firstdivision

1 hour ago, Lew-T said:

I did not understand the Martin booking?!

He was in their box clean through

He was booked for kicking the ball away, I think. Everyone does it now. Not saying it’s right. Martin’s was more blatant though.

3 hours ago, Andy082005 said:

Thank you for seeing the point I was trying to make 

I don’t expect us to be top 6, but with the squad of players we have at our disposal we should be doing so much more. Organised and resilient are to perfect words to describe something we just are not

I refuse to believe ability wise we have the weakest team in this league when it comes to defending. Yet on paper we almost have 

My biggest frustration is when we start showing a few small signs of improvement everyone starts coo-ing that ‘Nige’s’ plan is starting to come to fruition ….yet when we have days like today “it’s not his fault “

At some point he has to start taking accountability for these defensive shit show. He’s been coaching them for over a year ffs 

Spot on.

Also, I notice that it only took one game for Klose to join the ranks and make a crass defensive error. What happened to the calmness we saw last week?  His totally unnecessary hasty clearance for the first was embarrassing. 

This defending…Klose to blame for the first, I’m afraid. We are just so soft. 
And then the regulation goal from a set piece. 

40 minutes ago, swanker said:

Orient at home in the early 70s. Losing 1-3 at half time, ended up winning 5-3. 
 

MK Dons at home in our promotion season 3-2. What a game, took me hours and a couple of pints to calm down 

Beating Hereford in the semifinals at home to send us to Wembley in the Layland Daff or whatever it was called. 

It's odd, isn't it? The 5-3 win over Orient sticks in my mind as well. 

14 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

This will obviously depend on age, but I'd say.

Leeds. (1-0 away) They were in amazing form and unbeaten when we played them in the Cup. To win there was massive (and annoying, as I wasn't allowed to go). There was even a cartoon in the National papers showing a TV with the score. The repair man is saying, no mate, it's right, mine says the same.

Portsmouth. (2-1) Got to say this was a huge win, clinching promotion to Div 1.

Coventry. (2-2) Amazing night, 15,000 Reds there to see it.
Bonus: Leeds (1-0). M'boro (0-0). Liverpool (2-1) the 3 games before Cov, that meant a draw would keep us up. Garland scoring all 3 goals.

Chester. (2-1) Clinched Promotion from 4th, and one of my Fav away days along with Cov and others.

The other lot (2-1) 1-0 down etc. Mad , mad day. 

Obviously the 2 Manchester games, Liverpool and others , but the stand out for me.

 

I'll add 3 nearly ones, Spurs, Forest & Man City Semi finals. How I would have loved to have made a "real" final.

 

Agree with all those. Portsmouth was 1-0 though. A horrible match in some ways: we scored early on; Portsmouth were already down and not much of a side; we were expected to beat them. But we couldn't find any rhythm to our play and those last few minutes were agony. 

I remember leaving the ground and saw a banner - clearly made up in advance of the match - at the back of a Portsmouth supporters' coach: 'You'll come straight back down.' Wrong. There were amazing Coventry and Liverpool and Manchester United matches to come but maybe, just maybe, it might have been better if we had because the years after Div 1 were depressing and set us back a lot.

Beating Leeds at Elland Road in 1974 was pretty special. My brother refused to believe the result until he read it in the paper. 

2 hours ago, CiderJar said:

We would be 9 points better off and so just outside the play-offs (or pretty much already safe from relegation)  on 43 points

Either way we are not going up and not going down this seasons so let's just enjoy the Semenyo, Scott and Massengo show whilst we've still got them?

I agree. They are fantastic. 

5 hours ago, RobintheRed Red said:

Man's a *** 

I don’t suppose you’ve even met him, have you? 

3 hours ago, Edgy Red said:

I think the return of Semenyo has been pivotal to our improvement in the last half a dozen games. He is the only forward we have with genuine pace and power and he has made a huge difference to the way we play.

IF we can keep Williams fit, get Atkinson consistant and generally have a bit of luck with injuries, then the future looks bright.

I would imagine we may lose one of our young talents in the summer if we receive a decent offer, but for the first time in over 3 years i have some optimism.

Totally agree.
Semenyo has been high class. Excellent again today. A total menace. Created an ‘unmissable’ chance for Weimann and scored what should have been the winner. 

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

A few concentration issues first half, but another good game.

Was it a foul on him?  Nige said so, but I couldn’t tell.

I thought it was. Couldn’t believe it when the ref played on. Took him down with a challenge from behind even if he did get the ball.

38 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

Sorry Cameron, but your non-shot, non-pass, non-run to the corner in the 95th minute that led to Preston's equaliser will give me nightmares.

 

My immediate and instinctive reaction was that he was fouled from behind. Why did he go down if not? He had a simple pass on to Semenyo. Anyone clear it up?

 

Excellent display. Apart from the finishing. Very disappointed we’re not at least 2 up. That Weimann miss. OMG.

Just now, Numero Uno said:

If his presence helps us achieve 3-4 clean sheets then that is very likely to be job done this season. Or, even where we don't keep a clean sheet and we are hanging onto a point or three, if he gets his head on that whipped in free kick that was landing straight on the opposition centre forward's bonce!! On that basis why wouldn't you take that "ultra pragmatic" approach? In fact had we not taken that approach imagine the uproar on here if we were to carry on letting in 203 goals per game without him?

The main reason is that word ‘if’. He hasn’t done what you suggest yet. And my concern is that he won’t for the reasons I outlined. 

Anyway, let’s see what happens. I’ve come to despair of this type of signing in general, but throw enough mud against the old lags wall and perhaps some will stick. Fingers crossed.

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

If he does what you suggest above, I’d say that would be justification of his signing.

Importantly it saves us trying to recruit a player under contract now who will be OOC in the summer.

I agree. That’s my rough benchmark for the deal being a pragmatic ‘success’, although the only thing that really matters is staying up. We should be ok but there is no room for complacency.
My concern watching on Tuesday is that most teams will just keep beating us if they have enough set-piece savvy and ammunition. I see Klose as an ultra pragmatic, just-in-case signing. 

I get why we're signing him, but I feel I've seen this somewhere before. He's 33, has not played all season and has had injuries. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

The limit of my expectation/hope is that he starts 6-8 games and helps us win 2, maybe 3 (if he starts 8).

Perhaps he'll win a header or two somewhere that prevents the sort of defending fiasco we saw on Tuesday.

3 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

I agree. I looked on each signing as favourably as possible. One could argue that the injuries are unlucky and one could also argue signing older players increases chance of having injured players. We have signed another player with injury concerns. 

You only have to look at his injury record to know he's not been 'unlucky' with injuries this season. He's started 8 first-team games since 2018. The last time he started 20+ games in a season was 2014, more than seven years ago. Sometimes I despair with our recruitment.

Andy King - ten league starts, two of which he's not completed because of injury, one of which he was sent off in. Two sub apps. And a hamstring injury that'll probably keep him out for a while.

Done okay?

We have a pretty low bar if we think that. 

2 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I wonder how much conversation re a signing is asking the player how they think they will fit in, what they will bring, what they know about the squad, system, etc.

I suppose it might depend on the transfer and how much the acquiring club wants the player. You’d think it was absolutely important for a player and a club that a player asks those questions. But this is football where the prospect of a lucrative three-year contract probably trumps most things.

Smart recruiting clubs though must be taking a more holistic approach. And it should give them a competitive advantage over time.

6 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Interesting read, especially the last bit,

https://trainingground.guru/articles/how-huddersfield-are-developing-uncut-gems-like-sorba-thomas

Yes, really interesting. There’s so much to discuss in those last few paragraphs alone. 

Clubs are often trying to sell themselves to talent to attract them but the idea of a player selling himself to a club by dealing with an awkward and unattractive meeting place feels imaginative.
How much is sport about attitude/mindset? How much is it just about innate talent? Etc etc 

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Different reasons imho….not being soft in those games, but inviting too much pressure.

To me, that’s being soft as well. Not strong willed or forceful enough to take hold of a game. Retreat. Retreat. Oh, they scored a late equaliser. Now how did that happen etc etc.

I think we’ve been too easy to score against all season.

Thank god that, at least, we have Scott and Semenyo to enjoy…before we’re forced to sell them anyway. 

Feeling grumpy today after a freezing night at an awful ground and losing to a team that were very ordinary. 

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Different reasons imho….not being soft in those games, but inviting too much pressure.

To me, that’s being soft as well. Not strong willed or forceful enough to take hold of a game. Retreat. Retreat. Oh, they scored a late equaliser. Now how did that happen etc etc.

I think we’ve been too easy to score against all season.

Thank god that, at least, we have Scott and Semenyo to enjoy…before we’re forced to sell them anyway. 

Feeling grumpy today after a freezing night at an awful ground and losing to a team that were very ordinary. 

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Different reasons imho….not being soft in those games, but inviting too much pressure.

To me, that’s being soft as well. Not strong willed or forceful enough to take hold of a game. Retreat. Retreat. Oh, they scored a late equaliser. Now how did that happen etc etc.

I think we’ve been too easy to score against all season.

Thank god that, at least, we have Scott and Semenyo to enjoy…before we’re forced to sell them anyway. 

Feeling grumpy today after a freezing night at an awful ground and losing to a team that were very ordinary. 

8 minutes ago, RonWalker said:

Don't worry, if Russia invade Ukraine it might all be over soon.

I lived through the Cold War. Don’t worry, City will still be flunking matches like last night’s well into the 21stC.

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

We are a bit sift at the mo’.  For much of the season we haven’t been.  Suspect certain players missing is a big factor!

I disagree, Dave. We always look likely to concede,  eg Coventry (truly embarrassing). That was months ago.  West Brom (truly embarrassing). Sheffield United. Huddersfield. Numerous home games late on in the first part of the season (eg Forest). 

9 hours ago, Olé said:

A recent upturn in the quality of City football has threatened a breakout performance full of possession, interplay and endeavour. Yet when it finally arrived tonight in a one sided display, dominated by City at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road, the noisy away fans had to watch in disbelief as we managed to lose a game that more than ever we had control of. 

Nigel Pearson's men had dominated for long spells and in Massengo, Scott, Weimann and man of the match Pring had willing workers  who controlled play time and again - but the best two crosses of the match were Luton's, whipped in high and deep to meet Hatters' players queueing up to attack it far post and nod in. Direct, effective - smash and grab.

City were comfortably on top from the start yet without creating a single chance, a first quarter of the game where they would win a succession of corners through quick breaks, Weimann twice spinning clear from the left onto through balls, while DaSilva and Scott combined intricately on the right to work chances, yet never setting up a shot in goal.

On 27 O'Dowda, otherwise anonymous and a long way short of the drive and effort of his teammates, was fed clear down the left, cut back and lobbed an aimless ball into the box that was half cleared to where DaSilva stole into the box looking for an angle, from the clearance for a throw in City's cross was half cleared and Massengo volleyed over.  

Luton had been non existent all first half but after 37 Vyner initially did well to shepherd Muskwe wide from a rare high ball forward, only to lose out on the touchline, the striker going clear into the box from the byline and driving a low cross in on goal that Kalas had to come flying across diving low to cut out for the hosts first corner - a first rare threat.

Perhaps it was a warning as minutes later Vyner stepped away from an attacker and ran on in midfield only to be injured and lose out on City's forray down the right, a Luton break seeing DaSilva turn away for a corner and after treatment for Vyner, the recycled set piece was whipped in by Bree to the far post where Lockyer led a queue to head in.

It was jarring how a high rapid cross had led to such a pin point threat where City instead had routinely failed to threaten out wide for all their purpose and interplay. A first lesson in crossing, and an unexpected lead at half time - into the second period another cagey start for both teams as the visitors took the game to Luton again without end product.

On 54 it was the irrepressible Pring who ran through defenders from a throw in, powering to the byline before backheeling to O'Dowda whose deep cross was met poorly by Martin heading down into the ground. Minutes later Semenyo turned his man to play Weimann in through the middle, the top scorer racing in to steer a low shot into the bottom corner.

City by now had to make their superiority count and on the hour Massengo's fizzing shot was deflected over and from DaSilva's rasping right wing corner, Martin headed back from the far post and Pring volleyed perfectly at the top corner, Shea somehow tipping over desperately - albeit the referee somehow whistled to flag O'Dowda offside. 

On the midway point of the second half yet another City attack broke down on the left, Luton skipping away from hesitant O'Dowda and leaving Pring to chop down Adebayo in his own half. From the free kick Bree swung in another deep cross and far post Lockyer again headed goalwards with men queueing up, this time Adebayo bundling in the rebound. 

In response a move out to O'Dowda on the left touchline saw the physically capable but consistently uncertain winger with time and space to size up opponents, only to freeze, think, then underhit a short pass straight to them. A damning indictment for a cautious, careless player whose lack of drive is put to shame by youngsters Pring, Scott and Massengo.

He and Semenyo (booked) were hauled off for Wells and the returning Joe Williams for the final 15, the former looking well off the pace, the latter a welcome addition. On 84 the move of the match, Scott from deep via Williams in midfield and out to DaSilva left whose deep cross headed down by Martin, for Weimann to swivel and curl just over.

It was again one way traffic in injury time as Williams return ball back over to City's left wing, saw Weimann steer his header across the face of goal where Wells hit side netting. Then Pring, further showing up O'Dowda's contribution, went on a lung bursting run through the lines and still produced a cross that Conway nor Williams could convert.

Somehow City had contrived to lose a sixth away game in seven winless attempts and more remarkably in yet another improved performance where they dominated out of midfield and produced arguably their most convincing football with the ball this season - only to be beaten by a familiar inability to defend from deep crosses into the far post.

 

O'Leary 5 Question whether could have claimed for either goal

Pring 8 Great on the ball, never stopped running at either end, frankly puts O'Dowda to shame

Kalas 7 Cleared up for others a few times but will be unhappy with the goals 

Vyner 6 Usual hit and miss, elegant turn one minute out muscled the next

Massengo 7 Never stopped fighting for the ball, two shots heading goalwards

Scott 7 Ran midfield for long periods, a very mature performance

O'Dowda 4 Uses none of his attributes and offers nothing when will this end

DaSilva 6 His crosses and ball retention were markedly better than O'Dawdle

Weimann 7 The only player consistently pressing

Martin 7 Multiple headers down to setup chances

Semenyo 6 Well dealt with, rarely able to run at goal

 

Wells 4 Didn't look at all sharp or ready to play

Williams 6 Helped link up play from side to side and looked keen

Conway 5 Didn't have right studs, slipped when given chance

The headline sums up the game perfectly. No need to read on really (although I did). Truly pathetic way to lose a match.
Utterly galling to hear the Luton manager say they were well below par. And yet they still won. We are so soft. Embarrassing really. Cardiff barely put a glove on us and scored twice. Ditto Luton. I turned to those with me at 1-1 and said ‘we all know what’s going to happen.’ 
Just as well Peterborough are as hopeless as us at defending. 
 

12 hours ago, Davefevs said:

What do we reckon then?

Atkinson and King out, James too (surely he won’t be risked)

Is Williams ready?  I don’t think he will risk him starting.

I think we will start with the eleven than ended on Saturday:

                        O’Leary 

          Vyner | Kalas | Pring

Dasilva | Scott | Massengo | O’Dowda 

                    Weimann (c)

               Martin | Semenyo

Subs: Bentley, Cundy, Williams, Palmer, Benarous, Wells, Conway

Only ones not picked, Bell and Simpson.

Not too many permutations available!

 

Hard to see many other options.
We’ll struggle to contain them unless Antoine outscores or outruns them.