‘Normal service has resumed’
Another week, another loss. Two games in a row of Armstrong and Winnall up front. It’s not working, despite their hardwork. Balls aren’t being held up, we’re being put back under the cosh and we’re losing goals. Something has to give. Pre-match, I thought it had. Marley Watkins was back in the team, but up front? Oh no. Let’s drop Kent and stick Marley wide midfield. If it was meant to make us harder to break down, it didn’t work. Brighton were all over us like a rash in that opening 15 and we’d had several let-offs before they scored. And for a 2nd week in a row, the opposition score from OUR attack. Their left back clears a ball to the opposite wing and suddenly it’s 3 on 3. As we retreat, their movement and passing has us all over the place and a low cross is buried by Glenn Murray.
Before that, Davies had saved a one-on-one (great) and had two clearances charged down (not great). Knockaert on the right wing was a particular threat, for all the plaudits Murray seems to be getting. Kpekewa never got near him, but I’m prepared to give him the benefit – White wouldn’t have got near him either. Winnall missed a(nother) simple header, but was given offside. Dire syndrome. We scraped in at 1-0, grateful not to be further embarrassed. The second half will be different.
It wasn’t. Brighton continued to press and within 3 minutes of the re-start they’re two up, a free kick from the left flicked in by Murray. It’s all too easy. We awaited Hecky’s changes and 20 mins in, on comes Kent, for Marley. We have our best 5 minutes of the match as Kent shows Hamill how to take a player on. We even have a shot, as a one-two and snapshot from Winnall (I’m sure it was him, tho newspapers suggest it was Scowen) nearly catch the keeper out. It was the only time we threatened, despite Bradshaw and Morsy replacing Winnall and Scowen with 10 mins left. We were well beaten and perhaps we’re now realising how difficult this division is. The worry is that if we don’t get a result soon, things could spiral.
*** Kent. Responsible for the 5 minutes of pressure we had. That’s how lowly I rated the rest.** Roberts. Says it all. Decent display yet their centre forward still scored 2. But the midfield were (again) overran.* McDonald. As above.
 |
| Off at Falmer |
Another week, another loss. Two games in a row of Armstrong and Winnall up front. It’s not working, despite their hardwork. Balls aren’t being held up, we’re being put back under the cosh and we’re losing goals. Something has to give. Pre-match, I thought it had. Marley Watkins was back in the team, but up front? Oh no. Let’s drop Kent and stick Marley wide midfield. If it was meant to make us harder to break down, it didn’t work. Brighton were all over us like a rash in that opening 15 and we’d had several let-offs before they scored. And for a 2nd week in a row, the opposition score from OUR attack. Their left back clears a ball to the opposite wing and suddenly it’s 3 on 3. As we retreat, their movement and passing has us all over the place and a low cross is buried by Glenn Murray.
 |
| Brighton's hilltop fortifications |
Before that, Davies had saved a one-on-one (great) and had two clearances charged down (not great). Knockaert on the right wing was a particular threat, for all the plaudits Murray seems to be getting. Kpekewa never got near him, but I’m prepared to give him the benefit – White wouldn’t have got near him either. Winnall missed a(nother) simple header, but was given offside. Dire syndrome. We scraped in at 1-0, grateful not to be further embarrassed. The second half will be different.
 |
| Through the |
It wasn’t. Brighton continued to press and within 3 minutes of the re-start they’re two up, a free kick from the left flicked in by Murray. It’s all too easy. We awaited Hecky’s changes and 20 mins in, on comes Kent, for Marley. We have our best 5 minutes of the match as Kent shows Hamill how to take a player on. We even have a shot, as a one-two and snapshot from Winnall (I’m sure it was him, tho newspapers suggest it was Scowen) nearly catch the keeper out. It was the only time we threatened, despite Bradshaw and Morsy replacing Winnall and Scowen with 10 mins left. We were well beaten and perhaps we’re now realising how difficult this division is. The worry is that if we don’t get a result soon, things could spiral.
 |
| The teams come out |
*** Kent. Responsible for the 5 minutes of pressure we had. That’s how lowly I rated the rest.** Roberts. Says it all. Decent display yet their centre forward still scored 2. But the midfield were (again) overran.* McDonald. As above.
Londontykes MOTM:1. Kent2= Roberts2= Scowen
Despatches: Obviously, the best thing about Brighton is…Brighton. So a cracking few beers before and after in the Morning Star, and plenty of friendly locals wanting to chat, as well as appearances from Farnham, Jim, Pompey (and his navy mates). We might even have recruited a new Londontyke or two…the doughball master from Brighton, the Chingford Massive and London Jesus. We didn’t even have to queue for a train afterwards, though we did have a beer in the ground first.
As for the players, Winnall and Armstrong were invisible. Winnall in particular was coming under various abusive comments from those around us. I never even had to say owt! (But I did.) His inability to hold a ball up or pick a pass means he’s on very borrowed time. Armstrong had one run late on and that’s it. GET MARLEY UP TOP. Hammill either lost it or looked for free kicks that simply weren’t there. Like Winnall, he goes down when he thinks he can’t get the ball. He’s also on borrowed time, cos I’ve heard he’s not had a decent game this season. I thought Yiadom was ok again, mainly cos Brighton attacked our left. Anyone would think they knew Kpekewa can’t defend…and I’ve not seen owt to suggest otherwise. Hourihane had a decent 1st half, before disappearing, while Scowen ran about to no avail. And Davies made a few saves, but the abiding memory was his inability to clear the ball.
Down to 7th, riding the cusp of the play-offs.
 |
| I do like Brighton's stadium... |
Drink du jour: I went all ‘Boho’ (lager) in the pub while I can’t believe I actually drank a pint of Fosters at the stadium, but there was nothing else. Special mention to the fish and chips too. Oh, and I didn’t fall asleep on the bus: one handy thing about catching a bus from East Croydon is that the last stop is Peckham!
Away: 712, though Andy disputes this, given that we’d sold 712 in advance. Personally, I’m amazed it was even 700, looked about 300 to me. Still, a fair bit of noise and a few chants of ‘your support is f***ing s***’ and ‘2-0 up and you still don’t sing’. Another rousing chorus of ‘Barnsalee, Barnsalee’ at full time. The fans are still with manager and team.
Will Winnall score 10 league goals this season? A new feature this year, as you all hope and pray I lose 50 of your finest maj’s English pounds. Farnham: ‘No’. Jim: ‘Yes, I think he will.’ 9 games in, one goal. It’s not looking good for SSW.
The Damage:
9 train
30 ent (which included travel to the stadium, though Reedy didn’t know this so we paid twice)
3.50 prog
= 42.50
The Tunes:
Blue Bell Knoll (Cocteau Twins)
Nowhere (Ride)
 |
| The Amex Panorama |
 |
| That really IS the angle at the far end. |
No comments:
Post a Comment