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I get the feeling that this report will carry a very similar kind of feel to both the Blackpool and Plymouth game, but for anyone interested here was my view on the Bristol game yesterday evening.
After leaving the island at 2:30, we eventually made it up to the ground at 7 o'clock. We hadn't anticipated arriving at the ground so late, and as a result the parking was difficult... cars were literally everywhere!
By complete chance as we drove past there was a driveway with no car parked across it. As I looked down the road, I was faced with either driving off into the unknown or parking up here. Without thinking I knocked on the house door, and a man answered. So there I was in my QPR shirt, car running on the driveway and a beaming smile. I cheekily asked if he would mind me parking there. Fortunately enough he was a Bristol Rover's fan, and he said that as long as we beat them I "can park wherever I want" which was nice to hear! I was expecting a frosty kind of reaction, so I was relieved when he said as I was left with no other option.
As I trotted across the street into the away end, I got to the ground as the names where being read out. I had read that Faurlin was supposed to be in the squad, but I have to admit I was quite amazed to hear that he would actually be starting the game. When his name was read out he got a generous applause and he clapped in our direction. The rest of the team was made up of Cerny in goal, Ramage, Hall, Borrowdale and there was also a recall for Stewart at centre back. In midfield we had Routledge on the right hand side, Leigertwood and Faurlin in the middle and Agyemang out on the left hand side. Upfront we had Taarabt and Buzsaky.
The game started at a blistering pace, with both us and Bristol having a few chances at goal. Our first real effort involved Buzsaky. After Routledge had played a beautiful one two off of Taarabt, he played the ball central to Buzsaky who let fly with a shot from about 30 yards out... unfortunately it flew over the bar and didn't trouble the keeper.
In fairness to Bristol City, they were playing football in the right way. Something which we couldn't have said for both Blackpool and Plymouth. Instead of being bombarded with long balls up field, they were really trying to play through us and it made for a lively opening few minutes. Soon after Buzsaky's effort, we were grateful to Cerny for keeping the scores level.
Haynes was chasing down a loose ball at the back, and as Borrowdale didn't anticipate how quickly he was approaching, we ended up giving away a cheap free kick right on the edge of the box towards the corner flag. As the City player ran over to take the free kick right in front of us "Cheat Cheat Cheat!" was the chant from the away end, as he looked up and smiled. McCalister whipped in a superb cross from the free kick, and as Hall looked to have cleared the danger, the ball fell to Maynard who lashed his shot goal wards... Cerny flew to the bottom right of the goalmouth and managed to hold onto the ball with a whole melee of City players waiting to pounce. It was a terrific stop, and but for his lightening quick reflexes we would have been a goal down.
The Ashton Gate atmosphere was really starting to build at this stage, and they really were generating an awesome amount of noise.
We were again fortunate to not concede what must have been 2 minutes later. After Haynes again caused havoc on the left hand side, Borrowdale managed to get a foot in and we conceded a corner kick. From the resulting cross, one of the City players managed to glance the ball into the bottom corner. As Cerny remained glued to his spot, we watched as Buzsaky somehow managed to clear it off the line from under the crossbar!
Vehement screams from the City fans that the ball was over the line followed, but the linesmen on the near side shook his head, and I think it was the correct decision (certainly from where I was sat anyway). Obviously sensing an irony about them protesting the ball being over the line, a chant of "It was over the line, it was over the line... you cheating b*stards, it was over the line!" was what we sung towards them and they duly replied with a couple of laughs and claps our direction.
We were again holding our breath what must have been about 10 minutes later. After one of the City players slid a ball in behind the defence, it seemed to catch both Stewart and Hall off guard, and Maynard raced through on goal. As both our defenders sprinted to catch him, his blistering pace saw him rocket away... and with our hands on our head we watched as he saw his effort skim wide of the post. Another major let off, and somehow the score remained 0-0.
Next up Buzsaky had another couple of efforts on goal. After picking the ball up from midfield, Taarabt turned his man and ran towards goal. With Routledge calling for the ball on his right, Agyemang on the left, and Buzsaky just ahead of him he used their movement to create space. After a defender had committed himself to the tackle, he actually managed to get past him, and just at the crucial moment he could play the ball wide he was cut down to the ground for a free kick on the edge of the box. It was clear that there was no intention of winning the ball from the defender, but for whatever reason no card was shown.
From the resulting free kick Buzsaky lashed the ball at goal, but it hit the wall and cannoned off into the air. As Routledge brought the ball down, he instantly fed Buzsaky again who let fly this time with his left foot, but again it had too much elevation and didn't test the keeper.
By this stage, we were just starting to turn the game in our favour, but shortly after the referee blew time on the first half and it remained level at 0-0.
To be brutally honest, City had been by far the better team, and they will have counted themselves unlucky not to have been ahead at this stage. Make no mistake, on another day we would likely have been 3-0 down, but with the gruesome luck we have had so far this season it was about time that something went our way.
We have all heard about Magilton/Gorman tearing into the players at Exeter, and whatever they did yesterday looked to have done the trick as early as the 46th minute. After Faurlin had won possession in the middle of the pitch, he played the ball through to Buzsaky. As he was met by the defender, he feinted to dribble one way but turned on the spot and left his marker standing. He floated a peach of a pass behind the City left back, and as Routledge ghosted in behind him, he let fly with a volley which was palmed to safety then smothered by Gerkin in the City goal.
It was end to end stuff, and City nearly went ahead at the other end of the pitch. After Haynes managed to this time beat Ramage on the right hand side, his cross was punched clear by Cerny and fell perfectly for Bradley Orr right on the edge of the box. He caught his shot sweetly, but watched on as his effort sailed wide of the post.
Such has been our misfortune in front of goal, at times you are just left speechless at how the ball hasn't ended up in the back of the net. This was the case with Taarabt, and it was an opportunity that just left me gob-smacked. After Faurlin sprayed the ball out wide, Routledge again beat the right back with ease, and his pace saw him get to the byline with time to spare. As he looked up, he dinked a textbook cross right into the path of Taarabt at the far post. He caught the ball pretty well, and with Gerkin beaten somehow the ball hit both crossbar and post and came back out of play. It's the kind of service that in training he will take it all day long - but it wasn't to be. It's been the story of our season so far, we just aren't getting the rub of the green... we were extremely unlucky not to have taken the lead here!
Soon after both us and Bristol City made a couple of changes. We brought on Vine and Pellicori at the expense of Agyemang and Taarabt.
Again, we so ever nearly took the lead shortly after. Routledge again found time on the ball, and after somehow bustling his way past 2 defenders he played a delicate one two with Faurlin, then with the outside of his boot bent the ball in behind the left back... with Ramage bombing down the line to reach the ball, he flashed his cross past the goalmouth and Pellicori gave the ball a deft header back goal wards... Vine charged through to meet the knock down, but was just second best and agonizingly the ball was cleared of danger. Again thought, it was very promising football, and credit to Magilton because it really was effective. Another day Vine beats the defender and we are 1-0 up... but yet again it just didn't go our way.
The substitute that had come on for City was then involved in a collision which I didn't see. It looked like he just turned awkwardly in the ground, but I can't really comment as I didn't have a clear view. He was down for what seemed forever, and after eventually being stretchered off he received a warm applause from all sections of the crowd.
Then a few moments later disaster struck. Maynard, who had been a thorn in our side all evening managed to get the better of Stewart, and he thumped a crisp shot right into the roof of the net... Cerny had no chance and City found themselves 1-0 up. You had to just look on in disbelief, we really had been the better side for the majority of this half, but again we found ourselves looking down the barrel of a defeat with only a few minutes to play.
City nearly doubled their lead straight away, again it was the nippy Maynard who was the danger, and this time he sent a stinging shot just wide of the post. Cerny looked to have been beaten, and we could have easily gone 2-0 down.
Shortly after the 4th official indicated another 7 minutes left to play (clearly for the injury sustained to the City player). I was eagerly looking at the time, as my last ferry back to the island was at 1 o'clock, and if I missed it I was in for a long night... the next one didn't leave till something like 4:30am, and I needed to be back at work first thing this morning!!
To save me a little bit of time, I wondered down to the exit, and watched on from the side. I didn't have the best view here, but Vine looked to have played Leigertwood in with just the keeper to beat. In excitement I grabbed hold of the steward closest to me (heat of the moment, you know what it's like!), and watched on as Leigertwood hit straight at the keeper. After the chance had gone, I looked up as the steward had a baffled look on his face, as to why I had practically pounced onto him! Disappointed and embarrassed I took my hands off his shoulders and ran back to the car, and set off on my journey home.
Looking back though, what a terrific chance to have taken something from the game!
I did manage to make it back down for 1 o'clock, but in typical IOW fashion the ferries were running late. I eventually got back home and in bed for 4:00am after an hours crossing. I am absolutely shattered from it, so apologies if this report is a little scattered!
I feel like a broken record for saying about how many we have missed though, but I'm not exaggerating we really are creating a ghastly amount of chances - sooner or later they WILL go in, and when they do whoever the opposition is will get a royal thumping!
Player Ratings -
Cerny - We were grateful to him for making a couple of excellent saves in the first half. Didn't have an awful lot to do in the second half, but had no chance at all for Maynard's goal. The one positive was that he continually played the ball short (unlike the aimless punting up field against towards the end of the Plymouth game on Saturday). He did flap at one cross that came into the box, but all in all he had a good game.
Ramage - Looked really up for the game yesterday, and worked ever so hard. He did get a bit of a run around by Haynes, but that is no dig at Ramage's performance. Haynes is a fantastic little player, and causes most defences problems. Ramage did get forward on a couple of occasions too, putting in a couple of superb crosses, but also a couple of wild ones. Not a bad game from him though.
Hall - Have to say I wasn't his biggest fan last season, but he barely put a foot wrong yesterday. Very strong in the air, and a made a couple of excellent sliding challenges. Magilton won't drop him after playing as well as he did yesterday, I just hope he can keep this form up. Some of his long range passes were sublime. Very impressive.
Stewart - Recall for him, and don't think he did himself any harm. I think he was turned for the first goal, and obviously caught off guard in the first half... but he was near on always on hand to cover, and had a solid game.
Borrowdale - I find him a frustrating player to watch. At times he looks so useful, and actually links up with other players fantastically... other times he just looks off the pace. Gave away a silly free kick, and but for a cracking Cerny save we would have conceded. I think the jury is still out, Connolly is by far the better player though without a shadow of a doubt.
Routledge - Continues to keep producing game on game. Always alert and just provides such width on the right hand side. Ran at players all night, and just lit the game up on occasions almost single-handedly. I didn't mention it above, but he did one run where a couple of players looked to have gotten the better of him, and he immaculately did a 360 spin through the both of them and came away with the ball. He is chasing down, defending, passing, shooting - just brilliant!
Leigertwood - Pretty good game from him. One possession back on a fair few occasions, and kept midfield organized well. Didn't do much wrong, but made no huge impact on the game.
Faurlin - Really tried to keep a close eye on him yesterday. Sad to say, the first half he was quite a let down but that was all forgotten in the second period. He looks full of energy, and has got an eye for a pass. I think in time people will start to draw comparisons to him and Parejo, but the fundamental difference is that Faurlin will put his head in where it hurts. I think it was a baptism of fire to throw him straight into the starting lineup away from home on a Tuesday night, but hopefully he will have learned a lot from it. He is a good player, but will need time to adapt.
Agyemang - Didn't do anything of note, but that wasn't for the want of trying. He did work hard, but had next to no impact on the game and was eventually substituted.
Buzsaky - Still not back to his brilliant best, but was pulling all the strings in midfield. Not afraid to shoot from range, and linked up very well with Taarabt and Routledge. Much more effective playing in the centre than out wide, and is improving game on game.
Taarabt - He will be gutted his effort didn't manage to find the back of the net, but I actually have started to see a change in him. He does still hang onto the ball a little bit too much, but he started to pass and move much much more yesterday. Even though it wasn't the blitzing kind of display we saw last season, he is starting to learn that to use other players more often. He was a threat though, and I think he is really starting to improve as an all round player. Credit to Magilton.
Subs -
Pellicori - Really liked the look of him. Won a fair few headers, and put the ball on a plate for Vine to finish. Would like to see him get a full game sooner or later. Promising.
Vine - Few nice touches and worked hard, but didn't do an awful lot. Unlucky to have not scored from Pellicori's touch down.
Helguson - Didn't have enough time to do anything.
Overall, I think the report speaks for itself. We just need to finish our chances, I desperately think that the board need to invest in a striker and SOON. This team is good enough to make the playoffs, get a decent striker in and we will be a threat to anyone.
Saturday will be very interesting.
COME ON U R'sss!
After leaving the island at 2:30, we eventually made it up to the ground at 7 o'clock. We hadn't anticipated arriving at the ground so late, and as a result the parking was difficult... cars were literally everywhere!
By complete chance as we drove past there was a driveway with no car parked across it. As I looked down the road, I was faced with either driving off into the unknown or parking up here. Without thinking I knocked on the house door, and a man answered. So there I was in my QPR shirt, car running on the driveway and a beaming smile. I cheekily asked if he would mind me parking there. Fortunately enough he was a Bristol Rover's fan, and he said that as long as we beat them I "can park wherever I want" which was nice to hear! I was expecting a frosty kind of reaction, so I was relieved when he said as I was left with no other option.
As I trotted across the street into the away end, I got to the ground as the names where being read out. I had read that Faurlin was supposed to be in the squad, but I have to admit I was quite amazed to hear that he would actually be starting the game. When his name was read out he got a generous applause and he clapped in our direction. The rest of the team was made up of Cerny in goal, Ramage, Hall, Borrowdale and there was also a recall for Stewart at centre back. In midfield we had Routledge on the right hand side, Leigertwood and Faurlin in the middle and Agyemang out on the left hand side. Upfront we had Taarabt and Buzsaky.
The game started at a blistering pace, with both us and Bristol having a few chances at goal. Our first real effort involved Buzsaky. After Routledge had played a beautiful one two off of Taarabt, he played the ball central to Buzsaky who let fly with a shot from about 30 yards out... unfortunately it flew over the bar and didn't trouble the keeper.
In fairness to Bristol City, they were playing football in the right way. Something which we couldn't have said for both Blackpool and Plymouth. Instead of being bombarded with long balls up field, they were really trying to play through us and it made for a lively opening few minutes. Soon after Buzsaky's effort, we were grateful to Cerny for keeping the scores level.
Haynes was chasing down a loose ball at the back, and as Borrowdale didn't anticipate how quickly he was approaching, we ended up giving away a cheap free kick right on the edge of the box towards the corner flag. As the City player ran over to take the free kick right in front of us "Cheat Cheat Cheat!" was the chant from the away end, as he looked up and smiled. McCalister whipped in a superb cross from the free kick, and as Hall looked to have cleared the danger, the ball fell to Maynard who lashed his shot goal wards... Cerny flew to the bottom right of the goalmouth and managed to hold onto the ball with a whole melee of City players waiting to pounce. It was a terrific stop, and but for his lightening quick reflexes we would have been a goal down.
The Ashton Gate atmosphere was really starting to build at this stage, and they really were generating an awesome amount of noise.
We were again fortunate to not concede what must have been 2 minutes later. After Haynes again caused havoc on the left hand side, Borrowdale managed to get a foot in and we conceded a corner kick. From the resulting cross, one of the City players managed to glance the ball into the bottom corner. As Cerny remained glued to his spot, we watched as Buzsaky somehow managed to clear it off the line from under the crossbar!
Vehement screams from the City fans that the ball was over the line followed, but the linesmen on the near side shook his head, and I think it was the correct decision (certainly from where I was sat anyway). Obviously sensing an irony about them protesting the ball being over the line, a chant of "It was over the line, it was over the line... you cheating b*stards, it was over the line!" was what we sung towards them and they duly replied with a couple of laughs and claps our direction.
We were again holding our breath what must have been about 10 minutes later. After one of the City players slid a ball in behind the defence, it seemed to catch both Stewart and Hall off guard, and Maynard raced through on goal. As both our defenders sprinted to catch him, his blistering pace saw him rocket away... and with our hands on our head we watched as he saw his effort skim wide of the post. Another major let off, and somehow the score remained 0-0.
Next up Buzsaky had another couple of efforts on goal. After picking the ball up from midfield, Taarabt turned his man and ran towards goal. With Routledge calling for the ball on his right, Agyemang on the left, and Buzsaky just ahead of him he used their movement to create space. After a defender had committed himself to the tackle, he actually managed to get past him, and just at the crucial moment he could play the ball wide he was cut down to the ground for a free kick on the edge of the box. It was clear that there was no intention of winning the ball from the defender, but for whatever reason no card was shown.
From the resulting free kick Buzsaky lashed the ball at goal, but it hit the wall and cannoned off into the air. As Routledge brought the ball down, he instantly fed Buzsaky again who let fly this time with his left foot, but again it had too much elevation and didn't test the keeper.
By this stage, we were just starting to turn the game in our favour, but shortly after the referee blew time on the first half and it remained level at 0-0.
To be brutally honest, City had been by far the better team, and they will have counted themselves unlucky not to have been ahead at this stage. Make no mistake, on another day we would likely have been 3-0 down, but with the gruesome luck we have had so far this season it was about time that something went our way.
We have all heard about Magilton/Gorman tearing into the players at Exeter, and whatever they did yesterday looked to have done the trick as early as the 46th minute. After Faurlin had won possession in the middle of the pitch, he played the ball through to Buzsaky. As he was met by the defender, he feinted to dribble one way but turned on the spot and left his marker standing. He floated a peach of a pass behind the City left back, and as Routledge ghosted in behind him, he let fly with a volley which was palmed to safety then smothered by Gerkin in the City goal.
It was end to end stuff, and City nearly went ahead at the other end of the pitch. After Haynes managed to this time beat Ramage on the right hand side, his cross was punched clear by Cerny and fell perfectly for Bradley Orr right on the edge of the box. He caught his shot sweetly, but watched on as his effort sailed wide of the post.
Such has been our misfortune in front of goal, at times you are just left speechless at how the ball hasn't ended up in the back of the net. This was the case with Taarabt, and it was an opportunity that just left me gob-smacked. After Faurlin sprayed the ball out wide, Routledge again beat the right back with ease, and his pace saw him get to the byline with time to spare. As he looked up, he dinked a textbook cross right into the path of Taarabt at the far post. He caught the ball pretty well, and with Gerkin beaten somehow the ball hit both crossbar and post and came back out of play. It's the kind of service that in training he will take it all day long - but it wasn't to be. It's been the story of our season so far, we just aren't getting the rub of the green... we were extremely unlucky not to have taken the lead here!
Soon after both us and Bristol City made a couple of changes. We brought on Vine and Pellicori at the expense of Agyemang and Taarabt.
Again, we so ever nearly took the lead shortly after. Routledge again found time on the ball, and after somehow bustling his way past 2 defenders he played a delicate one two with Faurlin, then with the outside of his boot bent the ball in behind the left back... with Ramage bombing down the line to reach the ball, he flashed his cross past the goalmouth and Pellicori gave the ball a deft header back goal wards... Vine charged through to meet the knock down, but was just second best and agonizingly the ball was cleared of danger. Again thought, it was very promising football, and credit to Magilton because it really was effective. Another day Vine beats the defender and we are 1-0 up... but yet again it just didn't go our way.
The substitute that had come on for City was then involved in a collision which I didn't see. It looked like he just turned awkwardly in the ground, but I can't really comment as I didn't have a clear view. He was down for what seemed forever, and after eventually being stretchered off he received a warm applause from all sections of the crowd.
Then a few moments later disaster struck. Maynard, who had been a thorn in our side all evening managed to get the better of Stewart, and he thumped a crisp shot right into the roof of the net... Cerny had no chance and City found themselves 1-0 up. You had to just look on in disbelief, we really had been the better side for the majority of this half, but again we found ourselves looking down the barrel of a defeat with only a few minutes to play.
City nearly doubled their lead straight away, again it was the nippy Maynard who was the danger, and this time he sent a stinging shot just wide of the post. Cerny looked to have been beaten, and we could have easily gone 2-0 down.
Shortly after the 4th official indicated another 7 minutes left to play (clearly for the injury sustained to the City player). I was eagerly looking at the time, as my last ferry back to the island was at 1 o'clock, and if I missed it I was in for a long night... the next one didn't leave till something like 4:30am, and I needed to be back at work first thing this morning!!
To save me a little bit of time, I wondered down to the exit, and watched on from the side. I didn't have the best view here, but Vine looked to have played Leigertwood in with just the keeper to beat. In excitement I grabbed hold of the steward closest to me (heat of the moment, you know what it's like!), and watched on as Leigertwood hit straight at the keeper. After the chance had gone, I looked up as the steward had a baffled look on his face, as to why I had practically pounced onto him! Disappointed and embarrassed I took my hands off his shoulders and ran back to the car, and set off on my journey home.
Looking back though, what a terrific chance to have taken something from the game!
I did manage to make it back down for 1 o'clock, but in typical IOW fashion the ferries were running late. I eventually got back home and in bed for 4:00am after an hours crossing. I am absolutely shattered from it, so apologies if this report is a little scattered!
I feel like a broken record for saying about how many we have missed though, but I'm not exaggerating we really are creating a ghastly amount of chances - sooner or later they WILL go in, and when they do whoever the opposition is will get a royal thumping!
Player Ratings -
Cerny - We were grateful to him for making a couple of excellent saves in the first half. Didn't have an awful lot to do in the second half, but had no chance at all for Maynard's goal. The one positive was that he continually played the ball short (unlike the aimless punting up field against towards the end of the Plymouth game on Saturday). He did flap at one cross that came into the box, but all in all he had a good game.
Ramage - Looked really up for the game yesterday, and worked ever so hard. He did get a bit of a run around by Haynes, but that is no dig at Ramage's performance. Haynes is a fantastic little player, and causes most defences problems. Ramage did get forward on a couple of occasions too, putting in a couple of superb crosses, but also a couple of wild ones. Not a bad game from him though.
Hall - Have to say I wasn't his biggest fan last season, but he barely put a foot wrong yesterday. Very strong in the air, and a made a couple of excellent sliding challenges. Magilton won't drop him after playing as well as he did yesterday, I just hope he can keep this form up. Some of his long range passes were sublime. Very impressive.
Stewart - Recall for him, and don't think he did himself any harm. I think he was turned for the first goal, and obviously caught off guard in the first half... but he was near on always on hand to cover, and had a solid game.
Borrowdale - I find him a frustrating player to watch. At times he looks so useful, and actually links up with other players fantastically... other times he just looks off the pace. Gave away a silly free kick, and but for a cracking Cerny save we would have conceded. I think the jury is still out, Connolly is by far the better player though without a shadow of a doubt.
Routledge - Continues to keep producing game on game. Always alert and just provides such width on the right hand side. Ran at players all night, and just lit the game up on occasions almost single-handedly. I didn't mention it above, but he did one run where a couple of players looked to have gotten the better of him, and he immaculately did a 360 spin through the both of them and came away with the ball. He is chasing down, defending, passing, shooting - just brilliant!
Leigertwood - Pretty good game from him. One possession back on a fair few occasions, and kept midfield organized well. Didn't do much wrong, but made no huge impact on the game.
Faurlin - Really tried to keep a close eye on him yesterday. Sad to say, the first half he was quite a let down but that was all forgotten in the second period. He looks full of energy, and has got an eye for a pass. I think in time people will start to draw comparisons to him and Parejo, but the fundamental difference is that Faurlin will put his head in where it hurts. I think it was a baptism of fire to throw him straight into the starting lineup away from home on a Tuesday night, but hopefully he will have learned a lot from it. He is a good player, but will need time to adapt.
Agyemang - Didn't do anything of note, but that wasn't for the want of trying. He did work hard, but had next to no impact on the game and was eventually substituted.
Buzsaky - Still not back to his brilliant best, but was pulling all the strings in midfield. Not afraid to shoot from range, and linked up very well with Taarabt and Routledge. Much more effective playing in the centre than out wide, and is improving game on game.
Taarabt - He will be gutted his effort didn't manage to find the back of the net, but I actually have started to see a change in him. He does still hang onto the ball a little bit too much, but he started to pass and move much much more yesterday. Even though it wasn't the blitzing kind of display we saw last season, he is starting to learn that to use other players more often. He was a threat though, and I think he is really starting to improve as an all round player. Credit to Magilton.
Subs -
Pellicori - Really liked the look of him. Won a fair few headers, and put the ball on a plate for Vine to finish. Would like to see him get a full game sooner or later. Promising.
Vine - Few nice touches and worked hard, but didn't do an awful lot. Unlucky to have not scored from Pellicori's touch down.
Helguson - Didn't have enough time to do anything.
Overall, I think the report speaks for itself. We just need to finish our chances, I desperately think that the board need to invest in a striker and SOON. This team is good enough to make the playoffs, get a decent striker in and we will be a threat to anyone.
Saturday will be very interesting.
COME ON U R'sss!
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