One of those where you come away and say “good three points”!!
First half we were very abject. We seem to have a compulsion to play head tennis or smash it as far as we can at the beginning of games and it makes no sense especially at home when the onus is on us to control the game.
I know we have players missing but if we play a system that has Nicholls and Kwesi as prt of a front three and a midfield that has the technical ability of Hutchinson Tilley and Ferry, I see little or no point in going long? Surely we’d be better suited to trying to utilise our front three with more quality than just aiming at Nadesans pace in behind?
We got considerably better second half and there seemed a concerted effort to try and play more football and it was no surprise then to see just how talented some of our players are.
Nicholls was much better second half as was Kwesi, although I felt he was a little off colour today if I’m honest. Hutchinson was excellent. Particularly second half.. If we can keep him next season I’d be very happy. He can run and he can pass and I think he has goals in him too.
The last 20 as has often been the case I saw is sit off and concede too much territory and it ended with Barrow having more possession and they could’ve nicked point which would’ve been a shame and hardly deserved.
I think that's a good summary.
Thought Hutchinson had his best game for us and was probably our best player. At first I didn't rate him at all, but he seems to be improving now, just a shame he will most likely go back to Derby to either be part of their squad in League One or be sold, he's finally starting to show some promise.
I was saying at the start of the game our game plan was pretty obvious again with the plan to get the ball forward early to Nadesan and to try and get him to run in behind. Nothing wrong with playing this kind of percentage football is fine when played well and it suits the players we've got, but we've got to mix it up play through the midfield sometimes and the midfield have to give more!
We've played better than the last 2 home games and lost, it's a funny game football!
Might be worth trying to sign Hutchinson this summer potentially, he has plenty of time to get better and I'd like to see him at the club longer than the like of Francomb, Powell and Payne really as he has more potential
Lets not forget we moved up a position in the table. We re achieving, perhaps not at the rate me and others would like but its in the right direction. We are in a far far better position than Barrow, at least we have not be drawn into any relegation scrap.
On another note, Crewe Alexandra will be in our division next season after their relegation was confirmed today (the first in the top four divisions this season). Scunthorpe are pretty much all but down now, 13 points behind with a goal difference way worse than Oldham, Stevenage and Barrow. Realistically it will be one of those three that will join them. Barrow and Stevenage have a game in hand on Oldham
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
I agree, although the West Stand is not as full as it used to be.
I'd be interested to know how attendances have changed from before covid lockdown to after covid lockdown ?
I'm sure some one on here will be able to assist ?
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
Although, if there was a group of pioneering businessmen out there, they could exploit the advertising potential of the Gazebo roof...?
Appiah has proved to be a great signing, but he joins that list of strikers we have had - starting with Sir Daniel of Hockton - who are outstanding at the instinctive reaction to half chances, yet not clinical enough when they get clear options & time to think.
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
Although, if there was a group of pioneering businessmen out there, they could exploit the advertising potential of the Gazebo roof...?
Appiah has proved to be a great signing, but he joins that list of strikers we have had - starting with Sir Daniel of Hockton - who are outstanding at the instinctive reaction to half chances, yet not clinical enough when they get clear options & time to think.
At Stockport County that is exactly what they have done - because they are on the flight path into Manchester Airport. Its been used for years - I was working (I use the word lightly) in Manchester and used the Gatwick - Manchester flight on a regular basis.
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
I agree, although the West Stand is not as full as it used to be.
I'd be interested to know how attendances have changed from before covid lockdown to after covid lockdown ?
I'm sure some one on here will be able to assist ?
current 727 STH and Im sure we had over 1000 before lockdown. Im only going on memory but I believe attendances are down about 200 now compared to before lockdown.
When I watch the TV highlights of our home games I always think it's a shame the cameras are not sighted in the Eaststand showing a much more impressive full West Stand.
Although, if there was a group of pioneering businessmen out there, they could exploit the advertising potential of the Gazebo roof...?
Appiah has proved to be a great signing, but he joins that list of strikers we have had - starting with Sir Daniel of Hockton - who are outstanding at the instinctive reaction to half chances, yet not clinical enough when they get clear options & time to think.
One on one with the keeper he shouldve rounded the keeper who committed and was stranded I doubt even Harry Kane wouldve shot when Kwesi did.
Nice to see some results at home again. Performances are very slowly improving with some of our players too. Ferry, Ludwig, Tilley and Hutchinson all getting better every game and the momentum seems like it’s slowly building.
I actually wonder if Ferry coming off in the last couple of matches early is protection with a return to Southampton in mind? I can’t get my head around it Because he’s been one of our best in the last few games but keeps coming off around 70.
Regardless, it’s working at the moment and we are getting results. Just need to get them playing from minute 1 not the 46th!
I agree, although the West Stand is not as full as it used to be.
I'd be interested to know how attendances have changed from before covid lockdown to after covid lockdown ?
I'm sure some one on here will be able to assist ?
current 727 STH and Im sure we had over 1000 before lockdown. Im only going on memory but I believe attendances are down about 200 now compared to before lockdown.
Are you sure George? I’m pretty sure I’ve been saying to the fella next to me “1,800 home Crawley fans again” ever since relegation. It’s become a standing joke between us to who can say it first. I admit I’ve not checked the stats though but it impressionistically seems our crowds are stable, no growth but no falling off cliffs. Well blow me down very similar to that again yesterday, 1900
Certainly agree season tickets have become less attractive in the Covid era because people have realised you are paying for a large bloc of games up front that you may not be let in to see, whether these ex season ticket holders are now not coming though, I’m not sure
I agree, although the West Stand is not as full as it used to be.
I'd be interested to know how attendances have changed from before covid lockdown to after covid lockdown ?
I'm sure some one on here will be able to assist ?
current 727 STH and Im sure we had over 1000 before lockdown. Im only going on memory but I believe attendances are down about 200 now compared to before lockdown.
Thanks George
There are certainly some people I used to know and see every week , that I have not seen since the return after lockdown.
Maybe some people did not make it through, some found other things to occupy their time, I'm sure there are a variety of reasons.
There were some people I'd spoke to for years, never knew their name or anything about them, although every home game, we chatted. Football brings people together.
Let's see how things go with the new owners and the match day experience, that may draw the crowds in, although with the current cost of living crisis, it may not be easy.
This result does give me an opportunity to gently remind our American friends that we did not win the match by a score of: "one and oooohhhh" ...as in the alphabetic letter "O" worth 8 points in scrabble...
...we actually beat Barrow "one nil" and I will even generously accept "by one and zero" but "o" - the letter "o" - is never a valid score under ANY circumstances...!