Home v Plymouth Feb 29th

My summary of today in one word. Cold.

 

He missed the bit where Connolly was smashed into the wall of the TL Dallas stand.

 

Robbie threllfall

 

Footage of Connolly's goal looks better from the kop than it does from the Midland Road. 9/10 performance from Connolly yesterday, just hope he doesn't follow with average performances.

 

Can’t believe people moaning about Reeves, it’s not easy playing in midfield on your own you know. As for his sidekick he has the heart of a pea, the game just simply passed him by.

I’m afraid Donaldson looks every bit of his 37 years.

The positives, Wood yet again, Connolly and BRE had his best game for months and of course the 3 points

 

Reeves played well yesterday. The pitch suits BRE down to the ground, he doesn't have to try to pass it. I'dexpect Wood to be in league 1 next year regardless.

 

I applauded the team yesterday, a good win under terrible conditions. I do think Stuart is turning the team around and we can still make the playoffs. What does annoy me is the whinging from fellow City fans after the game yesterday. We had beaten a team fourth in the league on a good run under terrible conditions . I don’t think nobody had a poor game and all put the effort in with good performances from Reeves and Wood in particular .
Maybe it’s me just an Old Skool Football Fan.

 

Threlfall the Left Back?

 

I agree rocket. I'm not disputing that the pitch was awful, or that we made hard work of what should have been a comfortable win, or that the way we invite pressure on ourselves late in games isn't a worry, but despite all of that (and the fact that it was bloody freezing), I thoroughly enjoyed the game and came away not only happy with the 3 points but also feeling I'd been entertained. Not often I've been able to say that this season.

 

Mellor did not defend ok. He leaves a 5 yard gap between himself and the attacker when they run at him, willing them to move into the box and shoot or cross.

Henley did the same when he came on resulting in their goal.

Both could do with some training for Stephen Darby on how to stop a cross or shot.

 

The squad still needs lots of work but in a short space we’ve gone from a team who barely have a shot on goal to one that’s creating chances and scoring. No more of that dreadful 5-3-2 and we actually set up to attack, regardless of the opposition.

My biggest concern about McCall is ability to recruit. If it somehow holds up in the summer I think we’ll do alright because it’s very clear that McCall is an excellent man manager and knows how to set a team up. A compete contrast to the farce that was Bowyer and Drury.

 

Apparently Stuart wasn't happy with the cheering when Akpan was subbed, turning around and saying to those around him that Akpan was one of us. Maybe he should try telling that to Akpan who again coasted through the game and marked space ever so well.

If only he'd put a quarter of the effort in that Reeves did, then we'd have bossed that game from start to finish. I'm struggling to see how Stuart can defend him and continually give him a start in the first 11. Pritchard, Cooke and Taylor offer way more and the sooner he's away the better. Reminds me of McLean all over again. On good money and stealing a wage.

 

To be fair to Akpan he played on with a dislocated shoulder and had to have it replaced at half time surprised he came out second half when we had Cooke on the bench

 

Akpan had his shoulder replaced at half time? Didn't realise we had spares in the changing room.

 

That's fair enough but what's his excuse for the first 35 minutes?

Regarding the game, it was pleasing to get the 3 points and a better performance. Hopefully we can take confidence into the Salford game.

 

Stuart should remember that he hasnt had to suffer watching Akpan for the passed 18 months, like those who were sarcastically cheering him off

 

Was really not looking forward to that game but ended up finding it really entertaining. We thoroughly deserved the win, but for 2 good saves from their keeper and practically an open goal miss from Clayton, would've been 5 up. Disappointed to concede but a wins a win and I definitely wasn't expecting it.

Connolly was a constant menace, just need him to continue at that level. The kick and run tactic to him had the beating of them every time. His pace is such an asset we need to exploit that more.

At the time I felt the red card was justified and the second yellow was soft. Having watched the replay I don't think Plymouth can argue with either. Second red was a stupid challenge to make when already on a booking.

 

Perhaps so, but based on what we currently have for me Mellor is our better option at RB. Every time i see Henley he’s struggled. Looking at their goal yesterday he should do so much more to stop the shooting chance even being created, let alone be better positioned to have tried to block it. I don’t know if Mellor would have done better, but he’s a better defender than Henley IMO so hope he would.

As things stand right now, Mellor starts ahead of Henley all day long.

 

The bar though is set that low you couldn't limbo under if you were Sammy Lee

 

He must have been dazzled by the sun reflecting off the mud.So many mistakes in that report,pure fiction.