Post by yeoldetangerine on Apr 17, 2011 16:51:04 GMT 1
Driving down from the grey gloom of the Lakes, as I approached Blackpool, the sun came out, every other car seemed to contain Tangerines. Quick pint in the pub, walked to the ground with BJC, definite air of optimism. Players warming up, what was Kingson doing over there? Does that mean Gilks, ermmm. Team included Eards, not Baps, Southern and Grandin, surprised no Puncheon after last week.
The Tangerines hoards making lots of noise, kick off, crowd willing them on, free kick Pool, Cathie, come on son, launch it, short, what the f, turned and slipped, oh no, here we go. Still, this is Blackpool, we specialise in going behind and getting back on terms, come on.
Only we didn't. The team seemed to lack purpose, agreed with BJC at half time, we couldn't work out what the game plan was. Was it long diagonals, Reg didn't get much ball unless he dropped really deep, passing a la Barca, no didn't do that either. Just about the best shot of the first half fell to Gnasher, a creditable effort just over the bar ( didn't put that in you report, did you Ted?)
Second half, expecting them to come roaring out like they did against Arsenal, but more of the same. Ollie changed the team just before 60 minutes, bringing on Punch, Matty and Beattie, in an attempt to up the tempo. When your luck is down, it really is, a good shot took a wicked deflection off Eards, 0-3. Two of the subs did start to make their presence felt, Matty was getting Acres of space down the Pool right, Punch was getting stick into anything near the box, and DJ look happier with some energetic support. Well worked goal, appeal for a foul in the middle, advantage played, worked to Matty out wide, driven in and a good DJ finish.
You guys know me, glass always half full, but for the sake of the report, this is what I saw.
Charlie was half a yard short, or 2 yards too long on his passing. Several players after the first goal just looked like they wanted rid of the ball rather than attacking with it. When we did get going at the end, it did look good, but 80 minutes too late. The defense missed Baps calm under pressure, BJ did remind me how young Cathie is. Gnasher seemed, at times, to be playing the advanced midfield role, couldn't work that one out. If I give any plaudits on the day to the starters, it has to be Crainey. We say we are not as fit, don't include him, he was up and down the pitch all day, no wonder he is sometimes out of position defensively. Some good interaction with Reg, just never finished off.
We looked a different team when Matty and Punch came on, but the midfield kept missing Matty in acres of space, with only one defender covering. He was really up for it, even had a ruck with the lino when he called it wrong, sooo different from the meek lad earlier this season (God, ain't he grown too?). He certainly wasn't overawed this week, unlike last.
Now, you may have noticed I've not mentioned the other substitute. Hmmm, how do I put this without disrespecting our team or Ollie. I think he was maybe a little tired, cos whenever the ball went near him, he felt he had to lie down!!
So onto the rest of the season. I'm sure Ollie won't be waiting for my advice, so I can give it without fear.
Go back to playing the ball on the ground, and frustrating the opposition into opening up space. Risk Matty from the start on the right, and tell him to take a direct route at goal whenever he can. Play Punch with DJ from the start.
If DV isn't back, play a midfield of Charlie, Grandin and GTF, bring Baps back into defense, to replace Eards, or Cathie if his confidence has suffered. Stick with EVo and Crainey whatever. Bring back Kingson, I have so much more confidence in him than Gilks. Subs Gnasher to see out games, Eards for an additional defender, mid with a great shot, use Reg as impact sub, Korni if you need a centre forward, Brett if you need injury cover up front.
The crowd has been mentioned elsewhere, won't waste any more time on supporters who boo their own team and leave after 70 minutes. Not ashamed to say I was bawling out "Best trip" near the end with my true brothers and sisters, with more than a little tear in my eye.
The mountain has got a whole chunk higher, but, hey ho, we are Blackpool, we never do things the easy way, most of us have been here a long time, getting pasted at the bottom end of professional football, keep yer perspective.
feel free to add your own, particularly if you could see the south goalmouth in the first half, was still getting my "worm's eye view"!!
The Tangerines hoards making lots of noise, kick off, crowd willing them on, free kick Pool, Cathie, come on son, launch it, short, what the f, turned and slipped, oh no, here we go. Still, this is Blackpool, we specialise in going behind and getting back on terms, come on.
Only we didn't. The team seemed to lack purpose, agreed with BJC at half time, we couldn't work out what the game plan was. Was it long diagonals, Reg didn't get much ball unless he dropped really deep, passing a la Barca, no didn't do that either. Just about the best shot of the first half fell to Gnasher, a creditable effort just over the bar ( didn't put that in you report, did you Ted?)
Second half, expecting them to come roaring out like they did against Arsenal, but more of the same. Ollie changed the team just before 60 minutes, bringing on Punch, Matty and Beattie, in an attempt to up the tempo. When your luck is down, it really is, a good shot took a wicked deflection off Eards, 0-3. Two of the subs did start to make their presence felt, Matty was getting Acres of space down the Pool right, Punch was getting stick into anything near the box, and DJ look happier with some energetic support. Well worked goal, appeal for a foul in the middle, advantage played, worked to Matty out wide, driven in and a good DJ finish.
You guys know me, glass always half full, but for the sake of the report, this is what I saw.
Charlie was half a yard short, or 2 yards too long on his passing. Several players after the first goal just looked like they wanted rid of the ball rather than attacking with it. When we did get going at the end, it did look good, but 80 minutes too late. The defense missed Baps calm under pressure, BJ did remind me how young Cathie is. Gnasher seemed, at times, to be playing the advanced midfield role, couldn't work that one out. If I give any plaudits on the day to the starters, it has to be Crainey. We say we are not as fit, don't include him, he was up and down the pitch all day, no wonder he is sometimes out of position defensively. Some good interaction with Reg, just never finished off.
We looked a different team when Matty and Punch came on, but the midfield kept missing Matty in acres of space, with only one defender covering. He was really up for it, even had a ruck with the lino when he called it wrong, sooo different from the meek lad earlier this season (God, ain't he grown too?). He certainly wasn't overawed this week, unlike last.
Now, you may have noticed I've not mentioned the other substitute. Hmmm, how do I put this without disrespecting our team or Ollie. I think he was maybe a little tired, cos whenever the ball went near him, he felt he had to lie down!!
So onto the rest of the season. I'm sure Ollie won't be waiting for my advice, so I can give it without fear.
Go back to playing the ball on the ground, and frustrating the opposition into opening up space. Risk Matty from the start on the right, and tell him to take a direct route at goal whenever he can. Play Punch with DJ from the start.
If DV isn't back, play a midfield of Charlie, Grandin and GTF, bring Baps back into defense, to replace Eards, or Cathie if his confidence has suffered. Stick with EVo and Crainey whatever. Bring back Kingson, I have so much more confidence in him than Gilks. Subs Gnasher to see out games, Eards for an additional defender, mid with a great shot, use Reg as impact sub, Korni if you need a centre forward, Brett if you need injury cover up front.
The crowd has been mentioned elsewhere, won't waste any more time on supporters who boo their own team and leave after 70 minutes. Not ashamed to say I was bawling out "Best trip" near the end with my true brothers and sisters, with more than a little tear in my eye.
The mountain has got a whole chunk higher, but, hey ho, we are Blackpool, we never do things the easy way, most of us have been here a long time, getting pasted at the bottom end of professional football, keep yer perspective.
feel free to add your own, particularly if you could see the south goalmouth in the first half, was still getting my "worm's eye view"!!