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Post by capitalgull on Aug 11, 2009 23:21:35 GMT
Just back as well so I doubt this will be a long report, but Palace were definitely deserving of their victory tonight, and it probably could have been a bigger margin had their front men been able to convert the excellent work of their midfield, where Neil Danns was a constant threat and Victor Moses showed flashes of the ability which has him talked about as Palace's next big money-spinner and a possible for the England team post 2012 or so!
Had they converted any of the dozen or so clear chances they created it could have been a very lopsided scoreline, but that would not have been fair on a TUFC who ran themselves into the ground in some cases, going all the way to the final whistle and still searching an equaliser.
We barely created anything in the first half, defending well with in particular (as has been mentioned) Kieran Charnock giving an eye-catching performance on his full debut. A very good left foot, excellent in the air for someone who is not overly tall (probably a little bigger than Woods for example) but his positioning sense was outstanding. The only real blemishes for the centre-backs coming on the goals, when they both seemed to ignore Ambrose for his free header and then Toddy pulled down N'Diaye for the penalty, which from my distant view looked to be a stick-on.
In between a lovely goal from Sills, from a wickedly curling Nicho free-kick, given for one of the few decisions that went our way from the truly inept referee (D Phillips) who looked like one of the guys we were treated to so much in the BSP over the last two seasons in terms of his decision-making (lack of) skills. Not helped either by a pair of myopic linesman either.
In general you could not fail to take positives from the performance, although my (and Crooky's) worry about a lack of pace throughout the side showed itself again. Moses, Danns and N'Diaye constantly proved too quick for our midfield and the former gave Robbo a good few roastings down the wing. Nicho played solidly as ever and less of their threat came down his side.
I hear Danny was being talked up on the radio - seems a little strange to me as I only saw a couple of really impressive bits of play. He was a little too easily muscled off the ball by Butterfield for my liking and drifted into areas where it was tough for Ty and Wroe to give him a pass he could actually run on to and get some momentum going forward.
He, and the rest of the team, improved dramatically after half-time, and had Rendell converted a pretty straightforward chance soon after the break things could have been very different.
But the fact we created more chances tonight than we did against Chesterfield gives me cause for enthusiasm, and to see Robbo fire in a 35-yard screamer that missed the post by an inch showed how good our confidence was.
All in all, an excellent performance against not far off Palace's strongest line-up. Seven of the 11 who started on Saturday for them started tonight and four more on the bench figured at some point. They will struggle this season unless Freddie Sears proves to be the answer for them up front - that is their real problem.
Well done to the lads, and well done to the supporters as well (419 I am led to believe). Although he may not be everyone's cup of tea, SG wound is crew up well and the singing section should make everyone proud to be a Gull this evening.
Shame we had to put up with being corralled into two sections of a pretty pish-poor stand, with food running out before kick-off and some horrific smells I am sure the TUFC fan known as 'Pondlife' could not even have managed to produce. Add that in to the ticket fiasco of not being able to buy one at the turnstiles (and they were a bloody tight squeeze for this big man!) and the evening was pretty cruddy...luckily the 90 minutes was a nice diversion for a change.
Ratings:
Bevan 7 (no fault for goals, very solid)
Robbo 7 (considering opponent, a fine performance)
Nicho 7 (solid, dependable, etc)
Todd 6 (bullied by Lee, IMO was constantly fouling as well)
Charnock 8* (excellent, a fine first impression)
Carlisle 6 (subdued, but got little of the ball)
Wroe 6 (below par and too easily beaten for the first)
Ty 7 (would have been more but for some sloppy passing)
Stevens 6 (flitted in and out of procedings)
Rendell 7 (continues to impress but for missed sitter)
Sills 6 1/2 (extra 1/2 for the goal, not one of his best nights)
Good morning all!
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Post by lambethgull on Aug 11, 2009 23:52:55 GMT
Really impressed with tonight’s performance. Whilst Wroe losing his man for their first was frustrating, and Todd bringing down his man when the ball looked to be going out for a goal kick even more so, the defence held up well against an attack that will be better than most we will face this season. I’ll second those who have praised Charnock, and would also give a mention to Nicholson who played his usual game to good effect.
The gulf in class seemed to show in the first half with Palace having most of the possession. Moses and Danns were a constant threat and Palace were unlucky not to score when they hit the bar after a good run. That aside though we restricted them to having too many clear cut chances, without creating anything much ourselves. Stevens performed admirably on the left and held the ball up well when he could. Rendell was everywhere, linking play up, providing cover for the defence and doing as much as he could in the final third. I was really impressed with him.
Second half was different with the Gulls shooting towards the Away contingent. Utd came forward confidently and took the game to the Championship side. Carlisle saw more of the ball than he did in the first and those in the Away End always fancied we could nick one. We kept our heads after Palace took the lead, if not against the run of play, then certainly not as a result of any real period of sustained Palace pressure. Benyon and Carayol came on for Rendell and Stevens. Benyon did well, winning a couple of free kicks, but I felt Carayol performed less well than Stevens. Maybe it’s harsh to judge him against the better class of opposition, but he never really seemed like being effective. Sills took his goal from his set piece superbly and it felt like we could take it to Extra time. Unfortunately, though it was a little difficult to see and judge from the vantage point at the other end of the ground, Todd seemed to pull down one of their attackers when the ball looked to be floating away from him and his man. It was all over then, but the players heads never dropped and fair play to the boys for keeping the score to a very respectable 2-1 and showing the few South Londoners who turned up that a newly promoted Conference side, with a bit of good fortune, can be a match for a mediocre Championship one.
As for Selhurst Park...what an absolute hole. A chant of ‘Your ground stinks of s***’ went up, and no-one was joking. The stench in that stand was horrific. No Championship side is ever going to be excited about a visit from a side two leagues below in the first round of the League Cup, but the amount of Palace fans that showed up was pitiful. The travelling band of 400 or so fans did the club proud.
And as for the ticketing arrangements which meant fans had to queue for a ticket before being allowed in after most fans had presumably made the trek after work to the most awkwardly located ground in London....what was all that about? Can South East Londoners not count cash and operate a turnstile? That, combined with the undermanned catering facilities at half time, was more reminiscent of our trips to Woking than to any other League club, let alone a club that presumably considers it be one with top flight credentials.
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Fonda
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Post by Fonda on Aug 12, 2009 8:47:31 GMT
Sounds as though we gave a decent account of ourselves, both on the pitch and on the terraces. We didn't embarrass ourselves like a few other clubs did last night, and gave a performance we'll take plenty of positives from. I'll settle for that.
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petef
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Post by petef on Aug 12, 2009 9:19:30 GMT
A result that I had in a way hoped for, a narrow defeat with honour, though a tie against Premiership oppostion in the next round would have been very welcome.
Lets face it ther will be many more important matches than this one over the coming months, Dagenham on Sat being one with stability and consistency in the League being must be the priority.
Proud of the club and the staff for the fight and "togetherness" and team spirit and particularly Paul Buckle who has created this environment. Contrary to some peoples views he is no fool and realises the squads limittaions but manages them so well. Its just as important to realise and play to your weaknesses as it is to your strengths.
Credit to hm.
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 12, 2009 11:06:37 GMT
Grrr. The penalty decision was at the wrong end for me, it looked very soft -Todd (I think) being judged as having pulled back their player. Could easily have been backing in, the ref gave lots of those 50:50 to the attacking player all night.  That's precisely why I opt to sit where I do if at all possible Adam, why go all that way for a shite view? Maybe the "Stephenson Suite" seats slap bang on the half way line didn't have the accompanying stink of the Whitehorse Lane Stand, but there were no internal lights (not even emergency ones) on in the bowels of the old Main Stand and in the relatively luxurious confines of the suite itself there was only a hot dog trolley selling the sole food available on the night......................not very plush MISTER Simon "Tango" Jordan! My they even allowed the shaggy haired track suited Chris Hargreaves sit in the directors' seats ~ perhaps he was listed as "Player Coach" though  I too had difficulty gaining entrance having been told after a lengthy queue that I was at the "Family Section" window and not the section I wanted. "Why don't you put signage up?" I asked angrily............... 'it keeps falling down ' the reply  No doubt about it, it WAS a penalty ~ once the backing in had been allowed by the referee in the type of interpretation one comes to record from a "homer". Perfectly illustrated when just after the same rough and tumble prior to a free kick for the Gulls was the cause for play to be held up by the ref who then insisted it stopped (before another penalty was given I guess) such are the perils of life on the road, but Chris Todd really has to stop doing this! I thought we looked like a League 2 side away to a Championship one in the first half....................we couldn't get the ruddy ball off them and lacked any real pace in our front two to maximise possession when we did have it. We defended well on our eighteen yard line once again though this does tend to surrender midfield possession and Palace certainly didn't have their shooting boots on. Palace DO have an excellent reputation for their youth production line however, and Victor Moses is a real example of that. What a player, what balance, touch and physique! He won't be hanging around at Selhurst Park for long in my opinion. Old adversary Neil Danns has filled out impressively since his Colchester days and now has the frame to carry that fantastic array of passing skills and an eye for an interception that always stood him out as "one for the future" a few years ago..................well the future's here now and he troubled us greatly last night. Palace had their "donkeys" though and their centre back pairing of McCarthy and Fonte would have been taken apart had Sills and Rendell possessed a modicum of pace ~ but that's why they play their trade in the lower echelons of the game................a fate that befalls many a skilled exponent. No pace, no big pay packet ~ keep working on those "explosive acceleration" routines Anthony or you'll be scrapping around at Grays for a living some day!If reports of "Stephens adulation" on the commentary are true, then I raise my eyes to the sky once more. Skilled yes, plucky of course and a great attitude; but not very effective ...........not last night anyway in a more restricted role than he plays at home; being required to sit in and provide assistance for Nicho. Wayne Carlisle did it so much better on the other flank where his greater experience shone through. This is no criticism of Danny, just recognition that he is still learning the game; and acknowledgment that when you are in a Championship side's back yard it can prove to be a darned difficult classroom. Had Robbo's screamer hit the back of net rather than the seats behind the goal, the keeper would still have been as motionless as he was anyway and the fabulous Yellow Army would have collectively wet themselves with excitement, and why not? It was a fabulous strike and deserving of so much more. Well, we haven't been taken apart at home like Exeter, nor made twarts of ourselves as Burton have done; so for a "Conference side" feeling their way back into the (did someone amongst the sparse crowd say) "Big Time" we ain't done bad but we're out of the Carling Cup and won't be getting any lovely lucre for further efforts. Never mind, it was good to meet "Papalazarou" and I only hope he doesn't get home with a "nasty little itch" this morning ~ he knows what I'm getting at! Kipper and I somehow managed to stop getting our heads kicked in at the chicken shop and to the lady in the Chinese Takeaway, my offer of marriage just because she was such a good cook stands ;D and to Frenchie..................enjoy your trip round the world old son and don't forget to drop TB1  off at Arnos Grove on the way and Kev: no I didn't manage to sell any ice creams on the night!  |
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Fonda
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Post by Fonda on Aug 12, 2009 11:20:07 GMT
Grrr. The penalty decision was at the wrong end for me, it looked very soft -Todd (I think) being judged as having pulled back their player. Could easily have been backing in, the ref gave lots of those 50:50 to the attacking player all night. That's precisely why I opt to sit where I do if at all possible Adam, why go all that way for a shite view? Maybe the "Stephenson Suite" seats slap bang on the half way line didn't have the accompanying stink if the Whitehorse Lane end, but there were no internal lights (not even emergency ones) on in the bowels of the old Main Stand and in the relatively luxurious confines of the suite itself there was a hot dog trolley selling the sole food available on the night......................not very plush MR Simon "Tango" Jordan! My they even allowed the shaggy haired track suited Chris Hargreaves sit in the directors' seats ~ perhaps he was listed as "Player Coach" I too had difficulty gaining entrance having been told after a lengthy queue that I was at the "Family Section" window and not the section I wanted. "Why don't you put signage up?" I asked angrily............... 'it keeps falling down ' the reply No doubt about it, it WAS a penalty ~ once the backing in had been allowed by the referee in the type of interpretation one comes to record as a "homer". perfectly illustrated when just after the same rough and tumble prior to a free kick for the Gulls was the cause for it to be held up by the ref who then insisted it stopped (before another penalty was given I guess) such are the perils of life on the road, but Chris Todd really has to stop doing this! I thought we looked like a League 2 side away to a championship one in the first half....................we couldn't get the ruddy ball off them and lacked real pace in our front two to maximise possession when we did have it. We defended well on our eighteen yard line once again though this does tend to surrender midfield possession and Palace certainly didn't have their shooting boots on. Palace DO have an excellent reputation for their youth production line and Victor Moses is a real example of that. What a player, what balance, touch and physique! He won't be hanging around at Selhurst Park for long in my opinion. Old adversary Neil Danns has filled out impressively since his Colchester days and now has the frame to carry that fantastic array of passing skills and an eye for an interception that always stood him out as "one for the future" a few years ago..................well the future's her now and he troubled us greatly last night. Palace had their "donkeys" [glow=red,2,300]however and centre back pairing of McCarthy and Fonte would have been taken apart had Sills and Rendell possessed a modicum of pace ~ but that's why they play their trade in the lower echelons of the game[/glow]................a fate that befalls many a skilled exponent. No pace, no big pay packet ~ keep working on those "explosive acceleration" routines Anthony or you'll be scrapping around at Grays for a living some day!If reports of "Stephens adulation" on the commentary are true, then I raise my eyes to the sky once more. Skilled yes, plucky of course and a great attitude; but not very effective ...........not last night anyway in a more restricted role than he plays at home being required to sit in and provide assistance for Nicho. Wayne Carlisle did it so much better on the other flank where his greater experience shone through. This is no criticism of Danny, just recognition that he is still learning the game; and acknowledgment that when you are in a Championship side's back yard it can prove to be a darned difficult classroom. Had Robbo's screamer hit the net rather than the seats behind the goal, the keeper would still have been as motionless as he was anyway and the fabulous Yellow Army would have collectively wet themselves with excitement, and why not? It was a fabulous strike and deserving of so much more. Well, we haven't been taken apart at home like Exeter, nor made twarts of ourselves as Burton have done; so for a "Conference side" feeling their way back into the (did someone amongst the sparse crowd say) "Big Time" we ain't done bad and we're out of the Carling Cup and won't be getting any lovely lucre for further efforts. Never mind, it was good to meet "Papalazarou" and I only hope he doesn't get home with a "nasty little itch" this morning ~ he knows what I'm getting at! Kipper and I somehow managed to stop getting our heads kicked in at the chicken shop and to the lady in the Chinese Takeaway, my offer of marriage just because she was such a good cook stands ;D and to Frenchie..................enjoy your trip round the world old son and don't forget to drop TB1 off at Arnos Grove on the way and Kev: no I didn't manage to sell any ice creams on the night! Does this not indicate Benyon would have been the right option? There seems to be a thought that when you're facing big, powerful centre-halfs (as i guess most are) you have to go at them 'like for like' with big powerful forwards. But surely the one thing such imobile defenders dislike is real pace in behind them? Is Benyon not the man for that job? Especially alongside someone as adept at deft little passes as Rendell has already proved himself. I don't agree with the suggestion 'he's not strong enough'. He doesn't want to fight them, given the right service he wants to race them, and more often than not, you'd think he'd win. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 12, 2009 11:39:40 GMT
Does this not indicate Benyon would have been the right option? No it doesn't. At best he's useful to instill a bit of pace and to take advantage of a stretched game in which his marker has been "softened up" and slowed by the attentions of a more physical specimin for an hour or so. He is still a "boy amongst men", still has loads of filling out to do and would never have got near the ball last night until the particular phase of the game he came on for. The manager knows what he is doing, and whilst a relatively pace challenged pairing of Sills and Rendell can adapt their game and get away with it in League 2, they certainly get found out against sides two levels higher. That didn't prevent Sillsy's excellent header to score last night though, but I suspect Benners would have been his usual "headless chicken" flapping all over the place not getting anywhere near the ball if started from the off last night. If you want to appreciate just what sort of "boys" can excell against men, compare the upper body physiques of players like Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, or Palace's Victor Moses; standing beside Elliott Benyon they make our lad look positively anorexic! |
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Fonda
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Post by Fonda on Aug 12, 2009 11:55:32 GMT
Phil Bolland is a 'man'. A man who spent the letter part of the Play-Off Final 'enjoying' an early bath due to his inabilty to handle a bit of pace and guile. I don't think Benyon ever resembles a 'headless chicken'. He's composed in front of goal too.
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 12, 2009 12:38:11 GMT
Yes but the game had become "stretched" by then and Bolland was blowing a bit; that's when Benyon can be used to his maximum potential as it is at present and the BSP and it's defenders is certainly no Championship; surely you can appreciate that. Don't forget this converstion arose because you suggested starting Benyon against a Championship pairing as opposed to Rendell and Sills leaving him to emerge from the bench.
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Post by romfordkev on Aug 12, 2009 12:52:05 GMT
Reply to crazyfool:
The number 41 shirt worn by Thompson (squad number 12) was the "blood shirt" - required after Tyrone had an early clash of heads.
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Fonda
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Post by Fonda on Aug 12, 2009 12:58:53 GMT
Yes but the game had become "stretched" by then and Bolland was blowing a bit; that's when Benyon can be used to his maximum potential as it is at present and the BSP and it's defenders is certainly no Championship; surely you can appreciate that. Don't forget this converstion arose because you suggested starting Benyon against a Championship pairing as opposed to Rendell and Sills leaving him to emerge from the bench. True enough. There will be occasions that the know-how of the defenders is such that Benyon's effectiveness is minimised (and perhaps last night would have been one of those occasions). My general point was to oppose the oft-heard idea that Benyon 'isn't strong enough' to oppose these big defenders. At times, his attributes are exactly the sort to use against them. Maybe away, at a Championship club was not the time or place though. |
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merse
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Post by merse on Aug 12, 2009 13:38:31 GMT
I believe you'll find that the "agricultural odour" was not to make the "Boys From the Westcountry" feel at home in the Capital last night but bins full of horse shit that still hadn't been cleared away from the visit by the Aaaaaaaaaaargyle  Travelling Pitchfork Army on Saturday. Of course it comes from the bums of the horses that the police sit on rather than then the bums on the saddles or the scrotes in green and white and it is a source of never ending annoyance to me that both the army and the police are allowed to desecrate OUR streets in this way whereas if a dog owner allows his pooch to shite on the pavement and doesn't clear it up immediately he faces prosecution. Why can't Police 'orses have little buckets dangling between their back legs or their thicko riders be made to carry pooper scoopers and then stuff the shit in their pockets until they go off duty? Anyway, there was no need for donkeys on horseback to control the Civilised Yellow Army last night unlike on Saturday when the Retarded Raggy Arses from Plymuff were in town! Never mind, it'll be good preparation for Dagenham on Saturday where the smell comes wafting over from Ebbsfleet! 
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Post by David Graham's Eighth Pint on Aug 12, 2009 13:39:13 GMT
Couldn't agree more than what Lambeth has to say. Although why did you want to eat anything after sitting with that smell for 45 minutes?!
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Post by lambethgull on Aug 12, 2009 14:40:59 GMT
DGEP - maybe it was the effort expended legging it to that part of London and then racing around the ground in an attempt to get a ticket in order to get in!
In the event, I passed on the food though. No way I was queueing that long for a pie kept in those conditions.
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Fonda
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Post by Fonda on Aug 12, 2009 14:44:08 GMT
No way I was queueing that long for a pie kept in those conditions. 'Battery' pies...?!  |
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