MATCHWATCH : Wrexham (h)

[Hound]

Time wasting is such a daft offence.
No time is actually wasted, the ref just adds it on.
I think a card is a totally disproportionate punishment.
I woukd rather the officials simply reversed the restart if a team can’t get the ball back in play quickly enough. If it’s a goal kick then change it to a corner etc.

It's used to disrupt the flow of the game, and time generally isn’t added on for when the ball goes out of play or there'd be far more of it as the ball certainly isn’t in play for 85 minutes.

I'd rather go the rugby route and stop the clock at every point the ball goes dead, restarting it when it's live, and cut the match time to 80 minutes.

But you could still affect the flow of the game by extending those stoppages and causing more of them.

I’d actually think it’d be fine and make the game a whole lot better if every ref was brave enough to do what that ref did last night. But none of them are so it becomes a total lottery as to how strict the referee will be

[Hound]

And I’m sticking with the fact that 2m for Smith was criminal. I like him but he’s 3-400k tops. Was owned by Bindon last night. Really impressed with Wareham since he’s come in, and I certainly had my doubts on him

[leon]

In theory we are chasing the playoffs but surely no one really thinks we will achieve it?

Precisely. We aren't in shape to make the play offs, if we did make them we're in absolutely no shape to do well in them.

It's all about surviving with a top 10 finish if possible and no result collapse.

The average age of our current defence is under 20 ffs

That’s an extraordinary stat.

Thankfully some of us kept the faith.

That juvenile defence was superb last night. As were the rest of the team. We actually played the ball at pace and movement allowing us to retain possession and get up the pitch. Wing, who I thought has been a shadow of himself this season, played with a sense of purpose that drove the team forward. Possibly because he didnt have a massive L1 lump trying to kick him every time he got the ball.

[Stranded]

I think our second goal may well be my favourite goal scored by us in a very long time.

Wing's movement was fantastic- as the move started he was the furthest man back in the half - moved in to a bit of space to link play then just ghosted into the box - even Wareham seemed surprised when he appeared. Lovely, lovely goal.

[Sutekh]

And I’m sticking with the fact that 2m for Smith was criminal. I like him but he’s 3-400k tops.

That’s Hollywood baby!

[stealthpapes]

The big thing I've noticed is that he seems much more effective starting than he's ever been coming on as a sub.
While I don't think he's the greatest goal threat, his running, movement and ability to keep defenders on their toes is something the other attacking players can play with.

Wing, who I thought has been a shadow of himself this season, played with a sense of purpose that drove the team forward. Possibly because he didnt have a massive L1 lump trying to kick him every time he got the ball.

I thought he was often a good ten yards further up the pitch than he's been in other games this season.

[Silver Fox]

I'm genuinely impressed with how sanctimonious people on here can be at times. Maybe the ref was strictly correct to the letter of the law with Stickland's second yellow but it was a ridiculous decision and he wasn't strictly correct when not giving a single Wrexham player a yellow card.

Anyway, an excellent performance by our very young group who made the moneyed boys look extremely average. As mentioned Wing's goal was a marvellous bit of total football. Also worthy of praise Charlie Savage, he did that one tackle right in front of the Wrexham technical area and I half expected Parky to give him a massive hug. On we go and can Rob Couhig please fvck off? Thanks

[Sutekh]

I'm genuinely impressed with how sanctimonious people on here can be at times. Maybe the ref was strictly correct to the letter of the law with Stickland's second yellow but it was a ridiculous decision and he wasn't strictly correct when not giving a single Wrexham player a yellow card.

Anyway, an excellent performance by our very young group who made the moneyed boys look extremely average. As mentioned Wing's goal was a marvellous bit of total football. Also worthy of praise Charlie Savage, he did that one tackle right in front of the Wrexham technical area and I half expected Parky to give him a massive hug. On we go and can Rob Couhig please fvck off? Thanks

Stickland was an idiot to give the ref a decision to make. Rightly or wrongly he was on a yellow and to then play pi$$ball was a stupid thing for him to be doing. Trust he'll learn. Wonder if he'll return at Shrewsbury or will now have to wait for Dean to get crocked again.

[Silver Fox]

Thanks for embellishing my point

[ILoveMoonPig]

It looked like a harsh decision. Tbh, i felt the ref was poor second half: I don't think the penalty was a genuine foul, it just looked like two players getting close to each other and it seemed like Pereira asked to take the kick, so really wasn't it him that was time wasting, not Stickland?

I thought Wrexham looked ok. Their only real threat seemed to come from their left. Every attack seemed to be to get the ball out to the left, then aim an in-swinging cross beyond the penalty spot, over and over again. I can see why their fans were annoyed by it, but it is the kind of chance that Smith will do well at for them eventually.

Garcia looks a lot more up-to-speed than he did. He's using his body well, being braver in challenges and reading the game much smarter. Thought Savage was really class again last night, he's stepped up his game too. Good to see Wareham starting to adapt to first team football as well, he looks promising. He's strong and anticipates defender's mistakes well, ready to take advantage.

[Snowflake Royal]

Time wasting is such a daft offence.
No time is actually wasted, the ref just adds it on.
I think a card is a totally disproportionate punishment.
I woukd rather the officials simply reversed the restart if a team can’t get the ball back in play quickly enough. If it’s a goal kick then change it to a corner etc.

It's used to disrupt the flow of the game, and time generally isn’t added on for when the ball goes out of play or there'd be far more of it as the ball certainly isn’t in play for 85 minutes.

I'd rather go the rugby route and stop the clock at every point the ball goes dead, restarting it when it's live, and cut the match time to 80 minutes.

But you could still affect the flow of the game by extending those stoppages and causing more of them.

I’d actually think it’d be fine and make the game a whole lot better if every ref was brave enough to do what that ref did last night. But none of them are so it becomes a total lottery as to how strict the referee will be

Yeah, I mean the game would be infinitely better across the board if referees had just been better and properly enforced all sorts of rules over the decades. Timewasting, disrespect, shirt pulling, diving, injury feigning, shoving, encroachment, throw on location, freekick location... but they've been weak as piss on everything.

[Crusader Royal]

Time wasting is such a daft offence.
No time is actually wasted, the ref just adds it on.
I think a card is a totally disproportionate punishment.
I woukd rather the officials simply reversed the restart if a team can’t get the ball back in play quickly enough. If it’s a goal kick then change it to a corner etc.

It's used to disrupt the flow of the game, and time generally isn’t added on for when the ball goes out of play or there'd be far more of it as the ball certainly isn’t in play for 85 minutes.

I'd rather go the rugby route and stop the clock at every point the ball goes dead, restarting it when it's live, and cut the match time to 80 minutes.

But you could still affect the flow of the game by extending those stoppages and causing more of them.

I know why teams do it.
I know the watch isn’t stopped whenever the ball goes out ( but it could be stopped if teams waste time)
Rugby timing doesn’t work like that at all. The ref can call for time to be stopped if he chooses but if you watch any games you’ll notice there is always talk of how reset scrums can eat up huge amounts of time.
You are thinking of basketball where they do stop the clock every time the ball is called dead. Needs an extra official to do it which just wouldn’t work in football.
A caution for time wasting is just disproportionate to the offence. Reversing the restart to me punishes the team directly and immediately and would stop the delaying without adding to the officiating burden

[Crusader Royal]

It's used to disrupt the flow of the game, and time generally isn’t added on for when the ball goes out of play or there'd be far more of it as the ball certainly isn’t in play for 85 minutes.

I'd rather go the rugby route and stop the clock at every point the ball goes dead, restarting it when it's live, and cut the match time to 80 minutes.

But you could still affect the flow of the game by extending those stoppages and causing more of them.

I’d actually think it’d be fine and make the game a whole lot better if every ref was brave enough to do what that ref did last night. But none of them are so it becomes a total lottery as to how strict the referee will be

Yeah, I mean the game would be infinitely better across the board if referees had just been better and properly enforced all sorts of rules over the decades. Timewasting, disrespect, shirt pulling, diving, injury feigning, shoving, encroachment, throw on location, freekick location... but they've been weak as piss on everything.

Or to put it more simply if players and managers prioritised playing over cheating …..

[Linden Jones' Tash]

One thing that crossed my mind whilst watching the game was that, apart from a few exceptions, none of the players who have been drafted into the first team have looked terrible from the get go.

this seems different from other eras where I can recall very poor players being asked to make the step up and then playing week in, week out...

this season I'd say that Wareham did look a bit lost to start with and seems to have found his feet (which is a surprise as I wasn't sure he had it in him) - albeit he needs an end product.

Kanu also looked lost when he first came into the team, but has improved with time and experience.

in fact, I'd go as far as to say that the only player who makes my heart sink if he's on the team sheet is Button....

yes, players can have off games, lose form, but it feels different from other eras to me from this perspective...

maybe being at League 1 level is a factor also

[Brogue]

I think the league one factor is definitely helping. There are only really six to 8 decent teams in this division the rest are just full of bang average journey men. I’d expect any cat 1 academy to be able to produce league one ability players. And if they aren’t producing players ready for league one football they shouldnt really have a cat 1 academy

[Hendo]

After a few mid performances, this'll be the type of game they come out and play really well. Or they'll roll over and have their tummies tickled.

Either way, can't see it finishing 0-0.

[RG30]

Stadium busier than normal for a midweek?

[WestYorksRoyal]

I think the league one factor is definitely helping. There are only really six to 8 decent teams in this division the rest are just full of bang average journey men. I’d expect any cat 1 academy to be able to produce league one ability players. And if they aren’t producing players ready for league one football they shouldnt really have a cat 1 academy

Is there also something in consistency of style between academy and first team which makes it easier to adapt? Not sure they would get on so well with Ince-ball.

[Whore Jackie]

Stadium busier than normal for a midweek?

It felt busier than the Exeter game, but they didn't bring loads. North Stand looked pretty empty. Shrewsbury awayesque in terms of buses post-match. Good 20 minute wait for some F1s to get back to the stadium.

[Forbury Lion]

Savage channelling his da.

Exactly my thoughts when I saw him seemingly go in two footed and win the ball in front of the west stand sending the Wrexham player flying.

Biggest disappointment and my only complaint was the PA guy saying something like "We've got Hollywood here today" before the game. Should have just kept it about Reading and downplayed/ignored the Wrexham hype and give opponents the same level of respect and recognition whether it's Shrewsbury Town or Manchester City.

Sending off was ridiculous, but also something we need to learn and avoid again. I assume the referee had somewhere to get off to quick after the match?

Harvey Knibbs was MOTM in my opinion, even based only on the first half.

Sam Smith was in the pocket of our defenders

I learnt a new rule which everyone else probably knew already (Maybe I did too and forgot), about how many times you can make substitutions (3 times), which I assume is why we didn't make any towards the end when we were hanging on and had a couple of players in bad shape.