Carlisle (H) League 1- Saturday 11th August 2007

[latviancheese]

Well - to be honest our first match back in League 1, against a fancied side with a so called super emergency loanee, didn't go so bad.

First half we looked nervous - no surprises their as we are such a demanding bunch of fans.

Their goal? He beat the off-side trap and finished like we all dream of finishing.

We never looked like doing anything and my fear that we do not have a midfield seemed to be true.

Second half? Whatever DD says to them at half-time always seems to do the trick - suddenly we had something between defence and our two (very hard working) forwards. And we passed the ball like I have not seen a Walsall team do for quite a while. Mooney took his goal very well - finish must have been just about inch perfect between keepers fingers and the post.

My man-of-the-match was Mooney actually - on his 36th birthday, after 700 league appearences, he was still chasing everything into the 92nd minute.

Carlos looked good too - remember that it was his first 'in anger' match for us - I think we will see good things from him.

Our left back, who's name I have yet to learn to spell, is a class above!!!

Can anyone really tell me that the second half of today's match was not a joy to watch? We are the nervous new boys and we can do that! Just wait until we have settled in!

All hail DD and the Super Saddlers!

WEll, it wasnt exactly " a joy" :P but we did much better and carlisle never looked like scoring again.

[latviancheese]

I think I must have turned up to the wrong game judging by some of the comments above. Oh no, come to think of it, I was at the game where the home fans were moaning 2 minutes into the season. It must have been Walsall.

Carlisle finished two places off the play-offs last year and they've strengthened the squad in the summer, despite the obvious devastating loss of Karl Hawley's mammoth 12-goal haul last season. They were a very competent passing side with movement, organisation and pace all over the pitch. In other words, streets ahead of most of the dross we saw last season.

First 30 minutes we were all over the place, particularly defensively where Wrack needed a hand against Kevin Gall but got no cover. Ince's fault for the goal again, just like it was for those last season where he was rooted to the line. I'd be interesting to see who let the runner go free though, or if it was just a badly misjudged offside trap.

From that point on, I thought we were in control. We imposed our gameplan on the match, passed the ball well, got it wide, brought the full-backs into it and had Mooney using all his nous as the fulcrum. A point in the first match of the season is a good base to work from and I think we can improve from here. On the basis of today, the season will go as most of us hoped - a year of consolidation with no worries about looking over our shoulder.

Oh. I forgot. We didn't have players in our team who can run really quick. That changes it all. We're rubbish and going down.[b/]

Thats not what people are saying, we can cope without the pace, but ther will be those few matches where it doesnt work, and we get aboslutly thrashed

[stefano123]

There seems to be alot of people unhappy with today?

I'm very happy with the start to a the season as we played some tremendous football in the second half. Can't remember the last time i went to bescot and enjoyed our style of play and performance (2nd half) as much as i did today

I have every confidance that, with a few additions and players to return, we will be sitting comfortably.

For me we have nothing to worry about providing we perform to the standard od the second half. We will stay up and may even surprise a few people.

[Whitti Steve]

There seems to be alot of people unhappy with today?

I'm very happy with the start to a the season as we played some tremendous football in the second half. Can't remember the last time i went to bescot and enjoyed our style of play and performance (2nd half) as much as i did today

I have every confidance that, with a few additions and players to return, we will be sitting comfortably.

For me we have nothing to worry about providing we perform to the standard od the second half. We will stay up and may even surprise a few people.

Well said matey.

Philthesaddler - no surprises that you ain't happy! Come on mate - it wasn't that bad. Please dont give DD something to moan about already.

[WFC_Rob]

A tale of two halves, as we often see at the Banks's.

First half we were out-passed, out-paced, out-thought, and just generally outplayed. It was the welcome to league one we needed from a youthful side with a lot of ability. Personally, I was surprised at the difference in pace in league one compared to league two. Not only were the players legs quicker, their brains were quicker too. Carlisle players seemed to know what to do with the ball before they received it, whereas we laboured whenever we had the ball at our feet.
I didn't think Sonner and Dobson did enough to support the wide players who were often left with only one ball to play - the ball down the line. With no Butler in the side to chase these balls, we were just giving the ball away very cheaply.
Wrack was often caught out for pace by their number 18 (Hackett, I think) who impressed me. That's not something people should criticise him for, but we should be doubling up on their players if that's the case.
We went 1 down and deserved to. An intelligent ball from the middle of midfield (which was not closed down quick enough by Dobson or Sonner) split our defence and allowed for a simple finish.

Second half was a bit of a different story. We made better use of the ball - it was as simple as that. Fox and Boertein now had balls to play to Sonner rather than down the line, and the two of them lnked up well.
Mooney's goal was a different class. Back to goal, two, possibly three defenders on his back, and he still managed to turn and see his shot go in off the post. Brilliant. Possibly the reason why he should be playing instead of Butler.
The game then opened up and both sides created chances, with Mooney unlucky to see the ball stuck at his feet 6 yards out when he could have hit the back of the net on another day.
Sonner came into the game more and more, with his incisive passing regularly finding Mooney's feet.
Carneiro showed a couple of intelligent touches, but didn't do enough for me. We need to see more from him defensively if he's to keep a place in the side. Defenders marking him today had an easy ride as he didn't close them down and didn't hold the ball well enough.

I thought Carlisle provided us with ideal opposition for the opening day. This made sure we adapted to the league quickly because we had to.
Dann and Gerrard were solid, and the fullbacks even got forward a fair bit in the second half. The team is crying out for pace though. Add that and we could well be sorted.

[Duke]

As most have said a game of two halfs , first not at the races , upfront Mooney and Carneiro worked very hard but were often isolated with little or no support . second half much better , the 2 full backs got forward a lot more
and Sonner was more of an attacking threat .

Of the new players , Boertein looks real quality and will get better with more games under his belt , Sonner used the ball very well and won a fair few tackles , Hall very poor looks slow Wrack was more of an attacking threat , Carneiro jorge like works very hard and he'll win plenty of free kicks , corner s for us , Mooney very impressive took his goal really well and was unlucky not to add to his tally.
Dann started as his finish last season simpley brilliant .

[Sadders]

1st half .

[/b] We were so awful , top 3 worst performances i've seen by a walsall team . No midfiedl . Wrack was awful isn't a right back and is always out of position. Get rid or bring on weston. Fox was nowhere. Sonner was ok, but dobbin ws awful. Mooney ran, but never looked thereatening. Carnerio was awful, no sense of position. ON the upside we only conceded 1 goal. Dann was excellent.
The first half felt like merson again. We hoofed it and our front like had no movement , very immobile. And yes admitted We NEED butler for that and yes we did MISS him today/

2nd half . Was much better. Mooney ran like mad, great turn ,great goal. Carnerio looks good on the deck, but awful at everythink else. Should of burried a header. I was impressed with Boertien and FOX ( in capital for the fact no-one else seems to have taken much noitce, on what was a encouraing econd half performance). Dan was ace, gerrard solid, sonner good, dobbo did his job,hally did ok. Nicholls has pace to burn ,but still lacks the experience ( example; he ran twice straight down the line and should of put a croos in
) Still very encouraging though.

[WFC_Rob]

[/b] We were so awful , top 3 worst performances i've seen by a walsall team . No midfiedl . Wrack was awful isn't a right back and is always out of position. Get rid or bring on weston. Fox was nowhere.

If you think that was bad, I'm guessing last year was your first as a Walsall fan. :roll:

Wrack out of position? He wasn't out of position at all for the whole 90 minutes. The only time he struggled was when he got out-paced, which is something he can do little about.
How can we bring in Weston when he's injured?

I'm just glad you're not the manager. :wink:

[Sadders]

wrack always got caught in more of the centre back position. 8 Years mate. And that was awful . Even some of last year we looked like scoring at some points, today i nevr thought at one point in the first half we'd score. Like i say my opinon, and people are allowed that, regardless of what others think . In my opinion , wrack is a barclays right back, and today we played crap first half.In you ropinon carnerio might be the new ronaldniho.

[WFC_Rob]

wrack always got caught in more of the centre back position. 8 Years mate. And that was awful . Even some of last year we looked like scoring at some points, today i nevr thought at one point in the first half we'd score. Like i say my opinon, and people are allowed that, regardless of what others think . In my opinion , wrack is a **** right back, and today we played crud first half.In you ropinon carnerio might be the new ronaldniho.

There's a difference between us being awful and our opposition being too good for us. When we had the ball, we were pedestrian and short of ideas, but not awful. We didn't have the pace or speed of thought to prevent them from taking the lead.
We looked like scoring more last year because we were playing in a league full of worse teams than the teams we find ourselves playing now. Surely that counts for something?
Wrack is by no means a great right back, but we don't have anyone else do we? Get usedto the fact that we lack the finance to be able to have two good players to fill each position.

With regard for your final point, I happen to think that Carneiro will be lucky to be here at the turn of the year, which is far from being the new Ronaldinho.

[Cannock]

An excellent summation WFC Rob.

You then went on to spoil it all by claiming Wrack was never out of position for the entire 90 minutes.

I can assure you - he certainly was.

Other than that you have summed it up perfectly.

[WFC_Rob]

An excellent summation WFC Rob.

You then went on to spoil it all by claiming Wrack was never out of position for the entire 90 minutes.

I can assure you - he certainly was.

Other than that you have summed it up perfectly.

OK, mabe that was a bit extreme.
I'd be surprised if anyone can suggest an example of where he was caught out of position for a reason other than their player being quicker than him though. That is something we can do little about.

[Cannock]

Twice during the first 5 minutes. Wrack was 10 yards off his alleged winger resulting in good Carlisle attacks.

I also had him at fault for the goal. An excellent chip from midfield over his head to the advancing Gall (who he should have been marking). Gall then finished superbly.

Apologies, i'm turning into an internet nerd the more bottles of Stella i drink. Hic.

[Duke]

One thing struck me about Wrack, when Hall went off he seemed very reluctant to use Nicholls , which was a shame because he looked very pacey .
Wrack did ok at right back , but I'll be a lot happier when Weston is fit.

[WFC_Rob]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

[latviancheese]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

ITs called the offside trap, and it didnt work, because wrack was playin him onside cause hes too slow!

[Cannock]

Agree with the defended too high bit Rob. Unfortunately Wrack was way out of position too :lol:

You're not Wracky's love child perchance ?

[WFC_Rob]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

ITs called the offside trap, and it didnt work, because wrack was playin him onside cause hes too slow!

Playing an offside trap that high against players with such pace is football suicide reagrdless of how fast or slow any given defender is.

The ball was played in behind Scott Dann. Maybe he could have dropped off once the ball had been played to win the ball in the air. Fantastic player, but he's not faultless.

[latviancheese]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

ITs called the offside trap, and it didnt work, because wrack was playin him onside cause hes too slow!

Playing an offside trap that high against players with such pace is football suicide reagrdless of how fast or slow any given defender is.

The ball was played in behind Scott Dann. Maybe he could have dropped off once the ball had been played to win the ball in the air. Fantastic player, but he's not faultless.

The offside trap is the best thing against pace if your defnders are paceless and you dont want to play deep. In hindsight, we should of played deep.

[WFC_Rob]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

ITs called the offside trap, and it didnt work, because wrack was playin him onside cause hes too slow!

Playing an offside trap that high against players with such pace is football suicide reagrdless of how fast or slow any given defender is.

The ball was played in behind Scott Dann. Maybe he could have dropped off once the ball had been played to win the ball in the air. Fantastic player, but he's not faultless.

The offside trap is the best thing against pace if your defnders are paceless and you dont want to play deep. In hindsight, we should of played deep.

Of course we should. Strikers with pace thrive on space behind defenders. We gave Gall plenty of that for his goal.

[latviancheese]

I wouldn't have Wrack as the single player at fault for the goal. As a unit, we were caught out because we defended too high against a pacy attack. After the goal, we were a lot better.

ITs called the offside trap, and it didnt work, because wrack was playin him onside cause hes too slow!

Playing an offside trap that high against players with such pace is football suicide reagrdless of how fast or slow any given defender is.

The ball was played in behind Scott Dann. Maybe he could have dropped off once the ball had been played to win the ball in the air. Fantastic player, but he's not faultless.

The offside trap is the best thing against pace if your defnders are paceless and you dont want to play deep. In hindsight, we should of played deep.

Of course we should. Strikers with pace thrive on space behind defenders. We gave Gall plenty of that for his goal.

Other than that defensive lapse, Carlisle creating absolutley nothing. So it worked.

[We-ARE-Walsall]

First half wasn't great, but i was informed by one of my arrogant friends it would get better :D and it did, if anyone was going to win the game second half it was going to be us.

I was pleasantly surprised by a number of things.

Danny Sonner, hardly wasted a pass all afternoon, excellent first touch, did a lot more ground work than i expected too

Darren Wrack, despite some idiots booing when he was announced as man of the match, i thought he did really well, remember he isn't a full back, just covering, in all honesty he is wasted there, has quality on the ball, and looks fitter than he has for a long time now.

Scott Dann, no surprise there, this lad can make it big time, he just strolls through games, never panics, he is surely destined for bigger and better things than us, just not yet I hope! Gerrard was excellent along side him also, no way i would drop him for Roper if he continues to play like that, it is up to Roper to dislodge him now.

I must watch a different game than some people where Ince is concerned, at fault for the goal, if you are coming then come, which was the correct thing to do, to narrow the angle at least, if he couldn't get there, but don't stop and go back ! Flapped at a few after that too, still cant kick either, it's not rocket science. However second half he was much more confident, took every cross with ease, which was pleasing.

Most pleasing of all, the fact Nicholl's and Deeney were introduced, in fairness they both struggled a bit, but the fact DD was willing to give them a run, is really encouraging, no way would he have done that last season.

All in all, a fair result, and feeling a lot better about things than i did at half time. One last piece of transfer activity, may just see us look a half decent side.

[Whitti Steve]

First half wasn't great, but i was informed by one of my arrogant friends it would get better :D and it did, if anyone was going to win the game second half it was going to be us.

I was pleasantly surprised by a number of things.

Danny Sonner, hardly wasted a pass all afternoon, excellent first touch, did a lot more ground work than i expected too

Darren Wrack, despite some idiots booing when he was announced as man of the match, i thought he did really well, remember he isn't a full back, just covering, in all honesty he is wasted there, has quality on the ball, and looks fitter than he has for a long time now.

Scott Dann, no surprise there, this lad can make it big time, he just strolls through games, never panics, he is surely destined for bigger and better things than us, just not yet I hope! Gerrard was excellent along side him also, no way i would drop him for Roper if he continues to play like that, it is up to Roper to dislodge him now.

I must watch a different game than some people where Ince is concerned, at fault for the goal, if you are coming then come, which was the correct thing to do, to narrow the angle at least, if he couldn't get there, but don't stop and go back ! Flapped at a few after that too, still cant kick either, it's not rocket science. However second half he was much more confident, took every cross with ease, which was pleasing.

Most pleasing of all, the fact Nicholl's and Deeney were introduced, in fairness they both struggled a bit, but the fact DD was willing to give them a run, is really encouraging, no way would he have done that last season.

All in all, a fair result, and feeling a lot better about things than i did at half time. One last piece of transfer activity, may just see us look a half decent side.

A good summing up... I too thought Ince should have been out quicker for the goal. It was a great defence splitting pass which caught Wrack and Gerrard napping - but Ince was caught in 2 minds again!

Sadders???? Worst 3 performances in 8 years - you are WRONG!

[cyclothymic]

First half they were all very nervous and gave Carlisle far to much respect - second half we took the gam to them and deserved the point.

I saw worse performances last year than the first half (remember January/February?) - need one or two more players to increae quality in depth but it was not a bad result and it was a result we deserved IMHO.

[Ned_Kelly]

First half they were all very nervous and gave Carlisle far to much respect - second half we took the gam to them and deserved the point.

I saw worse performances last year than the first half (remember January/February?) - need one or two more players to increae quality in depth but it was not a bad result and it was a result we deserved IMHO.

As i said y'day Cyclo. This seems like the same tactics we used last year. Sit back and soak it up 1st half then make a couple of adjustments and hit them 2nd half. This is going to be very dangerous, if Carlise had been a bit better upfront we could well have been 2 or 3 down at least by half time with nowhere to go 2nd half.
Lets hope this is not the case and we start to play from the start in future.

Ps. Did Carlise enjoy this "gam" we presented them with :wink: :D

[Duke]

First half wasn't great, but i was informed by one of my arrogant friends it would get better :D and it did, if anyone was going to win the game second half it was going to be us.

I was pleasantly surprised by a number of things.

Danny Sonner, hardly wasted a pass all afternoon, excellent first touch, did a lot more ground work than i expected too

Darren Wrack, despite some idiots booing when he was announced as man of the match, i thought he did really well, remember he isn't a full back, just covering, in all honesty he is wasted there, has quality on the ball, and looks fitter than he has for a long time now.

Scott Dann, no surprise there, this lad can make it big time, he just strolls through games, never panics, he is surely destined for bigger and better things than us, just not yet I hope! Gerrard was excellent along side him also, no way i would drop him for Roper if he continues to play like that, it is up to Roper to dislodge him now.

I must watch a different game than some people where Ince is concerned, at fault for the goal, if you are coming then come, which was the correct thing to do, to narrow the angle at least, if he couldn't get there, but don't stop and go back ! Flapped at a few after that too, still cant kick either, it's not rocket science. However second half he was much more confident, took every cross with ease, which was pleasing.

Most pleasing of all, the fact Nicholl's and Deeney were introduced, in fairness they both struggled a bit, but the fact DD was willing to give them a run, is really encouraging, no way would he have done that last season.

All in all, a fair result, and feeling a lot better about things than i did at half time. One last piece of transfer activity, may just see us look a half decent side.

Sitting there Mark , you'll hear plenty of that , get use to it .

[cyclothymic]

First half they were all very nervous and gave Carlisle far to much respect - second half we took the gam to them and deserved the point.

I saw worse performances last year than the first half (remember January/February?) - need one or two more players to increae quality in depth but it was not a bad result and it was a result we deserved IMHO.

As i said y'day Cyclo. This seems like the same tactics we used last year. Sit back and soak it up 1st half then make a couple of adjustments and hit them 2nd half. This is going to be very dangerous, if Carlise had been a bit better upfront we could well have been 2 or 3 down at least by half time with nowhere to go 2nd half.
Lets hope this is not the case and we start to play from the start in future.

Ps. Did Carlise enjoy this "gam" we presented them with :wink: :D

I don't think we will sit back for the first half too often this season - it was just first day nerves :P

[PT]

My glass definately half full after yesterday.

The key to the impoved second half was the slight change in formation. Rather than a flat midfield which was over-ran in the first half, Sonner moved forward to support the forwards with Dobson anchoring and we suddenly looked a lot better, so well done DD!

Also well done to DD and John Whitney on the summer fitnes regime. We were far fitter than them, they were gasping at the end and we still at it with Mooney still chasing all over the shop in he 92nd minute.

Dann and Mooney were our best players, one has obviously played at a higher level, the other obviously will. Our reserve right-back did OK for a reserve right-back and there is no shame in your mates looking after you when they sponsor the match.

Really enjoyed it and looking forward to see how the season develops.

[WFC_Rob]

Also well done to DD and John Whitney on the summer fitnes regime. We were far fitter than them, they were gasping at the end and we still at it with Mooney still chasing all over the shop in he 92nd minute.

Very true actually. When they replaced Danny Graham, he walked off - clearly to enable himslf and his team mates to have a breather. We worked them hard for the whole of the second half.

[Bernie]

We certainly played a lot better than in many games we won last season.

I feel that our defence is now fine - we soaked up a lot of pressure. Our attack is already better than in most games last season.

I feel that midfield is still a weakness. Most of the reason we could not keep possession in the first half was down to the midfield. Our midfielders are better at winning the ball than keeping it or using it well. In the first half our midfielders - all four of them - did not use the ball to any advantage. They either gave it away, kicked it out, passed it to our back line, or played to a forward under a lot of pressure. This was less true in the second half, but I think we need some more quality there.

With careful introduction of some our younger speedier players we could have a pretty reasonable season.