You have to give it to them

[Ashtonsmashton]

They have an amazing keeper.

But we should have still won.

Terrible first half, lucky not go down 2-0

Second half - we were unlucky not to win 2-1

 

[RealMcCoy]

They have an amazing keeper.

But we should have still won.

Terrible first half, lucky not go down 2-0

Second half - we were unlucky not to win 2-1

Didn't hear first half but listened to most of the second half. Sounded like we were the most likely team for most of the second half commentary, especially after Doyle scored.
Two questions:

1 Does anyone know why the ref disallowed the "goal" and pulled it back for a free kick (foul on Flynn I seem to recall)? Was Coady offside and therefore no goal and advantage was over? If not that, it seems like a very strange decision.

2 I think it would have been a different result if we had converted any one of the (very good) 5 or 6 chances we had towards the end. If we did have a better striker on the pitch would that have made the difference? Not getting at NC for not finding one, just thinking is all.

What do you think?

 

[LardSardine]

We were sloppy and clumsy in the first half, not winning enough 50/50 balls. Having said that, I thought it was pretty even and we still had a couple of chances. Second half we totally dominated, especially after the equalizer, there was only going to be one winner. Unfortunately not. Where we were maybe slightly fortunate against Preston, today was the opposite, didn't get what we deserved.

 

[CarlingBlade]

That's football, far play to the lads, I don't have an issue with us losing as long as we show effort and commitment in amongst some good football.

Didn't go today but it appears we put in a decent performance in the second half.

 

[true99blade]

A woeful first half on our account first half. Second we dominated but we weren't clinical. Needed to get a striker who can put away some of the chances we create.

 

[R&WStripedBlood]

[QUOTE="

1 Does anyone know why the ref disallowed the "goal" and pulled it back for a free kick (foul on Flynn I seem to recall)? Was Coady offside and therefore no goal and advantage was over? If not that, it seems like a very strange decision.

Coady was offside yes, hence couldn't play the advantage.


2 I think it would have been a different result if we had converted any one of the (very good) 5 or 6 chances we had towards the end. If we did have a better striker on the pitch would that have made the difference? Not getting at NC for not finding one, just thinking is all.

Yes

What do you think?[/QUOTE]

 

[Paulus]

I wouldn't be too harsh on the 1st half performance, the pitch looked a nightmare to play controlled football on and that penalised us more than it did them. I thought they were crap which made the defeat harder to take. Apart from the two goals I can't remember them having any other chances on goal other than a header early on. In answer to RMcC above - yes, he was offside and then the ref pulled it back for the free kick - although the wall was only about 8 yards away when the kick was taken. I thought we played some decent stuff in the second half but we really need some pace up front in the summer.

 

[kozluk]

They have an amazing keeper.

But we should have still won.

Terrible first half, lucky not go down 2-0

Second half - we were unlucky not to win 2-1

is it an excellent keeper or just poor finishing? Probably a mix of the two, but games like this highlight just how much we need a decent goal scorer.

And i'm very confident in cloughs management, i'm sure we will see one come summer.

 

[Sirius]

I never ever expected us to be anywhere other than in the basement before Nige came in. Even then I would have been happy with a finish above the relegation places. Congratulations to Nigel and staff for saving our club from the ignominy of one up from park football. I am satisfied with that, for this season. it seemed unachievable, but here we are, a semi and a reasonable position in the league.

Looking at the situation as it is, I would not be greedy, mighty happy though with what we have achieved and I would put promotion on the back burner until next year.

The cup is a different kettle of Hull fish. IMO all our remaining eggs should be put into the Wembley basket, by resting players in the league and blooding others for a promotion push next season.

You never know though. Nigel has swapped and changed to our advantage, but I think that the lack of fixtures, rather than the opposition will determine in which league we play next.

 

[grafikhaus]

On RS last night, Cloughie was fuming about our first half display but praised the commitment in the second half.

He seemed a bit down, but said 'At least we can concentrate on the Cup.' Now, I don't believe for a minute he's throwing in the towel re. the play offs, not with eight games left. I wonder if he's managing expectations and/or promotion so soon would not be good for 'the project' as too much tuning requires to be done?

Anyway, I've made my mind up...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Just season the highlights - really looked as though we should have come away with all three. Plenty of decent saves by their keeper, lovely move for Doyle's equaliser.

Fine margins in the end. Looked like a chance that Porter really should have done better with given his recent performances, and following the resultant break upfield a terrible error by Howard, again something not in keeping with his recent form.

 

[bilko]

I wouldn't be too harsh on the 1st half performance, the pitch looked a nightmare to play controlled football on and that penalised us more than it did them. I thought they were crap which made the defeat harder to take. Apart from the two goals I can't remember them having any other chances on goal other than a header early on. In answer to RMcC above - yes, he was offside and then the ref pulled it back for the free kick - although the wall was only about 8 yards away when the kick was taken. I thought we played some decent stuff in the second half but we really need some pace up front in the summer.

Paulus - i wondered if you were at the game at all firstly how you can criticise our pitch which has been voted the best playing surface in our league for the last two seasons and is still in fairly good nick.
Secondly a fair reflection of the game is that we dominted the first half and you dominated the second half and could have got a winner.
We have a very young team with an average age of 20 and the majority are in their first season of league football. The team was put together a couple of weeks before the season started and may had no pre season training what so ever due to the lateness of the squad being put together. Where we are in the league the way our team was thrown together and the age of the squad all our players have had a fantastic season.
I thought first half we out passed you and while you played one up front you were looking for the quick counter to try and catch us out and second half you did that fairly well.
I think next season you will be definelty be in the top 6 as i think Clougie will sort you out in the summer and i think he is a great managerand will do well for you.
I do believe though we will be challenging next season as this season has been a big learning curve for alot of our young players and they will have learnt alot from this season experience.
I wish you well in the FA Cup and hope you beat Arsenal as nothing is better than seeing Wenger upset.
Going back to our pitch dont be surprised if we get voted the best pitch again as most opposing players that play on it always mention we have a great playing surface.

 

[kozluk]

Paulus - i wondered if you were at the game at all firstly how you can criticise our pitch which has been voted the best playing surface in our league for the last two seasons and is still in fairly good nick.
Secondly a fair reflection of the game is that we dominted the first half and you dominated the second half and could have got a winner.
We have a very young team with an average age of 20 and the majority are in their first season of league football. The team was put together a couple of weeks before the season started and may had no pre season training what so ever due to the lateness of the squad being put together. Where we are in the league the way our team was thrown together and the age of the squad all our players have had a fantastic season.
I thought first half we out passed you and while you played one up front you were looking for the quick counter to try and catch us out and second half you did that fairly well.
I think next season you will be definelty be in the top 6 as i think Clougie will sort you out in the summer and i think he is a great managerand will do well for you.
I do believe though we will be challenging next season as this season has been a big learning curve for alot of our young players and they will have learnt alot from this season experience.
I wish you well in the FA Cup and hope you beat Arsenal as nothing is better than seeing Wenger upset.
Going back to our pitch dont be surprised if we get voted the best pitch again as most opposing players that play on it always mention we have a great playing surface.

Hello Bilko, I just wanted to say if the blades don't make the play offs this year (which is almost a certainty) the only other club I would like to do it is yours, not only for my dislike towards fergie, or MK plastics but I remember being in the championship together with Swindon and admired your vocal away following. Also I watched the official You Tube channel from your club after the match, and your fans reactions were fair, sensible and above all realistic. Good luck with the remainder of the season, and I hope Wenger in moaning come cup final day also.

 

[Paulus]

Paulus - i wondered if you were at the game at all firstly how you can criticise our pitch which has been voted the best playing surface in our league for the last two seasons and is still in fairly good nick.
Secondly a fair reflection of the game is that we dominted the first half and you dominated the second half and could have got a winner.
We have a very young team with an average age of 20 and the majority are in their first season of league football. The team was put together a couple of weeks before the season started and may had no pre season training what so ever due to the lateness of the squad being put together. Where we are in the league the way our team was thrown together and the age of the squad all our players have had a fantastic season.
I thought first half we out passed you and while you played one up front you were looking for the quick counter to try and catch us out and second half you did that fairly well.
I think next season you will be definelty be in the top 6 as i think Clougie will sort you out in the summer and i think he is a great managerand will do well for you.
I do believe though we will be challenging next season as this season has been a big learning curve for alot of our young players and they will have learnt alot from this season experience.
I wish you well in the FA Cup and hope you beat Arsenal as nothing is better than seeing Wenger upset.
Going back to our pitch dont be surprised if we get voted the best pitch again as most opposing players that play on it always mention we have a great playing surface.

Certainly was at the match and the pitch looked difficult, anything across the ground bobbled all over the place, there was a hole full of water just outside the box we defended in the first half and any number of players looked to be struggling for grip.