Nice post, surprisingly cheery as well - did you take some of my prozac this morning?
Today has to go down as the most surreal 'football' day ever. I keep thinking it's Saturday but it isn't, their ground was weird, their fans seemed strangely unreal and I went to Burger King for lunch because there was nowhere else around on the retail estate of doom. It was very weird, not to mention the cringeworthy pre-match entertainment
As for the game, after the first twenty minutes I was devoid of hope, thought we'd be 2-0 down by halftime and was ready to jump off the back of the stand, we soon got back into the game a bit but Smithy's goal did come slightly against the run of play. Their opener was certainly Duke's fault, he should never have let Small get away from him like that and should have been stronger but Evans could have done better as well, nevertheless as jim/santini will doubtless point out - it's what happens when you play someone who isn't a left back in that position.
Second half was much improved and we probably deserved to win, Smithy hit the bar in a Van Basten-esque moment, we created chances but failed to find that final ball on so many occasions. The penalty was undoubtedly harsh but Smithy could have taken it better, I was surprised Sammy didn't take it myself as he's after the 'record' or whatever. We should have murdered them but we lack the ability to kill off teams - Stockport away, Torquay at home - which is vital really.
In my eyes, a few things cost us three points today:
- Negative tactics. Why go to a team like Franchise when you need a result and play 4-5-1?
- Substitutions. Why put two strikers on the bench then later bring on a defender for a midfielder, only to put another defender in midfield? Possibly the most pointless substitution ever.
- Lack of quality on the wings. We simply are incapable of putting in real quality crosses for the frontmen to get on the end of.
Sadly, King has to be held accountable for all of the above and I think he truly lost the plot today, I won't comment as to whether I think this is the season totally over as I've never really believed we were in it and I still don't really. Football is a frustrating hobby.
Evans 5 - Can't kick a moving football, can't throw/release the ball quickly. Poor.
Jenkins 6 - Steady but didn't do a great deal, made some decent runs down the right in the second half.
Heywood 7 - Solid, dealt with balls over the top and on the ground with pacey forwards very well.
O'Hanlon 7 - As above.
Duke 5 - At fault for first goal, struggled to regain composure thereafter but showed some decent moves later on.
Roberts 7 - Of all the players on the pitch, he put the best crosses in and he should be playing up front alongside Sam.
Hewlett 4 - Ineffective as ever, wasted posession on many occasions.
Miglioranzi 7 - Showed some neat tricks, used the ball well, can't shoot.
Smith 7 - POTY? Probably not, but must be runner up. Real quality but could have taken the penalty better.
Igoe 6 - Doesn't cross the ball well enough to make a decent winger, lacks physical presence but can use the ball well on the ground on occasion.
Parkin 7 - Worked his bollocks off but had little support, unlucky not to score.
subs:
Howard 3 - Did he fucking do anything apart from piss about with the ball?
Ifil 6 - Looked solid, composed and tried to get forward.
P.S. I gave the girl in the ticket office £40 for two adult tickets and forgot to get change because I found her so cute. >_<