Match Report: A tale of two crosses (neither of them ours)

[Olé]

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

Edited January 26, 2022 by Olé

[Rudolf Hucker]

Agree with most of that but thought that Wells was a little better than you state with a couple of decent touches almost immediately after coming on. Semenyo caused Luton lots of problems in the first half but seemed to fade after he’d been booked in the second half. 
 

Scott and Massengo ran the midfield for the entire first half and were  seriously impressive for ones so young. Dasilva did a very good job on the rhs whilst Pring was strong and impressive on the left. 
 

O’Dowda frustrates the shit out of me. Recently he’s been seriously over-hitting crosses when well  positioned; tonight, everything was underhit and directed straight at the opposition. Pretty stepovers and the capability to wrong-foot an opponent is rendered worthless if there’s no end product and with Callum there seldom is. 
 

We created enough chances tonight to have come away with the draw that our approach play and possession (both of which were  better than I’ve seen from us for the last 18 months) deserved but we looked likely to concede at every set piece. We simply have to put that right. 

[italian dave]

Agree with most f that, as usual, @Olé. Better than most away performances of the past 3 months. 

I thought Vyner was strong tonight, won a lot of physical challenges. And like RH, I was a little more impressed with Wells than you.

I do wish he’d looked to pull that ball back instead of going for goal and the side netting though: Massengo was in a perfect position, open goal, and so easily could have been celebrating his first in front of the City fans.

If there was one rule I wish they’d do away with its making injured players leave the field. Why disadvantage a team just because they’ve suffered an injury. Debateable, but with Vyner on the field we deal better with that high ball that led to their first goal.

And if there’s one rule I’d bring back, it’s moving a free kick forward 10 yards when the defending side don’t try to get back 10 yards. Annoys me most weeks, but Luton were shocking - just racing to stand in front of the ball and obstruct us from taking a free kick, and on a couple of occasions even obstruct our player from moving towards the ball to take the free kick. Yes, I know we do it - and that annoys me too. 

[steveybadger]

Think that O’Dowda score and review is harsh, and reflects he is generally frustrating rather than last night’s actual performance. That said he started brightly then faded a bit, which he often has recently.

[EmissionImpossible]

Ridiculously harsh rating for O’Dowda. 

[CyderInACan]

7 hours ago, Olé said:

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

On his arse twice just after coming on. How on earth can a professional footballer go on wearing the wrong sort of studs? Amateur. 

[frenchred]

Obviously an agenda against o dowda, to mark him lower than o leary! I wouldn't have given o leary anything above a 3, culpable for both goals and woeful kicking,but let's blame o dowda!

[exAtyeoMax]

7 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

On his arse twice just after coming on. How on earth can a professional footballer go on wearing the wrong sort of studs? Amateur. 

Perhaps he forgot his daps and had to get them out of lost property?

[Lew-T]

7 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

I think Martin with a 7 is generous.

[headhunter]

7 hours ago, Olé said:

 

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  

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.

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

 

For the love of God for how much longer will we have to put up with this [O'Dowda] apology of a footballer!!

I'm putting a Tenner on him to score at PNE at the weekend as despite another abject performance he'll be starting - he has a 1 in 25 scoring record and we're due one soon!!

[CyderInACan]

20 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Perhaps he forgot his daps and had to get them out of lost property?

That's made my day! 

[frenchred]

24 minutes ago, headhunter said:

For the love of God for how much longer will we have to put up with this [O'Dowda] apology of a footballer!!

I'm putting a Tenner on him to score at PNE at the weekend as despite another abject performance he'll be starting - he has a 1 in 25 scoring record and we're due one soon!!

Another with an agenda your remarks and those on your podcast border on embarrassing at times for a grown man. Odowda was no worse (or better) than the majority of the team.last night who will uou scapegoat when he's gone?

[Davefevs]

For me the turning point was on 35 minutes, after totally controlling the game.  There’d been a few minutes of ping-pong football, but we sprung a break.  Martin charging through the middle, Semenyo in the inside right, a 2v2.  Inexplicably Martin didn’t pick the immediate pass, and then tried an eye of the needle pass and it got cut out, when he could’ve carried forward with the ball against a retreating CB.

[RedM]

Just jumping in here, I’m not particularly an O’Dowda fan or not, but my opinion for what it’s worth ( not much) is this.

Callum is one of our most experienced players, a senior Pro. When you have inexperienced youngsters consistently putting out better performances in every aspect of their game he should be open to scrutiny. He simply isn’t matching their output, which isn’t good enough or acceptable.

[One Team]

A great report @Olé and ratings spot on for me. 

As for when will the O’Dowda situation end, hopefully it will be at the end of this season when his contract isn’t renewed. It feels like we’re having to play him as there is literally no one else. 

[old_eastender]

10 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

For me the turning point was on 35 minutes, after totally controlling the game.  There’d been a few minutes of ping-pong football, but we sprung a break.  Martin charging through the middle, Semenyo in the inside right, a 2v2.  Inexplicably Martin didn’t pick the immediate pass, and then tried an eye of the needle pass and it got cut out, when he could’ve carried forward with the ball against a retreating CB.

Spot on. That is the trouble when you play Martin a few days after he has played a full 90+ mins, looked leg weary from the start. Should have been rested for PNE, now will be totally leaden footed after 2 full 90+ mins game if selected. 

[Olé]

Apparently I've been harsh on O'Dowda and have an agenda. If being sick of his act is having an agenda then I'll wear that, I'm sick of watching the bloke. 

The fact he was supposedly no worse or no better than others around him yesterday (I don't agree, but let's go along with it) should be a damning indictment for a player who has been with us for over 5 years and is the senior, experienced pro alongside Scott, Massengo, Pring, DaSilva, Semenyo, yet consistently doesn't know what to do, plays with half as much drive, and produces little end product.

His only attribute is athleticism, running around screening his opponent and occasionally getting on the ball to run head down. But (and this is why I don't accept he is "no worse" than anyone else) he doesn't really take on his man and he doesn't break the lines with any conviction (see: Pring, twice, even 95th minute) and his crosses are aimless (relative to DaSilva curled back post, twice, Pring too).

Perhaps others can be more level headed watching on Robins TV but travelling around watching him consistently add so little and make mistakes (surrender when fed on our first break after Luton's second - sizing up a pass or run with no player within six yards of him, only to underhit it straight to them) is exhausting. And judging by his walk past our end it's more tiring watching him than being him. 

[Ron W]

2 hours ago, steveybadger said:

Think that O’Dowda score and review is harsh, and reflects he is generally frustrating rather than last night’s actual performance. That said he started brightly then faded a bit, which he often has recently.

Agreed, don’t think he was great but he did a lot of running and being wasteful in the final third was something you could level at a lot more than just COD.

I’m sure calling him O’Dawdle is meant as a joke but it’s a bit odd.

Edited January 26, 2022 by RonWalker

[firstdivision]

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. 
 

Edited January 26, 2022 by firstdivision

[Ben1980]

Very generous to give a 5 for O’Leary- 3 at best for me. Can’t remember him making a save and at fault for both goals.
 

Wonder if Nathan Jones saw the Cardiff opening goal at the weekend with O’Leary rooted and employed it is a tactic to put crosses right into the six yard box knowing that he wouldn’t come. 
 

Bentley back in goal for Saturday. Would put my mortgage on it. 

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, firstdivision said:

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. 
 

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!

[Ben1980]

2 minutes ago, firstdivision said:

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. 
 

No surprise that the Luton Manager said that. Such a missed opportunity and so frustrating (as Nige said post match). 

[firstdivision]

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). 

Edited January 26, 2022 by firstdivision

[One Team]

51 minutes ago, Olé said:

Apparently I've been harsh on O'Dowda and have an agenda. If being sick of his act is having an agenda then I'll wear that, I'm sick of watching the bloke. 

The fact he was supposedly no worse or no better than others around him yesterday (I don't agree, but let's go along with it) should be a damning indictment for a player who has been with us for over 5 years and is the senior, experienced pro alongside Scott, Massengo, Pring, DaSilva, Semenyo, yet consistently doesn't know what to do, plays with half as much drive, and produces little end product.

His only attribute is athleticism, running around screening his opponent and occasionally getting on the ball to run head down. But (and this is why I don't accept he is "no worse" than anyone else) he doesn't really take on his man and he doesn't break the lines with any conviction (see: Pring, twice, even 95th minute) and his crosses are aimless (relative to DaSilva curled back post, twice, Pring too).

Perhaps others can be more level headed watching on Robins TV but travelling around watching him consistently add so little and make mistakes (surrender when fed on our first break after Luton's second - sizing up a pass or run with no player within six yards of him, only to underhit it straight to them) is exhausting. And judging by his walk past our end it's more tiring watching him than being him. 

I don’t think you’ve been harsh at all @Olé and nail it from my perspective. 

He’s 27 in a couple of months and has been with us 6 years in July; he should be in his absolute prime yet season after season, game after game is continually underwhelming. This isn’t therefore a new signing bedding in or a youth player getting to grips with league football. There are no excuses. 

I said on another thread that Alex Scott, someone almost 9 years younger than has done more for our team in months than he’s done in years. 

I just hope he moves on in the summer and continues his career somewhere else. 

Edited January 26, 2022 by One Team

[headhunter]

1 hour ago, frenchred said:

Another with an agenda your remarks and those on your podcast border on embarrassing at times for a grown man. Odowda was no worse (or better) than the majority of the team.last night who will uou scapegoat when he's gone?

In this thread I was just highlighting Ole's deconstruction of COD's performance  - more scathing than anything I said on the podcast. Glad that you listen to the pod but you don't have to if you find our remarks embarrassing!!

There is a player in there [COD] somewhere but seeing it on the grass is less likely than finding rocking horse *hit! 

Tell me the last time COD put in a decent 90 minutes and by that I mean, to use a GJ phrase, "affect the game". Many cite Norwich away when he scored that worldy but that is 3 years ago ffs!

[BTRFTG]

1 hour ago, Olé said:

Apparently I've been harsh on O'Dowda and have an agenda.

The problem with you Ole is you've been nowhere near harsh enough.

CoD is a footballing waste of space, has been since the day he arrived and many of us have shouted it from the rooftops. One wonder goal does not a career make, though in his case that seems likely. Once he stated he was off we should have thrown him through the door and bolted it.

Unable to beat an opponent. Unable to deliver quality ball either on ground, in air, in motion or from dead ball. Heart of a scarecrow. I'd like to list his positive attributes though none relate to his ability to play football.

For all City's 'positives' last night none were ever going to win us the game. We scored courtesy of a defensive calamity on their part when all their defence went short to Semenyo. Other than that we created little and we're easily countered in the final third. Wells late chance served only to reinforce he isn't misused nor starved of opportunity. He's rubbish. What touch he ever had (doubtful) has long deserted him. He'll best be remembered at AG for thrice failing to control a simple ball on the touchline, throwing himself to the floor when putting it in touch then openly mocked by all when he claimed a foul. A sheep in sheep's clothing.

City again undone by an inability for our centre halfs to win headers in the box. When Kalas does get head to ball it's invariably edge of box or 3 feet off the turf, rarely where you need him to show strength in the 6 yard box. Vyner plays as though he's read every scientific journal study as to the impact of heading the ball and incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury. He's demonstrably concluded he's never going to put himself at risk. In CoDs or Semenyo's case if you think they'll ever allow a muddy ball to displace their coiffured barnets you've another think coming.

The kids are our only positive at present. As you say, their actions put many of the senior squad members to shame.

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, firstdivision said:

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). 

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

[Ron W]

2 hours ago, firstdivision said:

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. 
 

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

Edited January 26, 2022 by RonWalker

[firstdivision]

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.

[ray savino]

13 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

The problem with you Ole is you've been nowhere near harsh enough.

CoD is a footballing waste of space, has been since the day he arrived and many of us have shouted it from the rooftops. One wonder goal does not a career make, though in his case that seems likely. Once he stated he was off we should have thrown him through the door and bolted it.

Unable to beat an opponent. Unable to deliver quality ball either on ground, in air, in motion or from dead ball. Heart of a scarecrow. I'd like to list his positive attributes though none relate to his ability to play football.

For all City's 'positives' last night none were ever going to win us the game. We scored courtesy of a defensive calamity on their part when all their defence went short to Semenyo. Other than that we created little and we're easily countered in the final third. Wells late chance served only to reinforce he isn't misused nor starved of opportunity. He's rubbish. What touch he ever had (doubtful) has long deserted him. He'll best be remembered at AG for thrice failing to control a simple ball on the touchline, throwing himself to the floor when putting it in touch then openly mocked by all when he claimed a foul. A sheep in sheep's clothing.

City again undone by an inability for our centre halfs to win headers in the box. When Kalas does get head to ball it's invariably edge of box or 3 feet off the turf, rarely where you need him to show strength in the 6 yard box. Vyner plays as though he's read every scientific journal study as to the impact of heading the ball and incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury. He's demonstrably concluded he's never going to put himself at risk. In CoDs or Semenyo's case if you think they'll ever allow a muddy ball to displace their coiffured barnets you've another think coming.

The kids are our only positive at present. As you say, their actions put many of the senior squad members to shame.

Interesting taht this is taken from Pearson’s after match verdict: 

"It's our Achilles heel, it's causing us too many problems and you can practise it all you want, but unless players are prepared to stick their head on the block, that's where the problem is."

NP was a pretty no nonsense centre half who played at the highest domestic level, also noting that his successful Leicester side contained such characters as Huth, Morgan, etc. who were uncompromising defenders putting their bodies on the line. Some might not like him or his tactics but he ain’t that daft. He can see potential in some, and can equally sniff out the ones that have got all comfy at this level for a few years. I actually think he would get shot (and will) of more in the coming year. End of the day he’s stuck because of financial situation and overvalued contracts with some.

And that’s where the likes of O’Dowda, comes in. He has(had) potential attributes to be an effective player. He has some pace, technique but seems to lack real football nouse. Compare him to the likes of Scott, Massengo, Benarous, Williams who all at least display some moments of vision on the field. O’Dowda should have moved a couple of years ago for his sake let alone ours. His career has gone stale, and as such he seems to have massively lost confidence and bravery on the ball. To be fair to him as a bloke he comes across as a decent lad. I don’t think he isn’t trying, I do think his confidence is shot and he needs a new club to get his career going.

What I also noticed towards the end of the game was when Williams had a little dig in the ribs of Mpanzu of Luton. We don’t want to see him sent off let alone injured, but I thought that was just that bit of nastiness that we lack in this team. He looks though he hates to lose and will scrap it out if it comes to it. We need a few more of those in the team to get us going in the future.