1st Matches of 2021-22 Season: 7th August 2021

[The Terminator]

Creditable point and performance overall away at Nerdford. I thought we performed well in the first half and again look a team difficult to get at and we managed to score when we was on top. The only way they got level was with an absolute belter of a goal from Matt Willock, I was right in line with it and sometimes all you can do is step back and acknowledge a worldy of a goal.

Second half Nerdford clearly upped the tempo and more out of their attacking players, Lawrence Vigouroux made 5 saves, they had a goal ruled out for a tight offside and they missed a guilt edged far post header to nick the win - we rode our luck in terms of chances, but we did still force periods of pressure and balls into the box despite not really creating too much.

If we actually manage to get a bit more depth into our squad - particularly up front, I feel we can do well as I keep saying. As hard as Aaron Drinan worked for us today, he has very little attacking intelligence or nous. We had a very, very young bench, so to get something out of today was pleasing.

Nerdford showed their attacking threats in the second half, I feel a weaker team would've eventually lost to them today as they do have some quality forward players - That Asante looks a good find.

 

[valefan16]

Have to agree about the 3–5-2. It’s not that Worrall is bad there as he can do a job but when you have someone who is so good creatively it’s wasting him at RWB. He is at his best getting to the byline and then getting the ball over whereas now he is coming from deep all the time and it’s not as difficult to defend. The other thing dare I say is he’s now over 30 and it’s asking a lot of him to play what is a very physically demanding position.

This is why I liked the 4-2-3-1. Maybe once Gibbo is back we can switch to it.

I like the 4-2-3-1 didn’t we use that a lot in the promotion season with Jeno Dodds and Vincent behind Pope, really took some teams apart that season with it.

Woz, Conlon and Rodney behind Wilson might work well with Pett and Walker in behind them.

Even without Gibbo we have Cass we could use there.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Another reasoned, articulate response from John Yems on YouTube.

I must admit I do like them.

Casey

Just saw his interview came across as a bit of a knob to be honest.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Best team won over 90 minutes, I think Crawley had one shot second half after about 70 minute, header about three foot wide, we had three glorious chances first half, all going just wide, second half was a little flatter from us but deserved that late goal on the balance of play.

Burey looked good when he came on but you can see the lad is a winger and not a striker, lightening quick and loves to beat his man.

Byrne is gonna be a fan favourite here and Timi had the game of his life, their front line got nothing from him all game.

Fucking get in boys!

Didn't know what to expect today, but we were pretty comfortable,apart from butterfingers Killip fucking about.
Looked like it was heading for a draw,but Tyler Bureys pace & movement made a big difference,leading to Holahans neat winner.

 

[Huntsman94]

Yes, both the wide men caused us problems, particularly in the first half.

I think their problem was that Wilkinson was playing as a lone striker. He is a really good player but does not seem suited to that role. As a result, they did not create much despite some good approach play.

That was a big difference. Walsall would spend about 15 passes trying to break us down and not get much success whereas from a goal kick, we had carved them open within 3 passes.

 

[Casey]

Just saw his interview came across as a bit of a knob to be honest.

He has become infamous for his interviews after games where he thinks we haven't performed to the required standard.

Last season he called out a reporter, who is a friend of his, telling him not to ask stupid questions.

Over the top, heart on sleeve, should learn to compose himself. ? Yes, but so much better than the usual platitudes.

Casey

 

[FGR Stroud]

Very mixed emotions: lovely to win when team not playing at their best.
Early indications are therefore that watching FGR will be a fascinating treat.

 

[FGR Stroud]

FGR adopted the new anti-racist message at start of game by having both teams standing in centre circle before start of game.
They've done away with kneeling on the knee which brought whistles of derision from some because perhaps it was too closely associated with the political BLM movement.
Yesterday, when the teams stood together, many supporters stood up to applaud their heroes.

 

[Salvador]

Sobered up and reflecting on yesterday’s game I can see some positives. A lot of our team will have just met and that was obvious. Passes going astray. But some of the runs we were making were spot only for the second ball to let us down. Im confident things will click over the next few games. I expected a bumpy start as things settle.
Could’ve gone either way yesterday. Harrogate came out of the blocks in the first 10. We looked shaken. 2nd half the momentum was all ours. To come back from 2-0 was encouraging. But a flare on the pitch and 5 mins of stewards arguing over whether to pick it up really knackered our momentum.
Ah well. Onwards to… err Harrogate… again.

 

[Gassy]

Missed the game as was flying home but turned on in the 95th minute to see the penalty. One of those things that happens in the box at every corner on the history of football, but the difference being that when you’re in a crowded box and everyone’s doing it - you have this sort of group safety.

But to do it like we did right in front of the referee was just stupid. Can’t say it’s a definite penalty, as I can see the argument against - but it’s a penalty IMO.

Not too bothered about the result, with all our injuries upfront a loss was expected. It’s more annoying to lose to a 95th min pen than anything tbh

 

[AdamStag]

Agree with Adam on the daft Rovers' discipline but in agreement with you here. If we didn't get the win I'd have thought two points lost albeit a close game.

I thought originally the ref tried to let things go the best he could do, he was pretty anonymous first half, but had to come to the game more 2nd half, and we were no angels ourselves in honesty.

the big 2 decisions went our way, but when you look back at them it’s pretty impossible not to agree with the ref - the red was ridiculous and lashing out like that. i’ve no doubt cost them the points, why do such a thing. though i suppose when you’ve joey barton as manager what do you expect?

The penalty again was silly, you’re in the last throes of the game and you manhandle like that, again you simply can’t do that and the correct decision was made.

Nice to start with a win, onwards!

 

[Uncle Pastuzo]

Walsall supporters - how did Labadie do? I see he got his statutory yellow.

 

[shoddycollins]

FGR adopted the new anti-racist message at start of game by having both teams standing in centre circle before start of game.
They've done away with kneeling on the knee which brought whistles of derision from some because perhaps it was too closely associated with the political BLM movement.
Yesterday, when the teams stood together, many supporters stood up to applaud their heroes.

Give it five or six games and the new message will be deemed by some as 'too political', especially if adopted beyond Forest Green.

 

[JaredSUFC]

Still drying out after yesterday. Typically the heaviest rain was just as FGR got the winner.

I thought we looked decent for most of the game yesterday, the biggest fear was being outclassed so at least my biggest on the pitch fear failed to come to pass.

We had an issue last season with late goals costing us points, and it’s started again. (Although as Matt Gray said in his post match interview with SUFCTV we also won a few points late in games last season).

Other than the 3 goals I don’t recall either keeper making too many saves. Lovely cross from Ajiboye for our goal as well.

Yesterday was a free-hit, I expected us to lose tbh and we lost. But then we always lose our first game in a new division.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Give it five or six games and the new message will be deemed by some as 'too political', especially if adopted beyond Forest Green.

Perhaps YES but I sincerely hope NO.

 

[AdamStag]

Give it five or six games and the new message will be deemed by some as 'too political', especially if adopted beyond Forest Green.

I think if they tried that at mansfield they’d be chased out of town with a pitchfork

 

[FGR Stroud]

I think if they tried that at mansfield they’d be chased out of town with a pitchfork

Genuine question:
Did Mansfield players go down on one knee last season?

The procedure adopted by FGR is very much less in your face than that. I did not see one player raise his right fist in a BLM political gesture.
Also it is great to have the two teams line up shoulder-to-shoulder for photo opportunities.

 

[AdamStag]

Genuine question:
Did Mansfield players go down on one knee last season?

The procedure adopted by FGR is very much less in your face than that. I did not see one player raise his right fist in a BLM political gesture.
Also it is great to have the two teams line up shoulder-to-shoulder for photo opportunities.

If i’m totally honest i don’t remember. I wouldn’t really be bothered either way, though i’d take a dim view on anyone who booed a person who decided they wanted to.

I agree that there should be something that’s done for all though, rather than one specific movement (i do also appreciate why that movement took place in the first place), so your idea for me works.

 

[BlackCountrySaddler]

Thoughts on Tranmere vs Walsall yesterday.

Thought a draw would of been a fair result, we both created very similar chances & Tranmere managed to put one away.

Thought the ref was poor, looks like we should of had a penalty in the first half & the Tranmere red card was harsh. It was a hard challenge but eyes on the ball, studs not showing, it was a yellow at most.

It was clear both teams had 8/9 new signings & lacked a proper striker.

Tranmere will be up there come the end of the season, I think with our current squad we will get top 10, but if we get this striker we're apparently in for it could push us just into the top 7.

 

[Chris FGR]

Give it five or six games and the new message will be deemed by some as 'too political', especially if adopted beyond Forest Green.

Taking the knee is rightly or wrongly linked to BLM, which is the excuse some make for booing it.

This standing together against racism isn’t linked to any left wing politics, seen it done at Prem games and in other countries so no excuse for anyone to boo it.

 

[BlackCountrySaddler]

Walsall supporters - how did Labadie do? I see he got his statutory yellow.

He was exactly what we expected from him. Solid in the middle, put a couple of good challenges in, Kinsella (lad next to him in cm) tends to chance the ball down alot & with Labadie next to him, it gave him the freedom to do so unlike last season with Stuart Sinclair next to him. He also seems to have a good eye for a pass.

He got forward well towards the end but had two awful attempts on goal.

 

[AR27]

Was quite impressed with us yesterday. Until that last minute miss from Atangana, I thought we had the better chances in the game but just lacked the composure when it mattered.

Good to see us playing with high energy and some attacking purpose after the last few years.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

How many debutants did Walsall have today. We had 7 and its not going to click into place straight away for either side.

We had 9 debutants, and it showed. Still positive signs.

 

[Conker]

Agree with Adam on the daft Rovers' discipline but in agreement with you here. If we didn't get the win I'd have thought two points lost albeit a close game.

Yeah red card and penalty completely avoidable.

Really glad both our new strikers got off the mark, Oates did really well in front of that diamond too, but no way Lapslie will be kept out the side so somebody will make room eventually.

Noticed Hewitt was not even on the bench due to injury, we need to hurry up and sign another CB or we might end up with a few issues.

 

[Robshep]

We had 9 debutants, and it showed. Still positive signs.

Our 1st choice left back is out and his cover was only ready for the bench so the unfairly red carded Merrie played out of position.
Thought the replacement 4th official did a terrible job.

 

[Bone Idle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1424038724229271564

Big kev!!! what more can you say.

 

[Myblueheaven04]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1424038724229271564

Big kev!!! what more can you say.

Well done on your win.
It was a killer blow in the 88th minute, we set up for a draw due to the covid outbreak in the team and lack of players but once we have a full team we'll be fine.
Good luck for the season.

 

[Bone Idle]

Well done on your win.
It was a killer blow in the 88th minute, we set up for a draw due to the covid outbreak in the team and lack of players but once we have a full team we'll be fine.
Good luck for the season.

You were better than us first half! but had nothing up top to hurt us, i think we were the better team after the break but the same old problem of not having a striker who knows where the goal is was killing us that is until flynn brought ellison on and as we all know anything can happen when he is on the pitch.

Good luck to you for the rest of the season also, two teams that can only get better cos if we don't we are both in trouble.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1424038724229271564

Big kev!!! what more can you say.

Fair play to Ellison.
What is he,42 & still going.
Right narky twat,but I wouldn’t mind him a Pools shirt.

 

[AdamStag]

Fair play to Ellison.
What is he,42 & still going.
Right narky twat,but I wouldn’t mind him a Pools shirt.

Agreed the man is a legend