V Histon

[Fleet4Life]

Comments on todays game V Histon post here.

 

In my opinion, we played two different games in each half today. First half, long ball after long ball which their centre half could head clear all day. As well as being boring, we got no-where with it. A half to forget. No real highlights.

 

Second half, much better. I think the reason for this was with Essandoh going off, the team had to play the ball on the floor, with Manny and Pinno up front they had no chance of getting flick-ons. Was this tactical to stop the team hitting and hoping?

 

The two goals for us were great. Saunders with yet another great header, and some excellent build up play for the second to put us in the driving seat. Now can we build on our second half perfomance up at Carlisle next Saturday?

 

Another home draw in the cup will do. If we can avoid Barnet/Carlisle or Hereford that would be good!

 

2nd win on the bounce! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" />

[FleetFanatic]

All I can say is.....

 

25/1!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

 

Have it. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Match decided by decision on stroke of half time - if he'd given handball against Wilko, we'd have played the second half with 10 men and been in some trouble.

 

Great slick football for the second goal - worthy of winning most games. Should then have made the game safe, rather than living a bit off our nerves for the last few minutes, even if Histon didnt manage more than one weak effort straight at Wilko in that time.

 

Manny was superb - his sheer pace worries the hell out of defenders, particularly those from lower levels - and a sharp finish for his goal as well.

 

Surey was involved in most good things again today, and was the only one who impressed at all in the first half in my view.

 

Drury ran into too many cul de sacs and his one real decent contribution was the cross for the goal.

[Harry J Allstars]

Quote:

2nd win on thebounce! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/redbanana.gif" alt="" />

We haven't had that sort of form since the beging of the season.

Think your rigth about playing two different games today, but in the first half Roy simply wasn't getting the service, it's not his fault.

Also I thought Drury had a terrible game today didn't know what to do when he had the ball. Thought Manny looked like a new player today coming back fresh from injury.

The next round is on the 26th of Feb so the Woking game will need to be rearranged. Would be nice if we could get a nice home draw as well. Although I'd quite like to go somewhere local that I havent been before.

Well done the guys on the half way line, you kept up the humour in the first half as usual and well done to the guys singing in the second.

So well done everybody, keep the faith.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Not many local sides left in, Harry - Stamford or Walton & Hersham, Slough or Thurrock, Grays and Bishops Stortford are the most local sides outside the Conference.

 

Other lower level sides left in,are Altrincham, Hucknall and Eastwood - all Northern sides.

 

There are still 8 other Conference sides left in, with Crawley facing a replay, and the Carlisle v Barnet game being played tomorrow

 

I'd settle for Stamford or Walton at home, or Slough at home

[Fleet4Life]

Quote:

Match decided by decision on stroke of half time - if he'd given handball against Wilko, we'd have played the second half with 10 men and been in some trouble.

Couldn't see from my angle what went on, but if it was handball, the Histon players seemed pretty sure of it!

[Hempstead Gaz]

Clearly a handball -the ref was a bit unsighted, but the lino (who apart from that incident had a good game) had a good sight and ignored it.

[Harry J Allstars]

Quote:

Quote:

Match decided by decision on stroke of half time - if he'd given handball against Wilko, we'd have played the second half with 10 men and been in some trouble.

Couldn't see from my angle what went on, but if it was handball, the Histon players seemed pretty sure of it!

Hang on hang on, what about the incident that led to the incident. Offside anyone? by about a mile?

Justice was done doesn't stop the ref and Lino being a pair of smurfs but justice all the same.

Perhaps the lino knew it was handball and decided not to give it due to knowing he had made a mistake with the offside.

[jc]

Quote:

Drury ran into too many cul de sacs and his one real decent contribution was the cross for the goal.

I think that's perhaps a bit of a harsh summing up (although not as harsh as Harry's <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) Admittedly, he had a poor first half, but there were a couple of excellent cross-field passes in the second half. As you imply though, consistency is still a problem with him, as indeed it is with Manny. Another excellent half of football from him today, much like the first half against Barnet, but equally there have been days when he has looked ineffective. Still, if days like today ultimately outweigh those weaker performances, I won't be complaining.

Of course, an atrocious first half display today, but thanks to many players improving markedly after the break (e.g. Surey, Jacko) things improved no end. Yet another goal from Jay to set us on our way - not a vintage performance from him today, but still looking like a strong contender for player of the season for me at the moment along with Skins, even at this early stage.

As for the handball, I didn't see it all that well (putting on my Arsene Wenger hat <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />).

Of course, two victories against lower-league opposition this week shouldn't make us get carried away, but there are a few encouraging signs which the new manager, whoever it may be, can work on.

[Slartibartfast]

Three big lessons today:

1) Pace frightens defences...in the first half we couldn't cope with simple balls played over the top because our defence has no pace, in the second half they couldn't cope with Manny and Moussa.

2) Gledhill can't play left back...not his fault but he is right footed and looked totally out of position.

3) We are much better when we pass the ball, everyone moans about the long ball game but I would be quite happy for us to play the long ball game if it got us anywhere. The simple truth is we are pants when we hit long hopeful balls and much more dangerous when we play short passes.

[meldrew]

I think on today`s performance,we could do worse than start Jay Saunders up front with Manny,and Moussa and Drury as wide men.A central midfield of McKimm and Surey,with a back four of Gledhill,Porter,Bunce and Skins.Please do not try to convince me that McCarthy is worth his place in the team `cos he is sh*te.Essendoh hasn`t performed since he thought he was an Irish International and needs a bit of time on the bench........food for thought.....Goodnight!

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Next round, think we want to avoid Carlisle (who beat Barnet 4-1 today), Hereford, Morecambe and Exeter - especially away (although our record against Exeter is good, and the other sides may put out largely reserve sides if they are pushing for play offs).

 

Would obviously prefer to get any of the lower league sides, with possible exception of Grays, at home.

 

Lets just keep our fingers crossed.

[FleetFanatic]

Morecambe at home will do - they don't travel very well.

[behindthegoal]

It must just be me then, looking a most of these posts, but I thought our first half perforamnce was not just poor but appalling. No pace, skill, movement or passion. Where was the pride in pulling on the shirt? There did not seem to be a will to fight.

Second half turned round bescause we got an early goal that helped the confidence so sadly missing and we started to finally believe in ourselves. (plus the running of Manny and Mouse) After that there was only one team in it.

We need to capture that sort of belief (and have the desire to roll up our sleeves and fight) for the rest of the season. If we do then we will be ok but a repeat of the first half approach will see us down.

I think "our" loyal support at times makes us shy away from telling it like it is and by concentrating on indiviidual players performance we miss seeing the collective wood for the trees.

We need to play like a team not a collection of individuals during the comiing weeks. Thank goodness there were signs of that again in the second half.

Rant over...

[Hempstead Gaz]

The trouble is BtG, we never seem to learn from our mistakes.

Everyone associated with the club, be it players, management, fans, tea hut staff KNOW we play poorly when we play the long ball game, and we play WELL when we keep it on the ground and pass it about.

So why in God's name do we still play the long stuff!!!

It really isn't rocket science.

Many moons ago I played for a very good Sunday League side (Gravesend Rangers) whose strength was our ability to pass. We never dreamt of playing the long hoof upfield, even when chasing a game.

It is a mindset and confidence to play the game that best suites the players available, not a lack of a lack of skill.

Lest us put on a good show against Carlisle and show them some proper football.

And keep the bvall on the deck.

[behindthegoal]

...I agree although some of the ball forward in the second half was longish but the difference was that players were making runs and creating space rather than standing still waiting for the ball.

[Fleetbabe]

Has anyone noticed the fact that all of the play was made in the second half, after Macca decided to bring on Manny, and take off Essandoh.

The side was poor in the first half, second half we played a lot better. I don't know what Macca said to the team at 1/2 time, but it sure as hell worked.

 

Jukebox made some good play, played a lot better second half than he did in the first, mind you so did a lot of them. the X for the goal was sublime, easy, along the ground ball, and a great finish by Manny. We actually seemed to come alive after Jay put away that superb header.

 

I think the difference was that the play was a lot more along the floor. We proved the theory that a lot more of our play should be along the floor, rather than the long balls up to the strikers all the time.

 

All I can now say is bring on the next round. Another home draw please!

[Harry J Allstars]

Quote:

Has anyone noticed the fact that all of the play was made in the second half, after Macca decided to bring on Manny, and take off Essandoh.
The side was poor in the first half, second half we played a lot better. I don't know what Macca said to the team at 1/2 time, but it sure as hell worked.

Jukebox made some good play, played a lot better second half than he did in the first, mind you so did a lot of them. the X for the goal was sublime, easy, along the ground ball, and a great finish by Manny. We actually seemed to come alive after Jay put away that superb header.

I think the difference was that the play was a lot more along the floor. We proved the theory that a lot more of our play should be along the floor, rather than the long balls up to the strikers all the time.

All I can now say is bring on the next round. Another home draw please!

Thats a fair point FB (Not another Fleetbabe moment), You've been banging on the drop Ryo drum for a few weeks now so when we finally drop him we win. Fleetbabe for manager they shall cry.

But then it's not always that simple. Remember Leigh at home? 0-0 at half time, we scored 4 in the second half. The fact of the matter is that Roy doesn't dictate weather of not we play the long ball or not if we played the passing game with Roy it would probably work. Alla beging of the season.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Fleetbabe - dis you here Dukebox on RK this morning, I bet that make you choke on your cornflakes!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Fleetbabe]

Do you mean the drop ROY drum?

 

Yeah fair enough, but bringing on Moussa and Manny did help, you'll have to agree on that point!