Oldham Match Reports

[NorthamptonBee]

Did that father have a black top on and was quite small? The daughter with blond hair, and young? I think I know who you mean if it is...

I hope he got a slap back.

Anyway without reading all the other reports.

We played well in the 1st half but with awful defending and Nels not coming for the cross for the first goal, found ourselves 3-1 down at one point.
They had 3 chances all game!
We were pretty awful in the 2nd half, totally lacklustre with no idea and kept plugging away with a gameplan that was going nowhere.
Got out of jail and should have had a pen in injury time.
Owusu and Prately were head and shoulders above anyone else on that pitch and drawing with that lot was a bery bad result. :sad:

 

[ChinaBee]

I hope he got a slap back.

Anyway without reading all the other reports.

We played well in the 1st half but with awful defending and Nels not coming for the cross for the first goal, found ourselves 3-1 down at one point.
They had 3 chances all game!
We were pretty awful in the 2nd half, totally lacklustre with no idea and kept plugging away with a gameplan that was going nowhere.
Got out of jail and should have had a pen in injury time.
Owusu and Prately were head and shoulders above anyone else on that pitch and drawing with that lot was a bery bad result. :sad:

not sure about the pen in extra tie though, if it was one of the two blatant Fitz dives then I would say no

They were dirty, with a lot of time wasting. A number of the bookings they got near the end should have been reds

 

[HertfordBee]

I really don't see why people are criticising Nelson for the goals. Admittedly I was watching from Brook Road so I may be wrong about the first one but for the second and third goals, Sodje was just day-dreaming. You could tell by his reaction to both that he knew he was at fault.

I agree with the comments about Newman - he was excellent and was also the reason why Pratley had an impressive game as well. It was definitely the best 90-minute performance from Owusu, and he fully deserved his goal.

I also think Tillen deserves a special mention for a his sub appearance - he may not yet have all the defensive qualities needed but the boy can certainly cross a ball!

Brooker is desperately struggling with an injury and we have not yet seen the best of him by any means.

The best positive to take from the day - both strikers on the scoresheet again for the second game running!! I can't remember the last time we could say that!

 

[The H]

i think it was a pen, but no ref will give it unless it's 100% in injury time.... so thats life...

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I really don't see why people are criticising Nelson for the goals. Admittedly I was watching from Brook Road so I may be wrong about the first one but for the second and third goals, Sodje was just day-dreaming. You could tell by his reaction to both that he knew he was at fault.

The full backs allowed three crosses and the centre backs allowed the striker to get in front of them three times. Not a lot a keeper can do about that.

 

[Stanley]

Odd game as others have said, added to by some bizzare refereeing decisions. Quite how we were three one down will remain one of the mysteries of the season. Can't remember Nelson having to make a proper save and he spent most of the game as a back up defender.

Big plus was style of play , much more possession and controlled football and for that we have to thank Newman, different class to others and seemed to bring out best in Owusu and Pratley. DJ great in their half but a liability in ours to be honest.

We will play worse and win easily.

 

[Brentford_till_die]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability, he should have moved for the 2nd goal i think he thought the ball was going wide has he just looked at the ball as it was going wide, and he does no command his box, i never hear him saying where he wants his defenders or anything. Sorry but why not give bankole a try, had a fantastic pre season, 2 pen saves and lots of superb saves, NELSON OUT has cost us more than enough points !

 

[Beesnut]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability, he should have moved for the 2nd goal i think he thought the ball was going wide has he just looked at the ball as it was going wide, and he does no command his box, i never hear him saying where he wants his defenders or anything.

Since when does what New Road thinks justify a players place in the team?

So that lack of command has led to us having one of the best defences in the division. Sam had an off day, Nelson could've moved,but the fact was,it should never been a goal scoring opportunity anyway.Don't panic,it was one game.Nelson is the best we've got,and he's doing a decent job.

 

[The H]

what did you think of Sodje for all 3 goals??

 

[Porgey]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability, he should have moved for the 2nd goal i think he thought the ball was going wide has he just looked at the ball as it was going wide, and he does no command his box, i never hear him saying where he wants his defenders or anything. Sorry but why not give bankole a try, had a fantastic pre season, 2 pen saves and lots of superb saves, NELSON OUT has cost us more than enough points !

Silly silly silly....

 

[NOFRIENDSBEE]

I agree with the H. I like toast do you like toast?

 

[NOFRIENDSBEE]

what did you think of Sodje for all 3 goals??

Still on his way back from Bucharest.

 

[Willo]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability

Not me

 

[West Ealing Bee]

Glad to see people criticising Nelson again

Defensively for 15 minutes or so we were disasterous, Sodje went missing, the full backs decided to let crosses come in at will and we were punished.

If you want to be harsh Nelson should have come for the first but he had no chance once the ball left Porter's head for any of the goals.
I see a few have mentioned him not diving for the second, why? He couldn't have got near it anyway.

The front six played well, Pratley ran the game, helped by Newman who seems to shift the ball well and is very good positionally. Owusu was superb and he and DJ could be a good partnership, still think Campbell doesn't offer as much as he could but the bloke scores goals and that is what we need.

Our defence cost us three comfortable points, and that doesn't happen often, so we can't complain too much.

 

[Hungerford Bee]

Not me

Or me!

 

[Edmundo]

what did you think of Sodje for all 3 goals??

Still on his way back from Bucharest.

Plenty of comments like this against Sam. What about the fact that Martn said he was doubtful with an injury? Not the first time that an unfit Sodje has played badly - perhaps he should have been rested, with Framps moving across and Tillen playing LB?

 

[rebus]

Plenty of comments like this against Sam. What about the fact that Martn said he was doubtful with an injury? Not the first time that an unfit Sodje has played badly - perhaps he should have been rested, with Framps moving across and Tillen playing LB?

Well, Andy was unfit too probably and little things like that give the opposing team a boost seeing one of the "crown jewels" missing.

DJ is now fitting into the 90 minute game. I think it was a deliberate tactic by MA to keep him on a leash till now so he got used to League football. I can't see Rankin, Rhodes or Gayle displacing the current front two when they come back from injury but all three will be dynamite on the bench for us.

Brooker is a good player but as NLB says, drifts in and out of the game too much. Newman's ability to stay fit will be vital for Brooker as they know each other's game off by heart. Stewart Talbot was king for me last season but Newman has superb touch and passing skills, a good engine and can tackle. It's a shame he's not five years younger!

Let's keep the injuries to a minimum and if so I forsee a good next two months for Brentford.

 

[The H]

having seen the goals i thought the 1st was just a superb ball, and Sodje was nowhere near Porter for the other two.

 

[alikat]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability, he should have moved for the 2nd goal i think he thought the ball was going wide has he just looked at the ball as it was going wide, and he does no command his box, i never hear him saying where he wants his defenders or anything. Sorry but why not give bankole a try, had a fantastic pre season, 2 pen saves and lots of superb saves, NELSON OUT has cost us more than enough points !

IMHO, this is absolute rubbish on 2 counts:
1) How can you speak on behalf of "every1 in new road". I certainly was not, as, it seems from some postings above, weren't others.
2) Nelson was not to blame for any of the goals. Like it or not, Sam was definitely at fault for the last two and Turner seemed to be beaten to the ball for the first. The defence just had a very bad twenty-odd minutes.

By the way, this is MY opinion. I don't speak on behalf of anyone else at the game (unlike yourself)

 

[KGB]

I've got to say that the all the defence including Turner were at fault for all the goals - but I can't exclude Nelson. Usually agree with WEB but I think that Nelson thought that the 2nd goal was going wide & he certainly had plenty of time to dive - in fact he almost didn't need to, a simple couple of steps to one side would have done. Interestingly he did not appear to blame anyone else for any of the goals and he's not usually that quiet. However that didn't exclude the rest of the defence who were like statues.

We have a reasonably good defence but the argument regarding 'clean sheets' does not hold much water imho. Frankly this is the worst division I have ever seen - Bristol City, Swindon, Bournemouth, Oldham - not only were they poor sides, they were possibly the worst sides I've ever seen representing those clubs yet they've put 11 goals past us. We are set up like an away side and often struggle to score goals at home for that reason.

Good points from yesterday were the midfield who both did well in their different ways, Campbell & LO were good overall & Lloyd is at last getting his rewards for a lot of hard work.

Bad points for me - apart from the defence in the first 20 minutes - were:
* The fact that we didn't really seem to 'go for it' in the 2nd half when frankly a real injection of adrenaline would have seen us win comfortably. Once again there didn't appear to be any sort of a driving force on the field - although I thought Newman did well as a player
* The complete lack of organisation when the subs were made - only briefly was there any sort of pattern

The fact that Swansea & S'end have been so dominant so far illustrates how poor this league is. A good run by virtually any team in the league could get them into the playoffs - Chesterfield, Colchester & particularly Notts Forest could all threaten from now on - in fact I think Forest will go up. Regrettably we have lost what could have been a handy cushion in the points we've sacrificed in recent home games.

 

[Ronan]

im sorry but every1 in new road was calling nelson a ***** and liability, he should have moved for the 2nd goal i think he thought the ball was going wide has he just looked at the ball as it was going wide, and he does no command his box, i never hear him saying where he wants his defenders or anything. Sorry but why not give bankole a try, had a fantastic pre season, 2 pen saves and lots of superb saves, NELSON OUT has cost us more than enough points !

Are these the same people that when Talbot goes down, they shout out to sub him before he gets back up? Your input is nice, but make it worthwhile please How many clean sheets did we have last season? What, the most in the league? Where are we in the league right now, what, play offs? He can't be that bad.

 

[Bristolian Bee]

Anyone know what the corner count was?

 

[The H]

14/1 i read

 

[Canadian Bee]

He can't be that bad.[/QUOTE]
But he is!

 

[sonofabee]

Glad to see people criticising Nelson again

Defensively for 15 minutes or so we were disasterous, Sodje went missing, the full backs decided to let crosses come in at will and we were punished.

If you want to be harsh Nelson should have come for the first but he had no chance once the ball left Porter's head for any of the goals.
I see a few have mentioned him not diving for the second, why? He couldn't have got near it anyway.

The front six played well, Pratley ran the game, helped by Newman who seems to shift the ball well and is very good positionally. Owusu was superb and he and DJ could be a good partnership, still think Campbell doesn't offer as much as he could but the bloke scores goals and that is what we need.

Our defence cost us three comfortable points, and that doesn't happen often, so we can't complain too much.

Agree,

Think that a large group in the New Road look forward to Nelson making a mistake now that Talbot's off their list. I thought he might have come for the first but no doubt he had Burtons goal vs Rotherham playing on his mind.

For my mind at the time I thought he wasn't to blame for 2nd and 3rd as Sam just wasn't marking his man and the "Championship" this morning seems to confirm that.

That aside, 3-3 flattered them, I thought we played the best attacking football at GP since MA arrived, quick, on the deck andwith purpose.

Noticed everything revolved around Newman who was excellent and looked like the leader we've been missing needed. MA obviously knew what he wanted and was getting and it's justa shame we've been without him for 1/3 of the season.

His holding, prompting, and excellent distribution is hopefully a sign of things to come and will replace the huff and puff. It allowed us to dominate midfield for long spells amd dictate the play and at last look dangerous going forward.

Llloyd led the line well again and deserved his goal.

Negatives....

Crowd getting onto Nelson too quickly

Sam and framps both looked out of sorts

Blatant time wasting by Oldham allowed to go by weak ref

Police, stewards, and real Oldham fans allowing the flag to be unfurled and on show for most of the game.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Well for what it's worth I thought the first half saw some of the best attacking football from the bees in an age, some great moves passing it on the floor, with Newman dropping deep and knocking some lovely passes around the pitch including a couple of great through balls.. Thought Lloydy was starting to look like the player of old and DJ was a handful for most of the game, these two have got to be our first choice now..

Pratley was awesome, just goes to show what a difference it makes having a real midfielder alongside him. Personally I thought Brooker did ok, he and Tabb switched wings regularly and were involved in most of our good moves, playing intelligent passes and much better delivery from set pieces. I thought we lost something when he went off, Peters was a bit of a headless chicken when he came on..

But for an insane quarter of an hour of defending we'd have walked that game.. Thought Nelson could have come for one of the crosses but to leave a player unmarked in the 6 yard box 3 times running is just suicidal, and the whole defence has to take the rap for that..

At half time I thought we were going to win it, but we weren't quite as assured in the second half and couldn't break down an eleven man defence. Great to see Lloydy score at home though, and what if his lob had gone in, instead of just over the bar???!

Although it's 2 points dropped, I came away much happier and more optimistic of the future than I have from some games we've won this season

 

[keefor]

2 points lost. Poor, poor defending to gift them their goals.

Bees contrived to play a passing game that was entertaining and so much better than the hoof ball we have been guilty of far too often in the past. Prately & Nelson did excellently in the midfield which enabled the strikers to play a game much more suited to their skills and abilities.

Having watched the goals on tv this morning I think Nelson should have done more with the first one. Sodje was at fault for the other two.

Unfortunately Nelson has made some bad mistakes this season. Yesterday the goals possibly looked worse as he didn't make much movement for them. Due to the mistakes made in previous games I am not surprised that people are quick to have a go at him. Give a dog a bad name and all that.

 

[Datchetbee]

Well from where i was sitting and seeing it on t.v it looked like he just let it in ! (the second goal that is)

 

[Wee Dave]

Owusu outstanding.
defence ridiculous 1st half.
Cold.

 

[Ace Face]

Having had time to thaw.

It does worry me if we lose Tabb, becauase anything of any quality goes through or from him.

I also am not convinced we played that well first half, it was more a case of Oldham were woeful.

The second half we were dreadful and worryingly Newman faded - probably not fit yet.

But really it was just a case the defense and keeper being off form.

 

[Bee49]

This is the first time we have scored three goals since we beat Chesterfield.
So stop moaning.
All three goals down to jetlagged Sodje.
Watch Football League on Skysports 6-7pm tonight.
A lot of good performances out there so keep the faith.

 

[California Bee]

Unfortunately Nelson has made some bad mistakes this season. Yesterday the goals possibly looked worse as he didn't make much movement for them. Due to the mistakes made in previous games I am not surprised that people are quick to have a go at him. Give a dog a bad name and all that.

How many clean sheets have Brentford had this year in the league and FA Cup? At least eight! Is that Nelson's fault too? It's only 42% of our games.

 

[Brentford_till_die]

yes i did have a go at talbot as well, and im sorry but why dont we try bankole ? cum on fellas how many times has nelson cocked up this season 3 or 4 or 5 times and cost us about 9 points

 

[Ronan]

yes i did have a go at talbot as well, and im sorry but why dont we try bankole ? cum on fellas how many times has nelson cocked up this season 3 or 4 or 5 times and cost us about 9 points

Having seen the highlights just now, Nelson was not at fault for the first and third, but the second he could have tried to move, although he was staggering back off balance, as you can become in that position. Frampton and Sodje definetely should have done better. Cost us 9 points? Um, 1 goal to Port Vale, by my reckoning that's 2 points, Gillingham is just a huge slice of bad luck, I mean, how many people were going potty at Nelson after the Southampton away game when that happened? What else? I can't think of anything else having looked at the fixtures that we've lost or drawn, which makes what, 2 points? Where did the other 7 come from?

What did you think of Nelson's performance against Barnsley, or the stops he made last season, against Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday, all the penalty stops he made in shootouts, and when the defenders give them away? How about the save he made at Hinckley? How about all the fingertip, match saving saves he's made? I think he's saved us a lot more points.

 

[brighton bee]

dont forget luton away

 

[ChinaBee]

Having seen the highlights just now, Nelson was not at fault for the first and third, but the second he could have tried to move, although he was staggering back off balance, as you can become in that position. Frampton and Sodje definetely should have done better. .

:yes:

Nelson 1 Sam 2 I'm afraid
However thank you :dj: and and of course Pratts great goal

 

[Ronan]

dont forget luton away

That the one where we won 2-0 with a clean sheet against the best performing teams in the league? Or the 4-2 one I presume you mean, which I thought was more to do with Talbot coming off, and then the goals came. Someone care to send me the highlights for that match?

 

[Brentford_till_die]

every kepper makes fecking saves and briliant stops, thats waht there fecking job is

 

[Ronan]

And every keeper makes mistakes and flaps. It's called being human.

 

[ChinaBee]

every kepper makes fecking saves and briliant stops, thats waht there fecking job is

And commanding their six yard box.

I am not one to get at Nelson at every mistake as I know how hard it is to be a keeper but he has to command his area

I think he has lost the confidence of his defence and that is a bad thing

 

[RitchBee]

Nelson should have come for the first goal......end of

Sodje was at fault for he other two..........end of

 

[Brentford_till_die]

And every keeper makes mistakes and flaps. It's called being human.

yes true but not every kepper makes 3 or 4 or 5 mistakes in the first 19 games do they now ?

 

[loyalbee]

yes true but not every kepper makes 3 or 4 or 5 mistakes in the first 19 games do they now ?

in our league.......yes

 

[Aberdeen flyer]

and it really does his confidence the world of good when the crowd sarcasticly cheer him when he makes a simple catch...in an ideal world we would have a top class number 1 with Nelson as back up....but this is Brentford....remind me...how much are we in debt ????

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

oldham were very very lucky to get a point, they were timewasting for the last 60 minutes. rofl rofl rofl lol

 

[JANORAK]

Well for what it's worth I thought the first half saw some of the best attacking football from the bees in an age, some great moves passing it on the floor, with Newman dropping deep and knocking some lovely passes around the pitch including a couple of great through balls.. Thought Lloydy was starting to look like the player of old and DJ was a handful for most of the game, these two have got to be our first choice now..

Pratley was awesome, just goes to show what a difference it makes having a real midfielder alongside him. Personally I thought Brooker did ok, he and Tabb switched wings regularly and were involved in most of our good moves, playing intelligent passes and much better delivery from set pieces. I thought we lost something when he went off, Peters was a bit of a headless chicken when he came on..

But for an insane quarter of an hour of defending we'd have walked that game.. Thought Nelson could have come for one of the crosses but to leave a player unmarked in the 6 yard box 3 times running is just suicidal, and the whole defence has to take the rap for that..

At half time I thought we were going to win it, but we weren't quite as assured in the second half and couldn't break down an eleven man defence. Great to see Lloydy score at home though, and what if his lob had gone in, instead of just over the bar???!

Although it's 2 points dropped, I came away much happier and more optimistic of the future than I have from some games we've won this season

Ditto. The message seems to have got through to MA (has he had a directive from above?) that the team he has assembled can play, & if we entertain & score goals the next benefit will be rising attendances. If we continue to pass the ball & the defence resumes normal duties(!), we are a handful for anyone in this division (ok -maybe Swansea excepted), & I can't wait for the upcoming games.
The next box to be ticked is for somebody, other than Pratley, to SHOOT. Nice passing & possession football (2nd half) is what I want to see, but there needs to be a conclusion (good cross or shot) to each attack, to encourage us to do it again. Too often we were trying to walk it into the net (or was it to score the perfect goal?). Anyone know why Fitz being flattened when about to score wasn't a Pen? Eventually, desperation resulted in a deep cross & fine header by LO to prove that point.
Final thoughts : Corners (14 was it?) - yes they had a flapper for a GK but let's have some variation from the near post/ drop it on the GK ploy.
Free kicks - walls are intended to block shots....if we can't get it up & down/around the wall, then let's try a pass or chip instead.....

Ricky is the new Guv'nor (sorry Eddie).

 

[Idaho Bee]

Negatives....

Police, stewards, and real Oldham fans allowing the flag to be unfurled and on show for most of the game.

And what did the flag say?

 

[Idaho Bee]

oldham were very very lucky to get a point, they were timewasting for the last 60 minutes. rofl rofl rofl lol

Shocking

We'd never do that if 2 goals up away from home would we?

 

[BeeAlzibub]

Bit confused by Ronan's comment about all goals from same winger and same side. First goal came from a cross from NewRoad side and Nelson apppeared to stay put rather than come and collect. The other goals came from the other side of the pitch........and I agree with his comments on those 2 goals re no marking.
It sounds crazy, but this was probably the most entertaining football this season at Griffin Park. The midfield look good with Newman taking control and giving Pratley more of a free role, and the forwards combined well. Probably Owusu's best game this season. Once the defence get over this "one off" shocker I think things are looking very good for the future.

Spot on with that summary.

From the New Road. once again it looked like Nelson came forward for the first cross, changed his mind & once again got caught stranded.
Second & third goals were poor to give away defensively, but once again for the third goal Sodje ( rightly or wrongly) was trying to shepherd the ball across his chest expecting Nelson to grab it barely three yards out when Porter nipped in to score.

Those of us in the anti-Nelson camp can add it to our ever growing list of errors, others can say what they like ?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Spot on with that summary.

From the New Road. once again it looked like Nelson came forward for the first cross, changed his mind & once again got caught stranded.
Second & third goals were poor to give away defensively, but once again for the third goal Sodje ( rightly or wrongly) was trying to shepherd the ball across his chest expecting Nelson to grab it barely three yards out when Porter nipped in to score.

Those of us in the anti-Nelson camp can add it to our ever growing list of errors, others can say what they like ?

Having seen all three goals on TV, I don't believe that Nelson was at fault at all. He wouldn't have been favourite for any of the crosses and we all know what would happen if he came for a cross and didn't make it don't we?

As for the slow motion goal, he had sufficient pace and placement to make it almost impossible for Nelson given how close the guy was. Turner's reaction to the third goal certainly seemed to suggest that he thought Sodje was culpable.