I’ve not watched any of the games so can’t comment on how we are playing. I can see the stats that show we’ve won 4 on the bounce, not conceding in 5 consecutive games and that’s an indication that there is a ‘team’ lurking within the squad. From replayed clips, the goals have tended to have been well taken, especially last nights. That first one wasn’t easy, particularly given he had to position himself so he could kick it with his right foot - those chances often end up going to the left of the goal; and I don’t get the criticism of the oxford goalkeeper for the second. Every time I look at the replay it looks like there is a sudden last minute pick up in speed and twist in the ball. That was a fcking great shot.
One thought on Smyth, whose goal scoring credentials are being written off - Leko didn’t have much of a record for getting goals and took a while to get his first, but with some good coaching he got better in this area and was well on his way to decent total for the season by the time he got injured.
On Bogle - the question you have to ask about strikers is are they getting chances? Bogle not so much yet but I think his runs and movement have been decent and he is taking up good positions, the ball just hasn’t fallen for him yet. He likely would’ve scored at Blackpool if he hadn’t been dragged down. It’ll come.
Watching the end of the replay of the Innis sending off, none of the Charlton players protested, which suggests that they thought it was a second yellow as well
Or ...
The Charlton players sussed out that the ref was such a twonk that he'd start booking all of them for dissent and then start sending them off as well.
This ref truly was the bastard love-child of Stroud and Kettle, and adopted by Linnington.
Even with the numerical disadvantage (us a player sent off plus them having the ref) we didn't look troubled, Oxford wouldn't have broken through our back five if they'd carried on playing for another couple of weeks.
Shinnie was my MotM but there were good shifts from Smyth, Prats, and, of course, the defensive unit.
It's a shame that Inniss won't be available for Saturday so Lord Bowyer will have to re-shuffle his pack but with the belief in this squad at the moment I don't think it'll bother them.
Really ? I've only seen the highlights but just on them Oxford had a few decent chances, fortunately they weren't good enough to take advantage. I think it could be a different matter at Pompey, just hope we can outscore them.
let's hope they don't score more than one then ....
Bloody ridiculous that it was even given as a foul, even more ridiculous was their number 9 curled up in a ball almost convulsing in pain... Yet he got up and played on. Dirty cheat played the ref there.
Sadly Dazz this is creeping more and more into the English game. I watched the hi-lights show on Quest at the weekend and saw several players going down as if they had been shot however the ref ignored them and they were up and chasing back within seconds.
Lot more players going down with the slightest of touches in the box as well looking for pens, used to be a problem in Italian football however we are very close behind them now.
One thought on Smyth, whose goal scoring credentials are being written off - Leko didn’t have much of a record for getting goals and took a while to get his first, but with some good coaching he got better in this area and was well on his way to decent total for the season by the time he got injured.
On Bogle - the question you have to ask about strikers is are they getting chances? Bogle not so much yet but I think his runs and movement have been decent and he is taking up good positions, the ball just hasn’t fallen for him yet. He likely would’ve scored at Blackpool if he hadn’t been dragged down. It’ll come.
Bogle’s run yesterday was also the reason Washington found himself in so much space for his goal.
I think Washington is getting a bit too much credit for his finish, wasn't terrible but keeper should have saved it. Movement was fantastic mind.
Agree that the finish was great, and Washington's position was good, but why say that the keeper should have saved it, the finish was deliberate and skillful, and timed such that the keeper didn't have time to react, plus the fact that there were defenders around, so let's just give him some credit and not so much of the we was fortunate stuff eh
Just my opinion, I've seen it 3/4 times and I still think the keeper should have saved it. Not taking anything away from Washington, in fact I've clearly praised his movement. Just stating what I believe, opinion eh
I think Washington is getting a bit too much credit for his finish, wasn't terrible but keeper should have saved it. Movement was fantastic mind.
Agree that the finish was great, and Washington's position was good, but why say that the keeper should have saved it, the finish was deliberate and skillful, and timed such that the keeper didn't have time to react, plus the fact that there were defenders around, so let's just give him some credit and not so much of the we was fortunate stuff eh
Just my opinion, I've seen it 3/4 times and I still think the keeper should have saved it. Not taking anything away from Washington, in fact I've clearly praised his movement. Just stating what I believe, opinion eh
Putting it through the goalkeepers legs is a standard finish because it is almost impossible for a goalkeeper to save. What is it about this finish that makes you think the keeper should have saved it. The second goal is a cracking finish. The goal keeper starts a movement to his right, which is understandable. If he does not do this it would have been an easy save.
As I've said the Portsmouth game on Saturday will really tell us where we are - we've beaten teams this season who are currently 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 23rd and who have lost 27 games already between them. Marquis and Harness have scored 7 goals between them in the last 3 games and will be a handful.
The real acid test will be should we go a goal behind and whether we have the capability to turn things around from that position as we are used to defending leads from a position of strength. If we can do that then we can probably do anything in this League.
This.
I might bang on about our lack of a strike force but the main worry is that we've not come back from going behind to win since Boxing Day. I think its now around 15 games that once we concede we can't pull it around. In those games I think we might have lost them all as well (although we might have pulled 1 or 2 back to draw).
We all have different opinions and I wouldn't normally bother commenting on other fans views on players but I do think anyone who doesnt rate Watson is just plain bonkers. The guy is our heartbeat, our quarterback , he would be the first name on my teamsheet and probably is on Bowyer's. He has already made a huge difference to our team. Sure he gets booked a lot - inevitably he's lost some pace since he played in the Premiership but he is a lot older and we are in Div 1 and that's why we got him !! but the bloke never ever stops challenging. He is a very important player for us, possibly even the most important player.
The issue may be that some posters will look through rose tinted specs and defend certain players however they perform.
Others may be critical of a player from the first to last whistle, having taken a dislike to them from day one....Bryan Hughes come to mind as a prime example.
I try to give players the benefit of the doubt but if poor performances are on going (unlikely if Bow has options in said position) then I'll say so.
When Watson started in the red shirt, I wasn't very impressed and stated such. For me, he added little to the team and was playing ahead of others I felt had done little wrong.
However, in the last 3 games I have revised my opinion and apart from his liking for a yellow card or three, feel he makes a significant contribution to both defensive and offensive moves. Indeed, as others have stated, I believe his absence at Portsmouth will be to the team's detriment.
So, it IS all about opinions, but I'd like to think that Lifers are as willing to admit they've changed as this "I know nothing" wrinkly.
I think Washington is getting a bit too much credit for his finish, wasn't terrible but keeper should have saved it. Movement was fantastic mind.
Agree that the finish was great, and Washington's position was good, but why say that the keeper should have saved it, the finish was deliberate and skillful, and timed such that the keeper didn't have time to react, plus the fact that there were defenders around, so let's just give him some credit and not so much of the we was fortunate stuff eh
Just my opinion, I've seen it 3/4 times and I still think the keeper should have saved it. Not taking anything away from Washington, in fact I've clearly praised his movement. Just stating what I believe, opinion eh
Putting it through the goalkeepers legs is a standard finish because it is almost impossible for a goalkeeper to save. What is it about this finish that makes you think the keeper should have saved it. The second goal is a cracking finish. The goal keeper starts a movement to his right, which is understandable. If he does not do this it would have been an easy save.
I can definitely see the difference of opinion on the first, but the second, jesus you're surely on a wind up.
What I admire about the first goal is the first touch of Shinnie was sublime and gives him the edge on his marker, he then gives a diagonal pass with his second touch to match the diagonal run of Washington who knew what to do to stay on side.
I/we have been demanding shots on target, I Don't care if the keeper could do better.
Aside from Flappy McFlapperty in their goal, not seen a single comment about our opener being offside...
because he isn't.
the "line" goes slightly diagonal due to the angle of the camera. Washington is level with the player closest to the lino and behind the defender in the middle of their 3.
Lol, funny how we all see things differently! I think you’ve both been chewing special mushrooms for lunch if you think that is onside but perhaps I’m seeing it wrong.
People would be screaming blue murder if that was allowed against us imo
Lol, funny how we all see things differently! I think you’ve both been chewing special mushrooms for lunch if you think that is onside but perhaps I’m seeing it wrong.
People would be screaming blue murder if that was allowed against us imo
As a self confessed fickle fan, I might well be saying it's offside!
Picture isn't conclusive but my gut says onside because of the angle.
Comments
Let's hope he improves to match Johnny.
I first heard this word when a chap with a speech impediment was doing stock taking in the Woolwich Arsenal.
The second goal is a cracking finish. The goal keeper starts a movement to his right, which is understandable. If he does not do this it would have been an easy save.
I might bang on about our lack of a strike force but the main worry is that we've not come back from going behind to win since Boxing Day. I think its now around 15 games that once we concede we can't pull it around. In those games I think we might have lost them all as well (although we might have pulled 1 or 2 back to draw).
The issue may be that some posters will look through rose tinted specs and defend certain players however they perform.
Others may be critical of a player from the first to last whistle, having taken a dislike to them from day one....Bryan Hughes come to mind as a prime example.
I try to give players the benefit of the doubt but if poor performances are on going (unlikely if Bow has options in said position) then I'll say so.
When Watson started in the red shirt, I wasn't very impressed and stated such. For me, he added little to the team and was playing ahead of others I felt had done little wrong.
However, in the last 3 games I have revised my opinion and apart from his liking for a yellow card or three, feel he makes a significant contribution to both defensive and offensive moves. Indeed, as others have stated, I believe his absence at Portsmouth will be to the team's detriment.
So, it IS all about opinions, but I'd like to think that Lifers are as willing to admit they've changed as this "I know nothing" wrinkly.
Aside from Flappy McFlapperty in their goal, not seen a single comment about our opener being offside...
I/we have been demanding shots on target,
I Don't care if the keeper could do better.
the "line" goes slightly diagonal due to the angle of the camera. Washington is level with the player closest to the lino and behind the defender in the middle of their 3.
People would be screaming blue murder if that was allowed against us imo
Picture isn't conclusive but my gut says onside because of the angle.