keyberrygull
TFF member
Posts: 994
Favourite Player: Steve Cooper
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Post by keyberrygull on Sept 18, 2010 19:48:36 GMT
Thanks for that jimgull. It was picked up on the radio commentary that this was the referees first full season on the football league list and some of the cautions were unnecessary. They seemed to think that these cards would not have been shown by a more experienced official?
They also gave the impression that Stevens was the best player on the pitch?
I personally like supporters who attend matches to rate players performances and your marks seem to reflect the game that i listened to on the radio. Having watched a game at plainmoor listening to the BBC radio Devon commentary simultaneously, there is no guarantee that the two are the same.
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wigstongull68
TFF member
Posts: 366
Favourite Player: Lee Mansell
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Post by wigstongull68 on Sept 18, 2010 19:57:18 GMT
Well let's see what words I can conjure up to describe the match i've just got home from. Much to the disappointment of Longeaton I won't be marking out of ten or any other player performance scoring method!
Parked (for free, nice start) across from the ground, and any ground staff encountered were both pleasant and polite, positively happy to see us it seemed!
As for the game, no surprise to see Benno on the bench but good to see O'Kane get a start. Was expecting a much tougher start to the game but the way it started was very much the way the 1st half was going to play out. Only one side in it, outplayed them and looked very threatening.
Danny looked inspired most of the time, and between him and Zebs they ran their defence fairly ragged. As a for instance, Danny turned his man on the half way line and charged down the flank, level with the edge of the 18yd box he put the most magnificent cross into the box with pinpoint accuaracy. Unfortunately it couldn't be finished by Grits but was worthy of a goal.
Robertson hit the bar with a header, the pressure was increasing on the home goal. Later, that man Stevens again jinked inside his man and hit a shot goalwards. The keeper dived but the shot was past him, it cannoned off the base of the post and bounced off the keepers back sending it trickling over the line. The wrong side of the post!!
Mansell was booked for a running jump at an aerial ball with outstretched arm meeting jumping defender. We've all seen them given so no surprise. Branstons was a little pointless i feel, and Ellis had a handbags square up that saw both defender and attacker carded. The funniest booking by far was delivered to our diminutive Danny in the second half. Terrier-like getting stuck into one of their "stockier" players and hauling him to the ground, I hope their bloke felt sheepish about that one!
The second half got off to a flyer and I was thinking here we go again, more of the same. After a good move O'Kane found space to slam a shot goalwards only to see it sail past the far post.
Then a foul on Zebs on the edge of the box saw a well worked freekick come back to Nicko who saw his shot beat the keeper only to bounce back off the post and be cleared. Again? Please no...
From then on the home team seemed to realise luck was on their side and started to impose themselves. That and a combination of bad passing and occasional miscommunication. Possession and the threatening moves were theirs now, with us attempting to counter attack (but we still looked capable). I honestly began to think this was going away from us.
Then a bone-crunching challenge involving Ellis effectively ended his participation today. He got treatment and manfully tried to continue, but it looked obvious to all and sundry he was now a weak link. A faltering chase back to clear was the final signal and he went down. Replaced by Charnock to a standing ovation, and I think we all hope it's nothing serious.
Kee replaced aerial ball-winner Gritton, but to little effect. And O'Kane was replaced by Benno late on with no real time or possession to show his worth.
Star perfomers today (in this reviewers opinion) were Branston (again), Ellis, Zebs and O'Kane looked worthy with some great touches and movement. But most of all, Danny Stevens. Overall a good point, which should've been all three.
Another mention must go the home support, which makes a change. They had a large section of their fans who sang their hearts out continously in the second half, even though it grew annoying after 15mins or so. Unusual to hear our boys outlasted.
And a final point. After waiting in the car park for the queue to die down so we could leave, I noticed one Elliot Benyon walking to a parked car to get a lift. No journey home on the team bus for him then??
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merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Sept 18, 2010 20:14:33 GMT
 I thought we looked really comfortable in this game and whatever statistics might say, we had ALL the relevant play as regards threatening the opponents goal and for the limited sum of their final effort, Stevenage never looked like troubling Scott Bevan.Stevenage looked like us at this stage last season ~ bereft of pace and therefore the weaponry to take on and beat our defenders. they literally held no threat up front and it speaks volumes for Tim Sills unsuitability for League football that he wasn't offered a single kick in this game by his manager. Not that Gritton is much better, and in my opinion he is of little use to this quick thinking and crisp passing Torquay side. Thank goodness we have another striker arriving next week and then the next time we play Stevenage the lumbering Janner can sit beside his equally ineffective strike mate Sills and see who can move least on the bench.
Danny Stevens was a revelation to me and good to see him used by the manager more in the style of how he developed as a youngster at Spurs and Luton being given free reign to cut in and run at the opposition in front of their area before releasing a string of perfectly weighted and paced passes into areas of space for the likes of Zebroski who could deal with them but Gritton who couldn't catch a bus even if it had run out of diesel.................and someone called Kee "Puffing Billy"!To hit the post three times with very good shots defies belief and was indicative of how things go when it isn't going to be your day, but honestly; just one of those going in and we would have been away and out of sight of a really pace challenged home side. The referee was a nightmare forever looking to intervene at the slightest sign of any competitiveness and the early booking of Mansell quite ludicrous and having serious repercussions for the lad who then had to spend the rest of the game treading on eggshells. How we got to ninety minutes with all eleven men still on the pitch God only knows with that cretin in charge. I thought left back Darius Charles was head and shoulders their best player and he played Zebs very well. A first sight of Eunane O'Kane and what a quality player this boy is...................a quick mind and accuracy of pass set him out as quite outstanding and I thought the "Monster Pairing" of Branston in front of Bevan quite intimidating to the home side who were simply wasting their time playing long balls into our box. We had quite a lot of fans there but they were out sung by the home fans and not really that inspiring ~ seems like they need a lift from the team more than the team need a lift from them if you get my drift. We now have a quality team playing good football and whilst we will not struggle in this league the issue of a decent front man must be and is being addressed. A decent, imposing, mobile and quick thinking striker and we would have eaten Boro' alive, that's for sure!
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merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Sept 18, 2010 20:19:10 GMT
I noticed one Elliot Benyon walking to a parked car to get a lift. No journey home on the team bus for him then?? He went home with mum and dad. First stop was McDonalds for a Happy Meal and a toy to keep him occupied on the long journey!  |
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Post by jmgull on Sept 18, 2010 21:07:49 GMT
Not that Gritton is much better, and in my opinion he is of little use to this quick thinking and crisp passing Torquay side. Gritts was great in the Leroy side, a very odd signing for this season, even though I appreciate he was brought in to fill a gap at the last minute..... For league football.....his legs have gone  |
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Post by lambethgull on Sept 18, 2010 21:59:01 GMT
A short one from me, as I headed from the game to a family do in nearby Letchworth. It's late and I’ve enjoyed a few pints so will stick to the main points.
Impressed with the team today and felt we should have won. It was certainly an improved performance on our showing at Southend where we were on the back foot for the majority of the game. Our defence was as solid as it's been all season with Branston and Ellis were totally dominant. It was worrying for a time when Ellis went down late on after what sounded like a crunching tackle, but a relief to see him get up afterwards. Glad to hear it doesn't sound too serious.
After being outplayed in midfield at Southend (and apparently at home to Accrington) it was good to see Mansell and Wroe hold their own in the middle. Zebs played well, but Danny Stevens was outstanding, cutting in, beating his man and generally offering a lot of threat whilst offering cover and assistance for Robertson. Also impressed with O Kane who always looked dangerous...he's just lacking that final ball and end-product at the moment, but I've every confidence that this will come.
Gritton hasn't the pace for the lone striker and should have hit the target with a good chance in the first half. Couldn't fault his effort though.
Good number of Gulls fans today, but outsung by Stevenage. That tune they sung for most of the second half was irritating, but fair play to them for whipping up an atmosphere and getting behind their team for their first season in the Football League. They have similar support levels to us, but are several times louder than Plainmoor ever is during a 0-0 draw!
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Post by chrish on Sept 18, 2010 22:11:42 GMT
Well, it was a 5am start for me in Utrecht this morning. I had the foresight to make a flask of Oxo up. I left Holland at 6am and following the familiar Utrecht-Sleeuwijk-Breda-Antwerp-Gent-Bruges-Dunkirk route I got to Dunkirk before 9am. Norfolk Line ferry company are money grabbing swine so I had to pay more than I hoped to pay to get on the earlier ferry but the later ferry wasn't going to get me to Stevenage on time. On the boat I played old School Championship Manager 01-02 with the new 2010 update. Happy days. None of this 3D simulation rubbish. Signing Jermaine Defoe is always a disappointment but I hope for Bundesliga domination with striking options of Roque Santa Cruz, Jermaine Defoe, Fabio Quagliarella, Hugo Almeida, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Conor Wickham! Jermaine thinks that the squad lacks depth. For the love of god. I bet Harry doesn't have to put up with this nonsense. Upon arrival in Dover I almost got through customs but I then was stoppped like I normally am. The trick is not to mention that you've been in Holland and you'll be ok. "Where have you been Sir?" asked the Customs man. "Austria, Germany and Slovenia" I said. He smirked and told me to go on my way. The cheeky prat. It's as if he didn't believe I went to these countries in my poor old BMW. I have the beer to prove it in the boot. (Kipper, I'll save you an Astra. The label is in the style of the classic St Pauli kit) It was nice to park for free and continue some of the good experiences I found in Germany the week before. I had a beer in there very nice club bar before the match and it was nice to see RomfordKev and young Alain. 19 quid is awfully steep for 4th division football especially as I paid 11 euros to watch German 2nd division football the week before. I also bought a limp looking cheeseburger for a premium price and then dropped it on the way to the seating. I managed to knock it out of my hand by walking into a bin whilst being distracted by the sight of a rather attractive woman. She was far too young really but very slinky. As I reached my seat this old timer told me "Nevermind Son, but you shouldn't be eating that stuff anyway". My sense of humour failed me for a change. Sorry if you were the recipient. But at least I had the flask of OXO. I think Dave Thomas is right. A point away from home is always valuable. We were the better side, we played the better football and we hit the woodwork three times. I think that we were the better side for a good 60 minutes and then they came back into it for the last 30 minutes but we kept them out down to Branston's calm organisation. We attacked them from the off with plenty of width. Danny Stevens and Chris Zebroski were involved. Eunan O'Kane playing in the hole behind Martin Gritton. He started to get into the game more and more after a quiet start. Stand out performers for me were Danny Stevens (especially in the first half, Branston (especially in the Second Half), Ellis and Robertson (a couple of tackles he made were exceptional) . Zebs battled hard but their left back got the better of him most times, plus he gave the ball away countless times in the second half ( a daft back-heel). Eunan O'Kane had a good 35 minutes in the first half and couldn't really get into the game apart from that wonderful shot that fizzed over the bar. I was a bit worried about Bevan for 10 minutes in the second half but I guess he managed to overcome the injury he seemed to have. Mansell was solid as Jim says and Wroe just gives the ball away too much. What was pleasing was the amount of tackling back O'Kane and Danny Stevens made. A very good effort lads. Well done Stevenage fans for the singing. Accrington Stanley did something similar at their place last year and one of my lot today said he heard something similar at Rapid Vienna. I wish we could come up with something similar. A few other issues. I took great exception to the prat on the Steeeevenaaaagge PA microphone. Then at half time we were introduced to an even bigger prat who sarcastically commentated in the style of Rainbow's Jeffrey, a penalty shoot out between a few local urchins and Bungle in a Stevenage kit. Half time entertainment only for those who've had a full frontal labotomy recently and don't want to test the boundaries. Today's ref was one of those fussy one dimensional robot types who made 4 bookings in the first half for nothing, gave nothing in Gritton's favour all game and let Stevenage take as long as they wanted to set up their troop movements for each corner as if it was the World Championship of RISK. I wont do any ratings as it still seems to be a bit of a touchy subject. I just hope that the wounds heal with time I'll make my man of the match Branston for a) looking like a class act and b) for pissing himself laughing when their donkey centre forward skyed a volley over the stand. It's an absolute pleasure to watch how he coaches Ellis during the games. I bet Exodus Geoghan misses the Pickler. Also I must give a mention to the bloke who was three sheets to the wind sitting in the front row who sang his little heart out. He confounded everyone near me who said he would pass out in the second half. Top work young man. I'll have to see it again but the first impression of the challenge which injured Ellis was one that they both went in for it at 100mph and that their bloke just caught Ellis on the follow through. It's worth noting that not one player complained about the challenge, nor were there the usual accusations or pushing or shoving. The new black kit looked very smart and we almost looked mean. I thought Bevan's pale blue outfit was a little camp in comparision. Anyway a few photos.    The moody black and white shot.  Early pressure    Zebs hits warp speed  then he and a Stevenage player get a ticking off from that idiot referee.  An Ellis headed effort.  The free kick just before we hit the post.   |
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Post by lambethgull on Sept 18, 2010 22:34:22 GMT
I also bought a limp looking cheeseburger for a premium price and then dropped it on the way to the seating. I managed to knock it out of my hand by walking into a bin whilst being distracted by the sight of a rather attractive woman. She was far too young really but very slinky. You didn't miss much. That was the most tasteless thing I've eaten in a while. (My £4.50 cheeseburger that is!) |
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simonb
TFF member
Posts: 1,206 
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Post by simonb on Sept 18, 2010 23:07:03 GMT
Another striker arriving next week ? didn 't catch that one!
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merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
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Post by merse on Sept 18, 2010 23:24:30 GMT
So I'm told ~ on loan with a view to a January permanent signing. I don't know who the player is or which club he is from, but the "wheels are in motion" and from what I saw today we certainly need one who is on a level with the rest of the side because if we'd had one like that today we would have mullered them. A good first touch, pace and strength and Stevenage would have been looking at three goals in their net at least and as it was they were lucky not one of our post bound efforts didn't go in today. I reckon Graham Westley has the same dilemma on his hands as Bucks did at this time last season. A good Conference winning side, but lacking in pace and technique to set a good League 2 side problems that they can't handle. Their only threat today came from those weird and wonderful set pieces and what was that one where nobody, but nobody got in the six yard box for a corner; yet where did they deliver the ball? 
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Post by ospelgull on Sept 18, 2010 23:31:57 GMT
Just got back from the game.
Top quality pictures Chris! I took a few myself and most of them are quite familiar to yours, maybe less quality from me...
A good, solid performance and a game we should have won. We didn't outplay them but we controlled most of the game. Hitting the woodwork three time and you need some luck.
Bevan had not that many saves to make but was reliable when he needed to be. A low save from Odubade springs to mind and dealing well with corners.
Branston was immense today and hardly made any mistakes, just as the rest of our defense. Again very solid.
Gritton is simply not good enough in this role as a lone striker and missed a glorious chance by firing high over the goal when he should have hit the target at the very least. Too slow most of the time but showed some glimpses...
Zebroski was having a very tough game and he was outplayed and outfought by their left back Charles.
O'Kane and Stevens linked up well, only if Stevens was a bit more physical... Mansell and Wroe also had good games in midfield.
Charnock, Kee and Benyon all played too short to make an impact.
A good away following (400/500?)but not so loud as at Southend.
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Post by chrish on Sept 19, 2010 7:20:56 GMT
So I'm told ~ on loan with a view to a January permanent signing. I don't know who the player is or which club he is from, but the "wheels are in motion" and from what I saw today we certainly need one who is on a level with the rest of the side because if we'd had one like that today we would have mullered them. A good first touch, pace and strength and Stevenage would have been looking at three goals in their net at least and as it was they were lucky not one of our post bound efforts didn't go in today. I reckon Graham Westley has the same dilemma on his hands as Bucks did at this time last season. A good Conference winning side, but lacking in pace and technique to set a good League 2 side problems that they can't handle. Their only threat today came from those weird and wonderful set pieces and what was that one where nobody, but nobody got in the six yard box for a corner; yet where did they deliver the ball? This is good news. A sharp incisive forward would've had a field day yesterday. To be fair to Gritts I thought the ref allowed a lot of leeway to their peroxide blond (really ginger) centre half yesterday in how he dealt physically with Gritton. It took him a good 65 minutes before he awarded a foul in Gritts' favour. I didn't think Stevenage had much ability or technique yesterday. Solid enough. The left winger was tidy enough but Westley is relying on his set pieces an awful lot. I'd much rather be in our position than theirs. My german side got stuffed 7-0 yesterday at Stuttgart after a 4-0 home loss against Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday. The season started off quite positively with a 1-1 home draw against Nuremberg and 6-3 away win against Bayer Leverkusen. There is such a thin line between getting it right and getting it awfully wrong. |
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Post by stefano on Sept 19, 2010 9:20:01 GMT
Another striker arriving next week ? didn 't catch that one! With all the debate about strikers on the Forum this week on another thread I am not sure I want one at the club. Probably wouldn't want to work Saturdays! |
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Rags
TFF member
Posts: 1,210
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Post by Rags on Sept 19, 2010 9:29:57 GMT
So I'm told ~ on loan with a view to a January permanent signing. I don't know who the player is or which club he is from, I thought we'd got rid of these baseless rumours once the "site that shall not be named" resurfaced?! ;D |
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Post by aussie on Sept 19, 2010 9:48:13 GMT
So I'm told ~ on loan with a view to a January permanent signing. I don't know who the player is or which club he is from, I thought we'd got rid of these baseless rumours once the "site that shall not be named" resurfaced?! ;D HHhhmmm, pots , kettles and the colour black seem to spring to mind! Like a leopard Rags, well spotted! |
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