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Post by oxontop on Jan 1, 2011 18:45:24 GMT
1) A desperate performance. It was like watching a bunch of strangers playing together - there was little understanding or link up play, particularly between midfield and attack. 2) Purkiss had an especially poor game. Apart from one good cross, his passing was predictable and easily intercepted. Is Batt a more positive choice for home matches, or is Wilder thinking that his pace will suit a counter-attacking style on Monday away to Torquay? 3) Sturrock got his tactics bang on. Attack Kinniburgh by pushing the full back up the pitch and Futcher's lack of pace to cover means that we can be opened up. We saw this last Tuesday against Macclesfield and so did Southend's scout. 4) Odd to take Payne off with just a minute to go before half time? 5) Clarke has a weakness.  6) Did Jack give CW the wrong info. on Southend, thereby getting a small measure of revenge? (Said tongue firmly in cheek). But seriously, either it was just one of those games or CW got his tactics badly wrong. 7) Futcher - I thought he started the game well, but was to blame for the first goal. As the ball floated across he seemed best positioned to win the header, but his opponent rose head and shoulders above him to set up the goal. However much we don't rate him though, it pained me to hear the crowd reaction to his substitution. He's an Oxford player and he's trying. End of. 8) Two tough away games ahead. |
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Post by peterdevo on Jan 1, 2011 18:52:37 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days?
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Post by dabigfella on Jan 1, 2011 18:58:36 GMT
Although I don't boo players at any time I confess that I hope that is the last we see of Futcher. Slow, unable to head a ball despite his height, continually wandering out of position, etc. etc. etc.
He is a a right footed player who spent most of the match standing on Worley's toes and leaving poor old Kinniburgh isolated with two and three players to mark. The whole back improved out of sight when Wright came on and Kinniburgh looked 100% better for his presence.
I have to agree wholeheartedly that today was not a team performance, it was a collection of individuals who weren't too sure what they were supposed to be doing. I've not seen so little running off the ball for some considerable time.
I'd like to think that today was just a blip. But as we have now lost 8 of the last 12 games and not managed to keep a clean sheet for the last 16 games I very much fear that today is the norm rather than the exception.
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Post by dabigfella on Jan 1, 2011 19:00:45 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? I was right behind the cross come shot today and I reckon that far better goalkeepers that Clarke would have been beaten by that one. It went like a rocket and curved in very late to hit the base of the post and go in. If he had got to it we would all be saying what a world class keeper Clarke is. |
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Post by oxontop on Jan 1, 2011 19:04:49 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? I was right behind the cross come shot today and I reckon that far better goalkeepers that Clarke would have been beaten by that one. It went like a rocket and curved in very late to hit the base of the post and go in. If he had got to it we would all be saying what a world class keeper Clarke is. I think the point is that he positions himself too far up the pitch at times. Maybe this is happening now because he knows he has to sweep up to cover Futcher's lack of pace - especially as the last two teams to visit us have targeted this as an area of weakness. |
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Post by 'Beav' on Jan 1, 2011 19:08:15 GMT
One thing I thought - why is Worley covering the left touchline? He made 2 good tackles in Futcher/Kinniburghs area
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Post by oxontop on Jan 1, 2011 19:11:40 GMT
He was covering it because Kinni had his hands full and Futcher was slow getting across. But they've only had a handful of games together, so there's bound to be a lack of understanding at times with one of them dragged out of position every so often.
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Post by dabigfella on Jan 1, 2011 19:18:27 GMT
He was covering it because Kinni had his hands full and Futcher was slow getting across. But they've only had a handful of games together, so there's bound to be a lack of understanding at times with one of them dragged out of position every so often. I was watching Futcher in this match and the real problem is that he a right footed player who normally plays right side centreback. He was asked to play left side and he keeps wandering off and standing on Worley's toes. This would be just about all right if he recoveredn quickly. But since he has the turning circle and top speed of a very slow tank it meant that poor old Kinni was left marking two and three players time after time. That's why Worley had to charge across and help him out time after time. |
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Post by Londonroader on Jan 1, 2011 19:18:33 GMT
I thought Southend did a good number on us, really got stuck into us early and got their reward and they looked like a team who could play for each other, we looked totally inept with too many players not doing their jobs. www.southendunited.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10444~53224,00.html |
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Post by oxontop on Jan 1, 2011 19:33:45 GMT
I was watching Futcher in this match and the real problem is that he a right footed player who normally plays right side centreback. He was asked to play left side and he keeps wandering off and standing on Worley's toes. This would be just about all right if he recoveredn quickly. But since [glow=red,2,300]he has the turning circle and top speed of a very slow tank[/glow] it meant that poor old Kinni was left marking two and three players time after time. That's why Worley had to charge across and help him out time after time.
[/quote]
I drive a biggish MPV and call it 'The Creighton' but may rename it 'The Futcher', although it does the job for me so that may be a bit harsh.
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Post by slappy on Jan 1, 2011 19:41:24 GMT
The ref had a good first 15 minutes then decided he has to book our players , with just warnings for theirs.
Southend seemed happier with their formation and were able to pass to players in space.
Second half we battled down and played a bit better and had a few good chances we just couldn't convert.
I doubt many will bother with torquay if they weren't sure before. I've got my ticket and day off work. We seem to play better away in front of the loyal away fans so we could get a result.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Jan 1, 2011 20:30:58 GMT
Never understood the expression 'turns like a tank.' Since a tank does not steer like a wheeled vehicle it can spin on the spot and thus has no turning circle.
'Turns like an articulated lorry' would be more appropriate I think.
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Post by Long Live Clarkey on Jan 1, 2011 20:54:43 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? I was right behind the cross come shot today and I reckon that far better goalkeepers that Clarke would have been beaten by that one. It went like a rocket and curved in very late to hit the base of the post and go in. If he had got to it we would all be saying what a world class keeper Clarke is. Exactly what I thought. Brilliant shot really, and most keepers do stand off their line in that situation because they anticipate a cross. Perhaps he could have done better, but really if someone had closed their player down that would never have been a goal. |
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Post by headingtonoldboy on Jan 1, 2011 22:42:53 GMT
We player 4-3-3, Southend played 4-4-2. We were outnumbered in midfield and lacked any width whatsoever. We humped the ball forward, it was always won in the air so the ball came straight back. Wrong tactics by CW and atrocious performance by the players. By the way, no -one can tell me Futcher is better than the Beast.
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Post by scoob on Jan 1, 2011 22:58:16 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? 6 Should all of the team be dropped because most of them made at least two clangers every 15 minutes today? |
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Post by chippy on Jan 1, 2011 23:25:04 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? PD, I've already told you. The goal wasn't his fault. watch it on telly later. He shouldn't, mustn't, cannot be dropped. Are you on a wind up? |
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Post by Long Live Clarkey on Jan 1, 2011 23:29:00 GMT
5 should Clarke be dropped after two clangers in as many days? PD, I've already told you. The goal wasn't his fault. watch it on telly later. He shouldn't, mustn't, cannot be dropped. Are you on a wind up? Absolutely, but I think you're being a little harsh on Eastwood, who seems to me very good. Admittedly he didn't get rave reviews at his last club, but his time in the reserves has shown a quality keeper who, while is undoubtedly not at the level Clarke is, may turn out to be a great player for us should Clarke be sold for whatever reason. I'd be relatively confident in most games if Eastwood was playing, although not while we're living on the edge like this. |
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yellowg
Full Member
Beano!....there's only one Beano!
Posts: 139
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Post by yellowg on Jan 2, 2011 8:56:22 GMT
Today we were never going to win - we were second best all day long.
Southend looked quicker, fitter, more aware in possesion, and came with a simple and effective game plan - not to stifle us, but to bully us and beat us. You could see this was going to happen after 10 minutes and I thought we got a good lesson in all honesty. I would like to applaud southend for their positive approach, and they thoroughly deserved the 3 points.
Now on to us. Firstly, non of our players looked motivated in my opinion and lacked belief and know how. Wilder was right - no one played well and hopefully they will be as shocked as I was when they all watch a re run of the DVD in the coming days. We played a direct game which Southend enjoyed. They were well equipped at the back to deal with Beano and Maclean in that respect. Beano is a bits and pieces forward and maclean is a footballer who comes into his own during intricate passages of play. If we want to play direct and isolate our forwards with their centre backs we need to find another really strong and physical target man, otherwise we play our football into feet and out wide.
Our movement was very poor too. numerous times we as fans were understandably frustrated at the lack of options as opposed to Southend who busted a gut to create 5 yards of space to play in. We looked up tight as a team, but not due to the fans who I thought were incredibly supportive.
For me, Futcher is not the required standard. Wright and Worley however are, and hopefully Gaughan will provide better competiton.
I also believe that our formation was not the issue, but our strategy was. A quick look at our playing staff tells you a very simple story - keep the fuken ball on the floor and move it quickly. Alfie, Clist, Beano, Maclean and Co are not going to do well in an aerial assault.
We need to man up big time too. We lost possesion countless times in crucial areas - even when it was 3 vs 2 in our favour. You can't win any game if you can't win your share of territory. Too weak.
Very dissapointed but lets move on quickly and get another 3 points asap.
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Post by Behind The Goal on Jan 2, 2011 9:56:12 GMT
The ref had a good first 15 minutes then decided he has to book our players , with just warnings for theirs. Southend seemed happier with their formation and were able to pass to players in space. Second half we battled down and played a bit better and had a few good chances we just couldn't convert. I doubt many will bother with torquay if they weren't sure before. I've got my ticket and day off work. We seem to play better away in front of the loyal away fans so we could get a result. I've gone to a fair few aways, not going to torquay, so does that mean I'm not loyal? |
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Post by Gavin Archery on Jan 2, 2011 10:02:42 GMT
We player 4-3-3, Southend played 4-4-2. We were outnumbered in midfield and lacked any width whatsoever. We humped the ball forward, it was always won in the air so the ball came straight back. Wrong tactics by CW and atrocious performance by the players. By the way, no -one can tell me Futcher is better than the Beast. Wholeheartedly agree!! |
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