| Paul's View 21:22 - Oct 12 with 1334 views | Paul38 |
So I expect you’re all disappointed with that result, and rightly so I think.
Not only did we fail to hold onto a priceless victory that would of have revitalised both fans and players alike but it seemed that the second half wasn’t a case of Colchester Vs Walsall but Colchester Vs The Clock.
From kick off in the second half it seemed that Joe was happy to stick rather than twist. The whole team dropped 5-10 yards deeper than they played in the first half and I think that allowed Walsall to take back control of midfield. In the first half Eastmond, Gilbey and especially Bean were controlling the centre of the midfield and dictated play but in the second it was much different and Walsall definitely took advantage of that and really should have scored way before injury time.
That being said I thought the first half was a really good half for The U’s and I thought Garbutt, Bean and Ibehre were really impressive. Garbutt looks a real player at left back, rightly given man of the match at the ground, he was constantly a threat to Walsall and defended a lot better than he did against Wolves last week. Bean was fantastic for the majority of the match, winning almost every 50/50 and every aerial battle, he allowed the forward players to get on the ball and create chances as well as helping the defence when Walsall attacked. Ibehre is a lot to handle and I think he’d be a championship striker on his day, his finishing is way off the required mark though. He got in behind a few times today and should have done a lot better with his chances, most notably when he robbed Paul Downing and stormed into the box but his finish was absolutely terrible. That being said he works hard for the team and he does allow the team to play football because he holds up play and draws defenders out of position. As well as the control of midfield changing after the break and Walsall finding a lot more space in the middle of the pitch, I thought Ibehre tired quickly and by the 60th minute he was barely able to jump to head the ball. He hardly won anything in the second half and that meant the ball just kept coming back at Colchester.
I had a bet on Sears scoring first because, in all honesty, when I looked at the betting before the game I couldn’t see anyone else scoring and he did take his goal very, very well. A fantastic finish from him and his movement to find space on the edge of the area was great but other than his goal, what else did he do today? I didn’t write down his name once after his goal until he got substituted. Him and Ibehre don’t work well together, when you watch Massey and Ibehre play off each other and exchange passes, like they did before Sears’ goal, you can see they have an understanding but Sears and Ibehre seem to have their own agenda’s and don’t work well together so it is defiantly time to explore other options Joe.
Ok so this is a common excuse of football fans, blame the referee. I thought he had quite a bad game today. Five minutes? FIVE MINUTES? Where on earth did he get that from I don’t know. He got several decisions wrong and he wasn’t consistent at all. I’m not sure if the majority of you sit in the south stand and didn’t get a great view when Garbutt raced into the box, well I did. That was a blatant penalty. Absolute stone-wall penalty and I was speechless when the referee crossed his arms as if the defender had won the ball, he clearly took away Garbutt’s ankle. I got a good view of that one but didn’t get a great view of the handball appeals from Walsall so I’m not sure about that one but from the appeals it did look a bit suspect. Another decision the ref got wrong for me was one you will hate me for but Gilbey should have been sent off if the referee was consistent. He booked him for kicking the ball away when Walsall had a free kick, then when they won another one for a challenge by Bean he thumped the ball downfield but didn’t receive a card… An example of his poor refereeing display and a bad day at the office for Mr Simpson.
I think overall Walsall probably deserved a point from the game, it was harsh on us coming so late but they’d hit the crossbar and the post during the game and in the second half were much the better team. Plus you can’t discredit the free-kick, it was a foul and what a fantastic strike. Joe will be pleased with another point but really it’s two dropped because a silly tackle from Magnus in the last minute has denied a much needed win for the boys.
Onwards and upwards though, it’s not a defeat and we move on. Hopefully away from home at Brentford and Shrewsbury in the next few weeks the players won’t have the expectation of playing at home and they won’t have any nerves transcending from the stand if they have to hold on for the last few minutes and hopefully steal a few wins. |  |
| “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new " |
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| Paul's View on 21:57 - Oct 12 with 1316 views | Barsidepete |
Well done, Paul:) .. smartly conceived. Durham and Noah are our standards for reportage and that was very good, so happens.. Thanks, mate;) |  |
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| Paul's View on 22:02 - Oct 12 with 1309 views | Barsidepete |
| Paul's View on 21:57 - Oct 12 by Barsidepete |
Well done, Paul:) .. smartly conceived. Durham and Noah are our standards for reportage and that was very good, so happens.. Thanks, mate;) |
By the way peeps? This kid is going to good, I feel it. I believe we have a young whipper-snapper in our midst. A real Paul McNulty .. Just let him do his thing. Trust me  | |
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| Paul's View on 00:26 - Oct 13 with 1292 views | noah4x4 |
Thanks Paul for establishing an excellent standard in your first report.
The more you do; the harder it becomes to remain innovative and fresh (especially if the U's results track record never varies). So I welcome the break. I try not to regurgitate what appears on BBC; Sky or the U's website; as if people want a simple blow by blow account; frankly; they don't need us.
The idea is to offer a true fan's perspective. Remember that many boarders are in the USA; Spain; etc. So although they might hear U's Player radio commentary; they don't see it all (indeed they see nothing). BTW; I agree with everything you say about Jabo and Sears. I too thought Sears was most likely U's player to score; and he did; but it still isn't working! The return of Massey and his instant rapport with Jabo illustrated exactly what I meant in previous reports about the lack of understanding between Ibrehe and Sears. But yet again; it all goes belly up after multiple substitutions; and a SEVENTH minute of added time. I could understand five minutes; but seven?
If you don't travel away; I will pick up results on the road except where Durham is present (normally means north of Northampton). However; I won't be at Shrewsbury; so a volunteer is required. |  | | |
| Paul's View on 09:53 - Oct 13 with 1257 views | Paul38 |
Thanks for the feedback from both.
I thought I would try to sum up player performances and a team performance as a whole rather than give a blow by blow account of what happened because like you said a lot of people would have been at the game , or listened to it so it would be pointless.
I'm sure I'll find it difficult to stay fresh and talk about a team that, as you said, seem to have a few problems at the moment but it's a challenge I'm up for and one that will only help me in the future so no worries there.
Any constructive criticism is welcome as long as it's not just "that was crap." That doesn't really help.... | |
| “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new " |
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| Paul's View on 12:39 - Oct 13 with 1235 views | Barsidepete |
| Paul's View on 09:53 - Oct 13 by Paul38 |
Thanks for the feedback from both.
I thought I would try to sum up player performances and a team performance as a whole rather than give a blow by blow account of what happened because like you said a lot of people would have been at the game , or listened to it so it would be pointless.
I'm sure I'll find it difficult to stay fresh and talk about a team that, as you said, seem to have a few problems at the moment but it's a challenge I'm up for and one that will only help me in the future so no worries there.
Any constructive criticism is welcome as long as it's not just "that was crap." That doesn't really help.... |
Have you talked with Matt Hudson? He's the media head and press guru of the U's. A mate of mine and when I travel over I've been afforded the courtesy of press pass, press seating and excellent prematch and HT nosh:D .. Although having said that I attend most games with Panners (and Daniel and MFB in a blue moon;)
Get in touch.. Mention Daniel or me (Pete), perhaps he can give you the full press treatment if you haven't experienced it already. Not clear how far along you are as a journo.. | |
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| Paul's View on 13:21 - Oct 13 with 1224 views | Paul38 |
Yeah I sit directly infront of Matt at the game, he helped me sort out being in the press environment at every game but thanks for letting me know I appreciate it! | |
| “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new " |
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| Paul's View on 13:35 - Oct 13 with 1215 views | noah4x4 |
Paul, I am a retired head of marketing that negotiated relationships with multiple professional sports for a major brand active in international sponsorship; and also married to the publishing director of a magazine group (but no sports titles). Any help you need; just ask.
You should definitely practice your skills in here on U's topics. You will only ever get constructive feedback; so don't ever construe disagreement with your point of view as negative. It's all about stimulating debate. | | | |
| Paul's View on 13:54 - Oct 13 with 1209 views | Paul38 |
That's great thanks very much I will ask if I need any, which I'm sure I will...
Yeah I understand people won't always agree with my point of view and that's one of the main reasons I love football, and writing about it, because everyone see's it differently.
I will continue to write in here, it's defiantly a great place to practise and get feedback from experienced people such as yourself.
Just got to hope we're not talking about disappointing results every week, which on some of the evidence this season, we shouldn't really!! | |
| “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new " |
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| Paul's View on 23:58 - Oct 13 with 1167 views | Barsidepete |
| Paul's View on 13:35 - Oct 13 by noah4x4 |
Paul, I am a retired head of marketing that negotiated relationships with multiple professional sports for a major brand active in international sponsorship; and also married to the publishing director of a magazine group (but no sports titles). Any help you need; just ask.
You should definitely practice your skills in here on U's topics. You will only ever get constructive feedback; so don't ever construe disagreement with your point of view as negative. It's all about stimulating debate. |
Yo! what about me? You think I'm not looking for freelance assignments when I fly over? Might help me stay an extra month or so,.. although all you peeps are so expensive. Should just fly to southerly Spain and save some dosh  | |
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| Paul's View on 11:08 - Oct 14 with 1139 views | Leadbelly |
I agree Garbutt, Bean and Ibhere all did well, although Jabo tired. Sears scored a good goal but did nothing else was a common refrain outside the ground, on the bus and, indeed, in the pub afterwards.
I've seen much worse refereeing displays but he definitely missed a handball (Taylor I think?) and Gilbey was very lucky to stay on. The biggest officiating error was, of course, 5 minutes of added time, extended to 7 minutes.
The biggest error of the day, however, was the second half performance. So Ward-like was it that I've hardly slept since, troubled by unpleasant flashbacks. I don't doubt everyone was desperate for a much needed win but why did WE retreat and defend so deep. I really don't believe Walsall were that good or played so well that anyone can claim they forced us back, we invited them to attack. | |
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| Paul's View on 11:41 - Oct 14 with 1136 views | Paul38 |
That was the thing I couldn't get my head around the most from Saturday, why oh why did we sit back from kick off in the second half?
The team were playing well and although Walsall had a few chances and hit the woodwork a few times, the first half was definitely Colchester's so I baffles me that Joe decided to allow them to drop 5-10 yards deeper from kick off. I mean come the 80th minute I don't even think anyone other than Jabo got into Walsall's half which shows how deep we were defending.
If you defend deep you are just asking for pressure to be put on your defense and goalkeeper. It always surprises me that teams sit back and try to protect such a slender lead. Of course you don't want to go all guns blazing and throw everybody forward but by just altering one players position it can give you the same defensive approach.
Bean had a storming first half and he played ahead of Eastmond, sort of along side Gilbey which really worked because he was able to filter back in next to Eastmond when we didn't have the ball and push up to allow Gilbey a free-roaming position when we did. Joe could have easily just told Bean to sit, all of the second half, leave Gilbey where he was with the wide men and Jabo up top and it would of given us some much needed breathing space rather than having Gilbey,Bean,Eastmond plus the wide men so far away from Jabo and practically in their own box.
Still, a point's a point, in whatever circumstances and we move on to the next game, nothing has been decided yet!! | |
| “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new " |
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| Paul's View on 12:46 - Oct 14 with 1126 views | Leadbelly |
We shouldn't sit back as we did on Saturday because our defence, whilst not shipping lots of goals, seems unable to avoid costly mistakes. If Magnus, for instance, doesn't have to make a poor challenge then we don't concede the free kick that led to the goal. | |
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| Paul's View on 13:12 - Oct 14 with 1121 views | BluenWightExile |
Precisely Whalers - we have not had a defence capable of retaining any 1 goal lead since the 05-06 season. A retro step.
Thank you Paul. Many of us are far far away and your report - as from Noah4x4 & Durham is most helpful.
A point is a point as you say BUT if with a quarter of our games gone we have a quarter of our points then we are down. As yet I see no reason to build optimism until the football we play becomes more effective. A goal a game will never keep a side up and we need far more resolute tactics to secure results and to shed anxiety.
I too rate Ibehere and agree that he has Championship pedigree but fear Sears simply isn't an intelligent footballer and is unable to adapt to planning or coaching. Doing his own thing as he does is the opposite of what Iwelumo did with JC around and Ibehere is in the Iwelumo mould.
Joe needs to be strong in his team selection. At present he still has time on his side. With 24 points by Christmas - he won't have.
Up the U's |  |
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| Paul's View on 14:12 - Oct 18 with 1035 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Paul...that was crap!
Only kidding, actually thought it was good read. Always nice to read a report from another fan. I think if you're not at the game the more reports you read the more likely you are to get a true reflection of what went on. Sometimes I read the opposition's match report, if I can find it, unsurprisingly they're often very different to the ones written by fellow U's fans.
The one point I have to make though, and it is a worrying one, is that your report pretty much backed up what my Dad told me and when it comes to football it's pretty rare for me and him to agree!
Keep up the good work! |  |
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