Ratings (3 Viewers)

[larry_david]

It was nervy though, in a weird way play off match will be less nervy. Listen to the crowd cheering or sighing when goals were going in at other games even though it was irrelevant as long as we drew. There was such a fear that despite being nigh on impossible, we were going to 'do a cov city'

At least play off game there's no other distractions, the crowd are invested fully, as are the players. If that makes sense.

 

---

[shmmeee]

You did notice from the off the tactic was long ball from the back including from Wilson, BNC had a few sorties down the right but not a lot, that was always going to surrender midfield possession, we even had chances to increase our lead, it worked until we had that minute of madness on half-time, at the time I blamed Eccles but it was 100% Hamer.
This was an eight out of ten performance from all in what must have been the most nervy game most had played in.

I think we overdid it a bit second half due to nerves. You could see Robins wanted them out a bit further. Always been an issue with this team a tendency to drop back and try and protect what they have.

 

[fernandopartridge]

I still remember Kelly getting slated after the defeat away at Forest Green Rovers in Feb 2018. He went off injured in the same match that Jodi Jones did his first ACL and didn’t play for 10 weeks after. He got absolutely slated in his first match back, that FGR game, while people were loving Doyle for shouting at the referee twice, despite not moving from the centre circle all game.

Anyway, Kelly has always needed time to get his match sharpness. In all divisions he’s played for us in. Think people forgot that after the Wrexham game. Been a superb captain since he came back in to the team.

You wouldn't have thought with his energy levels that he was the old man of the two sides' midfield, was everywhere yesterday. I also think that he does use the ball better when he's fitter and has got a bit more confidence.

 

[SkyBlueSoul]

One of the best hangovers I've had, solid 8/10

 

[Calista]

Godden who set up our goal

There's no emoji for this

 

[Esoterica]

You wouldn't have thought with his energy levels that he was the old man of the two sides' midfield, was everywhere yesterday. I also think that he does use the ball better when he's fitter and has got a bit more confidence.

He's 'only' 33. That said, I do think 3 central midfielders has played a significant part in his recent success. Not sure if he could play in 2 man central midfield at this level still. I think his biggest issue though, like Godden, is staying fit for an extended period of time.

 

[Offhegoes]

It's clear Godden is a 'doing a job' for the team in the absence of O'Hare & Palmer. He would be better as the lone striker or in a 2 with a natural no 10 to provide chances for him. In this system he's supporting Vik, and having to do stuff that is not his natural game. Clearly Robins doesn't think McGuire or Walker are up to the task. Godden has done OK and still managed to find the net despite being quiet in almost all the games. Even if Robins did revert to a 5 man midfield it would be Allen playing furthest forward which again isn't really his position. A shame McGuire wasn't up to standard as that would of given us plenty of options recently.
If we go up and keep Vik, Godden will be used more off the bench I think. Robins won't play 2 up front in the Premier League. Hopefully we'll have O'Hare & Palmer supporting Vik.

 

[stupot07]

I think we overdid it a bit second half due to nerves. You could see Robins wanted them out a bit further. Always been an issue with this team a tendency to drop back and try and protect what they have.

Definitely, we were very scared of their pace. And went so deep to try and deny them space behind. But we ended up giving them too much space and time on the ball.


Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

[stupot07]

Gonna get pelters here but didn’t think we were great, particularly down our right defensively and in midfield where we dropped far too deep and didn’t use the ball well enough. I suspect if we played like that on Sunday we’d get a pasting. We looked nervy.

Thought Vik looked good, Godden anonymous. Kelly very good for when we’re holding onto the game, but felt his use of the ball put us under a lot of pressure. His nightly fouls were appreciated in the middle though. Eccles didn’t seem to impact as much. Hamer was Hamer. Bidwell was solid as every but BNC defensively looked dodgy every time the attacked down that side. And I think it was his man for the goal?

Centre backs were generally good and Wilson was fine.

Probably 8s for Vik and Hamer, 6 for Godden and Cuffy and 7s for everyone else? Even that might be a bit generous TBH.

I agree, we were pretty poor, but did enough to get a point. We can't afford to play that badly and concede that much possession, territory and space over 2 legs. An improvement is needed.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

[fernandopartridge]

I agree, we were pretty poor, but did enough to get a point. We can't afford to play that badly and concede that much possession, territory and space over 2 legs. An improvement is needed.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

I think you are really exaggerating - we did what we needed to do and were more than good for the point if not all 3.

 

[SheafIsGod]

Eccles: L0L

 

[mmttww]

It's flying under the radar a bit, but without Godden we're not in the Playoffs for me. His work pressing is outstanding. His hold up play has improved. He's still popping up where a striker should be when he needs to but not getting found as often as he should. Thankless tasks. Genuinely think he's developed as a footballer over the last few months which at his age, with his skillset, is incredible. Credit to him and the coaching team.

 

[steve101]

It's clear Godden is a 'doing a job' for the team in the absence of O'Hare & Palmer. He would be better as the lone striker or in a 2 with a natural no 10 to provide chances for him. In this system he's supporting Vik, and having to do stuff that is not his natural game. Clearly Robins doesn't think McGuire or Walker are up to the task. Godden has done OK and still managed to find the net despite being quiet in almost all the games. Even if Robins did revert to a 5 man midfield it would be Allen playing furthest forward which again isn't really his position. A shame McGuire wasn't up to standard as that would of given us plenty of options recently.
If we go up and keep Vik, Godden will be used more off the bench I think. Robins won't play 2 up front in the Premier League. Hopefully we'll have O'Hare & Palmer supporting Vik.

Would you have Palmer and O'Hare ahead of Hamer in the attacking midfield role, assuming we can hold on to him. Hamer would be my number one alongside either of the other two.

 

[shmmeee]

Would you have Palmer and O'Hare ahead of Hamer in the attacking midfield role, assuming we can hold on to him. Hamer would be my number one alongside either of the other two.

Not necessarily, but I wouldn’t have Hamer. It’s rarer to find a CM like Hamer than any AM who can produce. Hamer and Sheaf are a good base pairing with a lot of experience together.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Would you have Palmer and O'Hare ahead of Hamer in the attacking midfield role, assuming we can hold on to him. Hamer would be my number one alongside either of the other two.

It's a great problem to have.

I think it depends if we're playing two strikers or one.

Two strikers I'd go for Sheaf and Eccles either side of Hamer.

One I'd go for Sheaf and Hamer behind O'Hare and Palmer. And then you'd still have Eccles/Kelly to bring in in the deeper role and Allen in the more attacking ones. Would have no problem with Eccles sitting beside Sheaf so Hamer can push up next to O'Hare, or indeed Allen alongside O'Hare as the energy in the press would be fantastic.

 

[Esoterica]

In general terms, if you play 3 in midfield, you have a creative 10, a sitter, and a guy who goes box to box. The box to box role ticks all of Hamer’s boxes. I think he’d score 12 goals if given the freedom in a full season.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

In general terms, if you play 3 in midfield, you have a creative 10, a sitter, and a guy who goes box to box. The box to box role ticks all of Hamer’s boxes. I think he’d score 12 goals if given the freedom in a full season.

So pleased we get to see Hamer and vik for a couple more games at least