I sent a text to my friends when I got back that said something like this:
"It wasn't pretty, but **** it, we won. We're not the best team in the world, but at least it's getting better. On to Chelsea."
A few points from the game:
1) 600 Rangers there. Not many songs - it was all a little bit dull.
2) Magilton sent off for mouthing off at the referee - he declined to say that he spat at him ("A bit of gum flew out of my mouth, apparently") after he declined to give a penalty when it looked as though their keeper had brought down Routledge. Some felt that their keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch after a horrible challenge in the first minute of the game.
3) Tarrabt's finish was a lovely one. Clinical.
4) Less clinical were the finishes of Simpson (2) and Vine (2), and Routledge. We could have been 4-0 up and half time and be well worth it. Hall also had a volley saved brilliantly late in the second half.
5) Our performance was patchy - as I alluded to earlier it wasn't great. Because we were 1-0 for so long during the game, a lot of fans had 'that Plymouth feeling' that'd equalize. Having seen us blow far too many games in the late minutes, I know how they felt. The relief when the final blew was incredible.
6) Borrowdale had a bad first half but vastly improved during the second. I hardly noticed Ramage put a foot wrong, and Connolly was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Hall had his moments, but looked happier alongside Connolly. Maybe we might have the write centre half pairing.
7) In the midfield, Routledge was once again the pick of the players, running things. He's quite a talent. No more rumours of him 'wanting out' circulating around, so let's hope they are crap. Liegertwood tried to run things in the midfield, and made some great tackles. When Mahon came on late into the second half it worked as the two stoppers prevented us from being overrun. Ephraim was also excellent, torturing their wing backs.
Up front, Tarrabt's goal was an exercise in excellent finishing, but Simpson and Vine's really wasn't. Helguson, when he came on, was also great (surprisingly), although he didn't have a shot of goal for us to complain about!
9) Buz didn't play. I don't think it was a reflection of his position at the club after Tuesday's terrible display, it's just we were fine without him against Scunthorpe. There wasn't a moment during that game where we thought: "Wow, we really good have done with the 'White Pele' there" - although maybe on a couple of corners to test their keeper, who was never comfortable.
10) Chelsea draw. Tears in eyes.
"It wasn't pretty, but **** it, we won. We're not the best team in the world, but at least it's getting better. On to Chelsea."
A few points from the game:
1) 600 Rangers there. Not many songs - it was all a little bit dull.
2) Magilton sent off for mouthing off at the referee - he declined to say that he spat at him ("A bit of gum flew out of my mouth, apparently") after he declined to give a penalty when it looked as though their keeper had brought down Routledge. Some felt that their keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch after a horrible challenge in the first minute of the game.
3) Tarrabt's finish was a lovely one. Clinical.
4) Less clinical were the finishes of Simpson (2) and Vine (2), and Routledge. We could have been 4-0 up and half time and be well worth it. Hall also had a volley saved brilliantly late in the second half.
5) Our performance was patchy - as I alluded to earlier it wasn't great. Because we were 1-0 for so long during the game, a lot of fans had 'that Plymouth feeling' that'd equalize. Having seen us blow far too many games in the late minutes, I know how they felt. The relief when the final blew was incredible.
6) Borrowdale had a bad first half but vastly improved during the second. I hardly noticed Ramage put a foot wrong, and Connolly was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Hall had his moments, but looked happier alongside Connolly. Maybe we might have the write centre half pairing.
7) In the midfield, Routledge was once again the pick of the players, running things. He's quite a talent. No more rumours of him 'wanting out' circulating around, so let's hope they are crap. Liegertwood tried to run things in the midfield, and made some great tackles. When Mahon came on late into the second half it worked as the two stoppers prevented us from being overrun. Ephraim was also excellent, torturing their wing backs.
Up front, Tarrabt's goal was an exercise in excellent finishing, but Simpson and Vine's really wasn't. Helguson, when he came on, was also great (surprisingly), although he didn't have a shot of goal for us to complain about!
9) Buz didn't play. I don't think it was a reflection of his position at the club after Tuesday's terrible display, it's just we were fine without him against Scunthorpe. There wasn't a moment during that game where we thought: "Wow, we really good have done with the 'White Pele' there" - although maybe on a couple of corners to test their keeper, who was never comfortable.
10) Chelsea draw. Tears in eyes.
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