Just Back

B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.

Right, got a bit of it out of my system, on with the report.

First half I thought the whole team played really quite well. Defending was great and the team looked solid. Fleetwood couldn't break us down and we probably had more possession overall. No names to pick out particularly, except Silk deserved a mention as he won slightly more than his fair share of headers and tackles. Only reason he showed a little more than the rest of the defence was that he was often let down by Soares being out of position from time to time.
Miller made a fabulous tackle when Vardy was about to go through on goal though.

I was jumping up and  down thinking Hearn should have had a penalty and almost too busy to notice that he had somehow managed to get his toe to the ball and it trickled over the line. It was the only real chance for either team in the entire half, which wasn't much of a show for the neutral.

Second half started the same way and Town if anything slightly shading it. Fleetwood broght on Peter Till, who didn't make any difference. as well as Brodie who certainly did. Brodie's first action was to get booked for diving in the box and highlighted Fleetwood's cynical attempts to get every free kick.

Up until the penalty I thought the ref was having a pretty good game (compared to the usual dross) except he was overly keen to book Town players for very little. My initial reaction to the penalty was that it was a good tackle and a corner. it was athe the other end so I didnt get a great view though. Gobsmaked it was then given and the players reaction seemed to confirm it was a harsh decision. Later on, the ref also managed to come up with a yellow card for Townsend. I'm not sure why but it seems the only reason could be for time-wasting. Townsend was waiting to take a throw in and for the ball to come out of the Fleetwood crowd. When he finally received it, he turned around to see the ref running towards him brandishing the yellow. He looked totally bemused.

As ever, the penalty was the game changer. and Fleetwood gained an extra yard all over the pitch. Town still defended well and didn't look outclassed by any stretch, although we created very few chances. Soares seemed to have some promise but when in good positions he looked like he didn't really know what to do with it and usually gave it away cheaply. I guess he needs more games, but Thanoj coming on for him was a good move. I don't think Soares should keep his place in the team.

Their last minute goal was a sickener and you could see how much it meant to the players. I wasn't so disappointed that we'd lost a point, but surprisingly angry that Fleetwood had gained all three.

On a positive note, I am actually encouraged, because if we do meet Fleetwood in the playoffs, I'm sure we could seem them off over 2 legs. On another day we could have won that game, although we didn't really create enough to justify more than a point,

Agree with most of the above.

First half we were dominant against a side who look like they will cruise to the title. Everyone played well but perhaps a little more could have been expected of our wide players.

One up at half time but, IMO much the better side.

Fleetwood were always going to have a spell in the game but it was slow in coming. We were defending very well and Church in particular was breaking up ots of their play. Brodie came on and immediately tried to con the ref with an outrangous dive in the box, but the assistant had a clear view and flagged for a GTFC free kick. The big change Brodie did bring about was that Vardy moved to a wider position and started to run riot. (he had been very subdued centrally and didnt look much at all)

I though our substition actually unbalanced the team and Silk lacked cover and support. The penalty? Obviously havent seen it but from the other end of the ground it looked a totally well timed tackle. The ref took an age to give it. As a ref i always err on the side of caution with penalties. You have to be absolutly certain to give one and I suspect he had huge doubt because of the delay. (he actually had a good game besides the peno and Townsends caution. How he could be cautioned for time wasting when the Fleetwood crowd retained the ball i dont know)

The winning goal? I dont know if it took a deflection but it flew in and was a great strike.

IF Fleetwood win the league as expected then we arent far behind them on tonights showing. MCNulty gets a load of stick but he was outstanding imo. Reads the game, uses his girth well but also was quite happy to pick Liam up and be taken in wide areas. He isnt slow for a big guy!

Finally what on earth were Fleetwood doing in locking the Town fans in after the game?? nearly caused a riot!!!
2400 there and a couple of hundred or so Town fans and they reckon the home fans needed time to disperse to avoid confrontation?? Whoever made that decision wants sacking. it was the best part of a 3 hour journey on a Tuesday night and they want to lock us in the ground? Steward told me it was the chairmans decision?? The coppers outside said it was nothing to do with them. If they cant handle 2-300 away fans god knows what they will do if/when they get in the league (or when Wrexham go there soon with 2000+)

Quoted from hazdy

B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.B@astard.

Right, got a bit of it out of my system, on with the report.

First half I thought the whole team played really quite well. Defending was great and the team looked solid. Fleetwood couldn't break us down and we probably had more possession overall. No names to pick out particularly, except Silk deserved a mention as he won slightly more than his fair share of headers and tackles. Only reason he showed a little more than the rest of the defence was that he was often let down by Soares being out of position from time to time.
Miller made a fabulous tackle when Vardy was about to go through on goal though.

I was jumping up and  down thinking Hearn should have had a penalty and almost too busy to notice that he had somehow managed to get his toe to the ball and it trickled over the line. It was the only real chance for either team in the entire half, which wasn't much of a show for the neutral.

Second half started the same way and Town if anything slightly shading it. Fleetwood broght on Peter Till, who didn't make any difference. as well as Brodie who certainly did. Brodie's first action was to get booked for diving in the box and highlighted Fleetwood's cynical attempts to get every free kick.

Up until the penalty I thought the ref was having a pretty good game (compared to the usual dross) except he was overly keen to book Town players for very little. My initial reaction to the penalty was that it was a good tackle and a corner. it was athe the other end so I didnt get a great view though. Gobsmaked it was then given and the players reaction seemed to confirm it was a harsh decision. Later on, the ref also managed to come up with a yellow card for Townsend. I'm not sure why but it seems the only reason could be for time-wasting. Townsend was waiting to take a throw in and for the ball to come out of the Fleetwood crowd. When he finally received it, he turned around to see the ref running towards him brandishing the yellow. He looked totally bemused.

As ever, the penalty was the game changer. and Fleetwood gained an extra yard all over the pitch. Town still defended well and didn't look outclassed by any stretch, although we created very few chances. Soares seemed to have some promise but when in good positions he looked like he didn't really know what to do with it and usually gave it away cheaply. I guess he needs more games, but Thanoj coming on for him was a good move. I don't think Soares should keep his place in the team.
Their last minute goal was a sickener and you could see how much it meant to the players. I wasn't so disappointed that we'd lost a point, but surprisingly angry that Fleetwood had gained all three.

On a positive note, I am actually encouraged, because if we do meet Fleetwood in the playoffs, I'm sure we could seem them off over 2 legs. On another day we could have won that game, although we didn't really create enough to justify more than a point,

I saw it as an own goal.

I thought Soares was having a good game and felt he shouldn't have be taken off that early. in the second half we didn't put enough pressure on Fleetwood and let them get at us. For me Disley had one of his best games for a while, Hearn was given poor service and thought Elding was a bit of a waste of space.

I didn't think it was a penalty.

Let's still try and keep the faith guys,

Onwards and upwards.

U.T.M. Always and Forever.

Had a 5 hour sleep to digest the game

As above, I thought first half was the most professional performance of the season. We looked in control, knocked the ball around well and Elding's energy made a real difference as it allowed to play into channels allot more and create space

Two incidents changed the game in the second half. Firstly bringing Thanoj on for Soures. We lost our shape, Fleetwood doubled up on Silk on the right after that and we struggled with the Fleetwood attack

Secondly the penalty. 2000+ people in the stadium, 22 players on the pitch, zero appeals for a penalty. The referee see's the incidents, wait's a good 10 seconds and then decides it's a penalty? Another downright bizarre decision in a long line of mental BSP refereeing gaffs.

I think the fact the players of both sides didn't appeal and are claiming it wasn't a penalty suggests it is a wrong decision. PLayers after a game are usually honest and just get on with it but all towns players are complaining about it on twitter...i'm a ref but even i know that decisions like this can cost people jobs etc.

Something needs to be done, we've had one ref who was any good all season, the game against Alfreton springs to mind and thats it. You can hardly call it sour grapes either just incompetent officiating that isn't acceptable.

Quoted from BIGChris

Agree with most of the above.

First half we were dominant against a side who look like they will cruise to the title. Everyone played well but perhaps a little more could have been expected of our wide players.

One up at half time but, IMO much the better side.

Fleetwood were always going to have a spell in the game but it was slow in coming. We were defending very well and Church in particular was breaking up ots of their play. Brodie came on and immediately tried to con the ref with an outrangous dive in the box, but the assistant had a clear view and flagged for a GTFC free kick. The big change Brodie did bring about was that Vardy moved to a wider position and started to run riot. (he had been very subdued centrally and didnt look much at all)

I though our substition actually unbalanced the team and Silk lacked cover and support. The penalty? Obviously havent seen it but from the other end of the ground it looked a totally well timed tackle. The ref took an age to give it. As a ref i always err on the side of caution with penalties. You have to be absolutly certain to give one and I suspect he had huge doubt because of the delay. (he actually had a good game besides the peno and Townsends caution. How he could be cautioned for time wasting when the Fleetwood crowd retained the ball i dont know)

The winning goal? I dont know if it took a deflection but it flew in and was a great strike.

IF Fleetwood win the league as expected then we arent far behind them on tonights showing. MCNulty gets a load of stick but he was outstanding imo. Reads the game, uses his girth well but also was quite happy to pick Liam up and be taken in wide areas. He isnt slow for a big guy!

Finally what on earth were Fleetwood doing in locking the Town fans in after the game?? nearly caused a riot!!!
2400 there and a couple of hundred or so Town fans and they reckon the home fans needed time to disperse to avoid confrontation?? Whoever made that decision wants sacking. it was the best part of a 3 hour journey on a Tuesday night and they want to lock us in the ground? Steward told me it was the chairmans decision?? The coppers outside said it was nothing to do with them. If they cant handle 2-300 away fans god knows what they will do if/when they get in the league (or when Wrexham go there soon with 2000+)

totally agree,at the end i picked up my flag and went to the entrance where no1 steward said they would be holding us for 25 mins inside the ground!i asked to speak to the muppet who had made that decision and he said the police hade,funny that as i spoke to the police outside the ground and they had no knowledge of that,my decision to unlock the 6ft gate with the the assistance from some other town fans i dont regret one bit,,,,,crazy decision

how many town fans attended last night???

Quoted from Youngy

Had a 5 hour sleep to digest the game

As above, I thought first half was the most professional performance of the season. We looked in control, knocked the ball around well and Elding's energy made a real difference as it allowed to play into channels allot more and create space

Two incidents changed the game in the second half. Firstly bringing Thanoj on for Soures. We lost our shape, Fleetwood doubled up on Silk on the right after that and we struggled with the Fleetwood attack
Secondly the penalty. 2000+ people in the stadium, 22 players on the pitch, zero appeals for a penalty. The referee see's the incidents, wait's a good 10 seconds and then decides it's a penalty? Another downright bizarre decision in a long line of mental BSP refereeing gaffs.

I agree with that, i also think the fleetwood changes made a big difference.

Ref was a joke 2nd half and after a decent 1st half Elding was dominated by the two centre halves, the amount of times he was just eased of the ball was shocking.

Fleetwood fan here, just would like to say that you were the best side in the league I have seen at Highbury this season. Stopped us playing our passing game 1st half but thought we grinded you down late on. Can see why you have been on great run of late and you have more than a chance of a play off place.All the best .