 | Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 20:09:34
Pulsating. If R’s could only play with that amount of positive commitment in every game (home AND away), we would surely pick up plenty of ‘bonus’ points. Today was proof that we need to retain that level - and slightly worrying that everyone had to play at absolutely the extent of their energies to just squeeze past what is now the bottom side in the league. Although Leicester are better than that and arrived in Shepherd’s Bush with exactly the attitude that our lot have been lacking on our travels - i.e. they played at high tempo, without fear and with attacking intent. Vardy proved a constant threat and the pressing & speed of movement forward was impressive.
Nigel Pearson will feel hard done by but we rode our luck in defence, were due some good fortune and things fell our way for a change. The win was deserved for the desire shown to actually grab a game by the scruff of the neck rather than just hope to survive, as per last weekend. Surely that lesson is now learnt?
The signs were positive from the team selection but why has it taken 12 games for Harry to realise that playing individuals in their natural positions reaps dividends? Fer was given the kind of role he obviously thrives in and, as a result, we saw the best of him, capped off with a fine goal producing a celebration smile which said “I’m finally enjoying myself!â€. A couple of wayward shots aside, Barton generally played quite well with two or three really astute defence-splitting balls backed up with enough non-Hollywood pragmatic decision making (been reading the forums me thinks). Another reliable & solid performance from Henry, while Ned, although constantly flirting with disaster, held his own playing centrally, looking more at home than at right back. The Chileans both made good contributions providing the much-needed right side balance, with Vargas always gnawing away at Leicester’s defenders, while Charlie, always a presence, managed to get himself in the right place/right time again - it’s an uncanny knack. (I know BZ has his uses but personally, I don’t miss him.)
Those that say the defending was comical underestimate how good Leicester were at times. We can’t have it all ways - if we want the team to go for it, attack and press, try to score goals, then we will sometimes get caught out at the back. It happens. (We get caught out at the back anyway, no matter what approach we take!).
R’s got this result because they wanted it badly - and I want to see the team & management take that confidence & belief into every game. That’s the basic template.
PS Refreshing to see both teams getting up to take quick, intelligent free kicks - no messing about - all facilitated by a decent ref who I felt appreciated the no nonsense attitude. Made for a brilliant exciting encounter, enhanced by a fantastic atmosphere. Nail biting. |
| Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 09:05:25
If you don’t buy a ticket… etc.
You could say Harry sent out a team of battlers and we were unlucky, but the truth is we got exactly what we deserved. Playing for a draw has got us precisely 0 points from 6 away games this season (plus a 7th defeat at Burton). What is to lose by having a go? I naively thought Harry had finally seen the light but this was a reversion to his tried & tested disastrous approach when travelling this season. Nothing learnt, no willingness to get forward and attack with purpose, pace & width, or crucially, set up with the creative personnel to give us those options. Why wasn’t Krankjar or Hoilett included from the start instead of essentially 8 defenders and two slow strikers getting negligable service as a result? Certain players did ok yesterday and the fitness has improved, but it’s nowhere near enough with a line up where invention & imagination is given little chance, where the mindset is basically negative, when we only try to score in ernest once we have conceded.
QPR never looked like getting on the score sheet yesterday and the red herring of the two up front does not convince me we particularly wanted to. The intent from above was to try and stop a team who may be in form but are quite average in fact, and who gave us plenty of space which we didn’t have the quality to capitalise on. A better side would have comfortably mugged Newcastle yesterday. Frustrating and depressing after recent improvement. |
| Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 20:37:45
A nothing special performance from Southampton proved good enough to collect, deservedly I guess, all three points.
After the comedy festival week at Loftus Road (celebration injuries, cheesegate, clapped out motors and the like), those that are all too familiar with the law of sod (me) fully expected a complete surprise away win today. But nope - not even Sod could save us. There were one or two positives: we didn't lose 4-0, Troare looked quite energised & focused (despite the daily Big Macs & Fries), Niko didn't get injured but couldn’t quite match last week despite another exquisite free kick which might have rewarded us again with an underserved point if honest. Charlie’s excellent goal out of the blue gave us at least 2 minutes of blissful joy, while Karl Henry did a reasonable job again after he sub’d for sick note Sandro (head injury this time but there’s a pattern emerging).
However, still worrying, in order of concern, is the Chilean connection. Isla looked suspect again and Vargas - well, I haven’t worked out what he actually does yet apart from peddling backwards a lot and getting caught in the process. Rio continued his underwhelming season - a really half-hearted clearance started the panic which led to Saints first goal for example. Fer, who does have some undoubted skill is currently flattering to deceive with his one step-over trick, looking off the pace when it really counts. Philips - falls overs a lot as he gets the ball caught under his feet before considering doing anything significant with it. Similarly, Hoillet, on as sub, produced a display very reminiscent of many of last season's cul-de-sac outings. You know the one: He collects the ball… "promising… promising… where’s he going?… shit…"
The overriding thing I noticed, apart from the usual lack of pace & spark when attacking, is that the players just don't seem to care much when we lose. A resigned shrug, some handshakes. No recriminations or heated on-pitch debates. No apparent frustration - just back to the coach, the Xbox on and FIFA 15 underway. Virtual escape replaces virtually escaped… with a point.
Talking of the law of sod, comedy week also included our resident gobshite philosopher who, of course, put the mockers on the immediate future by slagging another pro again (from the comfort of his sofa) who possesses infinitely more talent than his Lordship. Law of sod (which failed us today) therefore says that this childish, transparent & calculated provocation will almost certainly result in a wonder goal from Balotelli in our upcoming Liverpool fixture. Thanks. New reformed Barton - proving once again that you can take the boy out of the gutter, but you can’t take the gutter out of the boy. |
| Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 15:17:05
Can’t help but feel that was two points lost, despite 'man of match' Nico's excellent rescue free kick. Really needed a win from this one.
What is really worrying :
Rio’s defending - looks off the pace, doesn’t tackle or track his man properly, doesn’t get up and win enough headers. It’s a continuing trend and he is becoming a liability. What has The Chief got to do to get a game?
Isla - gave the ball away far too much and in critical areas.
Austin - looking out of his depth in this league.
A lack of clear opportunities created (again) plus woeful shooting - dreadful all round (apart from one man).
2 hamstring injuries for players already carrying strains. Why were they risked & what’s going on with the fitness/conditioning at QPR?
What was encouraging :
Nico Kranjcar - outstanding.
And Fer - to an extent.
What was well out of order :
At least 3 definite penalties denied with Shawcross blatantly all over Caulker in the box.
A clear & obvious foul by Crouch for the first goal.
A USELESS, weak referee who refused to deal with any of above.
TF - better pay that fine soon. |
| Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 09:23:41
Carefully orchestrated defeat with the added design of completely ostracising those that are suspect in attitude & talent, those that are not up to the premier league as it is fought in this day & age. Of course, the Spurs offenders could have been made to repent, but we really want out of this Milk Cup (or whatever it’s called these days) don’t we. Better to destroy the confidence of the rest in the process before it’s too late.
That is not to excuse the inexplicable missing man-management, fitness levels, preparation and tea-cups from our ‘boss’. Excuse my sarcasm but why are we surprised to see R’s struggling - didn’t we watch Harry at work for most of last season? Under the current set-up, 6 wins in the big boys league this season will be a surprise. Strap yourselves in. |
| Your
Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 09:14:32
A fantastic night - R's have had all too few of them this year & I'm worried that might be it for the season. We don't really deserve to go up and rob Derby (the worthy 3rd place team) but last night Kranjcar in particular was outstanding, Loftus Rd - spine tinglingly electric, & Clattenburg was brilliant - put the usual incompetents who officiate in the championship to shame.
How great it would be to see R’s play with that amount of intensity, pride and determination every week. And a soaked Bloodhound pumping his chest - priceless... |
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Report | Oldham Athletic v Salford City Your Report added at 08:40:37
Definitely rode our luck at times - Green outstanding - but effort levels from everyone much improved over last two games. Been advocating Yosi’s full inclusion since he arrived, he’s a class act. Never panics on the ball, excellent control & decisions, creative player (ludicrous red card, thx ref). Carroll’s a liability - tried hard, did some ok things but naively gives the ball away far too often in terrible positions & almost cost us a goal (Faurlin would be such a good replacement for him - if only). Hill played well although missing in action a couple of times at left back. Even Bobble Z did ok holding up the ball although clearly held together by sticky glue - any half decent forward would have lashed that opportunity home. Well done R’s - too late to catch Burnley, bollocks. May have to play Wigan a couple more times - won’t be easy.
Bottom line for me is that everyone put a shift in, which is all you can ask whatever the result. This has to happen EVERY SINGLE GAME to have any chance of promotion. Philips & Austin back and we could just make it. Wish Harry had launched the teacups a bit more often this season. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 53 | | Comment Votes: | 11 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 64 |
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