Match Thread Home v Cambridge Sat Dec 19th

Today has been a really nice day.

I got to see my beautiful daughter, for the second time this year. It was super!

I got to sit with my son to watch Bradford City later. We haven't done that since September, if I recall correctly. I put my phone down during the game and enjoyed watching, with my son.

I enjoyed the performance, committed, can do approach utilising our strengths. We restricted Cambridge to little and thoroughly deserved to win.

Lastly, I made reference to POC a few weeks ago doubting his ability. Well on the basis of the last 180 minutes, I am being proven Wrong. Keep it up young man, that was a real outstanding performance today.

Yep, I'm happy.

 

More like Morecambe and Wise. Can't you just imagine then sat up in bed together in their pj's bickering over all things city related?

 

It's one of those where if we were top 6 playing a team in 20-whatever place, we'd be fuming if we lost and really criticise the performance.

But ultimately, if you're hard to play against and create the majority of chances on merit, the league positions don't mean a thing.

We were better than Cambridge. That's the bottom line.

 

Typical , when the vast majority on here are delighted with today’s result you have to post another negative comment about a player who didn’t even appear on the pitch.

 

Oh forgive me for watching matches, having an understanding of the game and more importantly seeing the league table to fully understand that we don't have the perfect squad.

 

I dont agree Fordy. French has something. He has just come in to the proffesional game and is finding his way.
Why does a section of our fans , write off every young player, within a couple of months , as not good enough.
He won't be on much salary wise and is worth sticking with as a squad player, to see how he develops.
Two young lads, who were written off as rubbish, had good games against us the other week and the team they play in , are far higher up the league than we are.
He is 21 and played 15 league games since signing from non league. Rome was not built in a day.

 

Give it a rest with the 'I'm the only one that knows what' I'm talking about ' rubbish. Apart from McCall, nobody in the world has ever been of the opinion that the squad we have is perfect.

 

Some players just aren’t good enough or consistent enough, I don’t see French as disciplined enough for our defence personally. He has looked ok going forward and put the odd decent cross in but been a concern defensively in what was a poor defence. Perhaps he is another that will flourish in a flat back four but I’ve got my doubts, the fact a newbie is keeping him out the side (was he injured? ) says that the temp mgmt might not rate him either.

 

Conor Wood looked hopeless as a wing back, but is a good full back.

Hard to look good defensively in those McCall formations/performances - more data needed re: French.

 

Perhaps, though don’t be surprised if the trend analysis has flatlined!

 

I think French is a half decent prospect with the right coaching. Perhaps right sided midfield rather than full back.

 

But don't forget that he was signed as a Centre Back. He's been played out of position as a wing back, because he has pace and we've had injuries. His performances have been mixed but it's tough to judge him given the tinkering and general defensive shambles that he's had to operate in this season.

 

What is so uplifting is that a fresh set of 'eyes' can impact the performance of an hitherto set of misfits in only a few days. Proves not to over complicate things with players at this level.Early days but as confidence in the system grows it is feasible that results will likewise improve.

 

Finn cousin looks solid at the back, but does not offer much attack wise.
French looks alright going forward , not so good defensively.
Both young lads , with time to develop, both i should imagine cheap salary wise.
We could have two reasonable right full backs for this level.
Its a shame we dont have a striker coming through as well , no need for Samuels then.
Lets develop our own.

 

When any young or inexperienced player comes into a side, irrespective of the level pro or amateur, they would usually be helped on the pitch by the senior players. When those senior players are themselves struggling due either to loss of form, lack of confidence or inability to follow the managers instructions whatever, the support they provide to those around them will drop.

If what Pritchard has apprently said is correct that players were just waiting/expecting for the opposition to score, including i assume the players whose job it was to stop that occuring, and that permeates through the side, the young and inexperienced lads are on the backfoot for starters.

 

French is a work in progress and has a lot to learn. But he has drive and ambition, confident enough to go forward and shows flashes of clever movement. He's in and out like any young player coming from lower non-league football would be. If he contributes more and becomes more consistent, he's someone we keep hold of. If not, the new management team will say goodbye to him, amongst a plethora of players, in the Summer.