Oldham Match Reports

[Big Seb]

Come on lets be hearing from you

 

[JTofBFC]

Bees v Oldham Match reports

Well I'll start it as everybody else is either down the pub, stuck in the Rugby traffic or demonstrating in the forecourt.

Anyway, what a weird game.

On the plus side, Oldham have probably got one of the weakest defences in the football league........and one of the worst keepers. On the minus side, they are probably saying the same about us.

I really don't know what happened in the first half, I need to see it all on TV before being quite sure but all in all the Admiral did not put in a medal winning performance. Certainly the second goal seemed to go in during a slow motion replay in which he just watched it. The first goodness knows and the third involved fault all round between Fullbacks giving the winger half a field of space, no centre halves in sight and the keeper again apparantly blinded by the sun. (Put a cap on Stuart if the sodding sun is in your eyes).

Anyway apart from that (ie the three defensive cock-ups all leading to goals ) I actually thought we played OK today.

In particular our central midfield which has come in for a fair amount of deserved criticism this year were outstanding in my opinion.

Up front , DJ was a handful until he faded a bit late on and Lloydt started slowly but got a terrific equaliser. Anyway, I'm not a big Owusuuuuuuuu fan but you can't argue with 2 in 2 for both DJ and Lloydy so surely they must remain the partnership for now. I thought Tillen was superb when he came on. I like Framps but there is no room for sentiment in football and for me Tillen deserves a place.

The Cup will be interesting, we really need to win that game and to be honest can our defence really be that bad ever again. Get yourselves up there, its a biggee.

Finally, anyone explain what went on in "D" Block. Lots of fisticuffs but couldn't work out what it was all about. Who said "D" Block was the dull part of the ground...................almost as entertaining as the game itself.

 

[big neil]

Owusu outstanding.
defence ridiculous 1st half.
Cold.

 

[JTofBFC]

Well I'll start it as everybody else is either down the pub, stuck in the Rugby traffic or demonstrating in the forecourt.

Anyway, what a weird game.

On the plus side, Oldham have probably got one of the weakest defences in the football league........and one of the worst keepers. On the minus side, they are probably saying the same about us.

I really don't know what happened in the first half, I need to see it all on TV before being quite sure but all in all the Admiral did not put in a medal winning performance. Certainly the second goal seemed to go in during a slow motion replay in which he just watched it. The first goodness knows and the third involved fault all round between Fullbacks giving the winger half a field of space, no centre halves in sight and the keeper again apparantly blinded by the sun. (Put a cap on Stuart if the sodding sun is in your eyes).

Anyway apart from that (ie the three defensive cock-ups all leading to goals ) I actually thought we played OK today.

In particular our central midfield which has come in for a fair amount of deserved criticism this year were outstanding in my opinion.

Up front , DJ was a handful until he faded a bit late on and Lloydt started slowly but got a terrific equaliser. Anyway, I'm not a big Owusuuuuuuuu fan but you can't argue with 2 in 2 for both DJ and Lloydy so surely they must remain the partnership for now. I thought Tillen was superb when he came on. I like Framps but there is no room for sentiment in football and for me Tillen deserves a place.

The Cup will be interesting, we really need to win that game and to be honest can our defence really be that bad ever again. Get yourselves up there, its a biggee.

Finally, anyone explain what went on in "D" Block. Lots of fisticuffs but couldn't work out what it was all about. Who said "D" Block was the dull part of the ground...................almost as entertaining as the game itself.
__________________
(na na na na na na) Straight out of West London

 

[JTofBFC]

Re: Bees v Oldham Match reports

ummm

 

[Ronan]

None of their goals were Nelson's fault. They all looked like a replay, they were that similar, all from the same side, same goalscorer, same type, same finish. Pratley's was a fantastic goal when it came out from a corner on the edge of the box, DJ's was a great finish, and I didn't see Owusu's, I was down the opposite end and everything was happening. If we can finish like that every week, and sort out a few defensive niggles, then we should be storming this league. Oldham are a poor side, and it was shown. To allow their striker 3 goals in 13 minutes, all the same is quite frankly, appauling. One goal, damn, two, havn't you learnt? Three? We're the fools.
Newman and Pratley = good stuff.

Nelson - 5 (didn't have a lot to do, shame about the scoreline)

O'Connor - 5 (not his usual standard, but didn't have too much to do)

Turner - 8 (consistent once again, stopped their attacks well, covered for Sodje)

Sodje - 5 (sometimes lost the plot, but othertimes he was 'Sodje')

Frampton - 4 (the birthday boy didn't have too much to shout about, and was later substituted, after making many mistakes and poor passes)

Brooker - 5 (flashes of the good stuff, otherwise unnoticable, substituted)

Newman - 6 (solid performance, bossing the midfield well, a nice change from his previous performances)

Pratley - 7 (got a great goal, played the midfield well, and was overall good)

Tabb - 6 (some great runs, stopped unfairly by the Oldham players)

DJ Campbell - 7 (lively, quick, got a good goal, upset the Oldham defence, paired well with Owusu)

Owusu - 8 (saved us at the last, great flick ons, too much for the Oldham defence at times, and should have got more than one goal, worked his nuts off again, and it's paying off)

Subs:
Tillen - 5
Fitz - 5
Peters - 6

 

[JTofBFC]

Interesting Ronan, that you didn't see Owusu's because it was "down the opposite end" but you had a clear enough view of Oldhams three (at the same end ) to know none of them were Nelsons fault.

I will watch the TV replays carefully but would be amazed if he was blame free for todays result.

 

[The H]

JT..... they were 'free' headers...... so i would be looking at the person who should be marking the man who got a hattrick........... i assume it was Sodje, but as he was nowhere near him, i couldn't be certain

 

[Ronan]

I could see that the winger who knocked it in 3 times shouldn't have been able to, and that there was a header each time where there shouldn't have been, and I felt they should have been defended. But incase I am wrong, I apologise, and will wait to watch the highlights before furthur comment, likewise about Owusu's goal. I do agree with you on how odd it is to have Nelson not at fault for any of the goals, but then it looked like poor defending to me. In response to the sunlight - have you seen Nelson take the blame for a goal and apologise? I havn't...

We had 57% possession, and 14 corners to 1, which definetely says something, not that we were all over them (well...), but how we definetely should have punished them more, and we need to work out some good corner routines...

Edit: What did you lot think of Lloyd's attempted lob? Would have been a great way to break his home scoring duck.

 

[JTofBFC]

...............I'm sure you're right "The H" but I can't be the only one who wondered why Nelson watched Goal 2 bounce past him while he was rooted to the spot.

Maybe TV will prove he had a blinder, I hope so because we can't afford to change him and Bankole is obviously not a serious option.

Any comment on the "D" Block fisticuffs btw?

 

[The H]

not yet..

 

[JTofBFC]

not yet..

lol lol lol

 

[Ronan]

I can tell you now that Nelson didn't have a 'blinder', he had barely anything to do. When a header comes rocketing at you and your on the spot, from that sort of position, it can take great reflexes even to move your feet, let alone keep it out. D Block fisticuffs? News to me.

 

[joet]

Owusu outstanding.
defence ridiculous 1st half.
Cold.

that just about covers it! it was an entertaining game though, and we seemed to play it on the ground for a fair amount of time.

 

[Brentford_till_die]

another sh*t performance by nelson, the **** has got to go,
pratts played fukin excellent today and a fantastic goal,
oldham were sh*te didnt do nothing at all,
good that our striekrs are scoring

 

[Ronan]

another sh*t performance by nelson, the **** has got to go,
pratts played fukin excellent today and a fantastic goal,
oldham were sh*te didnt do nothing at all,
good that our striekrs are scoring

So tell me, how did Nelson play 'sh*t'? You calling him a c unt or something for lapses by Frampton and centre backs, letting the same move happen 3 times? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm genuinely puzzled. Don't get me wrong, Nelson could have saved them, if he knew that they wouldn't be defended. Then again, when so many people berate him because he comes out too much, he stays on his line, and he gets the same treatment. What exactly should he do? And who are you suggesting replaces Nelson? Bankole? Masters? Recall Julian? Yeah I bet, if we can't afford our players' wages now, what's your plan of action?

 

[The H]

don't worry Ronan, i'm on your side

 

[beetee]

apart from the defence the first 45 mins was the best i've seen us play this season.
i really don't know what was going on at the back,they had 3 attacks and we just seemed to stand and watch them score.as someone said previously it was like watching slow motion...it was really wierd.
thought we weren't as good in the second half and couldn't see us equalising so it was great to see lloyd get the equaliser.
we really need to be getting 3 points in games like these but i'm taking great heart from our first half performance.if we play like that every week and shore up the defence i think we'll go up! at last we are starting to look good,lloyd and dj are gonna be a partnership to fear!

 

[Beesnut]

Nelson is the best keeper we've got,and when the defence in front of you is thinking of other things all day,they make you look decidedly ordinary. Nelson's kicking under pressure was superb today, and when Sam who was marking Porter has no faith in his own ability and looks completely lost, Nelson doesn't really stand much chance.

The defence-goalie relationship works on trust, Nelson trusts the guys in front of him to deal with those sort of balls, and they didn't. Not his fault,so lay off him.

 

[londondude]

match report

good 1st half poor 2nd half
c**p ref again (whats new)
good goal pratley
cold

 

[Ronan]

Nelson is the best keeper we've got,and when the defence in front of you is thinking of other things all day,they make you look decidedly ordinary. Nelson's kicking under pressure was superb today, and when Sam who was marking Porter has no faith in his own ability and looks completely lost, Nelson doesn't really stand much chance.

The defence-goalie relationship works on trust, Nelson trusts the guys in front of him to deal with those sort of balls, and they didn't. Not his fault,so lay off him.

That's one thing I forgot to mention, his kicking. Throughout the match it was superb, not one kick went into touch, even under pressure. There was one half-slice, but it didn't cost us. All straight down the middle, finding Owusu's head to be flicked on on multiple occasions. Had it been a 3-2 or 3-1 to us, Nelson would have got a 6, but I'm putting a cautionary 5 because I havn't seen each goal clearly and in slow motion (or have I? )

If we can build upon this solid midfield linking up to the strikers, I won't be surprised at more 3-goal scorelines on our part from us.

 

[Billy Hunt]

From Brook road, Nelson looked like he just stood and watched the Oldham players score. Having spoken to friends who pay for a decent view, I am of a mind to blame the goals on poor marking.

Nelson's kicking was excellent today.

Newman looks special, ran the game superbly.

A really good performance, I thought. Typical that the defence should have a bad day when things were so improved up front.

 

[Beesnut]

Newman looks special, ran the game superbly.

For me, he's a similar but not quite the same as Talbot. Newman is slower in spreading the play,whereas Talbot was a lot quicker on this.Newman is prone to getting his head stuck down,and he's not as good as driving forward as Talbot.

However,that said,he looked very assured in what he did today,and he compliments the craftsmanship of Pratley nicely,though a bit of bite from Newman,(like when Chris Hargreaves went mad) wouldn't go amiss.

And let us not forget,the shove on the ref was quality.

 

[Ace Face]

Some of our players need to start taking a long hard look at themselves and think what they want to do with their football careers. Playing superb at Hartlepool and sh*te the week after at home to an appalling Oldham will leave them plying their trade at a club like ours fighting to survive and with no glory. Some of the players could play at a higher level if they became more focussed and consistent.

I thought our defense as a whole was pathetic today and hopedfully they will go back to basics.

Midfield was good first half and so was front two. Although second half created bugger all.

Lloyd tried hard and Dudley with good service would have got a hatfull.

Brooker should just f£ck off as he is unable to challenge, provide width in open play and get involved in any way. I only wish Rhodes is back very soon.

This performance shows that we are not good enough to go up. On our day we can beat anyone - but then loose to B City the week after.

 

[rick lovesey]

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.

 

[Ronan]

Was one from the New Road side? I would say I'm losing my touch, but I never had one

 

[Billy Hunt]

For me, he's a similar but not quite the same as Talbot. Newman is slower in spreading the play,whereas Talbot was a lot quicker on this.Newman is prone to getting his head stuck down,and he's not as good as driving forward as Talbot.

However,that said,he looked very assured in what he did today,and he compliments the craftsmanship of Pratley nicely,though a bit of bite from Newman,(like when Chris Hargreaves went mad) wouldn't go amiss.

And let us not forget,the shove on the ref was quality.

Well, I disagree.

I was a huge Talbot fan, but on today's showing, I would say that Newman is more 'football' than Talbot, if you know what I mean.

Talbot was the heartbeat of the team, whereas Newman seems to have a bit more vision, and, admittedly against a team that had no attacking intentions in the second half, seems more creative.

But, I am watching the game from Brook road, so it could have been a steward or Peter Gilham or the ghost of Percy that impressed me so much.

 

[Billy Hunt]

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.

Yeah.

I'm with rick.

 

[Beesnut]

Some of our players need to start taking a long hard look at themselves and think what they want to do with their football careers. Playing superb at Hartlepool and sh*te the week after at home to an appalling Oldham will leave them plying their trade at a club like ours fighting to survive and with no glory. Some of the players could play at a higher level if they became more focussed and consistent.

Midfield was good first half and so was front two. Although second half created bugger all.

Brooker should just f£ck off as he is unable to challenge, provide width in open play and get involved in any way. I only wish Rhodes is back very soon.

Very true. Consistency is our problem,but from some players. Michael Turner is the definition of Mr Consistency. Others are liable to collapsing at any point.

We just seemed to lose any sense of creativity for large parts of the second half.It was just hit and hope,oo,let's hit it over there and see what happens. Not what you need,especially when their defence is so sh*t.

Brooker displayed so little desire or hunger today,and 50:50s he went in for were immediately in Oldhams favour. That's were you need someone to just get stuck in and not worry about whether you get smacked in the jewels. He's not shown nearly enough quality to warrant a first team place.

 

[Beesnut]

Well, I disagree.

I was a huge Talbot fan, but on today's showing, I would say that Newman is more 'football' than Talbot, if you know what I mean.

Talbot was the heartbeat of the team, whereas Newman seems to have a bit more vision, and, admittedly against a team that had no attacking intentions in the second half, seems more creative.

But, I am watching the game from Brook road, so it could have been a steward or Peter Gilham or the ghost of Percy that impressed me so much.

Fairplay to you mate, they are very similar players and so it's down to a matter of personal taste.I think they both have fantastic footballing brains, but Talbot's problem was his lack of energy and old age. Newman doesn't have quite as big b0ll0cks in my opinion,which I felt added so much to our team last year.

Newman and Pratley are both very creative players,but because Pratley seems to be the more attacking of the two,I'd like to see a bit more attitude from Newman,though all credit to him,he is showing all the signs of a great signing.

 

[North London Bee]

Re: Bees v Oldham Match reports

I thought Tillen was superb when he came on. I like Framps but there is no room for sentiment in football and for me Tillen deserves a place.

I think that Frampton was struggling for fitness and also with Oldham sitting back we needed someone who could bomb on down the line and put in crosses.

Tillen filled the bill admirably - given the contaxt of the game. I would not br too quick to dismiss Frampton as I still think that defensively he is far better than Tillen and with 2 tough away games to come we will need his qualities to survive.

 

[Billy Hunt]

We just seemed to lose any sense of creativity for large parts of the second half.It was just hit and hope,oo,let's hit it over there and see what happens. Not what you need,especially when their defence is so sh*t.

Their defence was poor, but, when they stick eleven men behind the ball, it is up to us to try and break them down. They weren't gonna just give us space to play pretty football and score goals at will, so we had to 'mix it up'. Throw a few balls in the box, and try to force an error.

Oh, it worked.

I don't know what some people expect sometimes. We ain't Barcelona, we ain't Real Madrid - FFS we ain't even Crewe Alexandra. This is third rate English football and sometimes it ain't pretty.

 

[California Bee]

...To allow their striker 3 goals in 13 minutes, all the same is quite frankly, appauling.

That's, quite frankly, appalling and it's appalling.

 

[jlove]

Actually a good performance, apart from dodgy Sodje! He was on another planet in the first half. I don't think the defence was in it for the first 20 minutes, only Turner fighting a losing battle. Nelson can't be blamed for the goals, he has a right to suppose the defence would defend - he's not a superhero!

Newman and Pratley looked real class in the midfield; that combination can only get better.

It's not very often we score 3 goals in a game... but it's not very often we give 3 away! Lets hope the defence improves and we keep up the scoring.

 

[Beesnut]

Their defence was poor, but, when they stick eleven men behind the ball, it is up to us to try and break them down. They weren't gonna just give us space to play pretty football and score goals at will, so we had to 'mix it up'. Throw a few balls in the box, and try to force an error.

Oh, it worked.

I don't know what some people expect sometimes. We ain't Barcelona, we ain't Real Madrid - FFS we ain't even Crewe Alexandra. This is third rate English football and sometimes it ain't pretty.

Well when we've got too very creative players in Newman and Pratley, I expect some creative play from them,and a bit of footballing intelligence. It just seemed that we weren't quite playing to our full ability,and that's what disappoints me. I don't mind the fact that we're not top quality,I just want to see us fulfill our potential.

 

[Ronan]

That's, quite frankly, appalling and it's appalling.

Leave me alone

 

[Rocky_Latic]

On the plus side, Oldham have probably got one of the weakest defences in the football league........and one of the worst keepers. On the minus side, they are probably saying the same about us.

Thats not our best defence though.

Scott (Centre back/Right Back)
Swailes (centre back) - Injured
Stam (Centre back/left back) - Injured
Tierney (Left back) - Injured
Haining (Centre back) - Not Match Fit
Branston (Centre back) - Not Match Fit

We had no recognised left back today.

My defence for us would be

Forbes, Haining, Stam, Tierney

Our defence today was Forbes, Owen, Hall,

 

[North London Bee]

- Suspect Nelson might have come for the first cross as it hung in the air a long time but it might have been swerving away from him

- Also suspect that neither Sodje nor Framps were fit today as they both played like tarts

- Kevin O'Connor was also a yard off the pace


- Best central midfield display of the season. Pratley was given the cover he needed to come forward and had his best ever game for us and I have commented at length on Newman on another thread

- Brooker IS quality but he needs constant service as he tends to drift in and out of games and is powderpuff. His crossing is excelent and he helps calm us down but I am not sure he contributes enough overall

- Tabb was like my labrador chasing a ball today. Again a bit peripheral and for a player of his ability the end result is lacking

- DJ and Lloyd looked a real handful until DJ tired. If we can keep the abll on the deck for DJ and put the ball behind the defence and turn them for Lloyd to run onto (as in the second half today) then they will both score

- Peters is class and terrified them when he came on

****ed off we slept at the back and gave them 3 goals but pleased at much of our approach play.

Things will get even better - on the pitch anyway !!!

 

[German Bee]

I can tell you now that Nelson didn't have a 'blinder', he had barely anything to do. When a header comes rocketing at you and your on the spot, from that sort of position, it can take great reflexes even to move your feet, let alone keep it out. D Block fisticuffs? News to me.

A family of half-wits started on some old bloke a few rows in front.
The guy who punched him had his son and daughter with him and and she was crying her eyes out watching her dad fighting.
I hope your're proud of yourself mate.

 

[Ronan]

A family of half-wits started on some old bloke a few rows in front.
The guy who punched him had his son and daughter with him and and she was crying her eyes out watching her dad fighting.
I hope your're proud of yourself mate.

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...

 

[tobyw]

When a header comes rocketing at you and your on the spot, from that sort of position, it can take great reflexes even to move your feet, let alone keep it out.

Rocketing?

For the 2nd one Porter didn't even have to nod the ball in, it just seemed to bounce off his head and end up in the net - Stuart just stood and watched. I'm not trying to take the blame away from whoever should have been marking up, but surely Nelson has to shoulder some of the responsibility. After all, the guy was only stood a few feet from him, completely unmarked, and he was rooted to his line (again).

Other than conceding 3 very sloppy goals, I thought we had a good day at the office. Lloyd and DJ looked lively and seem to be developing what hopefully will become a decent understanding of each other. Pratley was excellent, Newman did his job very well. I don't remember ever seeing such a 1 sided game at GP, so I'm slightly suprised to see the match stats on the OS giving Oldham as much as 43% of the possession.

2 points dropped I think, against a very poor Oldham side, although it was still very pleasing to see the boys put in such a good performance.

Onwards and upwards :bound:

 

[Guildford Bee]

I thought we played better football than we have all season in the first half. Just a shame the defence fell apart on three occasions, the back four and Nelson should share equal blame I would say.

 

[wanderer paul]

- Suspect Nelson might have come for the first cross as it hung in the air a long time but it might have been swerving away from him

- Also suspect that neither Sodje nor Framps were fit today as they both played like tarts

- Kevin O'Connor was also a yard off the pace


- Best central midfield display of the season. Pratley was given the cover he needed to come forward and had his best ever game for us and I have commented at length on Newman on another thread

- Brooker IS quality but he needs constant service as he tends to drift in and out of games and is powderpuff. His crossing is excelent and he helps calm us down but I am not sure he contributes enough overall

- Tabb was like my labrador chasing a ball today. Again a bit peripheral and for a player of his ability the end result is lacking

- DJ and Lloyd looked a real handful until DJ tired. If we can keep the abll on the deck for DJ and put the ball behind the defence and turn them for Lloyd to run onto (as in the second half today) then they will both score

- Peters is class and terrified them when he came on

****ed off we slept at the back and gave them 3 goals but pleased at much of our approach play.

Things will get even better - on the pitch anyway !!!

This post sums it up for me too.

When we don't score our defence is solid, when we do score they're like a sieve!

Can't afford these points being dropped at home against poor opposition though. Gillingham, Oldham, Swindon and Bristol City. 9 points lost. We'd be there with Swansea but for lapses in front of opponents goal or our goal.

 

[loyalbee]

nelson was good with a lot of pressure kicks from the corners but really should have come for at least one of the crosses
sodje had a suprisingly poor game but was covered by another dominant display from turner who even started to come forward
dj and owusu look like a great pairing upfront
Pratley and newman were superb today, no coincidence that owusu starts scoring when we have a balanced midfield
O'conner, framps and tillen were all poor in the wingback positions today but alot of that may have been due to brooker's lack of defence

really superb game today
........unfortunately tainted by that stupid oldham flag and some rascist chanting from people close to me in the brook road

 

[Ronan]

and some rascist chanting from people close to me in the brook road

I know, after one round of it, I was disappointed, but to hear 2 or 3 sets of chants, it was a different matter. Yes they came when fans were getting frustrated, but still, racism is going to the low of lows, and is unacceptable for whatever reason.

 

[hanworthbee]

apart from the bad lapses at the back thoroughly enjoyed the first half, hate shooting to ealing rd in the 2nd half it just doesnt work, played well and it shd have been 5-0 not 3-3.Chuffed for Lloyd to get his first home goal but i thought it was Sodje from where I was!.Still Im hoping for a draw up there in the cup and we beat them comfortably in the replay.
Not happy with Brooker, cant wait for Rhodes to get fit so we can bin the scruffy pikey.

 

[brighton bee]

to be honest we should be beating sides like that at home but we certainly didnt deserve anything more than a point today.defence in the first half was comical but im with ronan on this one-in most situations where the marking is that poor there really is nothing a keeper can do apart from pull of an absolutely word class, once in a lifetime save.

 

[big neil]

Re: Bees v Oldham Match reports

I thought Tillen was superb when he came on. I like Framps but there is no room for sentiment in football and for me Tillen deserves a place.
.

Frampton had an off day, Tillen was very averagewhen he came on.

 

[Willo]

Thought we had a couple of decent penalty shouts late on. Anyone else with a better view than I did agree?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Thought we had a couple of decent penalty shouts late on. Anyone else with a better view than I did agree?

I sit in that half and I didn't see anything to get too excited about.