Scunthorpe @Home 22 Dec

Scunthorpe looked a team full of donkeys. 6ft odd lumps with very little technical ability between them, can see why they are down here.

 

Particularly under Stuart, who will want to clear out the 6 foot something cloggers and replace them with players with real ability.

With Scunthorpe's resources, you'd think he could bring some decent footballers in in January.

 

No, Chickson in first half and Doyle for a stupid time wasting

 

Exactly, and that's why January is so important for us. Every team around us will strengthen so we must do also, but not just in numbers but also with quality.

 

No, Chickson in first half and Doyle for a stupid

 

That what I thought, I thought he was going to be off for a second booking.

 

I had a quick look at their forum/twitter - looks like McCall is largely absolved of criticism with the focus very much on the players.

 

What did you think he got booked in the first half for doing?

I only remember Chicksen getting booked in the first half? That was for a foul?

 

We were all saying the same.. don’t think one of their players were under 6ft

 

They were shite, one of the worst sides at VP this season. You can tell why they are dropping like a stone. Not to take anything away from us, at times we played some cracking stuff. Amazing when you get the ball on the deck and allow Miller and Doyle to run the channels rather than lumping the ball up to a couple of hairy arsed centre backs. No coincidence we look way better trying to play football rather than the hoofball shite that Hopkin insisted on playing before our mini revival.

 

As someone eluded to early.. 4 weeks ago our players weren’t fit enough to play this way.. so we had no choice to play long ball short running football

 

Part of me agrees with this, part of me thinks its an excuse. Regardless of fitness levels, you can still play to the strengths of your team and booting the ball aimlessly long doesn't.

 

Bronco, New double jeopardy rule brought in a couple of seasons ago I'm sure. If a penalty is given, no red card is given. If he'd brought him down outside the box, so no penalty, a red card would be given. I think it is the same for defenders too these days. But I'm no referee but think that is what it is.

 

We said, after about 20 mins, that you could see exactly why they had conceded so many goals, defence so poor. Only Anwick kept them in it.

 

QC - I think it is a case of the ref has to determine if a genuine attempt to make a legal challenge has been made. If in the eyes of the ref that is the case, then the sanction is a yellow card (with PK if in the box). If you're just a 2 hat and trying to break a leg, that's a red. Also, if it is deliberate handball I believe that is a straight red for denial of a goal scoring opportunity. (Over here that is called a DOGSO). That said, I'm probably wrong!

 

I don’t think we could though.. I mean the energy the front 5 exert over the last 2 games pressing so high and doing it for the full 90 minutes that’s hard work.. I think Hopkin was also just trying to get clean sheets and playing percentage shite football is the best way to do that. However he soon realised that’s not going to work as we have a poor defence. Although I must say I thought NKP was looking back to his best yesterday and now actually looks fitter and able to run

 

Fair comments.

 

They had a lot of injuries. As we have found at this level they are very disruptive. Once you get on a negative roll it’s hard to turn around

 

No you’re bang on - specifically in the area, if the ref decides you make a genuine attempt for the ball it’s a pen and yellow, removing the ‘double jeopardy’ complaint.

However, hack someone down from behind, handball on the line etc (i.e. clearly deliberate offence) - it’s still a pen and red card.

Any DOGSO offence outside the area remains a red card, regardless of the offence.

 

Yep - was reading for example yesterday that looks like Lund may have a career-ending problem unfotunately.