Back from the game thread

[Camberley Seagull]

Just back from the game (well I do live 15 miles away!).

First half was not good. We played our passing game, but we looked too slow/relaxed, and we never looked like opening them up at all. We also seemed to get knocked off the ball too easily, although the Ref didn't help us at all.

Having said this Reading were not good, but first half they did look better than us. They broke quickly, they moved the ball about. They looked better than us. They created very few chances, but they took two of them.

Second half was a lot better, especially the last 30 minutes. We looked much better after Noone came on. At 2-0 it was all Brighton, and we had numerous chances to score: including a low cross into the 6-yard box which was skyed; CMS completely missed a through ball that he should have connected with; CMS also had a low diving header too. If we had scored any of these, then I'm sure that we would have gone on to get a point because Reading offered nothing.

The was also a good penalty shout when CMS was bundled over in the area. The Ref was not good. The Lino closest to the away stand was even worse.

The away fans were fantasic, and sung their hearts out (apart from the first 15 of the second half). The best song being: "I want to go home, Reading is a sh*thole, I want to go home." The Reading fans only sung when they went 2 up!

In the end, 3-0 flattered Reading. 1-0 would have been more like it, or even a draw if we had taken our chances during that second half period.

Not sure about Ryan Harley today, either. Oh well.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I didnt think it was a penalty no. Would like to see a replay though.

I did also disagree with Gus' decision to take Lua Lua off. He was starting to come to life and got to the line two or three times quite easily at the start of the 2nd half. Although bringing Noone on was correct as he was brilliant, I would like him to have come on for someone else.

Im so reluctant to criticise CMS because I have never seen someone work so hard and he has been brilliant in some games but his poor finishing has definitely cost us at times this season and it could have changed todays game if he taken 1 or 2 of the second half chances.

 

[Conkers]

Harley is just so bad it's unbelieveable. Getting nudged off the ball far too easily and some of his passing is just terrible.

 

[cjd]

Just back and did something today that I have never done........I watched the 2nd half on the TV on the concourse.

Afer what I considered a very poor first half and tippy tappy football that has been getting us nowhere except into trouble for the last 10 - 12 games, I,ve reached the stage where I am just bored with it all. What was so interesting to see on the screen, (with no commentary and without the mass hysteria on the terrace influencing opinion) was how easily we get knocked off the ball.......how weak we are when tackling.......how often Tarrico goes down from 'nothing' tackles......and close-ups of how often we whinge to the referee unjustifiably. Overall, it was embarrassing to see.

We desperately need to change our way of playing football.......or bring in better quality of players.......or heaven forbid (please don't shoot me ).......change the manager. It is not working....and hasn't been working well for some time.

 

[WhingForPresident]

Harley is just so bad it's unbelieveable. Getting nudged off the ball far too easily and some of his passing is just terrible.

He is one of the worst players to wear the stripes in the past decade IMO. He contributes nothing at all, and whenever he loses the ball he is just there jogging back, swanning around not giving a f*** what is going on around him. Can't shoot, can't pass, can't finish, can't tackle. He is weak, passionless and gutless. If he is still here next month, I will be disappointed.
It is like giving the opposition an extra man when he plays, and with Paynter up top, it's 9 against 12.

How much worse could Agdestein/Barker or Forster-Caskey do than these two?

 

[goldstone]

The team let the fans down today. A good number travelled and we were served up a poor display.

ElAbd was at fault for both the first and the second and scored the third. Not good enough at this level methinks. Tarrico had an awful first half, better second. Harley needs to show some real effort. Far too easily knocked off the ball and didn't commit himself to tackles. Paynter a waste of space. Dunk had one of his poorer games. CMS could have had two. Unfortunately lots of negatives and few positives.

Noone should have started. Definitely MOM for his sub appearance. Much more effective than KLL. Buckley did OK and surprised he was taken off.

Who was Hall on the bench? Development squad? Defender?

 

[Giraffe]

Firstly we didn't deserve to lose 3-0, BUT

It was a clear defeat caused by three things:

Our goalkeeper is not as commanding as theirs

Our midfield, and Harley in paticular is too lightweight. Crying out for the Vicente type player.

Our forward line is too lightweight. CMS desperately needs some quality alongside him. Buckley, stop diving. Lua Lua learn how to cross. Noone in the last half hour showed why he should start every game.

Oh and El Abd is not a full back.

One final point is Sparrow and Harley really better than JFC? I know he is currently injured but if fit he should be given a go.

Credit to Bridcutt and Greer and Tanno who all played well and CMS for running his arse off again. Needs a goal badly.

 

[Steveapps71]

Shit! But I am positive and think its gonna be
A great 2012 x

 

[Rugrat]

He is one of the worst players to wear the stripes in the past decade IMO. He contributes nothing at all, and whenever he loses the ball he is just there jogging back, swanning around not giving a f*** what is going on around him. Can't shoot, can't pass, can't finish, can't tackle. He is weak, passionless and gutless. If he is still here next month, I will be disappointed.
It is like giving the opposition an extra man when he plays, and with Paynter up top, it's 9 against 12.

Didn't see the game today but Harley has been like that all season ... opinions seem to be divided between those who would ship him out and those that say "Give him more time, he'll be class" but feck knows why they are saying that when he's been so bloody useless. He's a liability and if we can't win the ball, keep the ball and distribute it well from CMF we're never going to make an impression

 

[WhingForPresident]

I don't think the move to bring on Paynter and Noone for Buckley and LuaLua was the right decision at all for the record. If I was Gus, I wouldve taken Harley or Sparrow off, bought Noone on, stuck Buckley down the centre and just gone for it. We had nothing to lose and we were in the ascendancy at that point.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

When will people start to lose patience with CMS' faulty finishing? Don't get me wrong, I rate him highly and would probably cry if he left, but he should of scored today, he should of scored against Burnley,he should of scored against Cov (got lucky). Maybe he is panicking and snatching at his chances as they are few and far between!

:runsforcover:

 

[Flavor Flav]

Harley is f***ing useless. He gives the ball away far too often and offers nothing to the team whatsoever. I actually miss Dicker.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I don't think the move to bring on Paynter and Noone for Buckley and LuaLua was the right decision at all for the record. If I was Gus, I wouldve taken Harley or Sparrow off, bought Noone on, stuck Buckley down the centre and just gone for it. We had nothing to lose and we were in the ascendancy at that point.

Very much this.

I was astonished he took them both off. One of them fair enough but not both. As you say, if he was determined to bring Paynter on with Noone then Sparrow or preferably Harley should have gone off.

 

[Don Quixote]

We need a striker who can put the ball in the net, a poacher. Billy Sharp is needed immediately.

 

[Sandaza's Nose]

If you're honest, how many of our players would get into any of the teams in the top 8? Greer, Dunk and Bridcutt imo. Maybe CMS & Noone at a push. Buckley & Vicente are quality but blow hot and cold and are too injury prone. Fact is, if we want to 'be a good championship team', as Gus puts it, he needs to bring in some quality in January. We have too many league 1 players in our squad. I like Sparrow, Navarro and Casper but I just don't think they offer enough at this level. Barndoor Billy and Harley can just f*** off

 

[Mackenzie]

Where we went wrong.

We don't have enough quality to play the ball out from the back against teams like Reading, you stand there just KNOWING that the opposition forwards are going to close the ball down leading to a panicked punt up the ground leading to a throw in or to be collected by their left/right back. It doesn't work when the opposition press up the pitch.

We are physically weak in the tackle, we don't have the size of these top Championship teams and are just bumped off the ball, even their lanky streak of piss winger nearly put Tanno in the stand.

Harley STROLLED through the game, it alright to have the cigars out when you're 3-0 up, but a two down it doesn't exactly endear you to the crowd. Harley coupled with an anonymous and ineffective Sparrow in the centre of the park was a problem.

Ankergren doesn't inspire much confidence, perhaps it was a mega off day, but it must be a nightmare playing in front of him every weak, its too soft. Greer and Dunk were fine today, but poor old El-Abd was just getting skinned by McAnuff every time, we NEED a right back urgently. Buckley showed up alright in parts as did Lualua, but both went missing far too often. Noone was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch when he came on, shame he didn't start.

CMS put in his usual shift, made their centre halves look like they were in slow motion at times, but managed to miss two sitters in the second half. Paynter also missed when it looked easier to score, he offers nothing.

I know we had to play those lads today due to the injuries/suspensions but it was really disappointing. At least we didn't have any sendings off.

We need to get those 50 points asap. Bloody football.

 

[clapham_gull]

Ankergren-6 Did nothing wrong.

Surely that's a ten then ?

 

[bn1 seagull]

lack of threat from the middle of midfield, why sign a player who couldn't get near the swansea team last year

 

[Grassman]

We have only just got on to the M4.

F*ck me, really at 6.02pm? We were back in Tun Wells by 6.30pm! And we stayed til the bitter, disappointing end. For me Harley and the full backs were the weak link, don't think Harley won a single 50:50. Grrr.

 

[Brownstuff]

I don't think the move to bring on Paynter and Noone for Buckley and LuaLua was the right decision at all for the record. If I was Gus, I wouldve taken Harley or Sparrow off, bought Noone on, stuck Buckley down the centre and just gone for it. We had nothing to lose and we were in the ascendancy at that point.

I agree
We still had a sniff at that stage
Their defenders weren't that quick and were tiring late on
Buckley would've been the only one to get round the back of them
As soon as Paynter came on the game was done and dusted