Credit to Morgan

[cooperblade]

He's brought the passion we expected but I thought we saw signs of some tactical nous as well.

Donaldson was destroying us at will down our right in the first half. Rosler was playing him quite deep I thought which gave him the room to run into and made him almost unplayable. Heard loads of people saying 'who is this lad?' but I'm sure he's played at the Lane before and hasn't been half as dangerous (because he's been too far forward arguably which has negated his pace by removing the space).

Anyway, Morgan's decision to bring Forte on down the right played a big part in lessening his impact I thought. It meant we had pace from midfield to track with him when necessary but it also meant Brentford couldn't neglect the left hand side of their defence in the knowledge that they'd have time to get men back because of our lack of pace down that side.

But for Long failing to come and collect before the equaliser (and I hate to criticise him after another really good performance - it was reminiscent of the Exeter 4-4 mistake though) and a shocking decision to send off Maguire, we'd have got a great 3 points against, far and away, the best side we've played (this season and last).

I think at 11 v 10, we'd have been better able to see out the game and control the space. At 10 v 9, Brentford gambled and we struggled to deal with it. Easy to say we should've gone forward more but with the situation in the game and, more importantly, the season, I can understand why we tried to see it out rather than kill it off.

Not inconceivable that other teams will drop points but maybe the biggest damage last night will have done is make it incredibly difficult mentally to go and win at Portsmouth. I feel like we lost a play-off final last night and the players must be similarly flat. Massive task to now get them up for a game which human nature will make them feel no longer matters as much as it did.

If we do end up the play-offs, I wouldn't want to face Brentford. Hopefully they can pip Donny if we can't. I'd feel as confident as a Blade possibly can (i.e. slightly) about the play-offs if we were in there with Donny, Yeovil and Swindon.

 

[flash-blade]

Get what you're on with but, Forte is positionally enept, he gets wrong side, doesn't seem to grasp the basic concept of where he should and shouldn't be.

 

[super_pig]

Get what you're on with but, Forte is positionally enept, he gets wrong side, doesn't seem to grasp the basic concept of where he should and shouldn't be.

oh sorry.. i thought you were on about flynn.. at least he got a few tackles in

 

[Trigger Blade]

He's brought the passion we expected but I thought we saw signs of some tactical nous as well.

Donaldson was destroying us at will down our right in the first half. Rosler was playing him quite deep I thought which gave him the room to run into and made him almost unplayable. Heard loads of people saying 'who is this lad?' but I'm sure he's played at the Lane before and hasn't been half as dangerous (because he's been too far forward arguably which has negated his pace by removing the space).

Anyway, Morgan's decision to bring Forte on down the right played a big part in lessening his impact I thought. It meant we had pace from midfield to track with him when necessary but it also meant Brentford couldn't neglect the left hand side of their defence in the knowledge that they'd have time to get men back because of our lack of pace down that side.

But for Long failing to come and collect before the equaliser (and I hate to criticise him after another really good performance - it was reminiscent of the Exeter 4-4 mistake though) and a shocking decision to send off Maguire, we'd have got a great 3 points against, far and away, the best side we've played (this season and last).

I think at 11 v 10, we'd have been better able to see out the game and control the space. At 10 v 9, Brentford gambled and we struggled to deal with it. Easy to say we should've gone forward more but with the situation in the game and, more importantly, the season, I can understand why we tried to see it out rather than kill it off.

Not inconceivable that other teams will drop points but maybe the biggest damage last night will have done is make it incredibly difficult mentally to go and win at Portsmouth. I feel like we lost a play-off final last night and the players must be similarly flat. Massive task to now get them up for a game which human nature will make them feel no longer matters as much as it did.

If we do end up the play-offs, I wouldn't want to face Brentford. Hopefully they can pip Donny if we can't. I'd feel as confident as a Blade possibly can (i.e. slightly) about the play-offs if we were in there with Donny, Yeovil and Swindon.

I agree about not wanting to play Brentford in the play-offs, we could do with them going up automatically.

Wasn't it Long that gave the penalty away? Donaldson had lifted it over him, it was going wide, but Long took him out anyway. If I'm right, you could say that George had a hand on both their goals.

 

[DazBlade88]

I agree about not wanting to play Brentford in the play-offs, we could do with them going up automatically.

Wasn't it Long that gave the penalty away? Donaldson had lifted it over him, it was going wide, but Long took him out anyway. If I'm right, you could say that George had a hand on both their goals.

You are right, definitely Long that gave away the penalty.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

If we do end up the play-offs, I wouldn't want to face Brentford. Hopefully they can pip Donny if we can't. I'd feel as confident as a Blade possibly can (i.e. slightly) about the play-offs if we were in there with Donny, Yeovil and Swindon.

Brentford are certainly the best of the top 6 I've seen this year. I think what might be different this year in the playoffs is simply the player mentality - we can't have gone in there in anything other than a state of utter disappointment, both for the players and fans. This year, we've never ran away with the top two positions, and while it's still disappointing I think if we go in with some good form (positive early signs here), scoring goals, with the current group fit, we can go in with greater confidence than last season.

 

[Wards]

That said I feel much more optimistic about our play off chances that I did a week ago.

I couldn't see us scoring nevermind winning a game.

 

[Gavlar]

That said I feel much more optimistic about our play off chances that I did a week ago.

I couldn't see us scoring nevermind winning a game.

there will be some more twists and turns to come in this season, but youre right, no goals for 4 home games and now 4 in 2, much better!

 

[Ollessendro]

What's all this bollocks of wanting Brentford to get promoted etc. We want to get promoted automatically! It's out of our hands now, but we should show some fight. Morgan will pick them up for Sat-di. Plus we are playing a team that has just been relegated. He should be telling the lads this is an opporunity to thrash someone. We've just played 2 top 6 sides and done very well. Now let's go out and hammer one of the poorer teams in the league.

Waiting for Bournemouth to lose has the same feeling of waiting for the Pigs to fuck up last year. However all we can do is put pressure on. Bournemouth lost 4 in a row before this excellent run (9 wins in a row before that) so are not invincible. They are on fire mind (and it is difficult to see them not hammering both Carlisle and Tranmere) but you never know. We need to win our 3 remaining games, regardless. If we finsih outside the top 2, we go into the play offs unbeaten and having won 4 from 5. I expect Brentford to win on Sat-di, but then they play Donny final game. Donny may need a result from that or could be going for the title.

Football is a funny old game and you never know what will happen. I said all along that us, Brentford and Bournemouth would go into the last game with a chance of going up. I still firmly believe that. It may have come around in strange fashion, but I think it will go down to the wire. I expect a few twists and turns, but on Saturday the 27th at 2:59 all 3 teams will go into the game with a chance of finishing top 2. It may turn out to be another damp squib like last year (if Bournemouth win their final 2 games) but I expect it to be decided Sat-di week and not before.

 

[Micalijo]

What's all this bollocks of wanting Brentford to get promoted etc. We want to get promoted automatically! It's out of our hands now, but we should show some fight. Morgan will pick them up for Sat-di. Plus we are playing a team that has just been relegated. He should be telling the lads this is an opporunity to thrash someone. We've just played 2 top 6 sides and done very well. Now let's go out and hammer one of the poorer teams in the league.

Waiting for Bournemouth to lose has the same feeling of waiting for the Pigs to fuck up last year. However all we can do is put pressure on. Bournemouth lost 4 in a row before this excellent run (9 wins in a row before that) so are not invincible. They are on fire mind (and it is difficult to see them not hammering both Carlisle and Tranmere) but you never know. We need to win our 3 remaining games, regardless. If we finsih outside the top 2, we go into the play offs unbeaten and having won 4 from 5. I expect Brentford to win on Sat-di, but then they play Donny final game. Donny may need a result from that or could be going for the title.

Football is a funny old game and you never know what will happen. I said all along that us, Brentford and Bournemouth would go into the last game with a chance of going up. I still firmly believe that. It may have come around in strange fashion, but I think it will go down to the wire. I expect a few twists and turns, but on Saturday the 27th at 2:59 all 3 teams will go into the game with a chance of finishing top 2. It may turn out to be another damp squib like last year (if Bournemouth win their final 2 games) but I expect it to be decided Sat-di week and not before.

I think you mean all 4 teams will go into last day with a chance my old Mucker?

 

[Micalijo]

He's brought the passion we expected but I thought we saw signs of some tactical nous as well.

Donaldson was destroying us at will down our right in the first half. Rosler was playing him quite deep I thought which gave him the room to run into and made him almost unplayable. Heard loads of people saying 'who is this lad?' but I'm sure he's played at the Lane before and hasn't been half as dangerous (because he's been too far forward arguably which has negated his pace by removing the space).

Anyway, Morgan's decision to bring Forte on down the right played a big part in lessening his impact I thought. It meant we had pace from midfield to track with him when necessary but it also meant Brentford couldn't neglect the left hand side of their defence in the knowledge that they'd have time to get men back because of our lack of pace down that side.

But for Long failing to come and collect before the equaliser (and I hate to criticise him after another really good performance - it was reminiscent of the Exeter 4-4 mistake though) and a shocking decision to send off Maguire, we'd have got a great 3 points against, far and away, the best side we've played (this season and last).

I think at 11 v 10, we'd have been better able to see out the game and control the space. At 10 v 9, Brentford gambled and we struggled to deal with it. Easy to say we should've gone forward more but with the situation in the game and, more importantly, the season, I can understand why we tried to see it out rather than kill it off.

Not inconceivable that other teams will drop points but maybe the biggest damage last night will have done is make it incredibly difficult mentally to go and win at Portsmouth. I feel like we lost a play-off final last night and the players must be similarly flat. Massive task to now get them up for a game which human nature will make them feel no longer matters as much as it did.

If we do end up the play-offs, I wouldn't want to face Brentford. Hopefully they can pip Donny if we can't. I'd feel as confident as a Blade possibly can (i.e. slightly) about the play-offs if we were in there with Donny, Yeovil and Swindon.

Know what you are saying tactically, although Murphy also spent alot of time on right wing didn't he and created the goal brilliantly.

I think we all agree that Forte has ben spectaculalry shit - his main contribution last night being given awful free kicks away and blazing balls here, there and everywhere.

 

[sheepbridge]

I have to say, I do think Morgan deserves a lot of credit so far.

The performances have been much better than the previous home games, and credit has to go to the substitutions as well.

I can't believe some comments I've seen on other sites suggesting that Morgan should go now and he's cost us automatic promotion. Err, no, performances against Crawley and many others saw to that if we don't make it. I dread to think what the score would have been last night with Wilson in charge.

I have to agree that I seriously hope that if we can't get top two then we avoid Brentford. They were by far the best team I've seen this year. Strikers we very good, but their number 20 was excellent.

I also think Morgan deserves credit for his interview last night on Radio Sheffield. It was thoughtful and considered, taking the positives and things to work on. It wasn't just a 5 minute rant against the referee as an explanation as to why we didn't win which he could have easily and justifiably done, and would have happened in the past. I was most surprised and quite impressed and his persona was nothing like it was on the pitch as a player.

 

[IOM Blade]

But for Long failing to come and collect before the equaliser (and I hate to criticise him after another really good performance - it was reminiscent of the Exeter 4-4 mistake though) and a shocking decision to send off Maguire, we'd have got a great 3 points against, far and away, the best side we've played (this season and last).

Just seen the highlights on BP and there's no way George can come and collect for the second. Collins has a good 5 yard start and BWP flys past him, Collins the proceeds to stand still and let BWP just knock the ball straight through him in to the corner. God awful defending and absolutely criminal in the biggest 10 mins of the season.

Brentford's first was a defo pen, but Maguire's sending off was a shocker. Camera doesn't catch the alleged elbow on Kits.

 

[cooperblade]

I also think Morgan deserves credit for his interview last night on Radio Sheffield. It was thoughtful and considered, taking the positives and things to work on. It wasn't just a 5 minute rant against the referee as an explanation as to why we didn't win which he could have easily and justifiably done, and would have happened in the past. I was most surprised and quite impressed and his persona was nothing like it was on the pitch as a player.

I did like how he spent large chunks of the 90 minutes screaming at the Brentford bench to "fuck off" but at the end of the match made a point of shaking hands with every Brentford player and member of staff.

Classic 'battle through the game but it's all forgotten when the whistle goes' stuff.

 

[JohnDenver]

Just seen the highlights on BP and there's no way George can come and collect for the second. Collins has a good 5 yard start and BWP flys past him, Collins the proceeds to stand still and let BWP just knock the ball straight through him in to the corner. God awful defending and absolutely criminal in the biggest 10 mins of the season.

Brentford's first was a defo pen, but Maguire's sending off was a shocker. Camera doesn't catch the alleged elbow on Kits.

Having seen it once it looked like Collins was expecting Long to get there which is why he lost the chase. He was also caught flat footed by the goal kick coming straight back.

I was too far away to see if Long should have charged out, but given he was on a yellow I could understand any caution.

 

[ghandi]

Know what you are saying tactically, although Murphy also spent alot of time on right wing didn't he and created the goal brilliantly.

I think we all agree that Forte has ben spectaculalry shit - his main contribution last night being given awful free kicks away and blazing balls here, there and everywhere.

Morgan must be blamed for this shocking substitution and all the others last night. Showed he has very little tactical nous or a complete lack of bottle. MacFaz should have replaced Flynn, Whitehouse should have replaced Doyle and Ironside should have replaced that useless waste of oxygen Kitson but instead we get 3 of the crappy Wilson "old guard" Forte, Robson and Higginbottom who have were major contributors to the shit that has been served in recent weeks. Morgan should have used the 3 younsgters like he did on Sat and we would still have auto in our own hands in my opinion.

 

[LSF]

Morgan must be blamed for this shocking substitution and all the others last night. Showed he has very little tactical nous or a complete lack of bottle. MacFaz should have replaced Flynn, Whitehouse should have replaced Doyle and Ironside should have replaced that useless waste of oxygen Kitson but instead we get 3 of the crappy Wilson "old guard" Forte, Robson and Higginbottom who have were major contributors to the shit that has been served in recent weeks. Morgan should have used the 3 younsgters like he did on Sat and we would still have auto in our own hands in my opinion.

Robson was excellent when he came on.

 

[ghandi]

Robson was excellent when he came on.

He was ok that's all. Whitehouse would have been a better option.

 

[cooperblade]

Robson was excellent when he came on.

Agreed - he performed better than he has done when starting games and I was pleased he was used in a role which worked within the existing shape rather than disrupting the team by playing him wide or in the hole.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Who would have taken the pen? I think the subs were about spot on.

 

[Ollessendro]

Morgan must be blamed for this shocking substitution and all the others last night. Showed he has very little tactical nous or a complete lack of bottle. MacFaz should have replaced Flynn, Whitehouse should have replaced Doyle and Ironside should have replaced that useless waste of oxygen Kitson but instead we get 3 of the crappy Wilson "old guard" Forte, Robson and Higginbottom who have were major contributors to the shit that has been served in recent weeks. Morgan should have used the 3 younsgters like he did on Sat and we would still have auto in our own hands in my opinion.

Brilliant! Even better than sack the Dingle!

 

[Darren]

Morgan must be blamed for this shocking substitution and all the others last night. Showed he has very little tactical nous or a complete lack of bottle. MacFaz should have replaced Flynn, Whitehouse should have replaced Doyle and Ironside should have replaced that useless waste of oxygen Kitson but instead we get 3 of the crappy Wilson "old guard" Forte, Robson and Higginbottom who have were major contributors to the shit that has been served in recent weeks. Morgan should have used the 3 younsgters like he did on Sat and we would still have auto in our own hands in my opinion.

To be fair, I think it was the obvious decision, when we were 2-1 up with a man advantage but without one of our centre backs, to bring on a centre back to shore up the defence. Higginbotham was the only option for that. Obviously it didn't work, but hindsight is a wonderful thing...

 

[blade too long]

sufc , now 100% kosher,

 

[Greenwich Blade]

Brilliant! Even better than sack the Dingle!

Yes, he should have been brave and made the same substitutions as on Saturday, in a totally different situation. He's got no tactical nous, you know.

At least "Sack the Dingle" was being ironic.

 

[ghandi]

To be fair, I think it was the obvious decision, when we were 2-1 up with a man advantage but without one of our centre backs, to bring on a centre back to shore up the defence. Higginbotham was the only option for that. Obviously it didn't work, but hindsight is a wonderful thing...

Disagree Dazzler....Brentford didn't see the need to shore up the defence when Craig was sent-off and it wasn't necessary if Morgan had shown some tactical nous and not bottled it against 9 men.
Morgan has brought passion and instilled spirit into the side but sadly that is not enough he needs to jettison the crap of Robson , Kitson, Doyle and Porter and play the academy products as per McCabe's brief. I posted on Saturday after the match that blood and guts would not be enough and sadly after yesterday looks like I've been proved correct.

 

[blade too long]

no ones proven correct till 5pm on the 27th

 

[Selly]

To be fair, I think it was the obvious decision, when we were 2-1 up with a man advantage but without one of our centre backs, to bring on a centre back to shore up the defence. Higginbotham was the only option for that. Obviously it didn't work, but hindsight is a wonderful thing...

When we made the sub, we were 2-1 up and 10 v 10.

Sticker off, centre half on was the absolute right call AT THE TIME. Anyone who says they wouldn't have done that is talking bollocks IIMO.

 

[Selly]

Disagree Dazzler....Brentford didn't see the need to shore up the defence when Craig was sent-off and it wasn't necessary if Morgan had shown some tactical nous and not bottled it against 9 men.
Morgan has brought passion and instilled spirit into the side but sadly that is not enough he needs to jettison the crap of Robson , Kitson, Doyle and Porter and play the academy products as per McCabe's brief. I posted on Saturday after the match that blood and guts would not be enough and sadly after yesterday looks like I've been proved correct.

They were already playing with almost 5 at the back. Their No 6 was almost a spare man at times.

And of course they were under some serious pressure, conceded a penalty, and a free header from 8 yards. Maybe they should have shored up the defence....

 

[blade too long]

anyone notice the ref last night was from bournemouth

sending off 3 rival players with a few games to go , a draw best result for bournemouth possible bit naughty that

 

[diplomat]

Robson was excellent when he came on.

I thought he should have done more once we'd gone ahead in terms of making sure we retained possession and gave their nine men the run around. Twice he lumped a diagonal ball in to the box at Porter who was on his own and marked by two men. For me he should have been the experienced head knocking it around so we moved the ball and them around rather than surrender possession. I pick him out over others because his experience and play making (desire to always have the ball) were, I think, one of the reasons he was brought on. A sub I agreed with btw.

Overall he played well but I expected him to dominate us seeing that last bit out by keeping the ball from nine men on a very big pitch.