LOST 5-17
Matt, Leo, Steve, Alan, Little Mike5, Carlos
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
vs. Athletico Becks 15/10/08 19:45 (7:9)
LOST 17-4
Matt, Leo, Steve1, Don, Mike3, Alan
I am Molly’s utter dejection.
With a minute left, we neared the end. The whistle tongued by the referee, pursing his lips and blowing for the seventeenth time as the Molly Maguires brushed the ball off the centre spot, and Mike smashed another long-range effort wide and harmless. This was the lowest ebb. Front row for Project Overkill, squirming in my seat, drifting dead like a space monkey.
We failed and here’s why. The reasons why you may already know. The opinions how you may not agree with. A 17-4 defeat, you cannot dispute.
Don’s immobility. Never known for his pace, Don nevertheless is as an immoveable object as a Teutonic plate, with a speed to match. With the ball, Don gets bounced off, without it he stumbles around as the defence get in behind him to lash shots in from angles. Even when Don got in the way, he merely acted like a ball ramp, a conduit to Matt’s far hand corner.
Matt’s handling. Utterly atrocious. We have to rely on Matt being worth at least half-a-dozen saved goals – proper, meaningful stops. Tonight he saved nothing worth talking about. His near post was constantly penetrated, and he couldn’t hold on to anything. The slippery surface beating him all ends up. He should have lost some sleep over this performance.
Leo’s fitness. Off the pace from the start. His reaction times and intercepting skills were non-existent, allowing him to be dragged into no-man’s land, as two attackers would leave him stranded, and the defence exposed. His shooting was predictable, and with their keeper, died in his arms (tonight).
Steve’s non-penetrating flick-ons. As focal midfield point man, Steve was tasked with creating opportunities through the midfield. This amounted to little more than incessant attempted flicks into the paths of runners, which rarely came-off. Gareth can make this tactic look good. The rest of us make this look like crap.
Alan’s dead end running. It’s returned. Alan’s inability to shake off his man, or play an early ball, frequently found him crowded out in the corner, isolated from his teammates and ripe for counter. Unable to step inside, to get the shot away with his right foot, Alan was caught between the wall and his marker, narrow like a moving trash compacter.
Mike’s shooting. Make no mistake, Mike can launch an exocet from long range, but rarely found the target from distance, without some lucky help. Shorter range - better chance to test their rookie keeper. It never happened. Mike thrives on ploughing through onto a final pass to hit shots goal ward. He was having to create that final pass for himself.
We didn’t man-mark tight enough. They had two defenders at the back that would play the ball between them until an angled pass on the wing became available. One of these defenders would then crash forward to get the return, and scatter our defenders all over the place. We played too deep, and too central without the necessary overlapping runner. Our shots were frequently from central positions and rarely troubling the keeper, when angled shots would have tested him more.
We played too frequently with our back to their goal, receiving the ball, and having to lay off the pass, because the turn and run just wasn’t capable of being achieved. There was no intelligent movement off the ball, forcing worthless passing, or Matt to rubbishly attempt his long throws, excruciatingly intercepted.
We needed to be tighter to our opposite numbers, especially when they had possession, even as to go so far as to man-mark them. They are not solo runners, they pass and move, rarely shooting from distance. A good zonal 2-2 system should’ve contained them, and our opportunities to counter would largely come from being harder in the tackle, winning the 50-50 ball, and bursting through their last man, rather than trying to play in behind them.
Short balls out of defence need to be adopted as the norm, except in obvious counter-act opportunities, but Matt’s so slow to get rid, the opposition closes the gaps before we can capitalise. We need to stop shooting from the centre circle, and instead play a short ball back, and then for the attackers to move into advanced space. Too frequently the ball gets played, and everyone remains static. All we did was concede territory. Finally, what’s with the slow free kicks? They blocked any close quarter shot we had, because our passing wasn’t firm enough, or too close to them.
On the plus side, Mike scored a wind assisted three goals, and he and Steve combined for a superb manoeuvre that allowed the latter to stroke home into the bottom far corner.
Can we do better next Wednesday against the same opposition? We are about to find out.
Matt, Leo, Steve1, Don, Mike3, Alan
I am Molly’s utter dejection.
With a minute left, we neared the end. The whistle tongued by the referee, pursing his lips and blowing for the seventeenth time as the Molly Maguires brushed the ball off the centre spot, and Mike smashed another long-range effort wide and harmless. This was the lowest ebb. Front row for Project Overkill, squirming in my seat, drifting dead like a space monkey.
We failed and here’s why. The reasons why you may already know. The opinions how you may not agree with. A 17-4 defeat, you cannot dispute.
Don’s immobility. Never known for his pace, Don nevertheless is as an immoveable object as a Teutonic plate, with a speed to match. With the ball, Don gets bounced off, without it he stumbles around as the defence get in behind him to lash shots in from angles. Even when Don got in the way, he merely acted like a ball ramp, a conduit to Matt’s far hand corner.
Matt’s handling. Utterly atrocious. We have to rely on Matt being worth at least half-a-dozen saved goals – proper, meaningful stops. Tonight he saved nothing worth talking about. His near post was constantly penetrated, and he couldn’t hold on to anything. The slippery surface beating him all ends up. He should have lost some sleep over this performance.
Leo’s fitness. Off the pace from the start. His reaction times and intercepting skills were non-existent, allowing him to be dragged into no-man’s land, as two attackers would leave him stranded, and the defence exposed. His shooting was predictable, and with their keeper, died in his arms (tonight).
Steve’s non-penetrating flick-ons. As focal midfield point man, Steve was tasked with creating opportunities through the midfield. This amounted to little more than incessant attempted flicks into the paths of runners, which rarely came-off. Gareth can make this tactic look good. The rest of us make this look like crap.
Alan’s dead end running. It’s returned. Alan’s inability to shake off his man, or play an early ball, frequently found him crowded out in the corner, isolated from his teammates and ripe for counter. Unable to step inside, to get the shot away with his right foot, Alan was caught between the wall and his marker, narrow like a moving trash compacter.
Mike’s shooting. Make no mistake, Mike can launch an exocet from long range, but rarely found the target from distance, without some lucky help. Shorter range - better chance to test their rookie keeper. It never happened. Mike thrives on ploughing through onto a final pass to hit shots goal ward. He was having to create that final pass for himself.
We didn’t man-mark tight enough. They had two defenders at the back that would play the ball between them until an angled pass on the wing became available. One of these defenders would then crash forward to get the return, and scatter our defenders all over the place. We played too deep, and too central without the necessary overlapping runner. Our shots were frequently from central positions and rarely troubling the keeper, when angled shots would have tested him more.
We played too frequently with our back to their goal, receiving the ball, and having to lay off the pass, because the turn and run just wasn’t capable of being achieved. There was no intelligent movement off the ball, forcing worthless passing, or Matt to rubbishly attempt his long throws, excruciatingly intercepted.
We needed to be tighter to our opposite numbers, especially when they had possession, even as to go so far as to man-mark them. They are not solo runners, they pass and move, rarely shooting from distance. A good zonal 2-2 system should’ve contained them, and our opportunities to counter would largely come from being harder in the tackle, winning the 50-50 ball, and bursting through their last man, rather than trying to play in behind them.
Short balls out of defence need to be adopted as the norm, except in obvious counter-act opportunities, but Matt’s so slow to get rid, the opposition closes the gaps before we can capitalise. We need to stop shooting from the centre circle, and instead play a short ball back, and then for the attackers to move into advanced space. Too frequently the ball gets played, and everyone remains static. All we did was concede territory. Finally, what’s with the slow free kicks? They blocked any close quarter shot we had, because our passing wasn’t firm enough, or too close to them.
On the plus side, Mike scored a wind assisted three goals, and he and Steve combined for a superb manoeuvre that allowed the latter to stroke home into the bottom far corner.
Can we do better next Wednesday against the same opposition? We are about to find out.
Thursday, 16 October 2008
'Anonymous' comments (Athletico Becks 15/10/08)
Our Anonymous reporter is a lot more forgiving than I intend to be:
"Outplayed the team was no match for A.Becks whose total age was a young 120 years where the mollies was in the region of 267 years. Don coming coming out of retirement had little or no effect however he score a hatrick in his own goal something he has never done in his long career. Whilst denying his unfitnessto play his legs lacked the youthful pace of the other team.Steve and Allen were attempting to excercise the mid field general role long vacated by John's retirement.Shouting above each other but lacking a sense of direction they could have used their energies by scoring more goals.In fairness the other teams youthful players man marked and slipped away from our marking quite easily. They passing was good and their finishing was excellent we sadly need a coach which we all will listen to. Never the less we deserved a better,result. a point of note they played with 7 players like Testwood and were able to sub more frequently. Or I'm just looking for excuses. If we had 4 unfit players?I have to say I was the worst."
"Outplayed the team was no match for A.Becks whose total age was a young 120 years where the mollies was in the region of 267 years. Don coming coming out of retirement had little or no effect however he score a hatrick in his own goal something he has never done in his long career. Whilst denying his unfitnessto play his legs lacked the youthful pace of the other team.Steve and Allen were attempting to excercise the mid field general role long vacated by John's retirement.Shouting above each other but lacking a sense of direction they could have used their energies by scoring more goals.In fairness the other teams youthful players man marked and slipped away from our marking quite easily. They passing was good and their finishing was excellent we sadly need a coach which we all will listen to. Never the less we deserved a better,result. a point of note they played with 7 players like Testwood and were able to sub more frequently. Or I'm just looking for excuses. If we had 4 unfit players?I have to say I was the worst."
Friday, 10 October 2008
'Anonymous' comments (Ali Jazeera 8/10/08)
Thanks again for this dissenting view from our regular contributor:
"With leo, natnan, Gareth injured,That Don was asked to attend and play was quickly dismissed when Allen and Steve over ruled the captains decision by the attitude WE paided our £6.50 and we want our monies@s worth. Sadly Steve wasn't match fit and Allen was off form both scoring no goals.Effort was good however but clearly but for a above par performance by Matt we would have suffered a bigger defeat. Young Mike played well but tired towards the last 15 minutes Big Mike endured his chest problems and was involved throughout.Allen's nephew made up the team 6 as agreed by S&A rule69 appendix Z.But as a ringer lacked in depth football knowledge however to his credit he did score but sadly liken to gareth's friend Micheal may not be called again to play again in our league. Not nice to watch"
"With leo, natnan, Gareth injured,That Don was asked to attend and play was quickly dismissed when Allen and Steve over ruled the captains decision by the attitude WE paided our £6.50 and we want our monies@s worth. Sadly Steve wasn't match fit and Allen was off form both scoring no goals.Effort was good however but clearly but for a above par performance by Matt we would have suffered a bigger defeat. Young Mike played well but tired towards the last 15 minutes Big Mike endured his chest problems and was involved throughout.Allen's nephew made up the team 6 as agreed by S&A rule69 appendix Z.But as a ringer lacked in depth football knowledge however to his credit he did score but sadly liken to gareth's friend Micheal may not be called again to play again in our league. Not nice to watch"
Thursday, 9 October 2008
vs. Ali-Jazeera 8/10/08 19:00 (7:8)
LOST 12-5
Matt, Little Mike4, Steve, Alan, Little James1, Big Mike
"Good effort last night despite going down 12-5. Little Mike of the Jesus hair scored four (although he obviously didn't try hard enough as he followed our match by playing for the Elite of division 1) and James (Alan's nephew continuing the current trend of extended family and fiancees - nephews - girlfriends - brothers pet dog playing up front) scored 1. However, we were uncharacteristically loose at the back at times last night leading to a few 2 on 1's. Hopefully Leo's elephant leg will heal soon.
Next week i have been confidently assured by the Goals staff is still on (despite Goals looking like a ghost town last night) and is a 7.45 kick off.
I would expect a very similar team to last night with Gareth being out for about 3 more weeks and Nathan out for at least that long."
Matt, Little Mike4, Steve, Alan, Little James1, Big Mike
"Good effort last night despite going down 12-5. Little Mike of the Jesus hair scored four (although he obviously didn't try hard enough as he followed our match by playing for the Elite of division 1) and James (Alan's nephew continuing the current trend of extended family and fiancees - nephews - girlfriends - brothers pet dog playing up front) scored 1. However, we were uncharacteristically loose at the back at times last night leading to a few 2 on 1's. Hopefully Leo's elephant leg will heal soon.
Next week i have been confidently assured by the Goals staff is still on (despite Goals looking like a ghost town last night) and is a 7.45 kick off.
I would expect a very similar team to last night with Gareth being out for about 3 more weeks and Nathan out for at least that long."
Monday, 6 October 2008
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