The Lower League Thread

Got a poor manager as well

Blimey - 6-0 up at QPR, and could well be in double figures. Not bad.

Did not see this result at QPR coming tonight, delighted Mitro got on the score sheet though.

Not used to Newcastle being good at defending.

Kept about 35 clean sheets in a row.

Not that fussed we lost last night. It was one of those where thanks to our good start anything was a bonus. As it was, an individual error cost us. Ho hum. On to QPR - who defended like drains last night, so I hope they keep that up (which means a flat back 8 camped out on its 18-yard line which we fail to break down before cocking up and losing 1-0, if previous experience is anything to go by).

Shelvey looked genuinely good on the highlights. Perez looks back to his best as well.

Good to see us finally actually attacking teams and looking like we can score from open play.

Was listening on the radio and Shelvey was at the heart of most things we were doing going forward it seemed, was linking up with Perez constantly.

He seems to be way fitter and isn't huffing when he doesn't have the ball which is the most important thing - he's always had a good touch and pass.

Newcastle can fuck off

We win 6-0 away on Tuesday, Wolves lose 4-0 at home on Tuesday but yet they beat us today at St. James'?

Fuck, I hate the Championship.

Typical bloody Newcastle. Not least with Anita getting sent off after a good run.

Clearly more work is needed. Although tbh, given what happened on Tuesday, something felt inevitable about this.

The one that got away.

2-1 win at Swindon today. Game of two halves really. Started the game with only 1 nominal centre back as Leon Barnett and Nathan Cameron all face lengthy spells out. so was getting pretty worried at this point. First half was pretty good though, started off bright and went 1-0 up through Hallam Hope. Then Swindon looked like they equalized but after lenghty discussions the goal wasn't given. Didn't know what was going on at first and looking at Sky's footage it was a close call but I do think Delfouneso was onside, so we got lucky there. Even luckier wh nHallam Hope made it 2-0 just before half time. Second half they were all over us and we looked like we're going to fall short. Swindon made it 1-2 around the hour mark (keeper should have done better) and I was fearing the worst but luckily enough, we managed to hold on and take the three points.

Up to third now. But got a difficult game coming up in Chesterfield. Strangely enough, this season reminds me of last season. Starting off bright, then collapsing around christmas. Hope we can cut out the collapsing bit this time around though

Well, that was a 2-1 hammering. Ended up clinging on a bit at the end because of that stupid rule where a player who gets treatment has to leave the pitch (defending a corner that I have to say I didn't think was a corner - I don't think the ball went out and I think the linesman, who was blind side, was guessing. My view was certainly better than his could have been), meaning QPR scored with pretty much their only meaningful attack of the entire game while we were down to 10. Down at the other end, we scored twice, had one (most likely correctly, given the lack of protest and the fact he looked off from the far end) disallowed, had two good penalty shouts turned down (first one looked like a very good shout for handball, the second I'd like to see again, a possible trip). We didn't pull the trigger enough, to be honest, despite outclassing QPR for the majority of the game.

I may sound like I'm criticising the officials above, as per, but actually I felt they were pretty sound, linesman on the far side aside (he was shocking - gave every borderline decision he could the wrong way, especially if it was an offside). Ref was dealt a bad hand with the goal because it's a truly stupid rule and it costs teams through no fault of their own. His decisions were otherwise consistent and fair. The only quibble I have without seeing anything again is the handball, because my first impression was that his hand was away from his body and he blocked a shot - but handball being what it is these days the ref is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Someone will always disagree with his decision.

Also, QPR fans are very dim. Sarcastically applauded our gate of 20,595. That would be the gate which is 3,000 more than their stadium holds. Which they generally can't fill. Well done, lads.

Lloyd Jones scores for Swindon in League 1 tonight...yet another season for the guy on loan in the lower leagues. When will Liverpool ever sell or release this guy?!

To be fair, there are a lot of serial loanees out you could say that for from a variety of clubs.

Chalobah coming on for his Chelsea debut in the EFL Cup tonight after 432 different loan spells kinda helps set the tone on that one.

It's been a while since I've seen us play well at Villa Park, 1-0 up at half time and hopefully we can finish the job in the second period.

York result was unfortunate with Shaun Rooney's injury but it's the same old stuff that just isn't coming together, Jackie McNamara putting the blame on a squad that he built doesn't help his case, get him out. Wilcox was sacked for much better results.

Well, fail to take your chances and that sort of thing is inevitable.

Not sure what the fuck Sels was doing either.

I'd love to say we had the worst referee I've ever seen at League Two level but they're all shite so I'll just say this one was consistently shit for both teams. Bottled a couple of sendings off for two yellows (one bloke came on as a sub, scythed our lad down, got booked for it and got in the ref's face gobbing right off and didn't get a second yellow - respect the ref my arse!) and gave us a soft penalty (which I won't complain about) to draw the game. He also sent their manager off after awarding our pen and rumour is he had to have actual security outside his changing room at full time.

The sooner we get out of this league the better.

Wonder if Benitez will blame the fans again?

About time we scored late on rather than concede.

Just thought I'd gonna leave this here for a little while...


Obviously, not getting carried away at all right now but isn't it great to just enjoy the moment once in a while? Overcame a tough battle vs Chesterfield today. First twenty minutes were good, then it was a really scrappy game. We didn't play well (Danny Mayor being out didn't really help matters much) and Chesterfield looked pretty toothless, so it became a pretty even match, with us nicking another late goal again to get the three points. Keep the run up lads!

And you could've ended up winning the game as well. So frustrating to be in control for so long and then end up hanging on ffs.

Its disappointing but its football. We didn't kill the game when on top despite having plenty of chances to do so, so that was going to be a risk. Sending Matz Sels hate-Tweets to the point where he closes his account is hardly helpful to his confidence though. But clearly Twitter is not a place for sanity.

Still, could be worse. Could be Derby. I slagged them off after seeing they were shit against Newcastle 2 weeks ago, but to lose at home to Blackburn after scoring first with a squad that cost millions to assemble is one hell of an achievement.

We don't want a team that wins, we want a team that tries etc.

9 games into the Championship and the Rafalution is tearing itself apart. Massively hypocritical from many of the fanbase who condemn this but have encouraged abuse on Pardew, Kinnear, Dummett, Shola, Colo, Williamson etc for years.

Anyway Newcastle/football fans massively overrating a new singing then going massively over the top in the criticism during the first sticky patch, who would have though it?

I really struggle to understand people who do things like that, what does it actually prove? They're just scum.

On the 'keeper situation, I've read that Karl Darlow is expected to get a start on Wednesday night when we're at home to the leaders Norwich.

Right. VLP. Linington. Gunter.

VLP - Deserved his second yellow. Can't turn around and walk away from the official, no matter how awful his decisions are. He got called over, he didn't go. Therefore second yellow. First yellow was wrong, mind, considering it wasn't even a foul and VLP spent a couple of minutes getting treatment to boot after the Reading player steamed into him a split second late, and I still can't work out why the ref's first response is to go to the player who has been fouled when giving a free kick and giving them a talking to. He's frustrated, give him a moment to cool off before talking to him if you think he's reacted badly. First decision entirely wrong. Second decision... Well, got his priorities wrong, but once VLP walks away he has to make a decision.

Gunter - Why the fuck wasn't he marching? Clatters Wells when Wells is clean on goal, yellow card. Poor tackle, connects halfway up Nahki's shin, with Wells in the clear. Long way out, but Gunter the deepest defender with the rest of the defence on the turn and Wells's touch taking him to the centre of goal with the keeper off his line and no defenders within 20 yards. Could have been a red for the tackle alone, but the fact it's an obvious goalscoring opportunity... Jesus. Later escaped a second booking after turning and catching Kachunga in the face. Not a deliberate swinging elbow, but I've seen them booked for less (and I think the new guidance makes it a mandatory booking for contact above the chest). Then proceeds to turn and deliver a torrent of abuse at the ref, Vardy style, whilst pointing and then finally chucking the ball away. Not booked. Consistency? See my next point.

Linington - Worst ref I've seen since we played Reading in the Cup at ours last season. Absolutely ruined the game. He either lost control utterly or was a narcissistic prick who set out to infuriate. He booked four of ours for dissent - VLP's aside, none were more than mild-looking enquiries about decisions from senior players or players who had just been fouled. The most infuriating aspect was that he didn't apply the law evenly. Town got no leniency. Even an enquiry brought a booking. Whereas Reading were allowed to question decisions at will. Obviously, I don't know what was said, but he was by no means even-handed. The Smith booking summed it up - if the VLP booking was inevitable, the Smith booking very literally straight away afterwards was a clear example of a referee who had lost it. By contrast, Danny Williams chased him at half time and spent the entire time they were going off talking to him - no card (worth questioning whether I'd think it was a card but for the cards he handed out to us like confetti). Gunter's tirade didn't bring a card (when on a yellow). A very, very inconsistent approach doesn't sum it up. My perception of him is not helped by a Reading journalist reporting that a Reading coach was allowed into the referee's room to discuss decisions at half time - of all things, because he was unhappy with the way decisions were going. In the mean time, we're not allowed into his personal postcode without being booked. Absolute farce.

Did this affect the game? It was critical. That first yellow led directly to the red - no first yellow and there's no VLP stalking round angrily, feeling wronged. It doesn't go from Town shading it to Reading pinning back ten men for the last 20 minutes of the first half, leading to a somewhat jammy goal. In the second half if Gunter goes then it's 10 v 10 and they don't have a man over in the area when we put a ball in. Because in the second half we were excellent. Bossed possession, pinned them back in their half, didn't have the final finish. 11 v 11 or 10 v 10, whichever is a fairer reflection (and there are arguments for both), we'd have got something. But the ref denied us that chance with his litany of decisions. Were he equally as bad for them, and we'd still lost, then fine, but they definitely got the massive benefit. Yet again. Reading seem to be allowed to bring their own ref every fucking time we play them.

Oi! Our promotion push starts here

After they suspended him pending an internal investigation, Derby are apparently "poised" to sack Nigel Pearson and... reappoint Shteve McClaren!

Hahahaha, that would be gold.

Draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world tonight, got a lot of winnable games coming up to put a nice run together and can't have Norwich running away with it early on.

RE the Mats Selz situation - yeah the trolls are stupid but you get that everywhere - you're a professional footballer man the fuck up and prove people wrong rather than hiding away from it. He's not even been that bad - only fanbase in the world that would criticise a keeper after keeping 5 clean sheets in a row. If Gayle and Diame had scored their chances we wouldn't have even been talking about his error.