|
Post by stevek192 on Apr 17, 2017 19:46:16 GMT
After Fridays disappointing result pretty well ended our Play Off hopes I found it very difficult to really build myself up for this game and to be honest was just wishing that the season had now come to the end but of course there were still 9 points to play for in what has been our most successful season for many years. I was pleasantly surprised with the team sheet with starts for Partington, Harris and Montano and a return to what I see as our most successful formation with 4-4-2. It turned out to be a typical end of the season game with Oldham probably needing the points more than us to retain League 1 status and looking a much better side under Sheridon than the side we beat earlier at their place. They probably had as much of the ball as us but thankfully their strikers looked no better than ours and for a large part of the game it had 0-0 written all over it. It was not until the Millwall and Southend latest scores came in with both losing that I thought if we could only score we could at least drag the miracle on to next Saturday. I was just thinking that Harrison should have been one of the first players substituted when he turned cleverly in the box and dispatched an accurate low shot inside the keepers near post for what turned out to be the winning goal.
Lumley 7
Reliable as always. Dealt well with everything that was thrown at him which was not a lot but excellent save with his feet to keep the three points. He is an excellent footballer at dealing with pass backs and shows great calmness and authority for one so young.
Partington 6.5
Looks a good acquisition and did a good job defensively and showed confidence on the ball. not as dynamic as Leadbitter but looks classier overall although could have been a bit tighter in the first half.
Lockyer 7.5 MOM
Another top performance from Tom. Read the game superbly and used the ball well. He is a great player to have when the going gets tough and put in many last ditch interceptions especially in the second half.
Sweeney 7
Back to his best and apart from a couple of scares he dealt with everything both on the ground and in the air. His power in the air was vital as Oldham played a lot of the ball into the box and he held firm, the thing about him is when he heads the ball it clears the danger effectively and gets distance that no previous central defender has.
Harris 6.5
Came in and for me did a good job. Better passer of the ball than Lee Brown but not quite as reliable in the tackle and rushed in a couple of times. I think he is a more than capable replacement for Brown and well worth retaining to push Lee for his left back berth.
Bodin 6
Not at his best but still looked the most likely to score and probably should have done better with two chances. His clever footwork kept the Oldham defence busy but just wasn't getting the run of the ball other than once in the first half where he managed to get a hard shot away and the keeper produced a good save.
Lines 6
Strode through the game with an authority when on the ball but too often the final ball went astray and so often I wish he would have a shot at the end of the runs. He was involved in most of our forward moves and with Sinclair always going sideways or back it is essential that Chris does bring the ball forward and with thois is the bigger risk of giving away possession.
Sinclair 6
I can understand why his industry wins him Man of the Match but for me whilst he wins a lot of challenges, the final pass is either sideways or back which whilst it retains possession does tend to slow the game down and give the opposition time to get back. It is strange that since Ollie Clarke has been out so Chris Lines form has dipped a bit.
Montano 5
Drifts in and out of the game looking dangerous at times and showed some good close controls and touches which on a couple of occasions was too much for his former team mates and he was the subject of a couple of uncompromising challenges. Personally I would have taken Harrison off before Monty but that shows why DC is Manager and I am reporting on the game!!!
Harrison 5
A very mixed game from Ellis but a superb goal to decide the match with a brilliant turn and shot and afterwards a tremendous challenge in our six yard box to get in a tackle when an equaliser looked on. Before the goal I felt Ellis was thinking too much rather than making sure he was first to the ball and because of that he was too often second best.
James 4 Flatters to deceive and just doesn't look like ever scoring a goal but his shot in the second half which he dragged wide from a brilliant position was the first time this season I can recall him actually missing a chance. he always works hard but that just isn't enough for a main striker.
Subs
Easter 6
Just like Friday as soon as he entered the fray the ball started staying on the ground more and he looks so comfortable on the ball, keeping it close to his body and shielding it from the opposition. I would definitely give him another years contract as ;despite his age; he is still well worth a place in the squad and retains possession the best out of the forwards we have.
Moore 5.5
Did quite well in the time he was on the pitch and probably should have done better with his shot which went over the bar but put in a couple of good crosses and a couple of useful direct runs.
Broom 6
Couple of good crosses and worked hard. He could well have a future with the club but only time will tell.
Crowd 7
Considering Friday's result which left us with very little to play for barring a miracle it was a good turnout with just over 9000 and provided good backing.
Ref 7
Bit lenient but overall a good game.
DC Got the team pretty well right and the substitutions as well and it was the right result to a hard fought game.
Oldham 6
Have one of the best defensive records in the division but it was easy to see why they are where they are as didn't really look much like scoring although a lot of their build up play was good to watch.
So we can still get over 70 points but have to rely on Southend, Rochdale and Millwall not winning their last two games to sneak into the Play offs but we would have to win both our games too. It is difficult to see that happening but in my opinion it is more likely that we will lose at Peterborough anyway based on recent away games to make other results not matter anyway and then it will be roll on the summer break. UTG
|
|
|
Post by Colyton Gas. on Apr 17, 2017 19:57:24 GMT
Pompey and Muff then next season.Two sell outs guaranteed.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2017 20:05:12 GMT
You've accidentally given Broom a higher score than Moore.
|
|
|
Post by laughinggas on Apr 18, 2017 6:02:23 GMT
Ellis Match winning goal Match saving tackle Several decisive defensive headers. Billy Bob Missed open goal.
No doubt if Ellis had missed that chance he would be marked even lower. No one played well so have to remember that forwards need something from rest of team.
|
|
Peter Parker
Global Moderator
Richard Walker
You have been sentenced to DELETION!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,920
|
Post by Peter Parker on Apr 18, 2017 7:02:12 GMT
Ellis Match winning goal Match saving tackle Several decisive defensive headers. Billy Bob Missed open goal. No doubt if Ellis had missed that chance he would be marked even lower. No one played well so have to remember that forwards need something from rest of team. I think Ellis gets an unfair proportion of Stick compared to the rest of the team
Yesterday he was no better or worse than his strike partner and the midfield 4 behind him, yet Ellis always seems to be a target and Ellis did his job yesterday when it mattered he stuck it in the net.
Whilst I know the management aren't going to criticise players they have too much publicly (Remember that people when ringing in and complaining that DC/Marcus are saying we have good strikers). I do feel DC and Marcus have to defend Ellis more than any other player , they have what he does in our own box as well as defending his apparent 'lack of effort' that people critics him for
Is Ellis a world beater? No. Is he complete s**t? No. If anything he seems like an average lower league centre-forward (and that's a compliment) no better or worse than most you see playing against us week in, week out.
If people think we are going to be able to sign 3 new forwards in the summer that all eclipse Ellis they are in cloud cuckoo land and remember that when you are slagging of the next one that 'doesn't work hard enough' or is too inconsistent
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 7:49:36 GMT
Ellis worked plenty hard enough yesterday. Not everything he did came off, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
Edit: although what was up with his socks!?
|
|
Rex
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,287
|
Post by Rex on Apr 18, 2017 8:09:09 GMT
Ellis worked plenty hard enough yesterday. Not everything he did came off, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I think the lazy tag that Ellis gets is just lazy spectating People hear one person say it, then decide to go along with it. It beggars belief some of the s**te I hear at our place sometimes. I don't think Ellis has the best football brain we have ever seen in a player, but for our level he does enough to warrant being involved in the first team set up. I was chatting to someone yesterday at 0-0 and we both agreed that Ellis was having a poor game, but I did say that I hoped he wouldn't get subbed as he was one of the players on the pitch who is capable of turning a game- and for once I was right
|
|
kwoodgas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 675
|
Post by kwoodgas on Apr 18, 2017 8:20:44 GMT
I'm guessing the leader of the Ellis abuse was also calling for Higgs to return as director of football?
Had it not been for Ellis' form in the conference run in we wouldn't have been a keeper error/shocking refereeing decision depending on your point of view; from the title and he then went onto score the most important goal in the club's contemporary history.
Without the Wembley win we'd have probably spent the next season on a budget so small DC's mates from Salisbury would've been marquee signings, defeats to teams of scaffolders and PE teachers would've become so regular they wouldn't warrant 20 page forum meltdowns, DC would've been sacked and Higgs would've probably tried everyone from Stewy to Russell Slade to Kay in the ship in charge looking for that winning formula.
Okay excuse my hyperbole, but my point is we're looking at a lad that's scored close to 40 goals for the club and generally works hard for the team, yet he suffers abuse worse than I can ever recall wasters like Kenneth, Reagan and Blizzard getting.
I really hope Ellis and his agent are savvy enough to think long and hard about what club he agrees to join in the summer and doesn't just go for the biggest pay cheque as with the right coaching, support and mentoring he has huge untapped potential. I hear people saying 'he's 23 now, he can no longer be seen as just potential'. Bulls**t. Players mature at different ages and he's miles ahead of where s**thead snake, Lambert and Vardy were at 23.
|
|
|
Post by bttrsblue on Apr 18, 2017 11:00:53 GMT
I'm guessing the leader of the Ellis abuse was also calling for Higgs to return as director of football? Had it not been for Ellis' form in the conference run in we wouldn't have been a keeper error/shocking refereeing decision depending on your point of view; from the title and he then went onto score the most important goal in the club's contemporary history. Without the Wembley win we'd have probably spent the next season on a budget so small DC's mates from Salisbury would've been marquee signings, defeats to teams of scaffolders and PE teachers would've become so regular they wouldn't warrant 20 page forum meltdowns, DC would've been sacked and Higgs would've probably tried everyone from Stewy to Russell Slade to Kay in the ship in charge looking for that winning formula. Okay excuse my hyperbole, but my point is we're looking at a lad that's scored close to 40 goals for the club and generally works hard for the team, yet he suffers abuse worse than I can ever recall wasters like Kenneth, Reagan and Blizzard getting. I really hope Ellis and his agent are savvy enough to think long and hard about what club he agrees to join in the summer and doesn't just go for the biggest pay cheque as with the right coaching, support and mentoring he has huge untapped potential. I hear people saying 'he's 23 now, he can no longer be seen as just potential'. Bulls***. Players mature at different ages and he's miles ahead of where s***head snake, Lambert and Vardy were at 23. Ellis did do well in the conference - so did Puddy/Monkhouse/ Trottman, doesn't mean he/ they deserve a place in a League 1 squad. If you had the direct choice between keeping Harrison or Easter in the summer, who would you keep? Easter everyday for me. Harrison has had enough chances to prove he can be consistent at this level - and he cant. Simple. He doesn't offer anything more than Gaffney (Who will stay) 2 new strikers in the summer isn't unrealistic?
|
|
Peter Parker
Global Moderator
Richard Walker
You have been sentenced to DELETION!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,920
|
Post by Peter Parker on Apr 18, 2017 11:08:37 GMT
I'm guessing the leader of the Ellis abuse was also calling for Higgs to return as director of football? Had it not been for Ellis' form in the conference run in we wouldn't have been a keeper error/shocking refereeing decision depending on your point of view; from the title and he then went onto score the most important goal in the club's contemporary history. Without the Wembley win we'd have probably spent the next season on a budget so small DC's mates from Salisbury would've been marquee signings, defeats to teams of scaffolders and PE teachers would've become so regular they wouldn't warrant 20 page forum meltdowns, DC would've been sacked and Higgs would've probably tried everyone from Stewy to Russell Slade to Kay in the ship in charge looking for that winning formula. Okay excuse my hyperbole, but my point is we're looking at a lad that's scored close to 40 goals for the club and generally works hard for the team, yet he suffers abuse worse than I can ever recall wasters like Kenneth, Reagan and Blizzard getting. I really hope Ellis and his agent are savvy enough to think long and hard about what club he agrees to join in the summer and doesn't just go for the biggest pay cheque as with the right coaching, support and mentoring he has huge untapped potential. I hear people saying 'he's 23 now, he can no longer be seen as just potential'. Bulls***. Players mature at different ages and he's miles ahead of where s***head snake, Lambert and Vardy were at 23. Ellis did do well in the conference - so did Puddy/Monkhouse/ Trottman, doesn't mean he/ they deserve a place in a League 1 squad. If you had the direct choice between keeping Harrison or Easter in the summer, who would you keep? Easter everyday for me. Harrison has had enough chances to prove he can be consistent at this level - and he cant. Simple. He doesn't offer anything more than Gaffney (Who will stay) 2 new strikers in the summer isn't unrealistic? I don't think it's unrealistic that we may see 2 or 3 new strikers in the summer, but what are people realistically expecting these strikers to be. We certainly are unlikely to bring in 2 proven 20 goal strikers at this level. May be we will bring in a battering ram, but no doubt he will be slagged of as a donkey when he only gets 4 or 5 goals
People can not rate Ellis. That's fine. Personally I don't think he is anywhere near as bad as some make out. I just find the disproportionate amount of stick he gets unbelievable compared to some. Luke James gets far less and he hasn't scored FFS
|
|
|
Post by bttrsblue on Apr 18, 2017 11:36:41 GMT
Ellis did do well in the conference - so did Puddy/Monkhouse/ Trottman, doesn't mean he/ they deserve a place in a League 1 squad. If you had the direct choice between keeping Harrison or Easter in the summer, who would you keep? Easter everyday for me. Harrison has had enough chances to prove he can be consistent at this level - and he cant. Simple. He doesn't offer anything more than Gaffney (Who will stay) 2 new strikers in the summer isn't unrealistic? I don't think it's unrealistic that we may see 2 or 3 new strikers in the summer, but what are people realistically expecting these strikers to be. We certainly are unlikely to bring in 2 proven 20 goal strikers at this level. May be we will bring in a battering ram, but no doubt he will be slagged of as a donkey when he only gets 4 or 5 goals
People can not rate Ellis. That's fine. Personally I don't think he is anywhere near as bad as some make out. I just find the disproportionate amount of stick he gets unbelievable compared to some. Luke James gets far less and he hasn't scored FFS
I agree, we have to be careful what we wish for! However i think the frustration with Ellis is that we all know he can perform, so makes it more frustrating when he doesnt. I would imagine we will perhaps bring in one 'proven' scorer, then personally id like to see someone similar to Ricky Miller, i.e out of contract after scoring a hatfull at a lower level, coming in with confidence and wanting to prove a point. Obviously Miller himself will probably command a significant signing fee and wage, so maybe not him per se. That would leave us with: Gaffers, Easter? Lucus, New Proven New Wildcard
|
|
eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,055
|
Post by eppinggas on Apr 18, 2017 11:50:40 GMT
Re: Ellis: Some 'fans' don't appreciate anything he does. The usual 'lazy' comments from the Blackthorn End. If you don't like a player - fine. You pay your money and can chose to give him some verbal at the final whistle. I don't. Some do. It's a free country. Even for f******g idiots. The abuse he gets during the game is frankly embarrassing. I am so pleased he scored because it is the best way to shut these people up. I was lucky enough to speak to Wael Al-Qadi briefly after the game. He had warm praise for Ellis. He's obviously more of a Gashead than some of the tw*ts on the Blackthorn Terrace.
|
|
|
Post by laughinggas on Apr 18, 2017 11:54:46 GMT
Cureton was called lazy by many. Bit of an issue in the modern game work rate is key
How many fox on the box players are there these days?
|
|
|
Post by Westcountry Gas on Apr 18, 2017 12:40:55 GMT
He might now just get a deal with a League 2 club after ending the goal drought, it wasn't looking good these last few months with a move to the national league looking more likely. I wish him all the best for the future.
|
|
kwoodgas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 675
|
Post by kwoodgas on Apr 18, 2017 13:05:40 GMT
I'm guessing the leader of the Ellis abuse was also calling for Higgs to return as director of football? Had it not been for Ellis' form in the conference run in we wouldn't have been a keeper error/shocking refereeing decision depending on your point of view; from the title and he then went onto score the most important goal in the club's contemporary history. Without the Wembley win we'd have probably spent the next season on a budget so small DC's mates from Salisbury would've been marquee signings, defeats to teams of scaffolders and PE teachers would've become so regular they wouldn't warrant 20 page forum meltdowns, DC would've been sacked and Higgs would've probably tried everyone from Stewy to Russell Slade to Kay in the ship in charge looking for that winning formula. Okay excuse my hyperbole, but my point is we're looking at a lad that's scored close to 40 goals for the club and generally works hard for the team, yet he suffers abuse worse than I can ever recall wasters like Kenneth, Reagan and Blizzard getting. I really hope Ellis and his agent are savvy enough to think long and hard about what club he agrees to join in the summer and doesn't just go for the biggest pay cheque as with the right coaching, support and mentoring he has huge untapped potential. I hear people saying 'he's 23 now, he can no longer be seen as just potential'. Bulls***. Players mature at different ages and he's miles ahead of where s***head snake, Lambert and Vardy were at 23. Ellis did do well in the conference - so did Puddy/Monkhouse/ Trottman, doesn't mean he/ they deserve a place in a League 1 squad. If you had the direct choice between keeping Harrison or Easter in the summer, who would you keep? Easter everyday for me. Harrison has had enough chances to prove he can be consistent at this level - and he cant. Simple. He doesn't offer anything more than Gaffney (Who will stay) 2 new strikers in the summer isn't unrealistic? Puddy came into the team at a time when we were dominating games and had a settled defence. He was competent if not spectacular and went to pieces in the first half of the playoff final. The reports on him at Sutton have hardly been flattering. Trotman played about 10 games, looked solid if not short of a bit of pace and now has a completely f***ed knee and I believe hasn't played a game of football since leaving us. Monkhouse granted was a joy to watch for the second half of the season and probably our most underrated player that season, but he's closing in on his 40th birthday. I rate Easter, but he's a short term solution. Until we have the income streams UWE will provide us with the only way for us to be sustainable is be patient with the likes of Ellis, Lockyer, Ollie Clarke, Monty, Burn etc and trust that maturity and the excellent work by DC and his staff will see incremental gains in their ability. The only way we can bring in significantly better players is if Wael dips his hand into his pocket which is unsustainable and no guarantee to success. Ellis looks far more of a fox in the box than Gaffney; granted Gaffney was on a decent little run before his injury but Ellis feels me with far more confidence in a one on one situation or with a half chance in the box like his goal yesterday. Personally I think our strikeforce will look like this next season: Miller Harrison Gaffney Then I think DC's key target will be a reasonably experienced proven goalscorer from either a smaller LG1/LG2/Conference club maybe either Kyle Vassell (Blackpool), Matt Godden (Stevenage) or maybe someone like Ivan Toney who perhaps made the move to a big club too soon and is looking to drop down and get regular games.
|
|
|
Post by DudeLebowski on Apr 18, 2017 13:44:34 GMT
Not an Ellis fan by any stretch but always back any of our lads during the 90mins (vocally at least, not necessarily in tweet form). But why some people choose to abuse/harass our own players at the game itself I'll never know or understand.
In regard to going forwards, I don't think Harrison is good enough to start in this team. If we want to be improving next year and breaking into the top 6 we (arguably) need a clear out of forwards and need to recruit some proven quality.
Decent enough goal/tackle yesterday mind.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 14:03:43 GMT
Trotman played about 10 games, looked solid if not short of a bit of pace and now has a fckued knee... He retired through injury after leaving us. Not exactly sure when, but before last summer.
|
|
kwoodgas
Joined: September 2014
Posts: 675
|
Post by kwoodgas on Apr 18, 2017 16:21:20 GMT
He might now just get a deal with a League 2 club after ending the goal drought, it wasn't looking good these last few months with a move to the national league looking more likely. I wish him all the best for the future. Since you completely bottled my last offer of a wager, I'll give you another chance. £50 to the victor's chosen charity that Ellis starts next season at a League One or above club. Deal or no Deal?
|
|
|
Post by thecuregalore94 on Apr 18, 2017 20:09:45 GMT
I think a 5 for Harrison is harsh, he won plenty in the air and caused more of a problem for the defence than James did. Not to mention scoring the winning goal on a neat turn facing away from goal.
|
|
c4h10
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 476
|
Post by c4h10 on Apr 18, 2017 21:30:39 GMT
I'm guessing the leader of the Ellis abuse was also calling for Higgs to return as director of football? Had it not been for Ellis' form in the conference run in we wouldn't have been a keeper error/shocking refereeing decision depending on your point of view; from the title and he then went onto score the most important goal in the club's contemporary history. Without the Wembley win we'd have probably spent the next season on a budget so small DC's mates from Salisbury would've been marquee signings, defeats to teams of scaffolders and PE teachers would've become so regular they wouldn't warrant 20 page forum meltdowns, DC would've been sacked and Higgs would've probably tried everyone from Stewy to Russell Slade to Kay in the ship in charge looking for that winning formula. Okay excuse my hyperbole, but my point is we're looking at a lad that's scored close to 40 goals for the club and generally works hard for the team, yet he suffers abuse worse than I can ever recall wasters like Kenneth, Reagan and Blizzard getting. I really hope Ellis and his agent are savvy enough to think long and hard about what club he agrees to join in the summer and doesn't just go for the biggest pay cheque as with the right coaching, support and mentoring he has huge untapped potential. I hear people saying 'he's 23 now, he can no longer be seen as just potential'. Bulls***. Players mature at different ages and he's miles ahead of where s***head snake, Lambert and Vardy were at 23. Thanks for that, kwg, I hadn't considered that myself - but you are absolutely right. All three of them were a couple of years older than Ellis is now before they started to achieve anything more than mediocrity, and two have gone on to play for England - and the other for the mighty Bristol City (I jest!). I hope that Ellis is still here next season - he is better in the air than any other striker on our books and willing to do his share of defending. I must admit, though, that I thought he should have been substituted yesterday - until he scored.
|
|