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Mr Angry version:

What on earth did he pick Barton for. Guy let Arca and Gray have the run around. If he is blaming Solano for lack of tackling then bloody pick Griffin from the start.

Speed, for Gods sake walk away from stupid refereeing decisions. Tried like mad to get himself sent off for arguing. If you're chasing back an overlapping fullback don't stop when you get bored, they can then run on and score.

Solano, mustn't be picked for games where there is any chance of the opposition tackling him.

What is the point of Cordone, Lua Lua wouldn't have done any worse, at least he has a chance of understanding the offside rule.

Hutchison is a master cheat, ref done good.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Answers

Mr Happy version

Positives ...

Given played well, the save from Quinn was wonderfully cat like.

Quinn stook fairly well to Hutch but let him run a couple of times. O'Brien an okay performance, Dabizas excellent.

Acuna busy but nothing positive. Bassedas continues to improve, last two games have made me think he's worht having around.

Gallacher usual non stop stuff makes up for lack of skill, gave all. Cort played fine, more aerial than usual.

Ameobi, has to play, he seems the only one capable of trapping a ball and then beating a player. Griffin easily our best full back MUST start all remaining games.

Negatives ...... Barton forcing Phillips wide when he was through and then letting run around him and get a shot in, clueless. Solano's pass to their player that ultimately let Phillips get away, wimp. The inability to block Arca and Gray until Griffin came on. EVRYTHING starts with them and we did nothing about it, poor management.

We didn't lose though :0)

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


We were awful, lucky not to get hammered

get it sorted Robert or Nationwide beckons :(

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


This "single white female" is the same person as the "occasional mackem lurker" on the other thread.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Methinks macklurk doth protest too much. Another closet Toon supporter? ;-))

Thanks for the reviews Macbeth and Tony. It was great hearing the Toon army singing after the match. I'm surprised there wasn't a chorus of Monkey's Heed when Heed came out for his postmatch interview.

So now that we're safe, what are the chances Bobby will mix things up a bit for the remaining games. Play Acuna and Bassedas consistently. Play Griffin and whoever he thinks is our potential first choice back 4 for next season. See what these guys are capable of and give them the chance to start building an understanding.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


You're being way too harsh on the barbers pole's OML (pet!) - I didn't think they were all that bad, apart from that cheating, former- Geordie git.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


Overall, I thought we did OK apart from that horrible 20 minute spell before HT. However, the game proved yet again for me that we cannot do without Rob Lee in mid-field, irrespective of how far back he has gone at this stage of his career - and personally, I thought Acuna was absolutely hopeless.

As for Barton, what can you say? I feel genuinely sorry for the guy; he is now deadly lacking in pace and sadly has become an embarrassment. He and Solano had a nightmare down our right flank, and the improvement when Griffin finally come on was immediate and stark - at long last someone who could tackle with some bite.

Dabz & O'Brien did pretty well, and I thought Quinn had a decent game even though Hutch did him on their goal. Despite being generally written off by all and sundry, I actually think Quinn is gradually improving as he is getting to grips with the PL.

Speed worked his bollox off in the cause, and Bassedas stuck to the task and had a good spell in the 2nd half. Cort and Gallacher combined well at times and didn't allow the mackem defence to settle. Given was excellent.

Overall, a hard won point that hopefully puts another dent in the mackem's UEFA hopes, despite what IMO was a flawed team selection. Oh yes, although outnumbered 14:1, the Toon Army sounded magnificent on telly.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


Who let that makem in? Been a while since ive been on the net but looking at past threads we seem to have an obnoxious coward in our midst, irritating the good natured banter in here. Im not from the northeast but it seems youre all correct about the filth next door to you.

Anyway! Watched the game on TV + it wasnt great. We came back strong in the 2nd half and actually decided to put a few passes together. Given was outstanding as always. Ive never been a huge Dabizas fan but he looked a class above anyone weve had in defence for a while. Cant complain about the committment from the players, particularly Speed(though he didnt play particularly well). They failed to beat us again on their own turf but we didnt get the stoke of luck they always seem to get at SJP.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001


The DAILY TOON match reports is as unbiased as it always is, and is now available for viewing on the main site.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Oops....sorry, bit of bad coding there, forgot the closing " - this one should work - DAILY TOON

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Barton's tackling was hardly helped by getting a yellow for a perfectly fair challenge in the first minutes from a Homer-bastard ref. He was infinitely better playing in front of what effectively became a back 3 for the last 30mins. Glasses on, people. If his lack of pace was such an embarrassment then what do you make of the younger players around him failing to get within 15 yards of his tsustle with Phillips? Is it too much to expect someone else to join you when you find yourself covering 2 players? If you shoot Barton then we will still leave acres of space on our right. We have no left footed midfielders playing down the flank in training so nobody knows what to do when they send 2 at us. All our central players wait in the middle for everything to come down a 20yard wide channel like we use. Of course, the man exposed on his own is the only one at fault yet again.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


good points softie and i'm with you up to a point, BUT his distribution was appalling - clueless.

I include most of the team in that as well mind, Instead of holding onto the ball or passing it and forcing their players to make rash challenges and make the effort to run, more often than not we'd panic and hoof it up to Cort or Gallacher [who's shorter than me ferchrissake!].

As for WB, it's almost like since he started doing his badges he's had to analyse what he does. Now he's analysed it, he's lost it. Sometimes, it's better not to analyse and just do what comes naturally.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


Don't get me wrong Softie, I get no pleasure from commenting on Barton's problems, but I feel his inability to keep pace now with wide-men has become a major problem for us - and this was demonstrated several times again yesterday. I love the guy's commitment and attitude, but the fact is we have a better RB at the Club who should now be playing regularly.

Your comment on how he fared when was effectively playing as a sweeper in front of a back three in the 2nd half is very interesting. I agree with you - his lack of pace is far less exposed playing there, and I actually thought he did brilliantly when they had him 2 on 1 as they broke out after Solano gifted them the ball on the edge of their PA when we had virtually everyone up waiting for a cross.
I commented several weeks ago that in the absence of Rob Lee I would consider playing Barton in that position where he can use his experience and ability to read the game in the same way that RL has done so effectively in the last two seasons. Speed is not particularly effective in that role.

As you suggest, Barton's task yesterday was indeed made more difficult by being booked for the heinous crime of winning the ball in the tackle: it was also made doubly difficult by the inadeqacies of both Solano in front of him and Acuna on the right of m/f.

My only real point is that I feel Barton has lost some pace which is increasingly exposing us down his wing, AND that we have a ready-made solution in Andy Griffin who should now be first choice RB.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


I agree about Griffin. He's got pace to stay with defenders, bite in the tackle, and just looks like a natural right back. Barton however much he loves the team is awful. He's got no pace and gets skinned everytime. Get him oot, bring Griffin in!

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

I must say, Bassedas was one of the few who put his foot on the ball & played a bit. For all the running around from Acuna & Speed neither put a decent pass in all game. Barton did well keeping Munchkin out when he appeared through on goal then stopped & admired his work while Munchkin went on to have a second crack. Griffin needs to get the nod from now on, otherwise he'll want out.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

Over the last few weeks it has occured to me - as has been mentioned by Clarky - that Barton might, and I use that word advisedly - be in a better position to replace Rob Lee in the short term. In front of the back three/four. As a FB, Griffin is miles ahead of him. If we all know this, isn't it time someone told YBR?

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


I agree 100% with Barton having lost pace this season and his distribution yesterday being poor, but he doesn't pick himself ahead of Griffin so you're blaming the wrong guy. I thought his distribution yesterday was down to staying further back than usual because his priority was stopping Arca and Gray (on his tod) and whenever he would approach the half way line looking for someone to offload it to he was given a choice of back inside to Dabizas or a great diagonal hoof towards the penalty area since Nobby, Acuna and Bassedas did their astonishing Meercat impressions by all vanishing rather than showing for the ball. The cut back to Dabizas just wasn't an option with Phillips, Quinn and whichever of Arca and Gray were ready to pounce on a backpass.

Yes he's a player in decline, but what do we practice in training? Surely you should at least try to get a group of players to play in a similar fashion to your next opponents when preparing for a match? So long as everyone wore criket pads and one player rode on another's shoulders we should have been able to recreate a hakkem- style match fairly easily.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


Point taken Softie, and as I think you know, my criticism of individual players is reserved exclusively for this bbs - and doesn't go into the Stand with me.
As I said on another thread, the Andy Griffin story is becoming as big a mystery as the Stephen Glass conundrum.
IMO, the team formation for yesterday's easily predicted m/f battleground was flawed, but BR would probably argue it was justified by the result's both yesterday and last week v WHU.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

....I was thinking team "selection" rather than nessarily "formation" in my previous post.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

I've tried elsewhere but maybe this is also the forum. How/who should we playing from now to the end of the season ?

We know exactly what Barton, Speed, Solano and Gallacher bring to the team, playing them now won't uncover anything exciting. We probably can't do without all of them as we'd just be overrun. Solano is out for two games through suspension so that's an easy one. As Lee is missing I'd guess Speed will have to stay. Barton deserves a rest. Gallacher is probably fit enough, and maybe worldly enough, to play on, but only Robson knows whether the lad will be here next year or not.

The defence looks to pick its self in Given, Griffin, Dabizas, O'Brien/Hughes, Quinn, maybe the option of letting the Caldwell boys a game or two.

Midfield is a mess. I think Speed will always be picked cos there isn't anyone else. I'd guess Acuna will partner him, and Bassedas needs to play. Wide right (or wide left !!!!!) is more difficult. Gavlian and Lua Lua are reserve regulars but I don't know them well enough to comment. Maybe being told they are in the team for a 5 match run would Gavilanise their confidence.

Up front I'd always play Shola, so Shola and Cort it would be.

I'd also like to see Chopra and Offiong get a 20 minute substitutes appearance before the end of the season. Not too much just a thank you for a good season in the youth teams.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


Well Macbeth, as I believe we are now mathematically safe from relegation, a lot depends on whether BR feels we have any realistic chance of a UEFA spot. I feel the answer to that is it's way too late.

So, why not use the remaining games as part of the pre- planning for next season? As you suggest, AS & RL are out anyway which makes it a bit easier, and Solano is banned for the next two games - IMO he should be dropped anyway. I think you also have to minimise the risk of Dabz doing too much too early following his long lay off - although thank goodness we've had him in for the last two games.

I'd give Gavilan a few games on the RW to see if he can do it.
I'd play Griffin at RB, and try playing WB in front of the back four in RL's position - he cannot play RB any longer, but might just be able to do a job in a defensive m/f role. In truth, without RL we don't have anyone else who can fill this role effectively anyway. This would also enable us to play GS & Bassedas in central m/f, and see how they gell as a pair.
I'd use Dabz very sparingly, and give Steve Caldwell some more experience, but I'd take the opportunity to give young Gary Caldwell a game alongside Dabz.
I might also try using Quinn in a left-sided m/f role with either Griffin or Hughes at LB. Gavilan, Bassedas, Speed and Quinn would actually be the best balanced m/f we've had all season.

This little 5 game run could be invaluable in the planning process, if used effectively.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


Yeah, there's Bonvin as well who's left footed, surely we could find a place for him in the team.

The Leicester match may be tricky, as both Solano and Gavilan are suspended, so we have no natural right wingers. Unless Barton goes at left back, Quinn left wing and Griffin right back, with another unbalanced midfield.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


We could stick Gallacher in the right midfield slot if Gavilan is suspended, just short term like, as he played there for Coventry and Blackburn and also against Tranmere in the Cup last season and had a blinder if I remember rightly, putting in the crosses for the first two goals.

Agree that Barton has had his day. Andy Griffin is the best right back we've had in years, we need to use him before we lose him. If we've all recognised how good he is then how many managers have recognised it too? It won't be long before the promise of regular 1st team football lures the lad away.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001


I'm sure that is what BR will do, BM.
I suspect he'd like to get Shola back in now he's had a good break, and Gallacher really doesn't deserve to be dropped - in fact I think he's showed enough recently to perhaps secure another 12 month contract. As a versatile squad player you could spend £3-4 million to get someone no better than Gallacher.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001

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