Richard O'Donnell

I know we’re being down on ROD here (generally with justification) but that 1st goal is completely down to rank bad defending.

After the ball gets touched on I don’t think it has enough pace on it for ROD to know for definite he’ll be first there, so he leaves it for POC to clean up - which for me is right, if you’re not going to definitely make it, don’t go if you have defenders covering.

POC gets there first but then inexplicably loses it despite having more than one chance to clear, the follow up challenge to prevent the cross once he loses it is non-existent and the scorer then isn’t marked.

I’ve seen plenty of goals where the keeper gets megged at a tight angle, not brilliant but not what I’d call a huge error. That goal was a defensive horror show.

 

That goal was a carbon copy of other goal goals we have conceded involving Paudie. As far as OD is concerned it’s his distribution that concerns me. I take it account what Stuart said post match but I still think his distribution is very poor

 

The keeper has to help the defender as he can see the opposition, Any keeper worth his salt would have been shouting at the top of his voice shouting either KEEPERS BALL or AWAY to help the defender decide, Instead he left him in no mans land which as a keeper is unforgivable and led indirectly to a sloppy goal

 

I like O’Donnell. However his form is probably best described as just ‘ok’ this season. Something doesn’t look/feel completely right in him and a part that sticks out for me is how he manages his defence in front of him. I don’t see enough leadership and organising which, when you’re captain as well, isn’t great.

If an outfield player is scraping by weekly performances as ‘ok’, they eventually get dropped/rested, and this means not exclusive to meaningless Cup games. For me dropping to the bench and giving Hornby sometime to also prove himself should be happening soon. I seem to remember he reacted well to been dropped for Wilson at the end of the season we wish to not remember - though he probably couldn’t have gone worse!

 

McCall won’t drop him because he’s too loyal to his players. Add to that he made him captain so he won’t want to look stupid. Hornby must have feared the worst when he got the armband because barring injury, I can’t see him getting the nod no matter how badly ROD performs.

 

Stuart batted off criticism of O'Donnell's distribution on Saturday, effectively saying OD can't go straight down the middle. I'm guessing Stuart is giving OD a pass for playing it straight out for a throw as it means he's either aiming for a player out wide or conceding the throw actually isn't that bad tactically.

 

I get that he has been at fault at times but
It was poor defending that was why we conceded not down to o'Donnell yesterday. Was their keeper at fault for our 2 goals? Or Southend keeper last week I would say no so why make O'Donnell the scape goat just because we let in 2?

The two muppets on the radio were criticising him from the off especially with his kicking upfield yet the Exeter keeper did similar and they called it as good play.

 

I think a lot of the frustration comes because he's been given the armband and shows no leadership qualities whatsoever. We've seen this for a few seasons now. He doesn't organise his own defence let alone the rest of the side. He has the advantage of seeing everything in front of him yet we're often at sixes and sevens defensively. He's a poor communicator and distributor but good shot stopper.

I haven't seen enough of Hornby to say whether he'd be an upgrade or not, but this reminds me a bit of the the Sattlemier era when the reserve keeper got better each week without playing a game, only to be so much worse than the incumbent.

 

Couple of things with this - firstly, how do you know he didn’t talk to him? Impossible to tell for definite from the footage.

Secondly, regardless of the above, what you can see from the video if you watch it back is POC momentarily looks to see if ROD is coming for it, sees he isn’t and then clearly knows the Exeter player is nearby as he speeds up to get the ball - whether that’s because he saw him coming or got a call (probably both).

At that stage there is no danger - between them keeper and defender have dealt with it. At the point of his first touch POC is completely in control and can boot into touch, look for a quick pass given team-mates were around, or indeed do virtually anything with it aside from what he actually does, which is gift the ball to his opponent after 2 touches.

His team-mates then definitely don’t do him any favours, was it Watt tracking back who might have put in a stronger challenge to stop the cross? Couldn’t see who was then supposed to be marking their scorer, which again wasn’t good enough as there’s no way he should have that sort of space so close to goal.

Sorry - but as I said before whilst ROD’s form is definitely questionable, that goal was completely down to his defence.

 

Couple of things with this - firstly, how do you know he didn’t talk to him? Impossible to tell for definite from the footage.

Secondly, regardless of the above, what you can see from the video if you watch it back is POC momentarily looks to see if ROD is coming for it, sees he isn’t and then clearly knows the Exeter player is nearby as he speeds up to get the ball - whether that’s because he saw him coming or got a call (probably both).

At that stage there is no danger - between them keeper and defender have dealt with it. At the point of his first touch POC is completely in control and can boot into touch, look for a quick pass given team-mates were around, or indeed do virtually anything with it aside from what he actually does, which is gift the ball to his opponent after 2 touches.

His team-mates then definitely don’t do him any favours, was it Watt tracking back who might have put in a stronger challenge to stop the cross? Couldn’t see who was then supposed to be marking their scorer, which again wasn’t good enough as there’s no way he should have that sort of space so close to goal.

Sorry - but as I said before whilst ROD’s form is definitely questionable, that goal was completely down to his defence.

 

Couple of years down the line yes.
Not now though.
Been at fault against Bolton and Exeter which have cost us goals.
Great player in the making though.
My choice is Wood.

 

Couple of years down the line yes.
Not now though.
Been at fault against Bolton and Exeter which have cost us goals.
Great player in the making though.
My choice is Wood.

 

Agree with all of this Bantam, but I would also like to add that getting beat at his near post, for a 'keeper, is usually classed as 'criminal'.

 

Radio Leeds commentary team were way over the top in their criticism of ROD on Saturday and their obsession that Hornby should be given chance..

Personally do not see any justification at all in dropping ROD. My only concern is him being captain, that should definitely be an outfield player in my opinion, and for me that would be Billy Clarke

 

Watt a choice.

 

At the end of the day as @Bantam-in-Greece says getting beat on the near post with inches to place the ball in is poor keeping but the original poor defending by Watt gave Exeter the chance to create the chance, he had his back to the Exeter player so why fanny about, its stuff you tell kids any doubt row Z, so the blame has to be laid at Watts door IMO.

 

Don’t think there are many blaming him for the goal it’s his consistent poor distribution that is the real concern

 

You were doing so well until you said Billy Clarke. If its going to an experienced pro then it has to be Evans. As much as the signing makes no sense he is should be captain. I don't agree with ROD being made captain at all.

If I am honest I would give it to Watt. The issue is we have no leaders and we could develop Watt into one.

 

Many might disagree but Ant should be skipper for me. Forget the nonsense at Pompey which was blown out of proportion, he is probably the best candidate we have.

 

As I posted Watt was the main culprit for not clearing the ball, but I'm not sure a keeper should be beaten at his near post in this situation, Jay had little to aim for but still scored.