Just back

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

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quoted from petethemariner

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

Fantastic jockey for Bryan smart

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

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

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

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

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

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

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