United 1 Port Vale 0 - report

[Deadbat]

United got back to winning ways as they saw off mid table Port Vale at the Lane. A first half penalty from Jose Baxter was enough to see of the Valiants in a game largely missing any real quality or chances. Untied finally got a clean sheet after only keeping one since

The Blades brought back Chris Basham after suspension for the injured Jay McEveley and Paul Coutts came in for Louis Reed who was also injured. Stephen Davies also returned with Michael Doyle left on the bench.

Vale managed by former United captain Robert Page had ex Blades Michael Brown starting in midfield.

The teams came out with United premiering their new strip which will be worn next season. The predominantly white shirt that is based on the clubs first ever kit will surely split opinions as is quite a way from the traditional red and white stripes.

United began on top with Harris firing over after some decent build up and then Baxter hit a free kick over. The game saw a series of niggly fouls early on but lacked real fluidity from either side.

Brown was booked for an aggressive challenge on Freeman and then Davies miskicked from the subsequent free kick. Vale had offered little going forward but Brown’s free kick was headed at Howard from Robertson.

Murphy was trying to get at his man and won a corner before he was able to link with Davies but the ball was cleared. Davies then hit a great shot on the turn that drifted just wide.

On the half hour United won a spot kick. After the ball pinged around Murphy took a touch and was clumsily upended by O’Connor. The referee pointed to the spot after an initial delay. A few protests from Vale players followed but interestingly not much from the offender who skulked away. BAXTER took it to the keepers right and hit it hard and true and it gave the keeper
no chance.

Soon after a decent move saw the ball played wide and Baxter put in a great cross that Davies smartly converted but the offside flag went up to deny him his first United goal.

Coutts and Basham went into the book and then Coutts made a good tackle to deny a breakaway just before the break.

Vade made two changes when Pope and Daniel came on for Williamson and Moore.

The second half started mired in midfield with little in the way of chances. The first chances came when Done hit a low shot easily saved by the keeper Neal. Then O’Connor hit a fierce shot that Howard had to touch over. This was Vale’s best effort of the game so far. Marshall looked lively down the right but there was little end product. However the winger nearly scored from a corner that flashed into the near post and Howard somehow scrambled away.

Coutts shot wide and then Murphy had a great mazy run which ended with Davies being blocked.

Flynn came on for Done and went onto the right hand side. Soon after a decent move saw Freeman in and it looked like a second goal might result but his cross was cut out with several Blades players waiting to convert. Freeman could even have gone for goal himself.

Veseli and Daniel had half efforts for the visitors and United looked edgy even if they had not many chances themselves.
Doyle replaced Baxter and then good work from Davies saw a chance for Flynn. The striker then held the ball up well again but the ball was cleared.

The game entered the final few minutes and Howard slid out of the box on the angle to clear with appeals for handball as his momentum carried him outside but the referee adjudged he used his chest. The game entered four minutes of stoppage time and in this period Brown was given his second yellow; not even waiting for the card as he ran off to ironic cheers and waves from three sides of the ground.

Holt was replaced by Alcock just before the referee ended the game as United celebrated a long overdue victory.

United – We won and we kept a clean sheet! They are rarities of course at the moment so cannot complain. They are the major positives of course. The game itself passed with little excitement or quality. It was really poor stuff. We scored a penalty and then at least restricted them to not having many clear chances but overall we were poor for long spells again. We started game with some better energy and at least showed some attacking zest but this fizzled out and for most of the game we lacked quality and guile. In open play we created little with Davies and Baxter/Murphy in spells the stand out players. Defensively we made things a lot harder than we needed to and almost gave them chances when they created nothing really.

It was in keeping with recent games where we have got a lead but then not pushed on to score more and tried to just hang on to what we have. It is not good enough that we resort to such tactics and Clough does not seem to learn. Against better sides we would have come unstuck again today. I keep hoping we will wake up and Clough will find some of the magic we had in the cup games in the last 14 months but it is not happening. It is dull to watch at the moment and you keep waiting for a spark but rarely anything happens.

Still the positives are that Davies held the ball well and a few others showed flashes but it was a game that was a real struggle to win and we barely got over the line. We have to hope we have a better performance in the two games that come this week. Still if we get two more wins then at least it may cement us in the playoffs but I do not have much confidence this side will end the season going out in a blaze of glory.

 

[Deadbat]

Port Vale – Thought they were a poor side that really should have been beaten a lot easier than they were. They were quite niggly committing a lot of fouls and relied a lot on direct balls and then trying to get on the loose balls. They maybe would say we were not much better. I have to agree but then we were one up after half an hour and they did not exactly cause us too many problems after this.

The fact they are bang in the middle of the league shows what a poor division this is. They had little up top, looked slow at the back and not much creativity. As I say not much different to us. The lad Marshall looked like a bad Campbell Ryce as he continually overrun the ball out of play. They had little up top and even when Pope came on cannot recall them having many more chances other than one long ranger and a corner Howard nearly spilled.
Michael Brown did not do much on the ball but spent a lot of time discussing things shall we say with the referee. He committed a foul where he got the ball but went in dangerously and was booked and then could have got another after this before he committed another cynical foul and went off just before the end.

Howard 7/10 – Missed one catch but then got it on the rebound. His handling was overall decent and he made one smart push over. Did not have too much to do but his throw outs were excellent today and kick started a few decent attacks. Great to have him back after the run of games with the calamitous Turner in goal.

Freeman 7/10 – Steady. Only recall one mistake he made all game. He did not get forward much but he was decent defensively and I also felt positionally he was good today (been a fault of his last season defensively).

Harris 5/10 – One of them days. Started ok and did a few decent things but then went downhill and his afternoon was mistake ridden. He made numerous telegraphed balls and also his touch was poor. A hugely inconsistent player for me and as I have said before; it is often in games; he does one good thing and then one bad thing and this happen time after time. Shame as he has all attributes to be a very good full back (certainly this level) but his concentration lets him down badly.

Brayford 6.5/10 – Still not anywhere near form he showed when he came last season although was at centre back today. Nothing particularly poor from him but still quite hesitant at times and also his touch has not been great since he returned. Resorted to a lot of hoofed and driven clearances but at least this meant we did not concede.

Basham 7/10 – Our best defender. He was steady enough. At times for a big bloke he does not win enough in the air and the number of goals we have conceded aerially shows him and McEveley are not good enough as centre backs in a partnership as neither dominate. Still today he did ok against quite poor attackers and did the basics and made a few tackles and blocks.

Holt 6/10 – Started the game well and got ahead of players and looked lively. Showed a few neat and tidy touches and linked well. However he faded badly and I cannot recall him touching the ball in the second half at all. He was completely non-existent.

Coutts 5.5/10 – Another mostly anonymous performance sadly. I felt he showed a few decent touches and had a decent 5 minute spell in the second half but we never really had control of the midfield in a scrappy game. The game seems to just pass him by and not seen this so called quality he possesses on the ball. Not sure what he offers to be honest.

Baxter 7.5/10 – First half he was excellent. He was lively, got stuck in, run around and was involved in most of the good things we did. He took the penalty well and played a beauty of a ball in the move when Davies’ goal was disallowed for offside. Just thought he really looked up for it. Second half he was nowhere near as good and was poor for long spells giving it away and looked shattered (played in central midfield for spells alternating between that and just off Davies so energy levels sapped). His passing did not come off always and he overplayed a few passes but also some of them were good attempts (a few balls nearly found Done for instance) and he was one of few that always tried to go forward today and at least make something happen. I can live with how he played today as despite drop off second half he put in a shift today.

Murphy 7/10- Showed it in flashes today with some good driving runs at defenders but little end product sadly. His crosses and shots hit defenders or lacked pace/height. Still carried ball a long way and committed defenders against another side that often doubled up on him. Won the penalty when O’Connor upended him. If we can get more threats on goal then teams cannot do this but they know he is our main threat at the moment.

Done 6/10 – Quiet today. He did work hard and as usual put in a real shift and close down defenders and chased around. However he started the game wide right which must be disappointing after all the goals he has scored. He kept plugging away and second half he moved around more, moving more central and also left at times. Came off as seemed to pick up a slight knock.

Davies 8/10- Thought he was our best all-around player. He held it up all game and showed good touch, control and quick feet. Unfortunate to have a good goal chalked off but he did not do much wrong. Showed more skill than I thought he had as twice jinked away from defenders. Deserved a goal for his showing but overall gives us a good outlet at top. Would like to see him get more time to forge a partnership with Done (who was wide for long spells).

Subs-

Flynn – Did alright when he came on. Carried the ball forward a few times and also linked well with Davies a few times. Expect he will back in the side for Tuesday.

Doyle – Brought on towards the end as we tried to see the game out. Played a few over adventurous balls (giving it away) which was opposite of what he was brought on for.

Alcock – Came on right at the death for Holt in stoppage time.

Manager rating –

Clough 6/10 – It was a win but as above it was less than convincing. We really have to be putting poor sides like that away easier than we did. He put Done wide right, rested (dropped?) Doyle and had Davies up top. He changed the backline and at last got a clean sheet which is the major positive from today. However we sat back too much after we led and never properly looked to kill the game off. We did not have any strikers up top when they had free kicks or corners and overall we limped to a victory which said as much about Vale as us. He needs to improve the performances and approach fast as the season comes to the business end. If we carry on in this vein it will be a struggle to even make the top 6; let alone win the playoffs

Officials – Thought the referee was poor really. He was so fussy at times but then at others let players get away with a lot. Just very inconsistent. Lots of bookings for very little ( 6 bookings and one red card in a nothing sort of game) then other times players were fortunate. Brown could have gone a long time before he did. He committed a bad tackle in the first half and then did a few other niggly fouls and was trying to ref the game as per usual. He knew what would happen and walked before the card came out grinning as he departed too waves from the South Stand. Was not sure on the Howard one when he may have handled. The Port Vale fans appealed but not many players and to be fair he had ages and knew he would slide out so would have been stupid if he had not got his hands out. The two linesmen were also poor and did not help the referee allowing foul throws and advancement of free kicks from the wrong positions. The major decision was the penalty. At the time I felt it was clumsy and probably a foul anywhere else on the field (so technically a penalty). However if it had been given against us I expect we would have been unhappy. It was a touch soft but we after what happened to Basham at Vale then maybe was a case of what goes around, comes around. Another set of officials that generally did not cover themselves in glory

Crowd – Nearly 19,000 there which was excellent again. Vale have brought more than that in recent years (cup visit stands out) and they spent as much time trying to compare us with Wednesday and also moaning at the referee than getting behind own side. United fans were quiet for much of the game; in keeping with a poor game and another less than convincing performance. They tried to rally the side for spells but this gave away to more frustration than getting behind the team.

Kit 3/10 – Don’t like it one bit. The only positives are it is out early and is a bespoke design rather than one every other club who wears Adidas has (although Liverpool, Forest and Southampton all had an almost identical kit from other kit manufacturers in recent times). Would have made more sense for them to have worn it this season but the 125thh celebration is now up and it is strange that they will wear it 6 months after it has finished. I like the fact they have the old badge to recognise the anniversary and also at least that and the Adidas logo are in the right places BUT it is way too much white and looks even worse from the stands. It looks a white shirt and although I can see why they are wearing red shorts and socks to redress balance of the shirt (keep some red and white); the original kit had black shorts (trousers). So it is not even in keeping with that? Although would look like Derby County even more. I think it is a smart kit but is not a United kit. Be glad when we are back in red and white.

 

[LSF]

Agree on Davies DB, he was excellent today, well impressed!
Agree on kit too - abysmal!
The rest- we won, that's about it.

 

[Eskimo]

Very good summary. Harris worries me. Time for a rest appen

 

[sheffielder]

Harris is having a few 'one of these days' at the moment.
Not been impressed with the left footed Porter so far, and that didn't change in the first half. Second half, he was a different gravy altogether

The one thing that frustrates me is that we sit back and don't put pressure on the ball, or when we do only a few do it and leaves holes. On the whole we have better players than most teams in this division and we should be pressing high up to make them make mistakes. I thought Coutts was better today, Baxter started well but faded badly and Holt made the runs Scougall made last season, however was ineffective.

FInding a partner for Basham and getting the midfield 3 right are key to our season. Getting Murphy to play in front of the South Stand like he does in the 2nd half would also help!

 

[Wards]

I felt Holt was pretty good. At first glance its not obvious to see his major contribution to a match but having watched him closely he is excellent off the ball and created ssome excellent space for others today. Worth keeping an eye on, not seen many of our midfielders do this since Scougall at the end of last season.

 

[FTPE]

It isn't a united shirt...
Isn't it almost a replica of one of our original ones!?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Port Vale – Thought they were a poor side that really should have been beaten a lot easier than they were. They were quite niggly committing a lot of fouls and relied a lot on direct balls and then trying to get on the loose balls. They maybe would say we were not much better. I have to agree but then we were one up after half an hour and they did not exactly cause us too many problems after this.

The fact they are bang in the middle of the league shows what a poor division this is. They had little up top, looked slow at the back and not much creativity. As I say not much different to us. The lad Marshall looked like a bad Campbell Ryce as he continually overrun the ball out of play. They had little up top and even when Pope came on cannot recall them having many more chances other than one long ranger and a corner Howard nearly spilled.
Michael Brown did not do much on the ball but spent a lot of time discussing things shall we say with the referee. He committed a foul where he got the ball but went in dangerously and was booked and then could have got another after this before he committed another cynical foul and went off just before the end.

Howard 7/10 – Missed one catch but then got it on the rebound. His handling was overall decent and he made one smart push over. Did not have too much to do but his throw outs were excellent today and kick started a few decent attacks. Great to have him back after the run of games with the calamitous Turner in goal.

Freeman 7/10 – Steady. Only recall one mistake he made all game. He did not get forward much but he was decent defensively and I also felt positionally he was good today (been a fault of his last season defensively).

Harris 5/10 – One of them days. Started ok and did a few decent things but then went downhill and his afternoon was mistake ridden. He made numerous telegraphed balls and also his touch was poor. A hugely inconsistent player for me and as I have said before; it is often in games; he does one good thing and then one bad thing and this happen time after time. Shame as he has all attributes to be a very good full back (certainly this level) but his concentration lets him down badly.

Brayford 6.5/10 – Still not anywhere near form he showed when he came last season although was at centre back today. Nothing particularly poor from him but still quite hesitant at times and also his touch has not been great since he returned. Resorted to a lot of hoofed and driven clearances but at least this meant we did not concede.

Basham 7/10 – Our best defender. He was steady enough. At times for a big bloke he does not win enough in the air and the number of goals we have conceded aerially shows him and McEveley are not good enough as centre backs in a partnership as neither dominate. Still today he did ok against quite poor attackers and did the basics and made a few tackles and blocks.

Holt 6/10 – Started the game well and got ahead of players and looked lively. Showed a few neat and tidy touches and linked well. However he faded badly and I cannot recall him touching the ball in the second half at all. He was completely non-existent.

Coutts 5.5/10 – Another mostly anonymous performance sadly. I felt he showed a few decent touches and had a decent 5 minute spell in the second half but we never really had control of the midfield in a scrappy game. The game seems to just pass him by and not seen this so called quality he possesses on the ball. Not sure what he offers to be honest.

Baxter 7.5/10 – First half he was excellent. He was lively, got stuck in, run around and was involved in most of the good things we did. He took the penalty well and played a beauty of a ball in the move when Davies’ goal was disallowed for offside. Just thought he really looked up for it. Second half he was nowhere near as good and was poor for long spells giving it away and looked shattered (played in central midfield for spells alternating between that and just off Davies so energy levels sapped). His passing did not come off always and he overplayed a few passes but also some of them were good attempts (a few balls nearly found Done for instance) and he was one of few that always tried to go forward today and at least make something happen. I can live with how he played today as despite drop off second half he put in a shift today.

Murphy 7/10- Showed it in flashes today with some good driving runs at defenders but little end product sadly. His crosses and shots hit defenders or lacked pace/height. Still carried ball a long way and committed defenders against another side that often doubled up on him. Won the penalty when O’Connor upended him. If we can get more threats on goal then teams cannot do this but they know he is our main threat at the moment.

Done 6/10 – Quiet today. He did work hard and as usual put in a real shift and close down defenders and chased around. However he started the game wide right which must be disappointing after all the goals he has scored. He kept plugging away and second half he moved around more, moving more central and also left at times. Came off as seemed to pick up a slight knock.

Davies 8/10- Thought he was our best all-around player. He held it up all game and showed good touch, control and quick feet. Unfortunate to have a good goal chalked off but he did not do much wrong. Showed more skill than I thought he had as twice jinked away from defenders. Deserved a goal for his showing but overall gives us a good outlet at top. Would like to see him get more time to forge a partnership with Done (who was wide for long spells).

Subs-

Flynn – Did alright when he came on. Carried the ball forward a few times and also linked well with Davies a few times. Expect he will back in the side for Tuesday.

Doyle – Brought on towards the end as we tried to see the game out. Played a few over adventurous balls (giving it away) which was opposite of what he was brought on for.

Alcock – Came on right at the death for Holt in stoppage time.

Manager rating –

Clough 6/10 – It was a win but as above it was less than convincing. We really have to be putting poor sides like that away easier than we did. He put Done wide right, rested (dropped?) Doyle and had Davies up top. He changed the backline and at last got a clean sheet which is the major positive from today. However we sat back too much after we led and never properly looked to kill the game off. We did not have any strikers up top when they had free kicks or corners and overall we limped to a victory which said as much about Vale as us. He needs to improve the performances and approach fast as the season comes to the business end. If we carry on in this vein it will be a struggle to even make the top 6; let alone win the playoffs

Officials – Thought the referee was poor really. He was so fussy at times but then at others let players get away with a lot. Just very inconsistent. Lots of bookings for very little ( 6 bookings and one red card in a nothing sort of game) then other times players were fortunate. Brown could have gone a long time before he did. He committed a bad tackle in the first half and then did a few other niggly fouls and was trying to ref the game as per usual. He knew what would happen and walked before the card came out grinning as he departed too waves from the South Stand. Was not sure on the Howard one when he may have handled. The Port Vale fans appealed but not many players and to be fair he had ages and knew he would slide out so would have been stupid if he had not got his hands out. The two linesmen were also poor and did not help the referee allowing foul throws and advancement of free kicks from the wrong positions. The major decision was the penalty. At the time I felt it was clumsy and probably a foul anywhere else on the field (so technically a penalty). However if it had been given against us I expect we would have been unhappy. It was a touch soft but we after what happened to Basham at Vale then maybe was a case of what goes around, comes around. Another set of officials that generally did not cover themselves in glory

Crowd – Nearly 19,000 there which was excellent again. Vale have brought more than that in recent years (cup visit stands out) and they spent as much time trying to compare us with Wednesday and also moaning at the referee than getting behind own side. United fans were quiet for much of the game; in keeping with a poor game and another less than convincing performance. They tried to rally the side for spells but this gave away to more frustration than getting behind the team.

Kit 3/10 – Don’t like it one bit. The only positives are it is out early and is a bespoke design rather than one every other club who wears Adidas has (although Liverpool, Forest and Southampton all had an almost identical kit from other kit manufacturers in recent times). Would have made more sense for them to have worn it this season but the 125thh celebration is now up and it is strange that they will wear it 6 months after it has finished. I like the fact they have the old badge to recognise the anniversary and also at least that and the Adidas logo are in the right places BUT it is way too much white and looks even worse from the stands. It looks a white shirt and although I can see why they are wearing red shorts and socks to redress balance of the shirt (keep some red and white); the original kit had black shorts (trousers). So it is not even in keeping with that? Although would look like Derby County even more. I think it is a smart kit but is not a United kit. Be glad when we are back in red and white.

The shirt is not a bespoke design, it's WBA or Hearts in a different material.

 

[JohnDenver]

I felt Holt was pretty good. At first glance its not obvious to see his major contribution to a match but having watched him closely he is excellent off the ball and created ssome excellent space for others today. Worth keeping an eye on, not seen many of our midfielders do this since Scougall at the end of last season.

Yup, it makes a massive difference having a player breaking the lines. Even if he doesn't get the ball he creates space.

Not sure how good he actually is yet, but he's the sort of player we need in a five man midfield.

 

[grafikhaus]

It was in keeping with recent games where we have got a lead but then not pushed on to score more and tried to just hang on to what we have. It is not good enough that we resort to such tactics and Clough does not seem to learn. Against better sides we would have come unstuck again today. I keep hoping we will wake up and Clough will find some of the magic we had in the cup games in the last 14 months but it is not happening. It is dull to watch at the moment and you keep waiting for a spark but rarely anything happens.

Good report, Db, summed up in the bit above. We're paying the price for being reactive rather than proactive and every game is fraught with danger. Yesterday we started well but then a collective panic and negativity takes over and we concede the initiative to the opposition. This is entirely of our own making. Bristol and Preston have bought wisely and got the bulk of their transfer dealings out of the way pre-season. Almost in April and NC is still unsure about his best eleven - he's still shuffling the cards and hoping for a winning hand to appear.

Some quote 'injuries' as the reason for our disjointed season. Are we the only team to get injuries? Isn't this one of the benefits of having an absurdly-large (for this level) squad? MKD have suffered far greater disruption - losing Dele Alli and Afobe in transfer dealings and injury. They had a brief wobble but are now back on track. Swindon are solidity personified. Thes four teams also share one thing in common - they have the physicality necessary in this division.

One last point. Some were concerned about how the crowd would react if balls went astray or things just didn't come off. I have to report that I saw an afternoon-long display of petulance from some guys in front of me. Wild and over-stated reaction, screaming when things didn't pan out. Almost faux-rage at the least transgression. Their default mode was 'rant'. Take a bow Messrs. Clough and Garner.

Seriously, when Clough managed to detach his right elbow from the roof of the dug-out, he and Garner put on a display of indiscipline that was often shameful. Rob Page, by contrast, offered calm encouragement and direction.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Good report as per usual. Agree with all the ratings.

Done off Flynn on - McNulty and Adams still on bench, back to 1 up front with half an hour to go - Sums up the manager.

Free kick in dangerous position about 12 minutes from full time, only 3 men in or around the box and 4 men back on half way line marking one forward - sums up the manager.

For all their corners and free kicks in the second half we had all 11 back defending. They only needed to leave 1 man back on the half way line - sums up our manager. Back to the Robson days.

Their keeper was rarely troubled. One of the leading goalscorers in the league was pushed out wide with certain defensive duties. No point playing 4-4-2 if the front 2 don't play as a partnership and play closer together.

Manager and Assistant spent the whole game bollocking players and shaking heads with very few signs of appreciation or encouragement of their players. Baxter seemed to get the little bit of praise on offer. In the first hour there were signs that they wanted us to play further up the field which was quite refreshing, not in the last half hour though.

Phipps and the Prince were at the game. The reckless penalty got our manager out of jail; things could have turned sour.

 

[Torrix1889]

I thought we were shit....a better side than Port Vale would have beaten us soundly yesterday. We may pick up wins against Scunthorpe and Crewe in the next 2 in the same fashion but playing like that we will struggle topick up wins against better opposition thereafter..

 

[Bladepicker]

I thought we were shit....a better side than Port Vale would have beaten us soundly yesterday. We may pick up wins against Scunthorpe and Crewe in the next 2 in the same fashion but playing like that we will struggle topick up wins against better opposition thereafter..

We have a good record against better opposition.

Yesterday was about 3 points, a much needed clean sheet and adding to the brittle confidence. Job done.

 

[B.Lade]

Good report. I'd up Brayford's rating by 1 though. Thought he had a very good game at centre-half.

 

[bartman]

Good report as per usual. Agree with all the ratings.

Done off Flynn on - McNulty and Adams still on bench, back to 1 up front with half an hour to go - Sums up the manager.

Free kick in dangerous position about 12 minutes from full time, only 3 men in or around the box and 4 men back on half way line marking one forward - sums up the manager.

For all their corners and free kicks in the second half we had all 11 back defending. They only needed to leave 1 man back on the half way line - sums up our manager. Back to the Robson days.

Their keeper was rarely troubled. One of the leading goalscorers in the league was pushed out wide with certain defensive duties. No point playing 4-4-2 if the front 2 don't play as a partnership and play closer together.

Manager and Assistant spent the whole game bollocking players and shaking heads with very few signs of appreciation or encouragement of their players. Baxter seemed to get the little bit of praise on offer. In the first hour there were signs that they wanted us to play further up the field which was quite refreshing, not in the last half hour though.

Phipps and the Prince were at the game. The reckless penalty got our manager out of jail; things could have turned sour.

Flynn brought for Done and the 2nd half performance improves but still not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans.

Effective game management to keep a clean sheet in a must win game but not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans

Complaining about the management team being passionate ( probably the same fans that slagged off Wilson for folding his arms)- sums up some of our whinging fans

Apparently happy to look for disparaging remarks about the manager despite a clean sheet and victory- sums up some of our whinging fans.

We won, it wasn't a free flowing performance but I would settle for a scrappy one nil win for our remaining games- not happy with that ? Sums up some of our whinging fans

 

[Torrix1889]

We have a good record against better opposition.

Yesterday was about 3 points, a much needed clean sheet and adding to the brittle confidence. Job done.

Do we?

Bristol City won 1 lost 1
Swindon won 1 lost 1
MKD lost 2
Preston won 1 drawn 1
Posh won 1 lost 1

So thats won 4 drawn 1 lost 5 against the current top 5 teams. That's average at best.

 

[Bladepicker]

Do we?

Bristol City won 1 lost 1
Swindon won 1 lost 1
MKD lost 2
Preston won 1 drawn 1
Posh won 1 lost 1

So thats won 4 drawn 1 lost 5 against the current top 5 teams. That's average at best.

Considering they are the top sides in the division that is not average at best!

You stated we would struggle to beat the 'better teams' with those tactics. Yet your own stats show we win about half the games.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Do we?

Bristol City won 1 lost 1
Swindon won 1 lost 1
MKD lost 2
Preston won 1 drawn 1
Posh won 1 lost 1

So thats won 4 drawn 1 lost 5 against the current top 5 teams. That's average at best.

True Torrix but only Swindon , away have done us , MK stole both wins , Bristol we're poxed in the first half at home , and the in form team Preston had 4 points taken off em , will take 1-0 for rest of season , not pretty , but effective .
UTB .

 

[Guesty]

Do we?

Bristol City won 1 lost 1
Swindon won 1 lost 1
MKD lost 2
Preston won 1 drawn 1
Posh won 1 lost 1

So thats won 4 drawn 1 lost 5 against the current top 5 teams. That's average at best.

Plus an additional draw and defeat to Preston, of course.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Flynn brought for Done and the 2nd half performance improves but still not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans.

Effective game management to keep a clean sheet in a must win game but not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans

Complaining about the management team being passionate ( probably the same fans that slagged off Wilson for folding his arms)- sums up some of our whinging fans

Apparently happy to look for disparaging remarks about the manager despite a clean sheet and victory- sums up some of our whinging fans.

We won, it wasn't a free flowing performance but I would settle for a scrappy one nil win for our remaining games- not happy with that ? Sums up some of our whinging fans

Just saying what I felt yesterday and still think today, just a view that's all.

Thing is it's a season long problem not just this week's problem. It's the single main reason we have not won enough home games which is the single biggest reason we are battling it out for 5th and 6th position in the league. Yes I am whinging, dead right. It was there for us all to see even though we won yesterday.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

Deadbat said "Michael Brown did not do much on the ball but spent a lot of time discussing things shall we say with the referee. He committed a foul where he got the ball but went in dangerously and was booked and then could have got another after this before he committed another cynical foul and went off just before the end."

Bloke behind me said as Brown trudged off "Whose going to referee the game now"?

 

[Small Mendonca]

Flynn brought for Done and the 2nd half performance improves but still not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans.

Effective game management to keep a clean sheet in a must win game but not happy- sums up some of our whinging fans

Complaining about the management team being passionate ( probably the same fans that slagged off Wilson for folding his arms)- sums up some of our whinging fans

Apparently happy to look for disparaging remarks about the manager despite a clean sheet and victory- sums up some of our whinging fans.

We won, it wasn't a free flowing performance but I would settle for a scrappy one nil win for our remaining games- not happy with that ? Sums up some of our whinging fans

I was happy with the win yesterday and especially the clean sheet. However, I don't think a bit of dignity on the touchline is too much to ask for, is it? The management can show passion without going off how our management go off. It's a tad embarrassing at times and opposition fans from every team we play pick up on it every game.

 

[raul]

Without doubt the most relief-laden three points for quite a while, but partially handed to us by the first team in ages who haven't come here and thought " hang on, lets take these on". If everyone else turns up to just bump and barge around we will be ok, but it needs someone a bit braver to have a go before we can measure any improvement.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Deadbat said "Michael Brown did not do much on the ball but spent a lot of time discussing things shall we say with the referee. He committed a foul where he got the ball but went in dangerously and was booked and then could have got another after this before he committed another cynical foul and went off just before the end."

Bloke behind me said as Brown trudged off "Whose going to referee the game now"?

In truth, if we were honest, Michael Brown would be a country mile better than what we have got NOW in leadership terms.

What that man alone could have done for us as a club is only sad, sad, sad for us. We have fallen between any number of fucking stools in the meantime!!!!

 

[finlaytheblade]

We have a good record against better opposition.

Yesterday was about 3 points, a much needed clean sheet and adding to the brittle confidence. Job done.

spot on bladepicker a lot of fans dont understand how important confidence is.Those two recent home defeats knocked our confidence badly the players know they threw 6 points away and from a position of strength we allowed the pack to close in.
We now have to pick it up again and sat was a start i have seen many good runs come from winning a game when we have not played well including promotion winning seasons( i was at Q P R game all them years ago like you silent 2 -0 down with 2 minutes go we had thrown the towel in but a woodward deflected shot and a penalty 1 minute later and we draw 2-2'We were unbeaten rest of season and the first 10 matches of following season after promotion so just stick with them. yes we are way short of having a good team but we have to start some where and i still beleave clough is building
the club as well as trying to get promotion.

 

[Silent Blade]

i was at Q P R game all them years ago like you silent 2 -0 down with 2 minutes go we had thrown the towel in but a woodward deflected shot and a penalty 1 minute later and we draw 2-2'We were unbeaten rest of season and the first 10 matches of following season after promotion so just stick with them

I was not at that QPR match, Finlay. I was at the Lane watching the reserves match. My dad heard that Dave Powell got carried off and was sent to hospital (he was an excellent defender who never played for us again) and the pavilion scoreboard still had 2-0 indicating the latest score at Loftus Road when the ref blew the final whistle at the reserves match, most of the fans left the ground thinking that our promotion chances were fast slipping away (a few days earlier we lost 2-1 to Hull in front of 40,000 plus at the Lane). My dad and I were outside the John Street Terraces when there were some shouting and confusion so we looked back at the John Street Terrace Exit we saw a fan putting his both hands up indicating "2-2". Many of the departing fans rushed back inside the ground to look at the pavilion scoreboard again and there it was "2-2". A great feeling!

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Plus an additional draw and defeat to Preston, of course.

Plus wins against MK Dons, Southampton and QPR, draws against West Ham and Spurs and one defeat to Spurs, of course

 

[zablade]

The first half was an improvement (ish) on the last two home games, the second half, Davies apart was more of the same rubbish I am afraid, Baxter knacked after 50 minutes, Murphy marked out of it, and then a couple of defensive substitutions meant we sat further and further and further back.

Fortunately Port Vale were easily the worst team who have been here since xmas and never really looked liked creating anything.

I suspect we may get two similar wins over Scunny and Crewe which will bring a very welcome nine points onto the Board. Much tougher tests await though, still very pessimistic about this side and this manager being able to break our play off curse.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I was not at that QPR match, Finlay. I was at the Lane watching the reserves match. My dad heard that Dave Powell got carried off and was sent to hospital (he was an excellent defender who never played for us again) and the pavilion scoreboard still had 2-0 indicating the latest score at Loftus Road when the ref blew the final whistle at the reserves match, most of the fans left the ground thinking that our promotion chances were fast slipping away (a few days earlier we lost 2-1 to Hull in front of 40,000 plus at the Lane). My dad and I were outside the John Street Terraces when there were some shouting and confusion so we looked back at the John Street Terrace Exit we saw a fan putting his both hands up indicating "2-2". Many of the departing fans rushed back inside the ground to look at the pavilion scoreboard again and there it was "2-2". A great feeling!

When Q P R took the kick off after the 2nd goal went in rodney marsh just hammerd the ball at our goal in discust from the halfway line he was sick as a pig i loved that as he was not a player i liked

 

[finlaytheblade]

I was not at that QPR match, Finlay. I was at the Lane watching the reserves match. My dad heard that Dave Powell got carried off and was sent to hospital (he was an excellent defender who never played for us again) and the pavilion scoreboard still had 2-0 indicating the latest score at Loftus Road when the ref blew the final whistle at the reserves match, most of the fans left the ground thinking that our promotion chances were fast slipping away (a few days earlier we lost 2-1 to Hull in front of 40,000 plus at the Lane). My dad and I were outside the John Street Terraces when there were some shouting and confusion so we looked back at the John Street Terrace Exit we saw a fan putting his both hands up indicating "2-2". Many of the departing fans rushed back inside the ground to look at the pavilion scoreboard again and there it was "2-2". A great feeling!

Dave powell was a great defender signed him for a snip from wrexham .welsh international who would have been a great player for us in the 1st division his tackling and speed of recovery was sensational cut down in his prime and was a big loss