Unbelievable.
A few short weeks ago – we had an ineffective CM with Spence toiling alone.
We now have a CM with two players understanding each other and beginning to tear up trees.
Good, innit?
It appears that the juggling act with players who are fit, part fit, not match fit etc was the main issue last night.
I do not see how Cox can be criticised when trying to use his resources effectively.
Last night was hardly a return to failed tactics as a personal choice by the manager.
QPR and Millwall players will LINK ARMS before their game on Tuesday instead of taking the knee in a bid to unify people after fans booed the gesture at Millwall’s home game.
Excellent. I’d gladly join arms with my fellow human beings – from any ethnic background – as a gesture of peace and brotherhood at any time.
The profoundly politicised ‘knee’? – I’ll turn my back.
Hippolyte looks to me like a player with ability who has not yet adjusted to League Two.
In the dreadful sides we were putting out in the early months of the season – how could he be expected to have made that adjustment? Too much was being expected.
I really would not be at all surprised to see him come good if given chances in this better team we are putting out at the moment.
December 7, 2020 at 8:05 am
in reply to: Loft#198636
Agreed.
I gave him stick for one truly appalling performance but haven’t said another word against the lad since.
He has been isolated, left without support and criticised by some for not turning in great performances with all odds stacked against him.
It was always clear that there was something of merit in the lad and as the team has turned a corner – he is starting to show what he can do.
Hard to compare him to a Gayle but let’s just hope that something Torpeyesque emerges.
If he keeps on making these slow, gradual improvements – he will become a good player.
(The only player I have gone for over the years has been Hakeeb. I notice that RH commentators are starting to spot his attitude lacks something.)
The upside is the comparison to so many recent managers who began sensibly enough before descending into a crazy, defensive mindset.
Neil appears to be going in the opposite direction to those. Yey!
He still needs to learn to leave a speedy man up as an outlet when we are defending set pieces.
Incidentally, can somebody please explain why we – along with many teams today – so rarely have a decent header of the ball racing in to meet crosses and corners from beyond the far post?
It was a standard tactic when I first watched the Iron. It stretches defences; draws penalties; causes greater threats to goal; increases chances in and around the six yard box; makes the GK’s life more difficult.
I had a strange conversation with someone in football who explained to me that ‘it is because there are no longer two wingers in every team’. (???) Well, there is in ours!
As many will know, my opinions on refs over past seasons were a kind of composite from three or four of us.
That group is no more.
Having to rely on my own opinions is certainly tougher.
To me, the ref was a clear notch below par – hence a base of 5/10.
BUT – against that backcloth – 2 more marks were lost for critical, very poor decisions.
If that was a penalty – we may as well give up. A shocker and probably awarded because of loud appeals by Orient.
At the end, I was convinced that their player (19?) gave a forearm smash just below the Adam’s apple to our man. No red card.
Conclusion: 3/10.
O Malley is a rounded player. My MOTM. I was unable to give out any 6s or lower. Good stuff.
Gilliead is the most complete footballer we’ve had in years! Just love to watch him.
Desperately hoping we aren’t gonna prat around over contract renewals for our best half dozen players in January.
Some players actually merit large increases for next season.
Let’s hope we can get this squad trimmed in order to be able to afford that.
I know most out of contract would command a fee anyway but you will always get a better price if they have a contract in place.
McGahey not at his best for me. Very slow on their 2nd and I wasn’t quite sure about the first.
Spence was my MOTM with 9.
Gilliead – 8.
Eisa – only 8. His corner taking was dire.
Beestin – 8 barely put a foot wrong.
Clarke 6 – but good reasons for that.
Howard – 6. Must command more!
Loft – buzzed, gave giants no easy headers and scored. 7.
O Malley – easily a 7. This kid is gonna be good.
Indeed 7s for all not mentioned.
Ref: fine.
Manager – a long time a-coming but 9.
Yup.
A very low rating for Cox.
After testing out and failing with a multitude of formations he goes 4 – 4 – 2 and things start to work. The side has shape.
Along comes a match with, arguably, the most experienced side we’ve faced – and into experimental mode we go. Doomed from the start.
I concentrate on Spence a great deal and thought he had a decent game.
Our problem in CM was perfectly explained by Newey – there is only so much a midfielder can do when swamped.
(I suggested that we should have made a sub before half time – Newey on for Cox. That guy’s grasp of football is surely the best we’ve ever heard on local broadcasting.)
Beestin looked as though he’d played too many games in quick succession.
Bedeau was poor.
I cannot criticise Loft. He grafted non-stop. Was useful and if he ever gets a bit of support might just turn into a good player.
Gilliead is far and away our best player. Lovely to watch.
Ref: good. Was not a nitpicker like so many we’ve seen this season.
Does not look to have had a great deal of competitive football in recent years.
Has to look a lot better in training than the players who surround him to be considered worth a punt.
For once, Hippolyte for Eisa was the right decision.
H is a much better defender. Okay – it didn’t work out but the effects of three games in a week on the rest of the team were clear to see.
Rowe – the one youngster for Cox to leave in place in the team, for me.
O Malley is going to be decent, IMHO. Needs odd first team games to build up his skills.
Guessing Taylor may be available Tuesday. Anyone know?
Very fair point, BS.
I would settle for GKs commanding the six yard box and a further two yards besides.
I do not recall goal-line hugging by Howard at his previous teams – I’m pretty sure I’d have noticed.
I have been getting increasingly impressed with Beestin over recent weeks but did not foresee that he would play so well with Spence. Perhaps a lot had to do with the larger number of available options for both players with more experience around them.
Hope this is not just a flash in the pan.
A real CM partnership would be a huge boost.
Most games are going to be rather tougher than yesterday’s opposition, though.
What’s more, the bench is going to look very strong in the coming months.
Ah, Torps.
I can recall the FA cup game at Pompey.
I commented to my companion that Torpey won every header that day and sent the ball in the direction of a Scunny player but Sheringham won every header and put it to the feet of a Pompey man.
Put a Torps alongside what we have at present and the wins would flood in.
If we can stay in this division and hang onto our better players – the whole squad will be much more mature next season.
I reckon that we’ll be looking upwards.
