Leamington

[Neil Baker]

To be fair we made that exact point at half time, it is sometimes easier said than done, as many times in my career I have been waiting for the whistle when you are expecting it, and sub consciously switch off... but as I said that was our criticism on the goal, as if we had not assumed, then we might not have been out of position and exposed....

[HorshamRebel]

Thanks Neil,

 

From a person who would have been there, but couldn't make it, that explanation of the game helps with the ones I have been told by others (directly), and explains what they were trying to say, really well.

 

As with the refs and assistants, they are making massive mistakes on this new off-side law from the top to the bottom.

The FA needs to send out a letter to all officials re-iterating the changes to make sure there is more consistency, otherwise this change will become a farce.

[redwine rebel]

If you think for one minute Stuart that I think I am above others or are part of the inner circle (Whatever that is) just because I go to away games, you have really pissed me off big time.

 

My comment was because working is not always I believe a good enough reason.

 

In fact I'm so angry I will speak to you Saturday.

[Gashimoto]

Thanks Neil for your comments and explanation of how you saw and managed the team.

 

I appreciate insider info you both provide.

 

Whilst not in any circle I agree with most of your comments and will be cheering the team and management on on Saturday.

[richierebel]

Neil, interesting points about the game, and is obviously why you were both angry at the ref at full time, I hadn`t seen that from my vantage point behind the goal, however it was another goal that we conceded in the first ten minutes of a game.  That is something is very frustrating (especially when i keep having my golden goal time in the 2nd half!).

 

For their 3rd goal you mentioned the block in the box but we fell for the quick short corner routine, where we were not quick enough to get out and block the cross coming in the first place.  I lost count how many times from our full backs, Sean in particular where his cross smacked straight into the first man.  Their goalie kept shouting no cross, and we obliged!  Having said that, I agree, our fight and spirit and general play in the 2nd half was much much better.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Would comment but finishing work at gone 5 on the Surrey Kent border meant I couldn't make it, so I agree with everyone who went.

[Sloughboy]

Has Saturday taken on must win status or must not lose in people's opinion?

 

Yes I know nothing is won or lost at this stage, however this does seem a significant game for our me two state?

[Sloughboy]

Our mental state that meant to say at end

[Radders]

Neil I appreciate everything you've said and think 99% of it is highly accurate and a fair reflection of the game. My one sticking point will still be the third goal where, as Richie says above, if we stop the short corner then the blocking in the middle won't matter. Whoever was our player on the nearest edge of the area to the corner (think I know it was but not going to name 'and shame' in case I'm wrong) he saw the 3 run past him but still failed to go to the player. The 3 then had 3-4 seconds to control the ball from the corner taker and put in the cross. If we go to the 3, we either put him under more pressure and not as much time to pick out the exact ball he wants, or the corner taker changes 'plan' and goes direct. Either of these could obviously still lead to a goal but I do feel doing nothing, as we did, gave them a real helping hand.

 

Aside from that I honestly did leave the game last night feeling positive about what I'd seen and with full belief we will get the win we need very soon and hopefully Saturday.

[Reading Rebel]

Has Saturday taken on must win status or must not lose in people's opinion?

 

Yes I know nothing is won or lost at this stage, however this does seem a significant game for our me two state?

 

 

In the great scheme of things it's probably not a must win game but for the players confidence I'd say it's a must not lose game. 

[Reading Rebel]

I will give you my views on the game, some may agree some won't that is the beauty of football:

 

Personally I felt we were very unlucky last night, and I would not say we have been "unlucky" in last few games, On Saturday at 3-2 we threw away an excellent chance of getting something from the game by not playing with any real desire or pace for the last 15 minutes, and in fact it became quite easy for Basingstoke, and for that we were really annoyed and frustrated.

 

However last night was very different, firstly we felt we were on the wrong end of a decision regarding the new offside rule (which could be said for Saturday also) a long ball was played in the vicinity of Sean and their lad who was behind Sean who made a movement to the ball (then realising he was offside) put his hands up as to say he was not going to play it, however he was close enough to the action for Sean to almost stop and appeal and therefore creating problems as I think we then had 2 players out the game due to the full back gambling.. last year this would not have been offside, this season it is meant to be, however this rule has caused confusion amongst players and officials... being picky we should not have stopped, however easier said than done when you are convinced someone is in an offside position.

 

They have put a ball in the box but by which point we are exposed defensively and the lad has scored with what looks like a free header, however this does not happen if the decision is given.

 

The second goal you have to say is a fantastic 60 yard ball over Jhai's head, which meant the right winger was in on the right hand side byline cutting in looking to play the ball across the goal for the onrushing striker, and with Guy Hollis and Ryan Hope breaking their necks to get back in line, and block the danger (the goal) Ben Mackey has checked his run leaving him space on the edge of the box, we did talk about this at half time and could one of the defenders also checked their run, however again this all happens very quickly and both had in their minds to cut off the danger of the goal, and for me you have to say it is an intelligent ball , but also clever play and finish from Mackey.

 

Now this was incredibly frustrating as at that time we had been chasing balls down, and keeping it well, we had a few chances, and visited their box on numerous occasions., and by no shape looked to be 2 goals worse than Leamington.

 

The third comes from a well worked corner, where lad gets a free header in the box, now with regards to the "free header" Leamington have got a block on Adam Martin and Dan Hicks (to the extent the block on Adam resulted in a fat lip, and a potential free kick against him) now again you have to say that this is decent play from Leamington, and is no different to what we try for some of our corners, and on numerous occasions have ended up with free headers (however we have not punished teams by scoring) , The free header is not from someone not marking etc, it is a block which results in the space, that even when you know it might happen is very difficult to stop... obviously if the ball is right, then more often than not a player who they will be aiming for will get a free header at goal if executed well, and also if ref does not see the block and give a free kick. Frustrating that we have conceded, but nowhere near as bad as you think, this happens week in week out from the premiership down to sunday football, we have scored so many times from this in the exact way in the past (granted not this season)

 

So we find ourselves 3-0 down at half time, away at 2nd placed Leamington, and for me totally undeserved with the way the half transpired.... obviously it is easy to say we were rubbish because we were 3 down, however for us we were not (and we have said numerous times this season when we have been poor)

 

Contrary to what people may have thought, we did not go in and shout at the lads, as they had done very little wrong in the game, and we felt the scoreline was unjust (backed up by their manager also).. we were very positive, but also with the knowledge that they needed to show up and be counted and not throw the towel in second half, which when a team has little confidence could quite easily happen.

 

However their was positive vibes in the changing room, and I felt that we more than equipped ourselves second half against a good side, and if for a little bit of luck could quite easily got ourselves back in the game, yes they had a few chances, but felt we dictated the game, and even their manager spoke to us after the game, saying he felt the scoreline was flattering, and that our midfield had stopped them from playing (something they are used to doing) from our high intensity.

 

I thought our overall passing at times second half was as good as any game we have played this season, and for me I do not think it was because Leamington dropped off the pace, as I felt we had done similar for good periods first half also.

 

Now the criticism is we are not taking the chances we are getting at present, and as we all know goals change games, we have created numerous amounts in the last 4 games but have only scored 3 (one of which a penalty), if we were not creating then yes that would be huge problems, but we are... so whilst everything is not great (as football is a results business) it is not all doom and gloom.

 

We have made a conscious effort to change one or two things over the coming weeks, but this will not bear fruit straight away (however it is frustrating for us as managers because we felt we would be strong enough with what we had)

 

We may have to tinker with a few things over the coming weeks, but in reality 3 points will make a huge difference to us, and will hopefully see confidence flooding back, as that is hugely what football is about.

 

We expect to have a new signing amongst our ranks for the weekend, who has excellent pedigree, and we will be working ever so hard to try and change our luck and get a positive result against Bideford....

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded thoughts.. COYR

 

 

Thanks Bakes.

 

As usual I'm sure we're all appreciative of your reflections on the game which go a long way to help to clear up any misconceptions.

[Hammer_rebel]

Such a kiss arse RR

[Matt]

There are video highlights produced by Leamington and you can clearly see where Adam Martin is taken out by two Leamington players before the third goal goes in.

[Reading Rebel]

Such a kiss arse RR

[epicrebel]

Highlights They are of cause slanted towards Leamington but quite good, not showing the second half we had.

 

[Reading Rebel]

 

Such a kiss arse RR

 

 

 

Have I taken over 3spirits mantle?      

[Reading Rebel]

The block on Adam Martin for the third goal was bordering on GBH.

 

If he watches it back I'd like to think the Ref would be suitably embarrassed but I somehow doubt it. 

Edited October 1, 2015 by Reading Rebel

[staines_rebel_Jr]

If you watch the video at half speed then you can see it is not a block at all. The player is trying to go around the outside of Adam but runs out of space and the collision is inevitable.

 

Whether you think it is a foul or not, Dan hicks lets his man go and he is the one who gets a free header.

 

 

 

This is my first time seeing anything about the match and the first goal should have been offside. The second Jhai Dhillon should have headed the ball clear initially but even after that you could claim the defence could do better, only if you are being critical though.

 

 

 

P.S. If you want to watch the video at half speed then click on the small cog shape icon bottom right of the video and select speed - 0.5. The incident is at 7.30.

[Jon Underwood]

If you watch the video at half speed then you can see it is not a block at all. The player is trying to go around the outside of Adam but runs out of space and the collision is inevitable.

 

 

 

SRJ, it's 100% a block. The player knows exactly what he is doing and has no intention of going around the outside. That will have been worked on in training, just in the same way we work on those things. We have missed several free headers ourselves in recent weeks with the space being created by the same kind of "accidental collisions". The difference is we haven't taken our chances.

 

Won't deny we couldn't have defended better on all 3 of the goals however.

[Ian]

So, Leamington's first was from a well-rehearsed illegal block that they got away with the same as we rehearse in training? It's a bit churlish to complain when we admit to trying the same thing - it's just that on this occasion they executed it better than we do.