Colchester Post Match

[philce]

And with respect to JoeyB's post, can someone tell us what was going on in the Family Stand too? It was the only interesting thing that seemed to happen today.

I think someone spilt their Bovril, lots of finger pointing at something.

The amount of stewards that ran over was impressive, I wonder what they do when someone runs on the pitch?? Oh hang on, what exactly was he trying to acheve?

Back to the game, shit, shit and shit. Was it just me or did it bring back painful memories of the disaster that was last season? No players singled out, all were crap, Oakley should be a captain, that he certainly wasnt! Ok so the officials were crap, but we should beat teams like this every week.

I'm looking forward to next week now, better to go into it on this crap than getting an underserved win and the "players" thinking they just need to turn up to win.

[Guest]

I think someone spilt their Bovril, lots of finger pointing at something.

The amount of stewards that ran over was impressive, I wonder what they do when someone runs on the pitch?? Oh hang on, what exactly was he trying to acheve?

Back to the game, shit, shit and shit. Was it just me or did it bring back painful memories of the disaster that was last season? No players singled out, all were crap, Oakley should be a captain, that he certainly wasnt! Ok so the officials were crap, but we should beat teams like this every week.

I'm looking forward to next week now, better to go into it on this crap than getting an underserved win and the "players" thinking they just need to turn up to win.

I agree with your post, and would like to thank you for explaining it better than I could.

[Daggers]

It's not going to be easy, they are pushing for a play-off slot and don't want to come to lose and we're lacking Steve's commanding presence up front. I expect a lack of goals and some miserable bastards moaning on.

And was I wrong? No I ****ing wasn't.

It's amazing the insight some troll-fascists have.

[Koke]

If he's dislocated his shoulder like they suspect then slim to no chance of him being around next week or for his England game either sadly! Gutted for him if that is the case as he's said in the interviews recentley how much the call up meant to him!

If he has dislocated his shoulder he won't be around any time soon. Shame really, cos' he's been great for us. And with King & Howard already out and Dyer off form, the last thing we needed was Cleverley to get crooked.

[pooleyLCFC]

Just like to make a few points

1 - Dyer looks back to his old self whether this will continue is another question

2 - substituting Gradel was bizarre as he brought us some flair and urgency

3 - Dickov did more in the whole game than hayles and fryatt put together who were just poor

4 - when Howard isnt playing the long ball game doesnt work seems that Morrison and Hobbs dont see this and by doing this we lose our creativity through King and Oakley

5 - We look a much better team and create more when we play on the floor with short sharp fast flowing passes

6 - Hope Cleverley has a quick recovery worst timing for the lad EVER

[StanSP]

peterborough are THE form team, not sure what their run in is like.

They were in-form when we thrashed them at our place.

But there's different factors this time around. Obviously Howard out and we are playing away. Now Cleverly is out and we are playing inconsistently.

Might actually prove to be a good match!

[Lillehamring]

The big problem today, not for the first time this season, was losing the battle in central midfield.

I'd only blame this partly on Oakley and King (though both were ineffectual verging on poor).

The real problem is a lack of balance. Gradel and Dyer were 2 of of our better players today but they are wide players, not all-round midfielders. In which case, unless a 2-man central midfield is exceptionally energetic and mentally and physically quick, then a good opposing midfield will over-run them. Colchester had a good midfield, closed down well and then used possession well.

I'd like to see Berner in there next week as part of a three-man central midfield (though who'd be the third man with Oakley if King is on international duty?). Amid all the nostalgia for Davies, it's sometimes forgotten that some of our best performances were with Berner in midfield as he has energy, acceleration and mobility, though his passing blows hot and cold.

Howard was not only missed up front. He also drops deeps and links well with the central midfielders, providing more midfield options.

Next week could well be a defeat at this rate...though maybe Dyer or Gradel will do something on the counter-attack...

don't let halfsy hear you say that

[Thracian]

The big problem today, not for the first time this season, was losing the battle in central midfield.

I'd only blame this partly on Oakley and King (though both were ineffectual verging on poor).

The real problem is a lack of balance. Gradel and Dyer were 2 of of our better players today but they are wide players, not all-round midfielders. In which case, unless a 2-man central midfield is exceptionally energetic and mentally and physically quick, then a good opposing midfield will over-run them. Colchester had a good midfield, closed down well and then used possession well.

I'd like to see Berner in there next week as part of a three-man central midfield (though who'd be the third man with Oakley if King is on international duty?). Amid all the nostalgia for Davies, it's sometimes forgotten that some of our best performances were with Berner in midfield as he has energy, acceleration and mobility, though his passing blows hot and cold.

Howard was not only missed up front. He also drops deeps and links well with the central midfielders, providing more midfield options.

Next week could well be a defeat at this rate...though maybe Dyer or Gradel will do something on the counter-attack...

I came away feeling sorry for the central midfielders. Ever since Tunchev got injured they've often been by-passed and today was perhaps worse than usual cos the ball hardly came out of the air at all in the first half.

With our available personnel. today's line-up was never going to work. We have to play 4-5-1 and play the ball forward.

Trouble is I've no idea what to do about our centre-backs. Even with the season drawing to a close there's no signs that they're ever going to learn how to cushion the ball, control it quickly and make the easy pass.

I don't know why but, Tunchev apart, we've been like that for ages. At least since the time of Levein. McCarthy, MacAuley, Kisnorbo, Hobbs and now Morrison. All excellent stoppers at our level but constructively weak.

People understandably like em, cos they're strong, combative and committed. Just as they liked Tiatto and Johansson. But if we're going to get anywhere it ain't enough. Players have to be comfortable on the ball and much more accomplished at retaining possession. .

[DB11]

Maybe in a few years! Doing my GCSEs at present.

As am I and I qualified three years ago!!

Just don't shoot a referee, If your going to shoot anyone shoot a player, because without referee's there will be no game, fook the players. Ain't that right DB11.

Fair enough you are on the 'side' of referee's and you are going to stick up for them, but how can you justify today's referee? How can you not judge, moan, criticize him?

Well the offsides were correct. And it was getting so pissing annoying when a blatant chest the Kop would scream handball. Fools.

Some decisions I thought were suspect but he's not been the worst official we've had. I'd say some of the worst have been ones that have quite clearly been "homers" and given us everything. It's been good from a Leicester POV but they've been a lot worse than todays.

[reynard]

Terrible performance. We looked tired, jaded and found their long ball approach almost impossible to deal with. we puled out of 50-50 balls and the passing usually went to them and not us. When we did play it on the floor and actually bothered to move we did creat some decent chances but unfortunately we didn't take them nor did we do it enough.

Five of our last 6 home matches have been marked by poor perfomances and if we play like that for the remainder of the season then there is a very serious chance that we will miss out on the top two places. Personally I think we will need another 11 points to be certain as I can't see peterborough dropping many points and Millwall have a quite easy run in with the exception of their match v peterborough.

If you looked at the team today for me there are only 1 or 2 players who would be regular players in a championship team. The lack of basic ball control, abilty to pass to a team mate and the lack of competitive instinct in a 50-50 situation was staggering fom a team at the top of their division. If we do manage to crawl over the finish line it is obvious we are going to need at least 6 or 7 new playes to even be mid table in the championship.

We look to have run out of steam. On today's evidence I would play 4-5-1 against Peterborough though I'm not sure we have 5 available/fit midfielders at the club.

Hayles was truly awful today but then ain the service fom midfield was poor. Oakley was back to his usual level and King was not a lot short of woeful. Gradel was unlucky to be subbed but I suppose Dickov's goal would vindicate Pearson's decision.

Next week is a big game but the really big matches are home vs Carlisle and away vs Hereford. They are simply must win matches if we are to avoid the play-offs.

[Guest]

All in all, pretty much like every other time we've played Col U (except away at their place this season), a dull 90 minutes of scrappy football. Not helped by us not being able to string more than 2-3 passes together at a time without giving the ball away.

Not mightily impressive but nevermind.

Bring on the Posh

[Matt]

As am I and I qualified three years ago!!

Well the offsides were correct. And it was getting so pissing annoying when a blatant chest the Kop would scream handball. Fools.

Some decisions I thought were suspect but he's not been the worst official we've had. I'd say some of the worst have been ones that have quite clearly been "homers" and given us everything. It's been good from a Leicester POV but they've been a lot worse than todays.

And can I ask you your view on the freekick the referee gave them, when Hayles got took down and got given nothing, then a minute or so later the same thing happens infront of our penalty area, the referee gives them the freekick again and it leads to their first goal?

If it wasn't a freekick for us, then how could it have been a freekick for them? It was almost the same scenario.

I'm not blaming the officials for us drawing today, we played poor, and I hate it when people blame the officials when we lose/play rubbish - Just admit it when we are poor stop trying to find a scapegoat, but today I really do have to blame the referee for alot and he is the worst I have seen take control of one of our games in a while.

Also on the requirements list to become a referee does it state you have to be a short, normally balding man who like to make a point and be centre of attention? Or is it just a coincidence most referees are like that?

[Daggers]

The lino running our side (L1) in the second half was a ****ing half-wit. An utter twat.

[maddog]

Peterborough have 21 points from a possible 24. (8 games)

We have 13 points from a possible 24.

The Dons have 11 points from a possible 24.

Hence Peterborough have come from no where to be our main rivals for the title, thus making next weeks game just as big, if not bigger than Mk Dons away as its also local derby.

[potter3]

As am I and I qualified three years ago!!

Well the offsides were correct. And it was getting so pissing annoying when a blatant chest the Kop would scream handball. Fools.

Some decisions I thought were suspect but he's not been the worst official we've had. I'd say some of the worst have been ones that have quite clearly been "homers" and given us everything. It's been good from a Leicester POV but they've been a lot worse than todays.

I agree, some of the decisions the Kop 'appealed' for were ridiculous. Although the decision for their goal looked very soft.

[lildave3]

Danny Boy, their free kick they scored from was very soft, even you know that.

Great goal though.

[Guest]

The lino running our side (L1) in the second half was a ****ing half-wit. An utter twat.

You've obviously calmed down now.

[Bert]

You've obviously calmed down now.

Clearly.

The guy in front of Daggers is still pissed off though - Half of Daggers saliva covered the chap during that rant.

[Daggers]

Clearly.

The guy in front of Daggers is still pissed off though - Half of Daggers saliva covered the chap during that rant.

Fuck his luck for wearing a Rooney shirt.

[FilboFox]

As am I and I qualified three years ago!!

Well the offsides were correct. And it was getting so pissing annoying when a blatant chest the Kop would scream handball. Fools.

Some decisions I thought were suspect but he's not been the worst official we've had. I'd say some of the worst have been ones that have quite clearly been "homers" and given us everything. It's been good from a Leicester POV but they've been a lot worse than todays.

Yes, some of the decisions were correct... fair enough. But a hell of a lot of them weren't. I'm not talking only offsides and handballs... but in general, fouls, handballs (some of them definitely were) and offsides (of which some definitely weren't), the referee made some very poor decisions. At one point, I saw Matty track back so that his run was actually onside when the ball was played yet the foolish linesman still put the flag up! Another offside that wasn't was Hayles' run in the first half... God only knows how he saw it as offside!

But the standard of reffing in this game was appalling... and to think this is the 3rd tier of English football... God help the conference leagues...

[Bert]

Yes, some of the decisions were correct... fair enough. But a hell of a lot of them weren't. I'm not talking only offsides and handballs... but in general, fouls, handballs (some of them definitely were) and offsides (of which some definitely weren't), the referee made some very poor decisions. At one point, I saw Matty track back so that his run was actually onside when the ball was played yet the foolish linesman still put the flag up! Another offside that wasn't was Hayles' run in the first half... God only knows how he saw it as offside!

But the standard of reffing in this game was appalling... and to think this is the 3rd tier of English football... God help the conference leagues...

He actually was offside.

[davieG]

I came away feeling sorry for the central midfielders. Ever since Tunchev got injured they've often been by-passed and today was perhaps worse than usual cos the ball hardly came out of the air at all in the first half.

With our available personnel. today's line-up was never going to work. We have to play 4-5-1 and play the ball forward.

Trouble is I've no idea what to do about our centre-backs. Even with the season drawing to a close there's no signs that they're ever going to learn how to cushion the ball, control it quickly and make the easy pass.

I don't know why but, Tunchev apart, we've been like that for ages. At least since the time of Levein. McCarthy, MacAuley, Kisnorbo, Hobbs and now Morrison. All excellent stoppers at our level but constructively weak.

People understandably like em, cos they're strong, combative and committed. Just as they liked Tiatto and Johansson. But if we're going to get anywhere it ain't enough. Players have to be comfortable on the ball and much more accomplished at retaining possession. .

Not forgetting the goalies who all seem to turn into hoofers after one game -They're absolutely shit scared to throw the ball out.

[MC Prussian]

Somebody's gotta put a ban on 4-5-1 - no matter what the team and no matter what manager!

It's the sh*tt*est formation ever created.

Apart from 10-0-1 of course. Megson-stlye.

[potter3]

Somebody's gotta put a ban on 4-5-1 - no matter what the team and no matter what manager!

It's the sh*tt*est formation ever created.

Apart from 10-0-1 of course. Megson-stlye.

4-5-1? Who was playing 4-5-1?

[lcfc81]

And can I ask you your view on the freekick the referee gave them, when Hayles got took down and got given nothing, then a minute or so later the same thing happens infront of our penalty area, the referee gives them the freekick again and it leads to their first goal?

If it wasn't a freekick for us, then how could it have been a freekick for them? It was almost the same scenario.

I'm not blaming the officials for us drawing today, we played poor, and I hate it when people blame the officials when we lose/play rubbish - Just admit it when we are poor stop trying to find a scapegoat, but today I really do have to blame the referee for alot and he is the worst I have seen take control of one of our games in a while.

Also on the requirements list to become a referee does it state you have to be a short, normally balding man who like to make a point and be centre of attention? Or is it just a coincidence most referees are like that?

that annoyed me as well, just want consistency.