Matt the Shrimp
aka Harry Potter
Thought the ref was a pedant, and the farting around he took at free-kicks really broke up the rhythm of the game, more than anything. The Bailey incident was also a tricky one. I think Nicky was looking for the pen... but then he was tackled off the ball. Is that a yellow card offence? I'd have given the ref a 5 at best, although I've seen worse, for sure.
I also think the mark for Gower, in particular, was far too generous. I thought his display on Saturday was as disappointing as I've seen him give in recent seasons. Practically every time we lost possession in the first half, it was through him; he created almost nothing, and he rarely got into difficult positions. Early in the second half, he was blowing out of his @rse... is he back on the B&H again? I'd give him a 4.5, and hope to goodness that he's benched in favour of Cap'n Kev next time out. Black also flattered to deceive a lot of the time, and lost possession at crucial times, and I'd have given him a 6.
Hooper is a quandary. Whilst I agree with YB that Hoops is often trying to be too clever by half, I diagree with him that the solution is to bring back Matt Harrold. Hooper does appear, at least, to be trying to set up a rapport with Leon Clarke. He is always looking for him, trying to pick him out with balls, run off him into space. Harrold hasn't done any of these things. We may be able to knock it long to Matty H - and he in turn may be able to get it to stick - but once he's got the ball, he does f*** all with it. No clever passes to Leon Clarke, putting him in space. No defence cutting balls to an on-rushing Nicky Bailey... instead, just a little dobble back to Maher or Black in heavily defended parts of the field for them to attempt (usually without success) to do something with it.
I'd give Hoops a 6.5, and hope that Tilly continues with him.
Finally, full marks to Carlisle. Yes, I thought we played very well in the first half and knocked it around beautifully. But, like it or not (and clearly, I didn't like it, but that's not the point) the Cumbrians did a real job on us. They didn't come and try to play us at our own game (like Crewe attempted to - and how we praised them as we stuck three past them at a canter); instead, they stuck 10 behind the ball, stifled us for space, offered no attacking threat... and then punished us when we eventually gave them one chance.
If they keep that up away from home, they'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. It's ugly, but my goodness it's effective.
Final thought... FWIW, Hooly, I though your comments were bang out of order. Just because fbm thought the ref was OK (and perhaps few of us will agree with him), that's no reason to dish out personal abuse. Alan Green, FFS! That's really uncalled for. Besides, I haven't seen too many other hands being put up to volunteer to write the match reports...
:flamer:
I also think the mark for Gower, in particular, was far too generous. I thought his display on Saturday was as disappointing as I've seen him give in recent seasons. Practically every time we lost possession in the first half, it was through him; he created almost nothing, and he rarely got into difficult positions. Early in the second half, he was blowing out of his @rse... is he back on the B&H again? I'd give him a 4.5, and hope to goodness that he's benched in favour of Cap'n Kev next time out. Black also flattered to deceive a lot of the time, and lost possession at crucial times, and I'd have given him a 6.
Hooper is a quandary. Whilst I agree with YB that Hoops is often trying to be too clever by half, I diagree with him that the solution is to bring back Matt Harrold. Hooper does appear, at least, to be trying to set up a rapport with Leon Clarke. He is always looking for him, trying to pick him out with balls, run off him into space. Harrold hasn't done any of these things. We may be able to knock it long to Matty H - and he in turn may be able to get it to stick - but once he's got the ball, he does f*** all with it. No clever passes to Leon Clarke, putting him in space. No defence cutting balls to an on-rushing Nicky Bailey... instead, just a little dobble back to Maher or Black in heavily defended parts of the field for them to attempt (usually without success) to do something with it.
I'd give Hoops a 6.5, and hope that Tilly continues with him.
Finally, full marks to Carlisle. Yes, I thought we played very well in the first half and knocked it around beautifully. But, like it or not (and clearly, I didn't like it, but that's not the point) the Cumbrians did a real job on us. They didn't come and try to play us at our own game (like Crewe attempted to - and how we praised them as we stuck three past them at a canter); instead, they stuck 10 behind the ball, stifled us for space, offered no attacking threat... and then punished us when we eventually gave them one chance.
If they keep that up away from home, they'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. It's ugly, but my goodness it's effective.
Final thought... FWIW, Hooly, I though your comments were bang out of order. Just because fbm thought the ref was OK (and perhaps few of us will agree with him), that's no reason to dish out personal abuse. Alan Green, FFS! That's really uncalled for. Besides, I haven't seen too many other hands being put up to volunteer to write the match reports...
:flamer:
