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Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Reports and reaction from the 2013-2014 season as Walsall finished 13th in League 1
Perkwins
 
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:21 pm

Rotherham - horrible team and horrible football.

Evans - fat controller, mouthy get.

Walsall - bit of a comedown after Tuesday, but, on reflection a good point against a team who will be up there. In the end a fair result. Lack a main striker but have some hope Hewitt may be the answer but needs time to develop.

Style - love it. Ok we may over pass it sometimes, but keep the faith. Believe me we are spoilt!

Westcarr - made some good chances but played out of position again. He is not a number 9. We were more effective when he came on though. Marmite man - sometimes I love him, sometimes I hate him.

MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass. Keep him in the team.

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Salop Saddler
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:46 pm

Did a proper job did Roverham. Generally quicker to the ball plus we didn’t win enough second ball. They kept the middle of the park narrow and tight and we didn’t stretch the play wide until it was too late. We just need to stretch the play a tad more at home which will enable us to get in behind sides who want to clog up the middle of the park. As I say, Smithy and ROK sussed it in the end, but it was too late.

Not complaining mind, 7 points from the 9 available this week is a very nice return.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:03 pm

A decent point against a strong, unbeaten side. We could have won it late on but I think a draw was more than a fair result. I would certainly stick with Hewitt, think the lad has a lot of potential and if he is given the right service he will score goals. His battling displays and at times his hold up play has impressed me over the last week. 2 very tough games coming up in Orient and Bradford but we have the team and style of play to come out of both games favourably.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:14 pm

I'd have took a point, but we didn't turn up today. The game was easily winnable. We tested the keeper twice. Once squirmed past him, and the other he dropped under no pressure.

Should have gone 4-4-1-1 when the subs were made, with Westcarr behind Hewitt and Lalkovic and Hemmings on for Baxendale and Featherstone, who both faded badly in the second half.

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Andy_Petterson
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:08 pm

Have to disagree with those who say Featherstone played well. I counted at least 4 times when he gave the ball away with bad passes.

I only noticed cause he's usually so ace, probably my favourite player.

Bit disappointed that we seemed to get dragged down to Rotherham's level with some long balls at the end. we should have the belief that we can beat them because we are better.

Overall though a point was a decent result and easily the sort of game we could have lost, so not too bad.

Get Orient out of the way then we play a few teams lower down the table.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:36 am

I would go with O'Donnel for my MOM, his save towards the end looked immense and he has improved massively, much more confident.

I feel Westcarr is being negatively affected by our fans, he was first man off the pitch today didn’t show any appreciation to the fans (which is fair, I wouldn’t if I were him) my biggest worry is this negativity could begin creeping into the squad. The winless run / winning run of last season had many variables, but i think the key element of that success was mentality, and cohesion. If Westy hits mega form over the next few weeks or months we will probably be singing his name, but for him I fear the damage is done, we as supporters didn’t support him, he will probably run over to the empty seats like Grigg when he scores.

Our support is massive in maintaining what is produced by the backroom staff, I worry for players like Benning and Hemmings who I feel may be confidence players, and ultimately players we will ruin if they dont pick up form. These players can react positively to the criticism and they have, but if you get it week in week out when you are trying your best and working hard you will eventually give up and if enough players think that then we are back to last years crap bit of the season.

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layzeedude
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:37 am

aaaae wrote:After we scored Rotherham were not interested in winning the game at all and it is a shame that we couldn't pose more of a threat. We are definitely lacking something up front.


This.

My 1st game of the season and was looking forward to seeing this schexy football we're playing but didn't see any in the 1st half. They closed us down and didn't allow us to play. 2nd half I suddenly saw what everyone had been talking about. Lalkovic seemed to be up for it and there was some lovely passing moves. Just no-one to hit the back of the net. Seemed like 4 or 5 times we were paying it around on the edge of their area afraid to have a pop.
On the evidence of yesterday, really looking forward to this season.

UTS!

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:40 am

Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.

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boringteacher
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:58 am

Magic Man Fan wrote:I'd have took a point, but we didn't turn up today. The game was easily winnable. We tested the keeper twice. Once squirmed past him, and the other he dropped under no pressure.

Should have gone 4-4-1-1 when the subs were made, with Westcarr behind Hewitt and Lalkovic and Hemmings on for Baxendale and Featherstone, who both faded badly in the second half.

Agreed, Rotherscum were there for the taking in the last 25 minutes. They were absolutely knackered by the closing down they'd done and the effort of trying to shoot down low level 737's with their passes. Bradley at right back cack himself every time Lalkovich ran at him.

Steve Evans is a fat, detestable scottish aresehole whose massive shadow should never have been allowed to darken football after his role in the rape of Boston. Never forget:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5412612.stm

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:27 am

The only change I would have made from Tuesday's team to `freshen things up` was to put Purkiss in for James Chambers. Chambers has been excellent but I think Purkiss is better at getting the ball into the box. This would give Hewitt a better chance of getting on the end of something rather than chasing lost causes into corners.

One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:35 am

MAsaddler wrote:
I feel Westcarr is being negatively affected by our fans, he was first man off the pitch today didn’t show any appreciation to the fans (which is fair, I wouldn’t if I were him) my biggest worry is this negativity could begin creeping into the squad. The winless run / winning run of last season had many variables, but i think the key element of that success was mentality, and cohesion. If Westy hits mega form over the next few weeks or months we will probably be singing his name, but for him I fear the damage is done, we as supporters didn’t support him, he will probably run over to the empty seats like Grigg when he scores


Wise words wasted on thicktards, the same thicktards that were slagging Grigg off for leaving.

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Andy_Petterson
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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:38 am

saddlerken wrote:
Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.


Fair point Ken. It would be nice to see him try something like that occasionally.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:08 am

Featherstone got an assist two games ago in the win at Crewe.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:52 am

saddlerken wrote:
Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.

So is Michael Carrick, but he's been a key player in some good Man Utd teams.

As long as Featherstone plays in there with players who can create chances, we're fine. There's greater onus on Mantom in the new system we're now playing.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:53 am

DonningtonSaddler wrote:Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


Other than Andy Butler's winner against the Dingles, you mean? (I'm not counting the Westcarr free kick as it only hit the bar!) :wink:

UTS :mrgreen:

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:04 am

DonningtonSaddler wrote:One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?

Thats a good point to be fair. We've got a few players who are technically very good, so trying something a bit different now and again would surely pay off. Like the goal Mantom scored at home to Sheffield Utd a couple of years ago.

Problem is, when you do try something different and it doesn't go to plan, you get hundreds of philistines in the crowd moaning about the fact that we didn't just lump it into the box.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:34 am

WFC_Rob wrote:
saddlerken wrote:
Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.

So is Michael Carrick, but he's been a key player in some good Man Utd teams.

As long as Featherstone plays in there with players who can create chances, we're fine. There's greater onus on Mantom in the new system we're now playing.


Claude Makelele scored four goals in four seasons for Real Madrid, scored once for Chelsea in close to 100 appearances. Both teams started on a downward slide when he left. The Madrid players all said he was the main man in the team. Players like Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo all saw the importance of having a player like him. It's an extreme example I know, but we just don't keep the ball as well without him in the side.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:36 pm

Featherstone is a good player, keeps the ball moving nicely along but I do feel we tend to play with no urgency quite frequently, we often have 10 yards of space to run into but choose to stand still for 3 seconds and then pass it 5 yards sidewards or backwards, I get the full picture though so it's hard to moan at times. The only issue is, if we do revert back to 4-4-2, Chambers offers more defensively and Mantom more attacking so he'd be the one that got dropped. Hemmings seems to have lost some momentum. He was average at Crewe, poor at Wolves and woeful when he came on yesterday, let's hope he finds some momentum again.

Westcarr's a 28 year old man who's never been liked widely at any club he's played at, I'm sure he's used to getting some flack after missing a chance and giving the ball away from a simple 8 yard pass through his own control's failure. The County fans couldn't wait to get rid and he was rotting in the Chesterfield reserves having been noted as and I quote 'one of the laziest, half arsed players I've seen in a Spirite shirt' - He needs to get over himself and whatever ego he has and just get on with it. He seemed happy enough having banter with our fans at Crewe.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:56 pm

And we should give a shiny eartha what Chesterfield or Notts County fans have to say?

I'll stick to the judgement of the man who's improved us over the last three seasons.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:13 pm

DonningtonSaddler wrote:The only change I would have made from Tuesday's team to `freshen things up` was to put Purkiss in for James Chambers. Chambers has been excellent but I think Purkiss is better at getting the ball into the box. This would give Hewitt a better chance of getting on the end of something rather than chasing lost causes into corners.

One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


Yes.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:08 pm

Leatherman wrote:
DonningtonSaddler wrote:The only change I would have made from Tuesday's team to `freshen things up` was to put Purkiss in for James Chambers. Chambers has been excellent but I think Purkiss is better at getting the ball into the box. This would give Hewitt a better chance of getting on the end of something rather than chasing lost causes into corners.

One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


Yes.


Agree also. We won a lot more games when Purkiss was playing, to when he wasn't. I can't believe Smith doesn't recognise the excellent angled balls into the box he offers, as an alternative threat, and also the extra height for set pieces.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:18 pm

I think it would be harsh dropping Chambers, he was one of our best performers Tuesday at the Wolves and I think he has 2 assists already this season, one particular highlight his run and ball for Bax at Oldham. I like Purkiss and it's great to have two players (and Ben George who looks okay) that can play in one position. I can see Chambers going to left back and Purkiss to right if Taylor gets injured. Not sure Benning will be ready to come back out and play yet, but who knows.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:18 pm

Highlights here - http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/s ... -rotherham

Poor defending for their goal.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:23 pm

DonningtonSaddler wrote:The only change I would have made from Tuesday's team to `freshen things up` was to put Purkiss in for James Chambers. Chambers has been excellent but I think Purkiss is better at getting the ball into the box. This would give Hewitt a better chance of getting on the end of something rather than chasing lost causes into corners.

One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


No, but we put in some superb ones on Tuesday.....

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:19 pm

saddler_nic wrote:
WFC_Rob wrote:
saddlerken wrote:
Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.

So is Michael Carrick, but he's been a key player in some good Man Utd teams.

As long as Featherstone plays in there with players who can create chances, we're fine. There's greater onus on Mantom in the new system we're now playing.


Claude Makelele scored four goals in four seasons for Real Madrid, scored once for Chelsea in close to 100 appearances. Both teams started on a downward slide when he left. The Madrid players all said he was the main man in the team. Players like Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo all saw the importance of having a player like him. It's an extreme example I know, but we just don't keep the ball as well without him in the side.


If that kind of thing floats your boat. Im sure there are far more successful teams we could real off without crabs playing for them. Makalele is a bad example by the way and although he is lobster like, he used to be the best thief of a football that has played the game.

If he was a tackling crab, that would suit me better, but he's not and although he doesn't waste passes, it usually only travels 7 yards.

Not for me.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:38 pm

Magic Man Fan wrote:
Leatherman wrote:
DonningtonSaddler wrote:The only change I would have made from Tuesday's team to `freshen things up` was to put Purkiss in for James Chambers. Chambers has been excellent but I think Purkiss is better at getting the ball into the box. This would give Hewitt a better chance of getting on the end of something rather than chasing lost causes into corners.

One signing the club should consider is a specialist set peice coach. Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


Yes.


Agree also. We won a lot more games when Purkiss was playing, to when he wasn't. I can't believe Smith doesn't recognise the excellent angled balls into the box he offers, as an alternative threat, and also the extra height for set pieces.

I think that's a good point. Would we have conceded that goal yesterday had Purkiss been at right back? Revell's a beast in the air, but I'm sure Purkiss would have made it a lot more difficult for him to nod across to Nardiello.

Don't get me wrong, that's not a big criticism of Chambers, who I think is a really good right back. Swings and roundabouts choosing between the two of them for me.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:35 pm

saddlerken wrote:
saddler_nic wrote:
WFC_Rob wrote:
saddlerken wrote:
Perkwins wrote:MOM Featherstone - lovely player. Hardly ever wastes a pass


But does he ever produce an assist or defence splitting pass?

He is basically a technically sound crab.

So is Michael Carrick, but he's been a key player in some good Man Utd teams.

As long as Featherstone plays in there with players who can create chances, we're fine. There's greater onus on Mantom in the new system we're now playing.


Claude Makelele scored four goals in four seasons for Real Madrid, scored once for Chelsea in close to 100 appearances. Both teams started on a downward slide when he left. The Madrid players all said he was the main man in the team. Players like Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo all saw the importance of having a player like him. It's an extreme example I know, but we just don't keep the ball as well without him in the side.


If that kind of thing floats your boat. Im sure there are far more successful teams we could real off without crabs playing for them. Makalele is a bad example by the way and although he is lobster like, he used to be the best thief of a football that has played the game.

If he was a tackling crab, that would suit me better, but he's not and although he doesn't waste passes, it usually only travels 7 yards.

Not for me.


Hadn't won in 5 games. Featherstone comes back into the team and 7 points from 9 in some very tricky games, plus 2 clean sheets.

Not saying it's all down to featherstone because it isn't. But he certainly played his part in all games. 1 assist as well.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:25 am

Fray Bentos is God! wrote:And we should give a shiny eartha what Chesterfield or Notts County fans have to say?

I'll stick to the judgement of the man who's improved us over the last three seasons.


this

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:49 am

Perkwins wrote:
Hadn't won in 5 games. Featherstone comes back into the team and 7 points from 9 in some very tricky games, plus 2 clean sheets.

Not saying it's all down to featherstone because it isn't. But he certainly played his part in all games. 1 assist as well.


This.

Also, his inclusion allows Mantom to get forward which suits him as he's more than just a straight forward centre mid.

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Re: Rotherham United (H) League One, Sat 21st Sep 3pm

Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:12 pm

Welsh_Saddler wrote:
DonningtonSaddler wrote:Does anyone ever believe that we will get something out of a direct free kick or a corner?


Other than Andy Butler's winner against the Dingles, you mean? (I'm not counting the Westcarr free kick as it only hit the bar!) :wink:

UTS :mrgreen:


I think we can agree we were exceptional on Tuesday. My point is that there is no air of expectation of getting anything from a corner or a direct free kick at the moment. I think I read somewhere that Andy Taylor is a bit of a dead ball specialist?? The guy is a superstar but he can't shoot at goal for toffee.

I remember the days when every time Craig Shakespeare tee'd up a free kick he would at least trouble the goalie if not score. We all used to chant Shakey!, Shakey!, Shakey! with the anticipation. Maybe I should take my rose tinted glasses off. :wink:

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