Now the negative bit

I’m afraid our goalkeeper had a shocker today. Opposition managers will take one look at that and tell their players to cross at every opportunity. In truth, he was flapping like a washing line in a gale.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I’m afraid our goalkeeper had a shocker today. Opposition managers will take one look at that and tell their players to cross at every opportunity. In truth, he was flapping like a washing line in a gale.

I love Macca and he’s a great servant but the day will come where he needs replacing

Probably not the time or the place after such a great game and the euphoria of an injury time winner, but agree that McKeown was dithering and flapping.

I thought you were going to say we have dropped 2 points out of 9.

Not to worry too much, his replacement could already be in situ……

Quoted from blundellpork

Probably not the time or the place after such a great game and the euphoria of an injury time winner, but agree that McKeown was dithering and flapping.

I don’t care how we win but suspect we won’t be able to score 4 every week 🤔🥳🙏

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I’m afraid our goalkeeper had a shocker today. Opposition managers will take one look at that and tell their players to cross at every opportunity. In truth, he was flapping like a washing line in a gale.

There's always fuckin one!!

Agreed. Even at the end before their corner he dithered and had it not been our head on it they would have scored for sure.

I like Macca and he did make a good save today in the first half, low to his right.

However, against Stockport he had a bad game with poor kicking and failing to get a good punch on a number of crosses. And yes it was the same today with crosses, unfortunately.

Quoted from TAGG

There's always fuckin one!!

It's always the same group of people tbh. They formed an "I hate Macca" club and will pick on him for every single goal we let in even if we win.

Quoted from Kris2

It's always the same group of people tbh. They formed an "I hate Macca" club and will pick on him for every single goal we let in even if we win.

That’s complete bull. Massively respect Macca but he had a stinker today and several last season. In this league, we’ll need someone who is far more decisive under crosses. If you think different, then you need to take your rose tinted specs off.

Quoted from toontown

I like Macca and he did make a good save today in the first half, low to his right.

However, against Stockport he had a bad game with poor kicking and failing to get a good punch on a number of crosses. And yes it was the same today with crosses, unfortunately.

McKeown is never going to be the best at distribution. He made a great save today, will be disappointed with their first but the second was nestled in the bottom corner.

The defence was shaky today and that doesn't help the keeper.

What a flipping shite thread

Is this thread really necessary today of all days?

Can we not just enjoy a thrilling victory without creating a thread to single out one player for criticism.

Are we all forgetting Macca’s brilliant save in the first half, he played his part as did every other player in the team.

Just for once, let’s enjoy a memorable win, the likes of which we haven’t seen for a very long time.

Quoted from Mariner56

Is this thread really necessary today of all days?

Can we not just enjoy a thrilling victory without creating a thread to single out one player for criticism.

Are we all forgetting Macca’s brilliant save in the first half, he played his part as did every other player in the team.

Just for once, let’s enjoy a memorable win, the likes of which we haven’t seen for a very long time.

Probably as necessary as your thread with an ancient interview of Kewell as Notts County boss 🤭🤡

Its true he didn't have a great game (all players have an off day) but do you really think this thread is going help his confidence ? Do you think players don't read the Fishy ?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Probably as necessary as your thread with an ancient interview of Kewell as Notts County boss 🤭🤡

Oh well, that's you versus me for 'Twit of the Week' then

Quoted from Harry Haddock

Its true he didn't have a great game (all players have an off day) but do you really think this thread is going help his confidence ? Do you think players don't read the Fishy ?

I know things are going well, but aren’t we allowed an opinion? That performance against a better team would cost us points.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know things are going well, but aren’t we allowed an opinion? That performance against a better team would cost us points.

I’ve just seen the goals again and I’m not sure he’s at fault for any of them.

I think he, and everyone else knows that commanding his area has never been good, and still isn't.  So, all these years he's had that problem, why haven't the coaches helped him to overcome it.  It IS something that can be coached, so why hasn't it been done.

One fantastic save first half.

Slack defending cost us the goals against today but take that 3rd goal, if that's how we defend a long throw then Wrexham will put 15 past us with how they approach the game.

Macca has been a good servant for town over 10 seasons but he has not resolved his weaknesses - poor distribution and weak with crosses. His fans can protest as much as as they like but these are constants in his performances.

Quoted from 123614

I think he, and everyone else knows that commanding his area has never been good, and still isn't.  So, all these years he's had that problem, why haven't the coaches helped him to overcome it.  It IS something that can be coached, so why hasn't it been done.

I totally agree. Problem is that he’s quite slight in stature compared to many keepers, including Crocombe, and I worry that a more savvy team will work out that it’s a weakness. Yes, we had a great day today but we also got a bit lucky.

yes, All the players deserve to enjoy tonight!

With regard to Macca. It's an awkward one, and has been for several years tbh. I think he comes across as a top, top, bloke. Clearly a lovely guy. Clearly loves the club and the fans. So it pains me to say, but his ability to deal with crosses costs us a significant number of goals each season. If you were a manager you would be looking to do something about it, no matter how much of a lovely human being he seems to be.

Having said that, the defence were culpable in the goals as well, obviously.

Quoted from Mariner56

Oh well, that's you versus me for 'Twit of the Week' then

No chance, the ref at Stockport will win it for not allowing McAtee's perfectly good goal  

I thought Macca was fine today . His distribution was first class and his save in first half was top drawer . He wasn't at fault for any of the goals imo. Just give the guy a break ffs .

Quoted from vernontown

yes, All the players deserve to enjoy tonight!

With regard to Macca. It's an awkward one, and has been for several years tbh. I think he comes across as a top, top, bloke. Clearly a lovely guy. Clearly loves the club and the fans. So it pains me to say, but his ability to deal with crosses costs us a significant number of goals each season. If you were a manager you would be looking to do something about it, no matter how much of a lovely human being he seems to be.

Having said that, the defence were culpable in the goals as well, obviously.

I absolutely get the loyalty to Macca but we’ve got an excellent and exciting squad that, with a couple of additions, could challenge this season. The last thing we want is to give away cheap goals. I accept that he wasn’t directly at fault with any of the goals today but his indecision on crosses was very evident today. We need better.

Against one of the favorites for promotion (Stockport) we keep a clean sheet, four days later we conceed 3 against a side that had scored 1 before today, Its a mystery.

Cannot afford to be giving teams chances to get back into a game we controlled until their goal, lucky today it was Barnet we were playing,
Team showed great spirit to get level, but the desire to get all 3 points and not settle for a draw, is the most pleasing aspect for me.

Like everyone has said been here 10 years, good shot stopper, never been good at coming for crosses or commanding his area.
Not sure why this has never been resolved, give him a copy of a video of Dave Beasant to watch.

But we won in front of a big crowd, entertaining game, you got your moneys worth, sit down enjoy a beer or two tonight.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I know things are going well, but aren’t we allowed an opinion? That performance against a better team would cost us points.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but why not save your negativity for a game when he does cost us points ?

The team are on a bit of a high after recent results, why post something that could affect it ?

Quoted from Harry Haddock

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, but why save your negativity for a game when he does cost us points ?

The team are on a bit of a high after recent results, why post something that could affect it ?

If they’re reading this tonight then they need to get a life 🤔🤨

Newsflash ! Your comments will this be here in the morning  

I don't think there's anything wrong with someone airing their negative opinion or constructive criticism after a victory. Can't really have rules on when we're allowed to make negative comments. As long as its constructive or backed up by some reasoning, then I don't have a problem with it, and it can be debated rather than just shut down.

Quoted from Tommy

I don't think there's anything wrong with someone airing their negative opinion or constructive criticism after a victory. Can't really have rules on when we're allowed to make negative comments. As long as its constructive or backed up by some reasoning, then I don't have a problem with it, and it can be debated rather than just shut down.

Pretty much sums up my post. There’s no doubt in my mind that Hurst and Doig will watch that back and be concerned about what happened defensively today.

“Now for the negative bit”

Why? We’re unbeaten in 3 with two wins and a good away point at well fancied Stockport.

We went two goals behind and managed to pull it back and get a win. What does that say about this group of players and their attitudes…

5k+ for the second game in a row.

BP was rocking and there is a feel good factor around our club again.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re all entitled to an opinion but let’s just have a while to enjoy this after one of the worst years of our lives as GTFC fans - there will be plenty of time for talking about negatives along the way…

Bunch of drama queens. Don't spoil the positive energy bulllshit. As if anything OC could say should make a blind bit of difference to what any fan or player should be feeling tonight, no offence OC. Maybe everyone wants to line up and have a go at Hurst re his post match interview as well. He was quite scathing at times and named names. We scored four, great, we conceded three, not so great. Why not have a bit of a balanced debate on here like grown ups instead of behaving like spoilt three year olds..

Quoted from Bigdog

Bunch of drama queens. Don't spoil the positive energy bulllshit. As if anything OC could say should make a blind bit of difference to what any fan or player should be feeling tonight, no offence OC. Maybe everyone wants to line up and have a go at Hurst re his post match interview as well. He was quite scathing at times and named names. We scored four, great, we conceded three, not so great. Why not have a bit of a balanced debate on here like grown ups instead of behaving like spoilt three year olds..

Exactly. I’m as thrilled with today as anyone. I just think we can get better. We could have put them away 5 or 6 today, surely that’s a positive? I see a weakness, what’s wrong with calling it out?

Tend to agree re Macca and also believe Shaun should have done better in his challenge which led to the first goal and McAtee should have done better with when laying the ball off straight to a Barnet player that led to the second. For a change I sat in the Pontoon so can’t comment on what went wrong for their third.

But without their goals we wouldn’t have had the great drama and excitement so like 50 years ago the second home game was won 4-3, albeit that was a league cup game. Personally felt the defenders did ok but in the latter part of the first half they got on top in midfield and to be fair we’re fairly sharp with their passing and had a few decent players who caused us problems. Second half our midfield totally dominated and I can’t remember a game where we spent so much time in the oppositions half for many a season.

Still need a couple of players but a great match, good football and a late winner so pretty much a perfect afternoon.

Not sure what he was doing for their 3rd but the first two were down to poor defending and not Macca's fault.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I totally agree. Problem is that he’s quite slight in stature compared to many keepers, including Crocombe, and I worry that a more savvy team will work out that it’s a weakness. Yes, we had a great day today but we also got a bit lucky.

Slight? Are you kidding me?! That’s preposterous. Whatever we think of Macca, he’s an athlete and definitely not slight.

Whilst people are entitled to post what they like I think the bloke’s done enough in the last ten years to deserve a bit more respect. He started the season with two clean sheets and a very solid looking defence. There were various reasons in different areas of the pitch why we conceded 3 goals against Barnet but to single out Macca is baffling. There are very few keeper who command their box at all times and can claim the majority of crosses. Dave Beasant is the only one I’ve seen do it for town. For me it’s a cheap shot and strange to post something negative on a day of so many positives. I wouldn’t swap him for another keeper in the conference as didn’t see many better in League Two. Remember some of the jokers we had in goal before Macca and be careful what you wish for.

Talking about negative, I don't see any posts from Ipswin, realist et al.  Wonder why?

Quoted from 123614

Talking about negative, I don't see any posts from Ipswin, realist et al.  Wonder why?

In fairness to Swin, i did see him post on the match thread.

Yoda seems to have vanished though

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Exactly. I’m as thrilled with today as anyone. I just think we can get better. We could have put them away 5 or 6 today, surely that’s a positive? I see a weakness, what’s wrong with calling it out?

Perhaps it's the focus of your comments. I'll readily concede that Macca may have been at "fault" for the third goal. I was at the other end and like most people around me had no idea what had happened. I think you do Barnet a bit of a disservice. With 11 men they were quick on the counter attack and clinical in their finishing. Whereas we had four or five good chances in the first half which were wasted they scored two out of their three and had it not been for Macca it would have been 3-1 by half time. He shouldn't have been allowed to turn but their second goal was a brilliant finish. Their disciplinary implosion and our exploitation of the extra man won us the game but as an ex defender I'm sure Hurst will be looking at how easily the ball was crossed in for the first two Barnet goals as well as Maccas performance.

The question needs to be asked and I'm sure Hurst and his team will be asking it. How did we let a team that had previously scored 1 in 3, score 3 in 1?

I personally wasn't sat at the game thinking Macca was having a stinker, but I have thought in the past that he can be erratic to say the least. I think we have to understand that players at this level are not the complete article, but if Hurst has reservations about him, he won't hesitate in replacing him.

Nothing wrong with having an opinion and nothing wrong with airing that opinion, even when we have just won a great game. You don't have to wait for something to go wrong before you put it right. Being ahead of the game and forward planning is the key to success.

I feel we got what we deserved yesterday, but some refs wouldn't have given that pen and red card, so we'd probably be looking at a poor defeat and having a different conversation.

Quoted from barralad

Perhaps it's the focus of your comments. I'll readily concede that Macca may have been at "fault" for the third goal. I was at the other end and like most people around me had no idea what had happened. I think you do Barnet a bit of a disservice. With 11 men they were quick on the counter attack and clinical in their finishing. Whereas we had four or five good chances in the first half which were wasted they scored two out of their three and had it not been for Macca it would have been 3-1 by half time. He shouldn't have been allowed to turn but their second goal was a brilliant finish. Their disciplinary implosion and our exploitation of the extra man won us the game but as an ex defender I'm sure Hurst will be looking at how easily the ball was crossed in for the first two Barnet goals as well as Maccas performance.

This.

Quoted from ginnywings

The question needs to be asked and I'm sure Hurst and his team will be asking it. How did we let a team that had previously scored 1 in 3, score 3 in 1?

I personally wasn't sat at the game thinking Macca was having a stinker, but I have thought in the past that he can be erratic to say the least. I think we have to understand that players at this level are not the complete article, but if Hurst has reservations about him, he won't hesitate in replacing him.

Nothing wrong with having an opinion and nothing wrong with airing that opinion, even when we have just won a great game. You don't have to wait for something to go wrong before you put it right. Being ahead of the game and forward planning is the key to success.

I feel we got what we deserved yesterday, but some refs wouldn't have given that pen and red card, so we'd probably be looking at a poor defeat and having a different conversation.

This as well. Can I just point out though mate that ‘forward planning’ is a tautology. 😉

Look at the highlights.
First goal, man left with room in the box, good finish, down to the defender's.
Second goal, great turn and finish, no one could stop it. Defenders fault for letting the ball in the box.
Third goal, all eleven players responsible for that one, excrement all round.
Great save from Macca in the first half and everything else by him basically okay.
There are people who from day took against Macca and are still about to this day.
They just can't fuckin help themselves.

Macca is Town through and through and is still our number 1.

I must have been at a different match didn't think Macca could have done much with first 2 goals and debatable if he could have prevented the third.. great save first half and played his part in previous two clean sheets..

Some people only happy when there moaning..

All players and keepers have a dip during a season and Macca will know if he’s not quite up to his best, but as we have seen before Macca will come back stronger and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends with the player of the year award again!

Quoted from chaos33

This as well. Can I just point out though mate that ‘forward planning’ is a tautology. 😉

*does some 'forward planning' and looks up tautology before answering....

Conclusion:- you are better educated than I am. I hit things with hammers for a living.  

😂

It is what it is......

For me......

1st Barnet Goal - Poor defending and the mid field went missing

2nd Goal - Same as the above

3rd Goal - Poor defending and yes Macca could have done better but so could a few others. The scorer didn't appear to have anyone marking him from what I remember.

Worth noting if Macca hadn't made that save in the first half it would have possibly been 4 - 4.

Odd that nobody is mentioning the relatively easy chance McAtee missed in the 1st half, surely it can't be one rule for one and another rule for the other can it? Of course it can this is the Fishy.  

In defence of all the players with the Ball Barnet looked decent and in reality Macca wasn't that busy so it's not all doom and gloom is it?

  

Regardless of this game I think the opinion of Macca will be divided between pro and anti. At this level it will be hard to find a better keeper if you look at his all-round skills. But , at the risk of getting shot down, he still shows the basic flaws in his game that he has had since he came here. His kicking distribution isn't great and he is weak in the air. His reflexes are very good and some of the 'reflex ' saves he has pulled off have been top drawer. Having said that he might only be called on to make that kind of save once or twice a match. His dominance in the air, though , is another matter. He could easily be called on to aerially (?) defend his penalty area many times in a match, both from free kicks , corners and open play. This is where he needs to be more dominant.

Quoted from rancido

Regardless of this game I think the opinion of Macca will be divided between pro and anti. At this level it will be hard to find a better keeper if you look at his all-round skills. But , at the risk of getting shot down, he still shows the basic flaws in his game that he has had since he came here. His kicking distribution isn't great and he is weak in the air. His reflexes are very good and some of the 'reflex ' saves he has pulled off have been top drawer. Having said that he might only be called on to make that kind of save once or twice a match. His dominance in the air, though , is another matter. He could easily be called on to aerially (?) defend his penalty area many times in a match, both from free kicks , corners and open play. This is where he needs to be more dominant.

I'm with you on this - I guess if he was as good on crosses as he is on reflexes, he wouldn't be here.

Given our unbeaten start, I might be being a bit churlish but I just see it as a potential weakness that might make a difference in a tight game. I understand that, for others, everything is currently beyond criticism.

Quoted from 123614

Talking about negative, I don't see any posts from Ipswin, realist et al.  Wonder why?

Posted briefly yesterday afternoon straight after the match, wake up you stupid old twit and get to Specsavers. Don't try to be clever doesn't suit you.

Also of course if I am not allowed to post negatively by those on here like you I sure as intercourse ain't gonna go berserk every time we win one.

At this level there isn't a complete keeper. You play to your strengths and if the keeper isn't dominant at crosses then you focus on your defenders winning them instead.

McKeown is criticised as having poor distribution and I admit he can't reach the opposite 18 yard box like Paul Farman can but it's definitely improved over the years and providing we have the right players in the team, we win our share of aerial battles from them.

If he had everything, he wouldn't be here but be careful what you wish for. Some keepers we had high hopes for in the past include:

Antony Williams
Nick Colgan
Tommy Forecast
Jake Kean

Before the ball goes past Macca (or any keeper come to that) there are 10 other players in front of him who missed getting the ball first. Why keep blaming Macca, he's not perfect but there are many that are worse.

Quoted from rancido

Regardless of this game I think the opinion of Macca will be divided between pro and anti. At this level it will be hard to find a better keeper if you look at his all-round skills. But , at the risk of getting shot down, he still shows the basic flaws in his game that he has had since he came here. His kicking distribution isn't great and he is weak in the air. His reflexes are very good and some of the 'reflex ' saves he has pulled off have been top drawer. Having said that he might only be called on to make that kind of save once or twice a match. His dominance in the air, though , is another matter. He could easily be called on to aerially (?) defend his penalty area many times in a match, both from free kicks , corners and open play. This is where he needs to be more dominant.

I agree with much of this but you've forgotten his 1 on 1 ability which is also fantastic as well as his reflexes. When teams send someone through on to the keeper against us I am far more confident they won't score than I have a right to be because of macca saving so many over the years.

On the other hand I think his ability against long distance shooting is a bit of a weakness but it was a fine low save yesterday.

His long distance kicking might be poor but his control and passing with his feet to defenders has improved considerably

Quoted from DB

Before the ball goes past Macca (or any keeper come to that) there are 10 other players in front of him who missed getting the ball first. Why keep blaming Macca, he's not perfect but there are many that are worse.

I, for one, aren't blaming Macca for any of the goals. I was merely joining in the debate about his short comings. In my post I clearly stated that he was a good keeper for the level we are now playing at.

Macca, like any player has short comings, when you’re a keeper they seem more prevalent.

We played to Macca’s strengths last time we were down here and I suspect we’ll do the same this year. I keep hearing we won’t do anything with Macca yet we lost on a penalty shootout in a ply off final which arguably should’ve seen the oppo goalie sent off, this making it a different game and then we were promoted. All with Macca. I know we lost pointless Trophy finals but nobody is really that arsed about them now.

Macca is decent for the level we’re at, saying he was poor last year is unfair when quite frankly, up until about February most of us would’ve seen every single player flipping sacked along with the flipping idiot that was in charge when the season started.

I don’t think Macca was at fault for any of the goals yesterday and to be fair, golden boy Mcatee gave the ball away for one and poor Crookes got rinsed all first half.

Keepers are always divisive I think and this debate will rumble on. Perhaps some folk expect more without realising where we are at or May be people just aren’t keen on him.

This debate will rumble on but those who seems vehemently against him are wasting their time…

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I'm with you on this - I guess if he was as good on crosses as he is on reflexes, he wouldn't be here.

Given our unbeaten start, I might be being a bit churlish but I just see it as a potential weakness that might make a difference in a tight game. I understand that, for others, everything is currently beyond criticism.

What should also be remembered is that some of his world class reflex saves over the years have also 'made a difference in a tight game'.

As several have pointed out - if he was as good at commanding his area as he is on shot-stopping , then he'd be playing 2 or 3 divisions higher.

I think over the years he's been great at reflex saves, but he's never commanded his area.
Having said that I haven't seen the goals against/for Barnet, where  can they be seen?

Think I've heard the same thing about every Keeper I can remember, at least while they are actually playing for us and probably from all the same people at the ground and on here. "He's a good shot stopper but doesn't command his area and he's crap on crosses" was also said about Welsh international Danny Coyne and Wembley double winner Aidan Davison when they were playing for us by groaning voices in the ground. Of course when goalkeepers leave like most other players they often become better in the minds of fans who probably moaned about them before.

It gets to a point where it feels like people are just repeating the same thing season after season and it gets boring because even when we do have a new man between the sticks they'll probably say the exact same thing.

Quoted from Kris2

Think I've heard the same thing about every Keeper I can remember, at least while they are actually playing for us and probably from all the same people at the ground and on here. "He's a good shot stopper but doesn't command his area and he's crap on crosses" was also said about Welsh international Danny Coyne and Wembley double winner Aidan Davison when they were playing for us by groaning voices in the ground. Of course when goalkeepers leave like most other players they often become better in the minds of fans who probably moaned about them before.

It gets to a point where it feels like people are just repeating the same thing season after season and it gets boring because even when we do have a new man between the sticks they'll probably say the exact same thing.

It gets to a point where it’s boring when you’re not allowed to have an opinion. Getting to the point where this board is so sanitised that it’s pointless.

Quoted from 123614

Talking about negative, I don't see any posts from Ipswin, realist et al.  Wonder why?

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

Quoted from MuddyWaters

It gets to a point where it’s boring when you’re not allowed to have an opinion. Getting to the point where this board is so sanitised that it’s pointless.

For a 'sanitised' board were 'you're not allowed to have an opinion' you have certainly managed to slip past the tyranny of the mods by stating your opinion a fair few times.

Quoted from realist

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

So why have you posted on here several times since the season started?

In the hope Hurst gets sacked.  No comments about the football

Quoted from realist

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

If you are a town fan then it's through "thick and thin" and not selective levels we play at. If you don't do 'non - league' then maybe it would be advisable to keep shtum until we are back in the league.

Not quite sure what went on with the third goal. The fact that their player was in so much space to chest it in (though it might have been on its way already) would tend to indicate it wasn't just McKeown who wasn't in the right position. I'd need to see it again to see whether it was just a freak goal or not. He didn't have much chance with the first two. On the odd occasion that we face a keeper who is good at kicking (last week, for example), you can see where McKeown is lacking, but he's not exactly Jim Leighton on the kicking front. As always, he'll win us more points than he loses us this season.

For me, one weakness in the team (other than the lack of obvious goal threat from a number of the attacking players) is the relative lack of pace at the back. I think the central defenders are quick enough in general but Crookes looks  perhaps a little slow for a full-back and Efete is fast enough, but not exactly quick. I think we'll face a few teams like Barnet with quick wingers and forwards who will cause us problems this year. We just need to make sure that we score enough goals at the other end.

I have been impressed with Efete in his footballing ability. A decent passer and very confident in possession with good close control. He's forming a good relationship with Sousa and McAtee and Hunt in midfield with some slick interchanges which will create plenty of attacking opportunities. I do think he needs to work on his crossing, however, as I'd have hoped for better from some of the opportunities our good play created. Crookes more a steady-Eddie type on the other side who will never set the world on fire, but is unlikely to let you down too often. You'd be hoping for Revan to make a challenge for the position as the season continues and he settles in at the club.

I do hope that Hurst has a striker or two lined up to arrive soon as relying on Taylor with no other option available is a real risk. Hopefully, LJL won't be out of action too long.

Quoted from realist

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

But you've posted again about a non league manager!

Quoted from realist

In the hope Hurst gets sacked.  No comments about the football

🛎🔚

Always makes me laugh when people post a controversial opinion and then moan about being criticised.  There's not a great deal of moderation on this forum - other than overt racism, anything goes.  So yes, you're allowed an opinion.

If you're going to single out a player, articulate your criticism constructively and be prepared to defend your point of view.  

On Macca, everyone knows his weaknesses and it's unlikely that he'll rectify them now.  I still think he's a very capable player at this level, but if Hurst were to find someone more reliable, he'd drop him.

Quoted from Maringer

I have been impressed with Efete in his footballing ability. A decent passer and very confident in possession with good close control. He's forming a good relationship with Sousa and McAtee and Hunt in midfield with some slick interchanges which will create plenty of attacking opportunities. I do think he needs to work on his crossing, however, as I'd have hoped for better from some of the opportunities our good play created. Crookes more a steady-Eddie type on the other side who will never set the world on fire, but is unlikely to let you down too often. You'd be hoping for Revan to make a challenge for the position as the season continues and he settles in at the club.

It's all about opinions isn't it.

Effete is tremendously big and strong for a full back, you can see he could play on the right of a back 3, and has an engine on him. For me Hurst is picking him cos of the physicality he offers ta the back and the ability to get up and down the side of the pitch.  But in quality such as passing and technique he is sorely lacking. As you say, not particularly quick either. He does look better with sousa in front of him meaning be can leave the quality to him, rather than have to beat a man or provide the final ball himself, which he struggles to do.

Just seen their 3rd. Surely nobody can defend McKeown when their player is chesting the ball in from 1(one) yard out in the middle of the goal?

Quoted from ska face

Just seen their 3rd. Surely nobody can defend McKeown when their player is chesting the ball in from 1(one) yard out in the middle of the goal?

It's at the far post. Efete or Waterfall should have dealt with that one.

Quoted from Ipswin

Posted briefly yesterday afternoon straight after the match, wake up you stupid old twit and get to Specsavers. Don't try to be clever doesn't suit you.

Also of course if I am not allowed to post negatively by those on here like you I sure as intercourse ain't gonna go berserk every time we win one.

Haha you're a joke.  No one said you wasn't allowed to post.

Quoted from realist

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

A real fan then!

Quoted from realist

In the hope Hurst gets sacked.  No comments about the football

HAHAHAHA!

Quoted from MarinerDevil

Always makes me laugh when people post a controversial opinion and then moan about being criticised.  There's not a great deal of moderation on this forum - other than overt racism, anything goes.  So yes, you're allowed an opinion.

If you're going to single out a player, articulate your criticism constructively and be prepared to defend your point of view.  

On Macca, everyone knows his weaknesses and it's unlikely that he'll rectify them now.  I still think he's a very capable player at this level, but if Hurst were to find someone more reliable, he'd drop him.

Maybe we have someone more reliable already at the club?

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It's at the far post. Efete or Waterfall should have dealt with that one.

Are you real?

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/wvgX0ND2/A85-F2582-E5-F2-441-D-A923-13-E6-D744-C77-E.jpg[/img]


Why would any defender be expected to be stood on the goal line to deal with a looping flick on? Starting to see how Fenty managed 20 years unchallenged at the club when people will ignore objective reality.

Quoted from ska face

Are you real?

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/wvgX0ND2/A85-F2582-E5-F2-441-D-A923-13-E6-D744-C77-E.jpg[/img]


Why would any defender be expected to be stood on the goal line to deal with a looping flick on? Starting to see how Fenty managed 20 years unchallenged at the club when people will ignore objective reality.

[img]https://i.postimg.cc/Xqk24yT7/Screenshot-20210906-105329.png[/img]

So in the time it’s taken the ball to travel 40 yards, McKeown’s managed, what, 2?

Come on.

Quoted from ska face

So in the time it’s taken the ball to travel 40 yards, McKeown’s managed, what, 2?

Come on.

He has to be at the near post for the flick on. He doesn't come out of it totally innocent but between Efete, Waterfall and McKeown that was very preventable.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

He has to be at the near post for the flick on. He doesn't come out of it totally innocent but between Efete, Waterfall and McKeown that was very preventable.

I’d go with this. I don’t think McKeown is blameless, he doesn’t really react to the ball looping over his head, but as you can see from the above screencap Efete is with Widdowson, and then all of a sudden he isn’t.

It’s a bit of a freak goal but made possible by both goalkeeper and defender switching off for a split second. Both were at fault.

I thought all 3 Barnet goals were avoidable.  Sloppy and static defending.  Two days after the excitement of the game have died down these are things we need addressing.  It's no good having two solid displays and then go to bits at crucial stages.  Make no mistake, that could have cost us on Saturday and if we don't sort it out, it will end up costing us in the future.

Be it McKeown or anyone else, no-one should be exempt from judgement or comment.  I personally thought it was a typical McKeown performance.  One extreme to the other, a very smart save in the first half and then a period of 15 minutes where he seems to get the jitters and is rooted to his line with fear of crosses.  The third goal is just an almighty intercourse up by everyone, but before that he had got caught in no mans land a few times on crosses which seemed to both install fear in the defence and give Barnet encouragement to lob crosses in too.

I like McKeown and I think he's been an outstanding servant to the club.  I love his passion and can quite clearly see that he holds the club very close to this heart.  But if we take those factors out of it and if he was a new face to the club who had arrived in the summer, I wonder how much more criticism he would take.

I liked the look of the Kiwi 'keeper from what I say at Boston and wouldn't object to him getting a run in the first team.  I know McKeown is established as first choice but be it a goalkeeper or a centre-forward, no-one should be guaranteed a spot and whilst a mistake doesn't justify losing your place it should always come down to who is the best man for the job at that time.

Looking at how we have set-up in the first two home games, it looks to be like we're a team who want to distribute the ball well with a mixture of direct play and then quick counter attacking type which utilises the pace and energy from wide.  Added to that the league, whilst not as direct as 6 years ago, is still reliant on a lot of crosses getting lobbed in from opposition sides.  The question, to my mind anyway, is who will suit the team the best out of the two 'keepers.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I thought all 3 Barnet goals were avoidable.  Sloppy and static defending.  Two days after the excitement of the game have died down these are things we need addressing.  It's no good having two solid displays and then go to bits at crucial stages.  Make no mistake, that could have cost us on Saturday and if we don't sort it out, it will end up costing us in the future.

Be it McKeown or anyone else, no-one should be exempt from judgement or comment.  I personally thought it was a typical McKeown performance.  One extreme to the other, a very smart save in the first half and then a period of 15 minutes where he seems to get the jitters and is rooted to his line with fear of crosses.  The third goal is just an almighty intercourse up by everyone, but before that he had got caught in no mans land a few times on crosses which seemed to both install fear in the defence and give Barnet encouragement to lob crosses in too.

I like McKeown and I think he's been an outstanding servant to the club.  I love his passion and can quite clearly see that he holds the club very close to this heart.  But if we take those factors out of it and if he was a new face to the club who had arrived in the summer, I wonder how much more criticism he would take.

I liked the look of the Kiwi 'keeper from what I say at Boston and wouldn't object to him getting a run in the first team.  I know McKeown is established as first choice but be it a goalkeeper or a centre-forward, no-one should be guaranteed a spot and whilst a mistake doesn't justify losing your place it should always come down to who is the best man for the job at that time.

Looking at how we have set-up in the first two home games, it looks to be like we're a team who want to distribute the ball well with a mixture of direct play and then quick counter attacking type which utilises the pace and energy from wide.  Added to that the league, whilst not as direct as 6 years ago, is still reliant on a lot of crosses getting lobbed in from opposition sides.  The question, to my mind anyway, is who will suit the team the best out of the two 'keepers.

I think macca saves us more points in great saves than he costs  in goals from crosses etc. BUT a more relevant question leading on from your post is does he impact the rest of the team. I think we end up with bigger slower centre halves because we need that aerial dominance due to macca, and effete and crookes likewise are big and strong for fill backs but poor in terms of quality going forward. I suspect that they might also be in the team cos of this extra aerial support they give for crosses and free kicks etc.

Efette has looked dodgy to me defensively too though, this being another example (but macca shares responsibility, waterfall too probably) although crookes looked sloppy in this game.

Quoted from toontown

I think macca saves us more points in great saves than he costs  in goals from crosses etc. BUT a more relevant question leading on from your post is does he impact the rest of the team. I think we end up with bigger slower centre halves because we need that aerial dominance due to macca, and effete and crookes likewise are big and strong for fill backs but poor in terms of quality going forward. I suspect that they might also be in the team cos of this extra aerial support they give for crosses and free kicks etc.

Efette has looked dodgy to me defensively too though, this being another example (but macca shares responsibility, waterfall too probably) although crookes looked sloppy in this game.

Over the years the one position we have always had decent players during Hurst’s management is full back. Crooked reminds me of a younger version of Gregor Robertson as he lacks a little pace but feel under PH he will get stronger as the season goes on. Re Efette not sure I share your assessment as two clean sheets and two of the three goals came down the other flank on Saturday. Sure he probably could and should have done better with the third goal but not seen him get skinned yet and think as his confidence grows throughout the season I believe he will prove a great attacking full back.

Time will tell.

Quoted from ska face

So in the time it’s taken the ball to travel 40 yards, McKeown’s managed, what, 2?

Come on.

Yeah, but that's still twice as many yards as Waterfall managed at the same time!

After watching the highlights, I agree that you would have expected McKeown to deal with it, but then I'd have expected Waterfall to deal with it as well. Both had their divers boots on for that long throw. Widdowson just jogged forward and couldn't believe his luck. I think the flicked header probably would have gone in without Widdowson's touch as well.

Quoted from realist

I dont do non league. If you are happy with the poor standard of football, fair enough but I'm not

Yeah, because we've been absolutely spoilt with all of the superb football we've seen in League Two over the past few decades.

Looking at the You Tube highlights my opinion hasn't changed much,

1st 2 goals poor defending and Efete should have got closer to the scorer on both.

3rd goal their player gets the flick on from the throw despite 2 defenders going up for the challenge, Macca should have been more positive and again Efete should have got closer to the scorer.  

What the 8 mins of highlights also told me was that we played pretty well especially going forward and could have had at least another 2/3 with a bit sharper finishing.

Not all "negative" is it?

Surely - if we know the back 4 is lacking pure pace, and we have an inexperienced left sided young midfielder on the field, then we defend higher up in midfield areas, and give better instructions to an inexperienced player making his debut.

Efete looked like he was having to choose which player to follow, with limited support on that flank.

For their 3rd goal, defenders should go for the near post ball, and the goalie be further back against headers or deflections.

I wonder if their defenders are getting the same Barnet fan  forum roasting from Souza's play on our right flank.

Ok, we got away with it this game, and I am sure that those 3 goals will be on constant video replay to resolve positioning in future games.

Bottom line - we got away with it, so it's a learning opportunity !

By the way, wasn't Crocombe criticised for flapping at crosses in a recent friendly?

Our game against Wrexham a week on Tuesday will be interesting with their usage of the long throw in………

I don’t really get all the Macca bashing tbh.

First goal Pearson got done through his legs. There was a bit of luck seeing the ball ricochet nicely in to the path of the attacker but I don’t see what Macca could have done tbh.

Second was similar. Simple overlap but the forward received the ball with his back to goal and turned Waterfall nicely and somewhat unexpectedly and finished in the corner. Again I don’t see how Macca is to blame?

Third is a total excrement show. I think there were 4 defending that area where the ball drops from the throw and they all lose out to the (big) Bloomfield again. I think it’s fair to say Macca got caught on his heals because he wasn’t expecting it and maybe his positioning was a touch out and he could have been a couple of paces further back. Definitely not a bad enough performance to be racing to log in thefishy moaning about the keeper though after that gem of a match.

I remember under Buckley in the early promotions seasons he played two Keepers( Sherwood and Reece )  often rotating them.
I can’t remember if that was due to injuries or form or did he pick horses for courses ?
Would choosing a Keepers with different strengths be a good idea against different opposition?

Quoted from realist

In the hope Hurst gets sacked.  No comments about the football

Why don't you just f off and go support scunny, I'm sure they welcome you ...I'm not one for personal insults but I'm gonna make an exception with you .....f@cking moron