5.0 & 6.0 was generous for the both of em, probably closer to a 3.0. One of them will play from the right tomorrow and I’d pick Belloumi over Kamara as he looked ever so slightly more accomplished in attack.
Us being us on here or the Club in general? I haven't seen any match analysis by Tim Walters apart from the post match interview and he never touched on how or why we lost the game or the break down in play/individual errors which led to us being punished..He was too busy inflating the egos of those involved and declaring his pride in our best performance to date. I'd be interested in reading his thoughts on whether or not he felt it was a fair or unfair shoulder charge.
I thought the Millar one was the same thing we did a lot last season, of not taking the break seriously enough, not realising we needed to stop it immediately, through a foul if necessary, until it was too late. Sheff United had worked on counters all week and they were at 100% busting a gut when they spotted a chance for one. If Millar knew how it'd turn out I'm sure he'd foul him as any player would. But in the moment he can't have been 100% switched on to the danger in the same way Sheff U were 100% switched on to the opportunity.
I agree there is sometimes the need to make a smart foul, but in this case if Millar had just got goal side there wouldn’t even been a need to commit a foul.
As always the future starts now. The first 3 games, I'm thinking that's ok - new manager, new system, we didn't lose, but looking back we were mostly second best and didn't look convincing at all. The last 2, I'm thinking that's ok - they're both probable top 6 sides, we've new players who certainly aren't bedded in yet, but looking back, although there were a few promising signs we didn't look like getting much out of either game, and conceded 3 unnecessary and frankly stupid, goals. So Stoke on a wet/dry Friday night in September. It's winnable. We need to take at least a point. We need to score (preferably first). We need to see signs that Walter's approach is starting to become second nature and, more importantly, having a positive impact. The future starts now.
One of the big unwritten laws of the game and often highly influential is: keep the game flowing. In this case Moore’s fair and strong shoulder charge was immediately followed by him giving Millar a clear two handed push into touch (as rightly highlighted by Ric Glasgow). Here the “keep the game flowing” rule applied, so it was play on. Conclusion = Ref is a game flowing good egg. If however this same shoulder charge followed by a two handed shove had happened in our penalty area - it would have been a free kick against Moore. Conclusion = Ref is on the ball. Without the two handed shove, Millar would have still been literally; ‘in Play’ and probably helped prevent the goal. The keep the game flowing in spite of the rules is a minefield! P/S we don’t see many good shoulder charges these days (I’ll have you know in my day etc….) as the defender usually turns their back into the challenge and draws an easy free kick. Millar take note!
Ernie, above, has just nailed it. To use the often overused cliche tonight's game could be one of 'those pivotal ones to determine the short term future of HCAFC...Win and we'll feel a new found belief that everything will be fine going towards the start of the autumn months...Lose and lose badly and the depression and the doubt will intensify deeply. Draw and the jury of public opinion still won't know whether to stick or twist. Yes, its only six games in but its got that feeling to it.
Rushworth Coyle - Jones - Macca - Drameh Zambrano Kamara - Palmer - Omur/Mehlem - Millar Bedia I would be tempted to sod a 'DM' and ask Mehlem to play a tad deeper and hope that Drameh solidifies the back 4 for the time-being. Can't wait to see him on the right but Coyle's commitment is needed at the minute and Giles needs a breather. Kamala starts ahead of Belloumi as he has more experience in games like tonights - a pure championship clash. Same reason Palmer comes in. Someone mentioned it earlier but the more you look at the squad and what's being asked, 3 a the back looks like a decent shout haha Rushworth Jones - Burnes - Macca Drameh - Palmer - Mehlem - Millar Omur Kamara Bedia
Not sure id change the GK, he's looked very solid since the proper games started and his been in fair few motm threads
Certainly a tough call. I guess it's whether Rushworth could add anything else to the team. Is he better with his feet and quicker at making a pass/better decisions. Would be harsh on Pandur though. Similar to Coyle, Drameh is in the bigger picture an improvement at RB, like Rushworth is at GK but Coyle is 1st name on the team sheet atm. Drameh would be stuck on the bench for a while if it wasn't for whatever is wrong with Giles.