Most liked posts in thread: Away vs Stevenage

Well what a win that was, maybe not fully deserved on the balance of play but as the cliche goes, good teams still win when they're not playing well.

Going to stick my neck out here and say BRE is the signing of the summer for us. I love Vaughan but the impact Ben has had on our defence is astronomical. He's such a clean tackler of the ball and wins at least 90% of his aerial duals and also has made AOC look a new player. He's a huge fella who actually uses his size and frame to his advantage *cough* akpan *cough*.

Wood was top class, both attacking and defensively. O'Donnell again made two worldie saves and now he has a proper unit in front of him he's back to his best.

Sadly the midfield is still dire - no control of the game whatsoever. I thought palmer was ok tonight, showed his intelligence quite a few times and did the defensive side of the game but you can tell he's having to do more than one man's job in there. I don't rate devine and think he was anonymous tonight and akpan was clueless when he came on. Devitt and one more in there please.

Scannell was also disappointing. His work rate is good but he's not contributing enough giving forward for me, he still looks a player lacking confidence. Although having said that we haven't been feeding him the ball in dangerous attacking positions at all. Hopefully he'll come good when he has a central midfield who can supply the ball to him.

But overall a top result and 100% a game we would've lost last season which shows we're moving in the right direction.

 

Works his nuts off chases down everything , pretty much wins every head he challenges for , controls the ball with his feet really well and has already scored..

 

Spot on. First game I’ve been to this season but agree BRE looks a real coup. He’s powerful, quick, intelligent and the big thing he offers that we missed last season, a voice! First half especially he was commanding the back four and talking to them all the way through. He’s definitely brought the best out of O’Conner who I though was also very good last night. The confidence that must install in your goalkeeper is priceless and looks as though we’re seeing the benefit in a rejuvenated O’Donnell. His save in the second half was class.

Front two will cause all sorts of issues. Incredible how many free kicks Donaldson wins through clever feet and ball management. Vaughan is exactly the character we need as captain. He’s a little like Tony Mac in that he doesn’t shut up and keeps pestering the back 4. Thought he was a little lucky in the second half as I did see a little stamp on the Palmer free kick. Both forwards did seem to tire in second half backing up the need for options from the bench.

I’ll get blasted for this but I actually thought Akpan did OK (just ok!). For a 15-20 min period in the second half we looked very in control and thought he used his position well and put his foot on the ball which we didn’t do enough of in the first half. However a couple of clumsy errors shadow over this. We desperately need CM sorted. Palmer looks useful and for all his endeavour and effort, I hate to say Devine just isn’t quite there for me.

We were lucky to win this one, but as many have said last season that’s a nailed on defeat. I left the ground feeling like I had my football club back with a return of the feeling of why I love and travel to follow us. In Vaughan, we have exactly the captain we need that fans can identify with (love the touch of the shirt to the young girl at the end of the game).

Good work so far Bowyer. Definitely lots to improve on based on last night but from what I saw, you addressed all the key issues from last years forgetful season.

 

I'm driving down to Stevenage tommorow from Keighley if anyone who can't arrange transport wants to jump in for a tenner. 3 seats going.

I've posted something similar before, really think its what we should all try and do more as a fan base for those who can't always make it to away games.

Cheers

 

Our defence and keeper in comparison with last year has come on leaps and bounds

Credit to Bowyer for that

 

Bowyer bursting with pride with his team in the post match interview. Like me, he says he wasnt a flair player himself, and loves to see a team battle for victories like tonight, as much as seeing a 'pretty' win

 

And Richards Everton was a rock.

 

Until they give extra points for style, then three points is good enough

 

A O'Connor and O'Donnell played very well tonight

 

Take that defensive performance every day of the week defended everything with passion.

1 - 0 to the City boys.

 

We’re second in the league, man of match has to be O’Donnell

 

scrappy midweek away win, Perfect sign of a team that will do well

 

Get in there ! All about momentum now keep it rolling . Not right interested if we play teams of the park or not . Stay in that top 3 and get out this khaki league at the first attempt will do nicely

 

The Stevenage left back had the beating of Scannell for pace all game. Let's hope he was unusually quick or that Scannell sharpens up.

 

Agree. I have come to the conclusion that he is simply lazy and unmotivated. We clearly saw in the away match against Burton what he can do if he puts the effort in. Clearly at that match he was motivated to do well against a former club. He scored one, nearly got another, virtually ran the show. That performance is what he should be turning out every week. I have no time for him now but can't see any other team or manager wanting him unless they have a mad chairman in charge of recruitment.

 

Big mistake having the team celebratory meal at Nandos on Saturday night.

 

James Vaughan. Well up for it. Don't doubt it from his actions at the end. And what a gent he is by the way. Took off his top and gave it to a little girl at the end. Proper decent guy.

 

I think our defense (and goalkeeper) should get the most credit for the first four games of this season, our forwards look good but our defense has operated with a weakened midfield and still kept three clean sheets in the last four league games only conceding one goal.

 

Stevenage were not poor tonight. We fought all the way, I can’t remember such a battling performance. Connor Wood outplayer MOM O’Donnell for defence.

They dug in even when we were not playing well, just imagine that match last season!

 

I said when fans were saying we should have beaten Cambridge the first game of the season I thought they were well organised and they are right up there with us.