of always watering the pitch before each half commences. Without the water the ball may have held up a little and given players more of a chance. Our apparent inability to pass along the ground at a sensible pace makes it so difficult for the receiving player to control the ball. Macca was guilty of this so many times with half volleyed passes to chest rather than feet.
The second half was all we had hoped for in terms of effort and excitement. It was not wrong to have expected this level of commitment from the kick off and we did well to come back into the game, probably should have won it with the Vernon headed chance at the end.
Their second goal was down to the very poor control of Grant although you cannot fault his effort throughout the match albeit his shooting attempts from distance were questionable.
Christophe was poor throughout although the team generally are as expected struggling with confidence, the hit and hope kicks up field was clear evidence of this.
Laurent did what he has the capability to do when he puts his mind to it and was a threat throughout. The first goal needed that deflection but apart from that he made some scintilating runs, missed some excellent chances, including in the first half when he should have placed not blasted the ball but really far far to late in the season to show us what he can really do!
Results elsewhere went against us last night so I think it is far too steep a hill to climb to avoid relegation which is sad. We should on paper anyway be too good to go down but football is littered with teams 'too good' to be relegated.
Shame but I wonder if the inevitability of relegaton will influence how Ronnie acts today at court as I believe staying up was key to his long term plan?
My ratings....
Mildy ~ 7 ~ did all expected of him with a great save at the end when their player was through. Did rant a bit when the ball was knocked out of his hands.....
Francis ~ 7 ~ has become more consistent as the season goes on. Some great tackles and reasonable distribution.
M'Voto ~ 6 ~ did ok but for a big guy does not dominate the attacker, even the diminutive McDonald.....
Baldwin ~ 7 ~ similar to M'Voto regarding Mc but a good game generally apart from the little up in the air sequence in the first half!
Herd ~ 7 ~ great throws and a good game in the second half especially
Moussa ~ 7 ~ some good runs although the enforced layoff due to suspension did tell in the first half.
Macca ~ 6 ~ some good Macca of old runs but I did think he would be sent off as he does not learn to keep his mouth shut and wound up the ref troughout.
Grant ~ 7 ~ for the effort throughout but he does turn into trouble so often when an easy layoff opportunity is there, their second goal was down to him!
Christophe ~ 4 ~ off the pace, poor quality passing throughout..........poor!
Vernon ~ 6 ~ did ok but does not challenge wholeheartedly in my view, leaps like Barney with little chance of really getting the ball, should have scored late on.
Laurent ~ 8 and MOM ~ his 'good game' of the season, he usually has one! Looked all over the place in the first half but played really well in the second passing the ball a bit more than usual. Deserved his goals but perhaps should have had a third from the numerous chances.
Cannot see many of the above team being with us next season, the loanees will go back to their respective clubs and would not be surprised if Mildy, Francis, Laurent and possibly Macca and Moussa do not want hang around.
Well done last night, some faith restored but we have to face up to the inevitability of the second division next year which is so so sad.........
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