Huddersfield Town (H) League 1 Saturday 28/4/12.

[derbysaddler]

Chis marsh ye

[derbysaddler]

fudge phone

[bangsection]

fudge phone

Keep going Derby, this is the second most compelling battle of the day: Drunk man v phone. (Please tell me you're drunk!)

[boringteacher]

Thank fudge for that. I seriously thought that we were going down when we conceeded so early and Wycombe/chesterfield looked like they were going to win.

We were seriously desperate in the first half and should have been buried by half time by probably the best overall side I've seen at the bonks this year. Excellent comeback in the 2nd half and a really cool finish by Flo (who was probably rightly given mom). We deserved to win for the 2nd half display, though udders were always dangerous - especially given the dismal displays given by two of our four defenders.

I'm really happy tonight but listening to Deano being interviewed worried me. He still serously seems to think that we are nearly a good team. Well mate, take flo, mantom and to some extent Ledesma out of that lot and we've a bottom half div 4 team. If you cannot see that, I'm not surprised by the mostly dross you brought in last summer. You need to improve deano, because if we struggle early next season, I dont think there will be many "deano, give us a wave"s.

Now for the beer. CHEERS ALL!!!

[Darth Vader]

fudge off was the attendance 4.6K, looked way more than that.

Blah, not fussed anyways. Can't wait for Dons.

[bangsection]

STAT ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!

If we fail to beat MK Dongs next week we will be the first team in the 54-year history of the Third Division to stay up despite failing to get into double figures for wins.

ROTATE!

[Registered Saddler]

Live from aberdeen jolly well love it bring on the cov shits next season get proper tanked now you shits will jolly well cane en next season cos we am walsall and you wont ever fudge beat us west midlands is ours always has bin always will be thats thev way it is im bolis love child

Well, it's a late entry but this is clearly post of the season

[Darth Vader]

:lol:

[WFC_Rob]

What a relief. First half was men against boys and frankly, we looked like relegation fodder in every way - we just didn't get near them.

At half time, I said I thought the one consolation was that they were only one goal up - that proved crucial in the end.

We were the better side in the second half without question and just seemed to have more impetus, more drive and took a few more risks. We had the better chances to win the game from what I saw, although I spent much of the last 20 minutes checking the scores elsewhere on my phone!

Massively glad it's all over and we don't have a week of running through all the possible permutations ahead of the MK Dons game. The pitch invasion annoys me every year without fail and whilst I was as relieved and pleased as anyone on the final whistle, annual pitch invasions celebrating a relegation escape are something I could quite happily live without.

Bring on the Dons, followed by a summer of undoubted disappointment in the transfer market. The future's bright. :D

[Slade]

Congratulations gentlemen ... see you next year despite our best efforts to go to Fleetwood !

[King Crimson]

Take flo, mantom and to some extent Ledesma out of that lot and we've a bottom half div 4 team. If you cannot see that, I'm not surprised by the mostly dross you brought in last summer. You need to improve deano, because if we struggle early next season, I dont think there will be many "deano, give us a wave"s.!!!

Correct. Relish the latest great escape tonight, Dean. Tomorrow, begin to work out a way to avoid needing one next season.

[King Crimson]

Congratulations gentlemen ... see you next year despite our best efforts to go to Fleetwood !

Cheers matey. You too.

[Cully]

I'm really happy tonight but listening to Deano being interviewed worried me. He still serously seems to think that we are nearly a good team. Well mate, take flo, mantom and to some extent Ledesma out of that lot and we've a bottom half div 4 team. If you cannot see that, I'm not surprised by the mostly dross you brought in last summer. You need to improve deano, because if we struggle early next season, I dont think there will be many "deano, give us a wave"s.

Now for the beer. CHEERS ALL!!!

Very worrying indeed particularly after a dismal half-hearted display devoid of skill, tactics, football, inspiration, anything. Dean Smith is deluded as are the fans who were chanting his name, utterly, utterly embarrassing. I'm dreading another season with the 'Ginger Mourinho'. This season has just managed to avoid being a complete and utter failure if you consider avoiding relegation a success.
Can't wait for the 'good news' that Nicholls, Westlake, Hurst, Beevers etc have agreed to 5 year contracts with genius Deano at the helm :roll:

[Darth Vader]

Congratulations gentlemen ... see you next year despite our best efforts to go to Fleetwood !

Nice one mate. Play-offs next season for us both. :lol:

[Codsall Saddler]

Incredibly flat first half where you would never have believed that we were fighting to stay up, Second half was much better and the draw (at least) was well deserved. Great to stay up but must be better next year.

Flo Cuvelier was great today and has been superb since he came.

[coxy]

My photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 6760059c10

[Sadders]

Combination of relief and joy at the end. But my god didn't we try and make it hard for ourselves, just like always?

First half was a complete and utter disgrace. Could see everyone was as nervous as hell including all the fans in the stand, no-one put their foot on the ball and the right side of the defence was absolutely atrocious. Im not sure whether Lancashire's confidence is down having been out of the side and coming on last week to be part of a defence that conceded 4 second half goals but he looked an utter liability everytime the ball came near him and Lee Beevers positional sense and first touch is shocking. How Novak missed that diving header from about 3 yards I'll never know - he looked lively all afternoon.

Second half Deano clearly gave them a rocket in the dressing room (as his WM interview suggested) and we looked a different side. More tempo, more confidence and more attacking threat. Macken came alive with some nice touches and Ledesma got involved with link up play (thought he was crap today, lightweight against their centre half and spent most of his afternoon diving around). Nice goal from Cuvelier and I thought Nicholls had a good second half and would have had a contender for goal of the season, should his shot have gone in.

Special mention today for the left side of defence. Butler was fantastic as always and is a top 6 league one defender, ive personally not seen more than a select couple of better centre backs in this division and Mat Sadler is Mr 'Under the radar'. Constantly solid and collected at the back, never any rush, never any mistakes - the best left back since Danny Fox left. I thought Taundry was the only redemption of the first half, the only player who looked composed and his all round play was 'solid' if un-spectacular.

I see people above have said they think we're a million miles away from a good team. I actually am inclined to agree with Dean Smith on this one. The defence for the most part of the season have kept us up, all organised, all hard-working and able to grind out clean sheets. The only reason we've conceded more is because Cuvelier and Mantom have provided us with no cover for the back 4 who at times have looked exposed (something that must be rectified in the summer if we are to get either of them back next season). The defence is the place to start if your looking for a successful team. However the top end of the pitch needs working on hugely (unless we bring Flo, Mantom and Ledesma back which is very unlikely).

Looking forward to a relaxed beer hopefully in the sun at the MK Dons next week.

Oh and the attendance was 5,600 wasn't it?

[WFC_Rob]

The defence for the most part of the season have kept us up, all organised, all hard-working and able to grind out clean sheets.

I agree, but I'd argue that your criticism of Lancashire today is very harsh. I thought he was excellent and every bit as solid as Butler, despite the fact that both of them will be disappointed in the start they got off to.

On the subject of the back four, I wouldn't be unhappy if we kept things exactly the same for next season. The key will be how Smith goes about forming a midfield and front two which has ability on the ball as well as the legs to test the opposition. Thinking back to some of those early season displays still makes me feel a bit sick.

Whether or not this season can be deemed a success will be determined by Smith's signings this time around. I'd like to think that since the signings of Cuvelier, Mantom and Ledesma, he at least has a reasonable idea of the sort of blend you need to hold your own at this level.

[Asps]

**** off was the attendance 4.6K, looked way more than that.

Blah, not fussed anyways. Can't wait for Dons.

Shambolic downstairs in the pot noodle/Pauls boutiques/blue pop stand with only half the turnstiles open. Queues from the back wall to get in. Many missed the first goal.

Only at Walsall :roll:

[Darth Vader]

Combination of relief and joy at the end. But my god didn't we try and make it hard for ourselves, just like always?

First half was a complete and utter disgrace. Could see everyone was as nervous as hell including all the fans in the stand, no-one put their foot on the ball and the right side of the defence was absolutely atrocious. Im not sure whether Lancashire's confidence is down having been out of the side and coming on last week to be part of a defence that conceded 4 second half goals but he looked an utter liability everytime the ball came near him and Lee Beevers positional sense and first touch is shocking. How Novak missed that diving header from about 3 yards I'll never know - he looked lively all afternoon.

Second half Deano clearly gave them a rocket in the dressing room (as his WM interview suggested) and we looked a different side. More tempo, more confidence and more attacking threat. Macken came alive with some nice touches and Ledesma got involved with link up play (thought he was crap today, lightweight against their centre half and spent most of his afternoon diving around). Nice goal from Cuvelier and I thought Nicholls had a good second half and would have had a contender for goal of the season, should his shot have gone in.

Special mention today for the left side of defence. Butler was fantastic as always and is a top 6 league one defender, ive personally not seen more than a select couple of better centre backs in this division and Mat Sadler is Mr 'Under the radar'. Constantly solid and collected at the back, never any rush, never any mistakes - the best left back since Danny Fox left. I thought Taundry was the only redemption of the first half, the only player who looked composed and his all round play was 'solid' if un-spectacular.

I see people above have said they think we're a million miles away from a good team. I actually am inclined to agree with Dean Smith on this one. The defence for the most part of the season have kept us up, all organised, all hard-working and able to grind out clean sheets. The only reason we've conceded more is because Cuvelier and Mantom have provided us with no cover for the back 4 who at times have looked exposed (something that must be rectified in the summer if we are to get either of them back next season). The defence is the place to start if your looking for a successful team. However the top end of the pitch needs working on hugely (unless we bring Flo, Mantom and Ledesma back which is very unlikely).

Looking forward to a relaxed beer hopefully in the sun at the MK Dons next week.

Oh and the attendance was 5,600 wasn't it?

4,646 according to the BBC, with probably around 450 Hudders.

[saddlerken]

A dreadful season ended by a dreadful performance against a Huddersfield side who couldn't be bothered in the 2nd half

2011/12, the season of the happy clapper, awful signings and 0 tactics

Can some of our manager wannabe's explain to me what Dean Smith's tactics consist of?

"we are staying up, say we are staying up", dregs in the lower mong stand seem happy with this season and Macken got a standing ovation for being rubbish, sums it up really :roll:

[Duke]

Goes without saying obviously delighted we've stayed , doesn't feel the same as last seasons great escape we live to fight another day .

UTS

[kshammer]

What a difference a half makes. Abysmal first half but fair play to them, they were excellent after the break.

I heard Smith on the radio after the game saying we're not far off being a good team. What is he on? We are nowhere near it. Our best player Flo is on loan, Ledesma is only here short term and after that there is only Sadler who is genuine quality, with Butler also doing a good job. If those guys turn it on then yes, we can play good stuff, but if the short term players go (including Mantom who shows flashes of ability), we're back to square one. When I hear comments like that I really worry as this squad still needs tearing up in the summer even if today was a happy one.

Saying that, a drink will taste great tonight. :D

[kshammer]

A dreadful season ended by a dreadful performance against a Huddersfield side who couldn't be bothered in the 2nd half

2011/12, the season of the happy clapper, awful signings and 0 tactics

Can some of our manager wannabe's explain to me what Dean Smith's tactics consist of?

"we are staying up, say we are staying up", dregs in the lower mong stand seem happy with this season and Macken got a standing ovation for being rubbish, sums it up really :roll:

Smith has no tactics... that is his problem. As for the lower "mong" stand chanting, then it is relief and happiness the team they love is avoiding relegation and is seen at every club who does it under tense circumstances.

Agreed on Macken... his legs went aboout 12 months ago. Against Colchester, Ledesma and Bowerman looked really promising but Smith chose to stick with an imobile, past player, and the only reason I can think of for it is that he didn't have the balls to drop him. Saying that, the 10 minutes or so before he got took off were his best of the game.

[WFC_Rob]

I heard Smith on the radio after the game saying we're not far off being a good team. What is he on? We are nowhere near it. Our best player Flo is on loan, Ledesma is only here short term and after that there is only Sadler who is genuine quality, with Butler also doing a good job. If those guys turn it on then yes, we can play good stuff, but if the short term players go (including Mantom who shows flashes of ability), we're back to square one. When I hear comments like that I really worry as this squad still needs tearing up in the summer even if today was a happy one.

I think Smith will have a slightly different outlook when he sits down in a few weeks time, after the loanees have gone back to their parent clubs and the other players' contracts have expired.

Last season was deemed a success because Hutchings had some half decent players playing so poorly, we looked certs for relegation. This season, Smith has had us yo-yo-ing in and out of the relegation zone all season, despite assembling the squad himself.

I just hope he's learnt more this season than he did last term. It would be idiotic to deem this season a success.

[Darth Vader]

A dreadful season ended by a dreadful performance against a Huddersfield side who couldn't be bothered in the 2nd half

2011/12, the season of the happy clapper, awful signings and 0 tactics

Can some of our manager wannabe's explain to me what Dean Smith's tactics consist of?

"we are staying up, say we are staying up", dregs in the lower mong stand seem happy with this season and Macken got a standing ovation for being rubbish, sums it up really :roll:

Staying up in this sorry division is now an achievement for Walsall it seems, still, absolutely nothing wrong with congratulating the team on safety, whether it's ground hog day or not, we're all Walsall supporters after all, we want WFC to be playing at the highest level possible. Especially when staying up consists of some really top away games, and not p*ssing Fl££twood Town.

I'd prefer to mock the dregs that weren't ever arsed about turning up and supporting the lads throughout the season, yet still continuously had a pop at Bonser, the Squad and general Walsall FC matters. *****

[kshammer]

I heard Smith on the radio after the game saying we're not far off being a good team. What is he on? We are nowhere near it. Our best player Flo is on loan, Ledesma is only here short term and after that there is only Sadler who is genuine quality, with Butler also doing a good job. If those guys turn it on then yes, we can play good stuff, but if the short term players go (including Mantom who shows flashes of ability), we're back to square one. When I hear comments like that I really worry as this squad still needs tearing up in the summer even if today was a happy one.

I think Smith will have a slightly different outlook when he sits down in a few weeks time, after the loanees have gone back to their parent clubs and the other players' contracts have expired.

Last season was deemed a success because Hutchings had some half decent players playing so poorly, we looked certs for relegation. This season, Smith has had us yo-yo-ing in and out of the relegation zone all season, despite assembling the squad himself.

I just hope he's learnt more this season than he did last term. It would be idiotic to deem this season a success.

I think you're right. In Smith's defence I think he has a poorer squad than Hutchings but has organised them better and they will nearly always put in a shift (see all the draws and goal difference). His problem is that i'm not sure he knows how to get a team to hold on to a win and that is the biggest thing tactically a managfer needs. The signs are that he hasn't learned anything regarding this as time has gone on, so i'm not optimistic he'll ever turn out a success after the mistakes he's made.

[Ancient Moaner]

What a difference a half makes. Abysmal first half but fair play to them, they were excellent after the break.

I heard Smith on the radio after the game saying we're not far off being a good team. What is he on? We are nowhere near it. Our best player Flo is on loan, Ledesma is only here short term and after that there is only Sadler who is genuine quality, with Butler also doing a good job. If those guys turn it on then yes, we can play good stuff, but if the short term players go (including Mantom who shows flashes of ability), we're back to square one. When I hear comments like that I really worry as this squad still needs tearing up in the summer even if today was a happy one.

Saying that, a drink will taste great tonight. :D

Agree about the squad, AND the drink tonight!! Only Butler, Sadler and probably Taunds & Grof should be retained.
All the loanees, and Ledesma (whatever his statutory position within the set up) will be off. We need a new squad,
and therefore a new manager (though who would be daft enough to come to the Bonks's's') to chose the new players
cus Deano obviously aint up to it. Nevertheless a great day of relief..those of you who thought a pitch invasion was 'over the top' please think back to when you were younger and slightly more enthusiastic!. The relief of NOT being relegated
is almost as celebratory as being promoted when you season has been utter crud
How did some of the earlier posts get past the swear filter incidentally?

[WFC_Rob]

those of you who thought a pitch invasion was 'over the top' please think back to when you were younger and slightly more enthusiastic!. The relief of NOT being relegated is almost as celebratory as being promoted when you season has been utter crud

How about we look back to seasons gone by where we've finished in mid-table yet there's still been a pointless pitch invasion. In fact, there was even a pitch invasion when we got relagated, so relief has nothing to do with it.

Dean Smith will be our manager next season, regardless. His most recent batch of signings have been more good than bad, so on that basis, I think we probably have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[PT]

Didn't see our goal as i was still drinking me half time pint.

Doesn't feel as much as an achievement this year, all a bit underwhelming to be honest.

Still looking forward to MK next week though, should be a good day out.