‘Can I have the veggie breakfast, with a side order of bacon?’
Brought some pals from that there London for the Gills match. How much do you reckon it is for an East Upper ticket on the day? That’s right, 27 quid. And you wonder why our on the day walk-in gate is pitiful. Maybe it’s cheaper if you buy in advance – but I didn’t know who’d want to come (given the last time involved a goalless draw, a missed pen and a thorough post-match drenching). Ho hum.
The fayre was improved this time. I have to say I think LJ is being a bit harsh when he says we ‘won ugly’ – cos that was the best I’ve seen them thus far. Perhaps he prefers ‘losing beautifully’ (Everton, home). Aside from the 1st 10 minutes, when Mawson nearly gifted them a goal and then was too hapless to bring their lad down (Nyatanga to the rescue, on the cover), they never threatened. Ok, they hit the post – in injury time. We controlled it.
At the epicentre was Pearson, who broke down opposition moves before laying it off for our pile of attacking midfielders. He then drove home a 20 yarder from the edge of the box when the cross was half cleared. Then, in 1st half injury time, Winnall made it safe, running from 5 yards behind their defender who simply stood and stared as the ball came to him. I’ve seen defending like that before at Oakwell. Winnall nicked in front of him and dragged it into the bottom corner. He is the Jimmy Greaves of the lower divisions.
If there was any disappointment, it was in not being greedy and pasting them in the 2nd half. If this Gills lot are promotion contenders (they’re not) then we’re absolute certs for promotion. As has been said, we lost it a bit when Crowley came on, but for all he lost the ball with his 1st 5 touches, he was supreme thereafter. Just needed to get his eye in!
*** Pearson of Manchester United. Ran the game.
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| One unemployed keeper |
Brought some pals from that there London for the Gills match. How much do you reckon it is for an East Upper ticket on the day? That’s right, 27 quid. And you wonder why our on the day walk-in gate is pitiful. Maybe it’s cheaper if you buy in advance – but I didn’t know who’d want to come (given the last time involved a goalless draw, a missed pen and a thorough post-match drenching). Ho hum.
The fayre was improved this time. I have to say I think LJ is being a bit harsh when he says we ‘won ugly’ – cos that was the best I’ve seen them thus far. Perhaps he prefers ‘losing beautifully’ (Everton, home). Aside from the 1st 10 minutes, when Mawson nearly gifted them a goal and then was too hapless to bring their lad down (Nyatanga to the rescue, on the cover), they never threatened. Ok, they hit the post – in injury time. We controlled it.
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| The Gills' hordes. All 248 of 'em. |
At the epicentre was Pearson, who broke down opposition moves before laying it off for our pile of attacking midfielders. He then drove home a 20 yarder from the edge of the box when the cross was half cleared. Then, in 1st half injury time, Winnall made it safe, running from 5 yards behind their defender who simply stood and stared as the ball came to him. I’ve seen defending like that before at Oakwell. Winnall nicked in front of him and dragged it into the bottom corner. He is the Jimmy Greaves of the lower divisions.
If there was any disappointment, it was in not being greedy and pasting them in the 2nd half. If this Gills lot are promotion contenders (they’re not) then we’re absolute certs for promotion. As has been said, we lost it a bit when Crowley came on, but for all he lost the ball with his 1st 5 touches, he was supreme thereafter. Just needed to get his eye in!
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| The Ponty |
*** Pearson of Manchester United. Ran the game.
** Smith of Barnsley. Seemed involved in most things, which was odd for a left back. LJ likes him cos he gets up in support and crosses a ball. Shame then that LJ doesn’t play anyone he can cross it TO. Twitter MOTM.
* Harris of Cardiff City. I like this bloke. Runs at people, worries them..and even if he loses it, balls run loose to oncoming midfielders.
Londontykes' Top 3:
1. Pearson
2. G. Smith
3. Watkins
Despatches:
The attacking midfield did well as a unit, without pulling up trees individually. Though, stealing a line from an earlier report, ‘Hourihane proved he’s Premiership class by blaming other players when his passes went astray’. Well, once. But I do get p***ed off as he hangs into the ball too long, waits for the wide player to run past him (offside), THEN he plays the ball. It’s not that I specifically look out for these things, they happen. (Late 2nd half, down our left – so I’d be amazed if the three mouseketeers of Reedy, Slacki and Salisbury never saw it). LJ – have a word.
Nyatanga was class at centre half. Or does Mawson make him stand out? Mawson can look a class act, intercepting a through ball before strolling out confidently…only to get tackled in possession in their half or pass the ball to them or the stand. For me, he’s got to improve before he becomes the new Jim McNulty/Brian O’Callaghan. (‘But half the Championship want him!’ Yes, that’s why he signed for us.) I also thought Wabara had a strong game at right back, while the kamikaze keeper Townsend was calmness personified, making a couple of decent stops and claiming everything in the air.
Drink du jour: without me for the journey, I know Slacki was keen to hit the gin. Sounds like he did.
Away: 248. Meaning barely over 8,000 Reds.
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| The subs warm down afterwards |
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| Oakwell empties. |
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| Match action |
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| The old Main Stand |
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