[clarevoyant.]

gordon_brittas, on 25 September 2018 - 07:52 PM, said:

Has any club in England had a more ******* 30 months that us because I can't B****Y think of one

That accolade still goes to Barnstoneworth United. Just.

Google it

[Westbars Spireite]

It just hit me hearing it on the Peak news that we lost to Maidenhead United.

Maidenhead United.

At home.

In the league.

[Wooden Spoon]

Westbars Spireite, on 26 September 2018 - 07:17 AM, said:

It just hit me hearing it on the Peak news that we lost to Maidenhead United.

Maidenhead United.

At home.

In the league.

Non league

[Westbars Spireite]

DEATH, on 26 September 2018 - 07:19 AM, said:

Non league

A non-league league.

Not cup.

[Bonnyman]

Perhaps Martin Allen is the 2nd worst manager in the world , behind the England c team manager who picked 2 of our defenders

[Tha Knows...]

sophocles, on 25 September 2018 - 10:58 PM, said:

Contrary to most reports on here (from those who didn't go?), most of ours played at least ok, some played well. Problem was that we continually found new and novel ways of giving goals away. Changing managers again would be pointless.

How was the new signing Smith? Looked awful on Saturday.

[Exharboroughspireite]

sophocles, on 25 September 2018 - 10:58 PM, said:

Contrary to most reports on here (from those who didn't go?), most of ours played at least ok, some played well. Problem was that we continually found new and novel ways of giving goals away. Changing managers again would be pointless.

Sorry but this is context. We were at home to a part time side. Being 'ok' is not acceptable. The majority of that side last night were poor. Just like Saturday. I was there until the end. I didn't walk away thinking , they've had a go. I walked away thinking we've just lost to a part time side and looked pretty crap. Set pieces shocking. No movement off the ball. No central midfield whatsoever. Players looking unfit. No collective team spirit. Comical defending. Inability to stretch the play. The list goes on. ok? You're having a laugh

[spireiterob]

clarevoyant., on 26 September 2018 - 07:09 AM, said:

That accolade still goes to Barnstoneworth United. Just.

Google it

Convinced they would have enough to sneak past us.

The episode is here if anyone needs cheering up.

[dim view]

Exharboroughspireite, on 26 September 2018 - 07:57 AM, said:

Sorry but this is context. We were at home to a part time side. Being 'ok' is not acceptable. The majority of that side last night were poor. Just like Saturday. I was there until the end. I didn't walk away thinking , they've had a go. I walked away thinking we've just lost to a part time side and looked pretty crap. Set pieces shocking. No movement off the ball. No central midfield whatsoever. Players looking unfit. No collective team spirit. Comical defending. Inability to stretch the play. The list goes on. ok? You're having a laugh

The thing that struck me most was how inferior we were on physicality. Their number 8 ran the show. All their players came out on top in challenges. All their players were expertly coached on stopping play, niggling, and persistent fouling. Top tactics, but we succumb to bullying against every team.

[spireitedave]

dim view, on 26 September 2018 - 08:12 AM, said:

The thing that struck me most was how inferior we were on physicality. Their number 8 ran the show. All their players came out on top in challenges. All their players were expertly coached on stopping play, niggling, and persistent fouling. Top tactics, but we succumb to bullying against every team.

Agreed we are physically inferior and think we can run into an opponent,fall down and get a free kick - well sorry Refs have seen through that !

[clarevoyant.]

spireiterob, on 26 September 2018 - 08:04 AM, said:

Convinced they would have enough to sneak past us.

The episode is here if anyone needs cheering up.

Brilliant. Ta.

[dtp]

spireitedave, on 26 September 2018 - 08:18 AM, said:

Agreed we are physically inferior and think we can run into an opponent,fall down and get a free kick - well sorry Refs have seen through that !

As far as the referee was concerned he gave us numerous free kicks for bad fouls committed to prevent play continuing when they were out of position but he allowed this to continue at a rate of knots and when he eventually reached for a card he counted out to the player being booked how many times he had committed a foul. Very weak, imho, as he was in a position to stamp this out from the very first ugly foul. Add to that the offside rule not being applied by the linesman and it all contributed to their pattern of play. Give them due credit, though, they were organised defensively in numbers, knew precisely when it was advantageous to foul, and had a bit of pace for break away attacking.

Then, our performance was in many ways much improved but, for instance, Smith could have fouled their player when they broke away for the second goal but didn't and weakly went to ground - there was a suggestion of offside about it too. The first goal there were claims of a hand ball and the third a basic goal-keeping error.

Other than the above I am the first to say Talbot played his best game this season but got booked for correcting pointing out to the referee that one of their players was yards offside in one of their break away attacks in the second half. The general performance was much better, Weir had a good first half until he was taken out leading up to their second goal and was missed in the second half. We dominated possession but just don't look dangerous, whilst we brought saves from their keeper neither Denton or Fortune, who played well in my opinion, had an effort on target. Denton heads a ball but to who? Maguire showed composure and supplied a beauty of a pass for Carter to screw wide of goal. None of the subs improved us whilst Rowley was left on the bench. I will go as far to say that none of MA's recent four signings, Hollis, Denton, Smith & Kayode, have done anything to improve us and I do wonder about his recruitment policy - he talks about the team lacking pace but signs Denton - they had Archer, a CF with height and pace playing for them, who was a target for us in the close season on loan from Bury???

[Siberian Spireite]

dim view, on 26 September 2018 - 08:12 AM, said:

The thing that struck me most was how inferior we were on physicality. Their number 8 ran the show. All their players came out on top in challenges. All their players were expertly coached on stopping play, niggling, and persistent fouling. Top tactics, but we succumb to bullying against every team.

It really disappointed me how our players would go down and stay down pretending to be injured, even when play had continued, as if the ref would change his mind and call play back. Having Muggleton, JBW, etc down on the ground when play continued was no good to anyone. I don't know how badly Weir was hurt in the 50/50 he lost for the second goal (looked a fair challenge to me) but he went down, stayed down, and the ref blew the whistle as soon as he got back up, so that was the injury time used up at the end of the first half, oddly, by an injury. Not sure how the ref figured that one out but overall we cannot blame the ref for being physically second best.
Jalal also seemed to be pretending to be injured to cover his embarrassment for at least one of the three soft goals he let in.
Maidenhead timewasted as all teams do, but I've seen worse, and we would do the same if ever we could take the lead in a match.

Conclusion: we are just not 'up for it' enough in this league.

[Siberian Spireite]

Spire-Power, on 26 September 2018 - 07:34 AM, said:

How was the new signing Smith? Looked awful on Saturday.

Very disappointing. Surprisingly weak, prone to selling team-mates short with passes, and about as interested as his 'joining photo' suggested he would be.

[Tha Knows...]

How do you mean not physical enough...fouling or stamina? Surely we are big enough

[Lincs Spireite]

dtp, on 26 September 2018 - 08:53 AM, said:

As far as the referee was concerned he gave us numerous free kicks for bad fouls committed to prevent play continuing when they were out of position but he allowed this to continue at a rate of knots and when he eventually reached for a card he counted out to the player being booked how many times he had committed a foul. Very weak, imho, as he was in a position to stamp this out from the very first ugly foul. Add to that the offside rule not being applied by the linesman and it all contributed to their pattern of play. Give them due credit, though, they were organised defensively in numbers, knew precisely when it was advantageous to foul, and had a bit of pace for break away attacking.

Then, our performance was in many ways much improved but, for instance, Smith could have fouled their player when they broke away for the second goal but didn't and weakly went to ground - there was a suggestion of offside about it too. The first goal there were claims of a hand ball and the third a basic goal-keeping error.

Other than the above I am the first to say Talbot played his best game this season but got booked for correcting pointing out to the referee that one of their players was yards offside in one of their break away attacks in the second half. The general performance was much better, Weir had a good first half until he was taken out leading up to their second goal and was missed in the second half. We dominated possession but just don't look dangerous, whilst we brought saves from their keeper neither Denton or Fortune, who played well in my opinion, had an effort on target. Denton heads a ball but to who? Maguire showed composure and supplied a beauty of a pass for Carter to screw wide of goal. None of the subs improved us whilst Rowley was left on the bench. I will go as far to say that none of MA's recent four signings, Hollis, Denton, Smith & Kayode, have done anything to improve us and I do wonder about his recruitment policy - he talks about the team lacking pace but signs Denton - they had Archer, a CF with height and pace playing for them, who was a target for us in the close season on loan from Bury???

Fair assessment of the game. Interesting what you say about shortage of shots on target and one reason we don't win games. But more alarming is any shot on target against us is likely to go in due to Jalal being almost as useless as Anyon.

[Siberian Spireite]

Spire-Power, on 26 September 2018 - 09:05 AM, said:

How do you mean not physical enough...fouling or stamina? Surely we are big enough

Just not going into challenges with enough commitment, and poncing around pretending to be injured if the ref didn't give the free kick.
Smith, Weston, Weir, Shaw, Carter (our best player last night IMO) and arguably Maguire are not that big and some of those were too easily pushed around, as was JBW.

[dim view]

Siberian Spireite, on 26 September 2018 - 09:35 AM, said:

Just not going into challenges with enough commitment, and poncing around pretending to be injured if the ref didn't give the free kick.
Smith, Weston, Weir, Shaw, Carter (our best player last night IMO) and arguably Maguire are not that big and some of those were too easily pushed around, as was JBW.

I think upper body strength is a major factor in deciding whether a player is good enough or not. It applies at all levels and that test has not been used when most of our players have been signed. It's not just about size either. Hazzard, Sheridan, Jimmy Ryan, Danny Wilson are good examples.

[60s 70s Spireite]

dim view, on 26 September 2018 - 09:59 AM, said:

I think upper body strength is a major factor in deciding whether a player is good enough or not. It applies at all levels and that test has not been used when most of our players have been signed. It's not just about size either. Hazzard, Sheridan, Jimmy Ryan, Danny Wilson are good examples.

Good point. Add to that list Sam Morsy of course. Kev Randall was one of the best at using his upper body strength to hold and shield the ball.

[calvin plummers socks]

dim view, on 26 September 2018 - 09:59 AM, said:

I think upper body strength is a major factor in deciding whether a player is good enough or not. It applies at all levels and that test has not been used when most of our players have been signed. It's not just about size either. Hazzard, Sheridan, Jimmy Ryan, Danny Wilson are good examples.

How do you know upper body tests have or haven't been carried out prior to signing players?