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Post by davidm on Nov 18, 2016 14:26:55 GMT
What do we make of this one?
Normally, 4th in the league at home to 9th in the league should be a home win but we have drifted into the lethargic spell that hit us in September.
We have somehow got to get back to first 15 minutes against Port Vale when we were unplayable. I still worry about how we will score. Defensively we are fine but scoring is a huge problem.
We usually do well against Millwall - except my 21st birthday when we lost 4-0 at home but that was a long long time ago!
I am going for a 1-0 win with fingers crossed.
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Post by greydad on Nov 18, 2016 20:22:19 GMT
Much will depend on the midfield available for selection...the defence seems able to look after itself, but if midfield misfires the team tends to struggle to create chances, never mind take them. It is to be hoped that the team will be on the front foot from the kick-off and not allow Millwall to settle into any sort of rhythm, and as davidm points out a performance similar to the first half against Port vale is what the team needs to aspire to. Whether or not Madine or Proctor can end their woeful form in front of goal remains to be seen, a goal from either of them would be a real bonus, albeit highly unlikely on recent evidence, but hopefully tomorrow will see a return to winning ways, however the result is achieved and whoever gets their name on the scoresheet.
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Post by whitesince63 on Nov 18, 2016 22:49:25 GMT
I agree, midfield needs to tick but surely we also need to make sure there's an outlet up front for them. I think it's also worth noting that against Port Vale, surely the best football we've played all season both Trotter and Derik were in the team and instrumental in the fast flowing football we produced. To drop Derik and push Thorpe back in was a major error by PP for me. Hopefully he'll be back in tomorrow and we can have a repeat performance. I won't comment on the Madine point I think everybody knows my view on him by now? I'm sure the boys will do it so I'm expecting a win but it will be a struggled one as usual with the defence seeing us through. 1-0 to the Whites.
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Post by OohMac on Nov 19, 2016 14:22:54 GMT
This site doesn't seem to be at all mobile friendly. Either saves when I'm not ready or deletes without saving. So the reason why I think we'll not win in in cyber space and I've no energy. Made that prediction before I knew Wheater was out so now will say with more conviction. 1-3.
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Post by davidm on Nov 19, 2016 18:54:30 GMT
A good win today – not a spectacular one but a good solid win.
I thought that we were a big side but Millwall were enormous. Beevers was dwarfed by their striker.
We were unlucky to lose Wheater to injury yesterday but also had some fortune in that Morison was injured beforehand and Gregory was injured early in the game so Millwall were toothless.
We had a quiet first 15 minutes but then Vela volleyed a wonderful goal and we were in control from then onwards.
The second goal finished the match and we played the game out well.
A good performance in a match that I was worried about. Let’s hope we keep it going on Tuesday against Coventry.
Alnwick - 6 Apart from one save late in first half, he had nothing to do but he it his nothing well. Kicking much better than last Sunday.
Wilson - 6 Steady. Decent defending. A couple of poorish centres.
Beevers - 8 Excellent again. He dominated the Millwall attack despite their enormous size.
Derik - 8 Very good. Complemented Beevers well and some really good passing. Interesting to see where he will play when Wheater is fit because he deserves to start a match.
Taylor A - 7 Good also. Some decent tackles and good link up play.
Spearing - 9 MOM Star man. Involved in everything.
Trotter - 7 Had a good first half despite his injury which he told the bench after 15 mins when Vela scored. They kept him on until half time and he did well.
Ameobi - 6 Took him 60 minutes to come alive. When he did wake up he turned Millwall inside out.
Vela - 8 Good goal and some very good link up play.
Clough - 7 Not as outstanding as usual. Bit too much out on the left which left Madine a bit isolated.
Madine - 5 He has a terrible job to do. On his own with little or no support but he really could not get hold of the ball today. He was battered by their 7ft centre half.
Thorpe - 7 Steady but then a good goal.
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Post by bonaparte on Nov 19, 2016 20:11:32 GMT
Totally agree DM, midfield much better with Spearing. Madine struggled against the big lads, perhaps it would be better not to go with a recognised striker (as Rochdale today) and include an extra midfielder. We might then not go for the long ball option as frequently, but put pressure on the opponants.
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Post by bonaparte on Nov 19, 2016 20:17:31 GMT
Joanna, where you there today, I miss your thoughtful comments.
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Post by greydad on Nov 19, 2016 20:21:29 GMT
A deserved win, and a good team performance....2 excellent goals, and if there had been a 'fox in the box' the margin probably would have been much greater. Spearing did indeed stand out in a good midfield , his anticipation and awareness were first class, and it was pleasing to see how well Derik slotted into defence..Wheater is potentially a big loss , but the back four did very well in his absence...it's good not to be worried about our full backs, Wilson was consistent whilst Taylor had a very good game. Madine ploughs his own furrow up front, with varying success, but never looked like getting into a goal-scoring position....I , like Bonaparte, also wonder whether an extra attacking midfielder might be as effective, but if defenders are occupied, leaving space for others, perhaps that in itself justifies the striker's role? Clough showed flashes of his ability to run at defences and survived a couple of hard tackles, Ameobi grew more effective as the game wore on, indeed at times late on he looked almost unplayable. Thorpe is a handy player to have, he is calm and effective in midfield and his headed goal was excellent. A shame Trotter picked up his injury, but a decent half from him, committed in the tackle and accurate with his passing. Vela's volley was superb, and he showed great persistence and energy throughout the 90 minutes. Alnwick was quick to throw the ball out to colleagues when possible, and should prosper behind the solid defence in front of him....good to walk back to the car with a smile again, here's to more of the same on Tuesday!
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Post by andyl on Nov 19, 2016 20:25:51 GMT
I think this was the most complete footballing victory we have seen this year. There were some dazzling Ameobi runs and lots of positive possession.
On the face of it the loss of Howard and Wheater should have made us vulnerable but in practice Alnwick and Derik were so quick and sure-footed that distribution from the back improved markedly. Spearing and Vela dominated their opponents throughout and first Trotter and then Thorpe ably prompted them. If Trotter was guilty of a silly booking Thorpe offered two crunching tackles to delight in, flattening Spearing to boot and it was great headed goal. Madine please note!
Our full backs improve with every game and Taylor especially is looking competent and classy. After the first quarter of an hour or so we became much more attacking and the fullbacks were integral
If we had a weakness it was upfront. The fans gave Madine a nice reception when he departed and he had held up a position well enough but he is no striker, very slow and just didn't get near to some good chances. Clough too if providing some good touches was a bit lightweight in general play and missed a good chance when firing at the keeper for the rebound that the offside Trotter converted. With more upfront thrust and calm I think we might have mustered four or five goals. That said Vela's was a splendid goal and lifted us all
I think we played really well today and Millwal did not get a look in! Selection issues loom because for me we need to use Derik as much as we can-his range of passing was impressive today as actually was his defending.
Alnwick 7 Wilson 7 Beevers 8 Derik 8 Taylor 8 Trotter 6 Spearing 9 Vela 9 Ameobi 9 (sheer brilliance at times ) Madine 5 Clough 5 Thorpe 8
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Post by thegrud1 on Nov 19, 2016 20:42:09 GMT
1st time we have put 2 good halves together,thought Spearing and Vela dominated the midfield ,hard to split them for M.O.M. ,Ameobi was on fire for 15 mins in 2nd half..a really good team performance . If we actually had a goalscorer we would walk this league...Madine and Proctor are just not good enough. Question.. when Pratley is fit where would he play?...would he get in team
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Post by andyl on Nov 19, 2016 20:44:20 GMT
I should perhaps add that Clough even if lightweight remains inventive and creative. His cross for Spearing's crossbar- rattling header was an assist and he singlehandedly won the corner Thorpe scored from.
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Post by greydad on Nov 19, 2016 20:55:58 GMT
I neglected to mention Beevers, he was his usual excellent self, and also showed great skill taking the ball past defenders into the box and forcing the keeper into a save.
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Post by Pedro on Nov 20, 2016 17:14:53 GMT
Definitely best game and real team performance this season, without the customary extended lulls and inviting opposition to score. Two decent headed goals now from Thorpe and Trotter and nearly one from Spearing.
This season we have had some great strikes from outside the box from Spearing, Vela, Ameobi, Wilson and one or two others I may have missed but NOTHING (decent shots or headers} from the supposed strikers.
Parky! Instruct and teach them all to strike the ball accurately and HARD and have a bloody go the split second they have a chance. I am certain a lot of the team do not have the technical knowledge of how to belt a ball accurately on goal. WHY?
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Post by westandlower on Nov 21, 2016 14:43:33 GMT
If you watched shooting practice before the game, you would see that it's not just match pressure that prevents them getting a shot on target.
Bury have shipped 10 goals in a week against Wimbledon. I don't think they paid anything for their strikers : Taylor, Poleon or Elliott and probably have the smallest budget in the division. 9, 9, and 6 goals they have this season (according AFC's web site). Proof that you don't have to spend or pay big money to get goal scorers in this division. Hopefully we can find a scorer to add to the squad in January.
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Post by whitesince63 on Nov 21, 2016 14:51:40 GMT
I agree Pedro, in fact goals and efforts are coming from everywhere in the team, including a near one from Beevers on Saturday and the previous stunner from Wheats, everywhere that is apart from Madine. Speaking to my Wednesday mates they reckon the only time he looked like a striker was the 19 he got under Megson, when by all accounts he was told to just run into the box and follow everything in. Clearly he's forgotten all that since but surely if Parky still thinks he's got it in him he should be doing the same instead of instructing him to just challenge for high balls which lead to nothing. It's frustrating really because I genuinely suspect that Madine has it in him to be much better than he is showing at the moment. Or then again, maybe he just got lucky once and really is the big useless lump he's proving to be right now??
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