After you’ve had a bad day at the office – or on the football pitch – it’s good to know that your friends or colleagues have your back. I speak from experience.
From school football, to Sunday morning games and five-a-side kickabouts the football chant “You’re sh*t and you know you are” was actually created for me and has followed me around … it was usually sung my team mates! Come to think of it, people hum it in the office too! I digress.
On Tuesday night Cheltenham keeper Scott Brown was culpable for Oxford’s equalizer, but striker Wes Thomas – who scored the Robins’ opener – leapt immediately to Brown’s defence and was refreshingly honest in his evaluation of the game. He said:
“As a goalkeeper you’re totally exposed when you make a mistake. No-one will be talking about the chance I missed, but Scott has nowhere to hide. I should’ve scored in the second half as well. One mistake doesn’t make you a bad player and Scott will bounce back. Everyone has faith in him.”
Manager Mark Yates was understandably fuming, but has also praised Brown in the past and I predict he will stick with him and make sure he doesn't dwell on it for too long. He said:
“There’s no beating around the bush, Scott’s cost us three points and he knows I’m not happy. The way the goal went in just deflated us. We went from up there to down there.
We worked our socks off and that has to be the minimum expectation every week. I’m just disappointed for everybody that we didn’t get all three points.”
Yates knows though that in football you can’t dwell on the past and Thomas himself has cited his boss as someone who has given him self-belief and confidence. He’ll do the same with Brown.
Oxford’s Chris Wilder was the happier of the two managers after the game and funnily enough made the point I’ve made on this blog. He said:
“Despite the fact that we only came up last year, I’ve said to the players that we’re seen as one of the big clubs in this league. Other clubs will have a go at us and Mark Yates set up his side to do that. That was always going to be Cheltenham’s biggest fixture of the season.
We were a bit naïve at times, but one thing we do is work for each other. I didn’t enjoy the first 20 minutes when we were out fought, out passed and out battled, but then we started passing and looked a decent side.”
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Cheltenham Town 1 Oxford United 1 – Oops
Ouch!
Scott Brown proved the old adage that there is nowhere to hide when you make a gaff as a keeper.
Having gone a goal down after a header from the prolific Wes Thomas in the 29th minute, Oxford edged their way slowly back into the game and following a fairly sustained period of pressure in the second half and got their reward in the 59th minute.
Tom Craddock let fly with a low shot from about 22 yards that skidded off the wet surface and bounced back off Brown’s chest into the path of Jack Midson who poked in his third of the season from 5 yards.
It was great news for Midson who replaced suspended skipper and leading scorer James Constable for the fixture and will give boss Chris Wilder something to think about before he selects his next team.
Constable will probably get the nod, but both Craddock and Midson showed they are up for the fight when called upon.
It was a bad night for Brown though who must now put it behind him once the papers have been read and thrown away and his team mates have given him some merciless banter in training today.
Mark Yates was fuming last night, but he strikes me as someone who doesn’t hold a grudge and will ultimately put an arm around the shoulder of a player who he has lauded in the past.
And that’s the thing about football – one minute you’re a hero, the next and you’re not fit to wear the shirt. It can certainly be a fickle business. Ask Rob Green. East End hero last weekend and national disgrace a couple of months ago. You have to have thick skin and a lot of bottle to pull on that Number 1 shirt that’s for sure.
The good thing for Cheltenham is that Brown isn’t someone who will shirk his responsibilities and try and hide away. He’ll come out on Saturday with a point to prove and bust a gut to do it. He also has team mates who will back him as they appear to be a close knit group down at Whaddon Road.
Ultimately, a draw was probably a fair result anyway. Oxford took some time to find their feet, but in the second half Simon Heslop started imposing himself in midfield and they looked a real threat going forward.
Debutant Leigh Franks replaced Mark Creighton in the 14th minute - after the captain for the evening seemed to twist his ankle – and despite a couple of dodgy moments, grew into the role and built an understanding with fellow centre back Harry Worley.
In goal, Ryan Clarke was the pick of the bunch for me. He pulled off two low saves from David Bird and Jeff Goulding in the first half. He produced a brave double save from Thomas and Goulding late in the second half and also spared Franks blushes when the youngster’s sliced clearance looped over up and threatened to bounce into the net, before the former Bristol Rovers stopper managed to back pedal and scoop the ball the safety.
Maybe Wilder and Yates will have felt they both could and should have taken three points, but from my point of view a draw was the right result.
Scott Brown proved the old adage that there is nowhere to hide when you make a gaff as a keeper.
Having gone a goal down after a header from the prolific Wes Thomas in the 29th minute, Oxford edged their way slowly back into the game and following a fairly sustained period of pressure in the second half and got their reward in the 59th minute.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
Tom Craddock let fly with a low shot from about 22 yards that skidded off the wet surface and bounced back off Brown’s chest into the path of Jack Midson who poked in his third of the season from 5 yards.
It was great news for Midson who replaced suspended skipper and leading scorer James Constable for the fixture and will give boss Chris Wilder something to think about before he selects his next team.
Constable will probably get the nod, but both Craddock and Midson showed they are up for the fight when called upon.
It was a bad night for Brown though who must now put it behind him once the papers have been read and thrown away and his team mates have given him some merciless banter in training today.
Mark Yates was fuming last night, but he strikes me as someone who doesn’t hold a grudge and will ultimately put an arm around the shoulder of a player who he has lauded in the past.
And that’s the thing about football – one minute you’re a hero, the next and you’re not fit to wear the shirt. It can certainly be a fickle business. Ask Rob Green. East End hero last weekend and national disgrace a couple of months ago. You have to have thick skin and a lot of bottle to pull on that Number 1 shirt that’s for sure.
The good thing for Cheltenham is that Brown isn’t someone who will shirk his responsibilities and try and hide away. He’ll come out on Saturday with a point to prove and bust a gut to do it. He also has team mates who will back him as they appear to be a close knit group down at Whaddon Road.
Ultimately, a draw was probably a fair result anyway. Oxford took some time to find their feet, but in the second half Simon Heslop started imposing himself in midfield and they looked a real threat going forward.
Debutant Leigh Franks replaced Mark Creighton in the 14th minute - after the captain for the evening seemed to twist his ankle – and despite a couple of dodgy moments, grew into the role and built an understanding with fellow centre back Harry Worley.
In goal, Ryan Clarke was the pick of the bunch for me. He pulled off two low saves from David Bird and Jeff Goulding in the first half. He produced a brave double save from Thomas and Goulding late in the second half and also spared Franks blushes when the youngster’s sliced clearance looped over up and threatened to bounce into the net, before the former Bristol Rovers stopper managed to back pedal and scoop the ball the safety.
Maybe Wilder and Yates will have felt they both could and should have taken three points, but from my point of view a draw was the right result.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Cheltenham v Oxford - Legal Eagle Shuffle
I'll be off to Cheltenham tonight to watch the A40 derby and think that this one could be too close to call if both sides play to their full potential.
I suspect that the bookies will have Oxford down as favourites, but manager Chris Wilder will be aware that when the Robins play the way they can, they are a match for any team.
In Wes Thomas, Jeff Goulding and England U-19 international Shaun Jeffers (on loan from Coventry), the Robins have a wily and stylish attacking threat. The midfield is just as strong with Brian Smikle and Michael Pook taking front and rear positions respectively in a diamond formation. Pook can expect some good natured 'banter' from the away support given his Swindon background, but isn't the sort of guy to let it affect him.
Cheltenham are looking to bounce back following defeats away at Chesterfield and at home last Saturday to Bury. After that game, manager Mark Yates said:
"We went out with a whimper but we've got a chance to put it right on Tuesday. I take full responsibility, but we need to grow up and start putting in consistent performances. One fan shouted at me that I didn't have a clue, and he was right today, as a team we didn't have a clue today."
Well there's no better game than this one to get things back on track.
Oxford on the other hand managed a credible 1-1 draw up at Crewe, although skipper James Constable - who saw red for his second booking in the 89th minute of the game - will be missing. When you consider that he has scored seven times so far this season for the Us, his absence might just play into the home side's hands - although co-strikers Jack Midson and Tom Craddock might see it as an opportunity to make names for themselves.
Having said that, Cheltenham have also been missed the influential winger Josh Low who has been out with a calf strain, but has an outside chance of making the tonight's game.
If he does, fans will see two lawyers doing battle on the pitch rather than in the courts as is usually the 'case'.
Low ,31, earned a law degree with the Open University and spent much of last season gaining work experience with Gloucester-based solicitors Iacopi Palmer, but having been offered a full time job, decided to stay with the Robins. He said:
"I was dealing with criminal and clinical negligence work one day each week last season, but the temptation to continue playing proved too great, although it is something I will obviously hope to continue with once I've retired."
Ben Purkiss,26, has forced his way into the Oxford starting line up and may well have cemented his place as first choice right back following his move from York - the team the Us beat in the play-off final last May - in the summer. Like Low, Purkiss is a bright lad and hasn't given up a career in the legal profession just yet. He told me recently:
"I got my degree from Sheffield University and have spoken to people about the law profession, but football's all I'm concentrating on at the moment. You have to consider life after football at some stage and I did have a chat once with the company that Stuart Ripley (former Blackburn and England winger) works for, but at the moment I'm just enjoying life as a player."
I suspect that the bookies will have Oxford down as favourites, but manager Chris Wilder will be aware that when the Robins play the way they can, they are a match for any team.
In Wes Thomas, Jeff Goulding and England U-19 international Shaun Jeffers (on loan from Coventry), the Robins have a wily and stylish attacking threat. The midfield is just as strong with Brian Smikle and Michael Pook taking front and rear positions respectively in a diamond formation. Pook can expect some good natured 'banter' from the away support given his Swindon background, but isn't the sort of guy to let it affect him.
Cheltenham are looking to bounce back following defeats away at Chesterfield and at home last Saturday to Bury. After that game, manager Mark Yates said:
"We went out with a whimper but we've got a chance to put it right on Tuesday. I take full responsibility, but we need to grow up and start putting in consistent performances. One fan shouted at me that I didn't have a clue, and he was right today, as a team we didn't have a clue today."
Well there's no better game than this one to get things back on track.
Oxford on the other hand managed a credible 1-1 draw up at Crewe, although skipper James Constable - who saw red for his second booking in the 89th minute of the game - will be missing. When you consider that he has scored seven times so far this season for the Us, his absence might just play into the home side's hands - although co-strikers Jack Midson and Tom Craddock might see it as an opportunity to make names for themselves.
Having said that, Cheltenham have also been missed the influential winger Josh Low who has been out with a calf strain, but has an outside chance of making the tonight's game.
If he does, fans will see two lawyers doing battle on the pitch rather than in the courts as is usually the 'case'.
Low ,31, earned a law degree with the Open University and spent much of last season gaining work experience with Gloucester-based solicitors Iacopi Palmer, but having been offered a full time job, decided to stay with the Robins. He said:
"I was dealing with criminal and clinical negligence work one day each week last season, but the temptation to continue playing proved too great, although it is something I will obviously hope to continue with once I've retired."
Ben Purkiss,26, has forced his way into the Oxford starting line up and may well have cemented his place as first choice right back following his move from York - the team the Us beat in the play-off final last May - in the summer. Like Low, Purkiss is a bright lad and hasn't given up a career in the legal profession just yet. He told me recently:
"I got my degree from Sheffield University and have spoken to people about the law profession, but football's all I'm concentrating on at the moment. You have to consider life after football at some stage and I did have a chat once with the company that Stuart Ripley (former Blackburn and England winger) works for, but at the moment I'm just enjoying life as a player."
Monday, 27 September 2010
Swindon Town 1 Huddersfield Town 0 – Man Mountain
Sean Morrison is an exceptional young talent.
As central defenders go he has all it takes to make it to the top, but he’s only 19 years old and while he should enjoy the plaudits after performances like the one he showed against Huddersfield on Saturday, he also has to keep his feet on the ground.
His manager, Danny Wilson, is one person who can – and will - help him to continue to develop his ability so that at some stage he is ready for the next step. His mum and dad are also solid people who can give him wise council and he has plenty of team mates who can give him guidance, but like anyone, his future is ultimately in his own hands.
Fortunately Sean seems to be listening to Wilson and shrugged off speculation linking him with Newcastle, Liverpool and others after the game on Saturday. He said:
“A couple of people I know have gone up to the Premier League and it hasn’t worked out for them for one reason or another. Ben Tozer (who signed for Newcastle at about the same age and has suffered from injuries and been restricted to Toon reserve fixtures) has now signed on loan for Northampton and played really well at Anfield when they won last week.
I’ve signed a contract for another two years and just played my 50th professional game which is a real milestone and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure that there are scouts at every game and they watch every player on the pitch, but I’m just focused on keeping clean sheets.”
And that’s the way it should be. The Swindon faithful won't begrudge him a move to a bigger club when the time is right, but he's at the right place now to hone his skills and learn the trade. Because as good as he is, make no mistake, he's still learning.
Keeper David Lucas, 32, played his own part in Swindon’s victory, but praised Morrison saying:
“Sean’s enjoying himself at the moment and you can see it in the way he plays. Last season he had the crutch of knowing Gordon Greer (now at Brighton) would be playing most of the games, but now he knows that he’ll be playing each week and he has risen to it.”
And Morrison himself was quick to recognise central defensive partner Scott Cuthbert who played a big part in the clean sheet. Morrison said:
"I know Scott's a good honest player and always gives 100%. We've developed a good understanding at the moment and long may it continue and there be many more clean sheets to come. We worked hard for it and Alan Sheehan said to me at half time that we couldn't keep creating this many chances and not score."
It was Sheehan's corner that led to Morrison's goal.
When I watch Sean, I think back to Titus Bramble who also had everything at the same age. Physically they are both tall and well built, neither shirks a tackle and they can both spray the ball about the pitch. Sean is even taking the long throws into the opposition boxes at the moment.
However, Bramble’s problem was always his lapses in concentration at the most inopportune moments – and his off field image.
My phone footage of Sean’s winner – the only time I filmed anything during the whole game! I had one of my funny feelings that something was about to happen ... again!!
Away from the County Ground, Sean will have to find his own way just like the rest of us did at his age. He’ll make mistakes and have to work out who is a friend and who is a hanger-on, but he’s smart enough to be able to make the right judgments.
Listening to 606 on the way home on Saturday evening I was stunned to hear Robbie Savage laugh at a caller when they pointed out he was an entertainer, but frankly that’s all ever football has been about. Savage was a good footballer, but lacks perspective.
I hope that Sean retains his – as I’m confident he will - and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground ... apart from when he needs to head in an injury time winner of course!
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
As central defenders go he has all it takes to make it to the top, but he’s only 19 years old and while he should enjoy the plaudits after performances like the one he showed against Huddersfield on Saturday, he also has to keep his feet on the ground.
His manager, Danny Wilson, is one person who can – and will - help him to continue to develop his ability so that at some stage he is ready for the next step. His mum and dad are also solid people who can give him wise council and he has plenty of team mates who can give him guidance, but like anyone, his future is ultimately in his own hands.
Fortunately Sean seems to be listening to Wilson and shrugged off speculation linking him with Newcastle, Liverpool and others after the game on Saturday. He said:
“A couple of people I know have gone up to the Premier League and it hasn’t worked out for them for one reason or another. Ben Tozer (who signed for Newcastle at about the same age and has suffered from injuries and been restricted to Toon reserve fixtures) has now signed on loan for Northampton and played really well at Anfield when they won last week.
I’ve signed a contract for another two years and just played my 50th professional game which is a real milestone and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure that there are scouts at every game and they watch every player on the pitch, but I’m just focused on keeping clean sheets.”
And that’s the way it should be. The Swindon faithful won't begrudge him a move to a bigger club when the time is right, but he's at the right place now to hone his skills and learn the trade. Because as good as he is, make no mistake, he's still learning.
Keeper David Lucas, 32, played his own part in Swindon’s victory, but praised Morrison saying:
“Sean’s enjoying himself at the moment and you can see it in the way he plays. Last season he had the crutch of knowing Gordon Greer (now at Brighton) would be playing most of the games, but now he knows that he’ll be playing each week and he has risen to it.”
And Morrison himself was quick to recognise central defensive partner Scott Cuthbert who played a big part in the clean sheet. Morrison said:
"I know Scott's a good honest player and always gives 100%. We've developed a good understanding at the moment and long may it continue and there be many more clean sheets to come. We worked hard for it and Alan Sheehan said to me at half time that we couldn't keep creating this many chances and not score."
It was Sheehan's corner that led to Morrison's goal.
When I watch Sean, I think back to Titus Bramble who also had everything at the same age. Physically they are both tall and well built, neither shirks a tackle and they can both spray the ball about the pitch. Sean is even taking the long throws into the opposition boxes at the moment.
However, Bramble’s problem was always his lapses in concentration at the most inopportune moments – and his off field image.
As far as concentration is concerned, this is an area that Wilson has been urging Sean to work on and, to be fair, he is listening to his boss. He proved this by frustrating the Huddersfield strikers for more than ninety minutes before nodding in the injury time winner.
My phone footage of Sean’s winner – the only time I filmed anything during the whole game! I had one of my funny feelings that something was about to happen ... again!!
And the BBC's slightly better camera work!
Away from the County Ground, Sean will have to find his own way just like the rest of us did at his age. He’ll make mistakes and have to work out who is a friend and who is a hanger-on, but he’s smart enough to be able to make the right judgments.
Listening to 606 on the way home on Saturday evening I was stunned to hear Robbie Savage laugh at a caller when they pointed out he was an entertainer, but frankly that’s all ever football has been about. Savage was a good footballer, but lacks perspective.
I hope that Sean retains his – as I’m confident he will - and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground ... apart from when he needs to head in an injury time winner of course!
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Terriers Knocked Off Top Spot by Robins - Dog Days Are Over
What I had predicted would be an open high scoring game between two footballing sides turned out to be a masterclass in League One defending.
Swindon central defenders Sean Morrsion and Scott Cuthbert along with keeper David Lucas came out on top thanks to Morrsion's 91st minute winner, but Huddersfield's defenders also acquitted themselves well.
Jamie McCombe and skipper Peter Clarke were resolute in the centre of defence and keeper Alex Smithies pulled off several good saves with even opposite number Lucas saying:
"Smithies is going to be a really good keeper. Every time I've played against him or watched him he has looked very good."
Unfortunately for the Terriers, two injuries to Gary Roberts and Scott Arfield in the first half restricted manager Lee Clark's tactical options and while it appeared to the away fans that Jonathan Douglas had 'done' Roberts in the 12th minute, the lad was actually taken off with a broken arm after falling awkwardly in the tackle. Clark said:
"Gary Roberts has been one of my best players in the last 4 or 5 games and he was causing problems in the short spell he was on. The break is in a high area of his arm and he was taken to hospital. We'll learn more later, but I've now lost one of my best players for a period of time."
Despite the injuries, Huddersfield contributed greatly to the game and probably deserved a point, but they look too good an outfit to let this result get to them and I suspect they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. As Clark said:
"This result hurts like hell, but as Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you, it's not quite squeaky bum time yet."
More on this game tomorrow.
Swindon central defenders Sean Morrsion and Scott Cuthbert along with keeper David Lucas came out on top thanks to Morrsion's 91st minute winner, but Huddersfield's defenders also acquitted themselves well.
Jamie McCombe and skipper Peter Clarke were resolute in the centre of defence and keeper Alex Smithies pulled off several good saves with even opposite number Lucas saying:
"Smithies is going to be a really good keeper. Every time I've played against him or watched him he has looked very good."
Unfortunately for the Terriers, two injuries to Gary Roberts and Scott Arfield in the first half restricted manager Lee Clark's tactical options and while it appeared to the away fans that Jonathan Douglas had 'done' Roberts in the 12th minute, the lad was actually taken off with a broken arm after falling awkwardly in the tackle. Clark said:
"Gary Roberts has been one of my best players in the last 4 or 5 games and he was causing problems in the short spell he was on. The break is in a high area of his arm and he was taken to hospital. We'll learn more later, but I've now lost one of my best players for a period of time."
Despite the injuries, Huddersfield contributed greatly to the game and probably deserved a point, but they look too good an outfit to let this result get to them and I suspect they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. As Clark said:
"This result hurts like hell, but as Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you, it's not quite squeaky bum time yet."
More on this game tomorrow.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Swindon v Huddersfield - Jigsaw
Off to watch Swindon play against League One leaders Huddersfield tomorrow at the County Ground and it will be interesting to see how much Lee Clark’s team have come on from last season.
As a midfielder with Newcastle, Clark was well loved by the Geordie faithful, but had the nickname ‘Jigsaw’ given his propensity to fall apart in the box. His displays were always energetic and fully committed, but the Newcastle bookmakers were never troubled when it came to bets on his goal scoring prowess!
As a manager he seems to have subscribed to the Kevin Keegan principles of good attractive attacking football.
Keegan had Clark at Newcastle in the early to mid-nineties when the side was known as the Entertainers, but on one occasion Clark tested Keegan’s patience to the limit.
Following a substitution at Southampton (if memory serves), Clark stormed off fuming towards the tunnel, but was dragged back by Keegan and told that if he didn’t park his backside on the bench, he’d never play for the team again.
Clarkie duly sat down, but then spent the journey home on the coach (in tears according to one player) fearing he’d be transfer listed from the club he had supported as a boy. Fortunately Keegan forgave him, although he was eventually sold by Kenny Dalglish and went on to play for local rivals Sunderland and Fulham before returning to the Toon at the end of his playing days. To this day, Lee still has a box at St. James Park.
It will be interesting to see how he handles players who react in a similar way should he drag them off against Swindon.
One suspects that Robins’ boss Danny Wilson has dealt with situations like that on numerous occasions in his – much longer – career in management.
Wilson will be without injured goal machine Charlie Austin for the visit of the Terriers, but after a faltering start to the season, last year’s defeated play-off finalists have now put together two league wins on the bounce and are undefeated in four games.
I haven’t seen them play since Alan Sheehan rejoined the club, but his free transfer in August is a shrewd move.
Speaking to Martin Allen during half time at the Oxford game last weekend the former Cheltenham boss told me:
“I had him with me at Leicester and he’s an excellent player. His distribution is quality. He tackles and is great at set pieces as well. The board there asked me what else he could offer and I wondered how much more they needed from one guy.”
For me, Sheehan was one of the key players in Swindon’s success last term and with one or two signings like him, Danny Wilson could well get them on a roll again.
Wilson has said today via the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9016281.stm) that: "We feel we can compete with them. I'd like to think that they (Huddersfield) will think they've got a very, very tough game on their hands.
Huddersfield are a very good side and I think they'll be there at the end of the season, challenging with about six, seven, eight other teams. It promises to be a cracking game."
I can’t disagree with you there Danny.
As a midfielder with Newcastle, Clark was well loved by the Geordie faithful, but had the nickname ‘Jigsaw’ given his propensity to fall apart in the box. His displays were always energetic and fully committed, but the Newcastle bookmakers were never troubled when it came to bets on his goal scoring prowess!
As a manager he seems to have subscribed to the Kevin Keegan principles of good attractive attacking football.
Keegan had Clark at Newcastle in the early to mid-nineties when the side was known as the Entertainers, but on one occasion Clark tested Keegan’s patience to the limit.
Following a substitution at Southampton (if memory serves), Clark stormed off fuming towards the tunnel, but was dragged back by Keegan and told that if he didn’t park his backside on the bench, he’d never play for the team again.
Clarkie duly sat down, but then spent the journey home on the coach (in tears according to one player) fearing he’d be transfer listed from the club he had supported as a boy. Fortunately Keegan forgave him, although he was eventually sold by Kenny Dalglish and went on to play for local rivals Sunderland and Fulham before returning to the Toon at the end of his playing days. To this day, Lee still has a box at St. James Park.
It will be interesting to see how he handles players who react in a similar way should he drag them off against Swindon.
One suspects that Robins’ boss Danny Wilson has dealt with situations like that on numerous occasions in his – much longer – career in management.
Wilson will be without injured goal machine Charlie Austin for the visit of the Terriers, but after a faltering start to the season, last year’s defeated play-off finalists have now put together two league wins on the bounce and are undefeated in four games.
I haven’t seen them play since Alan Sheehan rejoined the club, but his free transfer in August is a shrewd move.
Speaking to Martin Allen during half time at the Oxford game last weekend the former Cheltenham boss told me:
“I had him with me at Leicester and he’s an excellent player. His distribution is quality. He tackles and is great at set pieces as well. The board there asked me what else he could offer and I wondered how much more they needed from one guy.”
For me, Sheehan was one of the key players in Swindon’s success last term and with one or two signings like him, Danny Wilson could well get them on a roll again.
Wilson has said today via the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9016281.stm) that: "We feel we can compete with them. I'd like to think that they (Huddersfield) will think they've got a very, very tough game on their hands.
Huddersfield are a very good side and I think they'll be there at the end of the season, challenging with about six, seven, eight other teams. It promises to be a cracking game."
I can’t disagree with you there Danny.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
George Donnelly and Matt Glennon - I'm still standing
The highlight of my afternoon at the Kassam last weekend came after the game standing talking to Stockport striker George Donnelly and keeper Matt Glennon.
Donnelly had spent ten years with Liverpool before being dumped at the age of seventeen. The setback saw him fall out of love with the game and he ended up working in a warehouse. As he told me:
"I found myself unloading wagons at a clothing warehouse. Walking to and from work in all weathers and had just about given up on football. My Dad George wouldn't give me though and he got me interested again enough to play for Skelmersdale where I scored 36 goals in half a season. Plymouth then signed me and now I'm on loan at Stockport and things are looking up again."
Donnelly has now scored five goals in seven and while there are probably hundreds of kids out there who don't get a second chance, it's always good to hear about someone who has been given a second chance and grabbed it with both hands.
Keeper Matt Glennon, on the other hand, has returned to the club he supported as a boy and is 'lending' his experience - literally. He revealed:
"County needed an experienced goalkeeper and I needed to be playing first team football, but we're taking each game as it comes. Ideally I'd like to stay and sign a permanent contract. I was a ball boy here and have been away for eleven years and so it's good to be home.
At the moment it isn't about money, but I've got a young family and so really need to secure my future and can't afford to play without a proper salary for too long. Two clean sheets in three games is worth £120,000 a week surely!"
Glennon's joking about his financial expectations, but it is refreshing to hear of a footballer who is willing to play for a pittance in order to help his home town club and hopefully put himself in the shop window in the process.
Donnelly had spent ten years with Liverpool before being dumped at the age of seventeen. The setback saw him fall out of love with the game and he ended up working in a warehouse. As he told me:
"I found myself unloading wagons at a clothing warehouse. Walking to and from work in all weathers and had just about given up on football. My Dad George wouldn't give me though and he got me interested again enough to play for Skelmersdale where I scored 36 goals in half a season. Plymouth then signed me and now I'm on loan at Stockport and things are looking up again."
Donnelly has now scored five goals in seven and while there are probably hundreds of kids out there who don't get a second chance, it's always good to hear about someone who has been given a second chance and grabbed it with both hands.
Keeper Matt Glennon, on the other hand, has returned to the club he supported as a boy and is 'lending' his experience - literally. He revealed:
"County needed an experienced goalkeeper and I needed to be playing first team football, but we're taking each game as it comes. Ideally I'd like to stay and sign a permanent contract. I was a ball boy here and have been away for eleven years and so it's good to be home.
At the moment it isn't about money, but I've got a young family and so really need to secure my future and can't afford to play without a proper salary for too long. Two clean sheets in three games is worth £120,000 a week surely!"
Glennon's joking about his financial expectations, but it is refreshing to hear of a footballer who is willing to play for a pittance in order to help his home town club and hopefully put himself in the shop window in the process.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Smash ‘n’ grab - Frustration
Oxford United were given a taste of what to expect from many visitors to the Kassam when they were frustrate by Stockport on Saturday.
Whether they like it or not – and despite the fact that the have just been promoted from the Conference – Oxford are arguably the biggest side in League Two. In my view only Bradford challenge them in terms of support and resources and that makes them a scalp worth having.
I suspect that Stockport boss Paul Simpson would have been delighted with a point prior to kick off and his side worked hard to frustrate the home team from the off.
George Donnelly’s 41st minute winning goal was well worked and executed, but was an unexpected bonus. And, one save and a punched clearance aside, Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke had one of his quietest games in a long time.
Even before the goal Stockport didn’t look like they wanted to take advantage of the superb surface and get the ball down and play football. Had they done so, I suspect that Oxford would have creamed them.
But County stuck to their game plan and their travelling fans drove back up the M6 grinning from ear to ear. A job needed to be done and the players had done them proud.
Oxford’s problem isn’t so much dropping points to Stockport, but learning to adapt their game to get past the numerous teams who visit the Kassam using similar tactics.
Having seen them three times this season, I have no doubts that they are smart enough as a group to learn from the Stockport experience. They have already shown plenty of guile, inventiveness and imagination this term and so boss Chris Wilder knows it’s in their locker and I’d bank on him bringing it out.
This result was a blip for Oxford. Indeed, Wilder was able to put the result into perspective and said:
“I’m not going to criticize my side because they were throwing everything at them towards the end.
We need to be a lot more clinical than that. Beano is disappointed he didn’t score at the end of the game, but a few of our players had chances and we didn’t take them.
Stockport changed their shape after 25 minutes, which, I guess, was a compliment to the way we were playing.
A lot of sides will come here and play like that and so we have to get used to it.”
Paul Simpson has an altogether trickier problem at Stockport. The club as a whole are finding their feet again after a turbulent couple of years that nearly saw them go out of business and Simpson will need to be given time to restructure the team before they can begin to play the type of football he once graced the Manor Ground with when he played nearly 150 games for Oxford.
In the meantime, Simpson is wily enough to know how to get results with what he has got. His team may not be very attractive, but they work hard for each other and they all seem to be pulling in the same direction.
I suspect they’ll end up in the top half of the table, but can’t see them making the top seven this season. However, I’m sure that this would be seen as a move in the right direction by the County faithful after all they’ve been through.
Whether they like it or not – and despite the fact that the have just been promoted from the Conference – Oxford are arguably the biggest side in League Two. In my view only Bradford challenge them in terms of support and resources and that makes them a scalp worth having.
I suspect that Stockport boss Paul Simpson would have been delighted with a point prior to kick off and his side worked hard to frustrate the home team from the off.
George Donnelly’s 41st minute winning goal was well worked and executed, but was an unexpected bonus. And, one save and a punched clearance aside, Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke had one of his quietest games in a long time.
Even before the goal Stockport didn’t look like they wanted to take advantage of the superb surface and get the ball down and play football. Had they done so, I suspect that Oxford would have creamed them.
But County stuck to their game plan and their travelling fans drove back up the M6 grinning from ear to ear. A job needed to be done and the players had done them proud.
Oxford’s problem isn’t so much dropping points to Stockport, but learning to adapt their game to get past the numerous teams who visit the Kassam using similar tactics.
Having seen them three times this season, I have no doubts that they are smart enough as a group to learn from the Stockport experience. They have already shown plenty of guile, inventiveness and imagination this term and so boss Chris Wilder knows it’s in their locker and I’d bank on him bringing it out.
This result was a blip for Oxford. Indeed, Wilder was able to put the result into perspective and said:
“I’m not going to criticize my side because they were throwing everything at them towards the end.
We need to be a lot more clinical than that. Beano is disappointed he didn’t score at the end of the game, but a few of our players had chances and we didn’t take them.
Stockport changed their shape after 25 minutes, which, I guess, was a compliment to the way we were playing.
A lot of sides will come here and play like that and so we have to get used to it.”
Paul Simpson has an altogether trickier problem at Stockport. The club as a whole are finding their feet again after a turbulent couple of years that nearly saw them go out of business and Simpson will need to be given time to restructure the team before they can begin to play the type of football he once graced the Manor Ground with when he played nearly 150 games for Oxford.
In the meantime, Simpson is wily enough to know how to get results with what he has got. His team may not be very attractive, but they work hard for each other and they all seem to be pulling in the same direction.
I suspect they’ll end up in the top half of the table, but can’t see them making the top seven this season. However, I’m sure that this would be seen as a move in the right direction by the County faithful after all they’ve been through.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Oxford United 0 Stockport County 1 – Mojo
Before the game I was discussing Oxford with my U’s friend Chris. As readers of this blog will be aware, I had already seen ten goals in two Oxford home games this season. Chris had seen them lose twice.
Now I’m a neutral, but Chris is a diehard and so it was a case of seeing whose mojo was the stronger. United fans will be glad to hear that I’ve now banned Chris from the Kassam!
Stockport came to do a job and left smiling. They managed to score a well worked goal in the 41st minute – a long cross field ball from Greg Tansey, superbly controlled by Adam Griffin on the left and then whipped over for George Donnelly to nod in his fifth goal in seven games.
Keeper Ryan Clarke stood no chance with the goal and, one decent save an a punched clearance aside, must have been wondering whether he needed to change his deodorant as no-one really came near him for the rest of the game.
Oxford then spent most of the match huffing and puffing, but failed to break County’s defence down. Skipper and striker, James Constable, became increasingly more desperate to score against former manager Paul Simpson – the man who had ditched him from his Shrewsbury side.
Towards the end Constable did manage to find the net, but was ruled offside and that decision just about summed up Oxford’s day. I can’t say whether it was a correct one (the press box was at the furthest point from the action), but I suspect that the players realized t that point that they’d be having a quiet night in with the missus rather than clubbing it in the city centre.
It was frustrating for the home support, but I guarantee that there will be games like this later in the season when Oxford need to do what Stockport did and the fans will be delighted if they sneak a result in the same way.
It was the first time County had won away at Oxford and their boss - former U’s winger Simpson – was honest enough to admit that it was a “smash and grab” performance.
Chris Wilder was obviously frustrated at the final whistle, but showed what a class act he is by putting himself up for three or four interviews. He said:
“I can’t criticise my team as we threw everything at them. They are disappointed and no-one more so than James.”
I’m away on business this week drinking Belgian beer and eating Belgian chocolate in Antwerp, but will post more quotes from the key players in tomorrow’s blog.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
Now I’m a neutral, but Chris is a diehard and so it was a case of seeing whose mojo was the stronger. United fans will be glad to hear that I’ve now banned Chris from the Kassam!
Stockport came to do a job and left smiling. They managed to score a well worked goal in the 41st minute – a long cross field ball from Greg Tansey, superbly controlled by Adam Griffin on the left and then whipped over for George Donnelly to nod in his fifth goal in seven games.
Keeper Ryan Clarke stood no chance with the goal and, one decent save an a punched clearance aside, must have been wondering whether he needed to change his deodorant as no-one really came near him for the rest of the game.
Oxford then spent most of the match huffing and puffing, but failed to break County’s defence down. Skipper and striker, James Constable, became increasingly more desperate to score against former manager Paul Simpson – the man who had ditched him from his Shrewsbury side.
Towards the end Constable did manage to find the net, but was ruled offside and that decision just about summed up Oxford’s day. I can’t say whether it was a correct one (the press box was at the furthest point from the action), but I suspect that the players realized t that point that they’d be having a quiet night in with the missus rather than clubbing it in the city centre.
It was frustrating for the home support, but I guarantee that there will be games like this later in the season when Oxford need to do what Stockport did and the fans will be delighted if they sneak a result in the same way.
It was the first time County had won away at Oxford and their boss - former U’s winger Simpson – was honest enough to admit that it was a “smash and grab” performance.
Chris Wilder was obviously frustrated at the final whistle, but showed what a class act he is by putting himself up for three or four interviews. He said:
“I can’t criticise my team as we threw everything at them. They are disappointed and no-one more so than James.”
I’m away on business this week drinking Belgian beer and eating Belgian chocolate in Antwerp, but will post more quotes from the key players in tomorrow’s blog.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Oxford/Stockport team news from the BBC
Oxford will be without defensive trio Jake Wright (back), Damian Batt (ankle) and Rhys Day (knee).
Defenders Anthony Tonkin and Harry Worley are likely to face their former club in an unchanged line-up as Oxford look for a third win in a row.
Stockport defender Robbie Williams could be available after missing the last three games through injury.
Fellow defender Jordan Rose is also set to be passed fit after recovering from a recent injury.
Defenders Anthony Tonkin and Harry Worley are likely to face their former club in an unchanged line-up as Oxford look for a third win in a row.
Stockport defender Robbie Williams could be available after missing the last three games through injury.
Fellow defender Jordan Rose is also set to be passed fit after recovering from a recent injury.
That’s m’boy – Father and Son
There’s a good chance that Stockport boss Paul Simpson will give a run out to son Jake in tomorrow’s showdown against Oxford.
Jake, 19, was released by Shrewsbury after his old man’s sacking, but the Hatters made the kid their Young Player of the Season last term and so he must have something about him other than fortuitous genes.
Last season Jake finished with 20 appearances while so far this season he has only seen action for a total of eleven minutes in two games as a substitute, but only signed two weeks ago so watch this space.
As usual, a report will appear in Monday morning’s edition of The Sun and I’ll make various postings next week to add quotes and further thoughts or insights.
Have a great weekend and I hope that whichever team you support, they do you proud.
Song artist: Cat Stevens
Jake, 19, was released by Shrewsbury after his old man’s sacking, but the Hatters made the kid their Young Player of the Season last term and so he must have something about him other than fortuitous genes.
Last season Jake finished with 20 appearances while so far this season he has only seen action for a total of eleven minutes in two games as a substitute, but only signed two weeks ago so watch this space.
As usual, a report will appear in Monday morning’s edition of The Sun and I’ll make various postings next week to add quotes and further thoughts or insights.
Have a great weekend and I hope that whichever team you support, they do you proud.
Song artist: Cat Stevens
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Goal fest at the Kassam? – Mad Hatter Rap
Just got the word that I'll be covering the Oxford/Stockport clash at the weekend and if it's only half as much as my only other two visits this season, there should be loads of goals.
I have seen Bristol Rovers (in League Cup) and Morecambe let in ten goals between them and the way Chris Wilder has got Oxford playing, I can't see them letting up against The Hatters.
Paul Simpson's men have only taken the scalp of Macclesfield so far this season who are one place below them at the wrong end of the table. By contrast, Oxford have been playing attractive attacking football - even when they've been losing.
It's still early days of course and you'd expect a manager of Simpson's calibre to be able to turn things around.
As a player, Simpson managed nearly 150 appearances for Oxford as a winger and scored over forty goals becoming a fans' favourite in the process. However, he left the club after a four year tenure back in 1992 and eighteen years is a long time in football.
I'm sure some of the older Oxford fans will give Simpson a warm welcome, but the younger generation might not be as charitable.
Still, the former Manchester City man has been there, done it and go an embroidered t-shirt so I'm sure a few jeers won't affect him.
I remember seeing Simpson play at the old Manor Ground and he was nimble, quick skilful and – for a winger – quite brave. All of these attributes saw him pick up five England U-21 caps while playing at Maine Road before joining Oxford.
Simpson’s playing career took him to Derby, Wolves and Blackpool before he cut his teeth as a player-manager for both Rochdale and Carlisle.
His only season with Rochdale didn’t go too well and they just managed to beat relegation, but his return to home town club Carlisle ultimately proved to be the highlight of his management career so far.
Suffering from financial problems and signing restrictions, Carlisle were relegated from the football league into the Conference (an experience most Oxford fans can empathise with) before Simpson led them straight back via the play-offs and then on to League One the following season (an experience most Oxford fans are dreaming about).
He was then sacked by both Preston (despite taking them to their highest ever position for 55years) and Shrewsbury where he dispensed with the services of current Oxford striker James Constable, but took the Shrews to the Play-Off Final.
Simpson joined Stockport this summer and so it’s too early for anyone to pass judgement, but his history in management would suggest that there’s a good chance that things will start looking up at some point soon - I’d predict that it won’t be at the Kassam on Saturday though!
Song artist: Alex Farnham
I have seen Bristol Rovers (in League Cup) and Morecambe let in ten goals between them and the way Chris Wilder has got Oxford playing, I can't see them letting up against The Hatters.
Paul Simpson's men have only taken the scalp of Macclesfield so far this season who are one place below them at the wrong end of the table. By contrast, Oxford have been playing attractive attacking football - even when they've been losing.
It's still early days of course and you'd expect a manager of Simpson's calibre to be able to turn things around.
As a player, Simpson managed nearly 150 appearances for Oxford as a winger and scored over forty goals becoming a fans' favourite in the process. However, he left the club after a four year tenure back in 1992 and eighteen years is a long time in football.
I'm sure some of the older Oxford fans will give Simpson a warm welcome, but the younger generation might not be as charitable.
Still, the former Manchester City man has been there, done it and go an embroidered t-shirt so I'm sure a few jeers won't affect him.
I remember seeing Simpson play at the old Manor Ground and he was nimble, quick skilful and – for a winger – quite brave. All of these attributes saw him pick up five England U-21 caps while playing at Maine Road before joining Oxford.
Simpson’s playing career took him to Derby, Wolves and Blackpool before he cut his teeth as a player-manager for both Rochdale and Carlisle.
His only season with Rochdale didn’t go too well and they just managed to beat relegation, but his return to home town club Carlisle ultimately proved to be the highlight of his management career so far.
Suffering from financial problems and signing restrictions, Carlisle were relegated from the football league into the Conference (an experience most Oxford fans can empathise with) before Simpson led them straight back via the play-offs and then on to League One the following season (an experience most Oxford fans are dreaming about).
He was then sacked by both Preston (despite taking them to their highest ever position for 55years) and Shrewsbury where he dispensed with the services of current Oxford striker James Constable, but took the Shrews to the Play-Off Final.
Simpson joined Stockport this summer and so it’s too early for anyone to pass judgement, but his history in management would suggest that there’s a good chance that things will start looking up at some point soon - I’d predict that it won’t be at the Kassam on Saturday though!
Song artist: Alex Farnham
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
A bit of a moan – On My Radio
It’s said in some quarters that the BBC’s standards are slipping. If so, 5Live appear to be applying the grease.
In the space of two days I was forced to turn the radio off twice rather than listen to the inane chat coming from the mouths of Alan Green and Robbie Savage – or dumb and dumber as I like to think of them.
Am I the only one who can’t understand a bloody word Green is saying just before – and then when - a goal is scored? He seems to scream inaudibly for a few seconds and then, after he’s calmed down and taken a deep breath, he finally describes what has happened – a good five seconds after the event. These days you could read a description of the goal on Twitter by the time his brain engages.
I deal with footballer players, week in, week out and can honestly say that the widely held belief that they are thick is generally unfounded.
Unfortunately Savage seems to plays up to that stereotype every time he opens his mouth and does the whole profession a disservice in the process. However, everything is always “in my own personal opinion” and so I will at least give him credit for taking the blame.
Last weekend on 606 he was harping on about shirt pulling and cynical fouls being “part of the game”, but missed the point the caller was trying to make about it not being entertaining for the people paying money to watch.
And yes, we know it goes on Robbie (some of us with a lot less talent even do it in five-a-side games at the local leisure centres), but as free kicks are given when you pull shirts and commit cynical fouls, they are obviously against the rules and therefore not 'supposed' to be part of the game.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those people calling for Robbie’s head every time he puts his foot in to a fifty-fifty challenge – it’s only when he puts his foot in his gob that he winds me up.
It’s an old media trick using a radio presenter or a newspaper columnist to get the listener’s or reader’s juices flowing – just enough to make them want come back for more punishment as a masochist might when visiting a very good dominatrix.
Well for this punter the Beeb have gone too far by employing the over-sadistic whiplash twins and I’ll continue switching off whenever I hear them struggling to string a sentence together.
In the space of two days I was forced to turn the radio off twice rather than listen to the inane chat coming from the mouths of Alan Green and Robbie Savage – or dumb and dumber as I like to think of them.
Am I the only one who can’t understand a bloody word Green is saying just before – and then when - a goal is scored? He seems to scream inaudibly for a few seconds and then, after he’s calmed down and taken a deep breath, he finally describes what has happened – a good five seconds after the event. These days you could read a description of the goal on Twitter by the time his brain engages.
I deal with footballer players, week in, week out and can honestly say that the widely held belief that they are thick is generally unfounded.
Unfortunately Savage seems to plays up to that stereotype every time he opens his mouth and does the whole profession a disservice in the process. However, everything is always “in my own personal opinion” and so I will at least give him credit for taking the blame.
Last weekend on 606 he was harping on about shirt pulling and cynical fouls being “part of the game”, but missed the point the caller was trying to make about it not being entertaining for the people paying money to watch.
And yes, we know it goes on Robbie (some of us with a lot less talent even do it in five-a-side games at the local leisure centres), but as free kicks are given when you pull shirts and commit cynical fouls, they are obviously against the rules and therefore not 'supposed' to be part of the game.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those people calling for Robbie’s head every time he puts his foot in to a fifty-fifty challenge – it’s only when he puts his foot in his gob that he winds me up.
It’s an old media trick using a radio presenter or a newspaper columnist to get the listener’s or reader’s juices flowing – just enough to make them want come back for more punishment as a masochist might when visiting a very good dominatrix.
Well for this punter the Beeb have gone too far by employing the over-sadistic whiplash twins and I’ll continue switching off whenever I hear them struggling to string a sentence together.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Mikkel Andersen – Crew Cut
Danish U-21 keeper Mikkel Andersen showed what a class act he is when he kept a clean sheet against Brentford on Saturday.
Ben Hamer was in goal for Brentford and both keepers are on loan from their parent club Reading.
Rovers were down to ten men after defender Gary Sawyer picked up his second booking in the 70th minute and after the game, Mikkel was asked to come down to the bowels of the stadium where the press conferences are held. He said:
“We played well as a unit. It’s always difficult when you go down to ten men, but I think we stuck together and when had a decent result when we could’ve lost the game. Everyone’s pleased with that, but of course we wanted three points at home in front of our fans so there is a little bit of mixed feelings. StilI think everyone’s proud we kept our first clean sheet of the season.
In front of goal we just need a little bit of luck. I think the goals will come and I think in John (Akinde) we have a very good target man. You can see John is ‘a player’. He gets himself in and about (the opposition) and it’s a pleasure for me especially to have him to win the balls and flick-ons and so I think he will do us a lot of good.
I don’t remember which was my favourite save as I had so many! To be fair, that’s what I’m there for. I’m there to save the ball and that’s what I did today and so I’m happy with that.
I’m glad to be here and glad to be playing games and so hopefully I can step it up this season.
I’m still young and every season I want to step it up. I push myself every day. Mike Green (second choice keeper) and I push each other on and we have a great little unit. We’re good friends and enjoy our working relationship. Green has come on really well and I heard he played really well last week.
It was important for the confidence of the team that we showed we can keep a clean sheet. We showed great concentration and focus in the last part of the game when we’d had a man sent off.
Ben and I had a chat before and after the game. We’re good friends and he’s a good lad and I’ve known him since I went to Reading and I enjoy working with him as well.
Finally (and just so the song title above makes sense – sort of) Andersen also joked about his new crew cut hairstyle:
“I’ll think I’ll have to keep it like this for a while now. Maybe I’ll grow a beard instead.”
Ben Hamer was in goal for Brentford and both keepers are on loan from their parent club Reading.
Rovers were down to ten men after defender Gary Sawyer picked up his second booking in the 70th minute and after the game, Mikkel was asked to come down to the bowels of the stadium where the press conferences are held. He said:
“We played well as a unit. It’s always difficult when you go down to ten men, but I think we stuck together and when had a decent result when we could’ve lost the game. Everyone’s pleased with that, but of course we wanted three points at home in front of our fans so there is a little bit of mixed feelings. StilI think everyone’s proud we kept our first clean sheet of the season.
In front of goal we just need a little bit of luck. I think the goals will come and I think in John (Akinde) we have a very good target man. You can see John is ‘a player’. He gets himself in and about (the opposition) and it’s a pleasure for me especially to have him to win the balls and flick-ons and so I think he will do us a lot of good.
I don’t remember which was my favourite save as I had so many! To be fair, that’s what I’m there for. I’m there to save the ball and that’s what I did today and so I’m happy with that.
I’m glad to be here and glad to be playing games and so hopefully I can step it up this season.
I’m still young and every season I want to step it up. I push myself every day. Mike Green (second choice keeper) and I push each other on and we have a great little unit. We’re good friends and enjoy our working relationship. Green has come on really well and I heard he played really well last week.
It was important for the confidence of the team that we showed we can keep a clean sheet. We showed great concentration and focus in the last part of the game when we’d had a man sent off.
Ben and I had a chat before and after the game. We’re good friends and he’s a good lad and I’ve known him since I went to Reading and I enjoy working with him as well.
Finally (and just so the song title above makes sense – sort of) Andersen also joked about his new crew cut hairstyle:
“I’ll think I’ll have to keep it like this for a while now. Maybe I’ll grow a beard instead.”
Monday, 13 September 2010
Bristol Rovers 0 Brentford 0 - Hanging on the telephone
BBC coverage now online at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8992323.stm
A slightly embarrassing moment after the game on Saturday.
I left the ground with Brentford manager Andy Scott who was not travelling back on the team bus and as we were walking along he asked:
“Where are you parked?”
I then offered to give him a lift and gave a long rambling description of where I usually parked my car that went on for a good fifteen seconds. It was only when I paused to draw breath that I realized he had his phone to his ear and wasn’t even talking to me. He must have thought I was a bit of a nutter – then again, he would’ve been right I suppose.
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
Scott’s side played well, as did Rovers, but neither got the goals they deserved.
In the first half, the Rovers midfield of Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell and Jeff Hughes seemed to find space wherever they wanted it and Lines, in particular, was picking out the front two of Jo Kuffour and John Akinde for fun, but the ball didn’t run for the strikers.
Akinde is on loan from local rivals Bristol City and was making his full debut. The Gashead faithful gave him a warm welcome - setting his background to one side - and he rewarded them with a display that was full of effort – if not end product.
Akinde is a big lad and has a great deal of pace, but is obviously short of match practice and, understandably, will take time to build a partnership with the smaller, gutsy Kuffour.
Jo has built a good reputation at Rovers and never tires of running. He’s also not afraid to stand up for himself and probably came off best in a fairly physical battle with Brentford’s skipper and central defender, Karleigh Osborne.
Two Reading loanee keepers were on show in Mikkel Andersen for Rovers and Ben Hamer.
In the first half Hamer made a good low save from Kuffour and, while he didn’t really have any other saves to make, showed good levels of concentration (and how aware he is) by clearing his lines and dashing from the box to thwart a Rovers attack.
In contrast, Andersen made four excellent saves in the second half that should have seen him pick up the man of the match champagne.
Brentford wingers Nicky Adams (twice) and Myles Weston both had goal bound shots saved by the Danish U-21 international as did striker Gary Alexander with a point blank headern from 10 yards. Afterwards Adams said:
“We all knew how good Mikkel was before we got here and so no-one was surprised.”
The Rovers sponsors gave the man of the match award to the excellent Will Hoskins ten minutes after the striker had been substituted and swapped for midfielder Wayne Brown.
Rovers defender Gary Sawyer had just been sent off for a second booking and when Hoskins number was shown the Rovers fans showed their disapproval by booing manager Paul Trollope’s decision. There’s no doubt that Hoskins had run his socks off and played well, but I couldn’t help but feel that the sponsors decision was a dig at Trollope’s.
Frankly though, when you lose a defender and go down to ten men, one of the strikers has to be sacrificed. As Trollope said:
“I don’t know a manger anywhere in the world who would carry on playing with three strikers after going down to ten men. Will had run himself into the ground and put in a good shift and so I took him off.”
I guess you could argue that Akinde could have been brought off, but even with ten men, Rovers were still looking to win the game and Trollope probably thought he was more likely to trouble Brentford’s central defenders than Hoskins – and as mentioned above, Kuffour was giving Osbourne a hard time of it.
For me, Trollope made the right decision.
All in all, a draw was a fair result, although both managers felt they could have won it and I’ll post their thoughts on here tomorrow’s blog once I’ve reviewed my recording of their interviews and made sure they were talking to me and not someone else on their mobiles!!
Friday, 10 September 2010
Southampton – Faces Without Names
I thought I’d be off to watch the South Coast Club play at Swindon on Saturday, but I’ve been earmarked for the Bristol Rovers/Brentford tussle instead.
In some ways I’m quite relieved because – while I agree with any local and national newspaper making a stand against the Executive Chairman of the club, Nicola Cortese – the current dispute isn’t doing the players or fans, in particular, any favours.
Cortese has decided in his wisdom that newspapers should pay for the privilege of running photographs provided by the club’s own snappers. In an effort to squeeze revenue from every orifice though, he’s missing the point. Whether he likes it or not, the papers give free advertising to his business. If he was forced to pay the going advertising rate for the space given over to the club by numerous newspapers each season, it would be back in administration long before Christmas.
Former club owner Markus Liebherr sadly passed away at only 62 years of age recently and I can’t help, but feel that he may have been keeping Cortese’s wilder excesses in check. German-born Liebherr led Southampton out of administration ahead of last season in which they won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He will be fondly remembered by Saints fans for his contribution to the club. However, I’m not sure that same will be said of Cortese.
And last week Cortese compounded his increasingly poor image by sacking manager Alan Pardew – shortly after they had trounced Bristol Rovers by four goals.
This is the same Pardew who helped Southampton win that Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and also took them to within a whisker of the play-offs last season – despite starting the campaign with a ten point deficit. Believe me, there were several players at clubs in those play-off positions looking over their shoulders and bricking it as the Saints marched up the table. No one was in any doubt that, should they make it, they’d then stroll into the Championship via Wembley.
I suspect that Southampton fans are becoming increasingly frustrated by Cortese, but also wonder what the players make of it. Let’s face it, they work in what is effectively part of the entertainment industry and grew up wanting to see their faces on the telly or their names in print. No harm in that at all, but when no-one knows how well they are playing it’s not going to help them seal that big money move or extended contract – assuming they wish to stay at the club following recent events.
The other thing worth pointing out to Cortese is that many of the papers use freelance photographers and pay them. It’s their livelihood and he’s affecting their earnings – not many of them will have earned their fortunes acting as a merchant banker.
In some ways I’m quite relieved because – while I agree with any local and national newspaper making a stand against the Executive Chairman of the club, Nicola Cortese – the current dispute isn’t doing the players or fans, in particular, any favours.
Cortese has decided in his wisdom that newspapers should pay for the privilege of running photographs provided by the club’s own snappers. In an effort to squeeze revenue from every orifice though, he’s missing the point. Whether he likes it or not, the papers give free advertising to his business. If he was forced to pay the going advertising rate for the space given over to the club by numerous newspapers each season, it would be back in administration long before Christmas.
Former club owner Markus Liebherr sadly passed away at only 62 years of age recently and I can’t help, but feel that he may have been keeping Cortese’s wilder excesses in check. German-born Liebherr led Southampton out of administration ahead of last season in which they won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He will be fondly remembered by Saints fans for his contribution to the club. However, I’m not sure that same will be said of Cortese.
And last week Cortese compounded his increasingly poor image by sacking manager Alan Pardew – shortly after they had trounced Bristol Rovers by four goals.
This is the same Pardew who helped Southampton win that Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and also took them to within a whisker of the play-offs last season – despite starting the campaign with a ten point deficit. Believe me, there were several players at clubs in those play-off positions looking over their shoulders and bricking it as the Saints marched up the table. No one was in any doubt that, should they make it, they’d then stroll into the Championship via Wembley.
I suspect that Southampton fans are becoming increasingly frustrated by Cortese, but also wonder what the players make of it. Let’s face it, they work in what is effectively part of the entertainment industry and grew up wanting to see their faces on the telly or their names in print. No harm in that at all, but when no-one knows how well they are playing it’s not going to help them seal that big money move or extended contract – assuming they wish to stay at the club following recent events.
The other thing worth pointing out to Cortese is that many of the papers use freelance photographers and pay them. It’s their livelihood and he’s affecting their earnings – not many of them will have earned their fortunes acting as a merchant banker.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Sammy McIlroy – Nice Day for a Sulk
Oxford chief Chris Wilder appears to be an enthusiastic and approachable guy and despite the fact that Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy has been in the game a lot longer, the Irishman could do worse than taking lessons in courtesy from him.
Following their 4-0 trashing, McIlroy opted to send keeper Barry Roche to speak to the media. Frankly, Roche had endured a bad afternoon through no fault of his own and didn’t need the extra hassle of giving the honest opinion that “we were an embarrassment” and “Oxford were better than us all over the pitch”. Surely fronting up to the media is the manager’s job. It comes with the territory.
Managers who see the media as an annoyance rather than conduits to the fans who wish to hear from them are misguided. By snubbing the media, you are basically turning your back on the fans. And after a 4-0 thumping, the fans – who, unlike reporters and managers, actually pay hard cash to travel and watch the games – deserve some sort of explanation.
I had been talking to Wilder and the Oxford players pitch side while Roche was led three flights up to the media room like a man on his way to the gallows. Consequently I even missed his honest assessment at first hand while McIlroy went A.W.O.L.
Once I had finished chatting to the Oxford boys I headed off to find McIlroy who I had heard was on the team bus. I was hoping that after a cooling down period he might decide to say something.
Unfortunately he was still seething or sulking and passed the message (via one of his staff) that I should speak to Roche who they claimed was still inside the stadium.
I was fairly certain that, by this time, Roche had already made it on to the team bus and, sure enough, no sooner had I turned away than the bus door closed and it pulled away.
Childish.
At some point in the not too distant future McIlroy might wonder why the press aren’t giving him a bit of a break as the pressure builds. And while I have little to do with Morecambe personally, I’m sure that the local media will be a little less understanding if this is the way they are treated by him every time Morecambe get a dicking.
It’s not a case of vendettas being fulfilled. It’s just human nature isn’t it? If you treat someone like dirt then don’t expect any favours when the heat is on. Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the only one with a long memory.
Some wise words from Wilder following his side’s 4-0 win on Saturday:
“We started the game really well and scored two great goals. Maybe later in the game - because we’ve not had our first win - we got a little bit edgy, but I’m delighted for everybody. It’s the first win back in the Football League and we’ve just got to make sure we keep this standard up and keep going.
Ryan Clarke didn’t have a great deal to do, but when we were two-nil up he made a fantastic save and while it wasn’t a turning point in the game - because we looked comfortable - there are a lot of young players out there, so it settled everyone down.
Beano (James Constable) getting his hatrick will do him the world of good.
I thought the first 20 to 25 minutes we were exceptional as we were in the last 20. We moved the ball about, popped it about and created chances. Sometimes it’s just about getting that first win. I’ll admit we were getting a little edgy this week wanting it.
In the last 15 - when they got the boy sent off - it opened up and we went looking to score a third and fourth, but it was important that we just got the win to boost the confidence of everybody including the supporters.”
Following their 4-0 trashing, McIlroy opted to send keeper Barry Roche to speak to the media. Frankly, Roche had endured a bad afternoon through no fault of his own and didn’t need the extra hassle of giving the honest opinion that “we were an embarrassment” and “Oxford were better than us all over the pitch”. Surely fronting up to the media is the manager’s job. It comes with the territory.
Managers who see the media as an annoyance rather than conduits to the fans who wish to hear from them are misguided. By snubbing the media, you are basically turning your back on the fans. And after a 4-0 thumping, the fans – who, unlike reporters and managers, actually pay hard cash to travel and watch the games – deserve some sort of explanation.
I had been talking to Wilder and the Oxford players pitch side while Roche was led three flights up to the media room like a man on his way to the gallows. Consequently I even missed his honest assessment at first hand while McIlroy went A.W.O.L.
Once I had finished chatting to the Oxford boys I headed off to find McIlroy who I had heard was on the team bus. I was hoping that after a cooling down period he might decide to say something.
Unfortunately he was still seething or sulking and passed the message (via one of his staff) that I should speak to Roche who they claimed was still inside the stadium.
I was fairly certain that, by this time, Roche had already made it on to the team bus and, sure enough, no sooner had I turned away than the bus door closed and it pulled away.
Childish.
At some point in the not too distant future McIlroy might wonder why the press aren’t giving him a bit of a break as the pressure builds. And while I have little to do with Morecambe personally, I’m sure that the local media will be a little less understanding if this is the way they are treated by him every time Morecambe get a dicking.
It’s not a case of vendettas being fulfilled. It’s just human nature isn’t it? If you treat someone like dirt then don’t expect any favours when the heat is on. Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t the only one with a long memory.
Some wise words from Wilder following his side’s 4-0 win on Saturday:
“We started the game really well and scored two great goals. Maybe later in the game - because we’ve not had our first win - we got a little bit edgy, but I’m delighted for everybody. It’s the first win back in the Football League and we’ve just got to make sure we keep this standard up and keep going.
Ryan Clarke didn’t have a great deal to do, but when we were two-nil up he made a fantastic save and while it wasn’t a turning point in the game - because we looked comfortable - there are a lot of young players out there, so it settled everyone down.
Beano (James Constable) getting his hatrick will do him the world of good.
I thought the first 20 to 25 minutes we were exceptional as we were in the last 20. We moved the ball about, popped it about and created chances. Sometimes it’s just about getting that first win. I’ll admit we were getting a little edgy this week wanting it.
In the last 15 - when they got the boy sent off - it opened up and we went looking to score a third and fourth, but it was important that we just got the win to boost the confidence of everybody including the supporters.”
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
A Case of Mistaken Identity – Two Faced Love
Watched last night’s game against Switzerland in the Chelsea Pub in Linz, Austria and ended up standing next to a guy who was wearing a red England shirt.
I assumed he was from back home and so asked him from where. It turned out he was Swiss, but he thought that they were so bad he’d switched allegiance to England. As I’d already sunk a few beers, I spent the rest of the evening trying to convince him he was a traitor to his country, but at the final whistle he just pointed to the TV and said: “That’s why I don’t support Switzerland.”
It’s difficult enough getting my head round the fact that half of Croydon supports Manchester United rather than Crystal Palace, but supporting another nation seems just plain wrong.
Gaff of the night (and in my defence I was on my fifth pint):
Me – Why isn’t Paul Scharner playing for Switzerland tonight?
Fellow customer – Because he’s Austrian.
Me – Fair enough (exit to the bogs in embarrassment).
I assumed he was from back home and so asked him from where. It turned out he was Swiss, but he thought that they were so bad he’d switched allegiance to England. As I’d already sunk a few beers, I spent the rest of the evening trying to convince him he was a traitor to his country, but at the final whistle he just pointed to the TV and said: “That’s why I don’t support Switzerland.”
It’s difficult enough getting my head round the fact that half of Croydon supports Manchester United rather than Crystal Palace, but supporting another nation seems just plain wrong.
Gaff of the night (and in my defence I was on my fifth pint):
Me – Why isn’t Paul Scharner playing for Switzerland tonight?
Fellow customer – Because he’s Austrian.
Me – Fair enough (exit to the bogs in embarrassment).
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Austria v Kazakhstan … or another night on the lash? - Undecided
I’m in Austria at the moment on business, but realized that the Euro qualifier against Kazakhstan takes place tonight near Salzburg.
While sitting like ‘Billy-No-Mates’ on my own last night in a local bar I started checking out the possibilities on my BlackBerry.
After one large local beer I had established that my journey to the Red Bull Stadium would entail taking a tram, train and finally, a taxi.
After my second beer it had become clear that it would cost me less – all in – than a trip up to London to watch a Premier League side.
After the third beer I had worked out that the text on BlackBerries gets smaller the more Austrian lager you drink.
After the fourth beer the travel times seemed ‘do-able’, but the 02.30 train back was a bit of a problem.
After the fifth beer a 02.30 train was suddenly no problem – the road trip to Salzburg was on!
After coffee and a continental breakfast this morning I thought: Bollocks to that, I’ll watch it on the telly … with a beer.
While sitting like ‘Billy-No-Mates’ on my own last night in a local bar I started checking out the possibilities on my BlackBerry.
After one large local beer I had established that my journey to the Red Bull Stadium would entail taking a tram, train and finally, a taxi.
After my second beer it had become clear that it would cost me less – all in – than a trip up to London to watch a Premier League side.
After the third beer I had worked out that the text on BlackBerries gets smaller the more Austrian lager you drink.
After the fourth beer the travel times seemed ‘do-able’, but the 02.30 train back was a bit of a problem.
After the fifth beer a 02.30 train was suddenly no problem – the road trip to Salzburg was on!
After coffee and a continental breakfast this morning I thought: Bollocks to that, I’ll watch it on the telly … with a beer.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Oxford United 4 Morecambe 0 – Good Luck Charm
I have a couple of mates who watch Oxford week in week out and have been telling me that the side have been playing well despite failing to notch up their first league win. Well they got in on Saturday - and in some style too.
My last visit to the Kassam saw Oxford destroy Bristol Rovers 6-1 in the League Cup and so in my two visits to watch the Us this season I’ve seen them score ten goals. The local reporters in the press box were practically begging me to come again and while my presence obviously has an effect, I really think I should give a little credit to the players!
First on the roll of honour is 25 year old skipper James “Beano” Constable.
The last time I spoke to Constable was when he had just joined Walsall. After re-introducing myself to him (and mistakenly aging him by 6 years – sorry about that James!), he told me how much he was enjoying life at the club and what had happened in the intervening years. He said:
“The move to Walsall and another one to Shrewsbury didn’t work out for me and when Oxford showed an interest I jumped at the chance. You only had to see the set-up and the fan base to know it wouldn’t be a Conference club for long and so I jumped at the chance to join them. To be captain here is special and I take the responsibility seriously.”
James scored his first in the 25th minute and I had a gut feeling that a goal was coming and so had the camera video running as Simon Heslop took the corner. The footage isn’t that good and certainly doesn’t do justice to the goal. Then again, it’s better than nothing and gives you an idea of the view we have in the press box.
Heslop’s opening goal was the pick of the bunch and while Constable deserved his man of the match champagne, Heslop is rapidly becoming the main man in Oxford’s midfield following his signing in the summer.
Heslop, 23, started out – and spent five years - at Barnsley and said:
“I lost count of the number of clubs I’ve been to on loan over the years, but I think my career only really took off when I signed a three year deal with Oxford this summer.
I was asked to drop back a little bit in the second half as we didn’t want to throw away the lead, but I definitely enjoyed the goal.”
Laurence Wilson picked up a second yellow card for Morecambe before Constable added two more goals late on and the assist by Alfie Potter saw him being immediately thanked by his skipper.
Substitute Potter said:
“It was typical of Beano to come straight to me and pat me on the back rather the run off celebrating. It also shows that practice makes perfect as we’ve been doing that in training.”
At two-nil Oxford looked comfortable and keeper Ryan Clarke had been a mere onlooker for most of the game, but showed that he was ready and willing when called upon by producing a superb (and brave) double save from Paul Mullin. He reacted instinctively to palm away the striker’s header before diving to smother and hold on to a point blank follow up shot.
Afterwards though Clarke was full of praise for Constable and said:
“He’s a bully, but in the best possible way. Our defenders were complaining about the treatment they got from Damian Spencer when we played Aldershot, but I pointed out that Beano dishes that out every week. It’s a lot better playing with him than against him!
I’ll try to tell him that my saves and a clean sheet are just as important as his goals, but I doubt whether he’ll be having it.”
After Oxford’s League Cup demolition of Rovers I predicted that they would be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and on this display I have to say I saw nothing to change my mind, although obviously they will need me sitting on my fat behind in the press box if they’re to rack up the goals :-)
My last visit to the Kassam saw Oxford destroy Bristol Rovers 6-1 in the League Cup and so in my two visits to watch the Us this season I’ve seen them score ten goals. The local reporters in the press box were practically begging me to come again and while my presence obviously has an effect, I really think I should give a little credit to the players!
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
First on the roll of honour is 25 year old skipper James “Beano” Constable.
The last time I spoke to Constable was when he had just joined Walsall. After re-introducing myself to him (and mistakenly aging him by 6 years – sorry about that James!), he told me how much he was enjoying life at the club and what had happened in the intervening years. He said:
“The move to Walsall and another one to Shrewsbury didn’t work out for me and when Oxford showed an interest I jumped at the chance. You only had to see the set-up and the fan base to know it wouldn’t be a Conference club for long and so I jumped at the chance to join them. To be captain here is special and I take the responsibility seriously.”
James scored his first in the 25th minute and I had a gut feeling that a goal was coming and so had the camera video running as Simon Heslop took the corner. The footage isn’t that good and certainly doesn’t do justice to the goal. Then again, it’s better than nothing and gives you an idea of the view we have in the press box.
Heslop’s opening goal was the pick of the bunch and while Constable deserved his man of the match champagne, Heslop is rapidly becoming the main man in Oxford’s midfield following his signing in the summer.
Heslop, 23, started out – and spent five years - at Barnsley and said:
“I lost count of the number of clubs I’ve been to on loan over the years, but I think my career only really took off when I signed a three year deal with Oxford this summer.
I was asked to drop back a little bit in the second half as we didn’t want to throw away the lead, but I definitely enjoyed the goal.”
Laurence Wilson picked up a second yellow card for Morecambe before Constable added two more goals late on and the assist by Alfie Potter saw him being immediately thanked by his skipper.
Substitute Potter said:
“It was typical of Beano to come straight to me and pat me on the back rather the run off celebrating. It also shows that practice makes perfect as we’ve been doing that in training.”
At two-nil Oxford looked comfortable and keeper Ryan Clarke had been a mere onlooker for most of the game, but showed that he was ready and willing when called upon by producing a superb (and brave) double save from Paul Mullin. He reacted instinctively to palm away the striker’s header before diving to smother and hold on to a point blank follow up shot.
Afterwards though Clarke was full of praise for Constable and said:
“He’s a bully, but in the best possible way. Our defenders were complaining about the treatment they got from Damian Spencer when we played Aldershot, but I pointed out that Beano dishes that out every week. It’s a lot better playing with him than against him!
I’ll try to tell him that my saves and a clean sheet are just as important as his goals, but I doubt whether he’ll be having it.”
After Oxford’s League Cup demolition of Rovers I predicted that they would be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and on this display I have to say I saw nothing to change my mind, although obviously they will need me sitting on my fat behind in the press box if they’re to rack up the goals :-)
Friday, 3 September 2010
Cheltenham Town 2 Burton Albion 1 – Ugly
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun - with someone else's byline!!
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
They say that if you are going to achieve anything in football, sometimes you have to win ugly – if so, this performance was a bit like watching Susan Boyle at a gurning competition.
In total contrast to the “semi naked Cameron Diaz show” the Robins put on last time I went to see them against Crewe, this time the Robins stole all three points with a fight back prompted by on loan substitute Shaun Jeffers who set up both goals.
Having said that, Cheltenham boss Mark Yates won’t mind if he wakes up next to the football equivalent of SuBo next May knowing that he will be strutting his stuff in the harem of League One beauties in 2011/12.
Jeff Goulding started the game after passing a fitness test, but Jeffers, 18, replaced him on the hour - as was the plan according to First Team Coach Neil Howarth after the match.
In the 80th minute Jeffers – on loan from Coventry and joining up with England U-19s for a game against Slovakia after the game –teed up co-striker Wes Morgan for his 5th goal in four games and less than two minutes later did the same thing for winger Josh Low to wrap up the win.
Mind you if it hadn’t been for several great saves by keeper Scott Brown things could have been very different. The last one – in injury time – was a stunning low save to his right from an 18 yard shot by Burton goal scorer Shaun Harrad that flew through a sea of legs.
I spoke to Harrad afterwards and he generously paid tribute to Brown saying: “He deserves the man of the match champagne for that performance.”
I had to wait until the man from BBC radio had finished talking to Harrad before I could grab a few words, but listened in as the striker was told he had “got away from the Cheltenham defence once and scored a goal”. I have to admit that I sometimes wonder what game my colleagues are watching as Harrad had several attempts on goal and I’m sure the central defenders – Steve Elliott and Keith Lowe – will happily admit Harrad made sure they earned their corn.
Harrad had last season’s amazing 6-5 home defeat against Cheltenham on his mind and admitted they felt as though they’d been mugged again. He said “We said at half time we couldn’t take it for granted especially after what happened last season, but they had two chances and scored from both. It’s a big knock back. I’m pleased to get of the mark in the league.”
Harrad is an extremely likeable guy and – more importantly – looks a real threat when he gets the ball in front of goal. Burton boss Paul Peschisolido will be hoping that he is given more opportunities by his teammates as the season wears on.
Indeed Pesch said: “We had enough three on twos and sometimes we chose the wrong option going forward. If you don’t take your chances away from home you don’t win and we had enough chances and we had the chances.”
Howarth is pleased that the Robins now have enough options on the bench from which they can pick to change a game as they did against Albion. He said: “A couple of times last season we looked at the bench and didn’t have much to change things, but now we have Gallinagh, Bird, Shroot and others who can come on and change things and Jeffers did it today. We’re very pleased with the squad we’ve managed to put together so far.
Josh Low is a Rolls Royce for us. Not any people would have got there and timed his run perfectly, but he’s got ability and it took some finishing.
We’ve played a lot of pretty stuff this season and today when we’ve needed to show bottle and character we did that as well.
We had a lot of huff and puff and weren’t able to break them down, but our couple of substitutions gave us a little more impetuous when we needed it.
Shaun is a lovely lad. He’s very lively and been staying on the training ground after training. He’s not quite in the starting eleven yet and we’ve got a couple of players like that and they’re going about things the right way. Their attitude is spot on.”
Scott Brown’s decisions are correct and a made some outstanding saves today and deserves a big pat on the back. That’s why he’s there at the end of the day, but every credit to him.”
Thomas, 23, was delighted with his equalizer, but paid tribute to both Brown and Jeffers. He said: “Scott has come in for a bit of stick, but to be fair he’s kept us in the game right at the end and if he can keep doing that we should have a good season. He’s got us the win really.
My confidence is high right now and it didn’t affect me when I missed one, I just feel another chance will come along. Shaun Jeffers is an exciting player and he’s got pace and ability and a great future.”
Jeff Goulding – Dancing on the Ceiling
Jeff Goulding in dancing on the ceiling after securing a starting berth with Cheltenham.
Goulding, 26, has scored in each of the last two games following his summer move to the Robins, but was close to believing his football dream was over. He revealed:
“I was nearly 24 when I got my break with Bournemouth and was starting to wonder if I’d missed the boat, but hadn’t quite given up.
I played non-league, but paid my way working in a variety of jobs. I was a builder, worked in a bank for a little while, but for the majority of the time I was a ceiling fixer sorting out dry lining, borders and fixing panels.
Getting up at five to go to work and then training – and playing non-league definitely makes you appreciate the late tarts and early finishes you get as a professional footballer.
When I was younger I was always going off on trial and those jobs paid for my petrol money.”
But Goulding spent most of last season warming the bench while new Bristol City striker Brett Pitman scored the goals. He said:
“I had two great seasons at Bournemouth, but didn’t play as much as Brett was scoring for fun and you can’t argue with the manager when that happens.
It’s nice to finally start games, but I won’t forget where I’ve come from and the effort it took to get here – it helps you appreciate it even more.
I try to give advice to the youngsters and some of them might fob me off a bit, but I guess they’ve got their own paths to follow.”
Goulding, 26, has scored in each of the last two games following his summer move to the Robins, but was close to believing his football dream was over. He revealed:
“I was nearly 24 when I got my break with Bournemouth and was starting to wonder if I’d missed the boat, but hadn’t quite given up.
I played non-league, but paid my way working in a variety of jobs. I was a builder, worked in a bank for a little while, but for the majority of the time I was a ceiling fixer sorting out dry lining, borders and fixing panels.
Getting up at five to go to work and then training – and playing non-league definitely makes you appreciate the late tarts and early finishes you get as a professional footballer.
When I was younger I was always going off on trial and those jobs paid for my petrol money.”
But Goulding spent most of last season warming the bench while new Bristol City striker Brett Pitman scored the goals. He said:
“I had two great seasons at Bournemouth, but didn’t play as much as Brett was scoring for fun and you can’t argue with the manager when that happens.
It’s nice to finally start games, but I won’t forget where I’ve come from and the effort it took to get here – it helps you appreciate it even more.
I try to give advice to the youngsters and some of them might fob me off a bit, but I guess they’ve got their own paths to follow.”
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