- Print Topic - Archive

Feels a bit like Big Keith at Plough Lane. Scoring and thinking we could do this for about ten minutes. I suspect we'll be re-running clips of Green's goal for the next 30 years too.

Bit deflated today. Promised myself I wouldn't, but can't help it.

We scored the best goal when we lost 7-1 at Sheff Wed too. A consolation prize :)

A long, frustrating day for me yesterday but that goal was one of the best moments of the past ten years. Made us all dream for all of ten minutes. What might have been had we gone in at half time at 2-1, eh?

Agree that penalty really hurt just before half time still think we would have lost but maybe not so heavy. They gave their young kids a go after the break knowing they were safe and gave them licence to enjoy themselves which they did.

Looking back maybe if we had played a more defence minded game like we were forced to at the Palace match due to early sending off we may have been able to keep our shape and mark there players better.

Jolley got it right on that occasion but perhaps let them have miles far to much space, time and possetion yesterday they had the quality players to really hurt you at this level.

Our lads looked knackered after chasing shadows for most of the game on a big lovely pitch looked like a snooker table from high up.

Automatic sprinklers that are hiddern underneath the pitch no expence spared it really is a cracking stadium worthy of any team.

Oh well that dream came crashing down but over all I enjoyed it.

Quoted from Mrs Doyle

Our lads looked knackered after chasing shadows for most of the game

As much as we moan about our lack for funds for buying players, I often wonder how we'd perform if our players had access to the same training facilities, training staff, dieticians etc. I'm not saying they'd turn into a team of Messi's and Ronaldo's, but I am curious as too how much difference that kind of stuff makes. How many times have we seen cup ties like this go all the way, only for the players from the small club run out of steam?

They pick the cream of the crop.  This includes the best athletes.  CHO has been out for a long time and still lasted 90 mins at age 18.  And scored late on.

You can have all the conditioning and support, but the raw product must be top-quality in the first place.  At the highest level anyway.

Ironically, talkSPORT this week reported this week that some managers have serious concerns that the Prem Under 23s are not developing properly.  There is no manager demanding 3 points, no pressure or intensity, no firm tackling and no-one kicking an opponent who is better or quicker than you.  All this does not prepare players for the first-team.

Anyway, the value of their squad must be astronomical.  Ours is minuscule by comparison. It still hurts getting thrashed though.  I feel for the Watford fans.

What I take from last night is the obscene amount of money there is around in London. The whole Chelsea village concept reeks of money that NE Lincs can only dream of. It's a fantastic place to play in. I always thought Stamford Bridge looks a bit dated and old fashioned, but after last night I found it to be a fantastic place to watch football (if you can afford to go there!).

A lot has been said about Colchester and Rochdale playing well against premier sides and couldn't match them. To me it's more about how Spurs and Man U. players responded to playing lower sides than how they set up to play the big boys. Lampard prepared Chelsea as though they were playing any premier side and that was the real difference on the night. They were utterly brilliant and ruthless. Hats off to Lampard for the manner in which they approached the game.

Quoted from Mrs Doyle

Automatic sprinklers that are hiddern underneath the pitch no expence spared it really is a cracking stadium worthy of any team.

Our subs got a good soaking whilst loosening up last week at Salford's Peninsula Stadium by their under pitch sprinklers. If your team playing style is based on a fast passing game then sprinklers seem to be a necessity to keep the surface slick.

Sprinklers in Manchester FFS?

One thing you can say about Lampard and Jolley, they are quite similar young managers although with different routes to the game. They are both willing to give young players a chance to prove themselves and put a lot into nurturing that talent. There is a huge gulf in the amount of resources afforded to them but I commend them for looking to build a young team led by seasoned pros they can learn from.

It's far more than David and Goliath, I mean they had a player they paid 58m for playing and several full internationals. Squad numbers off the bench in the 50s and 60s!

I enjoyed everything except the first 5m and the last 10. In between we competed well, it don't matter how fit you are when a team can make almost 700 passes at speed and have an 87% completion rate, no wonder they was out on their feet towards the end.

I can't wait for our next cup run!!!

Little bit deflated but hey ho. At least we were beaten by a decent team, not their under 19 squad.

Long day for us too, out at 09:30 to pick my Dad up, down to Suffolk to go to my brother's place.
Set off for the match at 15:00, terrible traffic. Got to the match at 19:30. Had to tea in Hounslow around midnight.
Finally home 06:00 this morning!

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

It's far more than David and Goliath, I mean they had a player they paid 58m for playing and several full internationals. Squad numbers off the bench in the 50s and 60s!

I enjoyed everything except the first 5m and the last 10. In between we competed well, it don't matter how fit you are when a team can make almost 700 passes at speed and have an 87% completion rate, no wonder they was out on their feet towards the end.

I can't wait for our next cup run!!!

Yes it would be misleading to say that was a B team jus because it was a different 11 from Saturday. Big money signings, internationals coming back from injury or form, highly promising youngsters. The player I was most excited about though was Max Wright.