It seems like ages ago again that we had a match. This one is going to be a toughie that's for sure. Northampton apparently played really well in their cup match against higher opposition this weekend and their results over the last weeks have been impressive. Seems so wrong that they have gotten away with their money problems so easily. I still can't believe that the local council there have been allowed to waive the millions without somebody kicking off. But got away with it they have so onwards we go. I think it's going to be a night for winter woolies and the longjohns if the forecast has anything to do with it. Still, big crowd expected as it should be for a top table clash. Think we are doing better than expected or budgeted on the income front this season.
Back home with a feeling that we have been seen off - in reality it was a combination of poor defending, a goalkeeping howler from Luke and some iffy officiating that saw N'hampton take the points. A chilly HP saw Reuben Reid return to the starting lineup but with Jervis and Brunt also starting it seems like it would be an attacking formation- would it be 4-3-3 or 3-5-2? . As it was, DA reverted to the tried and tested 4 at the back with Reuben down the midddle , Brunt wide left and Jervis down the right. Northampton were, as expected, well up for it and got stuck in and were often first to the ball. The first half was notable for some 'robust' challenges and a bad mistake from Luke. Mellor sold him short with a back pass and Luke went for one of his 'skillfully knocking it to the side of the onrushing attacker' moves which to be fair he has done well a few times this season. Unfortunately the 'onrushing attacker' managed to get a touch on the ball and then passed it into an empty net 0-1 and Luke looking fairly silly. Reid had earlier gone close but headed over , otherwise there were no serious threats to either goal. Some of the challenges were quite meaty and it wasn't long before the yellow card was out. Second half was more of the same with much of Argyle's play not quite coming off and N'hampton doing a professional spoiling job. Hartley's one mistake per match was duly punished-instead of clearing up field he simply gifted the ball to one of theirs who slid the ball sideways for a clinical finish giving Luke no chance. 2-0 is always a dodgy score and to be fair Argyle has their best spell for the last 20. Reuben and Threkland were replaced by Wylde and Tanner, Brunt down the middle and suddenly Argyle looked much more of a threat. Jervis was denied what looked like a nailed on penalty(sounds familiar) when he was thrown to the ground chasing a cross. Most of HP (including me) were convinced the greens had scored following a bit of a scramble. Looked like a goal but the lino/ref decided it hadn't crossed the line. Will have to see the replay as the half way line isn't the best place to judge these things from. Eventually we scored what turned out to be the goal that keeps up top, Brunt crossed , the keeper got his angles wrong, and Wylde easily slotted home. Lots more endevour from Argyle but it wasnt our night. Clearly missing the vision and skill of Carey-despite improvements Threkland/McHugh/Simpson/Tanner lacked a bit of bite. Non of the defense covered themselves in glory with all 4 making significant mistakes. Luke one howler and one decent save but little else to do. Jervis anonymous again, Reuben in the mood but not much end product. MOTM goes to Brunty again- not suited out wide but battled well and carried a real threat once down the middle- got himself booked for trying to retrieve the ball from the time wasting keeper. 3 points dropped I suppose but another match ticked off and still top of the league.
Thanks Lindy for that......sensible will go ballistic over another penalty refusal. Sounds like Reuben Reid starting the game in hindsight might not of been the right decision, Brunt is the man in form at the moment and seemed to look the part when put up front when Reid went off........bad time for McCormick to try fancy footwork.....the defence not at it's best tonight with hartley making a mistake as well. I shall check out GoS and other sites in the morning and see what they say.......sensible probably drowning his sorrows at the moment.
Thanks Lyndy it sounded just like your report. Actually I was watching the West Ham game as well..2 beautifully taken free kicks as the Hammers go 5th..
Just got in and switched on. No arguments from me with the review lyndhurst. Mellor should have cleared the ball instead of doing what Mellor always seems to do and he started the rot. Luke should have put his foot through the ball and didn't gifting them the first. Absolutely crap at the back tonight generally and we virtually gifted them goal 2 as well. I do not like teams like Northampton. Robust is another word for dirty and they wasted so much time, mainly allowed by the officials. it was a joke. They played lets all fall down and clutch our heads at every opportunity. A typical Wilder team and not good to watch. Having said that they were more up for everything it seemed and we never won a second ball all night long. They cleared long and it went to their player. We cleared long and it went to their player. I get fed up with talking about penalty decisions and officials to be honest. But we had 2 pretty decent shouts and one that was a possible. Of course we got none of them as per and this is now getting beyond a joke. As for the goal that wasn't. From where I sit which is right opposite the 18 yard line we all thought the ball was at least a foot inside the net. As per the lino saw nothing and the Ref even less. We didn't particularly deserve anything from this game if I'm honest but deserving doesn't come into it. It actually should have been an Argyle win 3 - 2 minimum with a penalty and a goal not given. These officials are pointless. The Ref also allowed Northampton to winge and winge all game at him, ignore his warnings yet get no punishment either. Reid and Brunt as an option doesn't work in my opinion. Reid didn't do much all match and agree with you that Brunt was probably MOM in what was a poor side tonight. I would have preferred Tanner or Wylde from the start rather than Reid and Brunt as a partnership. As Brunt is the man in form I would have not played Reid. Thought Adams was slow to change things tonight which is unusual for him,
Very disappointing: I'd hoped Northampton's efforts in the Cup would have left our players fresher but from the radio commentary, a combination of dodgy officials and defensive errors cost us dear. I can't see Brunt as a wide player, no disrespect to him, and that's an odd choice from Adams. Far better Brunt through the middle and Reid roaming I'd have thought if you were going to pick that particular combination. Also, the commentary bemoaned the lack of a forward runner from midfield. OK, you can only have 11 on the pitch but Tanner is the best stand in we have for Carey in that sort of role. I was hoping for more but we're still top by the skin of our teeth.
We have relied all season on the ability of our defence....and that is why we are where we are in the league. Last night they let us down and silly mistakes have started to appear......why ?.....I think the lack of goals has been the reason......we have always needed the defence to be rock solid because we cannot score enough goals to take the pressure off of them always having to be spot on. How on earth can we go twenty six games and only once scored more than two goals in a match ?.....and that 4-1 home win against Carlisle flattered us well beyond the score. Ok we have been thrown out of our stride with major injuries to the most important players down the spine of our team. Carey is still not available.....we depend on him for mid-field inspiration and it has cost us dearly having him out of the team......Reid not being available has he started to hit form and started to score goals was a shame........the form of Ryan Blunt has helped to paper over the cracks.....and it was unfortunate last night in hindsight that Adams made room for Reid and pushed Blunt onto the wing where he is less effective. We definitely need another striker to bolster up our lack of goals tally.....and I feel after last night we need a genuine reserve goalkeeper to keep McCormick on his toes.....ok a poor back pass but what the hell was he doing not tonking that ball first time into the stands or even down the right wing. They need to get a grip on Saturday or Stevenage might end up with all six points this season against Argyle. No sign of fatigue in Northampton last night.....when we have a free Saturday we play like we haven't been introduced to each other yet.....Adams needs to sort it out and get them up for it on Saturday.....goals can cover up a load of problems.....we haven't got that luxury for some reason of that.
To be fair Plym most defences will go through patches where mistakes happen and it doesn't mean there is a crisis. It happens that last night they all had a bad day at the office at the same time and even Luke joined in. As for Northampton's fatigue problems well they solved that by wasting a third of the match by any means possible so only played for an hour. If anything we are a bit too soft at times and get bullied by physical sides (or dirty depending on your view point). When teams get in our face we seem to lack something instead of us doing it to them.
We've won 16 games.....and we average only 1.5 goals per match.....thats not fair on the defence.....they slip up and we lose......we don't score enough goals to help the defence through those moments that they slip up.
Whilst I wasn't happy with the standard of anything last night I don't think it is time to panic just yet where we don't score enough. All we have to do is score just enough which in a lot of games we have this season. It was just a bad day in this one with a bit of niavity when it came to the darker arts. As long as Adams learns what most could see last night in formation or players complimenting or not each other then we should be fine.
I see even Adams is starting to go on about the lack of penalties now. He reckons he has qestioned two decisions not given and been told both times that we should have got one. Also questioned one against and was told we shouldn't have conceeded it against B Rovers. He isn't a Scottish replica of Fergeson is he. He also said he thought the Ref just hadn't seen the fouls. He wants to come and sit where I sit and he will soon realise it is the incompetence of the Officials, especially the lino who could not fail to see most of them. He shouldn't be so nice about it because with those decisions I reckon we would have at least another half dozen points now. The last penalty we had was 25th April 2015.
A good 3pts indeed as before the game thinking that Stevenage were a bit of a bogey team if not mistaken. Nice to see different players scoring especially Tanner who seems to be improving. ...think he should be given a chance to start more often? What's your opinions. ....
HP, it will soon be time for us all to get on with those jobs.. Sensible likes the DIY and painting.. you should get your tips from him. I bet His wife has got a nice long list for him to start in the spring!
Yes thank you.....haven't used it for a few years.............I would think that you need one with a periscope on top ....so you can see where your going.....wouldn't want to bump into a slumbering bear.
