Just back

Frustrating afternoon, flat on the pitch flat in the stands.

Sutton came for a point but they were the better team 1st half although best chance came from a loss of concentration from Waterfall which Crocombe saved well.

We scored from a corner and i have not a clue why it was disallowed. Hopefully someone else can help

2nd half we grew into it, Subs certainly made a difference in Clifton and certainly Pepple who caused problems and Unfortauntely couldnt finish his big chance. Taylor got more and more frustrated as he was constantly penalised by a poor ref and his afternoon was summed up by the big chance going to waste in the final moments

All in all a point was fair, we didnt play well but got a point and got a clean sheet.

Onto a free hit on Tuesday but as ive said on the match thread, very fickle idiots boo’ing at FT in the upper, have a word with yourselves

Quoted from Hagrid

We scored from a corner and i have not a clue why it was disallowed.

It shouldn't of been. Their keeper caught the ball whilst jumping over a standing Kierman and jumped into his own net with the ball.

One of the most boring games I’ve ever attended.

2 goals in 4 games says it all. Taylor isn’t league 2 level and should only be third choice. Pepple did more than him in the much shorter time he was on the pitch

Somehow could have came away with a win if Taylor and Pepple didn’t both miss one on ones with all the time in the world.

Solid at the back.

I definately think taylor needs a partner or someone attacking just behind, pepple caused them trouble when he came on, got stuck in and came back to receive alot of passes

I said this in pre season. No way Taylor is a league 2 striker.

I fear our lack if investment upfront will take away from the good investment we've seen around other positions.

Poor planning

I can only assume Ryan Taylor has poked the ref’s wife judging by the decisions that went against him. Usual suspects up there for MoM, no one better than Andy Smith with honourable mentions for Green, Holohan and Glennon.

Poor game in windy conditions, Sutton very effective but not an easy watch, to put it mildly.

Game that lacked quality but a game we got through. Happy with a point in the end but we could have easily nicked it.

Sutton are no mugs and play a certain way because it’s effective and has been effective against many teams. Thought first half we struggled to work out how to combat it but in the second half we were much more effective at stopping it, but just couldn’t get going ourselves.

We didn’t play well, but that should never be mistaken for playing badly.

Hurst has made a very strong, well organised and committed team which is demonstrated by having kept three consecutive clean sheets.  However undoubtably we need a bit more in the final third - to keep banging on about it though is abit pointless, Hurst clearly knows as we all do.

Was impressed with Peppel looked very bright and think it’s time to have a look at him up front partnering Taylor.

Hope I never have to watch another ninety six minutes like that ever again.

Quoted from Perkins

Hope I never have to watch another ninety six minutes like that ever again.

Never thought I’d see the day when 6 minutes time allowed goes up at 0-0 and I’m genuinely disappointed because I’m so bored

Very fair assessment from Hurst on the radio.

Poor game . Had a non league feel to it . Flat in the stands because the game was so poor . Didn't take the chances when they came . I thought I heard something rather sinister in the Osmond corner today which was mixed in with the booing of one of their players taking a corner.

It seems we really are a one man team

Quoted from Grimsby2012

I said this in pre season. No way Taylor is a league 2 striker.

I fear our lack if investment upfront will take away from the good investment we've seen around other positions.

Poor planning

Hurst knows he wants a striker and has said so. However, there is a big difference between knowing what you want and being able to get what you want. Only last Thursday he told Matt Dean he wants a striker

As far as planning is concerned we were an NL team on the 4th of July and an EFL team come the next day. There was little time for pre season and even less to find players as some had moved before we even qualified for the EFL.

Our start of P4 W1D2L1 is good considering the pre season we had and I think we will see bodies come in in the next 11 days.

There is always a time for rational criticism which yours is not.

Quoted from Grimsby2012

I said this in pre season. No way Taylor is a league 2 striker.

I fear our lack if investment upfront will take away from the good investment we've seen around other positions.

Poor planning

Give it a rest will you.

Now Hurst’s said it it’s ok to say it: That was utter dross from both  sides and 0-0 was fair. Taylor was isolated with no-one behind him and no pace or trickery out wide. It’ll be a long season if we don’t find a replacement for McAtee but it’s a difficult role to fill in the market we’re shopping in. Pepple was MOTM and had what? 30 mins? urine poor.

The refs are now clearly just people who have absolutely nothing better to do at weekends. I didn’t see what was wrong with the disallowed goal. Their player elbowed Waterfall towards the end and should have gone.

Hopefully we can put it down to players wanting an injury free game to have a chance in midweek.

Quoted from Grimsby2012

I said this in pre season. No way Taylor is a league 2 striker.

I fear our lack if investment upfront will take away from the good investment we've seen around other positions.

Poor planning

Quick, ring Paul and tell him again!

I can assure you the booing in the Upper was fir the useless officials.

Interesting comment from PH on interview that he thought the grass was too long.

Before the game a friend from an opposing team told me that when they played Sutton home and away last year they were by far the two worst games of the season. They are strong, physical and direct - oh and he also said you will need a strong ref.

He was right on all accounts!!

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Interesting comment from PH on interview that he thought the grass was too long.

I took it as being that they (Sutton) made the pitch long how they played the game rather than the actual grass.

Maybe Grimsby should of had the 3 points especially with the 2 one on ones.

Thought Holahan  was industrious and Efete looked solid . I liked  Pepple's energy and drive when he came on 2nd half. Also thought  Luke Waterfall put a lot of endeavour in and I like him as a centre back  aside  from the glaring  mistake this afternoon.

Quoted from 33,

Taylor was isolated with no-one behind him and no pace or trickery out wide. It’ll be a long season if we don’t find a replacement for McAtee but it’s a difficult role to fill in the market we’re shopping in.

We got an amazing deal for McAtee. Should be able to sign a replacement and have plenty of cash leftover.

Very dull affair on all accounts, dopey officials that bought into every time a Sutton player threw themselves on the floor the second a town player got near them. One of those teams we never seem to do well against that play for an away point and go out to frustrate and slow the game down, we didn't help ourselves with the poor football we played though. Will have to watch the highlights to understand what the goal was disallowed for, it seemed more like the keeper fouled our player than anything.

Pepple should have scored, spent too long and too many touches looking for a tap in and botched it, should have curled it in after his first touch which looked a good one, he's a young player who will learn from that. Taylor's chance looked less easy but again took too many touches when he should have buried it. We really need to sign somebody who can take these chances because we won't have McAtee back for a while.

Quoted from BrMarin

We got an amazing deal for McAtee. Should be able to sign a replacement and have plenty of cash leftover.

I didn’t word it very well: every club in League Two wants a player like McAtee and there aren’t many of them about. We obviously can pay more than other clubs at this level for one with the deal we got but they’re rare.

A thoroughly forgettable afternoon, we could have nicked it at the end, but in truth it would have been more of a robbery than Rochdale was.

PH said it was the worst game of football he'd ever seen.. I have to disagree, some of the dross we've been served up over the years

Positives - a point and a clean sheet.. that's about it.

Forget it and move on, we've a free hit on Tuesday night - I'd love to see us have a real go at them right from the 1st whistle.

After just watching notts v chesterfield, I am even more troubled by what I witnessed this afternoon. We need to start playing football again and not just lowering ourselves to Suttons standard. We also need someone closer to Taylor from the start. I thought Pep definitely improved things but both one on one misses were poor

Quoted from BrMarin

We got an amazing deal for McAtee. Should be able to sign a replacement and have plenty of cash leftover.

Not sure the rumoured 200k is an amazing deal, we should have sold him once and for all and asked for double

Rubbish game off football,rubbish ref who bought everything Sutton had for sale.
On a personnel note,sad too hear that Archie from the Blundell Park Hotel passed away,lovely man and matchdays wont be the same without his smile.RIP ARCHIE(sorry if its been mentioned before)

Quoted from Dave Gilberts Left Peg

Not sure the rumoured 200k is an amazing deal, we should have sold him once and for all and asked for double

Which we wouldnt have been offered

Not to disappointed having read up about Sutton a team we have avoided until now I was not suprised how the game went . A marginally upmarket Bromley . Thought Peppke did well and Taylor must have been grateful to have a purpose in wrestling for the ball once Pepple was there. A game we would have easily lost in the past.

Absolute dross game, which we could have won. Disallowed goal for nothing and 2 one on one’s missed. Hurst has come out and said it was terrible. We clearly need some additions, or Khan to come back and give us that little bit we are missing.

Let’s not forget unbeaten in 3, Sutton were up towards the play offs last season (somehow) we have played a Orient team who remain unbeaten, a Northampton team who were one of the favourites to go up, a Rochdale team who we beat away from home and a team who again finished just outside the play offs last season.

It’s been a decent start results wise, we still have a game in hand also.

Hurst knows what we need and before the end of the month I’m sure we will get some players in.


That’s me being positive but play like that Tuesday against Forest we could get an absolute thumping.

Quoted from Mariner_501

2 goals in 4 games says it all.  

Well another thing that says it all if the fact that the last two homes games have been against the team who missed out on automatic promotion on goal different last season, and the team that finished one point outside the playoffs last season, and we matched them both. In between we won away, and thrashed a team who were in L1 last season in the cup.

So we are already competing at a pretty impressive level given that we are newly promoted, had a very short close season, and have several players, including our best player and three of our new signings, out injured.

Personally I would say that 'says it all' at this point.  

Quoted from RonMariner

Well another thing that says it all if the fact that the last two homes games have been against the team who missed out on automatic promotion on goal different last season, and the team that finished one point outside the playoffs last season, and we matched them both. In between we won away, and thrashed a team who were in L1 last season in the cup.

So we are already competing at a pretty impressive level given that we are newly promoted, had a very short close season, and have several players, including our best player and three of our new signings, out injured.

Personally I would say that 'says it all' at this point.  

Great point well made.
Well said bloke.

A couple of seasons ago we’d have lost that 2 or 3 nil. Felt like we were playing a rugby league team. No, I didn’t enjoy it either, killed by the ref. Nevertheless unbeaten in 4 and a delight to hear the Scunts moaning on Hullberside on the journey home.

Quoted from RonMariner

Well another thing that says it all if the fact that the last two homes games have been against the team who missed out on automatic promotion on goal different last season, and the team that finished one point outside the playoffs last season, and we matched them both. In between we won away, and thrashed a team who were in L1 last season in the cup.

So we are already competing at a pretty impressive level given that we are newly promoted, had a very short close season, and have several players, including our best player and three of our new signings, out injured.

Personally I would say that 'says it all' at this point.  

I’d add to that the fact that Stockport, who looked so impressive against us at BP last season before going down to 10 men, have lost 4 out of their first 5.

Our start has been “steady”, a single defeat due to a harsh penalty and a wonder goal, two draws and a victory in the league plus one in the cup is ok with me as something to build on. Attacking reinforcements needed but that’s so obvious you know the club will be working day and night to do something in that respect.

Won't comment on the game. Enough said already on how poor it was but I've just spent a couple of hours with a few Sutton fans in the No2 and they have had a great day out and commented on how friendly everyone has been to them and what a good time they have had.

That's what footy is all about and they could easily be Palace fans, but support their club with pride. Good set of lads and lasses and were chuffed with a point.

Quoted from ginnywings

Won't comment on the game. Enough said already on how poor it was but I've just spent a couple of hours with a few Sutton fans in the No2 and they have had a great day out and commented on how friendly everyone has been to them and what a good time they have had.

That's what footy is all about and they could easily be Palace fans, but support their club with pride. Good set of lads and lasses and were chuffed with a point.

Your right . That's certainly what footy is about . Saw a few of them enjoying fish and chips on the prom

By the way, was the smell what I think it was?

Thought pepple was the one positive from today , ok he perhaps should have scored but if he started today we win that game , 3 clean sheets on bounce a good base to build on a good job because goals at a premium

Quoted from male private Nale

It seems we really are a one man team

a true WUM and plonker !

Well....I found it an intruiging watch in many ways as it was such a scrap, they are a very well organised, drilled, strong physical outfit , after the first 10 -15 mins you could see it was going to be one of those hardy games to watch.
We just didn't have the strength or pace to break through any one on one situations and they pressed fast and hard giving our one somewhat one dimensional midfield no time to get into a rhythm.
Think we worked a couple of good moves round the back both of which I think came after Clifton/Pepple came on and the change in formation.
Although a tough afternoon we had two glorious chances to win it. The disallowed goal...think it was a foul further back in the box, the ref was talking to the group of players for ages and once the corner was taken he blew quickly. He did that several times, I think he was actively looking for and penalising "blockers".  
Taylor was far too isolated, which I think was what Hurst was referring to about the pitch being too long.

Hurst hit nail on the head. Minimum expectation is effort, of which there was plenty. Quality awful!

Hurst slated the performance, I only had a listening brief today but is it possible that some players had their minds on Tuesday?

It should be a good game on Tuesday, be interesting what team Forest put out but our players should be up for it and there isn't any danger of Hurst overcomplicating it going man for man like Jolley did against Chelsea.

Sutton had the plan - freeze out Taylor, keep him isolated and drop as soon as he challenged for the ball.

Get him angry to get him off his game - that worked for them  as the ref fell for it.

Clifton made a difference by keeping the ball on the floor once he was on the pitch.  

His graft and energy was missing today.

Too many long high balls in both halves to lost causes and they fought strong and hard for every 2nd ball.

Our passing looked like a pinball game at times.

We were lucky that their final crosses were woeful most of the time.

One to forget !

Either team could’ve won 1-0. L2 is tough and a bigger step up in terms of quality of opposition than perhaps some people think.
Take the point. Clean sheet. Unbeaten at home. Steady away. We know where we are a bit light and no doubt we’ll improve but have ups and downs. Said before I think it will be progress if we establish ourselves and are competitive in this division so can’t grumble. When opposition teams are ‘in your face’ and closing you down quickly at home, and referees are whistle happy you have to take a philosophical view I reckon. Didn’t lose to a smash and grab, even/scrappy game, another point and on we go.

UTM

Pretty much agree with Hurst’s assessment of the game. Too many players well off the pace today as I’ve eluded to in other threads.

Thought Green was very poor but improved once he was moved further back and made some good challenges towards the end of the second half.

Still finding out about players and positions aren’t we.
Just wish we had Jonny, as he makes something happen from nothing and takes chances. There’ll be a few of these games that’ll end up a draw that McAtee would’ve turned into victories. But, it is what it is.

Let’s be honest, the selection on the left side was a bit odd today.

With better decisions today, we could have won 3-0.

The goal from the corner appeared strange that the referee blew. Sadly when a keeper goals down or stumbles over the line, refs always side with the defending team. I’d like to see the incident back, but looked a legitimate goal to me.

Pepple should really have scored his one on one, but probably had too much time to think, and didn’t act instinctively.

Taylor’s effort was dreadful. As he has no pace, he should have hit the ball first time, and the element of surprise would have given us half a chance. Sadly his first touch was abysmal, and as he can’t run any faster than I can walk, had no chance of getting there before the keeper.

I didn’t go to the game today, but what I can be sure about is that people who don’t think Ryan Taylor is good enough for league 2 should not bother going to watch as they clearly haven’t got a clue about football.

Quoted from Kris2

Pepple should have scored, spent too long and too many touches looking for a tap in and botched it, should have curled it in after his first touch which looked a good one, he's a young player who will learn from that. Taylor's chance looked less easy but again took too many touches when he should have buried it. We really need to sign somebody who can take these chances because we won't have McAtee back for a while.

He noticably did that against Rochdale too, should have hit it early when he found himself with a little bit of time in the area. Blocked shot led to the corner from which Waterfall scored the winner. Ptomising that he's found himself in these positions in consecutive games, he'll learn from these experiences and become a better player making better decisions. What's interesting now is seeing whether Hurst will be tempted to start with him and Taylor soon as we have looked better in the last two games when they've both been on the pitch and how he would change the shape in midfield to accommodate two forwards

Quoted from davmariner

Pretty much agree with Hurst’s assessment of the game. Too many players well off the pace today as I’ve eluded to in other threads.

Thought Green was very poor but improved once he was moved further back and made some good challenges towards the end of the second half.

Also blocked a header that was going in from a corner

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Let’s be honest, the selection on the left side was a bit odd today.

Don't think the selection was wrong, but more the fact the ball never went that side first half.   It was only when Clifton came on that the ball started being played to that side.  

Quoted from Squinter

Don't think the selection was wrong, but more the fact the ball never went that side first half.   It was only when Clifton came on that the ball started being played to that side.  

Don’t like to pick out individuals but I’m struggling to work out why you would want to change the team that started well on Tuesday and, if you did, why you would pick Wearne ahead of Harry.

Maybe for Wearne and Kiernan to switch sides and function as more of an attacking threat. It didn’t really work though. Nobody got close enough to Taylor and we didn’t pass it enough. They didn’t let us.

Quoted from chaos33

Maybe for Wearne and Kiernan to switch sides and function as more of an attacking threat. It didn’t really work though. Nobody got close enough to Taylor and we didn’t pass it enough. They didn’t let us.

Judging by the substitutions, I don’t think PH was impressed by either.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Don’t like to pick out individuals but I’m struggling to work out why you would want to change the team that started well on Tuesday and, if you did, why you would pick Wearne ahead of Harry.

I'm not sure why it didn't work, Wearne did nothing wrong, it was more the fact the ball never got played to that side.   We've got a fantastic player in Glennon, but again the ball was never played to him.

The highly physical approach employed by Sutton was a struggle for us to deal with today. Not saying they were dirty, but we had to battle for every second on the ball and generally didn't do so well enough. In the first half especially, they seemed to get to the second ball most of the time, but luckily didn't have the quality to create anything much from the crosses they were able to put in. One of the scrappiest games I've seen for some time and we simply couldn't get the ball down on the deck and, when we did, we were practically tripping over the ball when trying to pass it. I heard the post-match interview for a change and thought Hurst was actually complaining about the length of the grass with his comments about it being too long, but I was driving so might have been mistaken. I certainly agree with him that we just weren't good enough on the day and the number of times they took a throw into space in the corner for a player to run onto was just really dreadful, sloppy defending. That was a greatly weakened Sutton team out there today, by the way. First choice striker and a couple of their best defenders missing, apparently to go along with the fact that their two best players from last season have been poached by other clubs.

Both teams got away with a defensive rick thanks to decent saves by the respective keepers (the strikers might have done better on each occasion). A pity Taylor's chance came right at the death.

I was probably most impressed by Pepple who did some really good stuff after he came on. Looked very lively and actually worked pretty well alongside Taylor and looked a lot sharper than his debut against Crewe the other week. Could prove to be a real asset if he keeps improving.

If we are going to continue to play Taylor we’ve got to get at least 2 players close/linking in with him. That’s my view.
That needs to be one of the midfielders adapting to the JM role. If not, I’d go with two upfront and four in midfield. Taylor needs a player close to him to be seen to best effect.

Exactly that..Taylor does a job for the side much to his detriment..gets isolated, whilst he takes the hits. Needs someone close..a pest. Tbf in some ways -,and PH alluded to it - it’s up to those given a chance to take it ..and they didn’t today. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a few in by end of month..back up keeper, wide midfielder, striker at least.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Game that lacked quality but a game we got through. Happy with a point in the end but we could have easily nicked it.

Sutton are no mugs and play a certain way because it’s effective and has been effective against many teams. Thought first half we struggled to work out how to combat it but in the second half we were much more effective at stopping it, but just couldn’t get going ourselves.

We didn’t play well, but that should never be mistaken for playing badly.

Hurst has made a very strong, well organised and committed team which is demonstrated by having kept three consecutive clean sheets.  However undoubtably we need a bit more in the final third - to keep banging on about it though is abit pointless, Hurst clearly knows as we all do.

Was impressed with Peppel looked very bright and think it’s time to have a look at him up front partnering Taylor.

Nonsense.  We were woeful.  Headless chickens.  We never got hold of the ball.  People keep saying the conditions didn't help.  If you play it on the deck, the wind has little bearing. One example of lack of quality was when Glennon received the ball just inside the box. Loads of time to take a touch and look up.  He just half volleyed it.  Sure, it's better to be safe than sorry but he obviously didn't know who was around him. However, aren't his teammates talking to him. Despite how awful we were, we still should have won.  A disallowed goal that wasn't and two one on ones that pro strikers pushed too far ahead.

Quoted from LH

Now Hurst’s said it it’s ok to say it: That was utter dross from both  sides and 0-0 was fair. Taylor was isolated with no-one behind him and no pace or trickery out wide. It’ll be a long season if we don’t find a replacement for McAtee but it’s a difficult role to fill in the market we’re shopping in. Pepple was MOTM and had what? 30 mins? urine poor.

The refs are now clearly just people who have absolutely nothing better to do at weekends. I didn’t see what was wrong with the disallowed goal. Their player elbowed Waterfall towards the end and should have gone.

Hopefully we can put it down to players wanting an injury free game to have a chance in midweek.

Waterfall got up too quickly.  Bloke elbows Luke and injures himself.- or was he feigning to get off the hook. Should have had an early bath but not sure it would have changed the game at that point.

They were very quick and strong, with plenty of examples of them coming away with the ball from tight situations. One of their centre backs looked like a Samoan rugby player. We have faced some giant sides from down south: maybe it's because they can afford more protein than us scrawny northerners.

Neither side had enough up front to break the deadlock, but as poor as we were, we again had the chances to nick a late win with two glorious chances going begging from poor touches. Taylors first touch was dreadful and I think it was Pepples second touch that took him from having both sides of the keeper to aim at, down to just one side, which made up the keepers mind on positioning. Pepple did liven us up though and along with Harry, we had our best spell of the game with those two on. Wearne was pretty anonymous but I agree with another poster who said the ball wasn't going down the left a lot.

There was a lot of criticism of Taylor going on around me but I think he had a thankless task yesterday as isolated as he was. There was also a lot of fans calling for JMD to be introduced, but he did nothing when he came on. None of our wide men did a great deal yesterday, Kiernan could never seem to get the ball under control. Out of the four wide men tried in the game, only Clifton made anything happen and for me showed what he brings to the team, despite plenty of fans thinking he shouldn't be on the left.

Plenty of effort yesterday and again we got stronger towards the end of the 90, but we need something more in the final third to turn these tight games in our favour.

Another terrible, game spoiling ref, put the final icing on a poor match that will be quickly forgotten.

It was really difficult for Taylor against two large and athletic centre-backs. If he stood his ground and tried to outmuscle them, he was penalised more often than not. If he was waiting for the ball to come to him, he was getting shoved in the back and when he went up early to try and win headers, the referee kept penalising him for players running into him! Definite game plan for their No. 15 to get at the referee claiming Taylor had elbowed somebody in pretty much every challenge.

Another desperately poor referee who seemed to penalise some of our lighter players for the slightest touch on an opponent yet ignored them getting manhandled throughout the game.

A goal disallowed which seemingly nobody is sure why. Two missed sitters, a long effort saved and not followed up.

One team wanting to win, the other desperate not to lose. Shite game.

No point over analysing it. It is what it is, we learn and go again.

Well the game was a total non event wasn't it and it does highlight our need of other options in attacking areas, as Hurst said in his post match interview. No lack of effort but a lack of quality and we couldn't get to grips with Sutton style of play as too many players struggled, and at times couldn't do the basics.

Second half was much better, especially after the introduction of Pepple and Clifton we started to create more but the finishing was profligate, I recall when I think it was Efete who put the ball across the box just shortly after Clifton introduction, all it needs is somebody to get a foot or toe on it to divert it in but sadly Pepple Taylor and Holohan were standing flat footed in the box and didn't react to it. Pepple obviously missed his chance but atleast he made things happen when he came on along with Clifton.

The ref was appalling and once again Taylor is used as a climbing wall and nothing is given in our favour.

For the first 20 we matched them physically after that that out muscled us and stopped us getting any momentum or creativity, not impressed with Green, Holohan and Morris all of whom looked like they where blowing out of their backsides and couldn’t get anything decent to Wearn, Kiernan or the horrendously isolated Taylor.

Thought Peppel did ok when he came on and the missed one on one was more down to lack of experience than anything else, I’d definitely like to see him closer to Taylor from the start of a game. A word for Clifton as well despite the people deriding him on another thread, he added something as well.

We where solid in defence but Sutton in reality looked average in attack, that said Smith was clearly the MOTM if there was actually one.

We had what I think where 2 clear chances to win a tight  game so for me it’s 2 points lost

Final couple of things….

- People moaning about the lack of attacking signings, Hurst is doing his best, why wouldn’t he.

- The ref, who was poor, is just a product of a game that does not attract people into wanting to be a ref. My belief is if more people wanted to do it the standard would be better as the talent pool would be bigger. That said yesterday there was a village somewhere who’s idiot had gone missing, it’s a shame nobody reported him found at BP.

Oddly enough I think we’ll play well against Forest on Tuesday.

I think that’s 5 points from 12 (excluding Carlisle) so probably the start I expected.

UTM!!

This ref was the ref from the play off final. He was garbage then

He also reffed us at home to Halifax in which they manhandled us like nothing ive ever known. Pearson was thrown to the floor in the area and he ignored it time and time again

He got promoted to the EFL…… the standard of these officials is absolutely appalling

Missed the match as committed to helping out at a 100 mile walk in Middlesbrough.  Decent weather forecast. Strong winds then torrential rain for hours forcing some walkers to retire.  Rain worse than last Tuesday.  Driving back not really safe.  I am the wet weather jinx then.

Last season all the cries were for returning to the EFL. Well, the reality is now here, and let's face it fourth division football has always been poor with far too many sides relying on trying to muscle a win -or draw- instead of playing the football we would prefer to see. Unfortunately, we will see far more matches like this unless we can somehow manage to get promoted. I honestly believe that the standard of football itself was better in the National League. As for referees, why do so many seem to be biased against us- is it the journey getting here putting them in a bad frame of mind? There certainly seems to be a pattern emerging i.e. decisions for and against. As most matches are recorded these days there is ample scope to investigate the quality of decision-making by refs- or is there some reason that this does not appear to happen in the lower leagues. Who actually does grade the refs?

Had to laugh at the matchday sponsors choice of MOTM, Max Crocombe, he only made one save from a Waterfall back pass, but had nothing to do after that. Smith for me, very impressive again.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

Missed the match as committed to helping out at a 100 mile walk in Middlesbrough.  Decent weather forecast. Strong winds then torrential rain for hours forcing some walkers to retire.  Rain worse than last Tuesday.  Driving back not really safe.  I am the wet weather jinx then.

How many days was the walk? 20 miles a day? Or as fast as people wanted? I did Hadrian's wall in 3 days and my body was wrecked. Great memories though!

The ref, and all the ones beforehand, was dreadful. Taylor got penalised for so much as looking at his man, despite the fact the defender was all over his shirt most of the time. I really don’t understand how we seem to constantly get the wrong side of these things. I’d have thought a packed BP, a hostile atmosphere that stays with the team would give us more of an advantage with putting pressure of refs but it’s quite the opposite.

Apparently, we’ve got VAR to thank for this because the PL is having to double up on refs, thus there are fewer decent refs to go around lower down the pyramid, so VAR is now ruining football at our level too. Congratulations, great work lads. Hope you’re satisfied.

I find it ludicrous that Hursty isn’t allowed to come out and explicitly criticise the refs. It essentially puts them beyond reproach, so they’ll never think they make wrong decisions. This is only going to get worse unless something is done. Players can be criticised, manager’s jobs are on the line but refs are protected to the nth degree. Hence they’re a bunch of almost exclusively jumped up little prats.

Yes, we were rubbish but if the ref had been even a bit stronger we might have gone some more momentum. This whole “let the game flow” memo hasn’t made L2 it seems.

Southwark Mariner.  You have to race-walk 100 miles within 24 hours, otherwise you are out of time.

This was an international walk.  A  married couple from Australia walked,  they go around the world in a camper van doing ultra distance races.  About 100 such races between them. They are very good.

Just noticed that Tom Eaves, who is at Rotherham these days, doesn't seem to be getting much of a look in there, on the bench  on Saturday, Rotherham made 5 subs and he still didnt' get on, wonder if a cheeky loan bid would be something to consider, just the sort of player we are missing IMO (unless he has gone downhill) but i suppose wages might  be an issue.

For me that was just a really, really disappointing performance.  Nothing to worry about and nothing to over-react about either.

Without doubt we're missing McAtee.  A player of his quality will always be missed.  In his absence we've changed the system to overload the midfield with energy, with Holohan and Green pushing further forward but less focus on industry out wide and more on getting support to Taylor, but from wider areas rather than centrally through McAtee.  I think there's also the added threat of two full-backs with attacking intent, which is allowed for with the deeper midfielder (Morris at present).

Unfortunately on Saturday we had two wingers who had poor games and the full-backs who didn't get forward enough.  You would normally expect at least two of them to have decent games and offer something.

The only thing I would think of concern is that having looked so full of energy in recent weeks, we looked leggy as hell in the midfield as the game wore on.   I hope the reaction isn't to bring Clifton back in as a winger, don't get me wrong he changed the tempo when he came on, but rather to perhaps rest one of the 3 lads in the midfield.

Options are sparse at the minute.  We had another 2 subs we could have used but that was from a goalkeeper, two full-backs and a centre-back.  Of 7 subs we've only really got JMD and Pepple as attacking options.  I know Hurst said pre-game that he's keen to almost protect his loan options, I think the off-days and lack of options to mix it up might change his plans and he lowers his high standards a little in the coming days.

Quoted from petethemariner

Just noticed that Tom Eaves, who is at Rotherham these days, doesn't seem to be getting much of a look in there, on the bench  on Saturday, Rotherham made 5 subs and he still didnt' get on, wonder if a cheeky loan bid would be something to consider, just the sort of player we are missing IMO (unless he has gone downhill) but i suppose wages might  be an issue.

Fantastic jockey for Bryan smart

Dont think Bryan Smarts horses would be too pleased to have a 6ft 3  13 stone plus jockey on their backs!

I would always bring Cropper on for the last 15 if we are chasing a goal. That throw is lethal and you will always get a throw in from a decent position.

Having said that there is an argument for starting him as I don't think Efete was very effective on Saturday.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I would always bring Cropper on for the last 15 if we are chasing a goal. That throw is lethal and you will always get a throw in from a decent position.

Having said that there is an argument for starting him as I don't think Efete was very effective on Saturday.

I said on Saturday that I was very surprised that we didn't bring him on late on. The long throw is a great weapon to have, especially when you are struggling for a goal like we were on Saturday.

I'd certainly have given Cropper a go as well. Efete is better going forward and with the ball at his feet, but he wasn't having any sort of an impact in that game (and Glennon was similarly ineffective). I suppose Efete is a bit stronger in the air than Cropper so Hurst might prefer to have him on to defend the balls which they continued to get into our box.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I would always bring Cropper on for the last 15 if we are chasing a goal. That throw is lethal and you will always get a throw in from a decent position.

Having said that there is an argument for starting him as I don't think Efete was very effective on Saturday.

Seeing as Effete is so good at getting forward then why not start with Cropper and Effete playing as a winger. You know he would be a good defensive support for Cropper. It would be no different to when Amos played with Glennon in front of him.

To be fair Efete isn’t having the best start, he didn’t have a great game against Rochdale also. Worth persevering with though as we know how good he can be…….

Quoted from rancido

Seeing as Effete is so good at getting forward then why not start with Cropper and Effete playing as a winger. You know he would be a good defensive support for Cropper. It would be no different to when Amos played with Glennon in front of him.

Because barring the long throw Cropper is massively limited as a footballer and needs real improvement to get anywhere near our team.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Because barring the long throw Cropper is massively limited as a footballer and needs real improvement to get anywhere near our team.

I disagree. IMO Cropper is a better defender than Effete but not as effective as a wing-back. At times Effetes positioning is suspect and he can be slow to react to danger.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Because barring the long throw Cropper is massively limited as a footballer and needs real improvement to get anywhere near our team.

Massively limited is extremely harsh. He looked like a perfectly competent full-back to me last season with the bonus of the ludicrously long throw-ins. Not quite as quick as Efete or as good in the air, but I'd say he's defensively a bit more reliable. Efete has blown hot and cold since he joined us and I'm not convinced he's consistent enough to deserve the place ahead of Cropper given the asset we know that long throw can be.

I agree

Quoted from rancido

Seeing as Effete is so good at getting forward then why not start with Cropper and Effete playing as a winger. You know he would be a good defensive support for Cropper. It would be no different to when Amos played with Glennon in front of him.

Yes I have suggested this before but I think a proper winger in front of Cropper would be better. I think Effete might be one of those players you think will improve even more but I'm not so sure.

Like every Town fans hope he proves me wrong and has a great season but he has started a bit subdued.

I'd try it out in a JPT or whatever it's called trophy with Glennon LW and Efete at RW to see how it works out for us.

Quoted from Maringer

Massively limited is extremely harsh. He looked like a perfectly competent full-back to me last season with the bonus of the ludicrously long throw-ins. Not quite as quick as Efete or as good in the air, but I'd say he's defensively a bit more reliable. Efete has blown hot and cold since he joined us and I'm not convinced he's consistent enough to deserve the place ahead of Cropper given the asset we know that long throw can be.

Definitely.

What Efete offers the team comes from his attacking attributes.  If he's not offering that, he doesn't offer enough defensively to justify his place for me.  Might as well have Cropper lobbing the odd throw-in into the mix.  

That said, when Efete is offering an attacking option he's a huge asset.  

Quoted from GtfcGarner

I'd try it out in a JPT or whatever it's called trophy with Glennon LW and Efete at RW to see how it works out for us.

But we have about 5 actual wingers to keep happy, so i'm not sure that's gonna happen