As Zip Zips go that was a very Entertaining game , onwards & upwards, hope for the rest of the season at least , wouldn’t have Said that a month or so ago
Need 41 from the remaining 23 to get to the 75 mark that’s usually needed for top six.
Brum, Wycombe, Wrexham & Stockport all away from home will be a tough ask
On the other end though, that means there’s plenty of poor teams still to come to the Valley where picking off three points consistently will be critical.
We can do it. 12 points from the last six with only two goals conceded and four clean sheets so recent form is tracking the right way.
We cannot afford to drop any further away from 5th and 6th places. It will be a tough ask.
It's a tough ask as it is. The gap isn't really narrowing. Just got to keep going and see where it takes us. I think we will miss out by three or four points but if we continue improving and tinker with the squad a bit, who knows.
Can't decide if their keeper was very good or very lucky.
One of those days when our forwards needed to mis-kick it to score.
Entertaining game which we finished on the front foot and looking to win.
Small had a good game, despite some poor touches, which got even better when he decided to go outside for a change. Oh for a natural right footed striker/winger and a No.10
Frustrating not to win against a top six side which is a measure of how we have progress in the last two months.
Last two weeks, I’d say. Actually enjoyable to watch now.
The best 44 mins performance this season ,, first half was pretty even but second half we battered them …. Leaburn misses a sitter , the offside goal that looked good and the keeper had one of them lucky days ……. we deserved 3 points but happy with the point and more then happy with that performance
The best 44 mins performance this season ,, first half was pretty even but second half we battered them …. Leaburn misses a sitter , the offside goal that looked good and the keeper had one of them lucky days ……. we deserved 3 points but happy with the point and more then happy with that performance
Small is the biggest enigma in the side. 80% of what he does is utterly brilliant & the other 20% is absolutely horrendous 😂😂
He's playing out of position on the right, obviously not confident crossing with his right foot and gets f'all support from the midfield even though he was doubled up on by Reading defence.
A much better performance but sadly 2 points dropped. The last few games have shown we can play and score whilst keeping clean sheets. Today their keeper led a charmed life, even his bollocks saved a goal! Jones was immense, TC and Small worried them all game. Doc and Cov turning into a good midfield pairing, glad to see A. Campbell nowhere near coming on as well. I watched on a stream and I'm still not sure TC was offside, in fact the lino didn't give it until he conversed with the ref over the mic! We probably should've won that, but sometimes luck doesn't go your way. Can we make the play-offs, yes I believe we can, IF, we hold onto Jones and Leaburn. The squad has finally 'clicked', so it'll be interesting to see how we do next week against PNE. We have 1/2 a season to go...let's hope it's the complete reverse of the first half and we carry on with how we're playing now!
No complaints from me. I criticised the performance against Cambridge even though we won and I was told to cheer up and enjoy the win. I enjoyed today more. Today was a proper performance. 9 times out of ten we win that game. We couldn't have done much more. A very dubious goal ruled out, one cleared off the line, their keeper made three decent stops, created numerous chances, it just wouldn't go in, it happens, but no complaints.
Well one complaint. The East Stand lino didn't raise his flag first half yet couldn't wait to do so second half, except when Edwards was badly fouled. He made some appalling decisions second half, none more so than our goal.
Thierry Small would be one hell of a player if his decision making were better and he didn't let occasions/opportunities go to his head. He needs to show much more composure when he gets sight of goal but there must be a rush of blood to his head and everything goes to pot. A shame as he's exciting and good to watch.
Agree with all of that but it shouldn't be lost on people the ages of our three most offensive players, Leaburn, Tyreece Campbell and Thierry Small. I actually thought our threat increased with Chuks and the Godden on the pitch, not a bad situation when you can swap two kids for two senior strikers.
Small is the biggest enigma in the side. 80% of what he does is utterly brilliant & the other 20% is absolutely horrendous 😂😂
He's playing out of position on the right, obviously not confident crossing with his right foot and gets f'all support from the midfield even though he was doubled up on by Reading defence.
If Small gets a bit more composure he won't be in L1. Exciting to watch and bags of pace.
Is this match going to be the story of our season? Frustration that we've clearly got enough about us to be a threat to any side in the division but still not quite able to get the result that we want (the play-offs).
I hope not as I want at least a failed play-off campaign with room to build on to go one better next year!
Only teams to have lost fewer games than us are the top four: Birmingham, Wycombe, Wrexham and Huddersfield. We now have the solid platform that we desperately needed.
Where we have suffered is from a few annoying draws against Stockport, Barnsley, Mansfield, Reading… All of whom have top six ambitions themselves.
Turn two or three of those into wins and we wouldn’t be just outside looking in, playing catch up.
somewhat nice to come away from a game gutted at not taking all 3pts, after the first half of the season we've had!
So frustrating that almost every shot on target goes straight to the keeper - didnt even really make him work. We play so much better having width to out performance, but its clear that Small and TC think theyre better than they are - so wasteful and nonchalant when attacking, and rather than beating their man they both prefer to check back or try a few fancy step overs- just get it in the box if youre not going to drive!!!
Defence looks solid, albeit gilesphey scares me everytime hes on the ball - our only real weak link there. Midfield solid too but with no magic or class to it.
Should really have won, but it keeps reading in touching distance... really need to start picking up points, especially the 6 pointers
That’s very inaccurate about Small. His fault is composure in front of goal.
I wasn't there & didnt watch it on TV so no idea what foot these chances fell to him......
But remember he is a left footed defender playing on the right. If chances fall to him on his "wrong" foot then it's hard to criticise him. Same with regards to crossing.
Small is the biggest enigma in the side. 80% of what he does is utterly brilliant & the other 20% is absolutely horrendous 😂😂
He's playing out of position on the right, obviously not confident crossing with his right foot and gets f'all support from the midfield even though he was doubled up on by Reading defence.
If Small gets a bit more composure he won't be in L1. Exciting to watch and bags of pace.
Agreed and he's still very young but felt he needed a bit of support as he was often isolated out wide and was cutting in and shooting too early when an overlap or inside pass should be an option.
Only teams to have lost fewer games than us are the top four: Birmingham, Wycombe, Wrexham and Huddersfield. We now have the solid platform that we desperately needed.
Where we have suffered is from a few annoying draws against Stockport, Barnsley, Mansfield, Reading… All of whom have top six ambitions themselves.
Turn two or three of those into wins and we wouldn’t be just outside looking in, playing catch up.
I dunno I think where we’ve suffered is more losing to Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Stevenage etc. If you can consistently get results against those teams you should be beating then you’re happier to take a point off promotion rivals
Landmark day as I award Docherty more than Coventry in player marks. Happy now @Chunes - our hero had a slight off day but was still pretty good Lloyd Jones is just imperious. Docherty finally looks like the guy. TC splendid. We gubbed em second half. Lots of teams are going to struggle against us now
I've said umpteen times he's a decent player. I also criticised him last season for being poor, which he was, and I still believe he's not a touch on Dobson. But he does his job and is effective in his role. How this has turned into me hating him is baffling.
We have a lot of previous when it comes to arguing over players, and I'm not afraid to say if I think someone is useless, as well you should know!
somewhat nice to come away from a game gutted at not taking all 3pts, after the first half of the season we've had!
So frustrating that almost every shot on target goes straight to the keeper - didnt even really make him work. We play so much better having width to out performance, but its clear that Small and TC think theyre better than they are - so wasteful and nonchalant when attacking, and rather than beating their man they both prefer to check back or try a few fancy step overs- just get it in the box if youre not going to drive!!!
Defence looks solid, albeit gilesphey scares me everytime hes on the ball - our only real weak link there. Midfield solid too but with no magic or class to it.
Should really have won, but it keeps reading in touching distance... really need to start picking up points, especially the 6 pointers
That’s very inaccurate about Small. His fault is composure in front of goal.
I wasn't there & didnt watch it on TV so no idea what foot these chances fell to him......
But remember he is a left footed defender playing on the right. If chances fall to him on his "wrong" foot then it's hard to criticise him. Same with regards to crossing.
He played very well Golfie, Reading had to stick two men on him but he got past them more often than not, I wouldn't mind him swapping sides if it's possible in games.
Landmark day as I award Docherty more than Coventry in player marks. Happy now @Chunes - our hero had a slight off day but was still pretty good Lloyd Jones is just imperious. Docherty finally looks like the guy. TC splendid. We gubbed em second half. Lots of teams are going to struggle against us now
I've said umpteen times he's a decent player. I also criticised him last season for being poor, which he was, and I still believe he's not a touch on Dobson. But he does his job and is effective in his role. How this has turned into me hating him is baffling.
We have a lot of previous when it comes to arguing over players, and I'm not afraid to say if I think someone is useless, as well you should know!
I know you don't hate him really! It is all just a bit of theatre. Although I'll admit in Hector's case I really was won over by his effortless dispossessing of forwards enough to forgive his not running or jumping much, lol
Landmark day as I award Docherty more than Coventry in player marks. Happy now @Chunes - our hero had a slight off day but was still pretty good Lloyd Jones is just imperious. Docherty finally looks like the guy. TC splendid. We gubbed em second half. Lots of teams are going to struggle against us now
I've said umpteen times he's a decent player. I also criticised him last season for being poor, which he was, and I still believe he's not a touch on Dobson. But he does his job and is effective in his role. How this has turned into me hating him is baffling.
We have a lot of previous when it comes to arguing over players, and I'm not afraid to say if I think someone is useless, as well you should know!
I know you don't hate him really! It is all just a bit of theatre. Although I'll admit in Hector's case I really was won over by his effortless dispossessing of forwards enough to forgive his not running or jumping much, lol
Ah, it's theatre! Then en garde, because I am a massive thespian.
Comments
Last two weeks, I’d say. Actually enjoyable to watch now.
Jones was immense, TC and Small worried them all game. Doc and Cov turning into a good midfield pairing, glad to see A. Campbell nowhere near coming on as well.
I watched on a stream and I'm still not sure TC was offside, in fact the lino didn't give it until he conversed with the ref over the mic!
We probably should've won that, but sometimes luck doesn't go your way. Can we make the play-offs, yes I believe we can, IF, we hold onto Jones and Leaburn. The squad has finally 'clicked', so it'll be interesting to see how we do next week against PNE.
We have 1/2 a season to go...let's hope it's the complete reverse of the first half and we carry on with how we're playing now!
I hope not as I want at least a failed play-off campaign with room to build on to go one better next year!
Where we have suffered is from a few annoying draws against Stockport, Barnsley, Mansfield, Reading… All of whom have top six ambitions themselves.
Turn two or three of those into wins and we wouldn’t be just outside looking in, playing catch up.
We have to keep Lloyd Jones - a cut above most defenders at this level.
My biggest fear was Reading would nick an undeserved win but thankfully it didn't happen
But remember he is a left footed defender playing on the right. If chances fall to him on his "wrong" foot then it's hard to criticise him. Same with regards to crossing.
Like putting your cutlery in the washing machine and expecting to hear a symphony
We have a lot of previous when it comes to arguing over players, and I'm not afraid to say if I think someone is useless, as well you should know!
At least we are a better watch now though