United 1 Rochdale 0 - report

[Deadbat]

Some good debate on here; enjoyable stuff. I am certainly not someone who seems to suggest my reports are gospel. Far from it! I am unsure why some posters seem to think I would feel that!!!

People may see games completely different to me and I would be concerned if people all saw games the same as it would make life very boring. I post reports and am there to be shot at/disagreed with in same way as some may agree. Maybe I do lean towards being slightly cynical but a team that is now playing its 4th season in the third tier and has let us down time after time, it is hard to not be like that as much as I want to be more optimistic and show more hope; I tend to be normally proved right in being on the side of negative.

Regarding yesterday; it was a game that could have gone either way. We maybe shaded it but there was not a lot in it as possession and chances on/off target. If the shot they had would have been a few inches lower then they could win. We score a slightly fortunate goal. Every game I have seen this season could have gone either way (and it seems the ones I have not seen away have been similar). There has been very little in the games and United have never controlled a game all season in the ones I have seen. Equally opponents have not dominated us either. It does concern me that for a side that many tipped for promotion and even many on here felt we would be right up there do look in reality much of a muchness in terms of in comparison to who we have played. Sure we have played some of he better sides looking at the table but also played some that wont be anywhere near the top. Rochdale and Crawley I would wager will both finish in the bottom half despite some decent results to start the season.

I know I get called for being negative and have to maybe accept where we are but I do feel we should be playing better than what we have been. Maybe it is a the loss of some key players but equally even without these the system and style we played to end last season with some slick attacking breaks with good tempo does seem to have disappeared. We lack any kind of identity in the way we play currently and that concerns me. It is more than just not having a decent striker although that is a significant weakness.

I enjoy us winning and that is the most important part of football but I do think we were very average yesterday and honestly am surprised if people think any different.

As for individuals; Baxter's strength is passing and creating. He can be an idle so and so at times but without him we would be much lower in the league this season. Sadly if he worked harder and cut out some of his weaknesses he would not be with us or at this level. We may have to accept who he is. To me he has still been one of stand out players this season, along with JCR and Davies (poor yesterday). Maybe I was a tad harsh on McEveley but I do think he had a really poor first half and twice nearly led them in with his indecision but got much better as the game went on. Generally he has looked one of better signings as has JCR. These two I thought were the type of signings we should not be making so happy that so far I have been proved wrong.

 

[Deadbat]

Oh and the keeper was Logan not Lillis! Surprised no one picked that up!

 

[Deadbat]

Note:

Writing reports, however much it might (rightly) be appreciated, does not make the author the fount of all wisdom.

I disagree with much of what Deadbat says. Doyle and McEveley, for example, were both excellent today. Rochdale were in no way 'unfortunate'.

I could go on, but luckily my views are not conditioned by what someone else says, however many reports they might write.

Pinchy; I have never said I am the fount of all wisdom! Not sure where that has come from?!! I do not want to condition peoples views and on the contrary appreciate different views. Feel free to write a longer report rather than a few comments that you have without any back up (Rochdale unfortunate). It is much easier and quicker to write 3 or 4 lines on a game as you have than the more detailed (not necessarily accurate or right) report I try and offer.

I will debate (not that I am right of course) some of your comments though.

I have stated my thoughts on McEveley. Poor first half; very good second half . Doyle was steady. He did his job. He was not helped by others around him (has to do Basham's job defensively too). I cant remember him making any key passes/shots etc going the other way but his job was to protect and break up and he did that fairly well. I would not say he was excellent but one of our better players - Baxter and JCR were the two that looked like making something happen.

Rochdale hit the bar with a cracker of a shot that easily could have gone in. We scored with a very fortunate goal. A deflected cross. In general play the efforts for both side according to stats were not that different. They were well in the game and most saves the keeper made were straight at him. I cannot recall us creating much indide the box all game (Basham and Collins header) but then neither did they and most efforts were long range. I would argue they were a little unfortunate not to get a point based on this. There was little in the game really and it was small margins that decided it.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Oh and the keeper was Logan not Lillis! Surprised no one picked that up!

We're not really that bothered about the opposition

 

[LSF]

In the first half ,Alcock was sent up for corners and Collins kept back ,so he must be rated in the air by the coaching staff.

Very true Sitwell, he has an excellent leap for someone relatively short in stature and Rochdale's ploy of hitting the poor man's Crouch, Peter Vincenti wasn't a total success as a result of Alcock winning a fair share in that battle.
On another note, Rochdale's 40, Ian Henderson, was a fuckin handful all afternoon.

 

[sitwell]

One thing deadbat you are quick to criticize Howard on his distribution but it was very good yesterday.

 

[Small Mendonca]

There were a few positives to come out of yesterday, JCR, Doyle, Howard and McEveley all had good games, with our centre-half pairing looking more solid. I am happy with the win and it leaves us 1 point outside the play offs. However, I do feel we will lose a lot of the games against better teams as we just don't create enough chances. It's a shame that probably our answer to a creative midfielder isn't fully match fit and is quite injury prone, which is unlucky but we need a quality striker! McNulty looked sharper today and I think he will chip in with goals as the season progresses but how long are we going to leave it before we get someone in who scores goals (October being the obvious reply). Unless Higdon is carrying a slight injury, it shows how impressed Clough is with Higdon - on the bench and never even made an appearance in the game.

We are still a couple of signings away from a team that can challenge for promotion IMO.

 

[Zanzibar]

People may see games completely different to me and I would be concerned if people all saw games the same as it would make life very boring. I post reports and am there to be shot at/disagreed with in same way as some may agree. Maybe I do lean towards being slightly cynical but a team that is now playing its 4th season in the third tier and has let us down time after time, it is hard to not be like that as much as I want to be more optimistic and show more hope; I tend to be normally proved right in being on the side of negative.... Deadbat quote:


I see games in a similar way to yourself.
Don't be afraid to be "negative"....history is on your side.
The future however could be different but it has to unfold and we cannot second guess it.

 

[OllyBlade]

Yesterday I think we saw the effects of not playing last week, coming up against a very motivated side who had built up confidence in their last fixture. We looked a bit rusty, and our final ball was very poor. We actually worked some quite good positions but they got blocks in on the crosses which were often poor.

I think Clough got it wrong today too. Murphy up front is not a valid option in my opinion. He didn't look like he knew what to do against a compact opposition and was very weak on the ball. I don't know what he sees in Basham, you have to hope these players grow into their roles but I cannot see any positive attributes, nor has he played particularly well in any game. Clough made his substitutions earlier than usual perhaps and these helped. With McNulty up front and Wallace coming on we looked a lot better.

We weren't great but I saw signs of how things might improve. I hope Wallace's injury isn't too bad and I'd like McNulty to have a run up front. He at least has some energy and a knowledge of how to play the role, he seems the best option up there for now.

 

[sitwell]

There were a few positives to come out of yesterday, JCR, Doyle, Howard and McEveley all had good games, with our centre-half pairing looking more solid. I am happy with the win and it leaves us 1 point outside the play offs. However, I do feel we will lose a lot of the games against better teams as we just don't create enough chances. It's a shame that probably our answer to a creative midfielder isn't fully match fit and is quite injury prone, which is unlucky but we need a quality striker! McNulty looked sharper today and I think he will chip in with goals as the season progresses but how long are we going to leave it before we get someone in who scores goals (October being the obvious reply). Unless Higdon is carrying a slight injury, it shows how impressed Clough is with Higdon - on the bench and never even made an appearance in the game.

We are still a couple of signings away from a team that can challenge for promotion IMO.

It was obvious why Higdon wasn't used ,2 reasons actually ,the 2 big lumps at centre half that they had ,the team was picked to play it on the floor and run at them. The more options we have the better ,and the 3 substititutions were obvious really.

 

[Guesty]

Campbell-Ryce was superb yesterday, he deserved the big slice of luck he got for the goal. He covered so much ground will the ball it was incredible, I hope he can keep that up all season. It's a pity there wasn't much on the other flank or from Murphy, Imagine that performance from Campbell-Ryce if the opposition couldn't afford to double up on him all the time! My only criticism of him is that he only seemed to have that one cross in his locker, that low whipped one which the defence was wise to all game. Funnily enough it was as he attempted a different sort of cross that he got his goal as it looked like he was trying to chip it to the back post.

McEveley looked very solid bar a few dodgy moments in the first half when he was defending long crosses at the back post.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Mceveley was excellent, I don't know how you came to a 6 out of 10 conclusion.

Agree, solid 8 for me.

 

[grafikhaus]

Pinchy; I have never said I am the fount of all wisdom! Not sure where that has come from?!! I do not want to condition peoples views and on the contrary appreciate different views. Feel free to write a longer report rather than a few comments that you have without any back up (Rochdale unfortunate). It is much easier and quicker to write 3 or 4 lines on a game as you have than the more detailed (not necessarily accurate or right) report I try and offer.

I will debate (not that I am right of course) some of your comments though.

I have stated my thoughts on McEveley. Poor first half; very good second half . Doyle was steady. He did his job. He was not helped by others around him (has to do Basham's job defensively too). I cant remember him making any key passes/shots etc going the other way but his job was to protect and break up and he did that fairly well. I would not say he was excellent but one of our better players - Baxter and JCR were the two that looked like making something happen.

Rochdale hit the bar with a cracker of a shot that easily could have gone in. We scored with a very fortunate goal. A deflected cross. In general play the efforts for both side according to stats were not that different. They were well in the game and most saves the keeper made were straight at him. I cannot recall us creating much indide the box all game (Basham and Collins header) but then neither did they and most efforts were long range. I would argue they were a little unfortunate not to get a point based on this. There was little in the game really and it was small margins that decided it.

Don't worry about it, Deadbat. Your reports are appreciated by many on here.

My worry at the moment is that the margins in our games are too tight. If the 'Dale shot had not hit the bar but gone in, we'd have almost certainly lost. They would have 'shut up shop' and prevented most of our late attacks. Home games follow the same pattern - the visiting goalie is rarely tested in the first half. Fine, unless the visitors score and then you look at our side and wonder 'How are we going to get two goals?'

Talk of 'I'd take thirty 1-0 wins' are ridiculous. In essence, that means relying on our defence not to concede in thirty games. Given the vagaries in football, that ain't going to happen. The most 'pragmatic' manager we've had in recent years was Blackwell - a tidy win per games ratio but utterly abysmal to watch. I can assure people that most folk would not 'be happy with that.'

What's happened to the free-spirited play we saw during the latter half of last season? The style that saw off most teams not just in this division, but several plying their trade much higher up? It's not just down to losing 3 players, the whole tactical approach has changed. And for those - including probably some inside the club - who are awaiting the return of Ched, is it not possible that his last season with us was his 'Michael Brown season' - one never to be repeated?

As I say, the margins are frighteningly small. Ignoring the Rochdale shot that hit the bar, if J C-R hadn't got an extremely fortunate deflection, the team would have been roundly booed at the end. We're winging it at the moment and, without at least one good striker, it won't last.

 

[sheffielder]

In the first half ,Alcock was sent up for corners and Collins kept back ,so he must be rated in the air by the coaching staff.

He actually won a header at the back post against a tall opponent from a first half corner. There is however no excuse not to have McGahey and Collins up for a corner when you can leave Doyle and JCR back.

 

[sheffielder]

Agree, solid 8 for me.

I can only think of one thing in the 1st half which stood out which was a cross from the left where there was a lack of communication from Howard. Only one critique is please don't hoof the ball so much. I think he is a solid pick up, especially when you consider he is a CB and we have Harris on the bench as an attacking option.

 

[raul]

All a bit like DW's difficult second season this isn't it?

 

[cooperblade]

Towards the end of last season, we played with a style that didn't require the 'big target man' up front. We had Flynn, Murphy, Scougall, Baxter etc. switching angles of attack and constantly unbalancing the opposition.

The main reason we haven't quite clicked so far this season is that out of the 4 players you've named who were excellent in the 2nd half of last season, only Baxter has been anything like. I think if Murphy can rediscover his form, we'll look a totally different side. I'd like to see Clough being more bold and go with JCR and Murphy on the wings. I think we're unbalanced at the moment with one wide man who is unlikely to ever beat a man and who isn't particularly quick. A central 2 from Doyle, Wallace and Basham should allow us enough protection to play very attacking wingers on both sides.

It was obvious why Higdon wasn't used ,2 reasons actually ,the 2 big lumps at centre half that they had ,the team was picked to play it on the floor and run at them. The more options we have the better ,and the 3 substititutions were obvious really.

Clough said that himself, he thought Higdon would've been too much of a match against their centre-backs. Refreshing to hear that, although it didn't pay off this time, because I've always thought that most United managers in recent times have always gone with a big man against tall defenders rather than try something different.

 

[Bergen Blade]

The main reason we haven't quite clicked so far this season is that out of the 4 players you've named who were excellent in the 2nd half of last season, only Baxter has been anything like. I think if Murphy can rediscover his form, we'll look a totally different side. I'd like to see Clough being more bold and go with JCR and Murphy on the wings. I think we're unbalanced at the moment with one wide man who is unlikely to ever beat a man and who isn't particularly quick. A central 2 from Doyle, Wallace and Basham should allow us enough protection to play very attacking wingers on both sides.



Clough said that himself, he thought Higdon would've been too much of a match against their centre-backs. Refreshing to hear that, although it didn't pay off this time, because I've always thought that most United managers in recent times have always gone with a big man against tall defenders rather than try something different.

They did drop deep a lot of the time and they also used a centre half in defensive midfield which meant it was difficult for us to find space in behind them, and also between their defence and midfield. Whatever combination we try it never seem quite ideal. Maybe, in hindsight it would have been better with Higdon with Baxter just off him, but their lack of pace and mobility would have remained a problem. Agree that we should try Murphy and JCR out wide.

 

[Revolution]

I don't see every game, so perhaps someone can enlighten me - has Jamie Murphy ever played well for us in the main striker role?

If not, I simply do not understand why we persist in playing him out of position once in a while. I prefer our better players to be in the positions they play best.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I don't see every game, so perhaps someone can enlighten me - has Jamie Murphy ever played well for us in the main striker role?

If not, I simply do not understand why we persist in playing him out of position once in a while. I prefer our better players to be in the positions they play best.

He's not started many games there, but he's often been pushed up front, usually swapping with Baxter, and this has been effective. One example was against Charlton last season. Clough seems reluctant to drop Ben Davies at the moment, which means other players are being moved around a bit.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

He's not started many games there, but he's often been pushed up front, usually swapping with Baxter, and this has been effective. One example was against Charlton last season. Clough seems reluctant to drop Ben Davies at the moment, which means other players are being moved around a bit.

This is the reason for the formations we're seeing. Like him or not, he seems to be 1st name on the teamsheet. Given the way Alcock has been playing he can't play him at full-back so it is the position he can fill. I'd like to see him as a midfield paring with Wallace (when fit), but here again I think Clough has always had the intention of that being Wallace/Basham.

 

[Darthblade]

Howard 7/10 - Had little to do really even though Rochdale were well in the game. He made a few regulation saves and watched as the one crashed off the bar but other than that he was untroubled really.

McEveley 6/10 – Thought he had a poor first half and was slow at times. His indecision nearly led to a chance for them as he waited for Howard to gather and then dithered on another occasion. He got much better after the break and was sharper and more determined and won tackles. He also carried the ball forward well.

Collins 7/10 – Steady throughout really. Even though United were poor I am not sure the two centre backs did much wrong much of the game.Collins started the game a little off the pace but got stronger and came onto the ball more and was generally more alive than many today. He tried to bring it forward and then had one decent header that was saved in the centre half.

McGahey 7/10 – Quietly one of our more effective performers. He did nothing spectacular but like his colleague he was steady and did little wrong all game. He got to the ball first, cleared it when he could and moved it on without any real fuss. Looks one of the better recruits of the signings we have made on current evidence.

Alcock 5.5/10 – His poorest game in a United shirt. He was indecisive, sloppy in possession and also I felt he was too far off his man for much of the game. He had played well so far this season but today he was off the pace today I felt.Did keep plugging away but not a game where he was at his best.

Basham 4/10 – Sorry to say but I thought he was dreadful again today. From an attacking point of view he actually gets into some decent positions but then usually miss controls or does not connect. On the ball he was sloppy and gave it away on numerous occasions. One ball along the floor straight to their man in the second half summed up his complete lack of technical ability. Off the ball he marks space and often has no idea what is going on around him. I genuinely have seen no real attribute to his play and I feel Wallace has to be given a run as he cannot be any worse surely?

Davies 5.5/10 – Not sure it was one of his better performances today. He put a few dangerous crosses in but in general play he did not influence things that much. He is an odd enigma in that it is hard to know where to play him as despite his quality from set plays, he rarely seems to put many crosses in from open play or get involved in open play. He came off which was not a surprise today.

Doyle 7/10 – Thought he was ok. He did nothing remarkable; either poor or bad. He got it and moved it on and won a few tackles or broke up play but played very far back trying to allow others to create in front of him but this did not really work (not Doyle’s fault). He made some crucial interceptions and blocks when Rochdale tried to break in the first half. He gets a lot of criticism but not sure he did much wrong today and was one of our steady players.

Murphy 4.5/10 – One of our poorest players today and I am not sure he has really got going all season. He had a few runs forward but got brushed off the ball too easily and looked very weak at times. He was played as an out and out striker but he saw little of the ball and when he had it, it did not stick. He looks more like the disappointing Murphy we first signed than the one that finished the season. Looks lacking in confidence but moving him around position wide is probably not helping.

Baxter 7.5/10 – Looked a threat and had a few efforts on goal and some nice runs and side steps that almost led to chances/genuine efforts on goal. He played more withdrawn today and often was too deep to make a difference but he did at least look one of few players who could make something happen with ability on the ball. One shot just wide and then another free kick saved were two of the few genuine efforts we had all game.

Campbell Ryce 8.5/10 – United’s best player comfortably. He was excellent today. I was one who knocked his signing but he looked full of hunger, fitness and skill. He caused all manner of problems leading to one player being subbed and others struggling to cope with him. Ran at defenders, used skill, pace and strength. Put in some good crosses and linked well with others. His game did not flag either and he carried on remaining a threat all game. It was fitting he scored (albeit it with a deflection) and I have to eat humble pie after criticising his signing as today he was excellent.

Subs-

McNulty – Brought on to give us something different up front but he did not really do too much. Got tripped once but then kept running into defenders when he
did have the ball. Think if he gets a run in the side he needs a genuine partner really who he can play off. Not sure he will get more than bits and pieces of playing time at the moment.

Flynn – Came on and did get involved. Had one shot just wide and then one break saw him fire a cross miles away from anyone as we broke with men over. Another who had not got going although the way Campbell Ryce played he is more likely to get in ahead of others at the moment if he does get a start.

Wallace – Showed some glimpses. He tried to get on the ball and looked lively but it was such a scrappy game that it was hard for him to get on the ball. Looks quite compact and I hope to see more of him in future weeks.

Manager rating:

Clough 6/10 – It was a win. That is all you can really say as the performance left a lot to be desired. We lacked pace, tempo and genuine creativity and without
Campbell Ryce and bits from Baxter not sure if we would have created much all game. At the moment it is not really happening at home in terms of performances and we need to really improve if we want o look more convincing. We do not look like really blowing teams away and the best we can hope for is 1-0’s. That may have been enough the last two home games but over the course of the season against better sides than the last two we have to do more and play much better. I am not sure he knows his best team yet and not sure his experiments with various front men have worked. I think he knows he needs more players or should I say better players but at the moment we look a very laboured side that is scraping by teams that we really should be winning convincingly.

Officials – The officials were very good today. The referee, Gary Sutton, had no choice with the bookings he made as a few cynical trips from Rochdale (most on Campbell Ryce) saw easy decisions with the yellow cards (Campbell Ryce booked for taking his shirt off on the goal – silly rule but then why do players do this?). As for the rest of the game I felt he did really well. He let play go when he could and tried to play advantage both ways and he just reffed it really sensibly. Only gripe was some blatant foul throws (on the South Stand side) from Rochdale and some quite obvious timewasting at times (not sure why they did as they looked as likely as us when they did attack).

Crowd/Officials – Another really decent crowd with over 19,000 there. This is remarkable really considering we made no further impact in terms of the transfer deadline and have been quite ordinary in most games this season in an average start (results). The crowd tried their best and came to life when players like Baxter and Campbell Ryce ran at opponents but they too got frustrated with some misplaced passes or lack of adventure. I thought the crowd were quite patient considering it was quite poor much of the game.

Rochdale brought a decent following actually with maybe over a 1,000 inside the Lane and supported their team well and will have been gutted to have lost it so late.

Thought you were a little harsh on Alcock, McEvely and Basham, but kind to Baxter and Doyle. Also thought the ref was weak and crap, but perhaps many people are growing accustomed to the poor standard of officials at this level.
The Club, yet again, are in the debt of the loyal supporters who turned our in good numbers again for a low key game, despite our inexplicable and embarrassing no-show in the transfer window. Anybody at the Club who SERIOUSLY doesn't think we need a strong pacey striker who CAN score goals has not watched us this season. None of our so called strikers have "stepped up to the plate". We have tried Murphy and Baxter upfront on their own before and it will not ever work in this agricultural division. Please can we stop it now Nigel and just get a proper striker and start to score goals, its the aim of the game and its really not too much to ask for !!!!
UTB & FTP

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

I agree with Deadbat. United were desperately poor yesterday. I think people's judgements are being clouded somewhat because we won with a very fortunate deflection from the admittedly excellent JCR.

The fact that some are singling out McEveley for praise is disconcerting. Allcock and McEveley, whilst steady away, offer little going forward and with Flynn and Murphy also not on top form we are really struggling from the flanks. Ben Davies also had his poorest game of the season after a number of decent performances. With Basham missing, Doyle being Doyle, and neither Higdon or McNulty doing enough to convince Clough that they deserve to start, goals seem so hard to come by.

Apart from Collins' header did we even test the Rochdale keeper in the second half?

Given Rochdale's impressive form, particularly away, this victory might look better in a few months time. It's hard not to associate Dale as League One minnows who are always likely to go back down to League Two. On recent evidence though they appear to be a tidy side.

We weren't poor Saturday Lightsoot just lightweight up front. Apart from JCR & Howard, most of the team were ok apart from Murph, who really does need to start throwing the weights around in the gym.

 

[Balham]

Oh and the keeper was Logan not Lillis! Surprised no one picked that up!

Whatever his name, there's no denying that he was a "physical presence". Thought they'd signed Brian Jensen when I first saw him!

My one-word reviews (cheated for Basham!):

United - determined
Rochdale - drilled

Howard 8 - solid (although one day we will learn that long balls towards Murphy and Baxter's heads aren't going to work in this division)
Alcock 6 - outgunned
McGahey 7 - promising
Collins 7 - solid
McEveley 7.5 - footballer
Davies 5 - tried
Doyle 7 - destroyer
Basham 6 - notonthesamewavelength*
JCR 8.5 - dangerous
Baxter 7.5 - creative**
Murphy 4 - offcolour

Subs:
McNulty 6 - willing
Flynn 7 - consistent
Wallace 7 - promising

I thought it was a game between two well matched teams. Yes, we've got the bigger budget and the bigger crowds but teams coming to the Lane are inevitably going to be well-drilled as their teams aren't as good. Rochdale had done their homework and forced our most dangerous forward (Baxter)** deeper and deeper which has the unfortunate side effect that his occasionally lax passing causes bigger problems. In addition, they knew that their winger Vicenti was much taller than Alcock so played him on the left to maximise that advantage. Fortunately, we dealt relatively well with the loose balls. McEveley played well at left back, he'd figured out the referee so knew when to go down; McGahey and Collins made a few mistakes (McGahey seems to take his eye off the ball occasionally: he got away with two ricks on Saturday) but were otherwise solid; aside from Henderson's almost-worldy (some goal that would have been although I imagine that BladeInThatcham's granny could have scored it), one misdirected cross and Vicenti's last minute header I can't think of any saves that Howard had to make.

*I'm not sure what Basham's best role is. He's a jack of all trades in a midfield sense - he's athletic, tall, has decent positioning and can pass a ball - but he's master of none. Maybe we're asking too much of him to be the box to box midfielder as it's affecting his decision making but until Wallace is fit he'll stay in the team. After that, he'll be waiting for Doyle to lose form - I was one of Doyle's detractors but since Clough deployed him in a role where his lack of mobility isn't so much an issue he's played very well.

What I will say about Dale though is that they can have no complaints about the refereeing. They toed the line on physicality from the first minute to the last, some they got away with and others they didn't. There were some inconsistencies, of course there were - this is League One - but on the whole I thought he did well.

Oh and moDtheGod on that evidence, Jamie Murphy is not a centre forward. He was woeful.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Some good debate on here; enjoyable stuff. I am certainly not someone who seems to suggest my reports are gospel. Far from it! I am unsure why some posters seem to think I would feel that!!!

People may see games completely different to me and I would be concerned if people all saw games the same as it would make life very boring. I post reports and am there to be shot at/disagreed with in same way as some may agree. Maybe I do lean towards being slightly cynical but a team that is now playing its 4th season in the third tier and has let us down time after time, it is hard to not be like that as much as I want to be more optimistic and show more hope; I tend to be normally proved right in being on the side of negative.

Regarding yesterday; it was a game that could have gone either way. We maybe shaded it but there was not a lot in it as possession and chances on/off target. If the shot they had would have been a few inches lower then they could win. We score a slightly fortunate goal. Every game I have seen this season could have gone either way (and it seems the ones I have not seen away have been similar). There has been very little in the games and United have never controlled a game all season in the ones I have seen. Equally opponents have not dominated us either. It does concern me that for a side that many tipped for promotion and even many on here felt we would be right up there do look in reality much of a muchness in terms of in comparison to who we have played. Sure we have played some of he better sides looking at the table but also played some that wont be anywhere near the top. Rochdale and Crawley I would wager will both finish in the bottom half despite some decent results to start the season.

I know I get called for being negative and have to maybe accept where we are but I do feel we should be playing better than what we have been. Maybe it is a the loss of some key players but equally even without these the system and style we played to end last season with some slick attacking breaks with good tempo does seem to have disappeared. We lack any kind of identity in the way we play currently and that concerns me. It is more than just not having a decent striker although that is a significant weakness.

I enjoy us winning and that is the most important part of football but I do think we were very average yesterday and honestly am surprised if people think any different.

As for individuals; Baxter's strength is passing and creating. He can be an idle so and so at times but without him we would be much lower in the league this season. Sadly if he worked harder and cut out some of his weaknesses he would not be with us or at this level. We may have to accept who he is. To me he has still been one of stand out players this season, along with JCR and Davies (poor yesterday). Maybe I was a tad harsh on McEveley but I do think he had a really poor first half and twice nearly led them in with his indecision but got much better as the game went on. Generally he has looked one of better signings as has JCR. These two I thought were the type of signings we should not be making so happy that so far I have been proved wrong.

I have read and enjoyed your reports for quite some time now Deadbat and nearly always agree with your comments, far better reading than the bland comments of our reporter for the local comic. People tend to gloss over the performance if we win but it shouldn't stop constructive criticism if warranted which I always feel you offer. As pre-season favourites for the division title we should be performing as Bristol City are, ie winning at a canter but clearly we are not at present, slowly getting there but at a struggle.

 

[LSF]

What I will say about Dale though is that they can have no complaints about the refereeing. They toed the line on physicality from the first minute to the last, some they got away with and others they didn't. There were some inconsistencies, of course there were - this is League One - but on the whole I thought he did well.

Oh and moDtheGod on that evidence, Jamie Murphy is not a centre forward. He was woeful.

Agree about Dale's physical approach and your description (toed the line). The first 30 minutes they were all bite and spite, just about within the boundaries of acceptability. I quite like teams having this approach, they are saying 'we mean business' and 'don't f*ck with us', it can often upset the oppositions rhythm.

However, United (other than Murphy) stood up to the test and matched them in that area. It could easily have turned the game the other way if we'd have let it upset us.

 

[moDtheGod]

Oh and moDtheGod on that evidence, Jamie Murphy is not a centre forward. He was woeful.

Probably a lot to do with the fact that he hasn't played there since 2012! And by the sounds of it, he was up against big lumps. I always said I wanted to see him up front in a 4-4-2, or playing behind a target man anyway, not as a lone striker.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

All a bit like DW's difficult second season this isn't it?

Nah, we didn't lose until November that season.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Whatever his name, there's no denying that he was a "physical presence". Thought they'd signed Brian Jensen when I first saw him!

My one-word reviews (cheated for Basham!):

United - determined
Rochdale - drilled

Howard 8 - solid (although one day we will learn that long balls towards Murphy and Baxter's heads aren't going to work in this division)
Alcock 6 - outgunned
McGahey 7 - promising
Collins 7 - solid
McEveley 7.5 - footballer
Davies 5 - tried
Doyle 7 - destroyer
Basham 6 - notonthesamewavelength*
JCR 8.5 - dangerous
Baxter 7.5 - creative**
Murphy 4 - offcolour

Subs:
McNulty 6 - willing
Flynn 7 - consistent
Wallace 7 - promising

I thought it was a game between two well matched teams. Yes, we've got the bigger budget and the bigger crowds but teams coming to the Lane are inevitably going to be well-drilled as their teams aren't as good. Rochdale had done their homework and forced our most dangerous forward (Baxter)** deeper and deeper which has the unfortunate side effect that his occasionally lax passing causes bigger problems. In addition, they knew that their winger Vicenti was much taller than Alcock so played him on the left to maximise that advantage. Fortunately, we dealt relatively well with the loose balls. McEveley played well at left back, he'd figured out the referee so knew when to go down; McGahey and Collins made a few mistakes (McGahey seems to take his eye off the ball occasionally: he got away with two ricks on Saturday) but were otherwise solid; aside from Henderson's almost-worldy (some goal that would have been although I imagine that BladeInThatcham's granny could have scored it), one misdirected cross and Vicenti's last minute header I can't think of any saves that Howard had to make.

*I'm not sure what Basham's best role is. He's a jack of all trades in a midfield sense - he's athletic, tall, has decent positioning and can pass a ball - but he's master of none. Maybe we're asking too much of him to be the box to box midfielder as it's affecting his decision making but until Wallace is fit he'll stay in the team. After that, he'll be waiting for Doyle to lose form - I was one of Doyle's detractors but since Clough deployed him in a role where his lack of mobility isn't so much an issue he's played very well.

What I will say about Dale though is that they can have no complaints about the refereeing. They toed the line on physicality from the first minute to the last, some they got away with and others they didn't. There were some inconsistencies, of course there were - this is League One - but on the whole I thought he did well.

Oh and moDtheGod on that evidence, Jamie Murphy is not a centre forward. He was woeful.

Absolutely spot on. Should Deadbat have a holiday sometime, would you do the reports please?

You're right, McGahey does take his eye of the ball, probably at least twice a game actually, and it really is inexplicable; I'm not being smart arse but could he possibly need contact lenses? He misjudges long balls regularly. Wasn't there a top sportsman who discovered that sort of problem well into his career?

As for Basham, my question is why does he fancy himself as a midfielder?

Shame you misjudged Doyle though, as he's always been this good, and each and every one of his managers knew full well. The key to Doyle is recognising his strengths and blending him with proper playing partners. The bloke is a player and a character who knows the game and can lead other players. It should not take a "Cockney Walk" for him to become popular with our fans!! ( I don't mean you Balham).

 

[Balham]

Shame you misjudged Doyle though, as he's always been this good, and each and every one of his managers knew full well. The key to Doyle is recognising his strengths and blending him with proper playing partners. The bloke is a player and a character who knows the game and can lead other players. It should not take a "Cockney Walk" for him to become popular with our fans!! ( I don't mean you Balham).

I got my opinion of Doyle from the dark days under Adams, didn't really notice him in the first Wilson season as he and McDonald dovetailed nicely; thought he was woeful in 2012-13 under Wilson and in 2013-14 under Weir (as we were as a team - make no mistake, Wilson is a bottler) as he didn't have a consistent partner in midfield and was required to do the box to box job which he just can't do and since Clough has come in I've mentioned that he's been probably the most improved player - alongside Flynn and Murphy.

I'd love to provide an alternative view and I will do so when I get the chance - I've been laid low since Saturday evening and didn't have a PC to do the report; I'm London based so they'll mostly be away reports.

I do like Deadbat's reports but wonder whether, as ChrisBlade says, he goes too far in his search for impartiality - that said, they provide an invaluable balance to the OS (red and white tints, obviously) and the Star (I think James Shield is more concerned about style and wordsmithy than substance).