Clearly set up for the draw so we got the result we wanted. Could have nicked it at the end but hopefully a packed out crowd on Thursday gets us over the line.
That was a painful watch, after the 4-0 win last month, back to the turgid and physical fare I usually see on my visits to Adams Park. A bit depressing that the away ground I've been to the most is Adams Park, 7 times...
I can see why Wycombe played the way they did, after the 4-0 and all the recent results, a 0-0 draw is a good result for them. But it made for grim viewing, especially as we seemed to play into their hands with the way we played. Not helped by the absence of Small for most of the match, as without him we do resort to hit and hope passes up field, which are meat and drink to their defenders. Our midfield for most of the game got dragged into a game of head tennis.
With Small on, we immediately looked better balanced. And Godden grew more and more into the game the longer it went on, showing his impressive fitness. Jones and Gillesphey immense at the back.
Some appalling behaviour from a few of our supporters tonight.
A few people who found their seats occupied were threatening those in them with violence and hurling abuse at them.
Ridiculously, this was happening at the back of the stadium by people who wanted to sit!
First an old man hobbled to the back of the stand with his grandson supporting him. They found their seats taken and, instead of asking them to move, they IMMEDIATELY began shouting 'C*nts' at them over and over. The people moved, but several others got involved and politely informed them that, if they were sat at the back, they would be standing for 90 minutes. These people were also called c*nts for trying to be helpful.
Subsequently, another old man arrived by himself and found his seat taken by a youngster.
The young guy politely explained that people generally sit where they like at away games, but the old man was adamant that he wanted his seat. The youngster moved for him, but the old man still kept kicking off and was threatening to beat the young supporter up for having dared to sit in his seat in the first place.
The youngster quipped back asking the old man if it was the first away game of his life. Ridiculously, the old man responded with 'Actually, it's the second away game I have been to! Wrexham the other week was the first away game I ever went to!'
He didn't seem to realise that he was proving the youngster's point as, when others also asked if he would be fine standing for 90 minutes, he proudly boasted that this was his third game all season (he also went to Burton at home) and that he used to be a season ticket holder when we were in the Premier League, so he knows what it's like. It was reiterated that everybody in front of him would be standing, but he kept going on about how many seasons he had watched us at home in the Premier League, so he knew best.
Queue kick-off and the pair of old men began kicking off, yelling at those around then to sit down and be respectful, since they had paid for tickets and deserved to be able to watch the match just like the rest of us.
It was pointed out to them by those in front that, if they say down, they wouldn't be able to see as the people in front of them would be stood up and so on as almost everybody was standing.
They complained to the stewards to try and get everybody to sit, but the stewards had witnessed their earlier altercations and reminded them that they had been told to sit at the front if they wanted to sit down as neither allocated seating or seating itself was being enforced.
The old man who was alone was a nightmare for the rest of the match. As well as constantly whining about having to stand, he was complaining that Charlton fans were singing and the drummer was drumming!
Instead of accepting responsibility, he directed his anger at the youngster who was originally in his seat, constantly threatening to beat him up once they were out the ground.
It was already a rather dull game, especially the first half, but having to endure 90 minutes of whining on top, made it an evening worse experience.
It's came up many times before about how Valley Gold is overvalued and supporters who actually attend matches miss out over those that don't go. But seeing a guy who has been to three games in the past 18 years attending a sold out away end tonight really takes the biscuit.
sounds like we needed them on the pitch matching up to Wycomb bully boys...
Some appalling behaviour from a few of our supporters tonight.
A few people who found their seats occupied were threatening those in them with violence and hurling abuse at them.
Ridiculously, this was happening at the back of the stadium by people who wanted to sit!
First an old man hobbled to the back of the stand with his grandson supporting him. They found their seats taken and, instead of asking them to move, they IMMEDIATELY began shouting 'C*nts' at them over and over. The people moved, but several others got involved and politely informed them that, if they were sat at the back, they would be standing for 90 minutes. These people were also called c*nts for trying to be helpful.
Subsequently, another old man arrived by himself and found his seat taken by a youngster.
The young guy politely explained that people generally sit where they like at away games, but the old man was adamant that he wanted his seat. The youngster moved for him, but the old man still kept kicking off and was threatening to beat the young supporter up for having dared to sit in his seat in the first place.
The youngster quipped back asking the old man if it was the first away game of his life. Ridiculously, the old man responded with 'Actually, it's the second away game I have been to! Wrexham the other week was the first away game I ever went to!'
He didn't seem to realise that he was proving the youngster's point as, when others also asked if he would be fine standing for 90 minutes, he proudly boasted that this was his third game all season (he also went to Burton at home) and that he used to be a season ticket holder when we were in the Premier League, so he knows what it's like. It was reiterated that everybody in front of him would be standing, but he kept going on about how many seasons he had watched us at home in the Premier League, so he knew best.
Queue kick-off and the pair of old men began kicking off, yelling at those around then to sit down and be respectful, since they had paid for tickets and deserved to be able to watch the match just like the rest of us.
It was pointed out to them by those in front that, if they say down, they wouldn't be able to see as the people in front of them would be stood up and so on as almost everybody was standing.
They complained to the stewards to try and get everybody to sit, but the stewards had witnessed their earlier altercations and reminded them that they had been told to sit at the front if they wanted to sit down as neither allocated seating or seating itself was being enforced.
The old man who was alone was a nightmare for the rest of the match. As well as constantly whining about having to stand, he was complaining that Charlton fans were singing and the drummer was drumming!
Instead of accepting responsibility, he directed his anger at the youngster who was originally in his seat, constantly threatening to beat him up once they were out the ground.
It was already a rather dull game, especially the first half, but having to endure 90 minutes of whining on top, made it an evening worse experience.
It's came up many times before about how Valley Gold is overvalued and supporters who actually attend matches miss out over those that don't go. But seeing a guy who has been to three games in the past 18 years attending a sold out away end tonight really takes the biscuit.
when he last went he was probably passed down to the front so he could see, as I believe was traditional in the flat cap days.
Would have taken a draw before the game. We defended very well. We looked so much better once Small came on. Having a threat on both sides makes so much difference. Hope Ramsay is ok and that we have more composure on the ball on Thursday. Don't want another penalty shootout.
Crap ref. Crap game. Take the draw. Gonna be a rocking Valley for part two. From the match preview thread, my wife just got back pissed and with a Portuguese geezer called Jinxy!
I doubt they can afford to double up on TC on Thursday, they will need that extra man to support any attacking intent they have as they have to make a go of it. Hopefully that will mean TC will have more freedom in the second leg.
We're a much better side when both TC and TS are playing, perhaps more so than we first realised
small being fit and playing on the other wing to TC and we go up - small or tc not fit, we stay down - its that simple - with chucks on the bench and tc, small and jones fit, we go up - COYR !!
theres no doubt why their attendances are so small if this is the kind of football they like to serve up
No, there attendances are small because they don’t have many supporters. They’ve played better football before but had crap attendances.
Anyway, I said before the match that I’d be happy with 0-0 but by the end of the match I wasn’t happy! It’s not the result so much but the quality of football. I’d like to point out that they weren’t the only team being scrappy - we were doing plenty of pushing and shoving. With VAR they would have got a definite red and far more yellows but we would have conceded a penalty. I can’t remember who it was but one of our players grabbed a Wycombe player in the box and pushed him off the pitch.
The two League One semis show that we need VAR. I’d like the EFL to show them how it’s done by having a VAR where the you simply have one guy who has a 20 second time limit to correct the referee's decision with no use of line drawing (just 20 seconds with simple replays - you don’t need a special centre and loads of technology, just someone with a TV who knows the rules ffs.). ’Clear and obvious’ VAR not inspect every detail VAR.
Also from that doesn't look upset that he may be injured and not able to play from the Kone atrocious challenge, that should have seen a red card.
Ramsay comes accross as a level headed decent guy.
After the game, when he applauded the fans he didn't look like an injured player from his body language, rather someone who had been in a tough physical battle and was ready for part 2.
How on earth someone has given Docherty a 9 on the player marks thread is diabolical. He did ok last 30 minutes but was awful before that
Yes and No. Every time he got the ball he was always looking to go backwards, which is very unlike him. He'd clearly been given specific instruction. I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked. Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
How on earth someone has given Docherty a 9 on the player marks thread is diabolical. He did ok last 30 minutes but was awful before that
Yes and No. Every time he got the ball he was always looking to go backwards, which is very unlike him. He'd clearly been given specific instruction. I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked. Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
i think we have got a couple more gears to go up if small and chucks are back but to say docherty's first instinct isn't to go backwards to look for a safe pass would be wrong - he's a very limited footballer
Think there’s merit to the idea that Jones wasn’t hugely hunting a win tonight, just not to lose. Feels like they had to put in a real performance to get that draw when we were nowhere near our attacking best. Lots of heart and faith to take from that
How on earth someone has given Docherty a 9 on the player marks thread is diabolical. He did ok last 30 minutes but was awful before that
Yes and No. Every time he got the ball he was always looking to go backwards, which is very unlike him. He'd clearly been given specific instruction. I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked. Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
i think we have got a couple more gears to go up if small and chucks are back but to say docherty's first instinct isn't to go backwards to look for a safe pass would be wrong - he's a very limited footballer
He's no Pirlo I'll give you that. But he does usually play with his head up. Not a bit of it tonight.
Co-commentator has to give it to a home player. As none really stood out she just pick a name out. Another 10 mins & Norris would have got it
I can't agree with this. I think Grimmer was their best player in BOTH matches at their place this season. I'd be more than happy to have him as our right back if we needed to make a signing. If it has to go to a home player then she definitely got it right.
Co-commentator has to give it to a home player. As none really stood out she just pick a name out. Another 10 mins & Norris would have got it
I can't agree with this. I think Grimmer was their best player in BOTH matches at their place this season. I'd be more than happy to have him as our right back if we needed to make a signing. If it has to go to a home player then she definitely got it right.
We looked a lot better balanced after Small came on. TC started to get a bit more space. Wycombe defence were pulled on both wings and couldn't just concentrate on closing down TC.
With Charlton's first 11 playing, confident we will be too much for Wycombe, particularly if we show the same fight and desire.
What a strange experience. It was like playing football in Longleat castle. parked in the ground. Luckily we were in a box so could have a couple of pints after the game. Didn't fancy joining queue of cars trying do get out down that bloody hill. Home now.
Never seen so much head tennis during a game before. They played like a team intent on stopping the rot at any cost which made for a pretty drab affair. Thought Conner looked a yard off it today but did enough. Watson is not an able replacement for Small but again did enough. We need our quad of Godden,Berry,TC and Small, or headaches (for the opposition ) as I like to call them, firing on all cylinders on Thursday to pierce a very resolute Wycombe defence l
How on earth someone has given Docherty a 9 on the player marks thread is diabolical. He did ok last 30 minutes but was awful before that
Yes and No. Every time he got the ball he was always looking to go backwards, which is very unlike him. He'd clearly been given specific instruction. I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked. Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
How on earth someone has given Docherty a 9 on the player marks thread is diabolical. He did ok last 30 minutes but was awful before that
Yes and No. Every time he got the ball he was always looking to go backwards, which is very unlike him. He'd clearly been given specific instruction. I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked. Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
i think we have got a couple more gears to go up if small and chucks are back but to say docherty's first instinct isn't to go backwards to look for a safe pass would be wrong - he's a very limited footballer
Aneke was not on the bench today, injured for a change perhaps.
Comments
Nervy few days ahead
I can see why Wycombe played the way they did, after the 4-0 and all the recent results, a 0-0 draw is a good result for them. But it made for grim viewing, especially as we seemed to play into their hands with the way we played. Not helped by the absence of Small for most of the match, as without him we do resort to hit and hope passes up field, which are meat and drink to their defenders. Our midfield for most of the game got dragged into a game of head tennis.
With Small on, we immediately looked better balanced. And Godden grew more and more into the game the longer it went on, showing his impressive fitness. Jones and Gillesphey immense at the back.
If we run at them on both wings for the majority of the game, we'll beat them
Never felt under any real pressure in the second half, hopefully we can turn it on on Thursday.
Anyway, I said before the match that I’d be happy with 0-0 but by the end of the match I wasn’t happy! It’s not the result so much but the quality of football. I’d like to point out that they weren’t the only team being scrappy - we were doing plenty of pushing and shoving. With VAR they would have got a definite red and far more yellows but we would have conceded a penalty. I can’t remember who it was but one of our players grabbed a Wycombe player in the box and pushed him off the pitch.
The two League One semis show that we need VAR. I’d like the EFL to show them how it’s done by having a VAR where the you simply have one guy who has a 20 second time limit to correct the referee's decision with no use of line drawing
(just 20 seconds with simple replays - you don’t need a special centre and loads of technology, just someone with a TV who knows the rules ffs.). ’Clear and obvious’ VAR not inspect every detail VAR.
I called it at the start. Thought we'd nullify them for 75 mins. Give Small some minutes and try a nick a slender lead at the end and it nearly worked.
Personally think we've got a couple more gears. Not sure Wycombe have?
As long as Jones & the players don't think that way.
If it has to go to a home player then she definitely got it right.
parked in the ground. Luckily we were in a box so could have a couple of pints after the game. Didn't fancy joining queue of cars trying do get out down that bloody hill. Home now.
Never seen so much head tennis during a game before. They played like a team intent on stopping the rot at any cost which made for a pretty drab affair. Thought Conner looked a yard off it today but did enough. Watson is not an able replacement for Small but again did enough.
We need our quad of Godden,Berry,TC and Small, or headaches (for the opposition ) as I like to call them, firing on all cylinders on Thursday to pierce a very resolute Wycombe defence l