[lesgeo]

The reffing is far better than this time last season when a ‘Paddington hard stare’ would almost always result in the award of a free kick.
Reffing improved towards the end of last season when whistle-happy officials seemed to be acting under different orders and it has continued on that path, IMHO.

It looks to me that we have a rather different recurring problem. As in seasons-a-many, the injury lists border on the unbelievable. With two first teamers damaged and a couple who usually sit on the subs’ bench – we’d be fairly okay. But …

I invite those with time on their hands and who have an inquisitive mindset to do some hunting around the division for stats to see how we compare to other sides.
Last year, I did some quarter-baked hunting around and asking the question. Not at all statistically acceptable but fans of bigger and better teams were regularly reporting far fewer crocks.
In fact, not one person asked could believe what I was telling them about our annual situation.

[lesgeo]

BS – if on the East side of Sheffield – Whitby’s Fish restaurant in Catcliffe – 1st exit off the Sheffield Parkway – is terrific eating in. Huge portions. Not quite so brilliant with takeaways.

Takeaways – Frymaster on Attercliffe Rd, S9 is regularly and rightly voted best in the city. Lunchtimes only. Small restaurant attached – GREAT prices. Much cheaper than Whitby’s eating in – parking not the best.
Trouble is if we wish to do a takeaway – it deteriorates a notch on the awkward drive back to ours.
So, if not eating in the car – buy from Richmond Fisheries on Richmond Rd, S13 and remember to ask for fish to be ‘crispy’.

BS – good to see you appreciate the truly important things!
(Now tell me you prefer Irish to Scotch and we are mates for life!)

[lesgeo]

I do rather wonder if new owners would be required to pay hire charges on the ground.
Not having seen the specifics of ‘this wonderful Coolsilk deal’ – I am not in any position to comment.

Anyone?

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SODIron

[lesgeo]

I actually want the ‘turnstiles to click’.
Ever fewer paying to get in is good news for nobody. It can only help the club add to its brand new debts.

Back in the day, apprentices who cleaned the boots of senior players would have also cleaned the stands.
Not the worst system in the world so that 16-18 year olds don’t get too cocky and do get a preparation for the real world.
I’m guessing that it’s no longer permitted today.

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alcazar

[lesgeo]

UTI99 – along with countless others, I tried my level best to give my support to the Chairman for as long as it was humanly possible.
My entire philosophy of life is to give people as much of a chance as I can do.
However, there comes a time when people throw their hands in the air and say ‘no more!’

I like good fish and chips. I am a fan. I shall always like them every week or so. (A bit like my beloved team, eh?)
Where I live there are a host of chippies which serve third grade rubbish. I continue to like fish ‘n’ chips but refuse to waste my money in those establishments.
When I find a good one – it has my loyal support.

You may not get it but impecunious supporters find it tough to fork out loadsa cash for a third rate product.
They vote with their feet, you see. Not rocket science, is it?

BUT. We must distinguish between the hard core of supporters and those on the periphery. That latter group are lost because of what has happened in recent seasons and they ain’t coming back unless huge incentives are provided: ie) real quality football. But do not expect them all to return even then. They feel cheated you see. As casual supporters, their loyalty cannot ever be taken for granted.

The problem is that now THE HARD CORE are also voting with their feet. A product they once loved has become third rate and fetid.
Would I use a restaurant that is grubby, often dirty, with fourth grade toilets, poor value and a product nowhere as good as it used to be? – Well. For the moment … yes. But …

I have already written on here that none of my supporter friends from over years and decades attend any longer. Not one!

So UTI – how’s it feel wearing extra large, extra strong blinkers, huh?

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iron64, Meldrew, vader, inspector, alcazar, BigLeftToe, bartonscorpion, cokeovenkid, Peter Promise, cassidystash, Ironawe, Square Ball Bullimore

[lesgeo]

Really well argued, WG.

[lesgeo]

The temptation not to play 4-4-2 is increased dramatically by having three CBS who are both experienced and amongst our most successful current players.
I feel that Neil wants them all included and adjusts formations to make that happen.
I wrote yesterday about not liking the ‘narrowness’ in a 4-3-3. Today, I’ll say that I prefer a 5-3-2 to the very similar 3-5-2.
In the latter, you need FBs with a great deal more experience as it is designed to advance the FBs much further up the pitch – but the former gives a greater control of the system and the play of the opposition.
Effectively, today was a 3-5-1-1 and it left gaping holes all over.
How about an out and out 4-4-2 with Davis in front of the CBs – close enough to be there to cover in the defence itself if required. He’d be better at it than Kenyon, IMHO.

[lesgeo]

Green – below par. 5
Hippo – patchy but far better. Worked hard. Contributed. 6.

The main problem with Hippo’s corners was that they were not often attacked.
Not sure that I can recall a single corner that the GK took. For us that’s quite an improvement.

[lesgeo]

That sub winger of theirs would still have got that cross in if marked by a lot better than Pugh.
Can’t imagine why he didn’t start.

Think Hippo looks to be clearly ahead of Green in our pecking order – contributed more.

Defenders looked as if they hadn’t been formally introduced to each other.

[lesgeo]

Not at all.
We opted for an old favourite – taken down, dusted polished and set loose – the infamous headless chicken impersonation.

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alcazar

[lesgeo]

Back to back decent games from Rory creates a nice problem for Neil.

[lesgeo]

Actually BS, if that’s how you read it – little wonder that you are confused.
6 average, 5 below average, 7 above average. Those are the main three.

[lesgeo]

Isn’t Tyrone O’Neill now fit?
Guessing that Jessop will be eased gently into the side – over time.

[lesgeo]

Thought Neil said GK not as bad as first thought.

[lesgeo]

I meant Taft not Loft, of course.

[lesgeo]

As good as we could hope for, I think.
Now prepared to say that if we do not get too many more injuries, feel happy to plan for lower mid-table.
Interesting to see which CB goes if we go 4-4-2. (Loft for me.)
If Tyrone is fit – think Devarn might not make the 11.

Still a strong chance that it will be 5-3-2 in which case the 11 virtually picks itself.

Anybody know if he has trained with the team yet?

[lesgeo]

I’d stick to 4-4-2, Cass.
4-3-3 you play too narrow and I don’t fancy all those crosses coming into our box.
(If we’re trailing … maybe.)

Nice topknot, Jake.

If he can hold the ball up on the edge of the box – I almost consider that as important as scoring in this side.

Have the best year of your life at the SVS, Jake!

I reckon we have to start with him on his debut tomorrow. I know it’s not the done thing with us but needs must.

[lesgeo]

I see him ending up as a wide left player. He’s the best crosser we’ve had in a while.
Green or Mason? – No brainer. And you’d probably get a bit of extra defensive cover when under the cosh.

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alcazar

[lesgeo]

A propos of nothing in particular …
Read recently that with gardens, parks etc – Worthing is the worst town/city in the UK with regard to greenery, flowers and vegetation.
(I do have friends there but they don’t write excellent articles on football.)

[lesgeo]

I would be perfectly happy to go along with your system, Alcy – it does take out the finer shades but – no matter.
But all marks in a system based on 10 can still be used. I have given a zero to refs three times but have never given anyone a ten . One day …
(Bet you did your fair share of initial agreement trials in your day – didn’t you?)
Not trying to control opinions – rather make sure we understand what we are doing and saying.

I had predicted the zero you awarded. (Spooky, eh?)

[lesgeo]

Interestingly, Lesgeo – Number One son said that it was the first time in a very long time that he had felt that, man for man, we were actually the better of the two sides.

[lesgeo]

I do not think we were all that defensive last night. We won the first half.
Lost the plot for a short while after conceding and then took control again.
Tom Newey was spot on pointing out that we sometimes passed back in advanced positions when pushing forward would have been better but we are getting there.
Delighted that we may have Tyrone back for Saturday and possibly the new loanee.
Am disappointed that Green’s efforts seem so very sporadic.

[lesgeo]

After the game, Neil said that our target forward is still likely to be coming.
One half decent forward last night and we would have marmalized Walsall.
There was a lot to like: guts, intelligence, working for each other, good passing. With a few final touches and a reduced injury list – this will not be a relegation side.
These guys are showing a team spirit the like of which was totally absent last season. This team seems greater than the sum of its parts. If that can be maintained … we’ll do fine.
Okay, the goal conceded was not pretty, that I have to admit. Perry seemed rooted to the spot but his tremendous passing skills were beginning to show through.

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inspector

[lesgeo]

Well put together.

[lesgeo]

Green came to as a centre forward/wide player.
My issue is that he drifts out of games for long periods. Decision-making is a real issue with him. Like so many – there is a player in there but …

Still in the team tonight. We seem to have run out of options. Looking incredibly threadbare.

Interesting to see what formation we play. Have a real bad feeling about tonight. Talk about a makeshift team.

O’Malley preferred at LB. Interesting.

[lesgeo]

I seriously doubt that this is an ‘his face doesn’t fit’ type of scenario.
Got to assume that the manager probably has genuine reasons.
We really do know so little about this man.
If the guy could play any sort of a positive role – then, for the team’s sake – he would surely have to include him when we have three other strikers injured.
If he does play the guy and he’s an unmitigated disaster – won’t he be carved up into little pieces on this very site?

[lesgeo]

Liked the ref.
He allowed tackling and was not influenced by stupid shouts for freekicks.
Got a huge percentage of decisions right.

Neil tried something new in formation which failed – he was maybe a bit slow to react to them cutting us to shreds in CM but when he did make his change of style – it was spot on.
Please. Anybody – what system was it?
As far as I could see there were a load of systems it was not …

[lesgeo]

Anybody else see what I saw in Hippo today?

[lesgeo]

Thoughts:
Kenyon should be on the bench.
Green not cutting it for me.
CBs were splendid.
Good game for Rory – had surprisingly little to do.
For first time, I began to see what Neil is seeing in Pugh.
3 – 4 – 3 was a disaster.
I could not work out the formation second half but so much better. (What was it, BTW?)
Some class from Beestin – hope he hasn’t aggravated whatever his injury is.
Perry to take Kenyon’s slot.
Thought Hippo was super coming on as sub: grafted, tackled, passed well, caused trouble. Based on today, I’d put Hippo ahead of Green.
In the end – deserved a point.

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Jackie, mistertonmick

[lesgeo]

I saw a player who wanted to succeed. I liked him from Day One.

As I understand – we met the asking price same as Peterboro – but they are located nearer to London and we could not boost wages sufficiently above their offer to compensate for location.
Just what I’d heard. Can’t say for sure.

[Author]

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