Anyone else find it a bit odd that having won the toss, JJ chose to kick the 'wrong' way?
Yes. I could not see any weather-related advantage (sun in eyes of keeper? not sure) and I think he missed a trick by not being able to kick towards the North Stand second half
I may be wrong, but I don't think we have lost this season playing that way round.
I was just utterly amazed at just how good Kermogant is at knocking balls down to BWP and others, he's incredible in the air and incredible at frustrating defenders .. and the FK, I fancied a shot and didnt expect that! thought JJ would have had a hit and hope.
THE REDS ARE GOING UP
I was watching Yann closely yesterday - absolute quality!! (too good for div 3 - haha, like the squad)
Quite rightly Pritchard, Yann, and Hamer took most of the plaudits yesterday, but I thought Stephens had his best game for a while (didn't see the 9-man win when apparently he was everywhere). I understand SOME of the recent criticism, and would like to see him further up field where he can hurt opponents, but right from the start yesterday he seemed fired up, making & winning challenges, and executing some more probing passes than in recent games. He then rounded it all off with another controlled finish, similar to one in an early-season home win (Bournemouth?).
Great day. Thought it was an entertaining game, with some decent football from both sides. Defensively Wycome were poor and we should have made them pay heavily in the first half. Second half was more even and it could have gone either way, before the second goal knocked the stuffing out of Wycombe. Yann is an absolute monster and will do well next season, though I wouldn't be surprised to see interest from other clubs. (Was he linked with Celtic recently?) Pritchard and Cort are also proving to be a couple of inspired signings and showed they will be right in the shake up next season. Hamer looked calm and confident. Lovely finish by Stevens, but he is no shoe-in for next season IMO. Happy days.
Wiggins is carrying an injury, which would explain the slight dip on his form the last few weeks. He had a injection in his ankle before the game at Carlisle and then another one at half-time so wouldn't be surprised if he had the same yesterday and he's not training every day during the week.
He's desperate to play every league this season and even with a knock he's still better than any left-back we've played against this season.
All i want to say is: Kermorgant - what a player! As my mate said yesterday, feed him steak and eggs, cage him and prod him with a stick for a week before the millwall games next year and then unleash him. CP has done wonders but signing and keeping Kermo has been his greatest achievement. A genuine hero of a player and my player of the year by a mile despite some excellent other contenders.
Would be interesting to see in training, when Cort is up against Kermogant, who wins the ariel battle between those two, as (in games) neither EVER loses a header....................
For those that weren't there. As you would expect the valley was buzzing before the game. We had a fellow who had once sung with Queen on the pitch with a real blockbuster voice, his second song was Hey Jude and it seemed like the whole crowd, certainly the North Upper joined in. The teams came out to a different version of Red Robin, and again a lot of us joined in. When the game got underway it was obvious that both teams were up for it, and we immediately started making chances. In the 14th minute we got a free kick about 20 yards out almost straight on. Jackson and Kermorgant both looked ready, but it was Yann who floated it brilliantly into the bottom left corner. After that their keeper started to look unbeatable, and Hamer showed his quality. Then just before half time Wycombe put together a good attack, Hamer made an excellent save, but they got the ball across again and their main strike threat was left with room in front of goal to head home. The second half was well contested, and at one point I said to my Grandson that Wycombe were doing enough to deserve a goal. It was by now that we all knew the score at M K Dons but soon they were to be reduced to 10 men with half an hour to go. With about 20 minutes left CP brought Danny Haynes on for BWP who had as always worked like a trojan, but sadly had missed a few chances. Danny soon made a great contribution working down the left, crossing beautifully to Kermorgant on the far post, as always an accurate nod down from Yann to Stephens who hit the far corner for the eventual winner. Overall we were our usual selves in ' they shall not score ' mood. The North Stand kept up their barrage of noisy support, aided and abetted by a good crowd of 18,500. Upon declaration of Champions we all went mad, and for the second week running CP was bounced up above the heads. In almost 60 years of supporting, this has been the most impressive season that I have ever enjoyed. How far can we go ? It's going to be great to find out.
For those that weren't there. As you would expect the valley was buzzing before the game. We had a fellow who had once sung with Queen on the pitch with a real blockbuster voice, his second song was Hey Jude and it seemed like the whole crowd, certainly the North Upper joined in. The teams came out to a different version of Red Robin, and again a lot of us joined in. When the game got underway it was obvious that both teams were up for it, and we immediately started making chances. In the 14th minute we got a free kick about 20 yards out almost straight on. Jackson and Kermorgant both looked ready, but it was Yann who floated it brilliantly into the bottom left corner. After that their keeper started to look unbeatable, and Hamer showed his quality. Then just before half time Wycombe put together a good attack, Hamer made an excellent save, but they got the ball across again and their main strike threat was left with room in front of goal to head home. The second half was well contested, and at one point I said to my Grandson that Wycombe were doing enough to deserve a goal. It was by now that we all knew the score at M K Dons but soon they were to be reduced to 10 men with half an hour to go. With about 20 minutes left CP brought Danny Haynes on for BWP who had as always worked like a trojan, but sadly had missed a few chances. Danny soon made a great contribution working down the left, crossing beautifully to Kermorgant on the far post, as always an accurate nod down from Yann to Stephens who hit the far corner for the eventual winner. Overall we were our usual selves in ' they shall not score ' mood. The North Stand kept up their barrage of noisy support, aided and abetted by a good crowd of 18,500. Upon declaration of Champions we all went mad, and for the second week running CP was bounced up above the heads. In almost 60 years of supporting, this has been the most impressive season that I have ever enjoyed. How far can we go ? It's going to be great to find out.
I got all choked up when we were promoted at Carlisle and when the pitchside announcer screamed 'Champions' on Saturday, I got choked all over again. I need to man up.
All i want to say is: Kermorgant - what a player! As my mate said yesterday, feed him steak and eggs, cage him and prod him with a stick for a week before the millwall games next year and then unleash him. CP has done wonders but signing and keeping Kermo has been his greatest achievement. A genuine hero of a player and my player of the year by a mile despite some excellent other contenders.
LOVE IT, Dan ! maybe some genius on here could conjure up a picture for this....would love to have him sign it !
All i want to say is: Kermorgant - what a player! As my mate said yesterday, feed him steak and eggs, cage him and prod him with a stick for a week before the millwall games next year and then unleash him. CP has done wonders but signing and keeping Kermo has been his greatest achievement. A genuine hero of a player and my player of the year by a mile despite some excellent other contenders.
Could not agree more. As well and being immense in the air, some of his lay-off's and through balls have been of stunning quality and he is probably our best defender at set-pieces. A true bloody hero....
I voted for Yann POTY, as did the old man. Posting before reading thread. I think Pritchard has a great chance next season of coming into his own in front of Stephens and Hollands. He was everywhere breaking up play. If there is anywhere we need any improvement for the Championship it's in centre midfield - I think Pritchard would be well suited to a defensive midfielder, breaking up the play, but he can play a bit too. Get in a good creative attacking midfielder, and think we will ruffle a few feathers next season.
Agreed - centre mid needs the most surgery, followed by the forward line. Defence, including keeper, is fine although can see a centre half come right back being signed but for cover only. Kermo is a guaranteed starter for me but i think every other place in the team will come under pressure to a certain extent next year as we look to consolidate and then push on the following year.
Agreed - centre mid needs the most surgery, followed by the forward line. Defence, including keeper, is fine although can see a centre half come right back being signed but for cover only. Kermo is a guaranteed starter for me but i think every other place in the team will come under pressure to a certain extent next year as we look to consolidate and then push on the following year.
You are joking or is this a cry to bring back Samedo?
No problems, just natural football progression. I agree that the team looks good enough to cope in the championship but CP will obviously be looking to increase the quality in some areas but i expect it to be a gradual process over the next year and barring a few (Hayes seems obvious), i expect the squad to stay together with just a few additions here and there to the first 11.
Comments
THE REDS ARE GOING UP
Defensively Wycome were poor and we should have made them pay heavily in the first half. Second half was more even and it could have gone either way, before the second goal knocked the stuffing out of Wycombe.
Yann is an absolute monster and will do well next season, though I wouldn't be surprised to see interest from other clubs. (Was he linked with Celtic recently?)
Pritchard and Cort are also proving to be a couple of inspired signings and showed they will be right in the shake up next season. Hamer looked calm and confident. Lovely finish by Stevens, but he is no shoe-in for next season IMO.
Happy days.
He's desperate to play every league this season and even with a knock he's still better than any left-back we've played against this season.
Great day yesterday and I an't wait for next season.
Impressed with Pritchard, Cort and Kermorgant in particular. I can see why Solly is so highly thought of and Hamer looks assured as well.
Hopefully will get a game in next season.
He has 11 goals in 38 League games - a decent return - and has set up so many goals for others as well.
To my mind he has a bit of the Mark Hughes about him as a player.
The second half was well contested, and at one point I said to my Grandson that Wycombe were doing enough to deserve a goal. It was by now that we all knew the score at M K Dons but soon they were to be reduced to 10 men with half an hour to go. With about 20 minutes left CP brought Danny Haynes on for BWP who had as always worked like a trojan, but sadly had missed a few chances. Danny soon made a great contribution working down the left, crossing beautifully to Kermorgant on the far post, as always an accurate nod down from Yann to Stephens who hit the far corner for the eventual winner.
Overall we were our usual selves in ' they shall not score ' mood. The North Stand kept up their barrage of noisy support, aided and abetted by a good crowd of 18,500. Upon declaration of Champions we all went mad, and for the second week running CP was bounced up above the heads. In almost 60 years of supporting, this has been the most impressive season that I have ever enjoyed. How far can we go ? It's going to be great to find out.
Posting before reading thread. I think Pritchard has a great chance next season of coming into his own in front of Stephens and Hollands. He was everywhere breaking up play. If there is anywhere we need any improvement for the Championship it's in centre midfield - I think Pritchard would be well suited to a defensive midfielder, breaking up the play, but he can play a bit too. Get in a good creative attacking midfielder, and think we will ruffle a few feathers next season.