Just a recommendation... 5 were not used in other games
Hortin “it’s a corner kick down by the corner flag”
FFS.
All that money spent on the best surface ever seen at SB/LNER but you'd never guess it was meant to suit Appleton's style, would you?Anyway unbeaten home run extended to...er..one game.
Hortin was even poorer than usual today. More interested in the cricket, couldn't identify Jackson or Bishop as injured players in the first half, did not know we are allowed 5 subs now, and then got the score wrong at the end.
Nearly as bad a performance as some of our midfield.
Anyway unbeaten home run extended to...er..one game.
Agree about the midfield Fiorini to lightweight, and what Sorensen gives to the team is beyond me, he has 1 gear and that’s reverse. Obviously shows something on the training ground.First and foremost, I hope Jackson and Teddy are not in too bad shape. Another case of bad luck.
Another frustrating game which summarises our season really. At times we looked good, but we are flawed in a few key areas.
Up to our goal I thought we were pretty decent. The goal was a superb move and finish by Mcgrandles who was easily man of the match. Unfortunately, the time up to half time and the 15 minutes after half time was torrid. After going behind Shrewsbury did what ever team that causes us problems do... stand up the pitch and press high. We were terrible and they smelt blood, thankfully after they scored they went back to being deep again.
We are not comfortable defending balls in the box. I can't understand it because the defence individually are decent in the air, but collectively we are vulnerable to balls in the box. We could not deal with their corners and long throws. Otherwise Shrewsbury were very limited.
Midfield (Mcgrandles apart) were not offering enough, too lightweight and limited movement.
Play was very laboured and predictable. For the majority of the game Shrewsbury sat deep and we didn't counter fast enough. Most attacks we allowed them to set up and organise thier defence making them hard to break down. We aren't the fastest team and don't have a player to take on a man.
Finally execution and decision making in the final third cost us.
Finally consistency! We have the makings of a good team and have shown signs of real promise but it constantly feels like 3 steps forward 2 back. N'Lundulu was a handful and Sanders must be banging on the door for a start. Was good to see Draper and would like to see him get more minutes.
We weren't awful, and we were far from great. We are frustrating.
If I were the great Brian Moore on the Big Match Revisited and was summing up the game today I'd call it a "low key affair".
First 10 mins were a bit meh as both teams had a number of passes go astray- a bit stop start. In fact the whole first half felt disjointed (not just the delay in game for Jackson's injury). Still 1-0 up at half time was fair. Shrewsbury didn't look very good at all.
Second half was much more balanced- their aerial threat into our box posed us problems all second half.
Similar to the Wednesday game to be honest- two average teams playing an average game which left us 12th (bang average) going into a 3 week league break.
Not a disaster, not awful or dire- not scintillating or joyful.
Nlundulu was active, created problems and had our best chance in the first half through one on one with their keeper. He scores and different game. But he's young and older players than him have missed one on one.
Poole and Maguire had decent games going forward but the whole back four second half looked very uneasy with the "lob" throw in which kept coming in- as MA said after the game, if we know what problems that causes us, don't head it out for a throw, just put it back into midfield and battle it out there.
I'm not sure any player had a mare but not too many were 8/10 either.
Fair result for two teams not on their uppers.
17 attempts on goal for us, 7 on target. We went forward with intent today in the main (and had the ball in the net for a second goal ruled offside).
Finally, for those who booed at the end, go find someone else to follow.
Well done the Shrews. That was an away performance built on grit. They were well drilled and organised .They earned a point. Who was booing at the final whistle?..bit harsh in my opinion.