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Post by Mark on Aug 11, 2008 22:07:10 GMT
I really, really enjoyed that game.
Good performances all over the pitch but the three that stood out for me were Shabir Kahn who will get my vote for man of the match, Matt Dinsmore and Marco Adaggio who ran tirelessly and gave the St Albans defence lots of problems.
Quick thinking and agility by MA for his goal and he supplied a beautiful cross for MD to finish in the style of Alan Shearer.
Danny had an excellent game in goal and looked confident throughout.
What made that performance all the better for me was that St Albans looked a good team.
I am off on holiday on Wednesday so I will miss the next two home games. I hope City can keep that level of performance up while I am away.
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niels
City Legend
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Post by niels on Aug 11, 2008 22:51:32 GMT
Excellent game of football with Worcester being comprehensively outplayed in the first half. A terrific overhead kick goal by Addagio which I'm sure bounced down off the crossbar onto the line twice before being hooked from behind the line. Not long after Marco went through and was hauled down by the defender just as he was about to shoot. As clear a penalty as I have seen but the ref saw something different from everyone else. Danny had command of the penalty area which was a good job as he gave the defence plenty of confidence. Saints no 7 Hassan Sulaiman looked terrific down the right wing and Shabby had to be on top form to stop him from running riot. Luckily he was.
Second half Worcester played better football and were the more potent attacking force. Dinsmore's goal was terrific and only some top draw saves from their grandad of a keeper kept them in it. Towards the end St Albans missed such an easy chance that the keeper threw his towel in, gesturing defeat to the hordes behind the goal.
Some excellent performances by the likes of McDonnel, Richardson, Khan, Dinsmore and Addagio. Also good spells by Owen, Ward, Price and Walker. Thought Barnes looked a liability at times (tried to play his way out a few to many times, giving the ball away) and Dodd looked out of his depth (hopefully he just needs time to adjust to the pace of the game at this level).
St Albans will think themselves unlucky not to get a point as they played some good looking football but we showed them the value of ruthless finishing.
PS. The Trust distribute a fixtures poster, Attendence up by 100 on first game of last season and a couple of hundred up on the last few games of last season. Coincidence?
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Post by cityslicker01 on Aug 11, 2008 22:54:36 GMT
great performance and a great game against a side which i think will figure in the promotion race this season along with us.
shabir khan and marco adaggio were awesome tonight along with a whole host of players to perform very well.
Barnes and richardson at the back were huge tonight, well i could mention everyone who played but a special mention to Richard Dryden and Carl Heeley who have assembled a team full of pace, creativity and drive COME ON THE BLUES lets have some more at the weekend
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Post by stgeorge on Aug 12, 2008 6:30:45 GMT
A performance full of effort and commitment against a very good opposition. The result was impressive as we carried 3 players for most of the match - Matt Dodd, Gary Walker and MO simply didn't do enough to suggest they can compete with the best in the league week in week out.
Considering we have so many new players though, it will take a few more weeks yet before we are playing anywhere near our best which has to be a good sign!
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Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2008 8:11:27 GMT
Look you lot, you are simply going to have to stop criticising Matt Dodd!! You will only upset 'Jane' (see thread about City v Nuneaton in pre-season)
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Post by Tim Munslow on Aug 12, 2008 8:31:21 GMT
"What made that performance all the better for me was that St Albans looked a good team."
I think Mark was quite right, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the chasing pack. We were outplayed in the first half and lucky to go to in a goal up, but full value for the win in the end.
My men of the match? Most of them.
McDonnell : I hate to use the over-used word awesome, but he was: kept us in the game with a string of saves and superb safe handling.
Back Four : superb, with special mentions for Richardson for super defending and striking up an already good understanding with Barnes, and Shabir Khan who looks a more mature player than last year.
Dinsmore : didn't know when he was beaten, won the ball back even when he appeared to have lost it on numerous occasions and scored a cracking second goal with that bullet header.
Addagio : instant folk hero, looked dangerous whenever involved, lightning reflexes for the goal, which was never more than a half chance, and a superb deep cross for the second goal; what's more he was still running on 90 minutes and never appeared to have dropped his pace. He can't play like this every week can he?
I said yesterday "one swallow doesn't make a summer", but two swallows..............
I hope they realise they have set a benchmark for the rest of the season.
How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news.
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Post by Tim Munslow on Aug 12, 2008 8:47:23 GMT
Just a word of praise and thanks to Andrew Smith, Kieran Mooney and Wayne Henley for the excellent report and pictures so quickly published on the official website. Well done, thanks and keep it up. The report is highly professional worthy of a club many rungs higher on the football ladder.
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Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2008 8:53:46 GMT
Just a word of praise and thanks to Andrew Smith, Kieran Mooney and Wayne Henley for the excellent report and pictures so quickly published on the official website. Well done, thanks and keep it up. The report is highly professional worthy of a club many rungs higher on the football ladder. I couldn't agree more Tim. Very well done to all.
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Mr T
Youth Teamer
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Post by Mr T on Aug 12, 2008 9:03:42 GMT
Excellent game of football - good to see an away team trying to play football and not coming for a point with eleven men behind the ball.
Also gives RD a nice headache to have - will Craig be in the team on Saturday? - MO & MA are working very well together - MO may not have the pace, but some of his touches were sublime.
Shame the ref tried his hardest to ruin the game (played in a very good spirit - no trainers required by either team) - are there a separate pool of officials for the south?
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Post by ctod1959 on Aug 12, 2008 9:35:32 GMT
A very high tempo first half where we couldn't compete in midfield; as a result the back four had to work like Trojans helped by superb handling by Danny (we were lucky to have Cameron to step in last season, but DMcD is the best goalkeeper we've ever had and it's so good he's back and fit.) A tremendous goal against the run of play settled the nerves somewhat, but I was still relieved when the half time whistle went.
Second half, we scored the second at the perfect time. Just as one of my mates was telling me Marco doesn't have a left foot he sent over a wonderful cross which was headed in with some aplomb by Dinsmore. After that play became stretched and there was plenty of excitement at both ends, but I think by the last 15, the Saints knew it wasn't going to be their night.
And an excellent curry at the RajKot to round off a perfect evening!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 9:48:47 GMT
"good to see an away team trying to play football and not coming for a point with eleven men behind the ball"
Could that be another difference between North and South? I hope so.
Not sure I can get used to postings about enjoying the game, and talk of pace and effort. Doesn't this squad realise who they're playing for? At this rate Dryden might even get a few on the Brookside smiling now and then. Surely that's not in the spirit of WCFC?
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Post by almasno9 on Aug 12, 2008 9:49:56 GMT
Definitely an encouraging performance. The thing that impressed me most was the work rate of everybody in the side. Thinking back to last seasons team a player who drifts out of games such as Nwadike would have been totally exposed by the current City team. Their constant tackling back and commitment to the cause was outstanding and the level of fitness showed the professional approach that RD has installed. Honourable mentions to Shabs (his best game for City so far in my opinion), Adaggio whose first touch and ability to turn quickly will cause problems for centre halves all season if he plays like that, Dinsmore (incredible work rate and caused problems all night) and Graham Ward (as solid a performance at full back that you could wish to see.) Also Danny Macs handling was superb and must have been massively re-assuring for the defence in front of him. Credit to St Albans too - they will definitely be near the top come May. Well done lads!!!!
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Post by bullseyedave on Aug 12, 2008 10:16:57 GMT
Last night’s game was a great all round team performance, no one shirked responsibility and everyone was full of running, especially Dinsmore and Adaggio. For me Robinson leaving for Mansfield is a blessing in disguise; for all of his hardwork and strength, which no one can fault, he never looked like he was going to be that elusive 20+ goals a season forward, something I believe we may now have in Adaggio.
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Post by cityslicker01 on Aug 12, 2008 10:40:14 GMT
Last night’s game was a great all round team performance, no one shirked responsibility and everyone was full of running, especially Dinsmore and Adaggio. For me Robinson leaving for Mansfield is a blessing in disguise; for all of his hardwork and strength, which no one can fault, he never looked like he was going to be that elusive 20+ goals a season forward, something I believe we may now have in Adaggio. Could'nt agree more Dave! Adaggio is quick, tricky and has already proved he can score from almost anywhere
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 11:49:35 GMT
I'm not sure that Shabir had such a good game, their little no.7 had him in his pocket for most of the game, and we looked exposed down the right flank, Shabir certainly had a lot to do, but if the no.7 had an end product after his mazy runs, we'd have been in big big trouble. For me the star players were Adaggio who's first thought is goal, and thats good. I think MO did a good impression of Phil Stant, playing the lay off role well, but my star player was Danny McDonnell who was big in front of goal, brave at the feet, and the safest pair of hands you'd ever want. Having said that my MOM would go to the unsung hero last night, Jamie Price, in the second half he totally locked down the middle of the park and cut off the Stalebuns distribution plus he distributed the ball so cleverly from midfield into the front players feet, or into the hole between the central defenders making them turn - no hoof ball!!! That was the master stroke, because we'd have got no change out of those big central defenders. So well played Jamie Price, doing the simple things so well!! All told, a curates egg of a game though, and we need tightening at the back, and the Barnes / Khan flank will have to do better to avoid being found out. But a fantastic result, a confidence boosting win, and its onwards and upwards on the pitch. Lets hope that we get the same result off-the-pitch with no-one holding out for their benefit and not the good of the club. This has the making of a very bright season.
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Post by rushwickdon on Aug 12, 2008 11:55:35 GMT
According to Stalebuns website report, it was 1-1 last night
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 11:57:54 GMT
They wish
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niels
City Legend
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Post by niels on Aug 12, 2008 12:24:09 GMT
According to WEN website it was 2-2.
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niels
City Legend
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Post by niels on Aug 12, 2008 12:37:21 GMT
This has the making of a very bright season. I know we are all getting excited but lets just have a little reality check. We have just beaten the sides that came 18th and 19th in BSS last season. On the bright side it sure beats our usual defeats against the bottom sides.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 13:19:28 GMT
Yes a reality check will no doubt be lurking around the corner Niels. However, what's encouraging is the positive attitude that seems to be evident from the playing/management staff.
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Post by birdfeeder on Aug 12, 2008 13:24:13 GMT
I'm not sure that Shabir had such a good game, their little no.7 had him in his pocket for most of the game, and we looked exposed down the right flank, Shabir certainly had a lot to do, but if the no.7 had an end product after his mazy runs, we'd have been in big big trouble. For me the star players were Adaggio who's first thought is goal, and thats good. I think MO did a good impression of Phil Stant, playing the lay off role well, but my star player was Danny McDonnell who was big in front of goal, brave at the feet, and the safest pair of hands you'd ever want. Having said that my MOM would go to the unsung hero last night, Jamie Price, in the second half he totally locked down the middle of the park and cut off the Stalebuns distribution plus he distributed the ball so cleverly from midfield into the front players feet, or into the hole between the central defenders making them turn - no hoof ball!!! That was the master stroke, because we'd have got no change out of those big central defenders. So well played Jamie Price, doing the simple things so well!! All told, a curates egg of a game though, and we need tightening at the back, and the Barnes / Khan flank will have to do better to avoid being found out. But a fantastic result, a confidence boosting win, and its onwards and upwards on the pitch. Lets hope that we get the same result off-the-pitch with no-one holding out for their benefit and not the good of the club. This has the making of a very bright season. I know nobody else is going to admit that they do not know what the saying "Curates egg of a game" means, but I am. Remember I did not go to that big school up the Tything which has girls going to it now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 13:37:01 GMT
I'm not sure that Shabir had such a good game, their little no.7 had him in his pocket for most of the game, and we looked exposed down the right flank, Shabir certainly had a lot to do, but if the no.7 had an end product after his mazy runs, we'd have been in big big trouble. For me the star players were Adaggio who's first thought is goal, and thats good. I think MO did a good impression of Phil Stant, playing the lay off role well, but my star player was Danny McDonnell who was big in front of goal, brave at the feet, and the safest pair of hands you'd ever want. Having said that my MOM would go to the unsung hero last night, Jamie Price, in the second half he totally locked down the middle of the park and cut off the Stalebuns distribution plus he distributed the ball so cleverly from midfield into the front players feet, or into the hole between the central defenders making them turn - no hoof ball!!! That was the master stroke, because we'd have got no change out of those big central defenders. So well played Jamie Price, doing the simple things so well!! All told, a curates egg of a game though, and we need tightening at the back, and the Barnes / Khan flank will have to do better to avoid being found out. But a fantastic result, a confidence boosting win, and its onwards and upwards on the pitch. Lets hope that we get the same result off-the-pitch with no-one holding out for their benefit and not the good of the club. This has the making of a very bright season. I know nobody else is going to admit that they do not know what the saying "Curates egg of a game" means, but I am. Remember I did not go to that big school up the Tything which has girls going to it now. Neither did I, neither did I My school was shadowed by the finest cathedral in the county Curates egg, good in parts CURATE'S EGG - "Something which is part good, part bad; a mixed bag. The expression comes from a 19th-century cartoon in the British humor magazine 'Punch': A nervous young curate (in Britain, a junior-grade clergyman who is usually an assistant to a more senior member of the clergy) is served a bad egg while a guest at his bishop's breakfast table. Asked whether the egg is to his liking, he stammers: 'Parts of it are excellent!"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2008 13:42:54 GMT
This has the making of a very bright season. I know we are all getting excited but lets just have a little reality check. We have just beaten the sides that came 18th and 19th in BSS last season. On the bright side it sure beats our usual defeats against the bottom sides. Its not just about fotball though, believe me, this has the making of a very bright season. On the subject of the football though, who cares where sides finished last season? Does our side in any way resemble the sides we put out last season? Same goes for many other sides in our league. When the season starts, its a new season, the slate's wiped clean.
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Post by birdfeeder on Aug 12, 2008 14:09:05 GMT
I know nobody else is going to admit that they do not know what the saying "Curates egg of a game" means, but I am. Remember I did not go to that big school up the Tything which has girls going to it now. Neither did I, neither did I My school was shadowed by the finest cathedral in the county Curates egg, good in parts CURATE'S EGG - "Something which is part good, part bad; a mixed bag. The expression comes from a 19th-century cartoon in the British humor magazine 'Punch': A nervous young curate (in Britain, a junior-grade clergyman who is usually an assistant to a more senior member of the clergy) is served a bad egg while a guest at his bishop's breakfast table. Asked whether the egg is to his liking, he stammers: 'Parts of it are excellent!" I knew that one,
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Post by Tony is not to despondent now. on Aug 12, 2008 15:24:21 GMT
Birdfeedeer, if you knew it why challenge it?
Brookie was right, for the first 15 minutes it looked as if they would play the City of the park.
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Post by gobby cow on Aug 12, 2008 20:38:53 GMT
I thought Mark had bad eyesight and then I read Mr T said MO played well. He has talent but he just has no speed at all.
Bring back Craig we are sadly lacking some nice butt in our team!
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Post by birdfeeder on Aug 12, 2008 22:18:10 GMT
Birdfeedeer, if you knew it why challenge it? Brookie was right, for the first 15 minutes it looked as if they would play the City of the park. Look at the rolling eyes.
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Post by Tim Munslow on Aug 14, 2008 18:34:04 GMT
The way MO played Monday night Craig will be back on Saturday methinks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2008 18:35:45 GMT
Do you see Wilding playing the hold up role then Tim? Because I can't!
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Post by Tim Munslow on Aug 14, 2008 18:48:00 GMT
Well, isn't that what he did all last season?
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