davewebbsbrain
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I must be one of the minority that loves a Roots Hall burgerVery good! But 'food' at Roots Hall? Is that allowed under the Trades Description act?
I must be one of the minority that loves a Roots Hall burgerVery good! But 'food' at Roots Hall? Is that allowed under the Trades Description act?
One word immense we look so much better with him in the sideWe had to drop out of going at the last moment so it was the radio for me. From what I heard Lopata was a giant in every sense of the word. So, for those that were there, how influential was he during the game?
We had to drop out of going at the last moment so it was the radio for me. From what I heard Lopata was a giant in every sense of the word. So, for those that were there, how influential was he during the game?
Yeah was impressed with Dackersā defensive side .. helped out a lot. Defensively on the whole we look so much better with Lopata alongside Hobson, who had another blinder. Itās interesting that we drop Powell and get 2 clean sheets. Better shape? Better ball retention? Coincidence?Yeah, I thought Gus actually pulled out of the challenge he was booked for, like he went to foul him and thought better. I wasnāt keen on the ref: fussy and too quick to give free-kicks for the slightest contact.
I was a little surprised Powell didnāt come on - I see his main use as being helping defending leads - but I suppose they wanted Dackersā height for defending set plays. Agree on Wreh but his closing down was still an improvement on Hyde.
Excellent summary, thank youSome thoughts the morning after:
This was all about the result. After playing well for an hour at Chesterfield and losing 3-2 to ten men, and then the feeling of injustice at the disallowed goal against Wrexham, we needed something to go for us, and it did as the assistant referee eventually got the refereeās attention to award the penalty.
In truth, we were the better side throughout, but we didnāt create a lot, especially in the first half when our best chances came from set-pieces. Thereās been plenty of talk about our lack of goals from dead ball situations in recent years, and I think some of that is because we havenāt had players willing to attack the ball strongly enough. With Åopata, GSM and - for the time being at least - Dackers, thatās not the case at the moment, and it shows.
I agree with one of the Wealdstone opinions earlier in this thread. They had some possession, especially in the first 20 minutes and then again late on, and they are a tight unit so you can see how theyāve picked up points so far this season, but I felt their final ball was too direct. It was as though they didnāt know how to break us down. Some credit to us, then, for not allowing them to get the ball down until they had a numerical advantage.
GSM was possibly on course to be MotM until getting himself stupidly sent off for a needless second yellow card. The referee was consistent in his application of the Laws and he shouldāve been a bit more alert to that. Until then heād earned the penalty and been a real threat down the right.
In fact, there were so many free-kicks and cause to bring back play in what wasnāt a dirty game that it really affected our fluency. We didnāt express ourselves as we have in other matches this season, but that was at least partly because we couldnāt build any momentum. Conversely, once going 1-0 up, we managed the game well, not allowing Wealdstone to get on top of us. Powell wouldāve been an ideal second-half introduction to run at the hosts and earn free-kicks, but GSMās dismissal compromised that.
Mooney is a conundrum for me. Heās clearly one of, if not the, most talented player weāve got, but I donāt think heās suited to the role behind two forwards. He doesnāt influence the game enough from there and when he drifts out to the right, which is where he wants to be, he canāt whip crosses in as easily as if he drifted to the left. Fonguck would seem to be a better fit in this formation, which clearly has itās merits in bolstering the midfield.
Hyde wasnāt very effectual. It was the first time Iāve seen him over a prolonged period; I think itās likely heāll get into good positions and score some goals for us, but Iām not sure who he is going to link up best with. Possibly Cardwell will be that player once fit. Dackers took his penalty well, and he worked incredibly hard defensively in the closing stages. Also hit the crossbar with a header, but there was one moment in the first half when he couldāve tested the goalkeeper but seemed to completely misjudge a good cross when in space in the penalty area.
Husin and Miley worked hard in midfield and it was impressive that we didnāt get over-run in midfield even when Mooney was withdrawn for Demetriou for the last ten-plus minutes when down to ten men.
Defensively we look so solid now. Lopata does make a massive difference as the leader of the back-line, and I think thatās having a huge influence on Andeng Ndi. Collinās confidence levels must be shooting up with these clean sheets and with a run of games in the team, and he made a smart save from a deflected shot, punched out everything delivered into the six-yard box and swept up everything on the edge of the penalty area. Heās starting to look like he belongs in this team, not just a stop-gap, in my opinion.
Hobson, again, was absolutely outstanding and is another to benefit from Åopataās leadership and organisation, even if his fine performances pre-date the Polish playerās arrival this season. His decision-making is much-improved; there were a few times when he was under pressure that in the last heādāve dawdled on the ball and perhaps hit caught, but heās not afraid now to clear long of out of play.
Ralph is also an asset out on the left, but he doesnāt get as much support from Kensdale as GSM gets from Hobson. I still think Kensdaleās place in the team is vulnerable, and Lomas must be eager to earn his place back in the side. Heās not doing much wrong, but he doesnāt look as imposing as his team-mates in the role heās playing. Itās a nice situation for the management team to have.
And, finally, a word for the management team. You could see the passion on their faces at the end of the game. It meant a lot to them. Hopefully this is the start of a really good run for us.
Totally agree with that, but I did think we were a bit subdued yesterday, certainly up until we scored.Have to say as has already been mention the away support this club gets is bloody amazing considering how far down this club has fallen.
Taking 1100 fans yesterday to such a tinpot awful ground is bloody amazing and must give the player such a buzz to play in front off..
We have such a loyal fan base and its makes me proud to see every time I go away..
Agree, but with Dackers and Hyde now here and fit and Murphy and Cardwell to come back, Iām confident that will sort itself out. If we can get Murphy fit I can see him scoring an absolute hatful with the chances weāve been creating of late.Just 9 goals scored ! There's your problem - stating the bleeding obvious I know !
Lack of the drumTotally agree with that, but I did think we were a bit subdued yesterday, certainly up until we scored.
Not sure why that would be, crap view perhaps?
things I found out yesterday about wealdstone....you need a 4000 capacity to be fit for NL football. The council haven't renewed or renegotiated they're 10 yr lease so they are hamstring in developing the ground and could need to look for another. They don't even have sprinklers. The pitch is watered by 3 hoses, which is why it was so dry.@Shrimper my understanding is the ground is very much a slow work in progress and kept to a sustainable budget based on a low regular home attendance of about 1000 on a good gate.
As a viewing platform it must be ranked as bottom or close to that in the NL. The changing rooms and "dugout" technical area ? must be grim on a wet, windy, February game?
This is where we are at, unfortunately.
I doubt the ground would pass as fit for FL.
It's estimated there were around 1100. No official figure was given.Away support looked great, do we know away numbers for yesterday at all ?
Just read this for those who didnāt goSome thoughts the morning after:
This was all about the result. After playing well for an hour at Chesterfield and losing 3-2 to ten men, and then the feeling of injustice at the disallowed goal against Wrexham, we needed something to go for us, and it did as the assistant referee eventually got the refereeās attention to award the penalty.
In truth, we were the better side throughout, but we didnāt create a lot, especially in the first half when our best chances came from set-pieces. Thereās been plenty of talk about our lack of goals from dead ball situations in recent years, and I think some of that is because we havenāt had players willing to attack the ball strongly enough. With Åopata, GSM and - for the time being at least - Dackers, thatās not the case at the moment, and it shows.
I agree with one of the Wealdstone opinions earlier in this thread. They had some possession, especially in the first 20 minutes and then again late on, and they are a tight unit so you can see how theyāve picked up points so far this season, but I felt their final ball was too direct. It was as though they didnāt know how to break us down. Some credit to us, then, for not allowing them to get the ball down until they had a numerical advantage.
GSM was possibly on course to be MotM until getting himself stupidly sent off for a needless second yellow card. The referee was consistent in his application of the Laws and he shouldāve been a bit more alert to that. Until then heād earned the penalty and been a real threat down the right.
In fact, there were so many free-kicks and cause to bring back play in what wasnāt a dirty game that it really affected our fluency. We didnāt express ourselves as we have in other matches this season, but that was at least partly because we couldnāt build any momentum. Conversely, once going 1-0 up, we managed the game well, not allowing Wealdstone to get on top of us. Powell wouldāve been an ideal second-half introduction to run at the hosts and earn free-kicks, but GSMās dismissal compromised that.
Mooney is a conundrum for me. Heās clearly one of, if not the, most talented player weāve got, but I donāt think heās suited to the role behind two forwards. He doesnāt influence the game enough from there and when he drifts out to the right, which is where he wants to be, he canāt whip crosses in as easily as if he drifted to the left. Fonguck would seem to be a better fit in this formation, which clearly has itās merits in bolstering the midfield.
Hyde wasnāt very effectual. It was the first time Iāve seen him over a prolonged period; I think itās likely heāll get into good positions and score some goals for us, but Iām not sure who he is going to link up best with. Possibly Cardwell will be that player once fit. Dackers took his penalty well, and he worked incredibly hard defensively in the closing stages. Also hit the crossbar with a header, but there was one moment in the first half when he couldāve tested the goalkeeper but seemed to completely misjudge a good cross when in space in the penalty area.
Husin and Miley worked hard in midfield and it was impressive that we didnāt get over-run in midfield even when Mooney was withdrawn for Demetriou for the last ten-plus minutes when down to ten men.
Defensively we look so solid now. Lopata does make a massive difference as the leader of the back-line, and I think thatās having a huge influence on Andeng Ndi. Collinās confidence levels must be shooting up with these clean sheets and with a run of games in the team, and he made a smart save from a deflected shot, punched out everything delivered into the six-yard box and swept up everything on the edge of the penalty area. Heās starting to look like he belongs in this team, not just a stop-gap, in my opinion.
Hobson, again, was absolutely outstanding and is another to benefit from Åopataās leadership and organisation, even if his fine performances pre-date the Polish playerās arrival this season. His decision-making is much-improved; there were a few times when he was under pressure that in the last heādāve dawdled on the ball and perhaps hit caught, but heās not afraid now to clear long of out of play.
Ralph is also an asset out on the left, but he doesnāt get as much support from Kensdale as GSM gets from Hobson. I still think Kensdaleās place in the team is vulnerable, and Lomas must be eager to earn his place back in the side. Heās not doing much wrong, but he doesnāt look as imposing as his team-mates in the role heās playing. Itās a nice situation for the management team to have.
And, finally, a word for the management team. You could see the passion on their faces at the end of the game. It meant a lot to them. Hopefully this is the start of a really good run for us.
Wealdstone are a proper club with a rich history; itās just that that history is in non-league football. Ideally, Iām sure they wouldnāt be playing at Grosvenor Vale, but itās a quirky little ground that serves their needs, by and large, at the current time.Great summary Exiled Shrimper. I thoroughly enjoyed the day obviously because we won. But I loved what Wealdstone have. Great friendly stewards, awful but it is what it is ground and tidy hard working team. If only sometimes they had not overplayed or not taken a second touch and put their foot through the ball we might have been in trouble. Few teams will come away with 3 points against them but we kept a decent team very quiet.
Never seen so many police but they will never have had such an easy shift. Good to see some were so untroubled they watched the game.
By the way loved the correct spelling of Lopata with the crossed L. How do you do that.
I thought their stewards and police were spot on,it really does make a difference, well done WFC.Great summary Exiled Shrimper. I thoroughly enjoyed the day obviously because we won. But I loved what Wealdstone have. Great friendly stewards, awful but it is what it is ground and tidy hard working team. If only sometimes they had not overplayed or not taken a second touch and put their foot through the ball we might have been in trouble. Few teams will come away with 3 points against them but we kept a decent team very quiet.
Never seen so many police but they will never have had such an easy shift. Good to see some were so untroubled they watched the game.
By the way loved the correct spelling of Lopata with the crossed L. How do you do that.