Bury (H) League 1 Saturday 19/11/11.

[boringteacher]

make sure you dont eat too much black pudding in case it contaminates your oral health results (check wiki or the prematch thread if you are too stupid to work out what this means).

[StudentSaddler]

wumming over i shall leave you walsallians in peace. :D

Past your bed time? :lol:

[WALSALL ARE TERRIBLE]

wumming over i shall leave you walsallians in peace. :D

Past your bed time? :lol:

nope! :lol:

[Exile]

Too young to join his mum at the pub. Well, pub car park. :wink:

[SWS1]

He's got a point, though. Just a childish way of putting it across.
:oops:

[Graydon48]

wumming over i shall leave you walsallians in peace. :D

Past your bed time? :lol:

nope! :lol:

I can take the slagging off, the gloat about the win, but for someone from Bury to say Walsall is a crap place to live takes things to far!
There a not many towns in the UK you visit that makes it good to get back to Walsall but Bury is one of those towns that makes you feel good to get home.

[belgiansaddler]

wumming over i shall leave you walsallians in peace. :D

Past your bed time? :lol:

nope! :lol:

I can take the slagging off, the gloat about the win, but for someone from Bury to say Walsall is a crud place to live takes things to far!
There a not many towns in the UK you visit that makes it good to get back to Walsall but Bury is one of those towns that makes you feel good to get home.

For the first time ever I agree with Graydon :D

[doka93]

EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR SO CRUD ITS UNBELIEVABLE

just the reaction i wanted, walsall's fans as red as their kit!

With this post (and all of your others in fact) I think that you have successfully annoyed a fellow Bury fan in myself much more than any of Walsall's. The fact that I had to register an account just to let you know this speaks great volumes. You're an embarrassment to our football club and if we lose next week I will take consolation in the fact that you will be somewhat unhappy. Get a life.

[Banksy]

EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY EASY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR SO CRUD ITS UNBELIEVABLE

just the reaction i wanted, walsall's fans as red as their kit!

With this post (and all of your others in fact) I think that you have successfully annoyed a fellow Bury fan in myself much more than any of Walsall's. The fact that I had to register an account just to let you know this speaks great volumes. You're an embarrassment to our football club and if we lose next week I will take consolation in the fact that you will be somewhat unhappy. Get a life.

Fair play to you mate.

As for the game well
Grof- All im saying is Walker would of most likely stopped the 1st and 4th and possibly the 2nd. Thats not looking at it through rose tinted glasses its a fact. Jimmy Walker is the best keeper at the club therefore should be in the team. Grof has potential however.
Beevers- Better keeper than he is out, looks like a pub player and plays like one. Taundry should be right back
Smith- Was ok compared to most still prefer lancashire
Lancashire- should play aongside Butler IMO didnt have his best game yesterday but its nice to see one of our center backs trying to pass it rather than aimlessly hoofing it
Sadler- Got murdered by there winger but i think most full backs in this league will
Gnapka- Absolutely awful, no quality and no effort
Wilson- Ran the midfield in the 1st half after the 1st ten and was superb. However fair play to Bury 2nd half they stopped im playing and therefore stopped the team playing
Chambers- the fact he was supposedly our number one target in the summer says it all. He has brought nothing to the midfield
Patterson- The most skillful player in a Walsall shirt for many a year, needs to learn when to pass though as he can be over elaborate. could of covered sadler better against that quick winger but hes still learning
Macken- people knock him and i dont know why, blatantly not match fit can hardly move and still gives his all. Rooney would find it hard playing in our team
Nicholls- Worked hard but the service to him was awful

Wouldnt be fair to comment on the subs a they couldnt really do much to change what the 11 who started had done. Well done to Bowerman on getting his 1st goal.

[Magic Man Fan]

I anticipate a post from Sheffield Saddler on the main board in approximately 15 minutes from now.

Chester, he said right at the start of the season that we would be relgated under the stewardship of Deano, how wrong is he being proved?
By god what professional Football League team would have the audasity of subjecting it's supporters to a forward line of Bowerman Jarvis & Grigg/Paterson?

One that has no money because not enough paying customers are turning up.

Or would all of those who spent years criticising Sun Tan Man care to admit they were wrong and Bonser's policy of cheap foreign imports actually worked? Thought not.

[Magic Man Fan]

wumming over i shall leave you walsallians in peace. :D

I don't think many people outside (or inside for that matter) would know the term Walsallians.....

[WFC_Rob]

If Smith doesn't stick to the statement he made a couple of months ago and ship those players out who just aren't good enough, we might as well give up now.

Yesterday's game was strange in that nobody had an absolute mare, which suggests to me that the lot of them just lack the quality needed at this level. In the second half, Bury found a gear which was about four gears higher than the one we were playing at - man for man, they looked leagues above us.

Things just aren't working for Dean Smith and he needs to see that no amount of drills on the training ground will turn this group of players into anything other than bottom six strugglers.

I could list four players who started yesterday's game for us, yet probably wouldn't get into any other league one side.

Beevers is solid enough, but does he really have the quality on the ball to help us keep the ball?
Manny Smith - same as Lee Beevers. Great as long as the opposition use the same long ball tactics as us, but that rarely happens.
Gnakpa - really wanted him to prove me wrong, but he gives us nothing other than someone to aim goal kicks at. Laziness like his is unforgivable.
Nicholls - One month on from what many considered to be his best game for the club and we're back to where we were before. No presence, no threat.

The other players are ok, but don't have quality in such abundance that they can carry a handful of their team-mates. For all the hype about Paterson, he wastes more of the ball than he uses wisely. That will only improve with time in the side, but is he really likely to develop into the player he should in this team, under this manager?

The disappointment yesterday wasn't that we lost - it was that we were absolutely battered in every single area of the pitch by a side who are mid-table at best.

[saddlerken]

In the stylie of the Sports Argus

Form rate: Dismal
Man of the match: Patterson. 2

[Rich Evans]

Seems to me paterson has got off lightly on here. the reason saddler was murdered all the time was everything was going straight past paterson who had very little going for him in a defensive position. we played alot better for 20 mins when he swopped flanks with gnapka..

Also a few of the players could do with their moms in the tunnel so they can tie the boot laces.

Olly was very lucky that bury were offside whilst he was messing with his boots and the same for a few of the other players.

All in all a poor game but glad to stay till the end and see Bowermans goal.

[Ancient Moaner]

Yesterdays total embarrassment aside, how come (accepting that he is playing for a 4th Division, soon to replace us in the
3rd Division, side) The worst player (ha!) ever to wear a Walsall shirt. that great lankey streak of tallentless dross, Liam Dickinson, is proving to be a player that will win the 4th Division for Sarfend! Is it the Football Club? the supporters? the (lack of) Management? the town? He is just one of countless 'ex' players that go on to be 'worldbeaters' elsewhere, some even in higher grade Leagues!
As I have said, and a few above have agreed, when we are relegated we need a completely new start, rip up all the contracts, and start again from scratch, this lot abviously don't give a damn (you can tell from the dissinterested body language). It may take a couple of seasons to gel, but if this club is not to end up in the Conference, the changes need to be started NOW! :(

[Exile]

Match report and poll now on the front page.

http://upthesaddlers.com/wp/archives/20 ... ury-dross/

[SheffieldSaddler]

MMF once again you are talking utter dross. How surprising. NOT.
Doesnt matter about the budget, if the manager is CLUELESS does it?

[Exile]

How did Chelsea do today?

[Aldridge_saddler]

How did Chelsea do today?

:mrgreen:



However to the Bury match;

Having looked through what has been said I agree with most of it;

-There looked to be no leadership at the back, Beevers and Sadler although senior players said nothing. I think Sadler is best left to his own devices, put him in a position of leadership he'd crumble.

- After the penalty we looked like we'd go on to win it, passing it around beautifully shots on target.
- It's a good job we did that warm up before the second half started otherwise we could have been caught out. :oops:
-After that goal a foregone conclusion, heads dropped and so did any ability. HOOF!!!
-Why oh why do we not close a man down?

People say Smith out, but replace him with who? We all know Bonsers tactic;

wait and wait until the attention turns to him and then sack the manager to divert it.

[Pedagogue]

Why, oh why, do we not close a man down?

Culprits =
1st goal - Wilson
2nd goal - Beevers and Macken
3rd goal - Wilson
4th goal - Sadler

As I said in my earlier post, basic schoolboy defending - yet we couldn't manage it.

[Mal]

A bad result, bad performance and bad attitude from some players

Defensively this may sound mad but we were not that bad, three goals which should be closed down by midfield resulted in the loss, some good saves by there keeper could have made this result a crazy 4-4!

1st goal, Groff out past his six yard box, Sweeney smacks it and I am convinced he thought it was going over!
2nd goal, Beevers backs off and teh lad smacks it into the top right corner
3rd goal, another 25 yard shot thorugh a crowd of players into Groffs bottom right hand corner
4th goal, pass out to the right and shot to Groffs nr post I think he should have doen better

What was more dissapointing was the reaction, the players looked to have given up and that is what is more worrying but a silver lining was Bowermans first goal, plus Manny had a right old tussle after the whistle went i hope this wasn't a due to any commenst being made!

Dean has had them in Sunday and wants two in before Sunday, we will turn this round as Bury are not as bad as some people were making out pre the match

[WFC_Rob]

Defensively this may sound mad but we were not that bad, three goals which should be closed down by midfield resulted in the loss, some good saves by there keeper could have made this result a crazy 4-4!

In a roundabout way, I agree with you. I think we've seen Smith and Lancashire defend worse than that in the past. You'd struggle to justify any of the goals being deemed their fault.

The problem is, there's a bigger issue here - the fact that we just can't pass the ball on the grass to another red shirt. As a result, we're under pressure for prolonged spells, which always makes us susceptible to conceding goals.

I said it earlier on, but for all Manny Smith's aerial ability, he struggles with the ball at his feet. One school of thought says that the midfield should make it easier for him by coming to collect the ball, but the other says that as a professional footballer, he should be able to offer more than aimless 60-yard punts every time he has the ball at his feet. If we had a real presence up front, we might be able to justify that sort of approach, but seeing Nicholls trying to win flick-ons against brutish centre halves is just embarrassing.

The BBC highlights don't show just how bad the defending for that third goal was either. We let them take the short corner before looking on as they squared is to Schumacher, who had the time to pick his spot, despite us having a full team behind the ball.

I've always had doubts over the quality of the players in our squad, but is looks like there's a shortage of desire amongst the players now, which is now a big concern.

[Zaddler]

I wish we could swap their winger Amoo for Gnapka !

[WFC_Rob]

I wish we could swap their winger Amoo for Gnapka !

On loan from Liverpool. You get what you pay for.

[priestley_saddler]

I've kept my powder dry for a couple of days as I hate knee jerk reactions to matches.

The first half was a half of two halves, we were rubbish until we equalised and then were really good until half time. Then we were shocking for the whole of the second half. It seems strange in a match at home when you've conceded four, but I don't really blame the defence for any of the goals. Its the midfield, I think we really miss having Peterlin in there. Chambers isn't living up to expectations and neither Paterson or Gnakpa help out defensively. And even though we scored two goals our strike force still appears impotent.

Grof - Shouldn't be being beaten three times from long range and I would question his positioning, especially for the first one when he appeared to be too far off his line. Also shouldn't be being beaten at his near post for the fourth. However, this was his first bad game for us, and there aren't many of our players who can say they've only had one bad game in 8 this season. Would probably seriously damage his confidence if he was dropped on the back of that, and if our other keeper was anyone other than Walker I don't think it would even be questioned.
Beevers - Think some of the criticism of him is harsh. However, I do think he'd make a better centre back. Wasn't helped by the fact he had Gnakpa in front of him.
Sadler - Was ran ragged by their winger, and was also devoid of support from Paterson.
Lancashire - I think he had a good game, but it was all in vain as he'll be straight back out the team on Wednesday.
Smith - I've tried really hard to like him, but I just don't think he's as good as Lancashire. Our right back, whoever he happens to be, always seems to perform worse when Manny is the right sided centre back.
Wilson - Probably deserved MOTM and forced two smart saves from their keeper before half time. Does seem to give the ball away in dangerous areas too often, but at least he's prepared to drop deep to receive it. It may also be down to the lack of options given to him by his team mates.
Chambers - It just isn't working for him, although our best performances have co-incided with his best performances. But given that he's not producing his best I'd put Peterlin back in there.
Gnakpa - My patience with him is starting to run out. Just doesn't look cut out for this level.
Paterson - Really glad he's got a new long term contract. His naivety shows through almost as much as his talent does. Needs to become wiser with the ball and more disciplined in his defensive work. That said, when he had the ball at his feet, Bury were poohing their pants.
Nicholls - Annonymous really, but had no service.
Macken - Equally anonymous, but stroked the penalty home confidently.

Subs

Jarvis - Another who's criticism is harsh, worked as hard as any striker despite the shocking lack of service.
Grigg - Didn't really do a lot, lack of service again.
Bowerman - Chuffed for him that he got his first goal, hopefully its the first of many. Is he still out of contract in Jan?

[WFC_Rob]

Lancashire - I think he had a good game, but it was all in vain as he'll be straight back out the team on Wednesday.
Smith - I've tried really hard to like him, but I just don't think he's as good as Lancashire. Our right back, whoever he happens to be, always seems to perform worse when Manny is the right sided centre back.

Agree on both counts, Priestley. Lancashire's no worse than Smith defensively, but his positioning and his ability to pass the ball is much, much better. There's arguably a place for Manny in the side - but only as cover or as a sub to come on when we're defending a lead with ten minutes to go.

Wilson - Probably deserved MOTM and forced two smart saves from their keeper before half time. Does seem to give the ball away in dangerous areas too often, but at least he's prepared to drop deep to receive it. It may also be down to the lack of options given to him by his team mates.

That assessment is fairly accurate and sounds very similar to regular assessments of Richards last season. Perhaps the issue lies with the players around him who don't do enough to offer themselves for an easy pass?

Bowerman - Chuffed for him that he got his first goal, hopefully its the first of many. Is he still out of contract in Jan?

He is, but according to Nick Mashiter, it sounds like a new deal could be imminent.

Also agree with your assessment of Jarvis by the way. The criticism he gets is simply thanks to a number of idiots deciding he was useless before he'd even kicked a ball. He's offered no less than any of the other strikers in our squad this season.

[Aldridge_saddler]

I've kept my powder dry for a couple of days as I hate knee jerk reactions to matches.

The first half was a half of two halves, we were rubbish until we equalised and then were really good until half time. Then we were shocking for the whole of the second half. It seems strange in a match at home when you've conceded four, but I don't really blame the defence for any of the goals. Its the midfield, I think we really miss having Peterlin in there. Chambers isn't living up to expectations and neither Paterson or Gnakpa help out defensively. And even though we scored two goals our strike force still appears impotent.

Grof - Shouldn't be being beaten three times from long range and I would question his positioning, especially for the first one when he appeared to be too far off his line. Also shouldn't be being beaten at his near post for the fourth. However, this was his first bad game for us, and there aren't many of our players who can say they've only had one bad game in 8 this season. Would probably seriously damage his confidence if he was dropped on the back of that, and if our other keeper was anyone other than Walker I don't think it would even be questioned.
Beevers - Think some of the criticism of him is harsh. However, I do think he'd make a better centre back. Wasn't helped by the fact he had Gnakpa in front of him.
Sadler - Was ran ragged by their winger, and was also devoid of support from Paterson.
Lancashire - I think he had a good game, but it was all in vain as he'll be straight back out the team on Wednesday.
Smith - I've tried really hard to like him, but I just don't think he's as good as Lancashire. Our right back, whoever he happens to be, always seems to perform worse when Manny is the right sided centre back.
Wilson - Probably deserved MOTM and forced two smart saves from their keeper before half time. Does seem to give the ball away in dangerous areas too often, but at least he's prepared to drop deep to receive it. It may also be down to the lack of options given to him by his team mates.
Chambers - It just isn't working for him, although our best performances have co-incided with his best performances. But given that he's not producing his best I'd put Peterlin back in there.
Gnakpa - My patience with him is starting to run out. Just doesn't look cut out for this level.
Paterson - Really glad he's got a new long term contract. His naivety shows through almost as much as his talent does. Needs to become wiser with the ball and more disciplined in his defensive work. That said, when he had the ball at his feet, Bury were poohing their pants.
Nicholls - Annonymous really, but had no service.
Macken - Equally anonymous, but stroked the penalty home confidently.

Subs

Jarvis - Another who's criticism is harsh, worked as hard as any striker despite the shocking lack of service.
Grigg - Didn't really do a lot, lack of service again.
Bowerman - Chuffed for him that he got his first goal, hopefully its the first of many. Is he still out of contract in Jan?

Very good again Preistley;

Although, with regard to Nicholls, one moment in the first half where he shrugged off a couple of tackles and took on 3 players was excellent. This was a Nicholls I had faith in. If we can get the service to him, he will score a bag full!