Brackley Home 28/12/15

[thesecondjack]

A game we could do with winning, but will be hard as we've got plenty of injuries at the back during a busy time.
WN have just reported that Morris is our only fit centreback who will be available: www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/14168999.Defensive_crisis_leaves_Worcester_City_chasing_loan_centre_half_before_Brackley_Town_clash/

If there's no chance of getting a loan signing, or even recalling Clayton McDonald, then it probably would have to be Deeney as centre back, but then there's still a problem of not having a backup.

Assuming all is fit, here is how I'd lineup:

                  Harrad
   Hughes     Vincent     Nti
         Jackman   Gater
Weir  Deeney  Morris  Minihan
                 Vaughan

Dunkley has been much better then I expected as a starter, but looked a little tired when he came off imo, so I'd put him on the bench, and try to rest him up for the Gloucester return fixture. Harrad to be given a chance to lead the attack against a team we should be looking to score a couple against - if he doesn't do much, I'd consider ''moving him on''. Hughes on the left wing ready to cut inwards when needed, Vincent and Nti making up the rest of the attack, but I'd expect Vincent to drop deep and help out his midfield often. Jackman to move back to centre mid alongside Gater, the short player - tall player partnership usually works well! Weir to get back in the starting side as leftback with Deeney next to him in a reluctant central role, ready to partner up with the much improved Morris, and the rather consistent starter Minihan to fill the right back position. Vaughan to be between the sticks simply to give some experience at the back, as Tyler will be our oldest defender at 25.

Who would you start? We're lucky to have a lot of options up front, but it's so sketchy at the back right now.

[thatloudbloke]

like the set up & thoughts,

possibly change Vincent & Hughes at the start but give them all a roaming roll as long as they work together & not get bogged down on one side or the other or all sit in the middle as we do well down the flanks, if Harrad does not seem to cut the mustard, if given the right support i would bring him off just after half time & bring on Burton & move Hughes up front.

defence is a difficult one, McDonald really needs to be brought back off loan as cover, & then if we have injury there we have the option of Deeney filling the roll again, or bring Kahn out of retirement, he is still one of my hero's, ore even a bigger ask is King Carl to do a stint...

[alwaysnextyear]

I thought that we'd signed on Shabir Khan on a " pay as you play " basis for this season ? If so, we need him tomorrow ! He's always given 100 %, and wouldn't let us down, even if we only got an hour out of him. If not, presumably Ellis Deeney plays at the back, but Shab's height would come in handy. With such a potentially strong attacking line up, the easiest thing would just be to get on the front foot all match !

[Bob from Arbroath]

I know this might sound daft but if we were really desperate for a centre half then maybe Hughes, Harrad or Burton can step in for a game. Sure they're all savvy enough to do it for a game if need be. Just a thought. Please be gentle whilst ripping me to shreds.

[thesecondjack]

The last I heard about Shab was that he hadn't signed up for this year at all, but I hope you're right that he's on a pay as you play. It's a really good shout for an emergency defender eitherway. We know he's loyal to the city and always puts a shift in - If I was the manager, I'd phone him up and ask if he's willing - for bench duty at least. I don't think Carl would be able to start, but he might be a choice to be on the bench, should we have nobody better available.

I can see Burton doing okay as a stop-gap defender, so won't shoot you down, but I'd probably have Gater and Weir ahead of them, and should be able to move the squad about to fill their usual positions. It'll be interesting no matter what!

[zeke]

2 new kids from WBA are on the starting line up. Also Boddy is here! Hooray!

[zeke]

HT 0-0 . New lads look decent at the back. Had numerous chances to score.

[zeke]

Neils, did you have any visitors to the box after your announcement?

[zeke]

Att 647

[zeke]

FT 0-0

[thesecondjack]

The thing I am most annoyed about isnt the game (which was poor) but that Matt Gardiner had a heckler in the crowd. From what i heard, he was asked why dunkley was subbed, and when he said he was injured, the reply was "pity its not you". Unacceptable comment towards a man that i feel we are lucky to have around.
I think Matt thought it was my dad who called it out, but it certainly wasnt, and we are now sat in the bar hoping to catch him. Whoever shouted it out; shame on you. Talk to the man if you have an issue, he is very approachable and willing to listen.

[Woodenose]

Only 7pts cover positions 10th to 21st, so 3 points against Gloucester on Saturday is a must

[stamoo]

Disappointing as I thought it was a game well within our capabilities to get three points but in the end a draw a fair result and were it not for the most incredible double save from Vaughany we would be moaning about a home defeat. Sometimes difficult to put your finger on what went wrong but for me our passing was often poor in the opposition half and I can remember just one shot on target a long range before from Tyler in the first half. In my view the main benefit of playing Tristan Dunkley is to use his pace but we rarely did so, if he's there let's play the ball in behind the full back for him to run onto every chance we get. Nti largely anonymous and ineffective again. I thought Dion Burton did well but was without support. When Danny Jackman came on looked like he could be a game changer as there was suddenly someone who could spray the ball around but at that stage there was
Iittle movement up front. On a very positive note those two new centre backs were magnificent, young lads who looked solid and confident in using the ball.

I fully understand the need for rotation and resting players but without Hughesy we really lack that cutting edge up front and the Brackley defence played well. It needed someone like Hughes to shake them them up a bit as they looked far too comfortable.

I also heard that heckler on to Matt Gardiner, WTF? What on earth was all that about? Matt G had the courtesy to try to explain to the crowd why Dunkley had to come off (he was injured) and some idiot shouts that at him? Matt Gardiner is a diamond and an absolute genuine 100% gentleman who is City through and through, we are indeed lucky to have him.

[steved]

I agree with most of the points raised here about today's game:-

- Big miss by their No. 10 who should have scored with what looked an easy chance.

- Two new centre backs played well today.

- We have 2-3 'hecklers' that sit in the stand and these people are beginning to wind people up who sit around them, myself and my friends included. The comment shouted to Matt was inane as are most of the comments aimed at our players, the officials and the opposition coaches. Seriously, if you are one of these 'hecklers' please consider your comments before you offend the team you are supposed to be supporting and the fellow supporters you sit amongst.

- The passing seen in the first have deteriorated in the second half.

- Fantastic save by Nathan Vaughn that ensured we came away with at least a point.

[thesecondjack]

I spoke to Matt and although it wouldn't be right to say all of what was said in conversation, he did explain that several of our players were carrying knocks, and so perhaps a draw is a good result in the end. We can look forward to Gloucester where we will hopefully get another 3 points, and a clean sheet. Matt is a top man, we are lucky to have him, Carl and the rest of the staff.

Back to the game itself, we had two centre-backs on loan from West Brom for a month, and I thought both were brilliant! Excuse me not knowing either of their names, but the number 4 in particular I thought was top notch.

[crosscountrymark]

It was disappointing that we couldn't get the three points to continue our good form, but under the circumstances a draw was a fair result and we continue our unbeaten run. We went into the game with two loanees from West Bromwich Albion in the central defensive role and both played well, it was disappointing to go into the game without Lee Hughes , and we lacked his physical presence up front and didn't really threaten the Brackley defence. Daniel Nti was out of sorts and didn't see any of his trademark runs and it was left to Tristian Dunkley to give the crowd something to get excited about using his pace down the left flank in the second half. I saw Matt Gardner reacting to some comment from the crowd and was pointing at the offender and came across at the end of game to have his say. I don't know if its me, but what has Ashley Vincent and Shaun Harrod got to offer this club, both players have played at football level in the past and have nothing to offer at this level now, and watching Vincent allow a cross go over his and go out of play was it for me. Carl Heeley was on BBC H&W and said Lee Hughes couldn't play two games so close together and said Deeney, Gater, Nti were all carrying knocks, Wayne Thomas will be definitely be missing for the Gloucester game, with Alex Gudger and Tom Sharpe rated as only 50/50, A very disappointing crowd of 647 for a Christmas bank holiday fixture with the pathetic figure Mr Boddy in the crowd as bold as brass. Lets look forward to Saturdays game against Gloucester City, hopefully Lee Hughes will be fit enough to get us some goals and move us up the table in the new year.

[thatloudbloke]

the two WBA players were Donnellan no 4 Cleet no 5, & yes i had to look it up but hope to see them playing lots as both looked brill & imo Donnellan was man of the match, what a great act by our managers to get these two at such short notice, this just shows the time & commitment they both have for the club, rotation i think is very good as this keeps players on the ball, excuse the pun. some of the comments made are out of frustration to the players & officials, i will admit i am part of that, if you have any objections make a point of saying something, not just get wound up... the comment made to Matt were totally out of order, & if you had the courtesy to speak to Matt or Carl direct then you would get the reasoning behind decisions they make. we have a fair few who are carrying knocks at the moment but turn out for the cause, yes today we were not at our best, but a positive is we did not loose & kept a clean sheet...
so i will take thought on some of the comments i myself make, but as said before some of it is passion, & some of it frustration, especially some of the awful decisions made by officials are well in explainable & that is felt by allot of the people i sit with/around. but the person who shouted the remarks to Matt today & if the person who had a go at Matt at Gloucester on Saturday would take the time to go down & speak to Matt im am sure they will have a different opinion of what they said at the time, Matt is a most approachable person & as said above we are privileged to have him at the helm. both managers do a fantastic job for the team & club, they are both WCFC through & through... keep it up lads imo you both do a fantastic job on top of doing your day jobs...

[thatloudbloke]

Dec 28, 2015 19:14:42 GMT crosscountrymark said:

It was disappointing that we couldn't get the three points to continue our good form, but under the circumstances a draw was a fair result and we continue our unbeaten run. We went into the game with two loanees from West Bromwich Albion in the central defensive role and both played well, it was disappointing to go into the game without Lee Hughes , and we lacked his physical presence up front and didn't really threaten the Brackley defence. Daniel Nti was out of sorts and didn't see any of his trademark runs and it was left to Tristian Dunkley to give the crowd something to get excited about using his pace down the left flank in the second half. I saw Matt Gardner reacting to some comment from the crowd and was pointing at the offender and came across at the end of game to have his say. I don't know if its me, but what has Ashley Vincent and Shaun Harrod got to offer this club, both players have played at football level in the past and have nothing to offer at this level now, and watching Vincent allow a cross go over his and go out of play was it for me. Carl Heeley was on BBC H&W and said Lee Hughes couldn't play two games so close together and said Deeney, Gater, Nti were all carrying knocks, Wayne Thomas will be definitely be missing for the Gloucester game, with Alex Gudger and Tom Sharpe rated as only 50/50, A very disappointing crowd of 647 for a Christmas bank holiday fixture with the pathetic figure Mr Boddy in the crowd as bold as brass. Lets look forward to Saturdays game against Gloucester City, hopefully Lee Hughes will be fit enough to get us some goals and move us up the table in the new year.

i was the person who went & spoke to Matt at the end & it was not me who shouted the comment at him, that person was somewhere behind the bench, Matt was just frustrated & I went & spoke to him to find out what the issue was, he just wants that person to stop shouting abuse at decisions they make as to substitutions & other decisions made when they as management know why the decision was made. 

[worcester1066]

If Matt Gardiner reads this message board, then you have nothing but my full support. Some of the performances and results over the last two and half very difficult years have been nothing short of miraculous, (Ok some have also been terrible). But if Carl and Matt or is it Matt and Carl get us back to our own ground in Worcester still in this division then they will have performed a football miracle. We are lucky to have them. Alternatively we could always get Dryden back.

[jimbo]

Regarding the comments about a draw being a fair result, I'm sorry but I must have been watching a different match. We could not have complained at being 2-0 down at the break.
Yes, we had some good possession but they had far more & some finishing moves which we did not.
However, we did defend quite well most of the time & I agree the 2 loan lads impressed.
As for the awful comment to Matt, I was not in that part of the ground but what can we say. We have idiots in all areas.
I was in fact in front of the "hooligans", who were in fact extremely well behaved. I do not agree with all the bad language, but can remember being that age & may well like many of us joined in with it years ago. Also I know a couple of them, perhaps a quiet word would be far more productive than calls for them being banned. They, like we were years ago are the future !!

[creaner]

Dec 28, 2015 20:35:48 GMT jimbo said:

Regarding the comments about a draw being a fair result, I'm sorry but I must have been watching a different match. We could not have complained at being 2-0 down at the break.
Yes, we had some good possession but they had far more & some finishing moves which we did not.
However, we did defend quite well most of the time & I agree the 2 loan lads impressed.
As for the awful comment to Matt, I was not in that part of the ground but what can we say. We have idiots in all areas.
I was in fact in front of the "hooligans", who were in fact extremely well behaved. I do not agree with all the bad language, but can remember being that age & may well like many of us joined in with it years ago. Also I know a couple of them, perhaps a quiet word would be far more productive than calls for them being banned. They, like we were years ago are the future !!

Jim. That conversation has taken place so everyone knows what level of conduct is expected. These kids are the future and I'm confident they will respond accordingly.

[The Verner]

Dec 28, 2015 20:45:42 GMT creaner said:

Dec 28, 2015 20:35:48 GMT jimbo said:

Regarding the comments about a draw being a fair result, I'm sorry but I must have been watching a different match. We could not have complained at being 2-0 down at the break.
Yes, we had some good possession but they had far more & some finishing moves which we did not.
However, we did defend quite well most of the time & I agree the 2 loan lads impressed.
As for the awful comment to Matt, I was not in that part of the ground but what can we say. We have idiots in all areas.
I was in fact in front of the "hooligans", who were in fact extremely well behaved. I do not agree with all the bad language, but can remember being that age & may well like many of us joined in with it years ago. Also I know a couple of them, perhaps a quiet word would be far more productive than calls for them being banned. They, like we were years ago are the future !!

Jim. That conversation has taken place so everyone knows what level of conduct is expected. These kids are the future and I'm confident they will respond accordingly.

Beat me to it Rob. Yes this was dealt with today and a chat was had with them. They understand fully what we expect with regards to their conduct. They know they are on a yellow card !

[simples]

IMHO a point won today. Highlight for me was the performance of the 2 young centre backs and that tremendous double save by Vaughan. It could be the games and injuries catching up with the City, looked disjointed going forward. Brackley on the other hand were full of running but fortunately failed to execute in the final third. Jackman and Vincent coming on briefly rallied the troops.

If there is a gripe it would be to ask Nti to play to the whistle, it looked as though he went down/stopped expecting a foul rather than continue playing. From where I was sat I am sure he could have driven on but it is easy from the stands.

Hopefully no further injuries today.

[niels]

Dec 28, 2015 15:51:43 GMT zeke said:

Neils, did you have any visitors to the box after your announcement?

I think you know the answer to that question, Zeke.

[alwaysnextyear]

Very much a point won rather than two lost for me, with Brackley who should have won the match, missing some great chances, in particular the first half header, and the magnificent second half double save from Vaughn. Congratulations have to go to Carl and Matt for finding two centre halves at such short notice, and congratulations also to the young 19 year olds from WBA. I thought that both were very good today, against a physical and wily Brackley front two. Again Minihan, Weir and Vaughn had very good games. Our problem was our failure to be precise enough and urgent enough with the passing in the final third. With Burton coming short ( as opposed to Hughes being on the last defenders shoulder ), it means that the other forward players have to run beyond him to exploit the space. They hardly did it at all, meaning that most of our moves broke down 35 yards from goal. Brackley snuffed out Nti and Dunkley, and with Nelson- Addy having a quiet game, we just didn't attack with any thrust and purpose. Having said that, we'd have taken 4 points from six so far over Xmas, and hopefully we can get 3 more on Saturday vs Gloucester.

[thatloudbloke]

Dec 28, 2015 21:25:38 GMT niels said:

Dec 28, 2015 15:51:43 GMT zeke said:

Neils, did you have any visitors to the box after your announcement?

I think you know the answer to that question, Zeke.

Neils they do not have the guts to put their selves into the box & do what you & Jane do, as always a great service from you both... 

[zeke]

Dec 28, 2015 22:09:35 GMT thatloudbloke said:

Dec 28, 2015 21:25:38 GMT niels said:

I think you know the answer to that question, Zeke.

Neils they do not have the guts to put their selves into the box & do what you & Jane do, as always a great service from you both... 

Thought so. Glad you gave them the opportunity though.

[creaner]

Dec 28, 2015 22:28:36 GMT zeke said:

Dec 28, 2015 22:09:35 GMT thatloudbloke said:

Neils they do not have the guts to put their selves into the box & do what you & Jane do, as always a great service from you both... 

Thought so. Glad you gave them the opportunity though.

It would annoy me but I think he's chilled enough not to mention it but I shall. It's Niels not Neil! Still not enough Springsteen played though.

[thatloudbloke]

I will apologise to Niels in person & via this method on my miss writing but I think it could have been auto correct on computer I will add it to dictionary so it accepts for future, hope he & Jane keep on doing the good work & again they do this for free & do not get thanked very often...

[prestonwcfc]

is it not Jayne ? :-P