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Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Reports and reaction from the 2010-11 season as Walsall finished 20th in League 1
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boringteacher
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:13 pm

cack. Relegated.......

that was what I'd decided to post about 4.15 this afternoon. If ever there was a must win, this was it (as the other results showed). I'm still concerned about the defence (and to me that included all of them today, even Butler - I love the bloke, but he lost his man for both goals today) and we had no central midfield until we got a goal from nowhere. However, in too many years of watching the saddlers, I really can't think of a substitute changing a game quite like Ledesma did today. He scared the absolute crap out of a mediocre monkey hanger team. It was like the sort of fantasy that you'd have as a kid about coming on as a sub and winning the game by yourself. Twilight zone really! UTS

BathSaddler
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:14 pm

Back from the eye specialist now - and can't quite believe it, 5-2 :D .

A pity most of the teams around us won [even Swindon got a great point at Huddersfield], but we are at least still in with a chance of staying up.

Should Ledesma start - or continue to be used as an impact player? That is the question.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:15 pm

boringteacher wrote:guano. Relegated.......

that was what I'd decided to post about 4.15 this afternoon. If ever there was a must win, this was it (as the other results showed). I'm still concerned about the defence (and to me that included all of them today, even Butler - I love the bloke, but he lost his man for both goals today) and we had no central midfield until we got a goal from nowhere. However, in too many years of watching the saddlers, I really can't think of a substitute changing a game quite like Ledesma did today. He scared the absolute crud out of a mediocre monkey hanger team. It was like the sort of fantasy that you'd have as a kid about coming on as a sub and winning the game by yourself. Twilight zone really! UTS


Couldn't agree more............

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:46 pm

Today was very odd to say the least. Based on the 1st half we deserve to be in the relegation zone, based on the 2nd half you would think why are we in the relegation zone?
The 1st half Hartlepool outplayed us in everyway possible and probably should have been more than 1 up at half time. Not once in the 1st half did i see anyone try and make a positive run forward it seems as if they were too scared.

Ledesma came on and completely changed the game, he was absolutely brilliant and why the single reason why we won this game, I thought Gray was closed behind him as he was a changed man in the 2nd half just as the hole team were. The Hartlepool boss will be very very unhappy with the was his side defended when our goals flooded in. Grays goal in particularly was utter dreadful defending.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:51 pm

Up until the 55th minute today we were dead and buried. We were losing, creating nothing and most the other teams around us were either winning or drawing. We were playing like a relegated team. Then up step Ledesma. I have been skeptical about him, but today he showed his quality. As soon as he came on we opened up. We attacked with purpose and direction instead of hit and hope. Delighted with the win just a shame that others around us picked up points.

Walker - Little to do realy.

Westlake - Abit suspect at times, but overall solid.
Smith - Improving.
Butler - Not his finest performance but still fairly solid
Williams - Steady, and offered himself as an attacking option. Just a shame he can't cross.

Nicholls - Awful.
Gbarssin - My MOTM. Did the 'dirty work' and kept it simple. Won nearly everything in the air. Nothing spectacular but effective.
Richards - Poor first half, but as soon as we came out attacking he improved vastly.
Gray - Sometimes tries to do a little too much, but still a big attacking threat.

Byfield - Poor and spent too much time on the floor. Scored though.
Macken - Not enough time to make an impact before beiing subbed off injured.

Substitutes
Grigg (on for Macken) - Looked the only one bothered in first half and tries hard. Nice finish for the goal.
Ledesma (on for Nicholls) - Turned the game for us. Looked threatening and scared the hell out of the 'pool defence.
McDonald (on for Byfield) - Not enough time to do much, but did what he had to do well.


The difference between the first 55 minutes and the last 35 minutes was the mentality. First 55 we were awful and very defensive, playing too deep at times. As soon as Ledesma came on we attacked. When this happened Hartlepool crumbled and we looked a very good side.

PS. Happy birthday Deano!

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:02 pm

Dean Smith's views:-

http://audioboo.fm/boos/307042-dean-smi ... ilpage&utm

I suspect that Mick Wadsworth's views would fall foul of this board's swear filter! :mrgreen:

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Ned_Kelly
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:07 pm

Pedagogue wrote:Dean Smith's views:-

http://audioboo.fm/boos/307042-dean-smi ... ilpage&utm

I suspect that Mick Wadsworth's views would fall foul of this board's swear filter! :mrgreen:


Peddy..... I didn't hear you following through with my text request, so I came over and did it myself, and boy did I and the crowd around me, including their subs get some laughs from it ;)

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:09 pm

BathSaddler wrote:Should Ledesma start - or continue to be used as an impact player? That is the question.


Let's see should Ledesma start? Well he has skill, strength, vision, a footballing brain, he can shoot, he can pass and he is always a handful for the opposition defence. No let's play Grigg or Nicholls or Taundry ahead of him. :?

Of course he should start. He is the best attacking player we have had at the club for many years.

When Smith brought Grigg on after Macken went off I was appalled. If Ledesma is not better than Grigg then he should not be at the club, in fact he should not be a professional footballer.

Trouble is if next week Ledesma is just good instead of absolutely brilliant he will probably find himself relegated to the bench for the next match.

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belgiansaddler
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:45 pm

Ned_Kelly wrote:
Pedagogue wrote:Dean Smith's views:-

http://audioboo.fm/boos/307042-dean-smi ... ilpage&utm

I suspect that Mick Wadsworth's views would fall foul of this board's swear filter! :mrgreen:


Peddy..... I didn't hear you following through with my text request, so I came over and did it myself, and boy did I and the crowd around me, including their subs get some laughs from it ;)


I should hope not :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Bernie: I suppose the counter argument is that Ledesma may be more efective as an impact player coming off then bench? Lull the opposition into a false sense of security by playing Nicholls then bang bring Ledesma on :D

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:56 pm

tinned wrote:God that first half was awful. Even the most optomistic fans conceeded we were down (step forwatd MMF :wink: ). As we went 2 - 0 down it was all but over. Absolutley desperate, beyond belief. What happened after that? I'm not really sure. We just seemed to score at will. That surely must be the last start for Nicholls? The lad tries his hardest but I'm afraid it just isn't good enough.

What was that Dingle doing sitting in the family stand with his dirty orange shirt on? Got off the train 3 stops too soon?


Does he? I am pretty sure he did not try his hardest today. He hardly got back to help Westlake, and when he did lose the ball, he did not once try to win it back again.
He should be trying to impress Smith with Ledesma on the bench. I hope he sits on the bench for the rest of the season and does not deserve to be in a Walsall shirt next season.

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Neuromantic
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:29 pm

That was the best performance as an impact substitute I have ever seen as a Walsall supporter.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:34 pm

For 60 minutes of that game we looked relegation certanties, the back 4 looked the worst that they have since the change of Manager, the midfield was ineffective, with no threat up front made worse by losing Macken to injury. The introduction of Ledesma provided a spark and the whole team were lifted along with the crowd. As we got stronger Hartlepool just seemed to lack any appetite for the fight and in the end we got a massive three points. Not sure that the introduction of Smith at centre back made us stronger at the back, I believe the partnership of Lancashire and Butler was showing promise and the two goals conceded today were really bad from a defensive point of view, the result will mask the performance in the first half when we looked all over the place at the back. The decision to drop Taundry was correct after last weeks performance and hopefully the Manager will be brave and leave Ledesma in the team leaving the ineffective Nicholls on the bench, apart from a couple of over hit crosses again he produced zero as an attacking threat and offers no support to Westlake when defending. We need to accept that Ledesma will not be able to have a massive impact on every game he plays and at times will frustrate us, however, we need to win games and he may just be the spark to help us do this.

Results did not go for us today, however, we are still in with a chance of staying up. The loan window closes this week and would like to think that if the manager requires some help from the board to give us a bit more for the last 8 games it will be forthcoming, if Macken has an injury keeping him out for a few weeks a replacement is essential as we need him to hold the ball and link play up front.

Tough challenge next Friday but at least we are still in with a chance.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:36 pm

Bangor Cymru Saddler wrote:That was the best performance as an impact substitute I have ever seen as a Walsall supporter.


I agree; Richards finally waking up after it went 2-0 and playing like he can (at last!) made a huge difference too.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:49 pm

Wished I'd have been there to see this..................... but a bit too far to come for a game.
Come on you Saddlers!!!
The great escape is on I hope.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:50 pm

Wyrley_saddler wrote:Gbarssin - My MOTM. Did the 'dirty work' and kept it simple. Won nearly everything in the air. Nothing spectacular but effective.


glad someone else noticed this! first time i've seen him play. Needless to say I was very impressed

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:52 pm

Horozontal Harry wrote:Walsall 7 Hartlepool 0.

A hungry crowd of 4,234 begin a riot after the Irish Air Force mistakenly enforce a "No Pie Zone" over the stadium, before continuing due south to Dudley Zoo where they shoot all the gorillas and free all of the ostriches.



Good guess for the crowd size. Should have put a bet on.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 12:04 am

Calmed down a bit now, so i will try and give some more relaxed thoughts.

What a performance... for 30 minutes.

Ledesma sparked a change in the way we played - that was the crucial factor. We played rubbish long channel ball for 60 minutes, which is pretty pointless with 2 immobile strikers. But then it changed, as soon as Ledesma came on, Gbrassin and Richards pushed a bit further up and advanced play themselves, rather than offloading to the full backs to hoof it to the poor Byfield.

Walker: Didn't have much to do really apart from the 2 goals.

Westlake - Still a bit dodgy.
Smith - thought he played really well today.
Butler - as per.
Williams - good again, some good deliveries.

Nicholls - complete rubbish. Nothing.
Gbrassin - Absolutely brilliant - won 80% of tackles - and kept it simple.
Richards - poor for 60 mins but then played like he did earlier in the season.
Gray - good again I thought, really does look up for it.

Byfield - Very poor I thought bar the goal - did not hold up play well at all.
Macken - looked injured before he even started.

Subs

Grigg - Did well actually, he's a young lad and needs time (very rough round the edges). His finish was class.
Ledesma - SUPERB. Craft, creativity and skill. Brilliant.
McDonald - won some headers.

I think the key difference with Ledesma playing on the right with two forwards in front of him (instead of just the one) is that if he gives it to the forward the other striker can make another run and open the space for Ledesma. With just the one up front and Ledesma on the right, that space isn't there.

Ledesma needs to play every week.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 12:07 am

Ben_Hartshorne wrote:
Wyrley_saddler wrote:Gbarssin - My MOTM. Did the 'dirty work' and kept it simple. Won nearly everything in the air. Nothing spectacular but effective.


glad someone else noticed this! first time i've seen him play. Needless to say I was very impressed


I agree he did well but anyone who thinks that any other player than Ledesma was MOTM really doesn't understand how this old game works do they.

Pre Ledesma - as bad as it could be.
Post Ledesma - superb.

One man won us the game, end of.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:01 am

Just seen the goals on TV. Fantasy football stuff to come back like that, one thing though does anyone else think Gray looked really cheesed off after he scored. Other players came over to congratulate him but he was trying to blank them, does he have some sort of connection with the monkey hangers meaning he didnt want to celebrate?

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:06 am

What a game! One of the strangest I've seen.

With the Yeovil and Daggers results, could have been almost system over if we'd lost.

For 60 mins we were hopeless.

For 30 mins just tore them to pieces.

I thought the fifth goal was absolute quality. Brilliant free kick.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:18 am

Walker: 6 - didnt do anything badly wrong, wasnt to blame for either goal, but doesnt dominate his box enough

Westlake - 6 - solid
Smith - 8 had a really good game
Butler - 6 - worked hard and carried the ball forward well. was committed in the challenge but looked off the pace sometimes
Williams - 7 - pushed on well

Nicholls - 4 - thought he had a poor game, always trying to take an extra touch. Got in some good positions but final ball woeful
Gbrassin - 6 - worked hard and put in some challenges, played the simple ball well
Richards - 7 - not the most creative player, but shows urgency and is a leader on the pitch
Gray - 9 - showed class and quality, he isnt the quickest but every time he had the ball going forwards they were under threat

Byfield - 7 first touch not great, but worked hard and was a constant threat with his physicallity
Macken - 5 cant judge the guy, he didnt look fit

Subs

Grigg - 5 - was awful in the first half. Turned it around well after the goal
Ledesma - 9 brilliant goal, attacked with skill and daring
McDonald - no rating

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PT
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:23 am

Zaddler wrote:Just seen the goals on TV. Fantasy football stuff to come back like that, one thing though does anyone else think Gray looked really cheesed off after he scored. Other players came over to congratulate him but he was trying to blank them, does he have some sort of connection with the monkey hangers meaning he didn't want to celebrate?


While the majority of the players stayed on the pitch to celebrate at the end , JG was straight off doing that shouldery walk he does. He was definitely in a narky mood yesterday, but took his goal well and was an integral part of the awful first hour and the miraculous last half hour. He took a nasty kick and was spectacularly "megged" in the last twenty minutes so may have had a sore foot and a slightly sore ego. Who knows with JG?

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:28 am

Well happy with that. How can you not be when your team scores 5? :D

Well done the lads on getting back into it and showing the monkey hangers who the boss was on the day.

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Louise
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:45 am

Well what a Match - at 2-0 down and looking hopeless one brilliant Sub and everything changed.
Had been watching Ledesma in the warm up and he looked sharp so was surprised when he didnt start but hey if he is gonna be a 'Super Sub ' then thats fine by me if he can do that performance every game.
He was the difference, it was a joy to watch the confidence flow back into the Team and when that second one went in you knew there was only going to be one winner.
Great Birthday pressie for Deano, just a shame the other results didnt go our way. Still onwards and upwards the last 30 mins has to give the lads a massive confidence boost.
Oh and what was that Dingle doing - up to our turnaround the Crowd giving him stick was the highlight of the game - and Tinned your version of 'Slap a Dingle' in the Sunshine completed my day. :D

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:08 am

Who has a naming ceremony on a Saturday i ask you????? :evil:

Gutted i missed it but from everyone i've spoken to, it echoes what has been said above

Registered Saddler
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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:47 am

Bangor Cymru Saddler wrote:I think the key difference with Ledesma playing on the right with two forwards in front of him (instead of just the one) is that if he gives it to the forward the other striker can make another run and open the space for Ledesma. With just the one up front and Ledesma on the right, that space isn't there.

Think that's the first time we've played Ledesma in midfield in a 4-4-2, all the other times he's either been up front or in midfield with one striker ahead of him. So if he had come on for Macken as alluded to earlier, I'm sure he'd have been as hit and miss as he has been so far. He needs the ball from deep, not receiving it 25 yards out with his back to goal. Against a better side than Hartlepool, that might leave us exposed down the right. But we need wins and so we need goals - we won't stay up by grinding out 0-0 draws.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:09 am

Superb win now bring on the fake team next week.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:15 am

2-0 down other results going against us for the first time since the sacking of Hutchings I feared relegation .

What a remarkable and vital come back we live to fight another day .

UTS

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:42 pm

PT wrote:
Zaddler wrote:Just seen the goals on TV. Fantasy football stuff to come back like that, one thing though does anyone else think Gray looked really cheesed off after he scored. Other players came over to congratulate him but he was trying to blank them, does he have some sort of connection with the monkey hangers meaning he didn't want to celebrate?


While the majority of the players stayed on the pitch to celebrate at the end , JG was straight off doing that shouldery walk he does. He was definitely in a narky mood yesterday, but took his goal well and was an integral part of the awful first hour and the miraculous last half hour. He took a nasty kick and was spectacularly "megged" in the last twenty minutes so may have had a sore foot and a slightly sore ego. Who knows with JG?

Think a few of them were sulking. Grigg looked more grumpy than happy when he scored. Check out Tom Williams on Twitter. Apparently we have no right to boo the team, its the club who pay their wages not us and the team had more belief in themselfs yeaterday than the fans. Way to go Tom. Doing your bit to make sure the team and supporters all pull in the same direction.

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Re: Hartlepool United (H) League 1 Saturday 19/3/11.

Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:09 pm

After the second goal, I just couldn't be arsed to spend my Saturday afternoon sitting There watching that cack in a dead atmosphere ( it just felt like there was never a good time to sing our heads off) I was on the phone to my uncle asking him to pick me up and then grigg popped up with the first so I told him to leave it haha,

I would of cried if I had left now

I carnt remember the goals due to just singing my head off, was some of the maddest celebrations I have been apart of at a home game

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