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#349265 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
We won at Ipswich with a goal from a corner. It's the first time we've scored from a set-piece since February, I think.
#349069 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Enjoying it while it lasts
#348988 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
#348781 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
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.
#348051 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
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.
#347558 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
#347163 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
That said, letting Chris Martin go, hardly playing Darren Bent and bringing in three players who scored all of 8 league goals between them last season to fire them to the top might be an indicator.
#347082 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
#346372 The England National Team
terriersmad
#346253 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Fitness.
I speak from experience
#345620 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Still manages to look normal and balanced when compared to the likes of Cellino and the Venkys. He is an arrogant cockwomble though, with all the humanity of a sentient toaster.
#344979 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Forest are in real bother with the owner. On the field they've got off to a great start, even if they've come up short against the big guns of the division, but Fawaz is a real destabilising influence. I was reading last night that their assistant manager is going to resign over it and 8 players hand in transfer requests. Not a happy ship. Moreso given they're on the brink of being taken over by a complete nutcase. One of a number in the division who deserve better ownership and will suffer in the long term because of it.
#344958 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
I think technically your club kicked you out
Galling that a new £3.5m striker is seen as a backup option, I have to say. I know I bang on about it, but it just demonstrates the difference between the haves and have-nots of the division. That's twice our record fee! Do think that Ipswich have played a bit of a blinder on that one, I have to say, but it leaves them a striker light and they weren't full of hot-shots as it was. That Grant Ward has started well, but he's a winger and not a striker.
Speaking of things that have had me shouting 'how much?' in the Championship transfer market, I see Derby have splashed £8m on Matej Vydra. That's the same Matej Vydra who netted 5 league goals all last season (after costing an admittedly very average Reading £2m on loan). Madness. Absolute madness. And Oliver Burke (no, I wasn't sure who he was either) has moved from Forest to RB Leipzig for £13m. Again, completely bonkers money for a kid who I actually thought was Chris Burke until I remembered he'd gone to Birmingham. He's played fewer than 30 games, less than half of them starts, and two of them for fucking Bradford who returned to sender a little over 12 months ago on grounds of him not being right good.
More sensibly, Jamie Paterson has gone to Bristol City for about half a million. Which is far more sensible business, and I reckon Bristol City have a bit of a bargain.
#344797 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Vaughan, Vaughan will tear you apart again!
#344771 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Rajiv Van La Parra scored the only goal and promptly celebrated in front of the Wolves fans who gave him so much stick. Quite enjoyed that myself! VLP deserves his goal after the work he's done this season. He could get more, but his composure in front of goal is questionable. Excellent advantage from the referee as well when Wells got hauled down immediately before to the goal. Could have given a penalty, didn't, and we benefited from it.
#344664 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Think they're going to stay up! Might be changing my predictions. Proper team thing they have going.
#344344 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
It's a shame, because on his day he can be a wonderful player. He just has so many drawbacks.
Bit of Town transfer news - as I wrote the above we announced left-back Tareiq Holmes-Dennis on a 3-year deal from Charlton. One for the future, I assume, as Chris Löwe looks very good. Though we are light in that position, with Jason Davidson departing for Groningen. Don't know anything about him, so can't comment on his attributes.
#343974 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Not seen it down at Town that I can remember, to be honest. Didn't think he did anything wrong by sending out the announcement! Any blame is entirely with the fool who brought it in the first place.
#343707 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Löwe's strike was a goal of the season contender. Great movement, driving run, emphatic finish. A thoroughly deserved lead at half-time. The remarkable stat of the first half: we weren't given a single free-kick. Mostly because the ref was a blind, deluded shitbag who gave them everything.
Their equaliser was interesting. Long throw, whistle blows, they stick it in the net. Everyone relaxes because it's been chalked off. Only, it hadn't been. The ref later put out a tannoy announcement that any further whistles from the crowd would result in suspension of play. I'm at a loss to know what a ref is meant to do in that situation. I'm brassed off because we conceded after stopping for a whistle as the ball came in. Barnsley would be annoyed if it wasn't allowed to stand. There will be guidance, which I don't know, but the ref's in a difficult situation there. I've seen the highlights and there's a definite whistle as the ball comes in. Tough to take but this is one where I have real sympathy with the officials because there is no easy answer.
We promptly went to bits defensively for most of the half, but still carried attacking threat. Barnsley hit a post after a stray pass from Whitehead before we started piling on the pressure in the dying seconds, Kachunga and Bunn testing the keeper before Jonathan Hogg finished superbly after good work from Kachunga. We'd have lost it last season, and it was great to see the spirit and attitude showing through. Harsh on Barnsley, perhaps, but I don't really care that much.
#343133 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Villa looked good, to be honest, and I may be proven very wrong by them. They looked a promotion side in that first half and it was only fitness which let them down. That and indiscipline, as when we got on top they reacted quite badly, committing a number of cynical fouls. I thought at the time that Tshibola was booked for a foul by Bacuna, who later got booked, but as it hasn't come up in post-match debate I assume my impression was wrong.
#342955 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Most from the North East have been really balanced. Less balanced have been the national reports which have focused on Newcastle losing rather than us winning. The Channel 5 thing was the worst - only Curbishley even trying to give us any credit for silencing the crowd and having a game plan. I don't expect fans to be that balanced (because I can hardly comment, partisan as I am), but a bit of balance from the media would be quite nice. Yep, Newcastle were crap for the second week running, but that was often down to how well we (and Fulham last week) played.
#342895 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Another test tomorrow at Villa Park. After St James', I suspect it may be a bit of a let-down, but we'll see. Another new ground to cross off.
#342375 2016/17 Kit Thread
terriersmad
You see, I really like that. Looks class.
#342207 2016/17 EFL Cup (League Cup!)
terriersmad
Any useless statistics which I can make a bad pun out of? If not, you're out of luck
#342150 2016/17 EFL Cup (League Cup!)
terriersmad
I was trying to entertain myself amid our crapitulation. Conceded after 23 seconds, deserved to get level, but then no pattern, individual mistakes, and we're out after a total loss of concentration. Should have noted how poorly we were playing amid the Ivan the Terrible joke
Also, eight Yorkshire clubs out tonight. Sheffield Wednesday deserve it for having a reserve goalkeeper wearing 2, but blimey. What witchcraft is this?
#342139 2016/17 EFL Cup (League Cup!)
terriersmad
I'll stop pretending to be from Opta now.
#341813 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Lots to be positive about, especially as three points takes pressure away from the next two games. We looked hungry, we looked fit, we managed the game superbly in the dying seconds. We played some good stuff and Brentford couldn't cope with us at times, and they're a decent side who can play a bit themselves (their equaliser, despite us switching off, was actually a really lovely goal). The new players seemed to have settled straight in - particularly impressive were Mooy and Payne in midfield. Hudson was ponderous, unfortunately, and is the weak link at the back. I suspect Hefele or Stankovic will find themselves in the first team sooner rather than later.
#341767 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
We lose 2-0 and have a man sent off.
#341603 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Aye, will do. Actually up in Newcastle for a few days either side of the game. Be good to spend a few days back in the city before heading down to the Villa game
#341429 The Lower League Thread
terriersmad
Ticket was sorted about 15 minutes after they went on sale. Expecting us to lose to a pumped-up Newcastle side, but that we'll give it a real go, and who knows what might happen? You off?