Stevenage Match Reports

[fallacy]

On way back

Never got into it, horrible game and performance

Lost the midfield battle, every second ball was king to Stevenage just didn't have the fight

Physical battle with stevenages CMs yet we play Reeves? Like him but not his type of game tonight

Where is Dave?

Goal for them was a mix up between Dean I believe and Moore. Simple ball over the top and too much dithering between them allowed their tank of a forward get a hook I'm. Awful

Moore was shakey tonight and hesitant - cracking save in the first half tho

Terrible performance that threatened to come and eventually has

Not sure how to change it next game

 

[North London Bee]

Stevenage v Bees Match Report

This was a total missed opportunity and a complete waste of our game in hand.

This was an abject performance from the Brentford team and Manager alike.

Stevenage were in no form at all having lost their last six matches but a totally lopsided team selection gave the home team the advantage and a shapeless Bees were fortunate not to be three diwn at half team as a rampant home team hot post and bar and forced a wonderful reflex save from Moore.

Moore played at right back and Bidwell came back in at left back.

Douglas Adeyemi Reeves and Forshaw formed a midfield that never seemed to know who was playing where and had no width.

BWP and Donaldson were forced to work off scraps and had no service.

The team received fanatastic support but gave little back.

Forrester and Logan gave us a better balance at the interval but the initiative was lost. Donaldson missed when through on the right and BWP created a great chance for himslef but shot over.

We were better but still awful and eventually a cock up between Dean and Moore gifted Haber a soft but fully deserved goal.


Dallas came on but we never improved and apart from a Forshaw shot easily saved never looked like scoring.

Liam Moore was chopped down with nothing seen and the evening ended with Brentford getting what they deserved.


Nothing.

Not a proud night for team and manager alike.

 

[Houghton Bee]

Gutless, pathetic performance. Only decent stevenage player was 15 their left winger the rest were average at best. and we made them look good. some backbone needs to be shown up at carlisle or we'll drop out of the play offs.

 

[james2b]

Rosler has lost sight of his best first eleven.

 

[hitchinb]

I have nothing good to say about a single player. We were sh*t from start finish. Would be less pissed off if their goal was decent. We called them non league but that is what were. At least they looked like a league two side.

 

[Sunbury Bee]

Looks like we were set up not to lose against a team that had lost their last 6/7 games on the trot!! Mr cautious strikes again. Oh for a manager that wants to win.....(puts on tin hat).

 

[josht]

Not good. Stevenage made us play to their style, lumping it up in the air, as opposed to our style of playing it around. Seeing as the only thing Stevenage have is height, I have no idea why the players carried on smashing it up field. In the second half we bought on Forrester yet rarely gave him the ball, favouring smashing it up to Roberts to head back.

Since we've loaned BWP and gone back to a rigid 4-4-2 we've lost every single midfield battle. We have very little depth when we go four across the middle and are easily controlled.

Tonight was so one dimensional that if we play like that in the play-offs we'll be out by the time the second leg kicks off. Playing Adeyemi out right, when we've got Forshow and Dallas whom can both play there, seemed an odd choice. And this is the first game in ages where things just seemed to pass Douglas by. Reeves was quickly shut down and couldn't pass it around, and our set piece delivery was woeful.

Though Simon was slow for the goal, didn't react, but it looked as if Liam Moore left It despite not getting a shout. It may have been way over his head but from where I was sat pitch side it looked like he could have dealt with it.

We need to step it up in time for the next few big games as I've yet to seen us play well since the Southend replay... Two months ago.

 

[EdEdd&Eddy]

We ALWAYS play sh*te at Stevenage. Too many wayward passes, ball hoofed up in the air, completely playing into their hands. Maybe too much tinkering abd playing the haven't helped. With Doncaster losing we're still in the hunt, but need to seriously improve on tonight's performance to go up automatically.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Looks like we were set up not to lose against a team that had lost their last 6/7 games on the trot!! Mr cautious strikes again. Oh for a manager that wants to win.....(puts on tin hat).

Was tempted to click like on your post .. which wouldn't really be appropriate. I agree with what you say though ... we need to be more offensive. Fack sake, this season is/was there for the taking and we sod about with a starting eleven never tried out before .. and with a strong bench ... shaking head with disbelief as I write this. Facked off

 

[Scott "tap in" Fitzgerald]

Dire. What was rosler thinking with thgat selection? Moore and adeyemi right wing?! Ridiculous. And trotta... Lazy or not, he creates chances. He should have been out there tonight.
All hoof ball tonight.
Pissed off. So typical. We balls it up whenever we get close to the top.

 

[hitchinb]

Trying to get some consolation from Doncaster getting stuffed. So everyone has a bad day and maybe tonight will concentrate our minds. But it was the manner of our defeat rather than the score that scares me.

 

[cheshirebee]

All the above.

Can't summon the enthusiasm to post any kind of report. Just poor. Very poor.

 

[DaveyC]

"its not about performances at this time of the season its about grinding out results"

Biggest load of crap ive ever heard. Just play football. Pass the ball on the deck & win tackles. Where has our passing game gone?

 

[mundee4england]

This was a total missed opportunity and a complete waste of our game in hand.

This was an abject performance from the Brentford team and Manager alike.

Stevenage were in no form at all having lost their last six matches but a totally lopsided team selection gave the home team the advantage and a shapeless Bees were fortunate not to be three diwn at half team as a rampant home team hot post and bar and forced a wonderful reflex save from Moore.

Moore played at right back and Bidwell came back in at left back.

Douglas Adeyemi Reeves and Forshaw formed a midfield that never seemed to know who was playing where and had no width.

BWP and Donaldson were forced to work off scraps and had no service.

The team received fanatastic support but gave little back.

Forrester and Logan gave us a better balance at the interval but the initiative was lost. Donaldson missed when through on the right and BWP created a great chance for himslef but shot over.

We were better but still awful and eventually a cock up between Dean and Moore gifted Haber a soft but fully deserved goal.


Dallas came on but we never improved and apart from a Forshaw shot easily saved never looked like scoring.

Liam Moore was chopped down with nothing seen and the evening ended with Brentford getting what they deserved.


Nothing.

Not a proud night for team and manager alike.

Sums it up perfectly.

I don't understand why we are messing with the formation.... The 433/451 got the best out of the team and Clayton scoring for fun. We have changed to 442 in order to play two out and out strikers but now change again to accommodate lots of midfielders.

Like many have said Uwe needs to make some tough decisions and pick his best 9 players with room for a bit of rotation. The 433/451 seems perfect for the players we currently have.... Douglas, Forshaw and Adeyemi as the three midfielders and Forrester, BWP and Clayton as the attacking players... Personally I think we would tear sides apart playing that, as we did in December with lesser talent available!

 

[hitchinb]

Actually, a few beers on, I'm even more pissed off. Great Bees turnout - more away fans than home supporters? - and served up with that. I think we deserve an explanation and an apology.

 

[The Pipe]

Team selection was bad as we were totally unbalanced a point appreciated by the manager who changed it at half time where, somehow we were still in the game, perhaps if we had better balance we might have done better in the first 45

Whilst blaming the manager for the selection it was the players on the pitch who showed absolutely no fight or effort, possible exceptions being Clayton Harlee and Craig. Stevenage quite simply wanted this game and Gavin Mahon was head and shoulders above our players

There is no excuse for this and a number of players need to take a long hard look at themselves, starting with the captain who might as well not have been on the pitch. Really struggle to think of any other players who showed any pride tonight

It's not the end of the world but unless hard words are exchanged this week hopes of promotion will yet again fade. Final point what the F is going on with hoof ball. We now have probably our best set of forwards and don't look like scoring. Perhaps revert to Clayton and Hayes on sat!!

 

[Cham]

Wasn't at the game tonight. Looks like we were awful. Huge chance lost. Is L Moore injured?

 

[Hullbee]

Who cares we are going up right??????

 

[The Pipe]

Who cares we are going up right??????

Not playing like that

 

[Friji]

Still everything to play for. People here are talking like this was the deciding moment of the season. We got much bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks.

 

[JimLevack]

Yes, but they are fish that will be harder to catch than an out of form Stevenage.....we are unconvincing at tne moment and I've seen little from Harry since the window shut

 

[wibs]

Still everything to play for. People here are talking like this was the deciding moment of the season. We got much bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks.

Playing like that we'll be the fish that get battered

 

[SlumanBee]

Absolutely pathetic tonight - what a total waste of money.

To start Reeves on a tuesday night, away from home. stupid.
To shuffle the defence AGAIN after a cleansheet, stupid.

Worst Brentford performance from Douglas, Forshaw, Moore and Adeyemi.
Four central midfielders apparently playing in midfield, unable to pass and unable to get the ball back with pressure.

BWP and Donaldson working with what they got, very little.
I'd replace Moore with Lee for the next game, his kicking was again shocking and it was his lack of communication with Dean that allowed Haber to score.

People who think we aren't capable of performing like this away from home are deluded. Seen us do this at Orient and thought we'd never find another bogey ground for that again, but add Stevenage to the list.

 

[ChinaBee]

I hope Uwe saw how a team at home can break down a defensive away team, how we came in half time level I will never know. One of the worse 45 minutes seen in 47 years.
Dreadful performance, just glad it only took me an hour to get home, obviously I didn't wait to applaud the players off

 

[WarrenBee]

We ALWAYS play sh*te at Stevenage.

Must be the size of their stadium that put's the fear of God into our players then.

Sorry, but these are the games that we should be winning by 3 or 4 if we are serious about going up.

:mad1: :mad1:

 

[NorthamptonBee]

Uwe let us down badly tonight, how did he think of that starting line up and formation as it was pathetic. The players were sh*te but I blame him for thinking that lop-sided team would get a grip on the game.
Bidwell is toilet now, Reeves is nowhere near ready, Forshaw is not good on the left and Adeyemi doesn't suit right wing, Logan is a rampaging RB and a good outlet on that side so we rest him again. Moronic management and far too much tinkering, what a waste of time and money.

 

[Guildford Bee]

Absolutely pathetic. I can't remember the last time I was this angry after a game, probably Aldershot away in the cup under Scott.

Abject performance from management and team.. As loathe as I am to single anyone out because - Tony Craig aside - they were all woeful, Adam Forshaw, Harlee and Bidwell need to have a good look at themselves tonight.

 

[mk1965]

Uwe let us down badly tonight, how did he think of that starting line up and formation as it was pathetic. The players were sh*te but I blame him for thinking that lop-sided team would get a grip on the game.
Bidwell is toilet now, Reeves is nowhere near ready, Forshaw is not good on the left and Adeyemi doesn't suit right wing, Logan is a rampaging RB and a good outlet on that side so we rest him again. Moronic management and far too much tinkering, what a waste of time and money.

Quietest drive home we've had for sometime.

 

[Kettering Bee]

What kind of madness was that 1st half team selection?! We never really recovered from that.

 

[GP200]

What kind of madness was that 1st half team selection?! We never really recovered from that.

...............in a nutshell...............

 

[ChinaBee]

Must be the size of their stadium that put's the fear of God into our players then.

Sorry, but these are the games that we should be winning by 3 or 4 if we are serious about going up.

:mad1: :mad1:

Especially against a team with no confidence we should have been out of the blocks putting them on the back foot, but no we sat back and (tried) to defend deep
What do I know.........
Had a really great week until 7.45 tonight

 

[SCARFER]

Gutted and fuming with that! Awful starting line up, glad things changed at half time but we should be attacking these teams from the off. One of the worst performances I have seen in a long time. Can't really say its a blip as performances haven't been great for a while. I hope uwe now realises he needs to pick a settled side. If Moore has to play because of his loan deal then send him back or drop Dean or Craig. Just can't see how we're going to get top 2 after a game like that, not sure I can handle anymore playoff heartache.

 

[Big Seb]

I'm at a loss to understand Uve and my patience is running out, he has been given excellent resources and support from the crowd and the management but he has turned a footballing team into a hoofball outfit with some of the strangest selections not to mention tactics, the spirit seems to have been knocked out of the players.
After Saturdays display he takes the new center-back (Moore) who could not pass a ball forwards and is not particularly quick and plays him at right-back - well not surprisingly no attacks coming from there in fact not much defending of any quality coming either. Then he takes Jake the mid-fielder who under performed and was subbed and sticks him back in the team but Saturdays MOM Dallas has to warm the bench.
There must be many managers out there that would love the team and support that Uve gets so its time he realized that the Bees support that filled today's away end who started in fine voice but were reduced to near silence by the pitifull display of a confused team.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Totally agree, set the tone of the game and somehow we came in at halftime level. Clearly Uwe realised his mistake but whilst we looked marginally better in the second half we never threatened to score and sadly it was all to obvious that we were going to fall behind at some point and it duly came when a defensive mixup allowed their no 9 (who is awful btw) to slide the ball home. Bidwell looks like he is totally devoid of confidence and Moore is getting there as well - reckon Lee may start on Saturday. Please never ever start that midfield again - talk about square pegs in round holes.....think Reeves is far too lightweight at present to start in midfield, like Saturday the game bypassed him too easily for my liking. Still think playoffs beckon but we need to produce a performance soon to get some confidence as we haven't played well for a prolonged period since Southend in FA Cup.

 

[ICANBEEFORMILES]

Surely one of the most inept, gutless performances of the season, second to nearly every ball against a mediocre team, far from a team pushing for promotion we looked like a bad team battling against relegation. Oh and Tony Craig taking a throw in to Jonathan Douglas who was about five foot away, who attempting to pass it back to Craig put it straight into touch summed up the whole wasted night.

 

[Old NL Bee]

Absolute crap. Makes you wonder why we all bother.

What was Uwe thinking! This result has been coming though as we haven't played well for weeks.

We are simply wasting the best opportunity we have had in years to go up due to Uwe's tinkering and negativity. Why worry so much about a team that hasn't won in 6 games - why not give them something to think about by playing your best attacking team - and then subbing players if thy need 'resting'?!

We'll be lucky to make the play offs, let alone automatic if something doesn't change sharpish!

 

[hobbsy]

Rubbish tonight, never got going at all. Extremely lucky to be level at the break and I have no idea what was going on with the formation. Second half started ok but didn't take long to get back to the poor standard we set in the first.

Calamitous goal to concede with Moore dithering to pick up the ball. We didn't deserve anything tonight and that's exactly what we got.

 

[SpiderBee]

You don't wanna go up Brentford!

 

[Nick Hester]

We were dire. Stevenage who.have lost their last six were better than us in every way and should have won this by four goals. They had desire, their passing was better, they won everything in the air and taught us how to look dangerous from corners... we were simply woeful.
The line up gave us no width and we aimously hit long ball after long ball to a lethargic Wright Phillips who hasnt shown anything in three games.
Forshaw had his worst game in a Bees shirt, Reeves was poor but worst still there was no pace or tempo?
Poor performance to say the least...

 

[Brentford_till_die]

I hope Uwe saw how a team at home can break down a defensive away team, how we came in half time level I will never know. One of the worse 45 minutes seen in 47 years.
Dreadful performance, just glad it only took me an hour to get home, obviously I didn't wait to applaud the players off

Were you not at Dagenham? Peterborough? Cheltenham? Far far worse!!!!

 

[dbee3]

Genuinely thought we might have seen the beginnings of a turning point of this club after the Sheff Utd home game. Uwe had started to really win me over and I (stupidly) believed we could seriously challenge for the title.

However, for all the last part is achievable, we have endured several average performances since the turn of the year. The football has steadily been getting worse in recent matches, the negative tactics are starting to surface again and Uwe STILL appears to be on this never ending "learning curve".

The starting XI was farcical and, as others have noted, lopsided. Putting Reeves in midfield in what was always going to be a physical midfield battle was sheer stupudity. Also, why are we playing players out of position again? We are well enough stocked in all areas to play everyone in their preferred roles. Our forwards may not be the most potent in front of goal at times, but my word they get very little service at times.

I am starting to wonder if Uwe will ever deliver us any success. I have certainly not lost faith, but his constant tinkering and negative approach at times make me wonder if he lacks that certain something required to be a top manager. I really hope he can come good and get the very best out of this squad for the remainder of this season, thus resulting in promotion; however, I do have my doubts after what I've seen in the league throughout the past few weeks.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Not at the game, but Uwe needs to play for a win, Why is it we always come off 2nd best against these sh*tty sides? Failing by playing the right way does not matter, but playing like rabbits trapped in headlights is just not good enough. I despair with some of our leaders tactics of late.

 

[The Walrus]

Rubbish. We set out like a premiership reserve team at a lower league team who turned up expecting to win.

Awful team selection and performance, just lucky that Doncaster also slipped up tonight.

Stevenage had lost their last 6 FFS

Hope Rosler takes Carlisle on Saturday a little more seriously...

 

[mundee4england]

Tonight really was a game to attack them early and put them under pressure. Given their form I think they would have crumbled and we could have won comfortably. We didn't and we set up with 4 central midfielders and didn't create any attacking play, they then saw the opportunity and gained the advantage.

Tonight was a night to go with Forshaw, Forrester, Clayton, BWP and Trotta! I rarely criticise Uwe but he really did **** it up royally tonight!

I feel our season could depend on whether we start to impose our considerable attacking quality on teams rather than worrying about our opponents!

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

A truly shambolic performance in no small part due to a team selection that was so poor it bordered on negligent. How on earth Rosler concluded that a midfield of those four devoid of any width against a team who wanted to get the ball wide would be in any way effective is completely beyond my comprehension and I'd wager, that of anyone who wasted their time and money tonight.

The first half was almost indescribably bad, second to almost every ball, whether it be first, second or third, a midfield who had no idea where or how they were supposed to be playing, strikers so isolated it was untrue and a total inability to string more than two passes together. Honestly it was an horrendous first 45.

Uwe finally realised what we all knew before a ball was kicked and at least made two positive substitutions but in truth, although we improved, it was still nowhere near good enough.

To take a team fourth in the league to a side who have lost six on the bounce and pick a team that negative so as to hand them the impetus from the second the first ball was kicked was unfathomable to be quite honest. Astonishing nerves, over cautiousness, call it what you will, but it was crazy.

 

[Bridge Bee]

Expect Uwe to come out and apologise for the line up, tactics (whatever they were) and performance. Forget free travel to Sheffield United Mr Devlin, you need to think about refunds for tonight. I'd like the guys on bees player to ask some proper interview questions of Uwe instead of the usual brown nose stuff and find out what the hell that was all about.

Logan played well on sat and didn't play at Crawley, so what was the need to rest him?

Craig has been solid at left back, so why bring an out of form Bidwell back?

Square pegs in round holes - Adeyemi and Forshaw playing wide. What's the point, they may as well be on the bench. A midfield that didn't string 3 passes together all night and didn't win a tackle or 2nd ball all game.

Reeves has suddenly become our free kick and corner taker despite him not getting on the bench for the last 5mths. Out of his depth in what was always going to be a physical battle.

I don't think BWP adds anything, but then again he gets no service, forced to scrap off hit and hopes. I think we've crossed 4 balls in to the box in the 4 games he's played. Probably because we've got central midfielders pretending to be wide men. BWP was even pushed to left midfield at one stage in the first half. You couldn't make it up.

Against a team that were at rock bottom we couldn't create a meaningful chance. There was only one team that looked non league and they were in black.

The subs at half time were too late, the rot had already set in. Did Forrester touch the ball in their half of he pitch? Not bothered about the goal, because we deserved to be 4 down at half time anyway.

Strongly believe we have all the right players but they are being played out of position and playing with fear. I wish Uwe would just play his strongest team and set out to win games instead of the negative rubbish we had tonight. Continue as we are and we're going nowhere. Up to you Rosler.

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

Still everything to play for. People here are talking like this was the deciding moment of the season. We got much bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks.

lol.....comedy post of the night lol

we were shocking first half and nearly as bad 2nd....3 attempts on target says it all really.....why oh why was dave not playing....reeves was next to useless, forrester came on for him and wasnt much better...bwp just looks like it aint going to happen....and uwe's defensive minded set up yet again proves that he might not be the one to take us to the promised land....we need someone with the bollards to go out and win these games from the 1st min and theres a serious lack of leadership in this team/camp.....great turnout of bees seriously let down by all the players bar l moore and harlee......we still havent played well in the league since before xmas and its worrying......his experiment with reeves is failing badly and how he can put him on instead of dave is bewildering.......i just dont get uwe sometimes and its a concern.....we need automatic promotion but ive got a feeling uwe will be more than happy with playoffs but i wont....brentford and playoffs are just a disaster waiting to happen again

so to sum up....absolute crap from the management and players tonight....thanks for wasting mine and over a thousand others evenings

 

[GloryHunterBee]

Macclesfield (a) L 0-2; Chester (a) L 0-3; Morecambe (a) L 0-2 - just some of the dismal defeats we suffered back in 2008-2009 - when we won League Two! I remember the Chester game - shocking! - and that was against a side that went out of the League into oblivion that year!
This is Brentford - embrace it and get it in perspective. And anyway all the great sides play poorly - just look at Chelski at Griffin Park the other week!! -
Losing is good for the soul! - honesty and humility about the mistakes made can be the key to greater team unity, a more determined purpose aka the team's salvation!

 

[-superbees2k3-]

Uwe let us down badly tonight, how did he think of that starting line up and formation as it was pathetic. The players were sh*te but I blame him for thinking that lop-sided team would get a grip on the game.
Bidwell is toilet now, Reeves is nowhere near ready, Forshaw is not good on the left and Adeyemi doesn't suit right wing, Logan is a rampaging RB and a good outlet on that side so we rest him again. Moronic management and far too much tinkering, what a waste of time and money.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Wish I hadn't gone.

 

[-superbees2k3-]

Absolutely pathetic. I can't remember the last time I was this angry after a game, probably Aldershot away in the cup under Scott.

Abject performance from management and team.. As loathe as I am to single anyone out because - Tony Craig aside - they were all woeful, Adam Forshaw, Harlee and Bidwell need to have a good look at themselves tonight.

Harsh on Harlee. Bidwell, Douglas, Adeyemi and Reeves were all shocking though.