MATCHWATCH : Wrexham (a)

[karbota]

I couldn't watch the game unfortunately but the result wasn't unexpected.

We are a bit of a soft touch and will have to get used to well organised ,more physical sides overpowering us.

The hope for this week is obviously for the takeover to happen but just as importantly for us to keep our best players Wing and Bindon by the time the transfer window closes.

Unfortunately the loan players that I see us linked to tend to be young ball-playing attacking midfield and forward players (we already have plenty of them) when really our need is a couple of stronger full-backs (will Yiadom ever be fit enough for a whole season?) a similar type of midfield ball-winner and the option of a battering ram central striker.

At the moment we are the 2024 version of Gradi's Crewe-a passing team with no other option when of course the better sides at every level of the game all have a combination of ball skill and physical aggression.

This result is a bit of a wake-up call after last Saturday's stroll in the sun but until we can add to the squad we will have to accept that our youngsters, who all look comfortable on the ball, will have to offer more physically because we may not get in enough of that type this season.

BTW Wrexham haven't spent millions , as suggested by another, but have just done what we did in early Pardew times in bringing in known performers at the level we were at-we have done it with Knibbs, Wing and Smith but need more.

Correct but the thickos on here just don't get it ie , loon, Double DuDespairnce, and Co.

[windermereROYAL]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

[Hound]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

[Snowflake Royal]

Was that Parky's first win against us?

I can only remember that cup game where we took Bradford apart.

I think he left Colchester before they played in the Champ didn't he? And wasn't at, was it Hull, very long?

Did he manage any other cup games, or another short Champ stint?

[Esteban]

Second win against us, according to the Chronicle. Beat us whilst Bolton manager too, apparently. I think I remember the game, but I don't remember him being their manager at the time.

EDIT: Found the link - https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... parkinson/

[Sutekh]

Second win against us, according to the Chronicle. Beat us whilst Bolton manager too, apparently. I think I remember the game, but I don't remember him being their manager at the time.

EDIT: Found the link - https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... parkinson/

18 Aug 2018, Reading 0-1 Bolton. One of the first games under the mighty Clement and starring such legends as David Meyler and Marc McNulty.

[Snowflake Royal]

Second win against us, according to the Chronicle. Beat us whilst Bolton manager too, apparently. I think I remember the game, but I don't remember him being their manager at the time.

EDIT: Found the link - https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... parkinson/

18 Aug 2018, Reading 0-1 Bolton. One of the first games under the mighty Clement and starring such legends as David Meyler and Marc McNulty.

Cheers. Had no recollection of him managing Bolton in the Champ.

[Clyde1998]

Like some others, I don't think we were particularly bad yesterday.

Looking at their goals:

1. Their first goal was far too simple. The right winger had two or three seconds to get the ball in and their attacker was easily able to head home by drifting into the space between Craig and Mbengue (the latter of whom didn't appear to know there was a player there). Supposedly the scorer is 6ft 5, so even if either Craig or Mbengue stayed with him and jumped he probably would've scored.
2. The second goal came after two shouts for a penalty; IIRC, the goal came from the break from the second appeal. The ball again ended up out on the right wing, crossed in and the initial header came off the post. The ball rebounded off the post and the header, before Perreira made a fantastic close-range block and the next rebound was turned home. It felt like a case of the Wrexham players having better anticipation than ours, who seemed overly static in that situation.
3. In the build up to the third goal, it appeared Ehibhatiomhan was pushed over. The ball made its way out to their number eight, who, under no pressure, was able to fire well in to the bottom corner from twenty yards to kill the game. The lack of pressure on the player shooting was very reminiscent of last season, where we seemed to concede a lot from range.
4. Looking at the xG from their goals: goal one had an xG of 0.12; goal two had 0.12 + 0.41 + 0.51 from the three efforts which ended up with the ball in the net and goal three had 0.05; totalling to 1.21. Not quite sure how their total across the game of 1.23 has been arrived at (perhaps using the probability of of the initial chances of the second goals being missed), as FotMob shows their chances individually as adding to 1.53. Either way, using that larger number of 1.53, it implies they created an xG of 0.32 outside their goals or 0.49 outside their second goal; compared to a 0.71 for us.

Our two best efforts of goal came from the Bindon header directly after the second, clipping the top of the bar, and Rushesha's effort which cannoned off the bottom of the bar (and looked to have gone over the line). We had a lot of opportunities where the cross into the box was poor, either being over hit or failing to get past the first man. The were also a lot of opportunities where we spent too long playing short passes around the penalty area, when a much more direct strategy would've created a serious scoring chance. We ultimately didn't really test their keeper at all.

Again, as I mentioned at half-time, the referee was poor. All the 50-50 decisions went Wrexham's way, including the push on Ehibhatiomhan before the third goal. When a similar situation occurred with a Wrexham player, they got a free-kick. The penalty appeal directly before their second (on Bindon), it seemed like he was being held and certainly would've been a free-kick if it wasn't in the penalty area. I can't specifically remember what happened with the first incident with everything that happened to say whether it was a penalty or not.

I did criticise Akande in the first half, but I think he grew into the game. His crossing wasn't good and he had a lot of issues with his first touch in the first half. I'd still have Camara starting if he was fit, but he's certainly an option from the bench. By the end of the game, Akande was certainly no worse than any of our other attacking players yesterday.

Our biggest issue yesterday was (again) the lack of depth to allow us to make meaningful changes. I think of the subs Rushesha had the most impact (notwithstanding him hitting the bar) and was good to see Tuma come on.

I'm most concerned that most of our better players didn't really do much in that game. Smith and Ehibhatiomhan didn't get involved in the right places; Elliott was probably our worst starter; the full backs seemed to struggle. Bindon was probably the only player out there who had a good game. Ultimately, very few players had a bad game though: we controlled the ball for much of the game and limited them to the chances that led to their goals and one(?) other at 3-0. Just felt like one of those days, as opposed to the start of a serious issue.

In terms of the facilities, that away end is probably one of the worst I've been to at this level:

1. The roof stanchion blocks the back three-ish rows from being able to see the whole pitch when standing, which you have to as everyone around you is standing, and you could barely see the whole pitch when seated from the back row (my biggest gripe and absolutely something to remember if we play there again);
2. The back wall had a lot of rust, especially around where there was cabling;
3. There wasn't really a concourse to speak of, just a corridor between the turnstiles with the catering being awkwardly placed in that area and a turn off for the toilets;
4. I'm fairly certain the queue for the catering could easily block entry into the stand depending on how busy it got;
5. The toilets could only house about fifteen people at a time (if you ram people in), where using the two sinks blocks two of the urinal spaces and there was one hand dryer;
6. I don't drink, but apparently no alcohol was served in the away end (probably due to the lack of concourse area); found that ironic given the stand is sponsored by Wrexham Larger;
7. Something I've not come across before: the seats were completely mismatched - not just in terms of colours, but types of plastic. The back of my seat was a smooth, soft plastic, whilst the front was a hard, coarse plastic (that's more of a comment than a problem);
8. Calling the ground an 'international stadium' when it doesn't meet the requirements for international football is a bold move (I don't think international grounds are allowed to have temporary stands and have to have electronic ticket entry); I know they've got ambitions to get that ground hosting international games again, but I think that stand will have to be bulldozed to achieve that (or at the very least, it requires extensive improvements).

[leon]

So in other words it’s a shithole

[Snowflake Royal]

Yeah, in no way was that a 3-0 game other than scoreline. 2-0 probably reasonable. One side was clinical, the other was not.

I do think our players go down too easy at times. And with them being mostly young, mostly technically good and mostly from a big Academy, plus us being recent ex-Champ and to a lesser extent Prem, I think a lot of refs in L1 have us down as soft divers.

But that ref was letting so much go it was crazy. Saying that, there's really no excuse for professional footballers not to be taught to assess how the ref is acting and adapting your game to it.

If the ref's letting things go, you've got to stop dribbling into a crowd and going over easy. If the ref's dishing out cards like confetti and blowing up for everything, you've got to stand off more and jockey less.

[Pilot_Phonic]

Regarding our ground, the stand you're in is a permanent temporary measure - let me explain. Years ago when the kop was opened the away end was always behind the goal. When we played Boston at the end of 2006-07 season, a relegation battle decided who went down and who stayed up, we wanted to cram as many home fans in as possible. Cue a crowd of over 13k for it. When we got relegated, the kop stand was deemed unsafe and our rogue owners didn't want to spend money on it to re-open it, which meant the stand was left to rot. After years of years of being in non-league, and not having the funds to buy quality players to get us promoted, and very few away fans came (Histon brought a whopping 0 fans to our game once) , having a 2 sided home ground was not viable so the stand behind the goal became a home end.

Fast forward to now - we are waiting for everything to fall into place so our kop can get built. The end result will be the fans behind the goal will move to our new kop stand, thus giving the stand behind the goal back to away fans. Once that is complete, then the next phase i'd imagine will be the Yale stand (Wrexham Lager stand). Currently, the Yale stand is showing its age (been up since around '76) so that really does need a lot of tlc/potentially be upgraded.

I know future plans will have the dugouts moved to the other side of the ground - again that was meant to be done this close season but didn't).

At present, we are not allowed to serve alcohol to away fans as the kiosk is in view of the pitch. So you can blame the law/FA rules for that one. Oh, and last I heard was Wrexham Lager isn't even sold in the stand anywhere for home fans either, which is extremely odd!

[Clyde1998]

Regarding our ground, the stand you're in is a permanent temporary measure - let me explain. Years ago when the kop was opened the away end was always behind the goal. When we played Boston at the end of 2006-07 season, a relegation battle decided who went down and who stayed up, we wanted to cram as many home fans in as possible. Cue a crowd of over 13k for it. When we got relegated, the kop stand was deemed unsafe and our rogue owners didn't want to spend money on it to re-open it, which meant the stand was left to rot. After years of years of being in non-league, and not having the funds to buy quality players to get us promoted, and very few away fans came (Histon brought a whopping 0 fans to our game once) , having a 2 sided home ground was not viable so the stand behind the goal became a home end.

Fast forward to now - we are waiting for everything to fall into place so our kop can get built. The end result will be the fans behind the goal will move to our new kop stand, thus giving the stand behind the goal back to away fans. Once that is complete, then the next phase i'd imagine will be the Yale stand (Wrexham Lager stand). Currently, the Yale stand is showing its age (been up since around '76) so that really does need a lot of tlc/potentially be upgraded.

I know future plans will have the dugouts moved to the other side of the ground - again that was meant to be done this close season but didn't).

At present, we are not allowed to serve alcohol to away fans as the kiosk is in view of the pitch. So you can blame the law/FA rules for that one. Oh, and last I heard was Wrexham Lager isn't even sold in the stand anywhere for home fans either, which is extremely odd!

I assumed improvements were being made at the ground. The stand opposite looks modern (late-90s/2000s?) and the temporary stand behind the goal (I'm guessing that's the Kop) would be next in line to be completed (obviously, being temporary); I was aware the Kop (as a terrace) had been closed on safety grounds, so having a temporary stand there is an improvement. I'm guessing from what you'd said, you've not got planning permission on its replacement yet; any idea how far along that is?

As you point out, it showing its age. You'd have to complete the Kop first before doing the Yale stand and you'd have to have a temporary measure with the changing rooms, etc. as that's all in that stand. That of course assuming you play at the Racecourse during that (I've seen Bristol Rovers may play a season away from their ground as they do redevelopment of their main stand, IIRC - talk is they'll play at Newport or Swindon if they have to temporarily move).

The biggest issue I had was seeing the far side of the pitch (image), so required a lot of manoeuvring when the ball went out there. All that really needs to be done in the short term is give fans a warning that the back few rows have a restricted view as long as this set up remains. All the other issues are tolerable if it's not meant to be a permanent situation.

I'm guessing the problems with the ground are also a factor of rising through the divisions fairly quickly and the attendances rising suddenly; the infrastructure takes a lot longer to upgrade than the team (especially when trying to get planning applications approved). Most teams in the National League or League Two and a lot in League One won't bring enough fans for the limitations of that away section to be an issue. If we hadn't sold out, I would've simply moved lower down to see better.

You seem to be in a situation where the owners are very aware of the limitations and problems with the ground in its current state, so it's something which should get improved. It's not a situation where something needs to be done at the ground and the owners are refusing to do anything despite being able to. See QPR for example: 2013 in the Premier League and 2018 in the Championship - at that point they shouldn't even be selling tickets in those seats (as those are insulting).

Have you got any idea how much the ground holds at the moment? Going into the season it seemed to have a capacity of 12,600, but the crowd was 13,322 yesterday.

[Mr Optimist]

Saturday was Wrexham’s highest league attendance in 44 years so they are definitely riding the crest of a wave at the moment and could easily sell more tickets if the ground had a bigger capacity.

What their ceiling would be in terms of support and league status, I would say they could ride the wave to the Premier League eventually, why not, we did it, it is amazing what momentum can achieve in football. In terms of support, I would say a 25,000 to 30,000 capacity stadium would be large enough even in the Premier League. I would say regular crowds of 20,000 home fans is possible if Wrexham reach the Championship especially with regular 3,000 away fans for some of the northern bigger clubs turning up, that are only an hour or so away. Realistically top end Championship with an occasional visit to the Premier Greed League is attainable but it will need the investment ball to keep rolling along with the feel good factor.

I’ve lived in North Wales for more than 25 years now and when Wrexham are doing well they draw support from all areas of North Wales including the towns along the coast like Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, so although Wrexham is not a massive town, population 70,000? They can get support from the wider region and are doing so at the moment. No reason why this wouldn’t continue to grow with a bigger capacity and higher league status.

It is great for the whole of North Wales and for Wrexham to be enjoying some good times, the long suffering core support that has stood with them through the crap of the last 20 years or so deserve it, but as an exiled Reading fan I just wish it had gone on pause for a weekend! Then you’ve got the Parky goodwill factor, so pleased for him too and long may it continue.

We are on our uppers at the moment, but have some really promising and talented youngsters coming through. Bindon looked like an experienced centre back for us which is crazy when he is only 19. We didn’t play well, partly because we weren’t allowed to by Wrexham, and they took their chances on the day, the great third goal just after half time killed it really, shit happens.

[Mr Optimist]

Forgot to say that as I haven’t got a Reading season ticket any more, I was in the temporary Kop stand behind the goal. What was the Fan Zone area? Do you have to pay extra to go in there and can you watch the game from it if you can’t get a seat? There are a few “day trippers” in that Kop stand from listening to some of the comments from people around me, but I guess fans don’t all start with 20 years history and it is allowing the younger next generation to actually attend games before the building works start.

It was fine on a sunny day in August but I would be less keen to freeze my nuts off midweek in the middle of a North Wales winter sat out there.

[Mr Angry]

Wrexham are going to be a challenger for - at the very least - a play off spot this season, so to lose away at a very good side is no disgrace.

[South Coast Royal]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

[Sutekh]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

[Hound]

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

Isn’t it us that would be knackered - ie losing Savage, Elliott, Bindon, Mbengue?

Will take the postponement tbh in our current state

[Snowflake Royal]

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Would agree, no reason clubs in the lower divisions can't utilise their squads to cover the missing players. Sky could then cream themselves over those games once a month instead of all the usual boring names and we'd still have proper football to watch rather than, if you're English, a load of utterly pointless dross masquerading as a competive qualifier.

I note Stockport has been called off before any squads are even announced, not sure how that can work!

Clubs in the lower leagues have far thinner squads. With their key players really key.

Arguably, it should be the top clubs, with their enormous squads packed full of talent doing nothing, that have to carry on.

[karbota]

We`ve now played 2 of the hardest away games we`re likely to have all season, next up is current leaders Stockport, then Bolton, then relegated Rotherham followed by Barnsley,
That fixture computer hasn`t done us too many favours, but hey we have to play them all sooner or later so best to get them out of the way now.

Stockport has been postponed

Have Charlton up next who I reckon may be a good shout for promotion at home

Gets a lot easier from mid Oct onwards on paper

So Stockport has been postponed presumably for a f***ing international break meaning now a Tuesday or Wednesday night away fixture up North.
I believe in rugby that club matches at the top level still carry on as usual with squad players making up the teams.

I realise that there is no appetite in our game for the old Saturday afternoon fixtures to be maintained but it used to be the case that international matches took place mainly in midweek however seemingly international managers need to have their squads for up to 10 days but I do wonder if that is really necessary.

Maybe I am biased as I much prefer club football over international stuff but with 3rd and 4th division games being cancelled because some of their players are needed for smaller international sides just feels too much.
I guess it is the price we pay in English football for having players from all over the world when historically they would have come just from the home countries.

On the other hand Selles will have time to work with all those new players who will have joined us by then.
BTW IIRC our record when we have had a 2 week break is not that special.

Well feck me, no shit Sherlock, another reason NOT TO HAVE TO0 MANY FOREIGN PLAYERS.

And silence was the bold reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AGAIN!