Crewe played well and worked hard. We struggled to string 2 passes together for long periods, the second half especially was really bad before Chuks came on, when the ball started to stick up front. But the difference in the end was our quality in the final third, and you can tell we have goals in the team at this level... Which will be nice!
Barker had a really good game. 17!!
With a decent owner we can get our young players on long contracts and say '30 million or forget it.'
Lapslie wasn't at his best but he can do League One easily.
Told he would be the right back, played two games in the right then back to midfield for the league game. Could this have anything to do with it
At certain points he was out of position because he was going deep to help cover Barker at right back, so I would say it was more a case of needs must than anything else.
Lapslie wasn't at his best but he can do League One easily.
Told he would be the right back, played two games in the right then back to midfield for the league game. Could this have anything to do with it
I don't think so, he's played mainly as a midfielder as far as I'm aware and should be able get his head round a role he is familiar with at short notice. It was a bold move by Bowyer to play the youngster at right back and the lad never let him down with the end result fully justifying the means. Lapslie will do a job for us in this League whether starting midfield or at full back or coming in as a sub to inject some energy into proceedings.
As for Barker he's a defender first and foremost, looks pretty mobile and adapted well at full back. Being given his League debut at 17 would have been beyond his wildest dreams this time last year and I'm sure he wasn't bothered what position he was asked to play. His Manager has shown faith in him just like Curbs & Gritty had with LB and he has repaid him tenfold to date. His youthful enthusiasm coupled with no small measure of defensive skill has been a godsend with only two recognised defenders to call upon at the moment.
Did JFC add anything? He's such a hit 'n miss player, that his performance swings each game.
Sometimes he does produce a piece of quality with a raking pass, but I think overall he’s a bit of a 6/10 type player. I think the same with Lapslie. I’d Imagine Gilbey and Levitt will end up the main two in there eventually.
I thought that, rather like at Swindon, we made a weak start to the game. We allowed Crewe far too much space in midfield to build attacks through their neat passing game, aided and abetted by some sloppy passing on our part and far too many hopeful long balls. All that said, Crewe were largely restricted to long range efforts in the first half, save for one shot skied over from close range following a corner.
The commencement of the iFollow/Valley Pass jackhammer sound effects coincided with an upturn in our fortunes and a lovely pass by Gilbey put Doughty away to finish with aplomb.
As ever, the goal gave us a lift and we started to play with more authority and win more 50/50 challenges. A good cross from (I think) Barker and a header into the box by Gilbey led to the ball bouncing up and Deji’s determined header fell nicely for Washington to bang in his first goal. That should do his confidence the world of good after a difficult time at Hearts last year and it means that three of our strikers are already off the mark.
We started the second half well but then began to sit a little deeper as Crewe tried to work their way back into the game. Our overall play was ok, if a little loose at times, but we ultimately only gave up two further chances to the opposition - one drawing an excellent save from Amos and the other thumped against the bar. Save for those few moments, Crewe were poor in the final third and lacked a cutting edge, which belied some of their better build up play.
Their defender, Ng, looked an exceptional player and I imagine that he is going to be playing at a higher level in the near future.
I thought that our defence did well, considering it was cobbled together from very limited resources. Amos looked very solid and Barker turned in a good performance at right back.
I thought the midfield suffered a little from Pratley’s absence and Crewe had too much space to operate in at times, both in central areas and down the flanks. Gilbey turned in a good all round performance but I thought that JFC was below par and played too many square passes. I’m not sure the overall structure of the side worked, especially in midfield, where we were unable to control the game. A better side than Crewe would have punished us.
Bonne and Washington had relatively quiet games up top but Doughty was a real handful and his pace and directness is going to be too much for teams in this division to handle. It is absolutely imperative that we keep him if we’re to have any chance of challenging this season. Even if Alfie leaves at the expiration of his contract next summer, we’re likely to receive substantial compensation, particularly if he makes the sort of impact we all expect him to make at this level.
Overall, a clean sheet and 3 points away on the first day of the season is an excellent result. We can and need to do better but hopefully there will be a resolution of the ownership and a significant beefing up of the squad for the marathon of a League 1 season. Pending that, a few good early results like today’s will set us up nicely and help us avoid playing catch up, as we found ourselves doing in the first month of 2018/19 before Cullen and Beliek arrived.
Fingers crossed in relation to developments off the field; on it, we could not have wished for a better outcome.
Did JFC add anything? He's such a hit 'n miss player, that his performance swings each game.
Beggars can’t be choosers. He’s not the answer but he’s ours.
He has to realise that he is a senior player now. Really need him to step up. Hair and beard looks great, but be good to see some games dominated.
For me, he’s not a holding midfielder and he’s not really a deep-lying playmaker either. Got the ability and passing range to be, but more able to put his stamp on the game than that. He’s far better when he has someone more defensive next to him and can allow him to venture forward that bit more. He was, at times, excellent next to Kashi. He’s got the ability to score goals and was really unlucky not to score in the second half.
Maybe if Levitt turns out to be a great signing and plays the deep-lying playmaker role, it could free up Forster-Caskey to get forward and contribute more in front of goal. That to me, is where he‘s more effective.
JFC is left footed. Like Doherty and indeed Purrington, that is a valuable attribute that helps bring balance to a side. Lapslie has been a little bit maligned, I think unfairly, but his contribution was to break up play to allow others like JFC to be more expansive.
Couple of moments of quality got us in front and from there I thought we managed the game reasonably well, something we were unable to do last season.
Though to be fair we were up against MUCH better opposition last season than a plucky, but limited Crewe
With the off-the-field shenanigans still no resolved, had we not been relegated we'd probably have been going into a Championship game with a similar line-up. I don't like League One and would much prefer to be a division higher but I can't help thinking how we'd struggle with our limited resources.
Comments
As for Barker he's a defender first and foremost, looks pretty mobile and adapted well at full back. Being given his League debut at 17 would have been beyond his wildest dreams this time last year and I'm sure he wasn't bothered what position he was asked to play. His Manager has shown faith in him just like Curbs & Gritty had with LB and he has repaid him tenfold to date. His youthful enthusiasm coupled with no small measure of defensive skill has been a godsend with only two recognised defenders to call upon at the moment.
Hope Albie and Oztumer get a look in this season, although I do like JFC and Pratley.
Thought the iFollow camera was once again very poor quality. Very blurred when moving at speed etc.
Really like StubleyAddick and KB, so also a shame when the sound conked out.
I thought that, rather like at Swindon, we made a weak start to the game. We allowed Crewe far too much space in midfield to build attacks through their neat passing game, aided and abetted by some sloppy passing on our part and far too many hopeful long balls. All that said, Crewe were largely restricted to long range efforts in the first half, save for one shot skied over from close range following a corner.
The commencement of the iFollow/Valley Pass jackhammer sound effects coincided with an upturn in our fortunes and a lovely pass by Gilbey put Doughty away to finish with aplomb.
As ever, the goal gave us a lift and we started to play with more authority and win more 50/50 challenges. A good cross from (I think) Barker and a header into the box by Gilbey led to the ball bouncing up and Deji’s determined header fell nicely for Washington to bang in his first goal. That should do his confidence the world of good after a difficult time at Hearts last year and it means that three of our strikers are already off the mark.
We started the second half well but then began to sit a little deeper as Crewe tried to work their way back into the game. Our overall play was ok, if a little loose at times, but we ultimately only gave up two further chances to the opposition - one drawing an excellent save from Amos and the other thumped against the bar. Save for those few moments, Crewe were poor in the final third and lacked a cutting edge, which belied some of their better build up play.
Their defender, Ng, looked an exceptional player and I imagine that he is going to be playing at a higher level in the near future.
I thought that our defence did well, considering it was cobbled together from very limited resources. Amos looked very solid and Barker turned in a good performance at right back.
I thought the midfield suffered a little from Pratley’s absence and Crewe had too much space to operate in at times, both in central areas and down the flanks. Gilbey turned in a good all round performance but I thought that JFC was below par and played too many square passes. I’m not sure the overall structure of the side worked, especially in midfield, where we were unable to control the game. A better side than Crewe would have punished us.
Bonne and Washington had relatively quiet games up top but Doughty was a real handful and his pace and directness is going to be too much for teams in this division to handle. It is absolutely imperative that we keep him if we’re to have any chance of challenging this season. Even if Alfie leaves at the expiration of his contract next summer, we’re likely to receive substantial compensation, particularly if he makes the sort of impact we all expect him to make at this level.
Overall, a clean sheet and 3 points away on the first day of the season is an excellent result. We can and need to do better but hopefully there will be a resolution of the ownership and a significant beefing up of the squad for the marathon of a League 1 season. Pending that, a few good early results like today’s will set us up nicely and help us avoid playing catch up, as we found ourselves doing in the first month of 2018/19 before Cullen and Beliek arrived.
Fingers crossed in relation to developments off the field; on it, we could not have wished for a better outcome.
First boys pub outing in six months. Gave it a ‘yes’ for both our goals but didn’t check phone once after let alone the normal a thousand times.
Great start, but football is shit at the moment and I can’t engage in it properly till normality resumes. Sort this Covid stuff out, Curbs.
And I don’t even like real ale!
Maybe if Levitt turns out to be a great signing and plays the deep-lying playmaker role, it could free up Forster-Caskey to get forward and contribute more in front of goal. That to me, is where he‘s more effective.
Lapslie has been a little bit maligned, I think unfairly, but his contribution was to break up play to allow others like JFC to be more expansive.
always lose every game in that shithouse EFL Trophy
always win in the League Cup and League One
Great result with our options and fingers crossed we have a bigger result in the week with TS completing .
2% 13th-20th
0% Relegation
With the off-the-field shenanigans still no resolved, had we not been relegated we'd probably have been going into a Championship game with a similar line-up. I don't like League One and would much prefer to be a division higher but I can't help thinking how we'd struggle with our limited resources.