Bigot's view of the York City game

[Blind Bigot]

On a bitterly cold day and with a pitch that resembled Blackpool beach in places it was pretty obvious the game wouldn't be a football classic and - it wasn't!

 

Both sides put plenty of energy into their play but with a ref who seem determined to favour the home team, Fleet were up against it in the opening half. We feared the worst after York took the lead and continued to press forward but as time wore on, Fleet gradually gained a degree of composure, if not much in the way of attacking ideas. The game cried out for someone to put their foot on the ball, to slow things down and pass it but sadly no one could. At half-time I feel that despite their league position York City weren't much better than Fleet and that if Fleet could grab an early goal York might wobble.

 

As it turned out Fleet had the majority of second half possession and with a quota of luck, could have drawn level. The ref continued to annoy with some totally biased decisions and while Fleet were trailing 1-0 they never gave up and it was the York City fans who were willing the final whistle.

 

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed the day apart from the score obviously and was impressed with the vocal support from the Fleet faithful. I'll be over at 'The Shay' in late April, I just hope my presence at games is not becoming a jinx!

 

Regards

 

BB

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[jc]

Well, I expected nothing yesterday and we got nothing, but that doesn't make me feel any better about us playing one man up front until the last four minutes. Starting with 4-5-1 basically said that we were playing for the 0-0, and once the early goal game and this plan went out of the window, it's hard to believe that it took Liam so long to show more attacking intent. One could argue that it was an attempt to prevent the game turning into a thrashing, which is understandable, but by the second half York were creating very little and our defence was largely on top, so an attacking change really should have come much earlier. Like against Crawley (which was even more curious, given that we started with one proper striker at home against a side then bottom of the table), tactics were just too cautious - we're having enough trouble scoring goals as it is.

 

We may have battled hard for an equalizer, but the fact that we had one shot on target all game tells its own story.

 

On a positive note, Jukebox again dispelled the myth that he doesn't put the effort in, chasing a number of apparent lost causes. Furthermore, it was good to see the return of Jay. It was surely no coincidence that our best period of the game (i.e. a ten-minute spell in the middle of the second half) came almost immediately after his arrival. Hopefully this run-out has helped him return to match fitness, and we'll be seeing him start against Tamworth next week - a game we really must win to rekindle at least some interest in this now rather soporific season.

[donaldinho]

I'm sorry Bigot but that's absolute b*ll*cks. Daish clearly came with a plan to rough up York's players and, in fairness, it worked - but only because the referee was so p!ss weak!

 

I've never seen such a thuggish display from an opposition team. McKimm stamped on Neil Bishop's head right in front of the ref and only got yellow! How do you explain that one? Meanwhile, our player, Dunning, got booked for taking a bloody free-kick too quickly! But sorry, I forgot, the ref was biased against you <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

Then there was your captain, McCarthy, who manhandled Donaldson and Andy Bishop all afternoon and yet had nearly every decision awarded in his favour. If that wasn't enough for him, when a decision was finally given against him (and it was a bookable offence), he proceeded to spend the next minute sarcastically applauding the linesman (another bookable offence) and received only a yellow, before flattening Dudgeon as the players lined up for the subsequent free-kick. Of course, the ref missed that one.

 

Do I also need to mention that niggling little pillock Saunders who seemed to have been brought on solely to jostle Neil Bishop and try to goad him into a reaction? Or the fact that your 'keeper managed to gain 5 yards on every free-kick that was awarded to you, unopposed? Or that you got 5 or 6 men around the referee whenever anything was awarded against you?

 

It's just a shame that the referee was only 21 as he was bullied by your players from the kick-off. He was completely out of his depth.

 

It's also disappointing that we allowed ourselves to be unsettled by a bunch of neanderthals whose sole intention was to kick, push and verbally abuse our players. Unfortunately at this level you can't rely on any protection from referees.

 

In summary: if you honestly thought your display was worthy of a point then fair enough but don't give me any of this biased sh!t <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

[Blind Bigot]

Hey fella, how’s it going? Watch the old bloody pressure mate!

 

It seems to me that a team with designs on promotion should be able to cope with and counter any so called 'game plan'. Yes the game was scrappy but York City were as much to blame for head-tennis, ping-pong, scrap ball, as Fleet were. As for Fleet players roughing up your lads, what about the tackles that flew in when Fleet tried to attack? All for the ref to turn a blind eye every single time!

 

The game's over now and you scraped a win, be thankful for that! BUT I wasn't impressed with your team neither am I impressed with your foul mouth and your arrogance so 'pop-off sunshine'.

 

BB <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/afro.gif" alt="" />

[jc]

Quote:

donaldinho said:McKimm stamped on Neil Bishop's head right in front of the ref and only got yellow! How do you explain that one?

Er, McKimm looked to catch Bishop accidentally with his boot as he moved away.

Quote:

donaldinho said: Meanwhile, our player, Dunning, got booked for taking a bloody free-kick too quickly! But sorry, I forgot, the ref was biased against you <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Swings and roundabouts, I'm afraid - Bobby Bowry was booked for the same offence at Cambridge the other week.

Anyway, if a player takes a free-kick without the referee's permission, the referee is supposed to book him (see 2nd paragraph of Decision 3 of Law 12 of the LOAF).

[EUFC superb]

In the first half to say we were poor would be the understatement of the century. I counted about 4 clearences from beneath our own bar.

In the second half we didn't really create that many chances even though we had the majority of the play. Jay was left unmarked in the box, probably a certain goal, but chose to square it to the marked McCarthy <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. But overall a good second half attacking display and the defence didn't do to badly.

I felt the ref didn't do any team any favours but saying he was biased towards us is a bit much to take, he gave York a couple of needless free-kicks.

Me & my dad left two programmes on the mini-bus by accident, is there any chance someone else picked them up?

[jc]

Quote:

gnfc superb said: Jay was left unmarked in the box, probably a certain goal, but chose to square it to the marked McCarthy <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

Jay still had a little bit to do, but yes, he was in a better position to score than McCarthy was.

[BustaGut]

York Football league???? I listened to the BBC commentary on york city radio. There commentators were pleased to hang on to a 1-0 Victory. they also ridiculed the pitch non stop.surely to be promoted back up there pitch would have to be of a certain standard.it was mentioned that there would be no problem building sand castles on the pitch, with the amount of sand needed.Or is there no rules about the actual standard of the playing surface?? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[jc]

One corner of the pitch was distinctly devoid of grass, but generally it didn't play too badly given the recent wintry conditions.

[donaldinho]

Now that I've got that off my chest, I should clarify that I have nothing but the utmost respect for every one of the 60 travelling away fans yesterday. Fair play to you all.

 

Apologies also for the industrial language. I was riled purely because I could not believe that anyone would suggest that the referee was biased towards York. I've already outlined why in my earlier post, and I would add to that that in the first half, several very poor tackles from Gravesend players in the midfield area went unpunished (insofaras your players were not booked).

 

I just find it hard to comprehend the blatant incompetence of so many of the officials at this level. My issue with the referee isn't just about how much he - in my view - allowed you to get away with; it was his blatant stupidity. For example, in about the 3rd minute of stoppage time when we had the ball in the corner, your player won it back. Our sub, Joe O'Neill launched himself into a two-footed lunge at your player, which the ref completely ignored (given the intent, it should have been a red card) and then Steve Thomas proceeded to execute a perfect sliding tackle on your player. What does the ref do? Awards a free-kick and books Thomas! Absolute lunacy.

 

I stand by my comments that you had a game plan to come and 'soften us up', particularly in the midfield area. However, ultimately, it is up to the referee to stamp his authority on the game and protect the players. Unfortunately, he was completely gutless and this worked to your advantage.

 

Two other points:

 

Someone above said that McKimm's stamp on Bishop was accidental. I completely disagree - he looked like he knew exactly what he was doing, only to realise afterwards that the ref was a yard away and quickly feign concern for Bishop. However, given that the ref must have interpreted it as accidental, why then did he book McKimm?

 

Second point - yes, the pitch is awful (it was even worse a month ago!) and in need of some serious work. However, it's hardly as though this works to our advantage. In fact, it's almost completely nullified the threat of Clayton Donaldson who, in the early part of the season, was probably the most dangerous player I've seen at this level.

 

All said - all the best.

[Blind Bigot]

While it seems that knocking refs is a growing hobby amongst football fans I prefer to question the motives of players!

 

If I had the chance to ask Graham Taylor (Chair/Secretary of the Footballers Union) one question it would be 'Why do your members continually try to con match officials by diving, cheating and trying to get each other sent off?

 

Refereeing is a difficult enough job, made more so with the pace of the modern game and levels of players fitness etc. So why are we subjected to blatant cheating? It's absurd! And in the end, it's anti-football and I believe will eventually contribute to it's ruination as a mass spectator sport!

 

BB <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/affig.gif" alt="" />

[Hirsty]

BB- Thanks for your continued following, support and comments....hope David Graham is doing ok for you....couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo when he played for Wednesday !! Andy Booth was & is always class though !

 

Donaldduckio -....or whoever you are.....whilst I was not at the game yesterday, so cannot comment on events at the match, I can comment on your comments.....you seem to be a cross between Wenger & Mourinho.....i.e. winge, winge, winge...or....I didn't see it !!

 

Regards,

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hump.gif" alt="" />

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

donaldinho said:
Now that I've got that off my chest, I should clarify that I have nothing but the utmost respect for every one of the 60 travelling away fans yesterday. Fair play to you all.

Apologies also for the industrial language. I was riled purely because I could not believe that anyone would suggest that the referee was biased towards York. I've already outlined why in my earlier post, and I would add to that that in the first half, several very poor tackles from Gravesend players in the midfield area went unpunished (insofaras your players were not booked).

I just find it hard to comprehend the blatant incompetence of so many of the officials at this level. My issue with the referee isn't just about how much he - in my view - allowed you to get away with; it was his blatant stupidity. For example, in about the 3rd minute of stoppage time when we had the ball in the corner, your player won it back. Our sub, Joe O'Neill launched himself into a two-footed lunge at your player, which the ref completely ignored (given the intent, it should have been a red card) and then Steve Thomas proceeded to execute a perfect sliding tackle on your player. What does the ref do? Awards a free-kick and books Thomas! Absolute lunacy.

I stand by my comments that you had a game plan to come and 'soften us up', particularly in the midfield area. However, ultimately, it is up to the referee to stamp his authority on the game and protect the players. Unfortunately, he was completely gutless and this worked to your advantage.

Two other points:

Someone above said that McKimm's stamp on Bishop was accidental. I completely disagree - he looked like he knew exactly what he was doing, only to realise afterwards that the ref was a yard away and quickly feign concern for Bishop. However, given that the ref must have interpreted it as accidental, why then did he book McKimm?

Second point - yes, the pitch is awful (it was even worse a month ago!) and in need of some serious work. However, it's hardly as though this works to our advantage. In fact, it's almost completely nullified the threat of Clayton Donaldson who, in the early part of the season, was probably the most dangerous player I've seen at this level.

All said - all the best.

Some serious backtracking, there DD? We don't mind opposition fans coming on here giving a different perspective on a game - it is usually refreshing and can often give a view of the game that we hadn't considered, this, after all an open forum for debate.
BUT.... we as a rule do not venture to away forums simply to slag off other teams or refs.... and we particularly DO NOT use inappropriate language - especially as we know fans of all ages and gender come on here.
Your apology for your "industrial language" is accepted.... you are clearly intelligent and articulate, why use bad language on here in the first place?
That sort of english we leave to the Confguide forum, UkranianPhil and chums.
On the terrace it is (within reason) ok, as it is spontaneous and unpremeditated, but on a forum,, a big no, no.
See you next year, no doubt.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Quote:

jc said:
Well, I expected nothing yesterday and we got nothing, but that doesn't make me feel any better about us playing one man up front until the last four minutes. Starting with 4-5-1 basically said that we were playing for the 0-0, and once the early goal game and this plan went out of the window, it's hard to believe that it took Liam so long to show more attacking intent. One could argue that it was an attempt to prevent the game turning into a thrashing, which is understandable, but by the second half York were creating very little and our defence was largely on top, so an attacking change really should have come much earlier. Like against Crawley (which was even more curious, given that we started with one proper striker at home against a side then bottom of the table), tactics were just too cautious - we're having enough trouble scoring goals as it is.

We may have battled hard for an equalizer, but the fact that we had one shot on target all game tells its own story.

On a positive note, Jukebox again dispelled the myth that he doesn't put the effort in, chasing a number of apparent lost causes. Furthermore, it was good to see the return of Jay. It was surely no coincidence that our best period of the game (i.e. a ten-minute spell in the middle of the second half) came almost immediately after his arrival. Hopefully this run-out has helped him return to match fitness, and we'll be seeing him start against Tamworth next week - a game we really must win to rekindle at least some interest in this now rather soporific season.

The most depressed I have ever seen you, JC.
It is as times like this you should see the best from the manager. We have a dead season, with little to play for except an LDV spot, so why not try a little ambition in your line up. Without Charlie Mac we are always going to have difficulty in scoring...4 goals all season from the remaining strikers is a tetament to that; so why try an ultra defensive 4-5-1.As you rightly said. we went into the game not expecting to scoring, we got our wish.
My main gripes with Liam are his apparent inabilty to find alternatives and change things around, and pointless 86th minute tactical substitutions.
What we need at the moment is imagination and flair. We are getting the opposite. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[jc]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:The most depressed I have ever seen you, JC.

I shouldn't complain really. While our first (and only) shot on target came a little later than our first ones at Boreham Wood and Dagenham (both about 60 minutes; at York, it was 68 minutes), it was much earlier than the first one at Tamworth (i.e. in the 90th minute), and at Forest Green we didn't have one at all.

The fact that I've taken to noting this statistic so assiduously in games probably tells you something.

[Hempstead Gaz]

You watch most, if not all games, whilst I can only make 80% of home games, which qualifies to to give a more reasoned answer to " Are we a more defensive side under than Liam than Andy?"

[Harry J Allstars]

Yes we are. Not that that is a bad thing.

 

What is a bad thing though is Liams lack of creativity. We're mid table at best, were not going down and abviously not going to make the play offs. Why go to York playing one man up front? We could and should have been 5-0 down at half time.

 

Why not have a go at York and see if we could nick a goal or two? Had we have done this we would have won the game. It wasn't until the second half that our manager realised that we were allowed to score as well.

[jc]

Quote:

Chatham Gary said:
You watch most, if not all games, whilst I can only make 80% of home games, which qualifies to to give a more reasoned answer to " Are we a more defensive side under than Liam than Andy?"

Harry's answer serves the purpose pretty well on this one. I certainly can't remember Andy ever starting a game with one up front. There's nothing wrong with playing one up front under certain circumstances, of course, but Saturday wasn't one of those occasions.

[The Truth]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
We're mid table at best,

Mid table would be an excellent result in Liams first season as a conference manager.

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:were not going down and abviously not going to make the play offs.

The fact that there has been no danger at all of getting caught up in the relegation fight and the fact that some of our fans believed we had a chance of getting into the play-offs should both be seen as a massive vote of confidence in Liams management.

The signings of Ross, Craig and Charlie (when fit) give us the backbone of a side that can compete with anyone in this league but we need a few more top quality players before anybody should start being dissapointed with a mid table finish.

Here is the real truth....618 people turned up to watch us play Hereford, we don't deserve a mid table side. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[jc]

Quote:

The Truth said:The fact that there has been no danger at all of getting caught up in the relegation fight and the fact that some of our fans believed we had a chance of getting into the play-offs should both be seen as a massive vote of confidence in Liams management.

Here is the real truth....618 people turned up to watch us play Hereford, we don't deserve a mid table side. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

But that paltry attendance could well be linked to the fact that while a mid-table finish would be a good performance, entertainment is what a lot of floating fans will want, and there hasn't been a lot of that on offer at present.

It's a difficult issue - results are obviously the most important thing to the board, management and hardcore supporters, and ultimately it's not the manager's responsibility to provide entertaining football. However, the combination of uninspiring matches and poor results (i.e. no wins in our last six league games) is worrying, and leaves one to wonder whether our method of grinding out results proves just too cautious at times.

Still, had you offered me an 11th-placed finish at the start of the season, I'd have gladly taken it. But a mid-table Conference finish in isolation won't excite floating fans nearly as much.