walgarthjohn
Vital 1st Team Regular
But they
but they are not kids. I call kids. 16 yr olds. They are not good enough
Oxford tomorrow
- Thread starter TRUE BELIEVER
- Start date
moonay
Vital Football Legend
Ah well, here goes ......
We were very lucky not to lose that by 3 or 4, yet realistically, we could still have won the game if we'd taken our chances.
Jones looked like he was going to have a 'mare after his aberration in the box, but went on to redeem himself big style.
Tom James's worst game by far, both in defence and in their half. Some of his set pieces were truly awful.
The other 3 defenders did OK, and Pearce is improving all the time.
Massey aside, the midfield offered little creativity or steel for most of the game (until the young lads came on ....... but of course, Perry's mistake led to their second).
Garner really needs to learn when to pass ........early on, he had Massey totally free in the box, and instead, tried to force through a shot of his own.
Joseph was again lively, strong, creative, and very, very unlucky. The free kick given against him (when he was through) was an atrocious decision, and yes, of course, he should have scored (again). Every week, he must think there' some kind of forcefield stopping him from opening his account.
Can't fault anyone for effort, which, given our situation, is probably all we can ask at the moment.
Oh......and a cracking (consolation) goal from Aasgard ........ first of many, let's hope.
We were very lucky not to lose that by 3 or 4, yet realistically, we could still have won the game if we'd taken our chances.
Jones looked like he was going to have a 'mare after his aberration in the box, but went on to redeem himself big style.
Tom James's worst game by far, both in defence and in their half. Some of his set pieces were truly awful.
The other 3 defenders did OK, and Pearce is improving all the time.
Massey aside, the midfield offered little creativity or steel for most of the game (until the young lads came on ....... but of course, Perry's mistake led to their second).
Garner really needs to learn when to pass ........early on, he had Massey totally free in the box, and instead, tried to force through a shot of his own.
Joseph was again lively, strong, creative, and very, very unlucky. The free kick given against him (when he was through) was an atrocious decision, and yes, of course, he should have scored (again). Every week, he must think there' some kind of forcefield stopping him from opening his account.
Can't fault anyone for effort, which, given our situation, is probably all we can ask at the moment.
Oh......and a cracking (consolation) goal from Aasgard ........ first of many, let's hope.
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TRUE BELIEVER
Vital Football Hero
I've said before I am not going to criticise the young players as it is not their fault they have all been thrown into this, however they need to learn from their mistakes if we are to survive and I am sure they will when the dust settles on the shit storm we have faced.
We looked lost today, we were outpaced in midfield and at times it seemed to me that Oxford had more players on the pitch than us as the amount of space they were finding in the middle of the park was unbelievable. They seemed to have acres of space and so much time on the ball I wondered if we had a midfield.
They played with width and every time they went wide our full backs were out of position leaving them the time to put in dangerous crosses which caused problem for Tilt and Obi, both of who did well at times. Obi is raw and gets caught out of position but I can't fault his effort in getting back and his height is certainly an asset when dealing with tall forwards, he will improve over time. Tilt looked solid and held the back four together all match.
I know Jones has his critics but can't be faulted for his performance today, he had no chance with either goal but kept us in it with a string of decent saves. My only criticism would be that everything went long from him, which is probably what he was told to do, but when your forwards are significantly shorter than the oppositions backs, for me, it is a waste of time as they are going to lose out more than they win.
The biggest problem today was our inability to hold on to the ball. Passes were going astray and players were trying to do the impossible pass instead of playing it simply. When we did try to play the simple pass even that went wrong and to an Oxford player. We need to learn to control the ball and hold onto it if we are to improve.
Aasgaard's goal was the only highlight of the day but even that had an element of luck attached as Pearce nearly tripped over the ball before putting in a delightful cross for Aasgaard to glance home.
All in all a bad day at the office, we lost to a team we should have been able to compete against but we go again on Tuesday against a fellow struggler in Bristol.
We looked lost today, we were outpaced in midfield and at times it seemed to me that Oxford had more players on the pitch than us as the amount of space they were finding in the middle of the park was unbelievable. They seemed to have acres of space and so much time on the ball I wondered if we had a midfield.
They played with width and every time they went wide our full backs were out of position leaving them the time to put in dangerous crosses which caused problem for Tilt and Obi, both of who did well at times. Obi is raw and gets caught out of position but I can't fault his effort in getting back and his height is certainly an asset when dealing with tall forwards, he will improve over time. Tilt looked solid and held the back four together all match.
I know Jones has his critics but can't be faulted for his performance today, he had no chance with either goal but kept us in it with a string of decent saves. My only criticism would be that everything went long from him, which is probably what he was told to do, but when your forwards are significantly shorter than the oppositions backs, for me, it is a waste of time as they are going to lose out more than they win.
The biggest problem today was our inability to hold on to the ball. Passes were going astray and players were trying to do the impossible pass instead of playing it simply. When we did try to play the simple pass even that went wrong and to an Oxford player. We need to learn to control the ball and hold onto it if we are to improve.
Aasgaard's goal was the only highlight of the day but even that had an element of luck attached as Pearce nearly tripped over the ball before putting in a delightful cross for Aasgaard to glance home.
All in all a bad day at the office, we lost to a team we should have been able to compete against but we go again on Tuesday against a fellow struggler in Bristol.
truelatic4eva
Vital 1st Team Regular
Got to say by the way, it's always nice to hear from some of the old faces when we've been given a good going over.
Evening chaps.
Is that a pop at me?
We could do with Fraser Fyvie back
Ooohaaahdonniepage
Vital Reserves Team
Well loads of em are kids in footballing terms. A 16 year old has never played for latics since I've been watching em so I would suggest that the fact 6 of the 14 that played today have come through our academy and never played till we were thrown into chaos means they are kids to me.
Of the remaining 8 players, 4 are emergency loans. Jones is playing well. James is on loan from a Scottish side and is cheap. Tilt ain't played in about a year. Pearce has never been a regular in any professional football team and has played around 25 games in men's football. Gardner is a cheap option and was released by Salford and was all we could afford. Massey is coming back from a long term injury and has been struggling for fitness. Palmer has been sent to us on loan from a fellow League one struggler and Joe Garner is perhaps the only bit of experience we have in the side and is struggling for service.
And some of you are disgusted the team is struggling and it's the worst Latics side you've ever seen. Wake up! We are completely fucked.
ZAKKY
Vital Football Hero
This squad would be bottom four of league 2 it is what it is Im afraid
walgarthjohn
Vital 1st Team Regular
But on the same note a lot have been saying how good these young lads have been. Good enough. Sheridon was crap but was right saying. They are not kids.
moonay
Vital Football Legend
Teenagers are kids John. In any way of life. If they were a plumber, or a leccy, or an engineer, they'd be part way through their apprenticeship.
Granted, Merrie and Perry are a little older, but they're barely "time served".
If you watched Rioch's pre match interview, he rightly said that ideally, you'd be blooding them a couple at a time.. .. we haven't had that luxury.
Nottingham
Vital Squad Member
James had a nightmare
Nottingham
Vital Squad Member
I think it's risk avoidance. Playing it short to our defenders is asking for trouble.
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Nottingham
Vital Squad Member
Doubt it
Lazysid
Vital 1st Team Regular
=>19yrs are not kids they are young men and let's stop kidding ourselves that we are going to see them improving at League one level.
Harsh as it sounds they do not possess the skills for this League.
Lazysid
Vital 1st Team Regular
Maybe but he was still one of our best players.
Edit: that was a half time assessment.
Coddenchips
Vital Reserves Team
One thing to remember is that if we do drop again our salary cap is 1.5m next year. We'll really need our kids then.
Nottingham
Vital Squad Member
Our experienced players were worse than our juniors today.
