I think LB has worked with them over the international break on a style of play which we saw today, but to me it was a little off. Thought we kept the ball well and got into their half easier than we've done so far this season but we struggled to create chances for 80 mins. As a system I thought it looks like it has potential but maybe it's a case of having to take a step back before we can take a step forward.
As for players, surely Aneke has to be starting games now, he looks electric. Pratley's distribution was excellent. Amos kept us in it. Maatsen had another solid game, shame about his bad pass at the end, you can see how frustrated he was when he threw the ball on the ground. Maddison tried things and was very direct. The strikers in the first half were not involved at all and were very disappointing.
Didn't enjoy that one. But 1-1 with not a single fit CB is not to be sniffed at.
Reminder to those getting carried away that we’re actually not as good as some people think we are. We’ll be alright and up there in the mix but we’re going to have to work very hard.
Maatsen and Matthews then have limited options going forward.
I think our problems are stemming from that CDM role.
Perhaps you should let Bowyer know?
Not a popular opinion I know, and I may have been spoiled by Bielik/ Cullen last time we were down here.
However Watson does love a sideways pass a bit too much for me.
The last minute where he decides to pass it 10 yards sideways rather than pumping it into the box to have a go made me laugh. Just feels very negative at times.
First game back after the break, wasn’t going to be as fluid as it was, especially against a niggly side like Gillingham. Good character to come back from 1-0 down. Think if we had scored our pen we would of won comfortably.
Maatsen and Matthews then have limited options going forward.
I think our problems are stemming from that CDM role.
I thought he was okay today actually. Played some good balls, one with the outside of his foot I particularly rememeber.
Don't think he was the issue, I feel we played the ball to slow, especially in the first half which allowed a Gillingham to sit behind the ball - and credit to them they defended pretty well.
I think we need to learn how to dominate teams who play like that a little more - and in the second half we began to even before the subs - which really changed the game for us.
We aren't as good as we think we are at times. But we aren't as bad either. We have become effective at getting results by playing a certain way which is built around not conceding.
It isn't a coincidence that we are at our most effective with Aneke on the pitch but when the guy can't ever start we are never going to get the best out of him or the team.
I'm sitting in the waiting room at beckenham hospital waiting for an appointment. It's very quiet in here apart from me getting agitated in the last 5 minutes. Anyway back to the match. Another away point gained with our centre backs all missing so I'm not going to complain. Onwards and upwards.
Frustrating. Silly mistakes, not enough control in the first half. Made some chances but not enough considering the quality of opposition. Needed Bogle to do a little more today and passing needed to be better to his feet. Maddison needs to make better decisions and move the ball quicker at times. Penalty was ok, but keeper saved well. Gunter needed to be more careful for theirs. Watson still passes well, but throws the odd mistake in now and then. Hope for better on Tuesday.
Ponderous football to begin with, for all the decent build up play the midfield were too slow, and the forwards weren't at the races either. I don't care if Aneke can't make it through 90 mins, start him and sub him off after an hour when he's scored a brace and we're up 2/3 goals
At least I predicted the correct score line 1-1 score draw for the pools coupon. Unfortunately my X wasn’t quite right on spot the ball. Perhaps I will just have to put up with a Range Rover. 😉
2 hours of my life I won't get back, feels like 2 points dropped and might see us out the top 6 by 5pm, but we had the character to get the equaliser which was nice.
Stand out for today is the referee, who made Trevor Kettle look competent
Reminder to those getting carried away that we’re actually not as good as some people think we are. We’ll be alright and up there in the mix but we’re going to have to work very hard.
Everyone will have to... You wont get a team thats going to break away from the rest and win the League comfortably
Football doesnt work like that for some reason (not being sarcastic either here) apart from Liverpool last year
Poor game. Terrible ref and officials. Gillingham stopped us playing which is predictable, we ought to have enough about us to overcome terrible refereeing and defensive minded physical teams, but we didn't look like it today. Not enough attacking intent, not the fault of Bogle or Washington who I thought worked hard, but the big difference for us was Smyth's pace and Aneke's ability to let the ball stick to him.
Didn't think we were that bad , just lacked composure in and around the box . Thought Watson had his best game so far , but Gilbey rusty . Would start Aneke and Smyth on Tuesday .
Relieved to get a draw but the officials fecked us over. Mind you their penalty caused us to react. Probably the right result given the weirdness of the game and that decision.
I’d like to see Maatsen in a more attacking role; he looks dangerous every time he gets the ball in the opposition half. Why can’t Chuks start? Bogle is turning into a more sophisticated version of Josh Parker! Shinnie and Smyth classy in League 1.
I’m not sure theirs was a penalty, Gunter had no reason to bring the guy down. But my two thoughts are that we need to do more if we are going to have 70% possession. At least mix it up with some long goal kicks. And why did we take that free kick short in the final minute? Should have pushed everyone up and dropped the kick into the box.
Comments
As for players, surely Aneke has to be starting games now, he looks electric. Pratley's distribution was excellent. Amos kept us in it. Maatsen had another solid game, shame about his bad pass at the end, you can see how frustrated he was when he threw the ball on the ground. Maddison tried things and was very direct. The strikers in the first half were not involved at all and were very disappointing.
Didn't enjoy that one. But 1-1 with not a single fit CB is not to be sniffed at.
Good point.
Maddison looked good although i didn't realise he had no right foot.
I hope Bowyer rips Bogle a new one for arguing about the penalty. That can only put off Washington.
Watson was our best player .
Gillingham play anti football and hope they get relegated.
The last minute where he decides to pass it 10 yards sideways rather than pumping it into the box to have a go made me laugh. Just feels very negative at times.
Thought Maddison was very greedy hope he improves otherwise can’t see Bowyer putting up with him.
Another god awful ref, apparently gave their pen on advice from 4th official who was 50 yards behind him.
Onwards and upwards.
Don't think he was the issue, I feel we played the ball to slow, especially in the first half which allowed a Gillingham to sit behind the ball - and credit to them they defended pretty well.
I think we need to learn how to dominate teams who play like that a little more - and in the second half we began to even before the subs - which really changed the game for us.
It isn't a coincidence that we are at our most effective with Aneke on the pitch but when the guy can't ever start we are never going to get the best out of him or the team.
It's very quiet in here apart from me getting agitated in the last 5 minutes.
Anyway back to the match.
Another away point gained with our centre backs all missing so I'm not going to complain.
Onwards and upwards.
Stand out for today is the referee, who made Trevor Kettle look competent
Football doesnt work like that for some reason (not being sarcastic either here) apart from Liverpool last year
Mind you their penalty caused us to react.
Probably the right result given the weirdness of the game and that decision.