Ollessendro
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2009
- Messages
- 5,024
- Reaction score
- 987
Ollessendro's search for real ale and proper football took him to Buckinghamshire yesterday. A first trip to Adams Park and the 39th football league stadium ticked. I was not disappointed with the football I saw (and I certainly sank enough ale) but I was left truly frustrated after United lost. The Blades went down 1 nil to a poor Wycombe side in a strange contest. United controlled the game from start to finish, buit a mixture of good defending, good goalkeeping, being wasteful in the final third and (most importantly) not being clinical enough, saw United lose their second game in three.
Team
Wilson did not make any changes and the dame team that blew Colchester away at Bramall Lane started at Adams Park:
------------ SS
Lowton Collins Maguire Williams
Williamson Doyle McDonald Quinn
--------- Porter Evans
The match
United made the running early on and quickly started to dominate the game. To be honest we were low in the stand and the other end of the pitch was so far away, so I could not see what was going on when United attacked. I remember Evans and Quinn both having fairly tame shots saved, Doyle firing over and Wanderers keeper Bull making the most of a Quinn cross and tipping over the bar. Simmonsen had to be on his toes and saved down to his right early on and caught a routine shot straight at him.
United were looking good and were much the better team. It was like in previous weeks with Simmonsen rolling the ball out and the Blades building from the back. We enjoyed most of the possession and there was a massive gulf in class. We had a few chances and were well on top. Wycombe looked scared and I genuinly thought United would run out easy winners. Williamson missed a criminal chances early on when he headed over from an Evan cross. It was a free header from a couple of yards out and he really should have buried it.
Just when United were looking like they would break the deadlock disaster struck. My mate literally just said to me 'if we don't get three points here I will be disappointed .... these guys are wank and there is a massive gulf in class' then bang! A routine, speculative ball was badly miscontrolled by Maguire and BEAVON took advtnage to give Wyombe the lead. It should have been an easy ball to deal with, but Maguire tried to be too clever (seemingly).He was streching and I think he tried to dink the ball to Lowton. Instead it just fell into the path of Beavoin and he ran on and scored. It was an excellent finish and Simmonsen stood no chance. Really poor defending from Maguire. I think this was partly down to the new philosophy (pass from the back) and partly because Maguire likes to showboat, but his mistake cost us the game. He could easily have wellied it down field (something I am not usually a fan of) and got rid of the danger.
The goal changed the game and suddenly Wycombe looked more confident. They got men behind the ball and started to press us hard. They had obviously done their homework and gave McDonald little time or space. United had a couple of chances before half time with Porter not being able to get enough on a header, Collins heading wide (a bad miss) and Williamson hitting a tame effort after a knock down from Porter.
I was sure that if United remained patient that we would win. Wycombe were poor and I thought we would have enough. Credit to Wilson as he told the players to remain patient and go about their business. We did create chances, but did not take them. With United attacking the away end we expected to see the ball up at our end, but Simmonsen had to push a shot away early in the second half. United then had a good opportunity as Evans took a free kick from 30 yards out. His initial shot was blocked, but he hit a sweet left footed volley that crashed against the underside of the bar. The keeper was beaten and it was a stroke of bad luck after a good volley (excellent technique).
Wycombe had another chance and Simmonsen saved well and then United went agonisingly close again. Quinn and Lowton linked up and Evans saw his shot bravely smothered by the keeper. It fell to Doyle (McDonald) and his shot was goalbound before a defender threw himself in the way and it deflected over. It was going in and the defender bravely got his head in the way to send it inches over the bar.
I thought United had a strong shout for a penalty late on. The ball was centred and their defender was all over Porter. He clearly had both arms over Porters shoulders as he rose to win the header. Strangely Porter half heartedly appealed, but other than Doyle (who went mental at the referee who was a coupld of yards away from him) none of the United players appealed. In the stands we all appealed and I had a good few and thought it was a foul. I am partisan of course, but anywhere else on the pitch and the ref would have blown up.
The injured Williams went off for Lescinel and United continied to surge forward. From a corner Collins headers was scooped off the line by Wycombe keeper Bull and then moment later he saved another header from Lowton. Cresswell had replaced the inneffective Porter and he looked to get in the action. A beautiful ball from McDonald found Evans in space and 6 yards out he fluffed his lines. He was in acres of space and he had loads of time, but he snatched at the shot. He toe poked wide with his weaker foot. At that point I was starting to think it might not be our day and would have happily taken a point. Lowton then should have done better when he advanced into the area (putting his cross to close to Bull) and Cresswell and Maguire both saw headers saved from Bull.
Wycombe celebrated like they had won the cup when the final whistle came. Rightly so. They (a poor team) had taken a big scalp.
Crimes against hoof
Todays crimeas against hoof go to Wilson, McDonald and Collins. Wilson deserves credit for telling the players to stick to their guns. Evans under pressure we played some decent stuff and always kept the ball on the deck. We outpassed Wycombe, controlled the game and created a lot of chances. Of course we did not win and should have, but I am encouraged by the style. McDonald struggled a bit first half and his movement and fitness are questionable. However he nevers gives the ball away. Plus his vision and passing is incredible and he looks a cut above any other midfielder at this level. Collins should als be given credit as he always tries to play out from the back. He always passes short and always gives Simmonsen an option. He often brings the ball out of defence and I am impressed he leads by example at the back by trying to play football.
Crimes against football
Todays crime aginst football goes to Harry Maguire. His distribution was poor and he cost us the game. Ii can forgive the odd mistake (he is a young lad and as been excellent in the opening games) but he really needs to work on his distribution. He also needs to be more careful. He has 'showboated' a few times and been fine, but it was a matter of time before he got caught out. Yesterday he did. He was trying to be too clever. Stick to the basics Harry. Also I hate the way he always goes for the long diagonal ball. With Evans and Porter up front and Wycombe haing two big centre halves it was just a waste. He put at least half a dozne aimless hoofs forwarded yesterday and just gave away possession.
United
We played really well but were not clinical enough. Simple as that. We controlled the game, passed well and created chances. However we did not take our chances. Plus we gave away a very sloppy goal. I am encouragd by the passing game, but the bottom line is we lost to a poor side. In some ocassions we over play it, but I have never said that before and hence will not complain. An example of this was Simmo rolled out to Collins, he passed to Maguire, out to Lowton, Williams, Collins, Maguire then hoof.
I thought at times the midfield was too static and there was not enough options. Doyle came short a lot, but noone else moved. Second half it was better, but we lacked width. We were also a little careless in the final third. The killer ball was not quite there. However we created more than enough chances to win the game. Evans and Williamson missed glorious chances. Thier keeper made several decent games too. Plus we hit the bar. I would say that we were unlucky and on another day we would have won 3 one, but this has been a problem for the last 3 games now. 2 of those we have lost and were left ruing missed chances. We need to be more clinical.
Wycombe
A poor side really. There was a huge gulf in class, until they scored. Then they grew in confidence. They got men behind the ball, hassled and harried and pressed. However United had the better of the game and they were a little lucky. I spoke to one of their fans afterwards and asked him what he thought 'lucky ... very lucky' is what he said. They rode their luck and got away with it, due to United's poor finishing. Coming into the game they had not won for 6 games, had not scored at home since August, had their best player missed (tosser Ainswoth) and were low on confidence. Hence to lose to them is very disappointing.
Player ratings
SS 7/10 - Did pretty well. Saved several shots, commanded his area reasonably well and distributed soundaly. could not do anything about the goal.
Lowton 6/10 - tried really hard, but it just did not come off for him. He did not have a lot to do defending, but really got forward well and offered an attacking option. Things just did not come off for him though and he missed a header and could have done better with his final pass on a few occcassions. He did bomb forward though and created an opening for Evans. He showed passion and commitment and was probably United's best outfield player. You could see how disappoited he was when the final whistle went (he threw himself on the floor in agony) and when he came over and clapped the fans.
Williams 5.5/10 - generally did ok, without being spectacular. He defended pretty well, giving their pacey black winger little time and space. However his touch is poor and his second touch was often a tackle. One of them lead to him getting injured and having to go off.
Collins 5.5/10 - had a reasonably good game. Not treally that much to do defensive wise, but distributed well. He ran the ball out and always tried to find red and white shirted midfielders. However he did get booked when he lost control of the ball and clattered one of their players. He does often give his man too much time and space and this worries me. He is slow and when faced by a pacey defender he gives them space and backs off. He has not been punished much this season for it (other than Huddersfied) but I do worry he may get caight out by better stikers. Him and Maguire are slow and I think they are potentially vulnerable to pace.
Maguire 4/10 - he made a bad error and cost his team the game. His defending was generally pretty good, but (as document) he made a very bad error which lead to a goal. (as also document) His distribution was shocking yesterday and he wasted possession with plenty of aimless hoofs.
Williamson 3.5/10 - Really poor. Never in the game and diappointing when he was. He is not winger and I feel for him in that respect, but he could at least try. He was overly casual and did nothing of note. I got the impression he thinks he is better than wahat he is yesterday. He never tried to take on his man and was completely inneffectve. Mendez-Laing had much more of an impact on the game in 10 minutes on the field and should replace the complacent, inconsistent Williamson.
Doyle 5.5/10 - Thought he was not bad, without being great. He did a lot of the leg work for McDonald, but I am not convinced by Doyle. He kind of supports the back four and kind of supports the attack, but does neither that well. To give him credit he did drop back and pick up the ball a lot. He was always looking to take the ball off the back four and tyr and distribue. However his passing is not great and he does not offer much off an attacking option.
McDonald 5.5/10 - McDonald was a bit disappointing first half. His work rate is questionable and he does not run much. First half he only got the ball when dropping very deep and was not given much time and space. He played way too deep first half and did not have much of an impact. That said he rarely gave the ball away. Second half was a different story. As the game worse on he really started to impose himself. He got his foot on the ball and started to spread play. His passing and vision is excellent. He put through a beauty of a ball to Evans (who should have buried it) and linked well with Lowton on a few occassions.
Quinn 5.5/10 - Quinn put in a lot of effort, but things did not quite work out for him. His work rate was awesome and he never gave up. However I think he tried to do too much. He was constantly coming inside and trying to pick up the ball in central midfield. Also he has a tendency to hang onto the ball for too long and then the chance/opportunity goes missing. His touch and passing also let him down on a few occassions. This may seem harsh but if he concentrates on his game (passing when he should, staying out wide left etc) then he will be one of the best midfielders in this division.
Porter 3.5/10 - Really inneffective. His touch is poor, he is not that strong or good in the air for a big man, he is not quick and he offered no real danger. He did knock the ball down for Evans to shoot in the first half, but I remember him doing little else. He was no threat at all yesterday and Cresswell looked more like scoring in the 10 mins he was on than Porter in the 80 he was on the pitch. Thought he was fouled in the area late on, but neither he nor the other United players appealed.
Evans 5.5/10 - The much livlier of the wto strikers and he looked dangerous yesterday. However in some respects it was the Ched of old. He got himself in the positions, but could not finish. He was desperately unlucky with an excellent volley that hit the bar. He also had a shot smothered by Bull, but he missed a glorious oportunity. Had he put that it (with 15 mins to go) I am sure we woud have gone on to win. A fragile Wycombe would have crumbled.
Mendez-Laing looked lively and deserves to start ahead of Williamson in the next game. Cresswell should also started ahead of Porter. He had a header saved and worked hard when he came on. Summed up our day though when he went for a flick header and it hit the top of his head and flew straight up in the air! Lescinel did not have much to do, but was his usual self in that he got forward well, defended soundly but then had a Nosworthy moment, only to redeem hismelf at the last second.
Crowd
Thought the crowd was slightly disapointing yesterday. Coming into the groun the atmposhere was great. The chants of 'Gareth Ainsworth is a wanker' were rining round and we really got behind the team. However after the goal the United following was quiet and did not get behind the team until late on. We urged the team on and made some noise late on, but for such as good following (at least 1500) I thought we were a bit quiet. Their fans were not bad actually. Particularly the fans beding the goal at ther opposite end. They were on the terrace in a small shed of a stand. They only seemed to have one song, but they kept it going and going. All the way through the second half they sang, so fair play.
Stadium
Funny little ground Adams Park. Smack bang in the middle of nowhere and right in an industrial estate. Behind the small stans facing us and on our right was just fields. A nice view of farm and barron land where you could see people walking their dogs etc. The facilities were not meant todeal with so many away fans and it was a job trying to take a piss. But the tewards were nice and dealt with things well and I was able to get a pie easily enough.
Ref
Thought he was a bit too fussy. Pulling back free kicks, making thrown ins and freee kicks be taken again and not playing the advantage. There were several occassions when he should have given Un ited the advantage, but did not and opted for pulling it back. The ref was generally pretty poor, but did not get any big calls wrong. I thought he missed a few challanges and then stopped play uneccessarily at times. He could have also penalised Wycombe for some blatent, cynical time wasting from the 70 minute mark onwards.
Ale
Drank plenty of ale yesterday. Few bog stanard, but noce Southern ale's (Pride, Sussex Best) but the stand out ale was a pale called Golden Bob (I think - though I cannot find it on the net). A nice, light, pale ale with a bit of a kick (slightly spicey) and a very midl lingering hoppy aftertaste. Sank so many of them I forgot what it is called.
Olle's final thoughts
We were not clinical enough. Simple as that. We played some decent stuff and I am impressed by the philosophy and change of style. However we need to start burying our chances. Wycombe were poor and we should have taken all 3 points. We also need to cut out individual errors. Should we be worried about our lack of cutting edge? Possibly. It is the third game in a row that we have created lots of chances, but not been ruthless. It is great we are creating lots of chances, but we need to start sticking them away. We now face a really tough month and will need to raise our game if we are going to be up there when Novemeber starts. I was pleased with the way we controlled the game, but really disappointed that we lost. Overall it was a really frustrating 90 mins (I spent most of the 2nd half with my head in my hands) that kind of spoilt another otherwise lovely day out.
Team
Wilson did not make any changes and the dame team that blew Colchester away at Bramall Lane started at Adams Park:
------------ SS
Lowton Collins Maguire Williams
Williamson Doyle McDonald Quinn
--------- Porter Evans
The match
United made the running early on and quickly started to dominate the game. To be honest we were low in the stand and the other end of the pitch was so far away, so I could not see what was going on when United attacked. I remember Evans and Quinn both having fairly tame shots saved, Doyle firing over and Wanderers keeper Bull making the most of a Quinn cross and tipping over the bar. Simmonsen had to be on his toes and saved down to his right early on and caught a routine shot straight at him.
United were looking good and were much the better team. It was like in previous weeks with Simmonsen rolling the ball out and the Blades building from the back. We enjoyed most of the possession and there was a massive gulf in class. We had a few chances and were well on top. Wycombe looked scared and I genuinly thought United would run out easy winners. Williamson missed a criminal chances early on when he headed over from an Evan cross. It was a free header from a couple of yards out and he really should have buried it.
Just when United were looking like they would break the deadlock disaster struck. My mate literally just said to me 'if we don't get three points here I will be disappointed .... these guys are wank and there is a massive gulf in class' then bang! A routine, speculative ball was badly miscontrolled by Maguire and BEAVON took advtnage to give Wyombe the lead. It should have been an easy ball to deal with, but Maguire tried to be too clever (seemingly).He was streching and I think he tried to dink the ball to Lowton. Instead it just fell into the path of Beavoin and he ran on and scored. It was an excellent finish and Simmonsen stood no chance. Really poor defending from Maguire. I think this was partly down to the new philosophy (pass from the back) and partly because Maguire likes to showboat, but his mistake cost us the game. He could easily have wellied it down field (something I am not usually a fan of) and got rid of the danger.
The goal changed the game and suddenly Wycombe looked more confident. They got men behind the ball and started to press us hard. They had obviously done their homework and gave McDonald little time or space. United had a couple of chances before half time with Porter not being able to get enough on a header, Collins heading wide (a bad miss) and Williamson hitting a tame effort after a knock down from Porter.
I was sure that if United remained patient that we would win. Wycombe were poor and I thought we would have enough. Credit to Wilson as he told the players to remain patient and go about their business. We did create chances, but did not take them. With United attacking the away end we expected to see the ball up at our end, but Simmonsen had to push a shot away early in the second half. United then had a good opportunity as Evans took a free kick from 30 yards out. His initial shot was blocked, but he hit a sweet left footed volley that crashed against the underside of the bar. The keeper was beaten and it was a stroke of bad luck after a good volley (excellent technique).
Wycombe had another chance and Simmonsen saved well and then United went agonisingly close again. Quinn and Lowton linked up and Evans saw his shot bravely smothered by the keeper. It fell to Doyle (McDonald) and his shot was goalbound before a defender threw himself in the way and it deflected over. It was going in and the defender bravely got his head in the way to send it inches over the bar.
I thought United had a strong shout for a penalty late on. The ball was centred and their defender was all over Porter. He clearly had both arms over Porters shoulders as he rose to win the header. Strangely Porter half heartedly appealed, but other than Doyle (who went mental at the referee who was a coupld of yards away from him) none of the United players appealed. In the stands we all appealed and I had a good few and thought it was a foul. I am partisan of course, but anywhere else on the pitch and the ref would have blown up.
The injured Williams went off for Lescinel and United continied to surge forward. From a corner Collins headers was scooped off the line by Wycombe keeper Bull and then moment later he saved another header from Lowton. Cresswell had replaced the inneffective Porter and he looked to get in the action. A beautiful ball from McDonald found Evans in space and 6 yards out he fluffed his lines. He was in acres of space and he had loads of time, but he snatched at the shot. He toe poked wide with his weaker foot. At that point I was starting to think it might not be our day and would have happily taken a point. Lowton then should have done better when he advanced into the area (putting his cross to close to Bull) and Cresswell and Maguire both saw headers saved from Bull.
Wycombe celebrated like they had won the cup when the final whistle came. Rightly so. They (a poor team) had taken a big scalp.
Crimes against hoof
Todays crimeas against hoof go to Wilson, McDonald and Collins. Wilson deserves credit for telling the players to stick to their guns. Evans under pressure we played some decent stuff and always kept the ball on the deck. We outpassed Wycombe, controlled the game and created a lot of chances. Of course we did not win and should have, but I am encouraged by the style. McDonald struggled a bit first half and his movement and fitness are questionable. However he nevers gives the ball away. Plus his vision and passing is incredible and he looks a cut above any other midfielder at this level. Collins should als be given credit as he always tries to play out from the back. He always passes short and always gives Simmonsen an option. He often brings the ball out of defence and I am impressed he leads by example at the back by trying to play football.
Crimes against football
Todays crime aginst football goes to Harry Maguire. His distribution was poor and he cost us the game. Ii can forgive the odd mistake (he is a young lad and as been excellent in the opening games) but he really needs to work on his distribution. He also needs to be more careful. He has 'showboated' a few times and been fine, but it was a matter of time before he got caught out. Yesterday he did. He was trying to be too clever. Stick to the basics Harry. Also I hate the way he always goes for the long diagonal ball. With Evans and Porter up front and Wycombe haing two big centre halves it was just a waste. He put at least half a dozne aimless hoofs forwarded yesterday and just gave away possession.
United
We played really well but were not clinical enough. Simple as that. We controlled the game, passed well and created chances. However we did not take our chances. Plus we gave away a very sloppy goal. I am encouragd by the passing game, but the bottom line is we lost to a poor side. In some ocassions we over play it, but I have never said that before and hence will not complain. An example of this was Simmo rolled out to Collins, he passed to Maguire, out to Lowton, Williams, Collins, Maguire then hoof.
I thought at times the midfield was too static and there was not enough options. Doyle came short a lot, but noone else moved. Second half it was better, but we lacked width. We were also a little careless in the final third. The killer ball was not quite there. However we created more than enough chances to win the game. Evans and Williamson missed glorious chances. Thier keeper made several decent games too. Plus we hit the bar. I would say that we were unlucky and on another day we would have won 3 one, but this has been a problem for the last 3 games now. 2 of those we have lost and were left ruing missed chances. We need to be more clinical.
Wycombe
A poor side really. There was a huge gulf in class, until they scored. Then they grew in confidence. They got men behind the ball, hassled and harried and pressed. However United had the better of the game and they were a little lucky. I spoke to one of their fans afterwards and asked him what he thought 'lucky ... very lucky' is what he said. They rode their luck and got away with it, due to United's poor finishing. Coming into the game they had not won for 6 games, had not scored at home since August, had their best player missed (tosser Ainswoth) and were low on confidence. Hence to lose to them is very disappointing.
Player ratings
SS 7/10 - Did pretty well. Saved several shots, commanded his area reasonably well and distributed soundaly. could not do anything about the goal.
Lowton 6/10 - tried really hard, but it just did not come off for him. He did not have a lot to do defending, but really got forward well and offered an attacking option. Things just did not come off for him though and he missed a header and could have done better with his final pass on a few occcassions. He did bomb forward though and created an opening for Evans. He showed passion and commitment and was probably United's best outfield player. You could see how disappoited he was when the final whistle went (he threw himself on the floor in agony) and when he came over and clapped the fans.
Williams 5.5/10 - generally did ok, without being spectacular. He defended pretty well, giving their pacey black winger little time and space. However his touch is poor and his second touch was often a tackle. One of them lead to him getting injured and having to go off.
Collins 5.5/10 - had a reasonably good game. Not treally that much to do defensive wise, but distributed well. He ran the ball out and always tried to find red and white shirted midfielders. However he did get booked when he lost control of the ball and clattered one of their players. He does often give his man too much time and space and this worries me. He is slow and when faced by a pacey defender he gives them space and backs off. He has not been punished much this season for it (other than Huddersfied) but I do worry he may get caight out by better stikers. Him and Maguire are slow and I think they are potentially vulnerable to pace.
Maguire 4/10 - he made a bad error and cost his team the game. His defending was generally pretty good, but (as document) he made a very bad error which lead to a goal. (as also document) His distribution was shocking yesterday and he wasted possession with plenty of aimless hoofs.
Williamson 3.5/10 - Really poor. Never in the game and diappointing when he was. He is not winger and I feel for him in that respect, but he could at least try. He was overly casual and did nothing of note. I got the impression he thinks he is better than wahat he is yesterday. He never tried to take on his man and was completely inneffectve. Mendez-Laing had much more of an impact on the game in 10 minutes on the field and should replace the complacent, inconsistent Williamson.
Doyle 5.5/10 - Thought he was not bad, without being great. He did a lot of the leg work for McDonald, but I am not convinced by Doyle. He kind of supports the back four and kind of supports the attack, but does neither that well. To give him credit he did drop back and pick up the ball a lot. He was always looking to take the ball off the back four and tyr and distribue. However his passing is not great and he does not offer much off an attacking option.
McDonald 5.5/10 - McDonald was a bit disappointing first half. His work rate is questionable and he does not run much. First half he only got the ball when dropping very deep and was not given much time and space. He played way too deep first half and did not have much of an impact. That said he rarely gave the ball away. Second half was a different story. As the game worse on he really started to impose himself. He got his foot on the ball and started to spread play. His passing and vision is excellent. He put through a beauty of a ball to Evans (who should have buried it) and linked well with Lowton on a few occassions.
Quinn 5.5/10 - Quinn put in a lot of effort, but things did not quite work out for him. His work rate was awesome and he never gave up. However I think he tried to do too much. He was constantly coming inside and trying to pick up the ball in central midfield. Also he has a tendency to hang onto the ball for too long and then the chance/opportunity goes missing. His touch and passing also let him down on a few occassions. This may seem harsh but if he concentrates on his game (passing when he should, staying out wide left etc) then he will be one of the best midfielders in this division.
Porter 3.5/10 - Really inneffective. His touch is poor, he is not that strong or good in the air for a big man, he is not quick and he offered no real danger. He did knock the ball down for Evans to shoot in the first half, but I remember him doing little else. He was no threat at all yesterday and Cresswell looked more like scoring in the 10 mins he was on than Porter in the 80 he was on the pitch. Thought he was fouled in the area late on, but neither he nor the other United players appealed.
Evans 5.5/10 - The much livlier of the wto strikers and he looked dangerous yesterday. However in some respects it was the Ched of old. He got himself in the positions, but could not finish. He was desperately unlucky with an excellent volley that hit the bar. He also had a shot smothered by Bull, but he missed a glorious oportunity. Had he put that it (with 15 mins to go) I am sure we woud have gone on to win. A fragile Wycombe would have crumbled.
Mendez-Laing looked lively and deserves to start ahead of Williamson in the next game. Cresswell should also started ahead of Porter. He had a header saved and worked hard when he came on. Summed up our day though when he went for a flick header and it hit the top of his head and flew straight up in the air! Lescinel did not have much to do, but was his usual self in that he got forward well, defended soundly but then had a Nosworthy moment, only to redeem hismelf at the last second.
Crowd
Thought the crowd was slightly disapointing yesterday. Coming into the groun the atmposhere was great. The chants of 'Gareth Ainsworth is a wanker' were rining round and we really got behind the team. However after the goal the United following was quiet and did not get behind the team until late on. We urged the team on and made some noise late on, but for such as good following (at least 1500) I thought we were a bit quiet. Their fans were not bad actually. Particularly the fans beding the goal at ther opposite end. They were on the terrace in a small shed of a stand. They only seemed to have one song, but they kept it going and going. All the way through the second half they sang, so fair play.
Stadium
Funny little ground Adams Park. Smack bang in the middle of nowhere and right in an industrial estate. Behind the small stans facing us and on our right was just fields. A nice view of farm and barron land where you could see people walking their dogs etc. The facilities were not meant todeal with so many away fans and it was a job trying to take a piss. But the tewards were nice and dealt with things well and I was able to get a pie easily enough.
Ref
Thought he was a bit too fussy. Pulling back free kicks, making thrown ins and freee kicks be taken again and not playing the advantage. There were several occassions when he should have given Un ited the advantage, but did not and opted for pulling it back. The ref was generally pretty poor, but did not get any big calls wrong. I thought he missed a few challanges and then stopped play uneccessarily at times. He could have also penalised Wycombe for some blatent, cynical time wasting from the 70 minute mark onwards.
Ale
Drank plenty of ale yesterday. Few bog stanard, but noce Southern ale's (Pride, Sussex Best) but the stand out ale was a pale called Golden Bob (I think - though I cannot find it on the net). A nice, light, pale ale with a bit of a kick (slightly spicey) and a very midl lingering hoppy aftertaste. Sank so many of them I forgot what it is called.
Olle's final thoughts
We were not clinical enough. Simple as that. We played some decent stuff and I am impressed by the philosophy and change of style. However we need to start burying our chances. Wycombe were poor and we should have taken all 3 points. We also need to cut out individual errors. Should we be worried about our lack of cutting edge? Possibly. It is the third game in a row that we have created lots of chances, but not been ruthless. It is great we are creating lots of chances, but we need to start sticking them away. We now face a really tough month and will need to raise our game if we are going to be up there when Novemeber starts. I was pleased with the way we controlled the game, but really disappointed that we lost. Overall it was a really frustrating 90 mins (I spent most of the 2nd half with my head in my hands) that kind of spoilt another otherwise lovely day out.
