2020/21 General Match Thread

[Luke Imp]

Another single goal loss for us. Top 8 defence, bottom 3 attack!

 

[Super_horns]

God we were terrible. Wimbledon were also terrible but 2 weird/freak goals gave them the 3 points. Not sure they deserved the 3, probably a draw was fair but hey ho that's life.

Not a good start for Garner, first game in charge and we didn't really play the successful, direct football we've seen this season. A lot of tip tap football (especially in the first half) but absolutely zero penetration. It was kinda like watching an England game 3/4 years ago at home against a small nation - Wombles had all 11 players in their half whilst our CBs just passed it amongst themselves left to right.

Referee was absolutely terrible for both teams. Really not even sure he got a single decision right all game tbh. At one point, the Wimbledon player kicked the ball into JCH's face and the referee gave a freekick for it

Where does the EFL get these guys from?

Another one of these new managers who like the possession game?

Great when it works but frustrating when it doesn't!

 

[Bucket_]

Well I don't get to many games not being local to Wycombe (that was my 5th this season) so a note of caution there.

I didn't think we were playing anti-football though - for example your lot were getting wound up by Curtis Thompson and thinking he was play-acting (like when your player literally lifted him off the ground as he thought he was faking)...the fact that he actually went off injured tends to scupper that theory.

We do break up play when we're on the back foot for sure, but so did you, you weren't shy of the professional foul when we looked to have a decent break going. It's just what happens.

Also I don't know how your centrebacks were getting away with some of the chokeholds they were putting on Samuel up front for us. I'm not pretending our defenders aren't physical and don't hold on to forwards when they think they can get away with it, but not quite so blatantly.

We would have been better served by playing it more on the deck in those conditions for sure, you did that better than we did and it paid off. There was no point in playing for all those set pieces when we didn't have enough physical presence enough front to make the most of them.

Fair cop! I am probably biased having seen you a lot in the League 2 days, it just seemed like every subtle trick in the book was being played to slow the game and stop us from gaining any rhythm. Allsop/Jacobson taking just a little bit longer with their goal/free-kicks, throw ins being slowed up/taken from the wrong positions, balls being held on to until a blue shirt grabbed it etc. And sure Thompson seemingly was actually injured, but it took him three goes to decide whether he was or not! 6 minutes of added time in the first half was pretty telling, as was the sudden disappearance of all of the above as soon as we went a goal up.

But you’re right, it is just part of the game and our team certainly have our share of savvy players and straight up wankers (I would hate Ronan Curtis if he played for anyone else). I just think your lot take it that little bit further out of play.

 

[Robie]

Wycombe definitely played anti football at our place and their loss yesterday reinforces how much they rely on shit housery with Akinfenwa suspended.

 

[Marked Ox]

Fair cop! I am probably biased having seen you a lot in the League 2 days, it just seemed like every subtle trick in the book was being played to slow the game and stop us from gaining any rhythm. Allsop/Jacobson taking just a little bit longer with their goal/free-kicks, throw ins being slowed up/taken from the wrong positions, balls being held on to until a blue shirt grabbed it etc. And sure Thompson seemingly was actually injured, but it took him three goes to decide whether he was or not! 6 minutes of added time in the first half was pretty telling, as was the sudden disappearance of all of the above as soon as we went a goal up.

But you’re right, it is just part of the game and our team certainly have our share of savvy players and straight up wankers (I would hate Ronan Curtis if he played for anyone else). I just think your lot take it that little bit further out of play.

Tbf to Allsop, he seems to be that slow whatever the game situation is, winning, drawing or losing.

 

[Gassy]

Another one of these new managers who like the possession game?

Great when it works but frustrating when it doesn't!

Potentially, but considering he worked under Warnock & Pulis you’d think not?

He only had 1 training session before the game so I must admit I’m surprised to see such a change. Also not sure we have the talent to play this time of passing game, but time will tell

 

[Super_horns]

Maybe can mix it up if required then or will get his sort of players in if able to?

 

[Kim Mitten]

Southend have taken 4 points, 4! off Milton Keynes. The EFL have agreed they will be automatically relegated regardless of their finishing position for this monumental shitness.

2019 comes to an end for Southend and good fucking riddance, some stats for you:
5 league wins all year (3 home, 2 away) 7 wins total - 101 goals conceded, 90 in the league.

Sadly most of the football league records for ineptitude I don't think we'll achieve but for a couple.
Rochdale hold the record for most home goals conceded in a season - 63. After 11 home games we are on 34.
Doncaster's 34 losses in one season is also very much achievable.

 

[GeneralLee]

Another single goal loss for us. Top 8 defence, bottom 3 attack!

I got the impression the tactics employed weren’t bad, though the personnel to carry out those tactics don’t.

On a number of occasions it required intricate passing, ball retention or technique that Lincoln players just simply didn’t have to carry out MApp’s instructions. When Appy joined he recruited footballers who were also athletes. Chey Dunkley, George Baldock, John Lundstrum, Kemar Roofe, Jonjoe Kenny, Liam Sercombe, Marvin Johnson, Ryan Ledson, Joe Rothwell... To name but a few. Each were technically gifted whilst able to compete physically. The brand of football he plays requires both, a reason why we were so successful under his stewardship (and another reason why we seem to be performing now).

If that performance is anything to go on, I can only imagine a big turnaround in players come June. Defensively, beyond the insistence on playing out from the back you guys looked fairly comfortable. Offensively, there didn’t appear to be an outlet. I felt comfortable all game barring the last five minutes.

That being said we were hideous and probably there for the taking.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Southend have taken 4 points, 4! off Milton Keynes. The EFL have agreed they will be automatically relegated regardless of their finishing position for this monumental shitness.

2019 comes to an end for Southend and good fucking riddance, some stats for you:
5 league wins all year (3 home, 2 away) 7 wins total - 101 goals conceded, 90 in the league.

Sadly most of the football league records for ineptitude I don't think we'll achieve but for a couple.
Rochdale hold the record for most home goals conceded in a season - 63. After 11 home games we are on 34.
Doncaster's 34 losses in one season is also very much achievable.

oy keep yer hands off our shiteness

 

[Luke Imp]

I got the impression the tactics employed weren’t bad, though the personnel to carry out those tactics don’t.

On a number of occasions it required intricate passing, ball retention or technique that Lincoln players just simply didn’t have to carry out MApp’s instructions. When Appy joined he recruited footballers who were also athletes. Chey Dunkley, George Baldock, John Lundstrum, Kemar Roofe, Jonjoe Kenny, Liam Sercombe, Marvin Johnson, Ryan Ledson, Joe Rothwell... To name but a few. Each were technically gifted whilst able to compete physically. The brand of football he plays requires both, a reason why we were so successful under his stewardship (and another reason why we seem to be performing now).

If that performance is anything to go on, I can only imagine a big turnaround in players come June. Defensively, beyond the insistence on playing out from the back you guys looked fairly comfortable. Offensively, there didn’t appear to be an outlet. I felt comfortable all game barring the last five minutes.

That being said we were hideous and probably there for the taking.

Athleticism has been his buzz word since he came in.

We're playing quite a safe game at the minute, being solid and hope something clicks at the other end enough times to pull off the odd win here and there. I wouldn't say we're over negative or anything, we just don't have the required quality/mix of players in the '3' behind Walker (who I don't think are poor individually, it just isn't happening for them in any sort of partnership). We're not quite L1 quick in getting the ball into areas either.

Currently smack bang in the middle of two styles. We're being well organised, hard to beat and defensively fairly sound but haven't got much real pace to counter from deeper positions but on the flip side, we don't have the quality or speed of play to be more adventurous and expansive and to take more risks.

You can see flashes of what he wants but we're not a team or squad full of L1 experienced players to carry it out (I think only 4 of yesterdays 11 have played for any prolonged period of time in L1).

 

[codaplenty]

Well a welcome away win at Rochdale , our first since the end of September, and that after being twice behind in the match. Apparently Barton has changed the formation and playing 2 up front in Madden and Evans. 3 successive home games coming up starting with Gasheads on Sunday, promotion, pick any 2 from around a dozen or so teams, its like musical chairs !!

 

[Bucket_]

Tbf to Allsop, he seems to be that slow whatever the game situation is, winning, drawing or losing.

Yeah. Tbh, to me he'll always be the emergency loan keeper that lost us the playoffs against Plymouth a few years back. Impossible job!

 

[thewwfc]

Fair cop! I am probably biased having seen you a lot in the League 2 days, it just seemed like every subtle trick in the book was being played to slow the game and stop us from gaining any rhythm. Allsop/Jacobson taking just a little bit longer with their goal/free-kicks, throw ins being slowed up/taken from the wrong positions, balls being held on to until a blue shirt grabbed it etc. And sure Thompson seemingly was actually injured, but it took him three goes to decide whether he was or not! 6 minutes of added time in the first half was pretty telling, as was the sudden disappearance of all of the above as soon as we went a goal up.

But you’re right, it is just part of the game and our team certainly have our share of savvy players and straight up wankers (I would hate Ronan Curtis if he played for anyone else). I just think your lot take it that little bit further out of play.

I think we were worse for it in L2, it used to drive me up the wall. Every player who got substituted would mysteriously be in the furthest corner of the pitch, doing their boots up...we had a penalty shootout one time in the Tinpot Trophy (not even something worth cheating for) and our then goalie made a great show of taking off his gloves and putting them on again between each shot (fat lot of good it did).

We do take it further than most teams, sure, but I’ve seen a very round number of teams (the roundest of all) who don’t do it.

I think they’ve brought in a rule not that long ago though to stop players crowding the ref - much needed, we did that too much for sure.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Going to MK Dons away tomorrow, 5000 tickets sold by Pompey so should be a good day out.

 

[Marked Ox]

Going to MK Dons away tomorrow, 5000 tickets sold by Pompey so should be a good day out.

Have they stopped you sitting behind the goal and splitting the support like they did with us? I hope you can manage to create an atmosphere in the atmosphere vacuum that the ground sadly is.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Accrington away tomorrow for our annual no points haul at the crown.
Fortunately its forecast not to be pissing down on me as I stand on the open terrace watching us lose.

 

[iWomble]

God we were terrible. Wimbledon were also terrible but 2 weird/freak goals gave them the 3 points. Not sure they deserved the 3, probably a draw was fair but hey ho that's life.

Not a good start for Garner, first game in charge and we didn't really play the successful, direct football we've seen this season. A lot of tip tap football (especially in the first half) but absolutely zero penetration. It was kinda like watching an England game 3/4 years ago at home against a small nation - Wombles had all 11 players in their half whilst our CBs just passed it amongst themselves left to right.

Referee was absolutely terrible for both teams. Really not even sure he got a single decision right all game tbh. At one point, the Wimbledon player kicked the ball into JCH's face and the referee gave a freekick for it

Where does the EFL get these guys from?

That free kick he gave to disallow your goal was for one of the cleanest tackles I've ever seen, but he evened it up nicely with the penalty. We only ever turn up for at most half the game and should have been out of it by half-time but as you said you're definitely lacking invention and penetration in that system. Really didn't look a top four side but agree with what's been said about a lack of quality teams all round so playoffs are all up for grabs.

We are generally still quite bad but keep scraping these points, with a chink of daylight at the bottom now. Sanders and Forss are the main reasons for that so whether either or both go back to their clubs from loan in the New Year will have a massive impact.

 

[Bucket_]

Experimental 361 - League 1 Scatter Graphics 27th Dec

361 in with the hugely interesting stats again. Very interesting that we’re on top of the expected goals table.. points to us underperforming. These tables often seem to prove fairly true by the end of the season too, bar a few outliers of course.

Going to MK Dons away tomorrow, 5000 tickets sold by Pompey so should be a good day out.

Bummed I can’t go, enjoy it! It was a cracking atmosphere last time out. At one end, anyway..

 

[Kim Mitten]

Experimental 361 - League 1 Scatter Graphics 27th Dec

361 in with the hugely interesting stats again. Very interesting that we’re on top of the expected goals table.. points to us underperforming. These tables often seem to prove fairly true by the end of the season too, bar a few outliers of course.

Look at defensive effectiveness, surprised we even made it onto the graph!!

 

[GFC4EVA]

Another home win, deserved on that 2nd half performance as only one team wanted to win, rochdale came for a point and frustrated us in the 1st half, but 2nd was all one way traffic even though I didn't think the goal would come

 

[Pablosammy]

The quality of football is matching the quality of the pitch here at Prenton Park. Proper Sunday league stuff.

 

[PUSBCCFC]

Coventry v Wycombe today:

Hoof to chub, dive, moan, hoof, get passed about by City, hoof, moan, dive, hoof, City goal and repeat.

 

[thewwfc]

We were gash today and Coventry played well (apart from their defending for our goal which was pub league shit, just not as pub league as ours). Bad day at the office but we need to stop the losing run - Ipswich won’t be an easy game to do it.

 

[Bucket_]

Incredible how often the teams at the top are having mares. Another for us today. Oxford and Rotherham looking best set out of everyone tbh..

 

[Luke Imp]

Two of the tighest defences and lowest scorers in L1 managed to serve up an 8 goal thriller...

3 wins in 5 now, and only narrow single goal losses away at two PO sides. Ticking over a little bit now.

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Abysmal for 40 minutes, better side after that. Hit the post at the end but draw probably fair and our pitch is shite. Jake Caprice has been tackled by many players this season, but none quite as skilfully as the way the patch of mud near the Cowshed nicked it of him.

 

[Pugwash]

Well that was a game. Cods battered Rovers for 95 minutes but it just would not go in for us. We did get the ball in the net, liner kept his flag down ref indicated a goal, celebrations all round, the ref went to the liner had a chat and then liner put his flag up, que mayhem from the Cods camp. Rovers could have got a freak goal near the death.

One of the far better performances from the Cods, just missing the end result. Shocked at Rovers league standing given that performance which to be generous was pitiful. Let’s be clear it wasn’t Rovers ‘manful battling defending’ that got them a point it was the posts, crossbar, and Cods lack of precision.

Oh well Sunderland up next, if the Cods can continue with that effort and style of play I would be a very worried Mak'em going into the game.

 

[RLC]

I thought it was a pretty entertaining game, given the state of the pitch.

In the first half Blackpool were slightly on top, but neither side created much in general play and it was another moment of suicidal defending from a set play that gifted Pool the lead.

The second half was much more end to end with both sides having chances, but in the final half an hour I thought we were definitely on top. If Jennings' strike had not been brilliantly saved by their keeper, I think the victory would have been (just about) deserved.

Morgan Ferrier was superb for us and gave the Blackpool centre halves a real battering.

 

[Davidimp]

Two of the tighest defences and lowest scorers in L1 managed to serve up an 8 goal thriller...

3 wins in 5 now, and only narrow single goal losses away at two PO sides. Ticking over a little bit now.

27 points at halfway, very happy with that mate don't know about you?
Some cracking attacking play at times and throughly deserved win too.
Pressure building on Lambert? No win in 7 for Ipswich now, pressure of being favourite and expectation getting to them maybe?