FL2: Hereford v Torquay United Feb 6th 2010

That and the fact the ball was not sticking up front quite as it should have when closing down a game for victory. (Paul Buckle's concern at the time, I believe) Left too early.

I have no problem with the sale. If Barnes had come in at the same time of departure, I would be content. As a sub to assist closing out the game/as an extra defender against set pieces/as someone who might nod a goal, certain qualities have been missed out of our list of options in the last 5 or 6 fixtures. I trust Barnes will assist in that role.

Once again I'm a bit late adding my comments about the game. I've read most of the earlier posts and generally agree with most, except not many actually criticise the manager. When the team was announced I and my companions just looked at each other in total disbelief.

As already stated the only players to come out of this with any credit were the 3 defenders (not Cox) and Zebroski. Why was this?

Cox shows some talent but is too inexperienced and was given a torrid time throughout the game. He was responsible for needlessly giving away the corner which led to their goal by taking a fly-hack at the ball and slicing his kick so that the ball went backwards. Just think we tried to sign him permanently.

Thomsom looked totally out of place in the centre and didn't seem to know what his role was. He certainly seems to be easily put off his game when things aren't going right.

Carayol made one or two good runs down to the bye line, but got surrounded by defenders and not much came of them. O'Kane seemed to have trouble staying on his feet on what was a pudding pitch in front of the away supporters. Even if either of them had put in good crosses, most of the time there was no-one in the box to receive them.

Thompson gave his usual inept performance. In spite of all the praise he gets for his performances away from home he certainly didn't give one on Saturday. To make a tackle like that in the first minute was madness.

Poke once again showed his reluctance to come off his line to gather crosses. No matter that he helped us get promotion with his excellent performances previously, he does seem to have lost his confidence of late, and time to give Bevan another crack at it.

At least Buckle realised his error and brought Benyon on for the second half. With Mansell for Thompson making a big difference in midfield. Stevens was also brought on, but until he came over to the left side I didn't realise he was playing.

There is no doubt in my mind that Buckle makes too many curious selection decisions. Zebs and Benyon have done quite well as a forward pairing of late, and in spite of what Merse thinks about Benyon, in the last few games he has shown quite an improvement. So why change it? Carayol hasn't had a game for months, so why start him? Thomson is not a central player, so why play him there? Cox has only played for a few minutes as a substitute, so why start with him?

Enough has already been said about the officials! Respect? What a laugh!

BSP here we come.

I would suggest that the manager "changed it" because of Benyon's repeated struggle to get on the same wavelength as the other players, dreadfully lightweight attempts at ball retention* and pretty poor striking rate. His rate of effort and intention cannot be faulted, he is just not good enough and THAT is why we are seeking a replacement.

Historically, Edgar Street has been a strength sapping pitch with a very poor surface making first touch vital, control of the ball difficult and putting in ninety minutes of graft a very demanding exercise. I heard negative comments about the pitch once again on Saturday, and wouldn't envy any lightweight character (Benyon/Thomson) their task from first whistle to last ~ another reason after the best part of a week on the road for the manager to stand Benyon down and use him from the bench.

You often have to look beyond the actual ninety minutes of the game you are focussing on to find the reason behind decisions that baffle you.

*For good examples of using one's body and body position to hold opponents off look at the three pictures on this thread from the Hereford game and the one of the Hereford player holding off Zebs is a particularly good example of use of arm, leg and upper body to retain possession. It is these aspects of his game Benyon needs to work on in my opinion!

i no il get shot down for saying this but i think we do miss sillsy and nico,everybody says that there to slow and buckle has bought pace in which is good but in all honestly the majority of the points we have gained were with nico and sillsy,i agree smith is a class act at goin forward but when he was at left bk he always got caught out of place and if no one believes that just have a look at the goals we have conceeded since he arrived and alot have come from his man/side.we had gone 9 games unbeaten when nico was dropped so why not persist while things were goin well.it hurts me to say it but i agree with the people that say the current squad has too little experience and we could be in trouble.what happened to the never give up attitude of the last 2 seasons.we used to fight to the last minute but now it just looks like the players give up.i am now ready for my verbal abuse of everyone.ha ha :-D

totally agree kingpin regarding nico.
the proof is in the pudding, we have not won a game since he was dropped.
not to take anything from adam smith who is a very promising player.
but and a big but there is no substitute for experience.
lets take nico, who admittedly was skinned by a couple of fast wingers earlier in the season. that was put right when wayne carlisle was playing in front of him and things settled down and we were playing the best football for a couple of months thats been on view at plainmoor for a long time.
just remember nico was the main source of our attacks for over two years with his immaculate distribution, free kicks, corners and not least his throw inns.
where was plan "b" when he was left out.
this obsession with pace is overrated, positional play is just as important.

finally who would a number of fans vote for as one of the finest defenders of all time ?
well bobby moore would top a lot of lists and what pace did he have.
not much more than nico in my opinion but more than made up for it with a fantastic reading of the game.