By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Before we focus on tomorrow’s game against the Magpies, there are a few things to consider from last Saturday at Crewe.
As sadly is often the case, it was an excellent day only spoiled by the result at Gresty Road! A bright and sunny day, the train was spot on time from Penrith and I arrived in plenty of time at Crewe.
As seasoned travellers know (Wessex) the station is only five minutes from the ground and I walked into the club shop. No programmes anymore but they produce a monthly guide which devotes two pages to the opposition and so I purchased a copy. Before leaving the shop I got talking to two of the Crewe staff and whilst we were conversing along came the Crewe goalkeeping coach Fred Barber (who played for the U’s many years ago and he told me that he conceded seven goals at Gresty Road whilst playing for the U’s, fortunately I wasn’t there for that humiliation).
Anyway, Fred proceeded to take me into the club offices and along the corridor and into the U’s changing room (where the shirts were all hanging nearly waiting for the team to arrive). We then went into the Crewe changing room and the players were starting to arrive. There was just time for a walk on the pitch before he introduced me to the tea lady Joyce who kindly made me a cuppa and I sat chatting to the backroom staff. It was very kind of Fred who didn’t have to take the time and trouble. I saw it as a sign and was even more confident of a U’s win.
As I walked out of the side door to walk around to the Away entrance the U’s coach had just arrived and I wished BG and the team all the best for the game.
The weather was warm and very pleasant and so I waited for the turnstiles to open with a number of the U’s supporters. The crowd was 4,070 including 239 of the faithful.
Once inside the ground (for the second time) I bought a pie and a tea. The pie was ok, decent pastry and meat and potato filling.
Wessex had travelled up on the train and it was good to see him in good form.
BG had lined up an unchanged team.
Goodman Egbo Mitchell Hall Fevrier McGeehan Read Kazeem Chilvers Taylor Tovide
Subs: Smith Greenidge Bandeira Hopper Mingi Thomas Ihionvien
Of course, we got off to the worst possible start. A long throw from Demetriou on 3 minutes which looked like a foul throw was not dealt with and Long had a tap in from 3 yards out. Worse still the referee adjusted Kazeem’s challenge to be an illegal one and Long converted the penalty on 8 minutes.
However, having conceded two goals, the U’s looked to be the better team and we were confident that they could draw level before half time.
Mitchell once again looked strong and Jayden Fevrier was probably the U’s man of the match for his excellent right-wing play. Arthur Read ran the midfield and was always busy. Chilvers still to my mind doesn’t seem quite at the races but he did at least work hard for the team.
If only we could score before half time but the chances came and went. An extra four minutes was added on.
No changes at half time. Now at Gresty Road the Away fans are sat along the half way line and so there is no end as such for the supporters to sit behind. The Crewe support seemed nervous despite their two-goal lead.
I implored BG to take Kazeem off and bring Ihionvien on and play three up. Crewe seemed content to sit back and soak up pressure. In truth there were occasions when they couldn’t get the ball out of their half.
Tovide and Taylor tried to address the deficit but chances went begging. There was no shortage of opportunities but the finishing touch was simply not there. On 53 minutes Taylor drove an imperious cross from the right wing straight to his strike partner who made no mistake and it was 2-1.
Surely it was now simply a question of time before the goals came. But they didn’t, one of Taylor’s trademark drilled shots went wide, similarly Tovide and Read too.
Plenty of possession, territorial advantage and shots and corners but the equaliser would not come.
BG was slow to make his substitutions and it was not until the 74th minute that Mingi was brought on for the tiring McGeehan. Now the substitution that I wanted came on 83 minutes Kazeem off and Ihionvien on.
Now don’t get me wrong there was nothing wrong with Kazeem but we needed fresh legs up front and the only problem was that Bradley had little time to get into the game.
The ref only found 5 added minutes for the Crewe timewasting and a last-minute free kick in a promising position was crying out to be struck by Read or Taylor. In the end Chilvers shot tamely into the wall and that was it. The better team had lost but it is a too familiar sight at Gresty Road these days with three successive defeats now all of which we should have taken something from.
Yes there are players to come back and some to start Nico Lawrence, Kells, and Edwards will make a big difference to the team. But can BG play three up top.
Until then, Taylor, Tovide and Ihionvien would make an awesome forward line if he is brave enough.
Then four at the back Egbo, Mitchell, Hall and Kazeem, three in midfield, Fevrier, Read and Chilvers.
Perhaps too experimental.
When everyone is fit what about this:
Goodman Kelleher Mitchell Hall Lawrence Fevrier Read Kazeem Tovide Taylor Edwards
Plenty on the bench too: Smith Bandeira Mingi Ihionvien Chilvers McGeehan Egbo
Anyway, enough speculation:
Tomorrow is all about a Notts County team rejuvenated since their 5-1 defeat on the opening day at Sutton. Luke Williams brings a team and plenty of support that has Macaulay Langstaff, David McGoldrick and the excellent Richard Brindley amongst them.
Weather will be partly sunny and 18 degrees Celsius little chance of rain.
I suspect an unchanged team, but BG make those subs quicker.
Goodman
Egbo Mitchell Hall
Fevrier McGeehan Read Kazeem
Chilvers
Taylor Tovide
Subs: Smith Greenidge Bandeira Hopper Mingi Thomas Ihionvien
Now here’s the prediction. Regardless of their lofty position we are due a handsome victory and if we convert some of those chances I see no reason why we can’t win 4-1. A brace apiece for Smash n Grab.
There is no point in playing attractive football carving out chances but not taking them. Lets get at them from the outset and win.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
Durham_exile
0
Super U's to upset league leaders at the JCS on 12:58 - Oct 1 with 562 views
Garnerball at it's best? Crazy that people were calling for him to go a few weeks ago. We may not be anywhere near the top of the table this season but I'll take it over the drab 0-0's, 1-0's and 0-1's that we've had to endure under recent managers. Disappointing that McGeehan got sent off, the first yellow card was foolish but you can understand his frustration for the second one given that the Notts County player cynically took him out. What should've been an advantage and then possibly a free kick to us and a booking for the Notts County player ended up being a second yellow and sending off for McGeehan, doesn't really seem fair. Shame as he's getting better with every game for me. Also does anyone else think that Hall is becoming the weak link in our defence? The curse of being club captain perhaps but he doesn't seem as good as last season and is making more costly errors.
I see the police are investigating a Notts County supporter's assault on a U's player, and racial abuse post-match by another one of theirs. I suspect the former is related to their supporter's confrontation with Owen Goodman in the second half (which if I recall Owen got a yellow card for?), and wouldn't be surprised if the latter was related too.
When are these Neanderthals going to realise there's no place for this in modern society?
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
