Cheltenham Thoughts

[Cliff Pavilion]

Although it was encouraging to see Alan Wright play for them, thereby making our centre-backs and goalkeeper look enormous, it couldn't hide the fact that our defensive frailties again cost us two points tonight. Cheltenham were inept going forward and the only time we ever looked in trouble was of our own making - set pieces and three separate and woeful bits of defending that led to their goal. Clarke gives the ball away, a far from pacey and skilful winger manages to evade two or three men before releasing one of the slowest crosses (along the ground) you could wish to see. It evaded Flavs then Mulgrew and had just enough pace on it to reach their man at the far post before being tapped in.

Bailey was excellent again. Incredible work-rate, unlucky booking and a composed finish. He does misplace a few passes but that can be forgotten because of all the other good work he does. I'm struggling to say the same about McCormack though. I can't remember the last time he had a big (dare I say Maher-like) game for us. His completed pass ratio tonight was woeful and he picked up another needless and petulant booking.

RATINGS:

Flavs - 6 - Not a lot to do. Kicking poor again but wind didn't help.

Mulgrew - 5 - Involved a lot but still matches every good thing he does with a bad thing. Took excellent free-kick in first half which was closest we came to scoring.

Barrett - 6 - Exactly as we've seen him in recent weeks. Uncommanding but committed and strong.

Clarke - 5 - More errors than Barrett. Gives the ball away far, far too often.

Francis - 6 - Yes he made some horrible, stupid mistakes. But I like what he offers us in attack. Brings more to the team than Hunt does in my opinion

Black - 5 - Struggled to make an impact and was rightly subbed for Harrold.

Bailey - 8 - Head and shoulders above anything else on the pitch and covered every blade of grass on it. He gives the ball away a bit too much but if he didn't he wouldn't be playing for us. Outstanding finish for the goal.

McCormack - 4 - Poor. Gave the ball away time and time again and another booking in frustration. Personally, would love to see Maher partner Bailey for a few games.

Gower - 6 - Involved in a lot but couldn't quite make it tick. His first couple of corners were excellent - whipped in at pace - then that part of his game fell apart.

Barnard - 5 - Not much service so can't be too critical but he did give away a lot of cheap free-kicks. He's a finisher and he needs better service.

Walker - 6 - Looks lively and perhaps a couple of games under his belt before we'll really see what he can do. Made some good openings for himself around the edge of the area but never opted to shoot, passing out wide instead.

SUBS:

Harrold - 5 - Didn't do much for the minutes he was on. It was a shame to hear a (tiny) section of our fans booing him when he came on which was luckily drowned out by some loud clapping and cheering from others.

OFFICIALS:

4 - Unpredicatable and incompetent. Again.

CROWD:

A bizarre 60-strong contingent of teenagers were the most vocal for the home team. Five or six hundred Blues - decent turnout but pretty subdued, not helped by the team's performance.

All in all, a game we should have and probably needed to win. But, we live to fight another day. Night, night.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Harrold - 5 - Didn't do much for the minutes he was on. It was a shame to hear a (tiny) section of our fans booing him when he came on which was luckily drowned out by some loud clapping and cheering from others.

5 bonus points if you can guess correctly where those boos emanated from? :fury:

From the goals on SSN, it looked as if Barrett was horrendously at fault for their goal (albeit after Clarkey's mistake), get a f**king challenge in man!!!

 

[Ricey]

Was it me or did I see TrueBlue being escorted out of the ground before the game started??

I agree pretty much with your ratings although I thought Francis deserved a 7.

I thought we were all over them but we just couldn't score :(

 

[Sherif H]

Absolutely gutted at our inability to raise our game against such poor teams...5 points dropped in recent weeks against Millwall and Cheltenham who wouldn't have looked out of place in the Essex Senior League.
The one goal we do decide to concede from open play is also one of the most pathetic I have seen for some time...for me, Barrett should have dealt with the man responsible for the cross before he even had a chance to get to the byline....very disappointing result and very very lucky to get a point.

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

i thought we should have won today.....it will be this inability that will cost us in this league....

 

[canveyshrimper]

On the basis we have lost 13 games this season, I'll take the point away from home. That's 4 points from 2 away games which IMO is ok. We've probably drawn too few games this season and those odd points dropped will like as not prove costly come May.

 

[OldBlueLady]

If Macca's now reached his next ban perhaps when he comes back he'll stop pussy footing around people and get some decent tackling in. I have a strong feeling that it's this element that's been missing from his game recently - that and the inability to make an accurate distance pass.

So what do we think Tilly will do then? Bring back Maher, or put Moussa in? If it's the latter then I really can't help thinking that it is the end of the road for Maher. I don't buy this foot injury thing at all, not for the length of time he's supposed to have had it.

 

[TrueBlue]

Was it me or did I see TrueBlue being escorted out of the ground before the game started??

I agree pretty much with your ratings although I thought Francis deserved a 7.

I thought we were all over them but we just couldn't score :(

Yep I am sick of football

 

[SUFCLiam]

Flavs - 6

Mulgrew - 6
Barrett - 6
Clarke - 6
Francis - 7
Black - 5
Bailey - 8 man of the match again for me
McCormack - 6
Gower - 6
Barnard - 5
Walker- 6

SUBS:
Harrold - 5

 

[Irate Ian]

Maher, Moussa, McCormack & Bailey

442


IMO


Maher for holding role a la Roy Keene in his final couple of seasons at Old Trafford could work and solve more than one problem.

This means Maher not having the role of playmaker, in the midfield, which may be his problem with Tilly & Brush, since captaining/playmaking may be what he wants ?

Barnard & Walker up front.

Leave the defence as is.

Consider recall of No 1 [jury out on who is our most solid goalkeeper]

If Macca's now reached his next ban perhaps when he comes back he'll stop pussy footing around people and get some decent tackling in. I have a strong feeling that it's this element that's been missing from his game recently - that and the inability to make an accurate distance pass.

So what do we think Tilly will do then? Bring back Maher, or put Moussa in? If it's the latter then I really can't help thinking that it is the end of the road for Maher. I don't buy this foot injury thing at all, not for the length of time he's supposed to have had it.

 

[turkishm]

When this season is done with,and we are still in div 1, imo thats where we are going to finish up, please Tilson,deal with the open wound that is our defence. For at least two seasons now. its been obvious that Clarke and Barrett are not a good defencive partneship,and the release of Hammell has made matters worse. The goal conceded last night was just to sloppy to be true, and im afraid its displayes like that that are going to keep us down

 

[Cliff Pavilion]

When this season is done with,and we are still in div 1, imo thats where we are going to finish up, please Tilson,deal with the open wound that is our defence. For at least two seasons now. its been obvious that Clarke and Barrett are not a good defencive partneship,and the release of Hammell has made matters worse. The goal conceded last night was just to sloppy to be true, and im afraid its displayes like that that are going to keep us down

Don't necessarily agree with this bit. Mulgrew shares a lot of Hammell's quailites and draw-backs, there hasn't been a significant down-turn since Hammell left. What Mulgrew needs to cut out is his dwelling on the ball and release it quicker... With the right combination in the middle of defence and in goal, Francis and Mulgrew have a lot to offer the team I think.

 

[HawkwellShrimper]

Yep I am sick of football

Probably explains why the atmosphere wasn't all that? Why did they decide to kick you out?! Is that a new record? Geting kicked out before the games even started!?

 

[turkishm]

Don't necessarily agree with this bit. Mulgrew shares a lot of Hammell's quailites and draw-backs, there hasn't been a Assignificant down-turn since Hammell left. What Mulgrew needs to cut out is his dwelling on the ball and release it quicker... With the right combination in the middle of defence and in goal, Francis and Mulgrew have a lot to offer the team I think.

Post maybe a bit hard on Southend,because on the face of it 4 points from 2 away games aint a bad return. On the other hand, the goal we conceded made me cringe. But ha we are still in there,so lets give it a go. As for Mulgrew,well i dont see the games so i have to rely on other posts about him, but he doesnt seem to be putting two decent back to back games together.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

poor poor game for both sides. only bright spot was bailey. a game we should have easily won and deffinately 2 points missed out on. was quite surprised it wasn't a good atmosphere as we are usually very good away.

 

[Skyblue]

It astounds me why the players and management cant raise their game with an insentive of a playoff spot up there for grabs, especially against a side struggling at the bottom. Yet again we blow our chance to get a foot hold in the top 6 with another inept performance. It almost makes you feel that the players dont want the responsibility of playing in the playoff knock out and are holding back.

 

[leeblue]

poor atmosphere, poor performance, cheltenham are such a bad side we should be kikin the krap out of teams like that, too many wayward passes, Francis was terrible at times just when you think he gonna come good he dishes up some kak, Macca had a terrible game probably one of the worst I seen him play, even barnard was infected with the poop, but we can still make the play offs just need to tighten up

 

[Sherif H]

poor atmosphere, poor performance, cheltenham are such a bad side we should be kikin the krap out of teams like that, too many wayward passes, Francis was terrible at times just when you think he gonna come good he dishes up some kak, Macca had a terrible game probably one of the worst I seen him play, even barnard was infected with the poop, but we can still make the play offs just need to tighten up

As previously stated, its a testament to just how completey **** this league is that we can dish up performances like this so frequently and still be in with a shout of the play-offs!

 

[Swiss Tony]

Yep I am sick of football

Dont let the *******s get you down trueblue,you and all blues fans have our passion for football, the stewards have five quid an hour i know whos better off bloody high vis hitlers keep the faith

 

[rowhst101rhall]

We were the only side out of the two trying to play football, unfortunately our poor passing and distribution contributed to our failure to pick up the three points that were there for the taking imo. Sort that part of our game out in the run inand we have a good chance of making the top 6 imo. especially out of the top 7 sides, we are the team that has most games against those around us, therefore has the greatest chance to influence our finishing position.

Atmosphere wise it was a bit of a downer, but the one thing everyone present displays by making it to Cheltenham on a God awful journey, both ways is a passion for the Blues. Whether that manifests itself in quietly watching the game, or getting verbal, in whatever manner, it is an expression of passion, and I have no problem however that passion is expressed. Remove the passion and you kill football as we know in this country.