Just Back  (merged)

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Mandron was a handful as well. I thought we got outmuscled a bit at times which is a rarity and it just felt flat on the pitch and in the stands. Still think there is a challenge to just find the right balance. Playing Richardson closer to Taylor is great but we missed a third man in the middle I thought.

Everyone seems to agree Morris and Holohan weren't at their best but maybe they just needed a bit more help. I wondered if a third centre mid to help them might have meant we didn't need Clifton's endeavour and maybe Richardson could have played off the left but looking to tuck in close to Taylor when he could. Do think Hurst has been considerably better this time around at solving these kind of problems and he's certainly got options in the squad.

Mandrom was essentially the sort of player who I was hoping we'd bring in.

Yes, he was very physical and downright aggressive but he gave our CB's more to worry about than anyone else has all season. Adelukan and Green also looked like they would be significant upgrades on what we have. In other words, I think they're an awful lot better than their league position suggests and I expect them to catapult up the league now.

Quoted from Hagrid

the bloke who spent half his time on his bottom? thought he was shite, quick and that was it

He got in behind Glennon 3 times in 45 mins yesterday, more than both of our wingers managed in 90. One he put in a ball across the goal which should’ve been put away, one he should’ve done better with and the other he was turned down what looked like a pen.

Quoted from pontoonlew

He got in behind Glennon 3 times in 45 mins yesterday, more than both of our wingers managed in 90. One he put in a ball across the goal which should’ve been put away, one he should’ve done better with and the other he was turned down what looked like a pen.

that was Adelukan who drifted over to the right side.

agree regarding the pen though.

Quoted from Hagrid

that was Adelukan who drifted over to the right side.

agree regarding the pen though.

I think that was Green the number 22 who was a constant danger in the second half though at it been windy he would have struggled to stay on his feet.

Not a very good performance at all, but a bit of an anomaly so not worth a huge inquest or any type of OTT reaction. As frustrating as it is, it happens.

Didn’t deserve to win the match last night but we definitely have it in us to beat the likes of Gillingham. Very disjointed performance from too many - couldn’t string two passes together for most of the game.

Worst thing for me was I felt we could have given Orsi a go last night for the last 15 at least. I fancy he could have got around the 6 yard box for one of those crosses fizzed across the goal.

I know we have a strong squad now and players are going to be disappointed to miss out on the 18, but I still think JMD is one of our best 18 players so he really should be on the bench at worst.

Also, the crowd seemed really quiet but I guess we weren’t left with much to make any noise about.

… and it was a nice touch having Lloyd sing before the game. I thought he did a great job.

Our passing was below par last night.  Too many first time flicks which did not come off.

Gillingham were a lot better than their record suggested.  I liked their inventive free kick just after HT from their right hand side,  everybody expecting a cross into the box.  They played it to the right wing and a fast low cross came in right across our goal. We could easily hav conceded.

Without McAtee we needed more invention to break them down.  We were struggling a bit before the late subs came on, who did not really improve things.  Hunt was bundled to the ground off the ball.

Maybe we miss McAtee more at home, than away,   when we should or are expected to take the game to the opposition.

Overall, a good start to the season with a game in hand and injured players to come back.  And above highly-fancied Stockport.

Quoted from HerveJosse

I think that was Green the number 22 who was a constant danger in the second half though at it been windy he would have struggled to stay on his feet.

He was like Kiernan, looked really good until he tried to pass and it was poor every time. He was fouled off the pitch, which I don't know what happens in that situation. The other one wasn't a penalty.

Every so often we need a reality check, and this was one of those occasions. A game we might have won with a little more luck, but one we could have lost too, with some hair-raising escapes in and around our box.
Perhaps the most memorable thing for me last night was the impeccable silence during the minute of respect for our deceased Queen. You could have heard a pin drop! Having been in Scotland last Thursday when she died, I have been a 'bag of emotions' ever since. The rousing chorus of the national anthem at BP was also quite stunning. Great credit to the 6000 who attended last night.

Nothing much to add to what's been said. I'm probably Smith's greatest fan but their big lad gave him a really tough time in the first half.
I might have missed it but don't recall seeing Waterfall's name in the credits list. For me he was immense-summed up by one minute after coming back on with a bandaged covered head he thumped a header in.
The silence before the game and Lloyd's rendition of God Save The King was probably the most moving event I've ever seen at B.P.

My reading of the games so far is that we have lost the cohesiveness of last season- probably due to the inclusion of too many new players at the same time. Glennon has yet to convince me that Amos should be omitted, especially as Amos delivered so many accurate balls for Waterfall last season but has not been repeated as yet this season. The midfield looks to be a bit tame and not setting my emotions on fire. As I've stated in previous posts fourth division football is not pleasing to the eye in general and Gillingham are a classic example of the rough and tumble style to be expected. Most definitely, we will see more of this type of match, and hopefully, Hurst will adopt a more aggressive approach. Pearson used to thrive on this sort of play yet seems out of favour currently. It's a long season and there's plenty of time-and players- to make positive adjustments.