V Weymouth H 22nd October

[Reading Rebel]

21 minutes ago, Footyfan007 said:

674, I reckon circa 80 away fans 

A rough count of 50/60 behind the goal.

[Agu the Rebel]

I think there was more than 674 yesterday, it certainly felt like more. Tough result to take yesterday thought we probably just about deserved to nick it overall, and certainly no less than a draw, having said that I'm sure weymouth fans probably felt they just about deserved it. One of those games. Certainly not a team that played as if they are bottom of the league and agree with Wycombe Rebel, a false position for them.

[Windsor Rebel]

I rarely post on this forum these days (although I always read it), but after what happened yesterday here is my take on the game:

I thought  we  were easily the the better footballing side and Weymouth were there for the taking. However, it was like

groundhog day, very similar to the Hemel and Dover games in that despite our pretty football there was no end product 

and it was only a matter of time till Weymouth scored. Despite being 2-0, we hauled ourselves back into the game and after 

the Weymouth guy was sent off we had enough time to press on and win. So what did we do: again pretty football and 

caught in possession for their winning goal. We need to get some steel into the team as playing nice football

with no end result wont win games.

 

[Reading Rebel]

17 hours ago, Nathan said:

Third week running we've comfortably beaten. This time at home against 10man bottom team. A brief flurry after the substitution should not gloss over the fact that for 90% of the game we were easily second best. 

Forget the playoffs if we carry on like this we'll get relegated. 

Nathan, I have to disagree that we were 'easily second best'.

I can only presume that this comment was made in the heat of the moment.

It was a very even game which I thought we edged over the course of the game without having the strike power to finish off some of the good play from our midfield.

Of course our defending left a lot to be desired and you cannot keep giving goals away and expect to get a positive result.    

[Holyport Rebel]

Flippin' 'eck.

How did we lose that one ?

Talk about clutching defeat from the jaws of victory !

With 20 minutes to go we've come back from 2 nil down to drawing 2 -2, playing against 10 men, and  I'm thinking we're going to win this one and what a massive boost to the team's confidence that will be.

Next I'm walking out of the ground at the final whistle doing my best Victor Meldrew  impression.

" I      doooooooon't     belieeeeeeeeve    it !!!!!!!!!! "

Yet again we concede the first goal of the game near the half hour mark, but I thought it was a very harsh decision.

My view was that it was handball but no way was it intentional and no way could Joe (it was Joe wasn't it? ) have got out of the way of the ball as it was struck so close to him.

I've felt a bit sorry for Dan Roberts in the games he's played on loan for us the last few weeks.

He is not a Mark Hughes of Man Utd type player, who can battle 2 or 3 defenders on his own up front, although Dan hasn't helped his cause by not putting away any of the few clear chances he's been presented with.

When we went 2 nil down I thought that was the end of the contest.

That brought the introduction of the young striker on loan from Satan's very own club, and what a difference he made.

I'm not sure I appreciate any Satanic help, but I can't deny his goal changed the tone of the game, and when Scott scored that great free kick and  Weymouth were down to 10 men I thought the 3 pts would be ours.

When Weymouth hit the post with a rocket shot and it bounced back into play rather than into our net to make it 3-2  I thought the God's were finally on our side.

I should have known the God's were just playing with us.

Can somebody tell me how Weymouth with 10 men were able to launch counter attacks in the last 10 minutes when their attackers outnumbered our defenders ?

That should not happen.

I can't really begrudge Weymouth their win.

With 10 minutes to go and the match tied 2 each, most teams players would collapse to the floor at any opportunity to get the physio on, to break up the game and waste time.

I thought their goalie did a "dying swan " act having caught a cross near the end of the match, but apart from that I thought it was our physio on the pitch mostly to attend to our players , which really didn't help our momentum.

I knew we were playing Weymouth at the wrong time. 

A month ago we were on a great run and they were down and out.

Bloomin' typical.

Is it just me, because it feels to me like opposing players getting into our box turn into dead eyed 'Erling Haaland's" , and unerringly find the top corner or shot just inside the post, whereas we turn into Gary Birtles lookalikes when he signed for Man Utd !

Oh well, let's see what Tuesday night brings.

P.S. Thought the Weymouth fans gave their team great support. I can't deny them their joy at winning their first league game of the season in such a manner.

 

 

 

    

 

 

[Reading Rebel]

52 minutes ago, Holyport Rebel said:

Flippin' 'eck.

How did we lose that one ?

Talk about clutching defeat from the jaws of victory !

With 20 minutes to go we've come back from 2 nil down to drawing 2 -2, playing against 10 men, and  I'm thinking we're going to win this one and what a massive boost to the team's confidence that will be.

Next I'm walking out of the ground at the final whistle doing my best Victor Meldrew  impression.

" I      doooooooon't     belieeeeeeeeve    it !!!!!!!!!! "

Yet again we concede the first goal of the game near the half hour mark, but I thought it was a very harsh decision.

My view was that it was handball but no way was it intentional and no way could Joe (it was Joe wasn't it? ) have got out of the way of the ball as it was struck so close to him.

I've felt a bit sorry for Dan Roberts in the games he's played on loan for us the last few weeks.

He is not a Mark Hughes of Man Utd type player, who can battle 2 or 3 defenders on his own up front, although Dan hasn't helped his cause by not putting away any of the few clear chances he's been presented with.

When we went 2 nil down I thought that was the end of the contest.

That brought the introduction of the young striker on loan from Satan's very own club, and what a difference he made.

I'm not sure I appreciate any Satanic help, but I can't deny his goal changed the tone of the game, and when Scott scored that great free kick and  Weymouth were down to 10 men I thought the 3 pts would be ours.

When Weymouth hit the post with a rocket shot and it bounced back into play rather than into our net to make it 3-2  I thought the God's were finally on our side.

I should have known the God's were just playing with us.

Can somebody tell me how Weymouth with 10 men were able to launch counter attacks in the last 10 minutes when their attackers outnumbered our defenders ?

That should not happen.

I can't really begrudge Weymouth their win.

With 10 minutes to go and the match tied 2 each, most teams players would collapse to the floor at any opportunity to get the physio on, to break up the game and waste time.

I thought their goalie did a "dying swan " act having caught a cross near the end of the match, but apart from that I thought it was our physio on the pitch mostly to attend to our players , which really didn't help our momentum.

I knew we were playing Weymouth at the wrong time. 

A month ago we were on a great run and they were down and out.

Bloomin' typical.

Is it just me, because it feels to me like opposing players getting into our box turn into dead eyed 'Erling Haaland's" , and unerringly find the top corner or shot just inside the post, whereas we turn into Gary Birtles lookalikes when he signed for Man Utd !

Oh well, let's see what Tuesday night brings.

P.S. Thought the Weymouth fans gave their team great support. I can't deny them their joy at winning their first league game of the season in such a manner.

 

 

 

    

 

 

Not sure where you've been lately HR 😉 but your post match views are certainly different 😂 and for me an enjoyable read.  

[Reading Rebel]

18 hours ago, SloughFlyer said:

Which game did you go to today Sir Rebel? It clearly wasn't the Slough v Weymouth one?

We were rubbish for the first 60 minutes, decent for 15 minutes after the substitution and then 2 of the most brain dead bits of play by Matt Lench cost us at least a point. 

1st - Lench could have just headed the ball away from the winger but tried to bring it down/let it go and then does his normal thing of hoping the rest of the players bail him out, 3 passes later we are 3-2 down to  the team bottom of the league that hadn't (before today of course) won a game!!!!

2nd - 94th minute - 9 men in the box and Lench decides the best thing to do is to have a shot from 25 yards out with his weal foot.

A genuine question for those behind the goal - why at the end of the game did you applaud him? Then he sulks off head down, through the tunnel.

After that performance, Matt Lench MUST be dropped completely from the squad f9r Tuesday night.

As for the rest of the game, 1st half we only created 1 clear cut chance which Josh Jackman blazed over the bar from 10 yards out. The pen looked harsh from where we were sitting but I can see why the ref gave it. Other than that, 1 excellent save from Rhys was all Weymouth created. 0-0 at half time would have been a fair reflection.

2nd half, 1st 15 minutes equally poor and an excellently taken goal from the #2 for Weymouth and something had to be done. Personally I would have taken Lench off, but Goddard has been equally poor apart from the odd flash /game. The strike from the young Wycombe forward 30 seconds after coming on was excellent (possibly own goal from #6?) And we were back in the game. The young Wycombe forward then gives #6 no chance after being booked and we are against 10 men. A brilliant free kick from Scott Davies and we are level and really looking like we would win the game. A few good chances again for 20 minutes but didn't take any of them (AGAIN) then the quality that is Lench hits and once again we have come away with nothing.

Something need to change really quickly otherwise we are going to be in for a long winter!!!!

Can't say I noticed the above views on Matt Lench SF which is a bit worrying from my point of view on the games I watch.

All I can say is all players have poor games and imo the time to call for change is when it keeps occurring. 

I'll have to watch the match highlight because I'm sure other players were just as culpable for the goals we let in.

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

28 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

Can't say I noticed the above views on Matt Lench SF which is a bit worrying from my point of view on the games I watch.

All I can say is all players have poor games and imo the time to call for change is when it keeps occurring. 

I'll have to watch the match highlight because I'm sure other players were just as culpable for the goals we let in.

Have to say, I won’t be quite as brutal as SF 😂 but I thought Lench was infuriating yesterday

[SloughFlyer]

I said in the summer Lench shouldn't have been re-signed and I've seen nothing at all this season to tell me otherwise.

He has started to pass the ball backwards most of the time, he loses it and doesn't chase back to try and win it back, his output of goals and assists have gone completely, I have no idea why he is allowed to take corners and free kicks as his delivery is very poor, when the ball is out of play he walks away not facing it(some of the most basic things) and yesterday took the biscuit. All he has to head the ball away and that situation is dealt with. He didn't and then stopped (as normal) then holds his hand up to apologise. Then in the last seconds of the game, box filled with players makes a terrible decision and the exection was even worse on the shot. 

Just the culmination of the the season for me and as we have been struggling to score goals, he and Jonny Goddard, if they are to play, really need to start helping out in the goals and assists column as the attacking midfielders we have.

 

[Reading Rebel]

53 minutes ago, SloughFlyer said:

I said in the summer Lench shouldn't have been re-signed and I've seen nothing at all this season to tell me otherwise.

He has started to pass the ball backwards most of the time, he loses it and doesn't chase back to try and win it back, his output of goals and assists have gone completely, I have no idea why he is allowed to take corners and free kicks as his delivery is very poor, when the ball is out of play he walks away not facing it(some of the most basic things) and yesterday took the biscuit. All he has to head the ball away and that situation is dealt with. He didn't and then stopped (as normal) then holds his hand up to apologise. Then in the last seconds of the game, box filled with players makes a terrible decision and the exection was even worse on the shot. 

Just the culmination of the the season for me and as we have been struggling to score goals, he and Jonny Goddard, if they are to play, really need to start helping out in the goals and assists column as the attacking midfielders we have.

 

It's only an opinion but I think players like Aaron Kuhl, Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard set a high bar with what we know they can do and when performances dip below this level they tend to get more criticism than some others.

I actually think Matt Lench's corners and free kicks are pretty decent and in general imo has been one of our better players over the course of the season so far.

Yes, like all players he can improve makes mistakes/errors of judgement like the header and shot you mention and his assists and goals should be better but these 'failings' apply to most of our midfield who so far this season have scored 6 goals between them and without knowing the stats have probably created very little.

Agree that a big improvement is needed and that means not only Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard but other players need to step up to the plate if we are to get back to getting some wins on the board. 

Edited October 23, 2022 by Reading Rebel

[SloughFlyer]

6 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

It's only an opinion but I think players like Aaron Kuhl, Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard set a high bar with what we know they can do and when performances dip below this level they tend to get more criticism than some others.

I actually think Matt Lench's corners and free kicks are pretty decent and in general imo has been one of our better players over the course of the season so far.

Yes, like all players he can improve makes mistakes/errors of judgement like the header and shot you mention and his assists and goals should be better but these 'failings' apply to most of our midfield who so far this season have scored 6 goals between them and without knowing the stats have probably created very little.

Agree that a big improvement is needed and that means not only Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard but other players need to step up to the plate if we are to get back to getting some wins on the board. 

100% agree with all of that RR, apart from the obvious about Lench. The whole team needs to start stepping up and I just hope that once Harris and Benyon are back we start performing.

[SloughFlyer]

Just watched the highlights on YT🙈🙈🙈.

I understand that we don't have Ronaldo and Messi in out team but all I want is 100% effort and the rest will come.

Watch that last goal, once the ball is "left" by Lench and tell me he busts a gut 100% effort to correct his mistake and help his team mates out. The worst thing is, he knew it was his mistake as what the video doesn't show is as he trudged back to the half way line, his put his hand up to the bench to apologise.

Also watched Neil's interview this morning and you could see how disappointed he (and I'm sure by extension Jon) were with that overall performance. Only surprising bit was with the players called out (and I understand Wells for the 2nd and Dandy for the pen) but when listing names, Lench wasn't there?

As for the pen, tough one from the footage, but unfortunately, I can see why it was given and would have been disappointed if it wasn't given for us at the other end. What I would say is, just before half time the #10 for Weymouth got the ball on the right hand edge of the 6 yard box and Dandy is lucky the 10 didn't fall over following the push in the back he gave him, or that would have been another pen!!!!

[Footyfan007]

Never a pen, Joes arm was behind his back, hits the side of his body from close distance. As I said to my mate on the day the ref was to eager to give it and should have consulted with the linesman who I believe said it was not a pen at the time and would have had a better angle. 

why have linesman if your not going to communicate with them!

[SloughFlyer]

Just now, Footyfan007 said:

Never a pen, Joes arm was behind his back, hits the side of his body from close distance. As I said to my mate on the day the ref was to eager to give it and should have consulted with the linesman who I believe said it was not a pen at the time and would have had a better angle. 

why have linesman if your not going to communicate with them!

I think its the frame after that, that causes the ref to give it FF, as Joe's arm goes up. Questionable, but as I said, I'd have been disappointed if that hadn't been given for us.

As for the linesman / assistant referee bit, it is quite amazing through all the games we go to, how little stock is given to them by the refs at all levels. As an example, we heard 1 linesman, after a clear foul led to a goal at Beaconsfield a few weeks back (foul almost on the centre circle following a break away from a corner) that he couldn't help the ref as it "wasn't his zone"!!!!!!!! It seems like in recent seasons linesman have just become a tool to give offside as, if you watch, many times they look at the ref to even give a throw on.

Oh that and making sure players don't step 1 inch over the touch line when getting a drink, as that would be a massive crime!!!!!

[Footyfan007]

2 minutes ago, SloughFlyer said:

I think its the frame after that, that causes the ref to give it FF, as Joe's arm goes up. Questionable, but as I said, I'd have been disappointed if that hadn't been given for us.

As for the linesman / assistant referee bit, it is quite amazing through all the games we go to, how little stock is given to them by the refs at all levels. As an example, we heard 1 linesman, after a clear foul led to a goal at Beaconsfield a few weeks back (foul almost on the centre circle following a break away from a corner) that he couldn't help the ref as it "wasn't his zone"!!!!!!!! It seems like in recent seasons linesman have just become a tool to give offside as, if you watch, many times they look at the ref to even give a throw on.

Oh that and making sure players don't step 1 inch over the touch line when getting a drink, as that would be a massive crime!!!!!

Ref and linesmen are a team and should communicate to reflect on making the correct decision, why they don’t is beyond me!

imo the other two goals very avoidable, Wells should have had cover in case being beating on the outside but for some reason covering Slough player to far forward when Weymouth player on the edge of the box was already marked!

Third goal has been covered on forum. 

 

[Footyfan007]

1 hour ago, Reading Rebel said:

It's only an opinion but I think players like Aaron Kuhl, Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard set a high bar with what we know they can do and when performances dip below this level they tend to get more criticism than some others.

I actually think Matt Lench's corners and free kicks are pretty decent and in general imo has been one of our better players over the course of the season so far.

Yes, like all players he can improve makes mistakes/errors of judgement like the header and shot you mention and his assists and goals should be better but these 'failings' apply to most of our midfield who so far this season have scored 6 goals between them and without knowing the stats have probably created very little.

Agree that a big improvement is needed and that means not only Matt Lench and Johnny Goddard but other players need to step up to the plate if we are to get back to getting some wins on the board. 

Difficult to judge as some midfielders are not in the box for second phase balls when attacking from corners / set pieces as an example, so you would then really have to drill down another level as they have differing roles to play for the team.
I tend to watch how many players have got in the right position (doing the right thing) or not as the case may be and learn why they are not being found from watching clips, games back.

 

[Reading Rebel]

19 hours ago, SloughFlyer said:

Just watched the highlights on YT🙈🙈🙈.

I understand that we don't have Ronaldo and Messi in out team but all I want is 100% effort and the rest will come.

Watch that last goal, once the ball is "left" by Lench and tell me he busts a gut 100% effort to correct his mistake and help his team mates out. The worst thing is, he knew it was his mistake as what the video doesn't show is as he trudged back to the half way line, his put his hand up to the bench to apologise.

Also watched Neil's interview this morning and you could see how disappointed he (and I'm sure by extension Jon) were with that overall performance. Only surprising bit was with the players called out (and I understand Wells for the 2nd and Dandy for the pen) but when listing names, Lench wasn't there?

As for the pen, tough one from the footage, but unfortunately, I can see why it was given and would have been disappointed if it wasn't given for us at the other end. What I would say is, just before half time the #10 for Weymouth got the ball on the right hand edge of the 6 yard box and Dandy is lucky the 10 didn't fall over following the push in the back he gave him, or that would have been another pen!!!!

I've watched the 3rd Weymouth goal and the long ball forward was mis-judged by Matt Lench.

Ok you could say Lenchy didn't try to get back but even if he did try to 'bust a gut' it was a lost cause because there was no way he could have got to where the ball was and where the goal was scored from. 

What I did notice from the highlights was that Lenchy did a lot of good work and was a focal point in a lot of our good moves which I remember when watching the game rather than one error of judgement that lead to a goal.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

21 hours ago, Wycombe Rebel said:

Have to say, I won’t be quite as brutal as SF 😂 but I thought Lench was infuriating yesterday

infuriatingly good?

[bluerebel]

I have always been an admirer of Matty but I would like to see him playing the game as he did when he first joined us. ie Getting up to support the lone striker and charging forward with the ball. I feel he is playing a bit too deep now almost as a defensive midfielder- the roles that Lee and Scott are doing. He has to many players to beat and then turns back into trouble rather than releasing an early ball.

[Guest Wycombe Rebel]

10 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

infuriatingly good?

I wish that were the case! 
 

Just thought he made the wrong decision a lot and didn’t put in a lot of effort at times