|
|
Post by stu1974 on Sept 19, 2018 10:26:13 GMT
Highlights now on the National League website...
|
|
markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,324
|
Post by markf on Sept 19, 2018 10:26:48 GMT
Ooops. Didn't see that coming.
First up, congratulations to Boreham Wood for producing one of the best performances from a visiting team to GGL for sometime. Stronger, quicker and with the boost of two early goals, full of confidence. I doubt they have played that well for a while and had they shown similar against the ten men of Tranmere at Wembley in May, we probably wouldn't have been playing them last night.
For U's part, well the first goal we lost possession on the half way line and they broke down the right for Balanta to finish. The second was a free header from about 8 yards. Poor marking but Murtagh's header was excellent.
After that, Cloughie couldn't direct his header on target (one of the few we won all match) and Ross L hit the post when he should have scored. Their third arrived from our goal kick a header sending their fella away to outpace Cloughie and fire in under Jamie B.
Can't comment on the penalty incident as didn't have a view - more about all that below.
Their fourth came with a turn and finish into the corner. It was their fourth shot on target and I am not sure Jamie B made a save all night, their only other proper effort clipping the foot of a post. U's hit the woodwork again late on, Craig E's fine effort taking a slight deflection on the way to meeting the cross bar.
I didn't think we played that badly but got punished by a team who were stronger and quicker to everything. Tommy W was U's best performer on the night, often belying his stature to knock much larger opponents off the ball and outpace them too.
Like many teams in this division, BW are big but they have excellent mobility with it.
The pen incident obviously irritated with TW picking up a booking for dissent as well as Josh T's yellow for alleged simulation. Dos wasn't happy either. While all that was going on Belanta limped off the pitch with what looked like a hamstring injury only to return to dump himself on the 3g for treatment. That is a yellow card for returning without permission and was a cynical ploy to waste time (although why they did that when 3-0 up is a conundrum that I have no answer to). The 4th official just stood their and ignored it all, thus adding to the question of their worth at any level and depriving the lower levels of potential better refs than they are getting (although obviously not in this case).
As for the ref. It would seem churlish to make negative comment since we were well beaten on the night but having been pretty quick to book Sutton players for fouls how their guy got away with hauling down Dale B late on without even a chat let alone a yellow is mystifying. The worst failing of ref's at this level is consistency with regards to the showing of cards and this guy, who gave me the impression that a full length mirror is his best friend, was no exception.
As for the Irn-Bru cup argument, what twaddle. The trip to Airdrie was ten days ago and was an over-night stay which the club has done before and arguably more relaxing with a flight back. Injuries such as groin strains and calf problems can be picked up on any surface. We have won an away match since then too. Not enough credit given to BW on here for a powerful display.
And for the comment re Airdrie's 3G pitch - no they are not all the same. Ours, like Maidstone's, is the Rolls-Royce of 3G and I am not sure Airdrie one is. It didn't look it.
Onto a very tough match with Wrexham. Can we bounce back.
|
|
trev
1st team skipper
In Matt We Trust
Posts: 2,477 
|
Post by trev on Sept 19, 2018 12:30:03 GMT
Yes, blaming yesterday's performance on the Irn-Bru cup is something of a red herring. Dos made it abundantly clear prior to the tournament that he has plenty of potential loan options lined up, if need be.
Although what I will say, is that given the absence of any natural defenders on the bench last night, now is arguably the time for Dos to delve into his little black book to make sure we have back-up at the back. We could certainly have done with someone to bolster our ravaged defence yesterday.
|
|
|
|
Post by baboonfish on Sept 19, 2018 13:16:16 GMT
Excellent post match interview with Dos, as usual a spot on assessment. That was one of the most disappointing defeats in a long time, felt to me even worse than Dover. That game we were resting players and the visitors were in great form with the best striker in the league. Wood came into this one averaging below a goal a game so to concede 4 was an absolute shocker. Jefford-esque performance from Wishy, at least jefford had the excuse of being a sh*t footballer, Wishy is anything but so he should know better than bombing on in the first 10 minutes leaving the left flank ruthlessly exposed. Wood had clearly watched a video of the Ebbsfleet game where they overloaded our left from kick off, and we were lucky not to be two down inside ten. Wishart needs to learn to hold back for that opening period, he simply cannot play as an attack minded player in this diamond formation where there is no wide midfield cover. I can only assume Clough was carrying an injury as he could only get into 2nd gear and was very uncharacteristically at fault for two goals. He's been an absolute rock for us, but did not look anywhere near fit last night. Butler had a mare too and will be looking over his shoulder if Ross can have a few decent cup games I feel.
It was particularly difficult to take as we were carrying a potent attacking threat and even at 0-3 I felt a goal would get us back in it, so to allow what was possibly THE poorest goal I have seen us concede since we got promoted was very upsetting, then to watch us almost repeat the feat 4 minutes later was too much and I could take no more, sneaking out for 9:10 train, the earliest I have ever left a game. Comical defending as Dos rightly put it. Felt sorry for Jonah, he was very lively when he came on but that 4th goal ended the game.
Im sure the team will bounce back as usual and we must aim for 4 points min from the next 2 games. The way this league is shaping up we'll do well to stay in touch with the leaders and I think the overall quality is far higher. I have a sneaking feeling we're going to get some real joy in one of the cups this year, we look like a 'cup' side but if we progress well in 2 of the 3 cups the punishing schedule is sure to make it difficult to sustain a real promotion push. I would take midtable and a real good cup run over last season's 3rd place if I am honest though.
|
|
|
|
Post by baggiesansutton on Sept 19, 2018 16:29:39 GMT
Bad bad night without stating the obvious without putting down the lads as I think on the whole they do a great job but it strikes me that we may well be competing for that last play off place this season.
League seems very strong this year from what I'm seeing and Saturday will be another big test.
On the match it was like men against boys they was much taller and faster than us with most moves coming down that left side which was a shame as I thought wishart was fantastic against Maidstone.
Bad miss from us to make it 2-1 and pull a goal back maybe that would of changed the momentum of things, but yeah disappointing night heard this Wrexham bunch ain't bad either.
|
|
|
|
Post by baboonfish on Sept 19, 2018 16:46:39 GMT
Bad bad night without stating the obvious without putting down the lads as I think on the whole they do a great job but it strikes me that we may well be competing for that last play off place this season. League seems very strong this year from what I'm seeing and Saturday will be another big test. On the match it was like men against boys they was much taller and faster than us with most moves coming down that left side which was a shame as I thought wishart was fantastic against Maidstone. Bad miss from us to make it 2-1 and pull a goal back maybe that would of changed the momentum of things, but yeah disappointing night heard this Wrexham bunch ain't bad either. Yup, I said it before the season started and its there for all to see that this is big boy football now. Wouldnt be surprised if this years Conf was on a par with last season's League 2 standard. Wishy was very effective against maidstone cost they were there for the taking, attacking from the off was the right thing to do. Last night it was not. However, it doesnt detract from his abilities, he's an excellent player, just needs to concentrate on his defensive duties against sides like BW who look to counter with speed ESPECIALLY if his left sided centre back is carrying a knock. Would be classic Sutton to bounce back with an inspiring win over the Welsh lads but its gonna be a toughy. |
|
|
|
Post by Andy K on Sept 19, 2018 16:54:42 GMT
Personally I felt that Maidenhead away was worse. You take away the first 6 mins and it's a standard defeat against dare I say a better side than us. Any other day that would have been a 1 0 defeat.
Remember the context. 19 points in 11 games and only 2 defeats. It will all change when we tonk someone and Saturday won't be as bad.
In 2018 BW have scored 8 goals against us in 3 games. They must be doing something right.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stewart on Sept 19, 2018 17:34:45 GMT
Our forum gets praise from Maidstone fans.. link |
|
|
|
Post by baboonfish on Sept 19, 2018 18:07:23 GMT
Personally I felt that Maidenhead away was worse. You take away the first 6 mins and it's a standard defeat against dare I say a better side than us. Any other day that would have been a 1 0 defeat. Remember the context. 19 points in 11 games and only 2 defeats. It will all change when we tonk someone and Saturday won't be as bad. In 2018 BW have scored 8 goals against us in 3 games. They must be doing something right. Questionable but yeah that was horrible too. Boy they put us through some ups and downs don't they? Wood play best against teams they can counter at pace, and unfortunately we played right into their hands the last two times. I also suspect the heavy win at their place last season meant they spent an abnormally long time dissecting how to beat us |
|
|
|
Post by sol on Sept 19, 2018 18:45:52 GMT
I won’t be making a prediction for a while.......
Onto Wrexham and I guarantee the lads will be right back at it for this one.
I was privileged to be privy to Paul & Ian’s dissection of the game in the media room after the game and that will stay with me.
Amazing even after watching 100+ games a season for the last 18 how much you can learn by listening to a couple of experts.
|
|
oohaah
Top Performer
Posts: 3,142
|
Post by oohaah on Sept 19, 2018 19:06:05 GMT
Amazing even after watching 100+ games a season for the last 18 how much you can learn by listening to a couple of experts.[l
Current Perts rather than ex-perts surely?
|
|
|
|
Post by baboonfish on Sept 19, 2018 19:33:43 GMT
if your ex spurts, perhaps thats why theyre your ex?
|
|
|
|
Post by os on Sept 19, 2018 19:38:18 GMT
Amazing even after watching 100+ games a season for the last 18 how much you can learn by listening to a couple of experts. I thought my text comments about having the kettle on, would be of use to you  |
|
|
|
Post by halftimet on Sept 19, 2018 20:21:08 GMT
Do we have a plan B?
Whilst you can argue it was a bad day at the office I am not sure what our strategy cuurently is if our centre forward is not winning the aerial duel and our midfield are not winning the second ball. This was the problem last night. We constantly hit the long ball and did not change the system only the personnel. Playing this way also quickly surrenders possession.
Answers on this forum please.
|
|
|
|
Post by grtourist on Sept 19, 2018 23:39:55 GMT
|
|
