Make no mistake this was one point gained and not two lost as we were totally
outplayed for much of the game and at times we looked like MCallister was still
in charge !
I got the team pretty much spot on - but it was the one I got wrong - Kisnorbo
being out- was the one that counted.
Casper has gone back to flapping at crosses, punching instead of catching and
staying on his line when he should come out. Every cross into our box caused
concern on the terraces and many caused concern on the pitch too. Both their
goals cam from crosses. Given that they had what seemed like over a dozen
corners you can see how hard a game it was for us. IF Kisnorbo had played we
would not have looked so shaky at the back and our season could now depend on
how soon him and \ or Higgs and \ or Naylor are back and on form.
That is not to say that the 2 centre halves had bad games- Lube in particular
was a colossus at times , winning stuff in the air and throwing his body at the
ball time and again but we were very nervous and did not look like the team
with the best defensive record in the country.
The defence was also let down by the two full backs who both had a torrid
afternoon - I told my mates that Capaldi had looked solid and was better than
Hughes - he repaid this compliment by sloppy passing and generally faffing
about with the ball in dangerous areas, compounded by the fact that he was
beaten for pace \ flair on a number of occasions. Crowe was also being run
ragged on the opposite side and Howson gave him little support and cover.
Luckily their defence was also poor and we looked like scoring every time we
attacked with their keeper giving away both goals.
The first in the first minute came when he parried a shot from Vokes and then
when he tried to dive on it he managed instead to push it out to Snoddy to
score. Anyone who thought this dream start would lead to a rout was soon
brought back to earth when within minutes they had hit the post. We were under
a lot of pressure when half time came but had hung on and had had a few chances
ourselves.
After the break their pressure told and a cross was headed home for the
equaliser.
We then had our best spell of the game and Becchio came on for the hapless
Vokes and Gradel for Kilkenny (who had been at the heart of our best moves)
They then attacked and hit a great save that Casper parried and fell on the
loose ball before a huge kick from him led to Beckford (annoyed at some earlier
slight) jumping with the keeper and both ended on the floor and the ball fell
to Max who with 4 defenders in front of him and from a tight angle lashed it
home - brilliant goal.
After that the game was end to end (Becks had our two best chances at 1 -1) but
we continued to make life difficult for ourselves and when we failed to press
at a free kick and allowed the Hudds player to pick his cross some poor
defending saw the ball in the back of our net 2 - 2.
So overall a hugely disappointing display in front of a lot of day trippers in
the huge crowd of 36,000 day trippers who must wonder how we are walking away
with the league.
A look at the table on the way home when we had all played the same number of
games saw us 7 points in front of Charlton and 11 in front of 3rd and so all
was well with the world but hurry back Kisnorbo and Higgs !!
Dave
The soldiers from Yorkshire regiment got a great reception at half time, even
the coppers near us applauding them
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