Back from the game - Barnsley (h)

[rob the royal]

One thing that strikes me as odd is that Brian Mac has supposedly spent the last 2 seasons suggesting that we get the new Iceander and yet he brings Bignall on-a player who's control looks currently a long way off first team level.

Surely just because the kid's got a bit of pace and Barnsley were a bit slow at the back... But I agree I would like to see more of Thor

[alton-royal]

What was all that kicking off behind the South Stand at the end? As I walked past there were a few of thier fans giving it the big one "We're F***king Barnsley - come on then" and then I heard sirens and saw the Bill turn up - anybody see it?

Yeah i saw that too, was walking past down the hill and about 10-15 of them started giving it all the big! lol was sat on the bus and saw about 3 cop cars go past

[joe999]

3 points in 3 points, and at LAST a league win under MaccyD... but my god Ive never seen 2 such poor teams in all my life.

We were dreadful, we have to be thankful they were worse.

[Archie's penalty]

Can't believe all those slating Church. He took the ball down brilliantly on a number of occasions, played in Long several times. Just needs to get a goal.

[Snowball]

Very generous ratings Snowball-the sort that one might give for a 6-0 win.

I'm aware of that, but I just think of each player and ask myself what did he do wrong or right.

That should be totally independent of the result.
You can play brilliantly and lose 4-0, play crap and win three. It happens.

First half especially we looked like getting more than a few, and it WILL come.


I,like everybody else,am grateful for the win from a game that looked like something out of the 3rd division such was the lack of class.

There were times when it looked like a Div 1 game, and Barnsley were a dirty, lumping side
but there were moments of magic too, like the Church-Long-Church combo on the break that
might have created a goal.

I remember Doyle's goal at Wednesday last year, after a real drought and the relief was palpable. This side
has passion but cant be that high on confidence. Should they manage say WDWDW and a few clean sheets
that will turn the tide confidence-wise. It's nearly all confidence.



I'm not a Shane Long fan but he did well against the 87 year-old Moore and hope that he
can carry this new-found confidence into future games as under Brian he is a certainty to play.
I think Snowball must have not seen Shane's really poor attempt in the first-half.

Do you mean the awkward one, the fluffed defensive header that put him one on one on the left of the area?
Sure he should have done better. If this was Jan-April last season he'd've volleyed it fist time and either got a
brilliant goal or put it over the bar. But he has to grow back into his game and build the confidence again.

He's the only fit player who (a) has a very good goals-per-minute played ratio and (b) works hard.

Rasiak's scoring record isn't brilliant and he doesn't work hard enough for me.

I hope Brian gives him six consecutive games. Give the lad a modicum of luck and he'll get ten goals this season.


Church runs about a lot but to suggest that his pairing will see us through strikes me as blinkered.

Strangely enough, the manager thinks it's a good, improving pairing. For me, anything with Rasiak in ISN'T a pairing, at least as we play now. We get sucked ino long stuff lookig for a knock-down (and nobody of the right type to live off them)... Perm 2 from 3 IMO Long, Church, Thor.

Maybe Bignall could work off Rasiak, dunno

How Jamie Cureton would have loved the chances that this team creates and that is what gives me hope-the fact that most weeks we do create chances.
One thing that strikes me as odd is that Brian Mac has supposedly spent the last 2 seasons suggesting that we get the new Iceander and yet he brings Bignall on-a player who's control looks currently a long way off first team level.

Maybe people were carrying knocks and only on the bench for emergencies?

Look how we discovered retrospectively that Noel had been carrying a
serious long-term injury and could rarely last 60 minutes.

[Terminal Boardom]

Not reading through all that's been said before as I don't want to be swayed in my opinion.

That was the best defensive performance that I have seen this season. I do not recall Barnsley having a single effort on target. Sure, there were a couple of moments where they could have created something but all I can really remember was when Bertrand appeared at the back post in the first half to clear a dangerous cross into the area.

The midfield 4 did really well. I just felt though that Jem had one of his less than memorable games. He gave the ball away too frequently. And how Brynjar stayed on the pitch I really don't know. He conceded two free kicks in exactly the same manner that resulted in a red card at West Ham. I thought he was fortunate.

Up front we looked better but we must start putting those chances away. I will go so far to say that the second half performance from Shane Long was the best 45 since he has been with us. The bonus was a tidy cameo from Bignall.

Start scoring more than one goal at home and we might just have a chance of staying in this league. First time in ages I have really enjoyed a game at the Mad Stad. And well done BMcD on his first home win in the league.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

3 points and the double over Barnsley.

We are still not looking good in front of goal and look very nervous on the ball at the back.

The next two games against Doncaster (A) and Plymouth (H) are crucial with all six points required if we are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

[Terminal Boardom]

3 points and the double over Barnsley.

We are still not looking good in front of goal and look very nervous on the ball at the back.

The next two games against Doncaster (A) and Plymouth (H) are crucial with all six points required if we are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

To win yesterday was essential considering the results of those near us. Had we lost it would left one hell of a mountain to climb. RSR is right. The next 2 games ARE crucial. But the most important as far as getting points is concerned is the Plymouth game.

[Ian Royal]

A draw in one of them is just about acceptable as far as I'm concerned, but we can't really afford to lose either. But if we lose to Donny we absolutely HAVE to beat Plymouth. And beat them well.

[79Royal]

The team can't seem to do anything right according to this board. Should have had 5, and Federici didn't have to make a save, yet somehow it's a poor performance????? Christ.

Anyway, Long and Mills were immense today, and Griffin was very solid yet again.

Disappointed with McAnuff and Karacan though.....

Sorry mate, but that performance was awful. You can only beat what's in front of you, but we didn't dominate in midfield as should have done and a better side would have created more chances against us.

As someone on here said though, it's something to build on.

[Terminal Boardom]

What was all that kicking off behind the South Stand at the end? As I walked past there were a few of thier fans giving it the big one "We're F***king Barnsley - come on then" and then I heard sirens and saw the Bill turn up - anybody see it?

Yeah i saw that too, was walking past down the hill and about 10-15 of them started giving it all the big! lol was sat on the bus and saw about 3 cop cars go past

I just laughed at them as I walked past. Complete neanderthaals! And people on here ask why there is no standing allowed in football grounds any more. I would hazard a guess and say that they were the cocks who were congregated towards the front of the South Stand.

[Maguire]

Quite surprised to read that people really enjoyed the game. I thought it was a totally appalling contest with hardly any real quality in it. "Rancid", as Mr Streete labelled it a few posts back.

In fact i'd write more but i've already blanked the game from my mind.

PITCH DIDN'T HELP THOUGH

[rob the royal]

Can't believe all those slating Church. He took the ball down brilliantly on a number of occasions, played in Long several times. Just needs to get a goal.

Hope so. But for me he's had a long run in the side and the best thing he's offered us has been his closing down. His shooting shows no signs of improvement from game to game. It's turning into a worry for me. Whereas a few weeks ago I would have put him as first choice striker and I too would have said he just needs a goal.

I don't think he's getting worse, I'm just not seeing the improvement that I thought we would. And in my opinion he needs to improve or McD will have no choice but to try giving someone else a bit of a run in the side.

[Terminal Boardom]

Quite surprised to read that people really enjoyed the game. I thought it was a totally appalling contest with hardly any real quality in it. "Rancid", as Mr Streete labelled it a few posts back.

In fact i'd write more but i've already blanked the game from my mind.

PITCH DIDN'T HELP THOUGH

That's what I noticed. The number of off-breaks and leg-breaks I though that Shane Warne had come out of retirement! The pitch is a joke. And this after being told that this season it would be better. Sure, the weather doesn't help but surely they can do something to protect it?

[brendywendy]

3 points and the double over Barnsley.

We are still not looking good in front of goal and look very nervous on the ball at the back.

The next two games against Doncaster (A) and Plymouth (H) are crucial with all six points required if we are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

it would be nice, but we only reallyu need to win half our games or less to stay up

[Ian Royal]

3 points and the double over Barnsley.

We are still not looking good in front of goal and look very nervous on the ball at the back.

The next two games against Doncaster (A) and Plymouth (H) are crucial with all six points required if we are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

it would be nice, but we only reallyu need to win half our games or less to stay up

We've got much much harder games ahead than those two. And part of picking up points at that rate is getting a run going for a while.

[brendywendy]

just sayimng if we lose one, we arent down.

[Terminal Boardom]

just sayimng if we lose one, we arent down.

Just as long as we realise that by saying if we win one, we aren't actually staying up.

[brendywendy]

indeedidoodi

[handbags_harris]

I just laughed at them as I walked past. Complete neanderthaals! And people on here ask why there is no standing allowed in football grounds any more. I would hazard a guess and say that they were the cocks who were congregated towards the front of the South Stand.

And what difference does that make to the point you're attempting to get across?