I just had a chat with a friend of mine, an elderly janitor called Lloyd, who has a season ticket at Oxford and attends most games with his little lad, James.
I saw Lloyd just before the game and he was as excited as his young boy is on Christmas morning, but was left was seething at the final whistle and was full of doom and despondency.
It just reminded me how very important football is to some people.
Sorry for your loss Lloyd, but remember there really is a long way to go and I'm sure the smile will return to little Jimbo's face again before too long.
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!
Monday, 28 February 2011
Oxford United 0 Hereford United 2 - Moo!
I’ve been to a few games this season and come away wondering how on earth one or other side managed to win – this was another example.
But credit to Hereford, they game with a game plan and executed it perfectly to secure three more points and edge themselves closer to League Two safety.
Oxford fans appeared frustrated at the end of the game - and there was certainly a lot of message board chat beforehand about how big the score would be – but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and give the opposition credit where it is due.
Bull’s keeper Adam Bartlett was gushing in praise of the whole experience after the match describing the hosts as the “best side we have played all season”. Bartlett also praised the set up at the Kassam and also the fans.
“There was a bit of banter going on,” he said. “Especially when I was playing for time towards the end and I knew it was only a matter of time before the referee listened to them and booked me, but they have a good vocal support here.”
That’s one of the oddities of football isn’t it? If the opposition keeper is taking his time over goal kicks to run down the clock he’s a cheating so-an-so. If ‘your’ keeper rushes to take a goal kick when you’re one-nil up with minutes to play, he’s a complete pillock.
Goal scorer Stuart Fleetwood admitted they had come to “do a job and needed to be disciplined” and Oxford boss Chris Wilder was left bemused after watching a “decent performance” from his team.
Wilder also said:
“I’m not going to compromise the way we play and get in two bean pole strikers and throw it forward to them. Sometimes you have to play the long balls, but in general that’s not the way I want us to play.
I can't batter my team in the dressing room. It was a decent performance. From tee to green we've done really well, but as always it's about the two main parts of the pitch - in both boxes. We switched off and they scored, and we didn't take our chances."
Bull’s manager Jamie Pitman was honest enough to admit that “we rode our luck at times”, but they came to do a job against a side that – on paper – were possibly better.
And do a job they did.
This was a classic away performance. Fleetwood and Bartlett both described it as smash and grab, although I think they were being a little modest as they and their team mates were very well organised throughout.
Fleetwood, 24, now has 15 goals to his name this season and admitted:
“I got one goal off each shin pad. I didn’t know too much about the second one as it came through the defender’s legs at speed, but that’s what happens when your confidence is high.
That was my target at the start of the season, but I hadn’t scored after the first twelve or thirteen games and I must admit I didn’t think I’d get to five.
I was even played out on the wing for a few games, but once I got that first goal the confidence returned.”
I also had a chat to Stuart about his temperament as I’ve noticed that – in every game – he becomes a little over-exuberant top put it mildly. But having spoken to him on Saturday I found that he’s one of those typical manic players on e the pitch and mild mannered and very pleasant off it. He does recognise that it’s an area of his game that needs work and admitted:
“I do wear my heart on my sleeve and know I need to channel my emotions in the right way. I guess that’s why I’m on seven bookings, but just like the fans, I love the club and just want to see us do well.”
I suspect that Hereford fans will forgive him his excesses if he keeps on scoring important goals like the brace against Oxford.
One lad who was lucky to get away with a little over-enthusiasm of his own was Joe Colbeck. The winger set up Fleetwood’s 8th minute opener and worked his socks off defensively, but one touch line challenge on Tom Craddock could have ended the Oxford player’s career. It wasn’t so much a two-footed lunge as an assassination attempt. Fortunately Craddock had time to see it coming and managed to avoid any serious injury.
But that incident was the only real unsavoury moment of the game.
Oxford meanwhile must dust themselves down and focus on the next game. This wasn’t a performance that signalled the end of their season and the table is so tight that promotion is still on.
Whether they can make the automatic places is up for debate, but a play-off spot is well within the grasp of this bunch.
Despite Wilder’s public protestations, I suspect that at half time he had a few harsh words to say to some of his players as they were a little too sloppy at times. They didn’t appear to have the cutting edge up front on Saturday either. A bad day at the office for the strikers? Maybe. Oxford fans will know better than me as to whether there are more deep-rooted problems, but from what I have seen of them this season, they do look as if they are more than capable of finding the net in this division.
From a neutral’s point of view, this was more of an intriguing game than an exciting one. Hereford look like a side that will survive in League Two to fight again next season and Oxford fans look like they might be singing in the beer garden of the Green Man in Wembley again in May*.
As promised this morning, my clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun ... not really woorth waiting for was it?* I've just been reminded that the play-off final is at Old Trafford this May, but you get my drift. Oh, and the beer's cheaper up there!
But credit to Hereford, they game with a game plan and executed it perfectly to secure three more points and edge themselves closer to League Two safety.
Oxford fans appeared frustrated at the end of the game - and there was certainly a lot of message board chat beforehand about how big the score would be – but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and give the opposition credit where it is due.
Bull’s keeper Adam Bartlett was gushing in praise of the whole experience after the match describing the hosts as the “best side we have played all season”. Bartlett also praised the set up at the Kassam and also the fans.
“There was a bit of banter going on,” he said. “Especially when I was playing for time towards the end and I knew it was only a matter of time before the referee listened to them and booked me, but they have a good vocal support here.”
That’s one of the oddities of football isn’t it? If the opposition keeper is taking his time over goal kicks to run down the clock he’s a cheating so-an-so. If ‘your’ keeper rushes to take a goal kick when you’re one-nil up with minutes to play, he’s a complete pillock.
Goal scorer Stuart Fleetwood admitted they had come to “do a job and needed to be disciplined” and Oxford boss Chris Wilder was left bemused after watching a “decent performance” from his team.
Wilder also said:
“I’m not going to compromise the way we play and get in two bean pole strikers and throw it forward to them. Sometimes you have to play the long balls, but in general that’s not the way I want us to play.
I can't batter my team in the dressing room. It was a decent performance. From tee to green we've done really well, but as always it's about the two main parts of the pitch - in both boxes. We switched off and they scored, and we didn't take our chances."
Bull’s manager Jamie Pitman was honest enough to admit that “we rode our luck at times”, but they came to do a job against a side that – on paper – were possibly better.
And do a job they did.
This was a classic away performance. Fleetwood and Bartlett both described it as smash and grab, although I think they were being a little modest as they and their team mates were very well organised throughout.
Fleetwood, 24, now has 15 goals to his name this season and admitted:
“I got one goal off each shin pad. I didn’t know too much about the second one as it came through the defender’s legs at speed, but that’s what happens when your confidence is high.
That was my target at the start of the season, but I hadn’t scored after the first twelve or thirteen games and I must admit I didn’t think I’d get to five.
I was even played out on the wing for a few games, but once I got that first goal the confidence returned.”
I also had a chat to Stuart about his temperament as I’ve noticed that – in every game – he becomes a little over-exuberant top put it mildly. But having spoken to him on Saturday I found that he’s one of those typical manic players on e the pitch and mild mannered and very pleasant off it. He does recognise that it’s an area of his game that needs work and admitted:
“I do wear my heart on my sleeve and know I need to channel my emotions in the right way. I guess that’s why I’m on seven bookings, but just like the fans, I love the club and just want to see us do well.”
I suspect that Hereford fans will forgive him his excesses if he keeps on scoring important goals like the brace against Oxford.
One lad who was lucky to get away with a little over-enthusiasm of his own was Joe Colbeck. The winger set up Fleetwood’s 8th minute opener and worked his socks off defensively, but one touch line challenge on Tom Craddock could have ended the Oxford player’s career. It wasn’t so much a two-footed lunge as an assassination attempt. Fortunately Craddock had time to see it coming and managed to avoid any serious injury.
But that incident was the only real unsavoury moment of the game.
Oxford meanwhile must dust themselves down and focus on the next game. This wasn’t a performance that signalled the end of their season and the table is so tight that promotion is still on.
Whether they can make the automatic places is up for debate, but a play-off spot is well within the grasp of this bunch.
Despite Wilder’s public protestations, I suspect that at half time he had a few harsh words to say to some of his players as they were a little too sloppy at times. They didn’t appear to have the cutting edge up front on Saturday either. A bad day at the office for the strikers? Maybe. Oxford fans will know better than me as to whether there are more deep-rooted problems, but from what I have seen of them this season, they do look as if they are more than capable of finding the net in this division.
From a neutral’s point of view, this was more of an intriguing game than an exciting one. Hereford look like a side that will survive in League Two to fight again next season and Oxford fans look like they might be singing in the beer garden of the Green Man in Wembley again in May*.
As promised this morning, my clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun ... not really woorth waiting for was it?
Friday, 25 February 2011
Oxford v Hereford – Meat Is Murder
So it’s the Ox(en) versus the Bulls tomorrow and great excuse to use one of my favourite songs in the headline above (that gives you some idea of how old I am!). Having said that, you’ll still find me munching my way through a burger or two before kick-off.
Hereford’s goalkeeping coach and the assistant manager to Jamie Pitman, Russell Hoult, has registered as a player at the grand old age of 38 and will presumably by used as back up for regular stopper and former skipper Adam Bartlett.
Oxford will be hoping to ‘do’ the double over Hereford after beating them 2-0 at Edgar Street with goals from James Constable and Tom Craddock. However, the visitors are on fire away from home and will be hoping to notch up their sixth away win on the bounce.
Craddock’s former Luton team mate, Hungarian defender Janos Kovacs, 25, returns to the squad following a suspension, but Pitman is expected to retain a settled side.
Kovacs didn’t play against Oxford earlier this season, but will be hoping for the sort of rip roaring end to the game he played in for Luton against last year against the Yellows. Luton scored two goals and had a man sent off in the last minute if memory serves me correctly while Oxford replied through Matt Green.
But Chris Wilder will live with that outcome if he ends up with a similar result at the end of the season – promotion.
Wilder has taken time out this week to praise the Oxford support and told the club website:
“Look at the fantastic support we have had for the last two away games. To take somewhere in the region of 500 to Morecambe was amazing.
The atmosphere our fans can create at home can really drive the players forward. I want this place to be difficult for the opposition to come to.”
Pitman allayed any concerns regarding new injuries and told the Press Association:
"Everyone`s in full health. Everyone`s ready to go so as long as it stays like that we`re at full-strength again apart from the long-term injuries."
Hereford’s goalkeeping coach and the assistant manager to Jamie Pitman, Russell Hoult, has registered as a player at the grand old age of 38 and will presumably by used as back up for regular stopper and former skipper Adam Bartlett.
Oxford will be hoping to ‘do’ the double over Hereford after beating them 2-0 at Edgar Street with goals from James Constable and Tom Craddock. However, the visitors are on fire away from home and will be hoping to notch up their sixth away win on the bounce.
Craddock’s former Luton team mate, Hungarian defender Janos Kovacs, 25, returns to the squad following a suspension, but Pitman is expected to retain a settled side.
Kovacs didn’t play against Oxford earlier this season, but will be hoping for the sort of rip roaring end to the game he played in for Luton against last year against the Yellows. Luton scored two goals and had a man sent off in the last minute if memory serves me correctly while Oxford replied through Matt Green.
But Chris Wilder will live with that outcome if he ends up with a similar result at the end of the season – promotion.
Wilder has taken time out this week to praise the Oxford support and told the club website:
“Look at the fantastic support we have had for the last two away games. To take somewhere in the region of 500 to Morecambe was amazing.
The atmosphere our fans can create at home can really drive the players forward. I want this place to be difficult for the opposition to come to.”
Pitman allayed any concerns regarding new injuries and told the Press Association:
"Everyone`s in full health. Everyone`s ready to go so as long as it stays like that we`re at full-strength again apart from the long-term injuries."
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Back to Oxford - United
I am being sent to the Kassam for Oxford’s game on Saturday – my first visit this year – against another United side from my patch – Hereford.
Oxford have been going great guns (according to my totally unbiased sources in the Kidlington area) as they look to force their way into the play-off places and an automatic promotion spot is still a distinct possibility, but they should beware the Bulls.
On paper Hereford look to be there for the taking, but Jamie Pitman has them playing with spirit and work hard, so any Oxford fan looking at the league table and assuming it’s a banker, should lower their expectations. They have only lost one of their last six games and won two others. Of the eight games they’ve managed to win in the league this season, six have been on their travels.
Oxford have alternated between wins and draws in the last four games and, if the trend continues on Saturday, honours will be even.
We’re now entering the business end of the season where form goes out of the window as everyone still has something to play for.
Pitman’s boys are six points above the drop zone and so can’t afford to roll over just yet, but Oxford are just outside the play-off places on goal difference and must fancy their chances of being in the promotion mix-up in May. A win on Saturday would definitely boost their credentials.
But following last weekend’s emphatic 3-0 win at Morecambe, keeper Ryan Clarke and midfielder Paul McLaren were both picked in the League Two team of the week. Again, my sources have told me that McLaren has added something to the team since his January move from Tranmere and so it will be good to see him in action. For my money Clark is one of the best League Two keepers I have seen this season.
I hadn’t realized until I read it on the Bulls best fans site (http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/), but these two teams have only shared a division once before – back in the 1977/78 season.
Darren Drysdale has been named as the man in the middle for the game.
I’ll try to put together a further preview along with some quotes tomorrow.
Oxford have been going great guns (according to my totally unbiased sources in the Kidlington area) as they look to force their way into the play-off places and an automatic promotion spot is still a distinct possibility, but they should beware the Bulls.
On paper Hereford look to be there for the taking, but Jamie Pitman has them playing with spirit and work hard, so any Oxford fan looking at the league table and assuming it’s a banker, should lower their expectations. They have only lost one of their last six games and won two others. Of the eight games they’ve managed to win in the league this season, six have been on their travels.
Oxford have alternated between wins and draws in the last four games and, if the trend continues on Saturday, honours will be even.
We’re now entering the business end of the season where form goes out of the window as everyone still has something to play for.
Pitman’s boys are six points above the drop zone and so can’t afford to roll over just yet, but Oxford are just outside the play-off places on goal difference and must fancy their chances of being in the promotion mix-up in May. A win on Saturday would definitely boost their credentials.
But following last weekend’s emphatic 3-0 win at Morecambe, keeper Ryan Clarke and midfielder Paul McLaren were both picked in the League Two team of the week. Again, my sources have told me that McLaren has added something to the team since his January move from Tranmere and so it will be good to see him in action. For my money Clark is one of the best League Two keepers I have seen this season.
I hadn’t realized until I read it on the Bulls best fans site (http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/), but these two teams have only shared a division once before – back in the 1977/78 season.
Darren Drysdale has been named as the man in the middle for the game.
I’ll try to put together a further preview along with some quotes tomorrow.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Cheltenham Town 2 Torquay United 2 - Last Minute
I never learn.
Sitting in the Whaddon Road Press Box last night I had my report pretty much sorted out by the 66th minute when substitute Ben Stevens added a second goal to Jake Robinson’s 14th minute opener. At that point you couldn’t see Cheltenham fighting back and so the introduction my report read:
“Danny Stevens’s super strike was too hot to handle as Torquay edged closer to the play-offs.”
Keeper Scott Brown had already made two great saves in the game, but could only palm Stevens rapier-like 20 yarder over his head, off the post and into the net. You could see that Brown was trying to deflect the ball over the bar and – in fairness – he did what he could, but the shot was just too powerful.
Even though Brown also got a hand to Robinson’s opener, he stood no chance with this one either – the striker’s 2nd goal in six games since joining on loan from Shrewsbury (where he had scored nine goals in fourteen games) until the end of the season.
Gulls skipper Lee Mansell’s free kick from the right picked out the unmarked Robinson on the opposite wing and he took one step in-field before unleashing and great shot from the angle of the box.
All sorted then. An easy night and the deadline to get the report over to the paper “on the final whistle” looked comfortable.
Step up Jeff Goulding in the 73rd minute to volley home a weak punch clear from under pressure keeper Danny Potter. From 12 yards and having made some space for himself, Goulding wasn’t going to pass up on his 10th goal of the season.
It had been strange to see Jeff playing wide left in the game as the understanding he has with Wes Thomas up front seemed good earlier in the season, but if he fancies getting his striking role back from Oxford loanee Matt Green, he certainly sent out the right message to boss Mark Yates.
Nice to see the Robins get a little something out of the game though, I thought to myself. The report was still looking good and I was at peace with the world ... until the 94th minute.
Now don’t get me wrong, Wes Thomas is a lovely lad, but at that moment I could have throttled him! Suddenly the Press Box resembled New York’s Fifth Avenue during a ticker tape parade as I tore up my notebook.
Fortunately the report was only a tiddler (see below), but I remember being at one game many moons ago when the way side came back from three goals down to win it in injury time. In those days newspaper technology wasn’t what it is now and each goal entailed a call to the desk with details while trying to do a large re-write at the same time.
Yates was by far the happier of the two managers at the end of the game and rightly said:
“Points wise it’s not what we would have wanted, but I thought we deserved at least a draw from tonight. We were the better team against what is a very good side. I told the lads to keep knocking at the door and that’s what they did.”
I also had a brief chat with Mark about the pitch which really deteriorated during the game and he agreed with me that it is now “terrible”. If Cheltenham miss out on a play-off spot – something they are more than capable of doing – they may look back at the surface and have a case for pointing the finger of blame in that direction.
Having Gloucester City share the ground is not doing them any favours at all, but- as I mentioned in yesterday’s post – beggars can’t be choosers and a small club like Cheltenham need revenue from whatever source to survive.
Paul Buckle was left shell-shocked by the last-gasp equaliser and groaned:
"We've drawn, but it feels like a defeat because it was a game we controlled. Cheltenham pushed a lot of balls up, but they didn't really hurt us. Ours were two good goals and there was a lot of good play from us on a poor surface, but we're disappointed because we know that was a game that was there for the taking.
At two goals up we were coasting and then the ref goes and gives a free-kick when the lad has won the ball and from that they score. We only had ourselves to blame at the end and we have to learn from that."
Sitting in the Whaddon Road Press Box last night I had my report pretty much sorted out by the 66th minute when substitute Ben Stevens added a second goal to Jake Robinson’s 14th minute opener. At that point you couldn’t see Cheltenham fighting back and so the introduction my report read:
“Danny Stevens’s super strike was too hot to handle as Torquay edged closer to the play-offs.”
Keeper Scott Brown had already made two great saves in the game, but could only palm Stevens rapier-like 20 yarder over his head, off the post and into the net. You could see that Brown was trying to deflect the ball over the bar and – in fairness – he did what he could, but the shot was just too powerful.
Even though Brown also got a hand to Robinson’s opener, he stood no chance with this one either – the striker’s 2nd goal in six games since joining on loan from Shrewsbury (where he had scored nine goals in fourteen games) until the end of the season.
Gulls skipper Lee Mansell’s free kick from the right picked out the unmarked Robinson on the opposite wing and he took one step in-field before unleashing and great shot from the angle of the box.
All sorted then. An easy night and the deadline to get the report over to the paper “on the final whistle” looked comfortable.
Step up Jeff Goulding in the 73rd minute to volley home a weak punch clear from under pressure keeper Danny Potter. From 12 yards and having made some space for himself, Goulding wasn’t going to pass up on his 10th goal of the season.
It had been strange to see Jeff playing wide left in the game as the understanding he has with Wes Thomas up front seemed good earlier in the season, but if he fancies getting his striking role back from Oxford loanee Matt Green, he certainly sent out the right message to boss Mark Yates.
Nice to see the Robins get a little something out of the game though, I thought to myself. The report was still looking good and I was at peace with the world ... until the 94th minute.
Now don’t get me wrong, Wes Thomas is a lovely lad, but at that moment I could have throttled him! Suddenly the Press Box resembled New York’s Fifth Avenue during a ticker tape parade as I tore up my notebook.
Fortunately the report was only a tiddler (see below), but I remember being at one game many moons ago when the way side came back from three goals down to win it in injury time. In those days newspaper technology wasn’t what it is now and each goal entailed a call to the desk with details while trying to do a large re-write at the same time.
Wes won’t get many easier goals this season. He pounced to spring the offside trap and poke the ball home for his 17th of the season from about eight yards out.
My clipping from this morning’s paper
Yates was by far the happier of the two managers at the end of the game and rightly said:
“Points wise it’s not what we would have wanted, but I thought we deserved at least a draw from tonight. We were the better team against what is a very good side. I told the lads to keep knocking at the door and that’s what they did.”
I also had a brief chat with Mark about the pitch which really deteriorated during the game and he agreed with me that it is now “terrible”. If Cheltenham miss out on a play-off spot – something they are more than capable of doing – they may look back at the surface and have a case for pointing the finger of blame in that direction.
Having Gloucester City share the ground is not doing them any favours at all, but- as I mentioned in yesterday’s post – beggars can’t be choosers and a small club like Cheltenham need revenue from whatever source to survive.
Paul Buckle was left shell-shocked by the last-gasp equaliser and groaned:
"We've drawn, but it feels like a defeat because it was a game we controlled. Cheltenham pushed a lot of balls up, but they didn't really hurt us. Ours were two good goals and there was a lot of good play from us on a poor surface, but we're disappointed because we know that was a game that was there for the taking.
At two goals up we were coasting and then the ref goes and gives a free-kick when the lad has won the ball and from that they score. We only had ourselves to blame at the end and we have to learn from that."
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Cheltenham v Torquay - Chasing the dream
I have one of my increasingly irregular trips out to Whaddon Road tonight and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Robins are getting on when they face fellow play-off chasers Torquay.
Mark Yates boys are looking for their first win in seven and they have alternated between draws and defeats in the last six games – should they continue this run they should lose tonight!
But like Yates, I believe that they are good enough to turn things around. And it’s not too late.
Cheltenham are still only seven points off the play-off places and a win against Torquay will see the Gulls reeled in. The visitors are currently on 43 points compared to Cheltenham’s 40, but have a much better goal difference.
Cheltenham midfielder Marlon Pack recognises how frustrated the home support are, but has said to the local media (link to full article below):
“There is nobody more frustrated than us. We just need to put our finger on what's been going wrong and get a scrappy 1-0 win to get confidence back and kick on for the rest of the season."
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Cheltenham-Town-Players-frustrated-8211-Pack/article-3248637-detail/article.html
Young Blackpool loanee defender Ashley Eastham has already been ruled out by the club after finding himself in a car accident at the weekend, but fortunately he is physically unharmed. Unfortunately winger Josh Low remains sidelined with an injury and so it will be down to his midfield colleagues to supply hot shot striker Wes Thomas with his ammunition. Thomas has already scored 16 League and Cup goals this season.
Torquay boss Paul Buckle’s major injury concern is striker Billy Kee, 20, who suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s game against Southend and the Torquay boss will be hoping that the lad – who has scored six goals in eleven League starts – makes a speedy recovery.
It’s true I haven’t been to Whaddon Road as much as I would have liked this season, but during my last visit I noticed that the pitch was starting to cut up more than it had in previous seasons.
Cheltenham have developed a reputation over the years for having a great playing surface – which would certainly suit Yate’s style of play – but like many other clubs who share their grounds (in this case Gloucester City FC) the pitch has suffered this term.
Down at Bristol Rovers it won’t be too much longer before the Mem resembles Derby’s Baseball Ground in the winters of the mid-70s which in turn looked like a Somme battlefield.
Of course the problem these clubs have is to balance the needs of the parent club with the much needed revenue a ground share can provide. It’s a tough call for the directors, but worth bearing in mind when the odd pass goes astray or a player blazes over the bar when the ball rises up at the most inopportune moment.
Maybe Mark Yates would be well advised to bring in a couple of non-league cloggers to see the Robins through their home fixtures.
Mark Yates boys are looking for their first win in seven and they have alternated between draws and defeats in the last six games – should they continue this run they should lose tonight!
But like Yates, I believe that they are good enough to turn things around. And it’s not too late.
Cheltenham are still only seven points off the play-off places and a win against Torquay will see the Gulls reeled in. The visitors are currently on 43 points compared to Cheltenham’s 40, but have a much better goal difference.
Cheltenham midfielder Marlon Pack recognises how frustrated the home support are, but has said to the local media (link to full article below):
“There is nobody more frustrated than us. We just need to put our finger on what's been going wrong and get a scrappy 1-0 win to get confidence back and kick on for the rest of the season."
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Cheltenham-Town-Players-frustrated-8211-Pack/article-3248637-detail/article.html
Young Blackpool loanee defender Ashley Eastham has already been ruled out by the club after finding himself in a car accident at the weekend, but fortunately he is physically unharmed. Unfortunately winger Josh Low remains sidelined with an injury and so it will be down to his midfield colleagues to supply hot shot striker Wes Thomas with his ammunition. Thomas has already scored 16 League and Cup goals this season.
Torquay boss Paul Buckle’s major injury concern is striker Billy Kee, 20, who suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s game against Southend and the Torquay boss will be hoping that the lad – who has scored six goals in eleven League starts – makes a speedy recovery.
It’s true I haven’t been to Whaddon Road as much as I would have liked this season, but during my last visit I noticed that the pitch was starting to cut up more than it had in previous seasons.
Cheltenham have developed a reputation over the years for having a great playing surface – which would certainly suit Yate’s style of play – but like many other clubs who share their grounds (in this case Gloucester City FC) the pitch has suffered this term.
Down at Bristol Rovers it won’t be too much longer before the Mem resembles Derby’s Baseball Ground in the winters of the mid-70s which in turn looked like a Somme battlefield.
Of course the problem these clubs have is to balance the needs of the parent club with the much needed revenue a ground share can provide. It’s a tough call for the directors, but worth bearing in mind when the odd pass goes astray or a player blazes over the bar when the ball rises up at the most inopportune moment.
Maybe Mark Yates would be well advised to bring in a couple of non-league cloggers to see the Robins through their home fixtures.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Bristol Rovers 1 Oldham Athletic 0 - All For One
Credit where it's due. It's now all for one and one for all down at the Mem.
Readers of this blog will have noted that on several occasions this season I have been critical of some sections of the Memorial Ground's home support for getting on the backs of their team to readily - on Saturday though they backed them and got their reward.
Dave Penney's side dug deep and kept plugging away at an Oldham team who were fighting for the right for a play-off place and Rene Howe eventually grabbed the winner after converting Will Hoskins's cross in the 73rd minute.
Howe, 24, is a confident lad who may well have put immature teenage arrogance behind him (see report below), but has still retained a self-belief that could prove invaluable come the end of the campaign.
The pitch is now cutting up badly and must be strength sapping, but it could prove to be a bit of a leveller when more confident footballing sides come to visit.
At half time I had a long chat with Jerel Ifil who was sitting just behind me in the stands. Former Swindon centre back Ifil, 28, is a free agent following his departure from Aberdeen earlier this year and admitted he had talked to Penney about a move and the addition of another experienced defender to add some competition for places won't do Rovers any harm at all.
Jerel told me that as his young family and his church were in the area he was hoping to find a club close by. He was also spotted at the training ground the day before and so it looks as though an announcement will be made early this week.
Penney was understandably delighted with the win and said:
"It was nice to get three points and a clean sheet, which has been long overdue, but we are still down there and we still need points. We have got 30 but we probably need another 20 or 22 – and that gives us something to aim for. The win is massive. We didn't like losing all those games on the trot and it was nice to come into a changing room and see players with smiles on their faces. The spirit and togetherness is coming and we are gradually getting there."
Oldham boss Paul Dickov was left fuming though after seeing his side slip further away from the play-off positions. He said:
"We had enough opportunities to win three games and we have to start being more ruthless at both ends of the pitch. We believe we are a good side but we are on a dodgy run of results because we are not taking our chances.
I have warned the players about the need to concentrate for every minute of games, yet we switched off for a moment in the second half and Rovers capitalised with the winning goal. I don't think it will take much for us to return to winning ways but we have to capitalise when we're on top and make sure we stay tight at the back."
Scouser Carl Regan, 30, left Rovers today to join up with former MK Dons boss Paul Ince at Notts County.
Readers of this blog will have noted that on several occasions this season I have been critical of some sections of the Memorial Ground's home support for getting on the backs of their team to readily - on Saturday though they backed them and got their reward.
Dave Penney's side dug deep and kept plugging away at an Oldham team who were fighting for the right for a play-off place and Rene Howe eventually grabbed the winner after converting Will Hoskins's cross in the 73rd minute.
Howe, 24, is a confident lad who may well have put immature teenage arrogance behind him (see report below), but has still retained a self-belief that could prove invaluable come the end of the campaign.
The pitch is now cutting up badly and must be strength sapping, but it could prove to be a bit of a leveller when more confident footballing sides come to visit.
My clipping for this morning's copy of The Sun
At half time I had a long chat with Jerel Ifil who was sitting just behind me in the stands. Former Swindon centre back Ifil, 28, is a free agent following his departure from Aberdeen earlier this year and admitted he had talked to Penney about a move and the addition of another experienced defender to add some competition for places won't do Rovers any harm at all.
Jerel told me that as his young family and his church were in the area he was hoping to find a club close by. He was also spotted at the training ground the day before and so it looks as though an announcement will be made early this week.
Penney was understandably delighted with the win and said:
"It was nice to get three points and a clean sheet, which has been long overdue, but we are still down there and we still need points. We have got 30 but we probably need another 20 or 22 – and that gives us something to aim for. The win is massive. We didn't like losing all those games on the trot and it was nice to come into a changing room and see players with smiles on their faces. The spirit and togetherness is coming and we are gradually getting there."
Oldham boss Paul Dickov was left fuming though after seeing his side slip further away from the play-off positions. He said:
"We had enough opportunities to win three games and we have to start being more ruthless at both ends of the pitch. We believe we are a good side but we are on a dodgy run of results because we are not taking our chances.
I have warned the players about the need to concentrate for every minute of games, yet we switched off for a moment in the second half and Rovers capitalised with the winning goal. I don't think it will take much for us to return to winning ways but we have to capitalise when we're on top and make sure we stay tight at the back."
Scouser Carl Regan, 30, left Rovers today to join up with former MK Dons boss Paul Ince at Notts County.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Bristol Rovers v Oldham Athletic - Confidence
Well, following the midweek postponement of the Bournemouth game, Rovers find themselves in the same position as they were when I blogged on Tuesday - rooted to the foot of the table.
I suggested in that post that a win against Bournemouth might well give the players the confidence boost they needed and kick start the side's road to recovery. Well that obviously didn't happen, but then again, they aren't any worse off either.
I head off back to the Memorial Ground tomorrow though expecting to see another tough ask for the Rovers lads.
Oldham might not be second in League One like the Cherries are, but they are one place below the play-off spots and so the carrot of promotion is still there. However, they lost their last game at home to Carlislie, have drawn four from the last six games and won only one ( 4-0 home romp against Hartlepool on the first day of this month). I wonder then if there is a chink of light here for Rovers and whether, by catching the Latics during what they consider their own little wobble, they can get things back on track.
Rovers boss Dave Penney has brought in two more players this week to bolster his squad; defensive free agent Danny Senda, 28, and 24 year old Irish keeper Conrad Logan.
Penney is obviously very aware of the deepening trouble his side find themselves in and has said:
"They are all massive games now and we are fully aware we have not picked points up in the last few games. If we are going to get out of the situation we are in, we are going to have to start picking up points in every game – and, hopefully, three in most games. It is important we stop our losing streak and get some momentum going the other way.
"Is it pressure? Is it nervousness? If it is, we need them to get it out of their system and be more relaxed. If they are too relaxed, we need to get them up for it more. Whatever it is, we have to try and stop making the basic errors which are taking their toll week-in, week-out."
Penney must be relieved to hear that Chris Lines is available after injury to pull the strings from midfield and that striker Will Hoskins confidence doesn't seem to have been dented as without his eighteen goals they would arguably be dead and buried.
Oldham visit the Mem with a new face in their ranks. West Brom midfield loanee Sam Mantom, who is 19 on Sunday, will go straight into the squad while fellow midfielder Dale Stephens looks likely to have recovered from a virus that has kept him out of the last two games.
Latics chief Paul Dickov was delighted with the Mantom and said:
"He is a box-to-box midfield player, very good technically and also on the ball. West Brom think highly of Sam and are keen for him to come out on loan and to play games. We are always looking to bring in young, hungry players and Sam comes into that category and he will be an asset during the month he is with us.”
Mantom is obviously chuffed with the opportunity and revealed:
“I only received a call yesterday asking whether I would be interested in a loan move to Oldham which is a good club and well placed in League One. I went to Tranmere earlier in the season in the hope of playing some games, but managed only two because of the bad weather which killed that move. This is a great chance to come here and get some games under my belt and hopefully go back to West Brom a better player.”
I was surprised to see Oldham seventh and thought we have a chance of the play offs and I could be going to Old Trafford should I stay and we reach the final. I think West Brom are keen for the loan to be extended so hopefully I may be here for the rest of the season so I can show what I can do - score and create goals.”
I suggested in that post that a win against Bournemouth might well give the players the confidence boost they needed and kick start the side's road to recovery. Well that obviously didn't happen, but then again, they aren't any worse off either.
I head off back to the Memorial Ground tomorrow though expecting to see another tough ask for the Rovers lads.
Oldham might not be second in League One like the Cherries are, but they are one place below the play-off spots and so the carrot of promotion is still there. However, they lost their last game at home to Carlislie, have drawn four from the last six games and won only one ( 4-0 home romp against Hartlepool on the first day of this month). I wonder then if there is a chink of light here for Rovers and whether, by catching the Latics during what they consider their own little wobble, they can get things back on track.
Rovers boss Dave Penney has brought in two more players this week to bolster his squad; defensive free agent Danny Senda, 28, and 24 year old Irish keeper Conrad Logan.
Penney is obviously very aware of the deepening trouble his side find themselves in and has said:
"They are all massive games now and we are fully aware we have not picked points up in the last few games. If we are going to get out of the situation we are in, we are going to have to start picking up points in every game – and, hopefully, three in most games. It is important we stop our losing streak and get some momentum going the other way.
"Is it pressure? Is it nervousness? If it is, we need them to get it out of their system and be more relaxed. If they are too relaxed, we need to get them up for it more. Whatever it is, we have to try and stop making the basic errors which are taking their toll week-in, week-out."
Penney must be relieved to hear that Chris Lines is available after injury to pull the strings from midfield and that striker Will Hoskins confidence doesn't seem to have been dented as without his eighteen goals they would arguably be dead and buried.
Oldham visit the Mem with a new face in their ranks. West Brom midfield loanee Sam Mantom, who is 19 on Sunday, will go straight into the squad while fellow midfielder Dale Stephens looks likely to have recovered from a virus that has kept him out of the last two games.
Latics chief Paul Dickov was delighted with the Mantom and said:
"He is a box-to-box midfield player, very good technically and also on the ball. West Brom think highly of Sam and are keen for him to come out on loan and to play games. We are always looking to bring in young, hungry players and Sam comes into that category and he will be an asset during the month he is with us.”
Mantom is obviously chuffed with the opportunity and revealed:
“I only received a call yesterday asking whether I would be interested in a loan move to Oldham which is a good club and well placed in League One. I went to Tranmere earlier in the season in the hope of playing some games, but managed only two because of the bad weather which killed that move. This is a great chance to come here and get some games under my belt and hopefully go back to West Brom a better player.”
I was surprised to see Oldham seventh and thought we have a chance of the play offs and I could be going to Old Trafford should I stay and we reach the final. I think West Brom are keen for the loan to be extended so hopefully I may be here for the rest of the season so I can show what I can do - score and create goals.”
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Rovers v Cherries - Late Call
It was nice to see the Rovers and Bournemouth fans united last night ... albeit in their annoyance at the late postponment of the League One fixture.
As I pulled into the car park at 6.15 I immediately guessed something was amiss as everyone else seemed to be getting into their cars and driving off.
I had a quick chat with Bournemouth striker and assistant boss Steve Fletcher who told me the first thing they had heard about it was when they were five minutes from the ground and the goalkeeping coach - Neil Moss - took a call from his mum who broke the news.
Pretty shoddy organisation.
I certainly feel for the Bournemouth fans who travelled up from the south coast and wouldn't be surprised if many of them took the afternoon off work to get to the game.
As I pulled into the car park at 6.15 I immediately guessed something was amiss as everyone else seemed to be getting into their cars and driving off.
I had a quick chat with Bournemouth striker and assistant boss Steve Fletcher who told me the first thing they had heard about it was when they were five minutes from the ground and the goalkeeping coach - Neil Moss - took a call from his mum who broke the news.
Pretty shoddy organisation.
I certainly feel for the Bournemouth fans who travelled up from the south coast and wouldn't be surprised if many of them took the afternoon off work to get to the game.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Bristol Rovers v Bournemouth AFC – Time to Start
It’s time for Rovers to get a run going if they are to survive the drop and what better than a fixture against promotion hopefuls Bournemouth to get things moving.
The Cherries look to have shrugged off the disappointment of losing boss Eddie Howe to Burnley and Lee Bradbury has kept their drive for the Championship on track. Bradbury was appointed initially in a caretaking role on January 15th, but then given a two and one half year deal thirteen days later.
Former Manchester City and Pompey striker Bradbury, 35, has overseen four wins and two draws since taking the reins while the south coast club now sit in second in League One, three points behind leaders Brighton having played two games more.
But Bradbury has to taste defeat at some point and why not at the Memorial Ground?
Confidence is shaky among the Rovers players at the moment and it appears that whatever could go wrong is going wrong. Injuries, suspensions and even freak own goals. But a win against Bournemouth could be the catalyst for a great escape on a par with Steve McQueen’s in the famous war movie (okay, I know he screwed it up with safety in sight, but you get my drift).
The Gas have lost five of their last six games and are propping up the table, but boss Dave Penney has identified their forthcoming fixtures as key ones in the fight to beat the drop. He told the local press: "We have four out of our next five games at home now, so it's vital we start picking points up. Everybody is down and disappointed with the results and the position we're in, but it can change quickly if we do the right things.
"When we play the bigger games we can raise ourselves – we did it against Swindon and we did ok against Brighton in terms of performance. We have to make sure we do it again tonight."
He must be envious of tonight’s opponents who are chasing their second successive promotion. He compared the Cherries to his former club and said:
"We did the same at Doncaster. You get some sort of momentum going, get promoted and then get it going again. The team gets used to winning games – and we are going through the opposite at the moment because we have got used to losing games and it drains your confidence. As soon as we can change that cycle and start having an up, I'm sure we can string a few results together. It's what we do that concerns me rather than who we are playing."
Penney is going to have to hope that the Gasheads stick with him and get behind his side rather than jeering them as some of them have done too readily this season. He probably envies Bradbury who said:
“Since I took over, the supporters have got right behind us and away from home, have travelled in their numbers and it's a massive boost for the lads. Rovers will be like Walsall and a very hard place to go to and get a result and we will need the supporters to pull us through like they did on Saturday.
''Rovers are fighting for their lives and it will be very tough and at this stage of the season, it's a big and crucial game. Rovers are on a poor run, but that will mean nothing on the night as they will put everything in to it. If we start to think for a minute that the points are in the bag, then we will get our comeuppance.'
'They have some good players and I'm surprised they are where they are. We have to go there with the right attitude, work hard and play the way we play and hopefully that will be enough to get a positive result.”
On Saturday I saw a similar tussle in the Championship – promotion chasing Cardiff against strugglers Scunthorpe – and to be fair to the Iron, even though they lost the game, they fought tooth and nail.
They weren’t pretty to watch, but frankly who gives a toss about style if you’re a Rovers fan. It’s points they need and Penney will take them any way they come.
The Cherries look to have shrugged off the disappointment of losing boss Eddie Howe to Burnley and Lee Bradbury has kept their drive for the Championship on track. Bradbury was appointed initially in a caretaking role on January 15th, but then given a two and one half year deal thirteen days later.
Former Manchester City and Pompey striker Bradbury, 35, has overseen four wins and two draws since taking the reins while the south coast club now sit in second in League One, three points behind leaders Brighton having played two games more.
But Bradbury has to taste defeat at some point and why not at the Memorial Ground?
Confidence is shaky among the Rovers players at the moment and it appears that whatever could go wrong is going wrong. Injuries, suspensions and even freak own goals. But a win against Bournemouth could be the catalyst for a great escape on a par with Steve McQueen’s in the famous war movie (okay, I know he screwed it up with safety in sight, but you get my drift).
The Gas have lost five of their last six games and are propping up the table, but boss Dave Penney has identified their forthcoming fixtures as key ones in the fight to beat the drop. He told the local press: "We have four out of our next five games at home now, so it's vital we start picking points up. Everybody is down and disappointed with the results and the position we're in, but it can change quickly if we do the right things.
"When we play the bigger games we can raise ourselves – we did it against Swindon and we did ok against Brighton in terms of performance. We have to make sure we do it again tonight."
He must be envious of tonight’s opponents who are chasing their second successive promotion. He compared the Cherries to his former club and said:
"We did the same at Doncaster. You get some sort of momentum going, get promoted and then get it going again. The team gets used to winning games – and we are going through the opposite at the moment because we have got used to losing games and it drains your confidence. As soon as we can change that cycle and start having an up, I'm sure we can string a few results together. It's what we do that concerns me rather than who we are playing."
Penney is going to have to hope that the Gasheads stick with him and get behind his side rather than jeering them as some of them have done too readily this season. He probably envies Bradbury who said:
“Since I took over, the supporters have got right behind us and away from home, have travelled in their numbers and it's a massive boost for the lads. Rovers will be like Walsall and a very hard place to go to and get a result and we will need the supporters to pull us through like they did on Saturday.
''Rovers are fighting for their lives and it will be very tough and at this stage of the season, it's a big and crucial game. Rovers are on a poor run, but that will mean nothing on the night as they will put everything in to it. If we start to think for a minute that the points are in the bag, then we will get our comeuppance.'
'They have some good players and I'm surprised they are where they are. We have to go there with the right attitude, work hard and play the way we play and hopefully that will be enough to get a positive result.”
On Saturday I saw a similar tussle in the Championship – promotion chasing Cardiff against strugglers Scunthorpe – and to be fair to the Iron, even though they lost the game, they fought tooth and nail.
They weren’t pretty to watch, but frankly who gives a toss about style if you’re a Rovers fan. It’s points they need and Penney will take them any way they come.
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