In terms of Alfie May, yes we will miss his goals but he could be frustrating as well. He works hard and knows where the goal is and can score a special goal out of nothing but he seems a player who tries too hard to get in a game/score a goal when it isn't going for him. As long as Birmingham are dominant, I think he is going to do well there. I am disapointed we sold him but I can sort of see why Jones didn't fancy him. Looking at our first three games, not sure he would be so effective in our team. Of course we need to have better to justify losing him and the jury is still out on that.
Loved Small geeing up us oldies in the Lower West towards the end of the 2nd half. Seems to be enjoying it here.
shame that he supposedly cant be arsed and is looking to move, not what I saw today, thought he looked a threat.
Never underestimate people's ability to see a player have an off day and claim they're not interested in playing anymore. I remember Rhoys Wiggins going off injured against Palace and more than one poster claiming that he'd pretended to be injured and cried off because Zaha was giving him such a hard time down the left. He'd broken his foot.
But he's got two feet.
Wiggins right foot was only for standing on. Who can forget when he played right back when Solly was injured. Lol
It would just be our luck to finish 3rd, same number of points as 2nd but miss out on GD. Or worse, by goals scored.
So we win the first two games, keeping a clean sheet in both with some organised defence, and you focus on rhe negative. God it must be tiring.
Its great that some people think I'm being negative but I'm really not. I am simply pointing out that although keeping a clean sheet is wonderful scoring goals is just as important & to the naked eye it may appear that whilst fixing one end (the defence) Nathan Jones has undone the other (the attack).
Soon we will be tested (next week against Bolton ?) and when we go a goal down I'm hoping that we can respond. We didnt last Tuesday, but as that was a cup match and we are concentrating on the league it was glossed over a bit.
You may all love a clean sheet win but I much prefer knowing that if we do concede we have the firepower to not only scored one back but score 2 and win.
We have scored exactly enough goals to win both home and away. Is it exciting to watch, no its not but we have yet to concede either so fretting/moaning about a situation that hasn't even happened yet is just looking for something to complain about.
Jones teams have very often started quite slowly and got better/more dynamic as they go so there is no reason yet to presume that just trying to grind 1-0s every week is the plan.... unless of course that suits your agenda.
The first goal conceded we all know you're going to be telling all and sundry that you told us so. Death, taxes, and Golfie being negative. Life's 3 certainties.
Didn't realise how involved Coventry was in the goal until rewatching it. Great to see him reading the header off Chuks and getting to it first. I imagine he would have swung his left at it if Berry hadn't arrived when he did
Agreed. We had both Coventry and Berry running beyond the strikers in that move, so for all our defensive solidity they clearly have licence to get forward like that when circumstances allow.
last season, we would have had to score two or three goals to win a game. In terms of the ref, he was bad for both sides and the game suffered for it but for us he missed a definite penalty and Clare should have been sent off. Personally, I think he should be demoted on that performance.
Lots of people giving the Ref a 5 on the players marks thread. He really wasn't worth more than a 3.
In fact even 3 is too high, he was totally out of his depth yesterday and inept for both sides, and should be dropped to league two, mind you what have they done to deserve him..., there were a few 7's as well...🤦♂️
It would just be our luck to finish 3rd, same number of points as 2nd but miss out on GD. Or worse, by goals scored.
So we win the first two games, keeping a clean sheet in both with some organised defence, and you focus on rhe negative. God it must be tiring.
Its great that some people think I'm being negative but I'm really not. I am simply pointing out that although keeping a clean sheet is wonderful scoring goals is just as important & to the naked eye it may appear that whilst fixing one end (the defence) Nathan Jones has undone the other (the attack).
Soon we will be tested (next week against Bolton ?) and when we go a goal down I'm hoping that we can respond. We didnt last Tuesday, but as that was a cup match and we are concentrating on the league it was glossed over a bit.
You may all love a clean sheet win but I much prefer knowing that if we do concede we have the firepower to not only scored one back but score 2 and win.
It's early days yet Golfie. I agree that for me the forwards have not clicked but Godden made his first appearance yesterday and Berry played a full 90 mins and scored the winner. For me the centre backs are the big plus, with the midfield three not far behind. At some point Miles Leaburn will return and as it proved yesterday, we don't just have Alfie May keeping our scoring rate going, we now have options.
One of the most encouraging things I’ve read on this thread is that NJ has hinted that the inward transfer business isn’t complete and might not be dependent on outgoings. That if I’m reading it correctly could be the difference between success and failure because we’re obviously close but not quite there with the squad as is. Personally I’m not convinced we need to bring in a GK. Mannion looks very competent especially with what looks like a good defence in front of him. The key piece of the jigsaw for me is a playmaker or at least someone who links up play between defence and attack and always on the front foot. At present we’re knocking it long a bit too much and when we run up against some quality defences, which we will, it’s not going to work. Same goes for trying to out fitness teams. That’s not a given either. We need more guile. Not sure Jones sees it that way though.
Two things stand out from yesterdays game 1)We are piss poor with set pieces,why this obsession with in swinging corners,we have some big guys,send a few out swingers over towards the penalty spot and let someone attack it,much more difficult to defend. 2) Watched on tv ,and do not recall Docherty being mentioned once (I could be wrong),this is not good enough,Berry and Coventry played very well but you do need all 3 midfielders on the ball and not one just playing a defensive roll. All in all,very satisfying start to the season,strikers need to step up as the season goes on,but can see many more goals coming from other areas ,which since mr Jackson departed we havnt had.
One of the most encouraging things I’ve read on this thread is that NJ has hinted that the inward transfer business isn’t complete and might not be dependent on outgoings. That if I’m reading it correctly could be the difference between success and failure because we’re obviously close but not quite there with the squad as is. Personally I’m not convinced we need to bring in a GK. Mannion looks very competent especially with what looks like a good defence in front of him. The key piece of the jigsaw for me is a playmaker or at least someone who links up play between defence and attack and always on the front foot. At present we’re knocking it long a bit too much and when we run up against some quality defences, which we will, it’s not going to work. Same goes for trying to out fitness teams. That’s not a given either. We need more guile. Not sure Jones sees it that way though.
The danger in bringing in an experienced keeper is they will probably need to start and that isn't always a positive. I said, when the Begovic deal fell through that it wasn't a bad thing in my mind. We have Mannion and AMB and I think there are other areas which are more of a priority.
A playmaker would be great but they don't grow on trees and they need other attributes, not just being a playmaker. I think without one, you need more from your attack. I thought the midfield was fine and won most of its battles. Ahadme didn't win enough headers/challenges for me and him and Campbell had to play better together. That is probably our biggest weakness at this moment. I don't know how some people couldn't see the how the whole dynamic changed when Aneke came on and the system worked much better. Yes Orient were tired, but the bloke uses his strength and fortunately for Orient, the ref thought wrestling was within the football laws.
I think there are different ways to win games and trust Jones knows what he is doing.
Special mention to the ref, honestly one of the worst I’ve seen just consistently got everything wrong for both teams
When most managers get booked, that's usually a tell-tale sign. NJ went ape at one of his decisions, while Wellens was booked for sarcastically clapping the ref
Special mention to the ref, honestly one of the worst I’ve seen just consistently got everything wrong for both teams
When most managers get booked, that's usually a tell-tale sign. NJ went ape at one of his decisions, while Wellens was booked for sarcastically clapping the ref
Was sat next to the away dugout and Wellens didn’t shut up the whole game. Was f’ing and blinding all the way and repeatedly approaching and attempting to intimidate the 4th official (who was the model of diplomacy). His minions were doing the same and at a certain point it was obvious the 4th had had enough.
Such language! I thought the West Stand was more salubrious!
I think with Wellens, I can defend the ref. He seemed to miss a clear foul but then gave it on the say so of his assistant. That was for me an oasis of good reffing as we saw little else of it yesterday. Wellens was annoyed he didn't stick with his no foul decision IMO. It may also be due to the cumulative effect of the ref being crap but it is ironic he got booked for a moment when he wasn't.
I know it’s early days and you can’t read too much into anything at this point but today’s game, Bolton v Wrexham will be interesting. Both tipped to be up there so markers being layed down. I’d take Bolton with home advantage and imho a better squad to win but I’ll watch with interest.
Very late post, I've had an absolute nightmare today with my camera.
On to the game! A really enjoyable day out. Lovely weather, nice atmosphere, and 3 points to go with it.
I felt although we were fluffing chances, and our crossing was poor, we look so tough to beat, and honestly, after the crap served up these last few years, I'll take it. Not many teams will beat us I imagine.
Special mentions to Ramsay (motm) and Lloyd Jones, two very impressive performances from the pair. Also thought Coventry, Docherty, A.Mitchell, and of course, the match winner Berry, all had quietly good games, and looked fairly comfortable.
I like the look of newboy Gassan, reckon with a proper striker partner, he will be a problem, and I feel Mannion may be really decent business. He has the benefit of a good defence infront of him, but he looks very assured.
Roll on Bolton, which I feel is a real acid test for this team.
Happy Sunday addicks!
This is going to sound like I'm digging you out but I'm genuinely not! You were feeling much more negative after Birmingham but I don't think we played too differently. The difference was personnel not playstyle for me. What's prompted the change in mindset?
A very warm day, the opposition had four players booked, probably should have had one straight red and a second red for a second booking that was not given; their players were dropping like flies trying to keep up with the pace and effort to the extent they ran out of replacements in the end; and we won with another and consecutive clean sheet. A good day at the office as they say.
A heart in mouth moment when Chuks had a rush of blood which in previous seasons would have seen him injure himself was an encouraging sign that he thinks he’s got fit enough though I suspect we were all relieved on this occasion that he inadvertently kicked the ball too far ahead to catch up with when he started the dash for goal.
Not the best game to watch but, like the preceding games, lots of positives to take forward and some takeaway points to work on, both equally important for a successful season.
Very late post, I've had an absolute nightmare today with my camera.
On to the game! A really enjoyable day out. Lovely weather, nice atmosphere, and 3 points to go with it.
I felt although we were fluffing chances, and our crossing was poor, we look so tough to beat, and honestly, after the crap served up these last few years, I'll take it. Not many teams will beat us I imagine.
Special mentions to Ramsay (motm) and Lloyd Jones, two very impressive performances from the pair. Also thought Coventry, Docherty, A.Mitchell, and of course, the match winner Berry, all had quietly good games, and looked fairly comfortable.
I like the look of newboy Gassan, reckon with a proper striker partner, he will be a problem, and I feel Mannion may be really decent business. He has the benefit of a good defence infront of him, but he looks very assured.
Roll on Bolton, which I feel is a real acid test for this team.
Happy Sunday addicks!
Are you ok? This is most unlike you, to be so positive.;)
Really enjoyed that performance! Yes we need to create more but you can see that the foundations are there. We have 6 points from the opening two games ! Last year I think we would be lucky to have 1 point as we would have conceded goals for sure. Build a solid base and the rest will come.
next week is a real marker of where we are if we get those 3 points then I think we can safely say we are in for a good season
That was my first match at the Valley post cataract op. What a difference it made! I can make out the individual players up the far end - which I can now see is called the ‘Jimmy Seed Stand’. Amazing! Can’t wait to have the other eye done. 🙂
Comments
Jones teams have very often started quite slowly and got better/more dynamic as they go so there is no reason yet to presume that just trying to grind 1-0s every week is the plan.... unless of course that suits your agenda.
The first goal conceded we all know you're going to be telling all and sundry that you told us so. Death, taxes, and Golfie being negative. Life's 3 certainties.
He really wasn't worth more than a 3.
1)We are piss poor with set pieces,why this obsession with in swinging corners,we have some big guys,send a few out swingers over towards the penalty spot and let someone attack it,much more difficult to defend.
2) Watched on tv ,and do not recall Docherty being mentioned once (I could be wrong),this is not good enough,Berry and Coventry played very well but you do need all 3 midfielders on the ball and not one just playing a defensive roll.
All in all,very satisfying start to the season,strikers need to step up as the season goes on,but can see many more goals coming from other areas ,which since mr Jackson departed we havnt had.
We had 3 in a row in March 2022, in a 3 game winning run against Gillingham, Burton and Doncaster. So that's the next target.
The danger in bringing in an experienced keeper is they will probably need to start and that isn't always a positive. I said, when the Begovic deal fell through that it wasn't a bad thing in my mind. We have Mannion and AMB and I think there are other areas which are more of a priority.
A playmaker would be great but they don't grow on trees and they need other attributes, not just being a playmaker. I think without one, you need more from your attack. I thought the midfield was fine and won most of its battles. Ahadme didn't win enough headers/challenges for me and him and Campbell had to play better together. That is probably our biggest weakness at this moment. I don't know how some people couldn't see the how the whole dynamic changed when Aneke came on and the system worked much better. Yes Orient were tired, but the bloke uses his strength and fortunately for Orient, the ref thought wrestling was within the football laws.
I think there are different ways to win games and trust Jones knows what he is doing.
Such language! I thought the West Stand was more salubrious!
Kudos!
A heart in mouth moment when Chuks had a rush of blood which in previous seasons would have seen him injure himself was an encouraging sign that he thinks he’s got fit enough though I suspect we were all relieved on this occasion that he inadvertently kicked the ball too far ahead to catch up with when he started the dash for goal.
next week is a real marker of where we are if we get those 3 points then I think we can safely say we are in for a good season
Can’t wait to have the other eye done. 🙂