And so it was that we walked to Oakwell in an odd state of mind. Nobody in Spiral argued we should keep him, though a few lads were chanting that Hourihane chant that pervaded Oakwell in the early doors of the season, about Conor taking us to the promised land. ‘Problies the same people who were chanting for him to be sacked’ said one of our cynical crew (not me, for a change). Expectation was firmly on being turned over and I was particularly dreading 5,000 Bantams crowing (pun intended) throughout.
The team was unchanged from Tuesday at Port Vale, which meant Cleary benched (boooo) with Captain Marvel (huzzah!), Yoganathan and Bland playing centre mid. Let’s see how that goes. Not very well is the answer, as Yoga goes through their player, a millisecond after the ball had gone. In real time, right in front of me, I didn’t think there was much in it. But having seen it on the screen at half-time, I can see where the ref gets his red card from. My main grievance lay in the split second it took him to get his card out. The ref could have bought himself some time, see the player wasn’t hurt after all, and dished out a yellow. Instead, he chose to ruin the game and create a rod for his own back. EVERY decision was now scrutinised, leading to a foul on our keeper which looked at least as dangerous, but obviously didn’t lead to a red their way. Still, as Reedy said, it did lead to a performance that ‘showed character, energy, commitment and dare I say it, passion, something that's been lacking most of this season.’
We also had a couple of appeals for handball turned down, that 1st half. While I didn’t think there was much in the first, the second one undoubtedly hits the Bradford player’s hand. Still, Bradshaw could have made it academic, rather than clearing the bar with the rebound from 6 yards. However, the perceived bias of the ref did everything to improve the atmosphere. And we took the game to ‘em, looking the better side in the opening half, despite 10 men. And those Bradford fans? Never heard ‘em.
Half-time, and Earl hauled for MdG at left back. Surely an injury? Interesting choice of left back too, considering how many times O’Keeffe has deputised there. But we continued to be strong. Roberts was winning everything at the back, while Banks and Kelly were taking pressure off the back 4 by running with it. And then the unexpected! Roberts throws a ball, what...35 yards? 70 yards? 100 yards? It is a MAMMOTH throw and in a crowded box, O’Connell gets a flick on and guides it into the far corner. Pandemonium! We have only taken the lead against play-off placed Bratfut, with 10 men. F***ing have that, you c***s!
At least we’ve been allowed one tiny moment of joy in what will surely now be an onslaught.
We nearly double the lead. Banks’ shot loops off a defender and their keeper pulls off a worldy. That was our chance. Now, surely there’ll be an onslaught. Only it doesn’t happen. Well, not till he takes off Banks and Phillips for Cleary and Connell. The finishers. Goodman makes a wonder save of his own and the ground can’t quite believe it wasn’t a goal. In the East Upper we were convinced Goodman was behind his line and that a goal would be given, but the seconds passed and the ref’s watch didn’t buzz. We’d survived!
However, on 73, the dam burst. It was probably asking too much for our defence to hold out when all season they’d not been able to, but still, it was annoying that a simple cross was headed in all too easily, their player outjumping MdG. Can we at least hang on for a point? It’s a long way to go. Probably not. It’s all Bradford now, but Goodman is standing tall. He’s in one of his ‘coming off his line’ games and actually looks like a goalkeeper. Coach Conor sends on Watson for Bradshaw. Strengthen the defence, etc. It works – for 3 minutes.
The ball is cleared out to their left. Absolutely NOBODY makes any effort to go out and close the player down and the Bantam can just pick his spot. He does – straight to Roberts’ head. THIS is how you lose my MOTM vote. Head one into your own net. I wouldn’t care, but on replays, it’s not like it’s too high for him. He seems to bend forward, get under it, and flick it home. Andy Gray (Everton version) woulda been proud. That’s it, game over.
Only it isn’t. In a reversal of his substitution 10 minutes earlier, Coach Conor sends on CF Farrell for (nominal) defender O’Keeffe. We’ve seen this before this season. Send on Farrell to run about up top to absolutely zero effect. No-one is under any illusion anything will come of this. Time is running out. There can’t be more than about 30 seconds left. Kelly makes one last run forward, then splits the defence with the pass of the season for Cleary to run onto and cross it low for FARRREELLLLLLLL to bundle home. If I thought it was pandemonium after our opening goal, it’s nothing to the explosion at the equaliser. Not two minutes earlier I was listening to ‘how s*** must you be, we’re winning away’. Now everyone in the home end is going berserk. Coach Conor for Prime Minister! And King! And...and...well, anything except our Head Coach.
Good luck, Conor.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Kelly. Never gave up, comfortable in possession, foraging runs...and THAT pass.
** Goodman. Made a wonder save, made some other saves, caught and punched crosses.
* Banks. Alleviated a lot of pressure on the defence by his ability to keep hold of the ball and but for an incredible save, woulda put us 2 up.
Official MOTM: Bland
Londontykes’ MOTM: TBA
Despatches:
What will Coach Conor’s legacy be? I’d love to think it was the (promised) high press and positive attack play, epitomised by the use of 2 wingers. However, we all know, in years to come, the one remembrance of this season will be its legendary (lack of) defence and record-breaking run of games without a clean sheet. An 11th ‘permanent’ manager in 11 seasons, Coach Conor follows this list of luminaries: (going backwards...Darrell Clarke, Neill Collins, Michael Duff, Poya Asbaghi, Markus Schopp, Valerien Ismael, Gerhard Struber, Daniel Stendal, Jose Morais, Paul Heckingbottom).
Of course, none of us wishes to see this turnover of managers/head coaches. But it is what it is. Essentially, if there is no hint of improvement on the horizon, the head honcho has to go. Especially with season ticket renewal upon us. Coach Conor has had all season to find an answer to the defensive travails. It started at the beginning, shipping out Cotter and O’Keeffe cos they can’t defend. Fast forward 8 months and O’Keeffe is back, and a mainstay. He even brought in a left-footed left back (Ogbeta), who, after initial promise, has disappeared. He promised us a back 4, with fullbacks who might occasionally stop a cross, and he ends with a left winger having 20 yards of freedom to pick his spot (Bradford’s equaliser) and 3 players trying to play left back in the same game (the only left footer of which is actually a centre half played out of position). He’s chopped and changed personnel (though, remarkably, kept faith with Shepherd, till it was too late). He showed unbelievable faith in a Roberts/Shepherd partnership. He froze out MdG till lately.
To add to all this, he’s tactically limited/stubborn. The undynamic duo in midfield, Luca Connell and Jonathan Bland, drives me mad. Though as The GOAT still revels in mystifying positivism from everyone I know, it’s decided that it’s all Captain Marvel’s fault. Tis true, Connell is a shadow of the shadow of his former self (season 1 version). Now, I don’t know how he gets a game. We play 2 defensive midfielders and we never stop the opposition from running through us.
Another criticism is his signings. Coach Conor must have the most limited contact book in football. Aside from bagging McG, seemingly based on bumping into him at a wedding, what’s he (rather than the club) tempted in? Jake Rooney? Christ. Imagine bringing in a defender who can’t displace Shepherd, Roberts, Earl, MdG…et al. And then gets a run out at left back. (LEFT BACK! I have fallen out all season with Conor over left back, at least from the time he dropped Ogbeta whilst playing well).
Does Conor also have problems getting on with players? Or just lack their respect? It’s recently come out that Gent has disappeared for disciplinary reasons. We haven’t seen Nwakali all season following last term’s fallout. Fair enough, you have to have some discipline, but on wages like Nwakali’s reputedly on, you also can’t afford to freeze them out completely. Especially when he’s Luca’s natural replacement (if he insists on playing a defensive 2 in midfield).
Yes, sorry Conor. I can picture that ‘mutual agreed’ now. The club: ‘we don’t think you’re good enough.’ Conor: ‘Neither do I.’ After all, you told us as much the other week, after Doncaster Rovers turned us over. We were fools to think we’d challenge for the play-offs this season and it’ll be the same, if not worse, next season. You signed your own death warrant, Conor, right there. ‘I’m not good enough to improve these players to a level whereby we’ll have a sniff of promotion.’ He’s yet another rent-a-coach. Done the badges, got the qualifications, all learnt the same thing, but provided little in the way of innovation. Yes, we’ve had some entertaining attacking displays, but, in retrospect, where would we be without 1st DKD, then McG, getting a bag of goals?
However, was he sold a pup by the club? Can anyone polish the turd that is our line up of defenders? Well, are our defenders (player for player) any worse than other 3rd division sides? Worse than Stevenage, to name but one divisional rival with a far lower budget than ourselves? Anyway, I don’t buy it. Yes, I’d happily get rid of everyone in our defence and start again. No, I don’t think they’re any worse than what I see in this division. Can another manager make a better silk purse out of this sow’s ear? One has to think so.
Goodbye Conor. Your time is up.
Drink du jour: Beartown Inception in Spiral.
Away: 5,144. ‘How s*** must you be, we’re winning away.’ And then you weren’t. Ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa. 82 minutes against 10 men. Still PMSL.
The Damage:
£8 petrol
£4 prog
= £8
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