Just back

An pretty meaningless end of season game but very entertaining all the same. Town played some excellent stuff and looked good but it has to be said that Yeovil were pretty inept and their defence parted like the Red Sea on many occasions. Both side scored excellent goals with MOM Osbourne's being the pick of the bunch with a great solo run and finish from the halfway line. He has a lot of talent and will get better next season hopefully. It was one of those games where the midfield had time and space, so all looked pretty good. Great to see Disley get a game and i hope he gets another contract as he still has much to offer.

Where the Ref got 6 minutes injury time from is a mystery. The game was enjoyable but had no real cutting edge, so i don't think we learned much from it. Roll on next season.

Enjoyed that, Town are a different animal under Russell Slade's leadership.

I'm looking forward to next season now.

Very impressed . Still players out of position but the main difference is they know what they are doing . We moved the ball up top quicker . Vernon was my mom . Slade will love his performance today . Osbourne a close second . The main thing is we looked like a team today

Yes we looked much better and more organised today I thought.

Really enjoyed that, vernon very good, osbourne exceptional. Berrett looks a different player! And agree with Ginny in that i'd love to see disley get another year

Agreed, I enjoyed it too. Osborne well deserving his MOM award. I thought Chris Clements had a good game too.

We were a much more balanced side today, but as has been said, a very end of season feel to it all.

Much happier too will RS in charge!

Yes we were much better balanced in midfield, but they did have a lot of time and space to play in today. Some good passing and movement at times and we could have had a couple more goals. Yeovil showed why they are where they are.

Worth going just for Clements rabona back pass.!

Hard to judge given the opposition weren't up to much but a very enjoyable game. Players knew what they were about and where they were supposed to be. With the ball there was always someone showing for a pass and without it we were pretty well organised.

Osborne will attract most of the plaudits and rightly so but thought Vernon did an excellent job up front which allowed our midfield to push up.

Disley's legs have clearly gone as all he ever did was calmly control the ball and pass it to a team mate and get us going forward again. Think he only made about half a dozen runs, from deep, into the box.

Best game I've seen Berrett play .

Glad our pre-season has finally finished

Better shape, Berrett and Osbourne keeping wider and disciplined, Disley and Clements ticking things over and without a "defensive" midfielder to get in their way the centre backs knew exactly what they had to do.
I understand that Slade has been left with about 8/9 centre mids but starting 5 of them today made me a little worried prior to kick off but...it worked....definate lack of pace as a result but looked more solid and they played it relatively simple and effective rather than flash.
Good to see the midfielders running beyond the strikers today, Disley a few times, Osbourne got the penalty by doing so too.

Cruised the first half after we got the penalty, lovely skill and strike from Clements for the second, was at the burger van and right behind the line of the shot and as soon as he hit it only one place that was going. Clements improved after that as i thought he was a little shaky to start with.

Finally a goal from a corner...albeit a scruffy one, off his back (?) and then Osbourne doing a magnificent Michael Reddy impression from inside our own half.  

More goals were threatened but just didnt fall right, Osbourne causing plenty of problems as the game wore on.

I was very close to not bothering today ...glad i did.

Apart from a bit of flapping from Macca, no-one did themselves any harm today although Danny Andrew's right foot shot showed that he should use it just for standing on.

Much improved displays from Vernon and Berrett, calm performance from Dis and excellent goals by Osborne & Clements. Much better all round.

Really enjoyed that,some very nice stuff played,shows that we have the makings of a very good team,roll on next season UTM

Cannot fault any one today, a good all round performance.
Osborne has found his best position out wide and caused them a lot of problems all afternoon.
Dis and Clements ran the middle and Berrett one of his best games, and Vernon and Jones ran and ran all afternoon.
Yeovil only had two shots on target and scored with them both but we just kept plugging away and presing all afternoon. What was most noticeable was the fact that our passing was more accurate and our movement off the ball was greatly improved.
Cannot fault that at all, clearly Russell Slade has made a difference and I'm suddenly more optimistic for next season.
And another positive point was four goals with four different scorers. And a set piece goal ! , is that the first this season ?
Let's get something next week at Barnet and finish on a high at home to Plymouth.

UTM

I have to say that the crowd were definitely not enjoying the constant hoof ball tactics! Isn't that all that Slade knows?!!!  

Quoted from gtfc82

I have to say that the crowd were definitely not enjoying the constant hoof ball tactics! Isn't that all that Slade knows?!!!  

A point JF made to me as he went down for half time. Asked me if i was enjoying the Sladeball. Touche John.

Vernon put a real shift in and was my motm.

Osborne looked a class above everybody and took his goal superbly though it must be said their defence looked abysmal.

Very comfortable win  against a weak Yovil team.

Like everyone else I found that very enjoyable. The players appeared very comfortable with the roles they were being expected to play. For a formation that allegedly lacked pace the ball spent a lot of time out on both flanks with some excellent crosses coming in. The back four dealt pretty well with anything that a pretty poor Yeovil side could throw at them. Clements was a revealation in the middle making himself always avaiable to receive the ball and making some solid challenges capping his performance with a brilliantly taken goal. I am  as positive as I can be that Jamey Osbourne is going to be a massive player for us next season. Yeah Yeovil gave him a lot of room but his ability to drive into the box and pick out his colleagues will cause a lot of defenders at this level nightmares. His finish after a great run was the stuff memories are made of.

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

Quoted from Civvy at last

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

Yes!  it would have been a more of a competitive match to watch if we could have played him, our ten against there eleven.

Quoted from Civvy at last

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

Yes!  it would have been a more of a competitive match to watch if we could have played him, our ten against there eleven.

Quoted from Civvy at last

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

Yes!  it would have been a more of a competitive match to watch if we could have played him, our ten against there eleven.

Dam key board, type Gunning and it goes crazy

Seems like we have finally have a gameplan to go with some of the good players we have! Roll on next season!

Really enjoyed the game..
Everyone put in a shift today and contributed to a very entertaining game.

The speed of us moving the ball from our 18 yard box to there's was impressive which I think was down to having Diz in there and not having Gunnings big hooofs.

I know Yeovil were 'not all that' but you have to give credit to our guys for not letting them play there game.

Was it the first time for ages that we haven't started with a loan player from the start????

Quoted from Civvy at last

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

in all honesty....if Gunning had played i doubt they would have scored, both goals coming from the sort of position he sits in and blocks..

in all honesty if Gunning had played i doubt we would have scored four goals either.

I know which of the two scenarios i would prefer to go and watch.

Very enjoyable today. Obviously it was an end of season game but we played some great football and there looked a lot more balance and cohesion in the side. Berrett, Clements and Osbourne were all terrific in midfield and Vernon put in a shift up top. Scored some great goals too.

Hopefully something to build in next season

That was so refreshing to watch. We had structure, purpose and direction. It demonstrated how bad the last few months have been. Top drawer performance from Jamey Osborne in an unfamiliar left hand side role, I've always thought he was a bit slow but that goal suggested otherwise, as others have said, it was a bit Michael Reddy like. Scott Vernon worked his socks off and showed some great link/hold up play, he's Russell Slade's type of striker and I think he'll play a key role next season. Craig Disley put in his best performance for a long time and gave a real case to him getting another years contract. Personally my man of the match though was Chris Clements. I thought he absolutely ran the show, great goal and I loved his little flick up and vollied 50 yard pass to Osborne on the left. He looked a class act.

A couple of decent additions and a clear out of the deadwood and I think we look healthy for next season.

Some quality additions and an injection of pace in to key areas and we'll be looking good.

Berrett had a very good game as well, doesn't seem to get a mention on here though.

Really enjoyed that today. Is Scott Vernon Slade's new Lump?

Enjoyable game where we looked the most comfortable I have seen us this season. We dominated the tempo and play for most of the match and by far had more procession.

Vose does my head in he came on and looked so lazy/lethargic then produced the pass of the game to set someone (can't remember who) up with a clear chance unfortunately not taken.

With better finishing we could have easily had double what we had, not a moan that is a reflection of how many chances we made.

To be fair Yeovil were by far the worst side I have seen here but you still have to make your domination count and we did.

The lads looked stronger in all departments today a massive well done to everybody.

  

I dont think vose is lazy, i just think its his natural demeanor. I rate him very highly

To put the game into context Yeovil are effectively safe and gave us lots of space in mid field with no real press all that said though Town took advantage of the opportunity and passed the ball better than at any time this season, kept a solid shape and looked to pick up the 2nd ball.

I liked the fact that we looked to go forward a lot more and used the time we had on the ball to find a man who again refreshingly had moved into some space, this made for an entertaining game.    

What did it tell Russ? I think it told him that he has a really big decisions to make with regard to as Dis who kept popping up at the right time. Clements can be a major influence if a holding mid can buy him time and space 4-4-2 is the way forward, if we get a half decent striker to play up front with Vernon we could have a threatening strike force and Jamey Osborne is a real talent who could be a big, big player for us next term.

Today just felt like Russ had told them to go out, keep two solid banks of 4 and just enjoy yourself. Despite that a few may have been "playing for deals" the lads looked more relaxed than they have done all season which make a massive difference in my opinion.

Only downers where the ref who did not have a Scooby and the attendance which you would expect, club need to make it kids for a quid versus Plymouth IMHO and that the Ginger Pirlo did not get the armband.

UTM!    

I see that JLAA still can't hit a cows bottom with a banjo.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

To put the game into context Yeovil are effectively safe and gave us lots of space in mid field with no real press all that said though Town took advantage of the opportunity and passed the ball better than at any time this season, kept a solid shape and looked to pick up the 2nd ball.

I liked the fact that we looked to go forward a lot more and used the time we had on the ball to find a man who again refreshingly had moved into some space, this made for an entertaining game.    

What did it tell Russ? I think it told him that he has a really big decisions to make with regard to as Dis who kept popping up at the right time. Clements can be a major influence if a holding mid can buy him time and space 4-4-2 is the way forward, if we get a half decent striker to play up front with Vernon we could have a threatening strike force and Jamey Osborne is a real talent who could be a big, big player for us next term.

Today just felt like Russ had told them to go out, keep two solid banks of 4 and just enjoy yourself. Despite that a few may have been "playing for deals" the lads looked more relaxed than they have done all season which make a massive difference in my opinion.

Only downers where the ref who did not have a Scooby and the attendance which you would expect, club need to make it kids for a quid versus Plymouth IMHO and that the Ginger Pirlo did not get the armband.

UTM!    

Agree with all of that until it came to the ref being poor, we was saying at the end of the game how good a game he had, no one was giving it "You don`t what your doing" etc etc, in fact he was almost invisible always a good sign

Quoted from Hagrid

I dont think vose is lazy, i just think its his natural demeanor. I rate him very highly

Totally agree Hagrid, he is a very skilful player who can change the game in the blink of an eye.

Sure he's not a "box to box " type of guy, but I'd sign him up if we could

Yeovil played Solihull twice in the 1st round of the FA Cup before losing on penalties. Apparently Osbourne gave them the runaround in both games so he must have been looking forward to this one

It's not often I come away from BP and feel like I've had value for money but today was one of those occassions. Even my cup of tea wasn't completely awful! Don't think anyone had a bad game to echo other's thoughts.

I can't wait to see Osborne after a proper, professional pre-season. He's going to be one hell of a player and I can definitely see him going up a level or two - hopefully with us obviously.

Quoted from Hagrid

I dont think vose is lazy, i just think its his natural demeanor. I rate him very highly

He's not a pacey player or one that gets stuck in,tracks back defensively etc you'll never see him do much of that. His ball control is excellent though,he's hard to tackle and makes space for others plus has a good contender for the most accurate passes in the league. One of the better set piece takers in our current squad too I guess some people don't rate players who won't fight in every area of the pitch but I think every player need to do what they're good at and have a job on the field, he can still be useful when played in the right role and left to do his thing in the attacking phases without needing the extra man to defend heavily.

Didn't previously think Osborne was very fast but he's very deceptive as that solo effort showed. Very hard to shake off the ball when in full flight-can't wait to see how good he gets-going places.

Quoted from golfer

Didn't previously think Osborne was very fast but he's very deceptive as that solo effort showed. Very hard to shake off the ball when in full flight-can't wait to see how good he gets-going places.

Our midfield looked very mobile today and technically very good. Encouraging signs.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Only downers where the ref who did not have a Scooby .

UTM!    

Your kidding, he put the best tackle of the match in(1st Half) after our 2 central midfielders put in a token effort to tackle he was there to clean up and regain possession for us  

I always thought that Osborne had the ability to have a burst of speed over a fee yards to get past his man, but he surprised me with that goal today. Quicker than I thought, even though the defender was a bit slow in that situation. Best part was the cool pass into the bottom corner.

Some good ability on show from us today but the question is whether quicker, more motivated opponents would have been so open. If we can pass and move as well under greater pressure, it could be an interesting season next year.

Great performance today, you can say it was a winding-down sort of game with nothing to play for, but I think we showed plenty of hunger and that's a good sign for the future.

I also think I could see where Bignot was trying to improve us. We've got a couple of exciting players thanks to him. It's a shame he couldn't get the best out of them in a cohesive team performance but it looks like Slade will be able to.

Lots to like about the performance. Yeovil were poor but let's not forget we've lost at home to three of the bottom four teams so it's nice to dispatch a poor side in the right way.

On a side note, Vose clearly has skill but I've made 10 games this season when he's played and I think I keep missing the ones where he does well because I wouldn't be bothered about him going back to Scunny. I really don't think we'd miss him.

"Yeovil were poor but let's not forget we've lost at home to three of the bottom four teams so it's nice to dispatch a poor side in the right way."

So depressing to look at the table and think of the points lost this season

Really enjoyed the game and there was some excellent performances. Although many have said our midfield players were excellent I also thought the back four, especially Pearson also contributed well.
I would add that Dyson put in a really weak challenge for their 2nd goal which clearly angered Collins and Pearson amongst others. He just turned his back on them and walked off. It was a 'I don't want to get hurt' dangle a leg sort of challenge that won't go unnoticed.

Quoted from Civvy at last

Couldn't make it today.

Did we miss Gunning ? 😉

Gavin was sitting in front of me in the stand, He was living every minute of the game cheering his team mates and on his feet to celebrate every goal. He made a particular point of congratulating Jamey Osbourne when he came off. Looks like a lively character. Footballer?

So, after my rant about not buying 3 season tickets next season, and choosing when I watch the Mighty Mariners I have had a U turn, it's the vogue, I'll be buying my 3 again, really enjoyed the game, Osbourne and Jones are going to be next seasons stars. I'd like to keep Vose, Andrew, Dis and Collins. I'd look at trying to keep Dyson another year.

Sorry Hagrid you haven't got rid of me.

I watched Town vs West Ham and thought their blond centre back had no pace and couldn't head the ball, no just the best defender ever.
Thats how long I have supported Town.

Quoted from Sigone

Your kidding, he put the best tackle of the match in(1st Half) after our 2 central midfielders put in a token effort to tackle he was there to clean up and regain possession for us  

  Yeah I saw that he must have been enjoying himself which would explain 6 minutes injury time at the end of the game.

Quoted from RichMariner

Great performance today, you can say it was a winding-down sort of game with nothing to play for, but I think we showed plenty of hunger and that's a good sign for the future.

I also think I could see where Bignot was trying to improve us. We've got a couple of exciting players thanks to him. It's a shame he couldn't get the best out of them in a cohesive team performance but it looks like Slade will be able to.

Lots to like about the performance. Yeovil were poor but let's not forget we've lost at home to three of the bottom four teams so it's nice to dispatch a poor side in the right way.

On a side note, Vose clearly has skill but I've made 10 games this season when he's played and I think I keep missing the ones where he does well because I wouldn't be bothered about him going back to Scunny. I really don't think we'd miss him.

Vose has tremendous ability for this level but tends to slow the game down to open his box of tricks. Like you, I don't think he's for us, especially if we appear to be reducing squad size.

Quoted from 140067

So, after my rant about not buying 3 season tickets next season, and choosing when I watch the Mighty Mariners I have had a U turn, it's the vogue, I'll be buying my 3 again, really enjoyed the game, Osbourne and Jones are going to be next seasons stars. I'd like to keep Vose, Andrew, Dis and Collins. I'd look at trying to keep Dyson another year.

Sorry Hagrid you haven't got rid of me.

I watched Town vs West Ham and thought their blond centre back had no pace and couldn't head the ball, no just the best defender ever.
Thats how long I have supported Town.

Fair do's to you. Just about every manager appointment elicits the "I am tearing up my season tickets" routine with some supporters, that is just the way it is. I think on balance though most fans can see we did the right thing in replacing Bignot who is only learning his trade, with Slade who has all the experience, know how and contacts to get this club really moving forwards. I for one am really looking forward to who he can bring in for next season to add to a good core of players we have got.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Vose has tremendous ability for this level but tends to slow the game down to open his box of tricks. Like you, I don't think he's for us, especially if we appear to be reducing squad size.

I'd be very surprised if we moved for him. Has undoubted talent, and can be very easy on the eye but unfortunately doesn't seem to contribute enough. Seems to get more praise than someone like Clements who is now of 4 goals? And contributes a lot more to the team all round.

Like I say, not doubting his ability, but I just don't see him slotting in anywhere. I know his best position is supposed to be behind the forwards or off a striker, but again, give me Sam Jones in that position any day.

Wouldn't be disappointed if he stayed, he obviously offers something different and  can create something out of nothing, but I don't think that something happens often enough for RS to be sufficiently impressed.

Happy to be proved wrong though!

I did not go to the Cambridge game but heard that Osborne was better on the left.  He was again yesterday with spades.  

He is not the quickest in thought and deed when playing in centre midfield. He is more suited on the left where he has more time and space to utilise his considerable skills for the team.  His range of passing damages teams and will be a very good weapon next season.

His excellent, well-taken goal showed a number of qualities.  It was a lot harder than he made it look.    On his long-run he was persistent, determined, calm, and with a clarity of thought. He did not panic.  With time to think, he knew how and where he planned to put the ball in the net.  He then executed perfectly.     (Akpro would have rounded the keeper and then missed the goal).

The whole team looked "right" yesterday. They looked as if they knew their roles and played with more confidence and freedom.   They would have done well yesterday against a better team so bring on Plymouth.  (We have already come a long way at home since the Donney game in such a short time).

Yeah I loved Osborne's goal. There was a moment when he got his body in front of the chasing defender, so it would've been a red card if he touched him. Very intelligent play, and good touches of the ball - so many times you see players take a heavy touch and push it too close to the keeper in that situation.

Osbourne, Clements and Jones.......each one can kill a ball dead at their feet. MB was right about our previous technical ability.
Several times yesterday each of the above demonstrated what they can do with a ball and we were unlucky not to score more goals as a result... a joy to watch.

Not sure if they have everything we need but pulling the ball out of the air, drifting pass players, awareness of others movement are welcome traits given recent history in the centre midfield position.  

I'm sure Vose has some very good qualities, but he did not fit with the game plan yesterday.
All afternoon we had sent balls into the channels and played with pace, typically 2 or 3 touch football (Wilko had them working on this pre-match) but Vose wanted to hold up and slow down.

Also, he nearly decapitated a woman involved in a pre-match presentation when he spooned a long pass!

Don't think Slade will keep him cos he doesn't fit his style.

I've said this before and I will say it again but for how good Vose is technically at this level his goals scored and assisted column is actually quite poor, I'm sure we can find somebody who can get more goals and assists.

Sadly I think Vose's career is in the balance. If we don't look to retain him I think Scunny will release him and he may well end up back in the conference.
Personally I hope we persevere with him, but you can see the counter argument.

Lots of praise for the midfielders, yet only a week earlier they weren't deemed good enough when we lost at Cheltenham.
After day one of this season many were refreshed that we had got a midfield at last to compete and dominate games yet before long most wanted Summerfield and Berrett out!

Funny old game!

Osborne is ridiculously good with the ball at his feet! Slight improvement off the ball needed, but I'm sure slade will sort that out sharpish!

Jones is the total opposite, not fancy with the ball, but has great strength and close touch.

Both together, are proving to be great signings!

Jones is very good on the ball, he's got a great touch and has either a trick or a burst of pace to beat his man.

Osborne also works very very hard, he covers every blade of grass whenever I see him play.

Watch a lot of games this season , I think vose brings something that a lot of teams at this level and above needs , he's goal and assist  out put would improve when he gets a run of games ,so on that side been unlucky 3 managers in a season and injuries have curtailed what he brings , would I try to retain him yes , even on Saturday for he's 10 min cameo he brought something that excited the crowd

Quoted from Pastandpresent

Watch a lot of games this season , I think vose brings something that a lot of teams at this level and above needs , he's goal and assist  out put would improve when he gets a run of games ,so on that side been unlucky 3 managers in a season and injuries have curtailed what he brings , would I try to retain him yes , even on Saturday for he's 10 min cameo he brought something that excited the crowd

He slows the game down for me - has to get two or three tricks in before he makes a pass, not what's needed in League 2 where pace of passing is the key to get defenders turned.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

He slows the game down for me - has to get two or three tricks in before he makes a pass, not what's needed in League 2 where pace of passing is the key to get defenders turned.

Hmm!    Diddy Dave seemed to cope in this and higher Leagues with a beat the man and cross style

Quoted from Mariner_09

Jones is very good on the ball, he's got a great touch and has either a trick or a burst of pace to beat his man.

Osborne also works very very hard, he covers every blade of grass whenever I see him play.

You`ve got that the wrong way around

Quoted from Garth

Hmm!    Diddy Dave seemed to cope in this and higher Leagues with a beat the man and cross style

In the day? Yes - football is a different game to 20+ years ago.

I do not see Vose as fitting in. I think Osborne's goal typified a Slade team in that it broke forward at pace and hit the opposition on the break. There is clearly a place for Vernon and he optimistically spoke about getting him scoring regularly again.

I think preseason will be interesting and he will have us physically fit. Maybe another training camp with the army?

You'll properly find vose is the best at 3 touch football now we have clement , Osbourne , jones it would be interesting to see them develop together