After last weeks game at Accrinton where by all accounts we murdered them 0-1, fortunes were reversed at a sun baked Home Park. Shrewsbury were probably the better side and no doubt they will feel aggrieved to go away with nothing but probably more worrying for them, their run of not scoring an away goal has extended to more than 8 hours and the best part of 2 months. The game started brightly enough with both sides attempting to play a passing game on a pristine pitch, though Shrewsbury were always slicker in the pass, moved more and seemed to be on the front foot. Reid almost put us 1-0 up early on but the ball was apparently judged to have gone out of play before finding the net and in any event 70% of the crowd saw a clear shove in the back from Reuben on the defender; the other 30% thought we had scored. Reid (bobby) impressed with his corners and general play and it was no surprise when his pin point cross was header in by Reuben. Shrewsbury had most most of the possession but lacked the killer finish although Luke made a top save in each half which lessor keepers wouldn't have got to. Second half was very similar with Shrewsbury dominating the game throughout- Argyle retreated more and more but defended resolutely with a few brave blocks and created the occasional good chance on the break. Three points and a clean sheet is great, but we could be so much better if we played like shrewsbury tried to. We need to be quicker in the pass and move into space- far too many balls given away today and numerous times when we didn't even bother to challenge for the loose ball. Bobby Reid looked a class above the rest and got the sponsors MOTM but it could equally have gone to Luke or Nelson, Blizzard got better as the match went on, but the rest has a fairly average day. Smally was awful when he came on to replace Morgan. Shrewsbury should do well in this league (if they can work out how to score away) and there is no doubt we would have lost a game like this last season, so all in all a hard won 3 points.
Just one thing to add to that lyndhurst and that is the overalll man of the match was undoubtedly their No.4 who I think is called Wood. A master class in movement and passing to his own players. Everything went through him and his only blip was he might have got a red instead of his yellow. A bit of a short fuse and I thought he might have been booked for dissent before he got his foul yellow. But, not to take anything away from him I thought he was class amd I wish we had somebody like him. Probably the best footballing side I've seen down here although to be fair we let them play a lot of the time. Who the hell signed Smally? He is just pure rubbish. Reid2 is a good aquisition. Liked very much. I would though have given the MOM for us to McCormack for keeping them out and us in the game. Superb game for him. Close second would have been Reid and agree third choice as Nelson although the backs today were generally good all around.
Yes their No 4 was the best player on the pitch but most refs would probably have dispatched him at some point. He could have seen at least 2 yellows for 'professional' fouls even before his clash with allessandra (which BTW I wasn't sure was that bad) and as you say he spent most of the match arguing about every decision that didn't go their way. Interesting that on another site everyone is having a real go at the manager and players for the standard of football. For me 3 points when you are outplayed in virtually every department is the best way to get out of this league-we are not going to set the league on fire so every point is a step nearer to where we need to be. Take the 3 points, write off the performance and move on.
Agree the 3 points are the most important thing although to be entertained as well would be nice sometimes. Some teams seem to come here and show us how we should be playing in front of our own fans yet Sheridan never seems to learn anything from it despite his words. I kind of don't blame them for having a dig as they pay their hard earned and should expect something back for it. Sheridan for me is always blaming his players for not learning lessons yet he is supposed to be their teacher.
Why did Sheridan only use one sub...Smalley ?.......and that in the 66th minute....was Morgan injured or not performing ? Where the other subs not up to the job as far as Sheridan was concerned or was he devoid of knowing how to spice up the attacking or mid-field options ? Reuben Reid is so important to this team,not just for scoring goals but for holding up the ball and giving defences a hardtime......so noticeable when he was injured.....fortunately he doesn't miss many games. This loanee Bobby Reid has the ability to put in a good cross from wing or corner kick......it will be difficult to keep him long......just needs a dip in form from Bristol City and he could be gone.....remember he was a regular for them last season. It does amaze me that Argyles pro-footballers cannot cross the ball consistantly.
Morgan was ineffectual for a lot of the time so to change things it was not a surprise he was the one subbed. Why Smallley? Bleddy good question that one because from what I have seen so far I can't see how he is a pro footballer at all. He was like a rabit in headlights when he came on and seemed to have no idea where to run or what to do if the ball came his way. Pants is putting it mildly. But, what is the alternative? We lack front players of any note. Apart from Reid who else would you put up front and trust..... As for the other Reid I think he is a great signing and I would love it if he could stay. Most impressed even if he did run out of steam at the end. Not surprising though as he put some mighty impressive runs in. He is not all about crossing a ball although he did that a lot better than has been the case. If we had somebody who could take a throw in then we would have one of everything now. I suppose we shouldn't shout too loud about Reid because we don't want Bristol City taking him back. Mind you they are top and going well so shouldn't want to interupt a winning formula. Don't want anyone else buying him at Christmas either unless it's us.
