20/21 Matchday Thread

[Kenneth E End]

0-0 at the Kenny, but a gazillion times better than Saturday thus far.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

At least we have got to the point where our final ball is a problem, not sure we have even got to that point recently! We have kept the ball better tonight than of late but lack of cutting edge still a concern.

Couple of players looked bright so far - Morrell not doing anything spectacular but keeps things ticking, Adebayo has done the job youd expect of a big man up top, kept the ball well and held it up. Ince got in some good positions but things havent come off for him from there yet.

Defensivley some real nervy moments from Bradley though - hes missing the steady prescence of Lockyer I think. Naismith....not sure whats all that about but he looks poor, not sure what he is but fairly sure it isnt a left wing back from what Ive seen.

 

[Atavistic]

A win while playing nowhere near your best is always welcome, and getting this one tonight to keep the winning run going feels like it could be a crucial moment as we enter the final third of the season. The 3-1 scoreline definitely flatters us tonight, but we'll take it.

I would feel sorry for Birmingham, as they probably deserved a point from their performance, but they've been utter dross on and off the pitch for a while so I really don't. I'd rather see Rotherham stay up for a change than keep on seeing Birmingham scrape on by every year.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Disappointing to drop those 2 points in the last few seconds of the game. Played well, felt we deserved the goal but we essentially stopped playing at 1-0. Started playing it to the corner on 85 minutes when there was going to be at least 5 mins of added time (there ended up being 6) and its cost us eventually. Really, really do not like that kind of stuff, what you going to do, keep the ball in the corner for 10 minutes?

The goal itself you could see coming, dont think we have had a game against Smith where he hasnt caused us massive problems - felt dangerous as soon as he came on.

Some promising things in there, Adebayo looked really good and we stopped the rot of defeats but it stings a bit like defeat as the 3 points where there for the taking.

 

[thewwfc]

woop woop, scored a shit goalmouth scramble, then each team badly screwed up a penalty whilst we defended like madmen, down to 10 men after a totally stonewall last man rugby tackle.

Reading were a very good side and always looked dangerous on the break so all the more pleasing to hold on for the win.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

All going to bunch up again soon i feel, we have a big run of games coming up starting with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Key games on the horizon against Wednesday, Forest, Rotherham, Coventry (interspersed with Norwich and Swansea). Those games are going to be crucial - as most of our games are very tight affairs its going to come down to fine margins. Could be safely mid table by the end of that run or well in trouble.

 

[Kenneth E End]

To be honest considering their run of form or late and ours, before KO I’d have probably taken a 1-1, but the way we played for the first hour or so, until we made all the changes, we more than deserved our lead against a side that we’re doing nothing in the game.

You could argue that Graham Scott pulled 6 minutes out of his arse but the time wasting was just criminal that far out from the final whistle. And the defending for the equaliser is a facepalm moment.

This is easily the worst Championship division I’ve seen in the four seasons I’ve seen us play in it. The standard has dropped off dramatically since last year - it seems to be full of negative tactics and teams “doing nothing” in games.

 

[oakroader]

If,as the commentators predicted,Millwall we’re going to fire in crosses to their big guns at the death then why did NJ take off a 6 foot 4 player instead of a smaller player?Adebayo may well have been knackered at that stage but would have been a better deterrent...
Again..what did Naismith contribute??

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Thought Naismith improved second half but I’ve not been overly impressed so far. First half was a bit bizarre from him, doubt he completed a pass or a dribble without falling over his own feet.

Don’t think our time wasting was egregious but when you take the ball to the corner that early you’re just highlighting to the ref you are playing for time. What annoyed me the most was that at least 2 of the times we went to the corner we had postive options in the box to actually kill the game with a second.

That whole last 10 minutes was so poorly managed by us, there’s a bit of kidology you have to play with the ref and taking it to the corner that early just heightens there awareness of all the other little bits - being a bit slow at goalkicks etc.

 

[SF_]

Our last 4 games.....

Cardiff
Gave away a penalty in less than a minute, wasn't a penalty like.
Second half gave away a goal in less than a minute after gifting possession.

Watford
Gave away a penalty a few minutes after half time.

Blackburn
Gave away a penalty on the stroke of half time, wasn't a pen either but 'welcome to the Championship'

Rotherham
Own goal after 15 seconds of kicking off.


What a sorry set of bastards.

 

[Craig]

Shite

 

[Super_horns]

Made it hard for ourselves at the end with sloppy marking from the corner but deserved the win with good attacking play and great to see the 3 attackers score.

Sods law though the defence seems a bit iffy atm.

4 in a row though.

 

[SF_]

Anthony Gordon is the only reason why anyone would watch this PNE team right now.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Important game for us tomorrow vs Sheffield Wednesday. Thought Jones came across a bit defensive in his press stuff this week so maybe feeling a bit of pressure about things in the build up to it. Clear he’s been listening to some of the criticism of late.

Team will be interesting as he kind of hinted that changes made against Millwall were more to give players a rest and those rested players - Collins, Pelly, Rea et al will be back. For each one on the basis of the performance v Millwall I can’t see how you drop the player that replaced them without it being very harsh indeed. Morrell, Adebayo were particularly impressive alongside Ince etc.

Need a win really because the gradual slide down the table is continuing, still a bit of a cushion but you can’t keep saying that and not winning. Could do with what we did in the Birmingham game of getting a win and just settling everyone down for a few weeks at least!

 

[Kenneth E End]

I really do not understand how Rea gets in front of Morrell on current form. Its becoming a bit of a joke. I'd also be really pissed off if I was him, as Jones' intransigence could cost him his Wales Euro 2020 place.

 

[oakroader]

We all interpreted the mass change last week as a punishment or an indicator that he won’t tolerate lacklustre performances..
For most of the game the pressing was better and there seemed to be a renewed desire to play for the shirt again...
Then he tinkers again...

 

[Atavistic]

Wycombe away tomorrow, and this one really strikes me as a potential banana skin as they've picked up a few results of late and come very close in most of their recent defeats (at least, in terms of scoreline). Cantwell and Hernandez both likely to miss out with injury, so will likely see Placheta start on the left wing. I'd like to see Vrancic rested to give Dowell some minutes (and to let Vrancic work his magic as an impact sub again, as he did in the reverse fixture), but Farke almost certainly won't make any unforced changes again. Gibson is 50/50 to return in the centre back position, which would also be a big boost as Zimmermann is just nowhere near as good as him.

Would happily take a hard-fought, scrappy 1-0 win tomorrow to keep things ticking over.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Important game for our mindset rather than a have to win, making it a dont lose for me. We've actually extended the gap back to 9 points in recent weeks.

Lineup will be VERY interesting to see if he chops back and will give us a clear idea of how set in his ways Jones is. Bannon always seems to give us problems so need to keep him quiet. Miss Lockyer or should i say Bradley does. If he drops Adebayor or Morrell Id be upset. Collins prob more clinical but Adebayor linked play so well and Id forgotten what it looked like to see the ball trapped. Beyond me how any level of pro cant master this basic kids necessity. Rea maybe a better sheild against the top sides, but has awful distribution and ball retention lately, which Morrell didn't have either and consistently got us moving with forward passes.

These arent a top side and we need to get amongst them and cause problems and ask questions

Need a good display, not a necessarily a win. And please. No fucking time wasting with a quarter of the game to go. Be brave. Hold and move the ball. Go for the Jugular, but in a controlled way

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Important game for our mindset rather than a have to win, making it a dont lose for me. We've actually extended the gap back to 9 points in recent weeks.

Lineup will be VERY interesting to see if he chops back and will give us a clear idea of how set in his ways Jones is. Bannon always seems to give us problems so need to keep him quiet. Miss Lockyer or should i say Bradley does. If he drops Adebayor or Morrell Id be upset. Collins prob more clinical but Adebayor linked play so well and Id forgotten what it looked like to see the ball trapped. Beyond me how any level of pro cant master this basic kids necessity. Rea maybe a better sheild against the top sides, but has awful distribution and ball retention lately, which Morrell didn't have either and consistently got us moving with forward passes.

These arent a top side and we need to get amongst them and cause problems and ask questions

Need a good display, not a necessarily a win. And please. No fucking time wasting with a quarter of the game to go. Be brave. Hold and move the ball. Go for the Jugular, but in a controlled way

Pretty much how i feel about this too. Spot on about Adebayo and his link up play, thought it was excellent midweek. He showed a bit more of a desire to get into the box as well once hed done his linking too, which Collins often will continue to drift wide too often. Both his goal and his headed chance he missed hed been involved in the buildup and then peeled off to the box.

I think Rea is an important cog and his defensive ability and structure he brings to the midfield is often very important to us but if you arent going to try and get on the ball and ask questions of a low confidence side who are 23rd in the league at home, you just have to question what the point of even bringing Morrell into the club is.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Jones gets a Gold Star

 

[BelizeHatter]

Naismith could use a good game..........heavy dose of understatement

 

[BelizeHatter]

........and since the football Gods seem to be listening

 

[Super_horns]

The main game plan of anyone must be to basically score first against us.

We never seem to come back from behind.

Just lacked sharpness and let in a silly goal because we weren't concentrating.

Oh well - come on Stoke/Bristol City.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We have been genuinely awful. Should be at least 2 goals down already. Just absolutely all over the place defensively. We’ve got big problems if Lockyer is out for too much longer.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Turns out we do need Rae as they are an attacking threat

 

[Kenneth E End]

The last 90 minutes of football have been nothing short of pathetic.

 

[oakroader]

Been on a bad run lately?
Not scored for a while?
Need a psychological lift?
Then welcome to the gateway to paradise

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We have been so, so bad. I know everyone is going to say we still have a bit of a cushion to those below, but i am really concerned now. We cant score and we have started leaking goals alarmingly now. This has been terrible today to a team who have barely looked threatening in the 3 games prior. Doing a Charlton from last season.

 

[oakroader]

Booooo!!!

 

[BelizeHatter]

Thank the lord for that cushion. We are gonna need every feather of it