Just got back from Cardiff

[Fran Hagarty]

A very disappointing performance today. It didn't help conceding a penalty so early on. I couldn't see what happened as it was down the other end, but I believe Mayo pushed a Cardiff player. Yelldell didn't stand a chance with the penalty and the second goal wasn't his fault. Cardiff were not particularly good, which made it all the more disappointing as, although we had lost to Derby, we had played much better against a really good side.

The atmosphere was not as intimidating as it had been on previous visits but there was the usual English/Welsh banter and plenty of homophobic chanting from the "Sheepsh*ggers".

During the music prior to the kick-off, Sussex by the Sea was played - to be followed by songs seemingly deliberately chosen for their gay context - Queen, Village People, Dancing Queen, the Lumberjack song etc. The announcer also commented on how both teams had been doing and seemed to take great delight in announcing that we had lost our last match and unbeaten run.

After one of many decisions which seemed to favour Cardiff (I'm not blaming the referee for us losing as we didn't play well enough to win) a Brighton fan was chased by the stewards (for protesting?) grabbed, and escorted away. However, a few seconds later, he reappeared from the other direction being dragged, with some force, away. This set off a rush of stewards and it looked as if it might kick off but, fortunately, it died down fairly quickly.

It was good to be able to stand on a terrace again - it's just a pity that the experience was spoiled by a somewhat lacklustre performance. I had hoped for at least a draw. I suspect Mark McGhee will not be happy.

 

[m4morris]

homophobic chanting from sheepshaggers?

isn't sheepshaggers some sort of "ism"

well done for travelling today, a shit weather day and you had more than most managed at NP.

we scored twice at closed the door. good luck for the rest of the season.

 

[Fran Hagarty]

homophobic chanting from sheepshaggers?

isn't sheepshaggers some sort of "ism"

Well the Cardiff fans were chanting it about themselves! That's why I put it in inverted commas! It's like us chanting "1-0 to the Nancy boys" when we're winning!

 

[London Irish]

Yes, disappointed by the performance today but not unexpected. Our team that had such a good run in January has been badly disrupted by the loss of Oatway and FDM, and we are playing very good teams who we can't afford to be under-par against.

I would put Cardiff in that category, they've impressed me both times this season and although the game today was far from being a classic, they were very strong and organised, and you suspect that they played within themselves once they got that early commanding lead.

It's pointless complaining about refs I guess, but what a shitter we had in charge today. How was two players competing for a header a penalty? Mayo and Albion were robbed here. Cardiff probably deserved their early lead, but they should have earned it through their own efforts and not hand-outs from the ref. Later on the game he must have thought he was reffing at Cardiff Arms Park, he played a long rugby-style advantage and then brought back play for a free kick - totally BIZZARE.

The 2nd goal was a defensive shocker, shit, disorganised marking at a corner. It looked to me as though Hinsh was just outmuscled, not good after his mistake for the third this week.

We haven't said this much since December (which is a good thing) but it's in games like this you really miss Danny Cullip, particularly with Charlie also gone, very few leaders in the team.

But I wouldn't want to scapegoat the defenders, the midfield is key in protecting them and, as with Derby last week, our midfield was not at the races today. We were just so flat and lacking any sparkle, at throw-ins, no one wanted the ball, very few were taking responsibility. This is where we miss Charlie, he never shirks, always wants the ball in forward areas, always will attempt to play the forward ball - all of that was lacking today.

The day might have been different without that shocking penalty decision, it might also have been different if that early pressure had come to something. Jonah had our best chance of the game after only about 10 minutes, the Cardiff defence backed off and allowed Jonah a free shot from the edge of the penalty area. Agonisingly it went wide - it was all downhill from there.

Jonah didn't have a bad game, but you see why he doesn't play regularly. He had a lot of the ball today and got a few crosses in. So few found any Albion player. With him in the team, you feel we play too direct and are not accurate enough or patient enough with possession. He had his chance to earn a contract today and he didn't do it.

Carelessness with the ball was something that spread throughout the team today. Chippy was outnumbered and outpaced, Nicolas had a good 2nd half after a lacklustre first half, Leon lost possession too often by being eased too easily off the ball by the Cardiff defenders, and for me, one of the few bright spots was Big Mac's spirit for the fight, he kept the ball well, won his headers and even chased back into defense a couple of times!

McGhee did his best with numerous tactical changes but Cardiff were always organised and smart enough to counter anything we did, OGH and Virgs up front made little impact. Cardiff played well, the very sharp and creative Japanese guy in right midfield has even improved them from their game at Withdean.

McGhee will be kicking a few arses this week but there is no need for doom and gloom, we are maintaining a strong lead over the bottom 3 even despite these tough games.

I think we must not have high expectations against the in-form Sunderland next week, but with Charlie back and perhaps the Arsenal goalie putting pressure on Yelldell, we can get back to the team that fought so well in January.

 

[Yorkie]

Well summed up Fran & LI.

A long way to travel for the result but there's always next week.

Only 12 points needed and still February.

Today reminded me of the match at Grimsby almost 12 months to the day. Nasty weather, crossing a huge bridge, a loan keeper and a lousy result.
We picked up from that match and we'll do it again this season.

 

[London Irish]

Good call, Yorkie - reminded me of the 2-0 at Luton, loan keeper, shit penalty decision, flat performance. But it just shows in promotion seasons, we still have games like Grimsby and Luton, in a relegation fight, the logic is we will have even more temporary setbacks by the very nature of a basement battle.

We'll be back!!!!!!!

I never thought I'd hear an away crowd chant for the return of Charlie to the team

 

[Turkey]

I thought it was a deffinate penalty LI. He had no intention of going for the ball and jumped into the player.

Good call r.e. Cullip though. I hadn't thought about that. We could have done with his presence today. Still, he's in the past so thats that,

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

It's pointless complaining about refs I guess, but what a shitter we had in charge today. How was two players competing for a header a penalty? Mayo and Albion were robbed here.

I would agree that the ref was abysmal. The concept of playing advantage seemed totally alien to him. But that was as clear-cut a penalty as you're likely to see. Mayo blatantly shoved Langley in the back and got nowhere near the ball.

 

[Storer68]

In mitigation I would add that it was blowing an absolute gale for the whole game and they seeemd to cope with the conditions much better than we did.

 

[Lush]

Was it the wind that was affecting Yelldell's goal kicks do you reckon? Difficult to tell how windy it was out there from the back of the stand. Is that the reason why he was often throwing it out to players rather than a quick kick out? Or is he just crap at kicking?

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Our keeper didn't have a problem with his kicking......

 

[sully]

Our keeper didn't have a problem with his kicking......

Good point, well made!

I had noticed that Yelldell mainly throws the ball out in his previous games. Now we know why.

I don't think there are any excuses for the performance on Saturday. Cardiff did what they had to do and did it well. I would be very surprised if they are still in the relegation picture by April.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Some of his kicking reminded me of some of Mark Beeneys sorry excuses for distribution.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

LI: Have you changed your views on the penalty after watching the TV replay?

 

[Uncle Buck]

I never thought I'd hear an away crowd chant for the return of Charlie to the team

I was there and I do not remember that happening.

 

[perseus]

How did Alexis Nicolas play?

How much of the pitch did he cover?

How often did he lose posession?

Did he make any good passes?

Will Charlie Oatway get his place back?

Would you prefer Gary Hart or Alexis Nicolas?

 

[London Irish]

LI: Have you changed your views on the penalty after watching the TV replay?

Hmmmm.......I suppose so, I thought the ball was a lot closer when the challenge occured I'll make a disorderly retreat to the Butters position that your lad was looking to go down too easily

 

[London Irish]

I was there and I do not remember that happening.

Ah jeezus, OK I'll remember to TAPE it next time then.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Ah jeezus, OK I'll remember to TAPE it next time then.

OK thanks. The only player chant that really stood out was the one to Hart. But then I had lost interest in the game after about 15 minutes. Really do not think there was a loud chant for Oatway but there you go. I have to admit we missed somebody organising the team on Saturday, which he does well.

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Hmmmm.......I suppose so, I thought the ball was a lot closer when the challenge occured.

The ball ended up about three yards behind Langley after Mayo had shunted him out of the way! A reckless challenge to say the very least.