It was an anniversary of sorts too. Poya made his debut as manager in a goalless draw at struggling Posh back in November, a match we’d gone not to lose, rather than win. Sort the defence out was Asbaghi’s mantra, despite the fact the defence were the ones keeping us in this season. 5 months later, our goalscoring problems persist, while we can’t even keep a clean sheet at home to the hapless Posh. (To paraphrase Collins, if they’re hapless, what are we?)
By the full-time whistle, I thought we had Jose Morais back in charge. We had 5 centre forwards on the pitch and a midfield consisting of Matty Wolfe. Well, at least Poya gives us what we want. We complained the other week (against Reading, as the defence valiantly held on for an hour) that Poya wouldn’t stick on a forward, wouldn’t put Big Vic on for the midget (Bassi) who we were hoofing high balls to, ‘cos the defence were playing so well’. And we were winning. ‘It was a risk.’ No risk here, we were two down to the (second) worst team in the league. Forwards? Stick another one on, why not!? (It was a pity he’d used up his 3rd sub, I could see Iseka yet coming on for Wolfe.)
Unlucky? The match stats suggest so. 59% possession, 9-3 on corners, 19-10 on shots (11-4 on target). 0-2 on goals. After a promising 20 odd minutes (I say promising, I missed the first 5, but heard Quina hit the bar) Palmer loses the ball in midfield (there’s a first!) and a pass later they’re clean through. Unfortunately, one thing Posh players have been good at over the years is scoring, and he did, beating Walton on the near post. Their keeper had earlier tipped over a looping header from Morris, and saved a Palmer snapshot, yet they also created the best opening, as a defence splitting reverse pass played their striker through for a one-on-one (Walton saving). Do we have ANYONE who could have made that pass, let alone a central midfield player? (I think we do, see who later.)
The second half was mostly one way traffic, goalmouth scrambles, blocks and saves. Apart from the free header off a corner, which made it 0-2. I said we were 9-3 on corners, but my abiding memory of our efforts were a failure to beat the first man and easily headed clear. Our dead ball delivery woz rubbish. We even had a free kick on the edge of the box and we waited two minutes to see the result, as an age was spent deciding who would put it into the crowd, Quina, Woodrow (welcome back!) or Styles? In the end, Styles was given the duty of skying the ball so the defence could get back into position. That WAS the plan, right? Finally, in injury time, game lost, Morris turns a defender and slots it home. Only no he doesn’t, he skies it too. The ref, perplexed, gives a corner. Still, even if it did skim a Posh player, it was another miss which sums up our season. Posh thus kept their first clean sheet of the season. See you in division 3!
Onwards and upwards!
*** Morris. You know what he brings, he brings it every game., but one moment summed him up. We’re losing, and one of our players is lying down injured, holding the game up. Morris runs 20 yards to pick him up to his feet, wanting us to get on with the game, while everyone else stands around, scratching their nads.
** Quina. Only one who LOOKED like he might break the deadlock, do something, etc.
* Palmer. Good distribution, decent going forward, outstanding movement for snapshot. Is it contract renewal time? (Note, subbed off at 0-2, and hey! We didn’t concede any more…just saying)
Official MOTM: Morris
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Morris 2. Palmer 3. Quina
Despatches:
I’d been to see a Northern League game (West Allotment Celtic v champions North Shields) in the morning, hence arriving late for the match. I knew I’d have to leave early, I thought maybe 15 minutes. In the end, I left at half-time, thinking I’ll have a leisurely drive and ‘comfort break’. Bloody Easter traffic!
On the pitch, it was good to see Cauley come back after injury (not that he was missed given his ‘achievements’ over the past year and a half). Injury-wise, are we unlucky, or are there underlying reasons for our injury list? We were promised things would improve on the pitch when Morris and Andersen came back after the first two months out (they didn’t)….now we have keeper Collins and Helik (arguably our best two players this season) out for the season, as well as Jordan Williams, who himself had been our best player for a month before the inevitable. Now we get to see Callum Brittain again. What was that about form being temporary and class permanent? Of course, some of our ‘class’ players (Woodrow, Styles, Brittain) have been off form for so long, I wonder if we’ve misjudged their ability? Anyway, let’s hope another club misjudges them similarly and parts with a generous wedge for their services at season’s end.
I’d happily part with Asbaghi too. As I said, he can’t buy a goal, and those who look capable (Quina, Bassi) aren’t ours….and I’m not convinced Asbaghi had any influence on them coming in. But after the honeymoon period, we’ve even dragged those 2 down. Let’s be honest – the average Joe in the street could manage us to 0-2 against Peterborough. We have scored 2 or more goals 4 times in 22 games under Asbaghi. Essentially, we need to keep a clean sheet to have a chance. Statistically though, we are more than twice as likely (9 in 22) not to score. Every statistic possible points to us being ABYSMAL. And if it wasn’t for Quina and Bassi we’d probably have broken records….least points, least goals, etc. As it is, they’ve put a bit of gloss on a woeful campaign, the proverbial polish on a dog turd.
And talking of turd…why give Romal Palmer a game ahead of Matty Wolfe, if he’s at the end of his contract and we’re getting rid? My theory is the manager is considering giving him a new deal. Indeed, Nozzer thinks he’s been offered one and has turned us down (turned US down? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.) It would be a lovely parting gift from Asbaghi, lumbering us for another 3 years with this deadwood. (Can someone save this comment, to rub in my face this time next year, as a Palmer-inspired Reds side romp division 3? Or simply forget I was the first to call out this shyster, this pretend footballer, this Jacob ba5tard f***ing Mellis tribute act.)
Oh, that decent passer in our midfield? That would be Cauley Woodrow, who once again showed he had the vision to make a forward pass, whilst not having the speed to get on one of these himself. (I mean a pass from one of his colleagues; of course he doesn’t have the speed to get on the end of his own passes.)
Drink du jour: I’d say an expensive flat white at Wetherby Services but a) it was Scotch Corner and b) it was ‘free’ thanks to loyalty points.
Away: 400? I’m not sure they said, but not many. 38 minutes before a round of ‘Barnsley’s a sh*thole’, but generally they were very quiet considering they were beating us.
Points per game under Asbaghi: 0.86 (19 points in 22 matches)
The Damage:
£32 travel
= £32
I saved money (again) by being too late to buy a programme. I know BFC don’t wanna be lumbered with spares, but in consistently selling out, it suggests they don’t print enough. Don’t they wanna make money!?
The Tunes:
New Long Leg (Dry Cleaning)
Spellbound: The Collection (Siouxsie and the Banshees)
Brighton EP (Lost Horizons)
Wet Leg (Wet Leg)
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