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Well it's good to hear some positives from last night. What were your views on the second half?

Mad Dog wrote:Well it's good to hear some positives from last night. What were your views on the second half?

I think the team and the fans were a bit shellshocked by the equaliser within 30 seconds - it was a well hit strike, and the only time I can recall a "trick" move from the kick-off having worked - i.e. lining up as if the ball would be played left, and then sneaking it down the right. It was poor defensive work for the second - although I thought the awarding of the free kick a bit harsh, and after that Bath shut-up shop. We still got the ball in the box a good few times, especially from free kicks, throws and corners, and the front men managed to knock the ball back to a midfielder just outside the box several times (usually Power), but his shots were either blocked or flew over (although they weren't as wild as the one he hit on Saturday that headed for the A6 roundabout).

I'm assuming Farrell might be struggling to be fit on Saturday, as he pulled up and then limped off shortly afterwards - but I think O'Connor will link up well with Green and Howe. If Jamie Day is fit I hope Corcy keeps his place in the side, as he had a much better game, with much improved distribution from defence - but I think Day will play at leftback rather than left midfield. As you'll see from Justin's interview, I think he was impressed with the revised formation towards the end, when Johnson was in a wide right midfield role (linking well with Corcy who'd switched to that side) and Green was doing a similar job on the left (linking well with Robbo). I don't know if that means he might be tempted to go 4-4-2, with O'Connor and Howe up front.

Formic wrote:. I'm amazed somebody thought he lacked commitment -

I think that a good number of those (*cough* Rob *cough*) were on here rather than at the game. (Taking out the likes of BR of course)

wewantourdarbyback wrote:

Formic wrote:. I'm amazed somebody thought he lacked commitment -

I think that a good number of those (*cough* Rob *cough*) were on here rather than at the game. (Taking out the likes of BR of course)

Very true. It is hardly fair to criticise a player or the team based on a radio commentary.

I was most certainly at the game.

In hindsight i'm inclined to agree with Dave, but i do feel there were still circumstances when Howe could have tried harder, or done better. The chance at the end of the first half being the obvious one. Perhaps i'm expecting too much of him but his record/reputation suggets otherwise.

I didnt criticise the performance as a whole, like i said it was better than Saturday, and it was just up front where we lacked the cutting edge.

My comment wasn't aimed at you BR but at those relying solely on the radio. From what real spectators (and JE) have said, the performance overall was ok apart from the early part of the second half. This contrasts very strongly with opinions of the armchair doom and gloom merchants earlier on this thread.

I was definantly shocked by their 1st goal, and as JE says i bet he couldn't do it again if he tried 100 times.. Can't really comment on their 2nd goal as it was miles away down the other end of the pitch (like all goals are when you travel to away matches :( ) Overall i thought it was a good performance last night where unlike saturday we deserved to get at least 1 point. The passing went through the midfeild instead of the hoofball on saturday and they spread the ball around making full use of the pitch but lacked the final killer ball that tommo used to deliver.

I think its very hard to criticise Howe from radio Coverage and i think he actually played quite well with only one clear chance. Porter played a lot of balls from midfeild into his feet and his first touch was generally good and he spread the ball out wide and brought in other players, allowing power to have a few long range shots. We just lacked the final cross across or into the box all match even in the last 20 minutes when we were camped in their half with all the possesion the final cross wasn't there.

i think if O'connor is fit JE will stick to 4-3-3 if not may go to the 4-4-2 seen at the end of the match.

Turveyman wrote:My comment wasn't aimed at you BR but at those relying solely on the radio..

I got confused ;)