United 3 Worcester 0 - report

[William Henry Foulkes]

God knows. Unfortunately we do often seem to attract the idiot element in big games - last year it was flares at our home FA cup games that got us in trouble with the FA, despite warnings that we would be fined. I suspect a few got a little lairy when the bars stopped serving beer 20 minutes before the start of the game. That probably took them by surprise.

What took me by surprise was the really heavy police presence! Really? For a non league side? Full riot gear? On leaving the ground they were searching fans not getting on buses for railway tickets before they would let them walk back towards the station. Bizarre. Every blade fan we spoke to was great and we had quite a few handshakes after the match. One vouched us into the cricketers and another showed us to a pub in town showing Chelsea v Stoke. Good lads.

SYP - Justice with Courage. Aren't they brilliant?

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

haha the funniest thing was the steward lady who came onto our coach as we pulled in to greet us.. she asked if anyone had brought a flag with them but then if it was fireproof and did they have a fire safety certificate for it??!!

 

[Harry's Game]

haha the funniest thing was the steward lady who came onto our coach as we pulled in to greet us.. she asked if anyone had brought a flag with them but then if it was fireproof and did they have a fire safety certificate for it??!!

You mean you didn't bring one?? What on earth were you thinking of

 

[HillmortonBlade]

God knows. Unfortunately we do often seem to attract the idiot element in big games - last year it was flares at our home FA cup games that got us in trouble with the FA, despite warnings that we would be fined. I suspect a few got a little lairy when the bars stopped serving beer 20 minutes before the start of the game. That probably took them by surprise.

What took me by surprise was the really heavy police presence! Really? For a non league side? Full riot gear? On leaving the ground they were searching fans not getting on buses for railway tickets before they would let them walk back towards the station. Bizarre. Every blade fan we spoke to was great and we had quite a few handshakes after the match. One vouched us into the cricketers and another showed us to a pub in town showing Chelsea v Stoke. Good lads.

Just to reiterate Harry's Game we walked down past the away fans a bit before the match and thought that something must be cracking off as not only was a horde of plod, they were mostly being assertive/aggressive. Which was odd, because everyone else was just ambling about. Really quite surreal. Anyways, great turn out from your lot, and I look forward to visiting your (temporary hopefully) home ground to catch a match later this season when fixtures allow.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

she asked if anyone had brought a flag with them but then if it was fireproof and did they have a fire safety certificate for it??!!

Brilliant

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

next time I come to BL I'm wearing an asbestos suit!!

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Brilliant

Can't deny their self-deprecating sense of humour at least

 

[mosbolad]

So did I but then as this clearly/blurrily shows, as the ball was played/shot was mishit he looks like he's level with the keeper, and with the defender behind he's possibly onside.

View attachment 14313

Right Fatty! Just how many times do I have to click play before the bloody video plays!!!!

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

Just to reiterate Harry's Game we walked down past the away fans a bit before the match and thought that something must be cracking off as not only was a horde of plod, they were mostly being assertive/aggressive. Which was odd, because everyone else was just ambling about. Really quite surreal. Anyways, great turn out from your lot, and I look forward to visiting your (temporary hopefully) home ground to catch a match later this season when fixtures allow.

Hopefully we'll have an FA Trophy run because last year the deflation of that epic shootout defeat to Scunny made us flat a few days later vs Halifax and they weren't even that good!

You'll be welcome to come to a game at Aggborough, im sure you'll enjoy sampling the much touted food on offer

 

[Foxy]

haha the funniest thing was the steward lady who came onto our coach as we pulled in to greet us.. she asked if anyone had brought a flag with them but then if it was fireproof and did they have a fire safety certificate for it??!!

Commonplace in league football nowadays I'm afraid. All flags taken inside have to have certificates.

What took me by surprise was the really heavy police presence! Really? For a non league side? Full riot gear? On leaving the ground they were searching fans not getting on buses for railway tickets before they would let them walk back towards the station. Bizarre.

I was re-routed from my normal walk straight up Bramall Lane, they were allowing people towards the roundabout, but not the other way.

They did fail to tell people that, preferring instead to physically stop people who tried.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Right Fatty! Just how many times do I have to click play before the bloody video plays!!!!

At this link, none (for me anyway) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34757365

Otoh if you're trying to get that Blur-o-Vision screenshot of Freeman's offside/onside to play you'll get RSI.

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

fair enough...wasn't aware of that, but surely that just opens a can of worms to other potential flammable items even as simple as the fabric of your clothing in future hmm

 

[JohnDenver]

Not sure why I should change ratings massively based on opponents?

Of course you can do as you please, but ^^^^ that's not quite what I'm saying. It's not just the fact it was Worcester. It's the fact the midfield had the run of the place and yet only JCR broke out of a trot. The fact Collins' has so few challenges to win, or difficult situations to deal with.

The day we deservedly win a difficult game is the day I'd award 7s and 8s. But I don't write these reports.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

fair enough...wasn't aware of that, but surely that just opens a can of worms to other potential flammable items even as simple as the fabric of your clothing in future hmm

Also the way to deal with this is to communicate, rather than lie in wait trying to courageously steal flags off away fans.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

the midfield had the run of the place

Just for clarification: Whose midfield are you talking about here

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

I had been to BL before so I knew about the electronic ticket gates, I went to the England Legends XI vs Germany Legends XI game about 5 years ago and had a good laugh with your fans, wont forget them booing Bryan Robson every time he touched the ball lol

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

Just for clarification: Whose midfield are you talking about here

if you hadn't played JCR today then the final scoreline might've been pretty tight although maybe that's wishful thinking on my part!

 

[JohnDenver]

Just for clarification: Whose midfield are you talking about here

OK, after we scored the first it got roomier and roomier in there. Worcester started well but obviously aren't as fit as full timers.

Ironically the first time Coutts ever sprinted anywhere he got injured. Maybe that's why he never does it.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Pretty much a flawless report, I couldn't split Hammand and Coutts for ineffectiveness and would have rated them both a five.

JCR apart we are painfully slow and pedestrian. Not sure what Hammond is bringing to side TBH, hopefully Coutts' injury is long term and we may see players with more energy in around him, Reed perhaps?

Coutts is the best player on our books never wastes the ball and sets a good example on the art of keeping possession. We need him to stay fit as the team will need his ability as the season developes he will dictate games and we should build the team round him at times he reminds me of
Glyn Hodges with his languid style he has quality written all over him. Anyone who thinks he can't playdon't
understand the game. Hopefully he will stay fit and we can build. around him.

 

[Harry's Game]

Coutts is the best player on our books never wastes the ball and sets a good example on the art of keeping possession. We need him to stay fit as the team will need his ability as the season developes he will dictate games and we should build the team round him at times he reminds me of
Glyn Hodges with his languid style he has quality written all over him. Anyone who thinks he can't playdon't
understand the game. Hopefully he will stay fit and we can build. around him.

Glynn Hodges?

Have a word with yourself,

I know some people rate Coutts and others like me don't but Glynn Hodges was a completely different sort of player I am ....

Dumbfounded ...,

....that anyone could look at them and compare them in the same breath

 

[SB_90]

Good game adkins named stronger starting line up than I expected i thought 6/7 regulars then rest off the bench but you'd say only long was the player rotated, i thought we played well although there is the worry took us 81 mins to score from open play v a team 85 places below us & had really tired by that point,

ive got to give Credit to worcester city did very well, others disagree but i feel 3-0 was a touch harsh on them as it makes looks like we were dominant but they were init for 80mins caused us problems vincent & nti looks very good in attack. goalie was outstanding, few crosses at 1-0 had my heart in mouth as if 1 of their had stretched & got to that cross we couldve been looking at a replay. it was funny to read there forums as 1 talked about our defence was the big difference, which is a 1st for me because for the last yr ive seen sieves that are less leaky

but nice to defend our 34yr run into at least 3rd of the cup for another round at least

 

[UnitedBlade]

So did I but then as this clearly/blurrily shows, as the ball was played/shot was mishit he looks like he's level with the keeper, and with the defender behind he's possibly onside.

View attachment 14313

I'm not convinced that is the frame that captures when the shot is mishit back to Freeman.

I happened to be in line and he looked clearly offside when it was played back.

It's immaterial as the ref was looking at the Lino waiting for a flag and he wasn't budging. Nice to get a decision going our way.

 

[Rudders]

Glynn Hodges?

Have a word with yourself,

I know some people rate Coutts and others like me don't but Glynn Hodges was a completely different sort of player I am ....

Dumbfounded ...,

....that anyone could look at them and compare them in the same breath

I like Coutts and I think he is a decent player but...

Hodges played for us in the top League and was good - absolutely massive difference in standard. In addition to the skills and silky left foot he was an occasional international footballer, could head and was not super soft like our current players are. He also wasted a lot of corners, and had some of the best ever sending offs/fouls ever done by a Blade

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

God knows. Unfortunately we do often seem to attract the idiot element in big games - last year it was flares at our home FA cup games that got us in trouble with the FA, despite warnings that we would be fined. I suspect a few got a little lairy when the bars stopped serving beer 20 minutes before the start of the game. That probably took them by surprise.

What took me by surprise was the really heavy police presence! Really? For a non league side? Full riot gear? On leaving the ground they were searching fans not getting on buses for railway tickets before they would let them walk back towards the station. Bizarre. Every blade fan we spoke to was great and we had quite a few handshakes after the match. One vouched us into the cricketers and another showed us to a pub in town showing Chelsea v Stoke. Good lads.

Has been commented on before Stopfordian, probably an over reaction following the last home game against a team from East London.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I thought Coutts had a good game today, he tidied things up, just did the simple things and didn't give the ball away. I'm not sure what everyone expects of him.

Some say JCR "gave" the ball away a few times? Give me a break - how many times did he turn the full back inside out, create chances, put good crosses in, unlucky not to score twice? Obviously when you are continuously going at the defence, you're not going to beat them every time, even Messi gets tackled sometimes.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Yes. It looked a lot like we had done our homework and were targeting their right back. Jam warmed up with runs and crosses from the left - something we never do. He also played down our left all the first half without swapping wings, something else we never do. He had a field day.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I think we are going to have to get used to the Coutts/ Hammond pairing in midfield.

It's clear neither are box to box midfielders but they will always hold their positions in midfield, which is not difficult when they only populate half the pitch, maybe even a third of the pitch! I would imagine Adkins has made his mind up that Basham is not a good midfield player, either skills wise, strength-wise or positionally; nor is he a vocal presence. Even when we had Doyle last season we didn't have a partner for him to enable 4-4-2 and that has not altered. So I think Adkins has decided to protect the defence by blocking the way through the middle, not by hard tackling ball winners but just by two experienced pros who will hold their ground.

When we all do our player ratings and when Adkins does his player assessments, he will not be bothered if the pair score poorly each game, he'll be more concerned about getting clean sheets.

What the pair SHOULD bring to the party is controlled possession, often slow, often sideways and backwards, but nevertheless possession. If we can achieve some positive movement upfield once the players settle into a pattern of playing together then who knows how it can work.

What the pair will bring is the licence for at least one full back to join every attack. Their presence also means the other four attacking players have more freedom to attack because the system has permanent stability in the central area with the two plodders who never make the final third of the field.

Adkins has invested a lot of club cash and his reputation on his landmark signing Hammond. Now he's here he has to form a playing system to bring out his qualities, which are maybe leadership, brain engagement and positional discipline. Now he's seen him play in League 1 he probably realises he has slowed up a bit and has gotten used to playing at higher levels with more time on the ball in deep midfield and a system that allows for a midfield "sweeper". Coutts suddenly stood up against Fleetwood and I reckon the decision to play 4-2-3-1 was born that day. Ironically it protects Hammond but it also gives him a footballer who likes to keep possession alongside him.

I happen to think it might work but only time will tell. If Coutts is injured then maybe Reed will get the nod and he could stroll through that kind of role and even add more than Coutts offensively, but I think Adkins either doesn't rate Reed or he's protecting the young lad while the crowd is so agitated. Not sure whether Woolford can play there but there's the crowd thing to do with him as well.

The alarming thing is that if this is the new system there have to be doubts it work in League 1, even though it is used a lot at higher levels. It's mid-Novemebr and if it doesn't work and if we have committed to signing Hammond in January(?) where would that leave us?

There is also this "deep defending" with Collins in the side. It means the whole unit is too deep. Basham can add pace at the back but does Edgar? I don't think so. Kennedy would and Brayford ( that would be a shame). Without a "higher line" we are back to the Clough days of safety before entertainment and watching paint dry.

 

[Dnblade]

I think we are going to have to get used to the Coutts/ Hammond pairing in midfield.

It's clear neither are box to box midfielders but they will always hold their positions in midfield, which is not difficult when they only populate half the pitch, maybe even a third of the pitch! I would imagine Adkins has made his mind up that Basham is not a good midfield player, either skills wise, strength-wise or positionally; nor is he a vocal presence. Even when we had Doyle last season we didn't have a partner for him to enable 4-4-2 and that has not altered. So I think Adkins has decided to protect the defence by blocking the way through the middle, not by hard tackling ball winners but just by two experienced pros who will hold their ground.

When we all do our player ratings and when Adkins does his player assessments, he will not be bothered if the pair score poorly each game, he'll be more concerned about getting clean sheets.

What the pair SHOULD bring to the party is controlled possession, often slow, often sideways and backwards, but nevertheless possession. If we can achieve some positive movement upfield once the players settle into a pattern of playing together then who knows how it can work.

What the pair will bring is the licence for at least one full back to join every attack. Their presence also means the other four attacking players have more freedom to attack because the system has permanent stability in the central area with the two plodders who never make the final third of the field.

Adkins has invested a lot of club cash and his reputation on his landmark signing Hammond. Now he's here he has to form a playing system to bring out his qualities, which are maybe leadership, brain engagement and positional discipline. Now he's seen him play in League 1 he probably realises he has slowed up a bit and has gotten used to playing at higher levels with more time on the ball in deep midfield and a system that allows for a midfield "sweeper". Coutts suddenly stood up against Fleetwood and I reckon the decision to play 4-2-3-1 was born that day. Ironically it protects Hammond but it also gives him a footballer who likes to keep possession alongside him.

I happen to think it might work but only time will tell. If Coutts is injured then maybe Reed will get the nod and he could stroll through that kind of role and even add more than Coutts offensively, but I think Adkins either doesn't rate Reed or he's protecting the young lad while the crowd is so agitated. Not sure whether Woolford can play there but there's the crowd thing to do with him as well.

The alarming thing is that if this is the new system there have to be doubts it work in League 1, even though it is used a lot at higher levels. It's mid-Novemebr and if it doesn't work and if we have committed to signing Hammond in January(?) where would that leave us?

There is also this "deep defending" with Collins in the side. It means the whole unit is too deep. Basham can add pace at the back but does Edgar? I don't think so. Kennedy would and Brayford ( that would be a shame). Without a "higher line" we are back to the Clough days of safety before entertainment and watching paint dry.

Don't Walsall play 4231 Woody,they definitely have in the past..I think a few teams have used it at this level to be fair,MKDons for instance...I'm not sure I agree that Adkins has decided to settle on that formation,we mainly line up 442 and it looked like we started with with that on Saturday with Adams and Sammon up top,Couuts and Hammond holding as you say,flanked by Baxter and JCR...it more resembled 4231 in the 2nd half with Baxter in behind Sammon or was it 4411..we need Bergen to shed some light.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Now he's seen him play in League 1 he probably realises he has slowed up a bit

Good post.

All I'd say about this is that Baxter is a lot more mobile, energetic and committed this season - it's all relative I know.

And Coutts gradually seems to be picking up his level of commitment.

Hopefully (that word again) Hammond will come good after a run in the side. It'll be interesting to see if he plays on Tuesday. I suspect he will as it's more (relatively) competitive match time.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Don't Walsall play 4231 Woody,they definitely have in the past..I think a few teams have used it at this level to be fair,MKDons for instance...I'm not sure I agree that Adkins has decided to settle on that formation,we mainly line up 442 and it looked like we started with with that on Saturday with Adams and Sammon up top,Couuts and Hammond holding as you say,flanked by Baxter and JCR...it more resembled 4231 in the 2nd half with Baxter in behind Sammon or was it 4411..we need Bergen to shed some light.

From the start of the season Adkins has said he wants the players to be able to adapt to different formations in a match (three was the number mentioned - but it will vary).