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Post by bigmartin on Apr 1, 2024 23:27:05 GMT
It might’ve been mentioned earlier in the thread but as difficult as it seems to be at the moment for whatever reason, I feel that today was one of those times when, as a crowd, we lifted the team at just the right time and the players responded and won the game for us all. It’s a great thing when we’re all in it together. 100% We’re going to need that a lot more next season in L1 where we won’t be turning up each week expecting to win. A sobering thought looking at some of the giants (compared to us) in that division above. Zoiks.
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Post by ldjh79 on Apr 1, 2024 23:45:17 GMT
100% We’re going to need that a lot more next season in L1 where we won’t be turning up each week expecting to win. A sobering thought looking at some of the giants (compared to us) in that division above. Zoiks. That was nearly a whoosh BM
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Post by bighead on Apr 2, 2024 5:30:31 GMT
It might’ve been mentioned earlier in the thread but as difficult as it seems to be at the moment for whatever reason, I feel that today was one of those times when, as a crowd, we lifted the team at just the right time and the players responded and won the game for us all. It’s a great thing when we’re all in it together. 100% We’re going to need that a lot more next season in L1 where we won’t be turning up each week expecting to win. I think it depends how wide the Vita chequebook opens. As was said earlier. There will be a reasonable sized turnover of players I reckon. Itll be sad but we will lose a few from the National League team I reckon. We will be going after out of favour Championship players and have shown prem teams we can develop youngsters. Wouldnt be surprised to see a starting 11 with only 3 or 4 of yesterday's team in there. Horsfall, Pye and Powell. Maybe Camps and Ben.
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Post by Barmy Blue Army on Apr 2, 2024 6:38:52 GMT
Why? Because I posting how I felt in that moment - that's my preference to get it off my chest / not bore my other half. IRC I posted similar for Swindon and probably for Gils. Both games where we didn't maximise our chances of winning despite facing poor opposition on the day. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to be proven wrong! Very much so. I think we're a much better side when we play positive football from minute 1 though, not give ourselves 30 mins to score. We're still a bit too safe and Touray showed that in a microcosm. Play him LWB with nothing in front of him (and the same for Evans on the other side who was quieter) - left to beat his man for pace - and we create nothing. Have him LB (or even RCB) with movement in front and suddenly he has options and looks a player. (Both halves good defensively for the record.) Probably not a fair barometer given the opposition but Touray was outstanding in the same position in the FGR game as well. Sometimes he turned back today, but it was always because there was nothing on, unlike earlier in the season when he was doing it despite there being something on. He had a good game. I don't want this to drag on any more but... for the record... I'm not a "Touray-hater". I backed him a lot longer than most on here pointing out he was the highest assist-er in the team (as he has been in the league for pretty much the whole season) and that he had obvious pedigree being in the L2 TOTS previously; just like Horsfall when some doubted him early. And just like Horsfall when he first started in a shakey defence, I think he's been a victim of his surroundings, as well as played out of position a lot. I sympathise with DC though as, on paper, he has all the attributes for an excellent LCB. That's what DC signed him for and he's been very vocal about liking his full/wingbacks to get forward. The difference to Horsfall is that it really rocked his confidence and, attacking-wise, you need that in his role. That's been exacerbated further with the whole team playing too safe lately and the lack of threat down the other side without MSH. Moving on to yesterday... that's exactly what we saw in the half. He wasn't good imo but then none of the team were - maybe with the exception of Powell but he was coming too deep (though I think that was more out of frustration. Camps had his worst game in ages). As DC said, we stunk the place out. Gone was the confidence of MK and FGR and the ability to break teams down playing little triangles. We looked devoid of ideas and, whether intentionally or not, slipped into a back 3 with Touray LWB and CLE RWB. That has been proven time and time again not to work - especially against an organised defence. They just sat in their shape, let us go wide and then pressed the wide player who, having no options in front of them and no pace to beat man, inevitably went backwards. Touray saw lots of the ball (and credit to him for showing more than CLE) because that's how they wanted it. Besides a good corner, he (and the rest of the team), offered 0 threat. Yep, he solid defensively, but what we needed in that moment was creativity and pace out wide. Not his fault; DC's for setting us up that way or not getting instructions on the field to say it's back 4 and for Knoyle and the midfield to push on. No Tanto made it even worse as that took away the easy option of giving him something to chase and let them push up to shrink the pitch. They played a fairly high line imo, even with Johnson and Lewis, as we had nothing in behind to hurt them. Sarcevic on was an improvement but for me DC should have been more decisive and brought on Tanto at HT (understandable though if he is carrying a knock). Once he came on, then the defence had something to think about. Bailey and Sarcevic started trying to pick up pockets and suddenly Touray had options in front of him and it wasn't all on him to make something happen (which isn't his game). Then he took on his man 1v1 (which he needs to do more) and whipped in a beauty and found the assist for the goal with a lovely throughball - admittedly on the other side. Defensively he was good all game, though had little 1v1 /open play defending to do. With a bit of confidence and a confident team around him, I think he's a very good LB. He's proven that at this level. He isn't a LWB though as he was played in the first half/60 mins. He's also more defensive than what DC prefers at full/wingback so needs support ahead of him and, ideally, a threat down the other side. He's much better defensively though than, say, Bristow. And thankfully we're best suited to a 4-4-2 diamond so there's a clear role for him. Anyways, I should probably stop typing but.... I think a lot is perception. Yesterday's result gave us so much to be cheerful for; a win in general does. However, it wasn't a good performance imo. Yes, they came as destroyers but ultimately their gameplan won. They so nearly took a point and it could easily have been 3. We created so little, 2 SOTs, 0.38xG. It became a game of moments - a mistake, set piece or piece of brilliance. Thankfully the latter went for us but they missed a pen and every long throw caused chaos. We didn't play well and maximise our chances of winning that game. Play that 10x and we probably draw most and lose as many as we win. It reminds me of poker when sometimes the winning play for a hand isn't a good one and in the longrun will lose you money. The analogy falls apart a little as it's human intervention/skill that scored for us and missed their pen, not pure chance and a turn of a card. See Swindon and Gils though for what game could have easily become. As DC knows - that was a great result but bad performance (he comes right now and says that we didn't deserve to win the game) so I'm not going to be raving about anyone. It really frustrated me as I didn't think we played to our strengths. Listening to DC's postmatch, I think that's where we depart as he's very much - keep a clean sheet and you give yourself the best possible chance of a win. It's hard to argue with that but I think this side is best as a front foot, out score you type - not a shutout and grab a goal team (as other County teams have been). That's what got me and seeing the mistakes (imo) of our slump repeated in such a big game. Still did about 5 fist pumps to myself last night and have a massive smile on my face this morning! The end.
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Post by Barmy Blue Army on Apr 2, 2024 7:04:38 GMT
Probably should go do my day job now...
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Post by shootershillbilly on Apr 2, 2024 7:10:06 GMT
I know its been mentioned before but what on earth are people at the game wearing City scarves for? I bear no ill will but its naive in the extreme. Am guessing by their appearance they are ignorant of "their" own clubs past never mind ours! Has our world become so sanitized that this seems to be acceptable nowadays?
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Post by mattyovrio on Apr 2, 2024 7:24:29 GMT
Probably not a fair barometer given the opposition but Touray was outstanding in the same position in the FGR game as well. Sometimes he turned back today, but it was always because there was nothing on, unlike earlier in the season when he was doing it despite there being something on. He had a good game. I don't want this to drag on any more but... for the record... I'm not a "Touray-hater". I backed him a lot longer than most on here pointing out he was the highest assist-er in the team (as he has been in the league for pretty much the whole season) and that he had obvious pedigree being in the L2 TOTS previously; just like Horsfall when some doubted him early. And just like Horsfall when he first started in a shakey defence, I think he's been a victim of his surroundings, as well as played out of position a lot. I sympathise with DC though as, on paper, he has all the attributes for an excellent LCB. That's what DC signed him for and he's been very vocal about liking his full/wingbacks to get forward. The difference to Horsfall is that it really rocked his confidence and, attacking-wise, you need that in his role. That's been exacerbated further with the whole team playing too safe lately and the lack of threat down the other side without MSH. Moving on to yesterday... that's exactly what we saw in the half. He wasn't good imo but then none of the team were - maybe with the exception of Powell but he was coming too deep (though I think that was more out of frustration. Camps had his worst game in ages). As DC said, we stunk the place out. Gone was the confidence of MK and FGR and the ability to break teams down playing little triangles. We looked devoid of ideas and, whether intentionally or not, slipped into a back 3 with Touray LWB and CLE RWB. That has been proven time and time again not to work - especially against an organised defence. They just sat in their shape, let us go wide and then pressed the wide player who, having no options in front of them and no pace to beat man, inevitably went backwards. Touray saw lots of the ball (and credit to him for showing more than CLE) because that's how they wanted it. Besides a good corner, he (and the rest of the team), offered 0 threat. Yep, he solid defensively, but what we needed in that moment was creativity and pace out wide. Not his fault; DC's for setting us up that way or not getting instructions on the field to say it's back 4 and for Knoyle and the midfield to push on. No Tanto made it even worse as that took away the easy option of giving him something to chase and let them push up to shrink the pitch. They played a fairly high line imo, even with Johnson and Lewis, as we had nothing in behind to hurt them. Sarcevic on was an improvement but for me DC should have been more decisive and brought on Tanto at HT (understandable though if he is carrying a knock). Once he came on, then the defence had something to think about. Bailey and Sarcevic started trying to pick up pockets and suddenly Touray had options in front of him and it wasn't all on him to make something happen (which isn't his game). Then he took on his man 1v1 (which he needs to do more) and whipped in a beauty and found the assist for the goal with a lovely throughball - admittedly on the other side. Defensively he was good all game, though had little 1v1 /open play defending to do. With a bit of confidence and a confident team around him, I think he's a very good LB. He's proven that at this level. He isn't a LWB though as he was played in the first half/60 mins. He's also more defensive than what DC prefers at full/wingback so needs support ahead of him and, ideally, a threat down the other side. He's much better defensively though than, say, Bristow. And thankfully we're best suited to a 4-4-2 diamond so there's a clear role for him. Anyways, I should probably stop typing but.... I think a lot is perception. Yesterday's result gave us so much to be cheerful for; a win in general does. However, it wasn't a good performance imo. Yes, they came as destroyers but ultimately their gameplan won. They so nearly took a point and it could easily have been 3. We created so little, 2 SOTs, 0.38xG. It became a game of moments - a mistake, set piece or piece of brilliance. Thankfully the latter went for us but they missed a pen and every long throw caused chaos. We didn't play well and maximise our chances of winning that game. Play that 10x and we probably draw most and lose as many as we win. It reminds me of poker when sometimes the winning play for a hand isn't a good one and in the longrun will lose you money. The analogy falls apart a little as it's human intervention/skill that scored for us and missed their pen, not pure chance and a turn of a card. See Swindon and Gils though for what game could have easily become. As DC knows - that was a great result but bad performance (he comes right now and says that we didn't deserve to win the game) so I'm not going to be raving about anyone. It really frustrated me as I didn't think we played to our strengths. Listening to DC's postmatch, I think that's where we depart as he's very much - keep a clean sheet and you give yourself the best possible chance of a win. It's hard to argue with that but I think this side is best as a front foot, out score you type - not a shutout and grab a goal team (as other County teams have been). That's what got me and seeing the mistakes (imo) of our slump repeated in such a big game. Still did about 5 fist pumps to myself last night and have a massive smile on my face this morning! The end. A very considered opinion. Currently I think we are better in a 4-4-2 for reasons laid out above and would like to see Hipo ahead of Touray to give him somebody to play with. A lot seem to rate Powell yesterday. Whilst he put some great challenges, I thought a lot of his passes went awry. A big shout out to CLe who had scraps to feed on but won a lot of ball in the air for a little feller up against a big beefy Wimbledon team.
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Post by timberwolf on Apr 2, 2024 7:44:25 GMT
I know its been mentioned before but what on earth are people at the game wearing City scarves for? I bear no ill will but its naive in the extreme. Am guessing by their appearance they are ignorant of "their" own clubs past never mind ours! Has our world become so sanitized that this seems to be acceptable nowadays? Nothing against any city fan coming to games as long as they show respect by not wearing their clubs colours. Need to show some respect and they,d be the first to moan about County hooligans is someone with too much drink and drugs had a pop at them. Really wound any of us go to a non County game with our colours on unless it was right down the non league pyramid somewhere local.
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Post by timberwolf on Apr 2, 2024 7:53:54 GMT
Reading this thread you wouldn’t know we were top with 6 games remaining. Sometimes wonder if some people are ever going to be happy following County. After going through the last 5 pages i had to check to see if we had actually won that game. Doubt we would have done so a few weeks back. Am i the only one who enjoyed it. After 10 minutes you knew what their game was. Big fit lads who covered every inch of EP giving the impression they had an extra man on the pitch even without their 13 the ref. Knew then we would have to play the long game and said at the time if anyone was bored they,d better go and come back for the final 15 minutes. Then the goal was fitting winner for a side leading the division. OK it wasn,t a performance of a well tuned ferrari but more one of a reliable diesel car that rarely lets you down in the end.
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Post by timberwolf on Apr 2, 2024 8:00:24 GMT
I don't want this to drag on any more but... for the record... I'm not a "Touray-hater". I backed him a lot longer than most on here pointing out he was the highest assist-er in the team (as he has been in the league for pretty much the whole season) and that he had obvious pedigree being in the L2 TOTS previously; just like Horsfall when some doubted him early. And just like Horsfall when he first started in a shakey defence, I think he's been a victim of his surroundings, as well as played out of position a lot. I sympathise with DC though as, on paper, he has all the attributes for an excellent LCB. A lot seem to rate Powell yesterday. Whilst he put some great challenges, I thought a lot of his passes went awry. A big shout out to CLe who had scraps to feed on but won a lot of ball in the air for a little feller up against a big beefy Wimbledon team. Think both of you are totally correct regarding touray and powell. Powell,s first 4 passes resulted in only one finding a County shirt and why does any pass he makes gets a louder applause from the fans than a similar one from another team mate gets.
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Post by voodooray on Apr 2, 2024 8:33:37 GMT
I know its been mentioned before but what on earth are people at the game wearing City scarves for? I bear no ill will but its naive in the extreme. Am guessing by their appearance they are ignorant of "their" own clubs past never mind ours! Has our world become so sanitized that this seems to be acceptable nowadays? Never acceptable.
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Post by bigmartin on Apr 2, 2024 8:45:21 GMT
I know its been mentioned before but what on earth are people at the game wearing City scarves for? I bear no ill will but its naive in the extreme. Am guessing by their appearance they are ignorant of "their" own clubs past never mind ours! Has our world become so sanitized that this seems to be acceptable nowadays? Never acceptable. Odd behaviour. And why do our stewards allow it?
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Post by Bahamas67 on Apr 2, 2024 8:53:41 GMT
A lot seem to rate Powell yesterday. Whilst he put some great challenges, I thought a lot of his passes went awry. A big shout out to CLe who had scraps to feed on but won a lot of ball in the air for a little feller up against a big beefy Wimbledon team. Think both of you are totally correct regarding touray and powell. Powell,s first 4 passes resulted in only one finding a County shirt and why does any pass he makes gets a louder applause from the fans than a similar one from another team mate gets. Yes, a few passes went astray, but he's always trying to find something unpredictable, and it doesn't always come off. He gets applause rightly when he finds a pass that no-one else would. Also his comfort on the ball, which gives him the ability to make time and space for himself, is great to watch. Plus strength in the air and strong tackles. That's why I thought he was our best player until he went off.
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Post by didsburyhatter on Apr 2, 2024 9:02:15 GMT
Late to the party but a very important win with MK Dons drawing alongside Crewe and Barrow losing - lovely goal from Bailey
One foot in League One for me now.
I've not read the thread in full, but mathematically, if we beat Sutton and Colchester, would this mean we're promoted?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by mattyovrio on Apr 2, 2024 9:06:35 GMT
Think both of you are totally correct regarding touray and powell. Powell,s first 4 passes resulted in only one finding a County shirt and why does any pass he makes gets a louder applause from the fans than a similar one from another team mate gets. Yes, a few passes went astray, but he's always trying to find something unpredictable, and it doesn't always come off. He gets applause rightly when he finds a pass that no-one else would. Also his comfort on the ball, which gives him the ability to make time and space for himself, is great to watch. Plus strength in the air and strong tackles. That's why I thought he was our best player until he went off. He does look comfortable on the ball. His most infuriating attribute is that he seems to be shot shy. Could have had a few more cracks on goal yesterday from decent positions. I was hoping for more goals from him - especially from the edge of the area.
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