Chorley ( H )

[alwaysnextyear]

On my way home, Carl summed it up perfectly on the radio......

- another defensive error cost us the goal
- didn't work their keeper 2nd half
- lack of quality in the final third
- we missed Lee Hughes again
- self inflicted mistakes are costing us

First half, it was a good even game with Danny Jackman and Junior English having great games in midfield, and a draw was fair at half time. Second half, they both tired and Chorley got a lot more of the ball, used it well, and deserved to win it. We never looked like scoring ( or having a shot for that matter ) in the 2nd half, which is the major worry to me. Decent attendance of 620 again.

Stockport away on Monday will be tough, but at least Nelson- Addy will be back, and Hughes back for next saturday.

[zeke]

Carl summed it up by the big pause before answering the question, and the "what the hell can I do" tone of his voice.

Surpirised at over 600!

[zeke]

The positives, were; The ref was good, no red cards and the bloke on the tannoy's scaled down information was good.

[thesecondjack]

Steve Goode on the PA was probably the highlight of the game!

Wasn't a very good game. First half we looked alright, but I felt like a draw would be the best result we could ask for, second half we looked a little tired, and Chorley just pushed us deeper and deeper until they broke through.

One thing I did notice - Draper seems incapable of distributing to the left. Time and time again Weir and Keane would be calling for the ball up the left. Time and time again it was sent long up the right, often to a Chorley player.

[thatloudbloke]

Aug 27, 2016 18:28:37 GMT thesecondjack said:

Steve Goode on the PA was probably the highlight of the game!

Wasn't a very good game. First half we looked alright, but I felt like a draw would be the best result we could ask for, second half we looked a little tired, and Chorley just pushed us deeper and deeper until they broke through.

One thing I did notice - Draper seems incapable of distributing to the left. Time and time again Weir and Keane would be calling for the ball up the left. Time and time again it was sent long up the right, often to a Chorley player.

Steve did a good job on PA & gave the information needed, liked his way with names, said it as it looks... waiting in anticipation for next home game, & those who shouted abuse at Steve helping the club should be ashamed of themselves...

the game was good in the first half & we fell apart second half, definitely need another striker otherwise we will not score enough goals through the season.

Draper fluffed more than enough saves, & as above his distribution was again shocking, not only not using the left side his mighty kicks were just giving them possession as he did not get balls to our players, why can he not throw a ball to players so we can build an attack.

midfield distribution has got to get better stop the high balls, keep it on the ground we play our best football on the floor...

[lancashirelad]

Aug 27, 2016 18:03:50 GMT zeke said:

The positives, were; The ref was good, no red cards and the bloke on the tannoy's scaled down information was good.

Not a bad attendence, seeing how poor we are doing. How many of the 623 were Chorley fans?

Also was the club shop open? And if so, were they doing much business?

Sad to hear that some fans were abusing Steve Goode; I've known Steve (through the club) since the late 1970s, hes a great guy (as was his late father).

[dcx]

We have so many issues at the moment I'm not entirely sure where to start...

We were out-muscled physically this afternoon, and second half we were tactically inept. 

Steele was a bright spark in the first half down the right, but this was nulified second 45 minutes as he was closed down quicker, and looked uncomfortable and frustrated until he came off. Why Keane was being deployed as a winger I have no idea, he had a good 45 1st half but second half was largely ineffective. Chilekwa wasn't even in the squad (but was at the game) so why he wasn't given a chance I can only guess.

Gallinagh is, as I predicted, woeful. He's got a good throw on him and is out there barking orders but looks suspect defensively, was bullied off the ball on numerous occasions. He's not quick, he's not strong and he's not tall, no good in my eyes. In addition he very nearly scored a lovely OG with a first time backpass which probably left Draper needing a new pair of shorts. Weir should have started RB with Keane at LB, with an actual winger on the wing.

Jordan Murphy looks like any confidence he had went out with his morning s***, he should of buried that chance early on. I'm concerned about him because I think he is a decent player, clearly has some affection for the club but his mental game isn't up there at the moment. 

Hutch and Oji I thought were decent, and there is a making of a good partnership there. Oji is strong and reasonably quick (for a CB) but didn't win as many headers as I would like.

We need to work the keepers on crosses in training, both Ross and Draper look suspect when coming for the ball. Draper got away with two today, once he got the foul and once English bailed him out with an unbelievable block. He did make a first-class save just before the goal however which I don't think many in the stand appreciated.

I don't want to criticise Carl but I feel like second half we really lacked any sort of game plan. We were just hoofing the ball up and expecting it to some how find it's way into the net, which given how well drilled Chorley's defence was, was always going to be ineffective. Bishop did his best but was too deep most of the time and flicking the ball on but no one was ever running in behind. There is a huge gap between the forward players and the midfield two which Chorley picked up early on and kept heading the ball into. We were completely outplayed in midfield second half and we looked so disorganised and players were literally running around panicking. 

When we do go forward we don't move the ball fast enough, we had two breaks today, 3 on 3 each time, and on both occasions the winger waited for the midfield to catch up before picking a pass, which gave the opposition time to get back, get organised and deal with the threat. I was saying this at the back end of last season and still nothing has changed. Carl can play fast attacking football - just watch the Coventry City highlights video. 

Referee was very good although I didn't get his name. It wasn't Declan Forde though, who is the only half decent ref we have had recently. 

As an aside, Olukanmi looked fairly pissed when Steve made an attempt to read he name out in the warm ups. Probably should have practiced that one... 

[dcx]

Aug 27, 2016 18:46:34 GMT thatloudbloke said:

Aug 27, 2016 18:28:37 GMT thesecondjack said:

Steve Goode on the PA was probably the highlight of the game!

Wasn't a very good game. First half we looked alright, but I felt like a draw would be the best result we could ask for, second half we looked a little tired, and Chorley just pushed us deeper and deeper until they broke through.

One thing I did notice - Draper seems incapable of distributing to the left. Time and time again Weir and Keane would be calling for the ball up the left. Time and time again it was sent long up the right, often to a Chorley player.

Steve did a good job on PA & gave the information needed, liked his way with names, said it as it looks... waiting in anticipation for next home game, & those who shouted abuse at Steve helping the club should be ashamed of themselves...

the game was good in the first half & we fell apart second half, definitely need another striker otherwise we will not score enough goals through the season.

Draper fluffed more than enough saves, & as above his distribution was again shocking, not only not using the left side his mighty kicks were just giving them possession as he did not get balls to our players, why can he not throw a ball to players so we can build an attack.

midfield distribution has got to get better stop the high balls, keep it on the ground we play our best football on the floor...

Agreed, agreed, agreed and agreed. 

[Bob from Arbroath]

This calendar year we have taken 25 out of a possible 81 points. If the alarm bells are sounding for some of you yet they bloody well should be. I know Carl has done fantastically to keep us where we are & had the decent cup runs but the down turn in form since Xmas really is quite worrying. His excuses are becoming a bit tiresome now. I honestly think he might just become worn down by the whole situation the club is in. Obviously Carl's hands are tied by the ridiculous homeless situation we have been put in by buffoonery of the previous board. A tough call but might be the right one.

[stamoo]

I was going to post an essay but it's all been said above and I agree with many of the mature and considered comments above apart from I thought Gallinagh put in a good shift and played well. Hutch was much improved as was Oji. For me it falls down in the link up between midfield and attack it's a pity it didn't work out with Geddes as he can provide the quality to link play up and poses a threat himself. Not a disaster but disappointing all the same. By the way Bob from Arbroath it's meaningless to talk about calendar years and compare stats because you may have noticed since the end of last season there has been wholesale change in the squad, it's not this new team that lost points last season. Let's stay in the here and now and support Carl and his staff - there still 108 points to play for!!

[bj]

Whilst agreeing with what's been said about lack of tactics in that woeful display, I must give praise to Tyler and especially Jacko. Fist half especially, Jacko was outstanding. For me, there isn't one of the 'new' boys who is better than who they have replaced.

[thesecondjack]

Aug 27, 2016 20:40:38 GMT bj said:

Whilst agreeing with what's been said about lack of tactics in that woeful display, I must give praise to Tyler and especially Jacko. Fist half especially, Jacko was outstanding. For me, there isn't one of the 'new' boys who is better than who they have replaced.

Fully agree Jacko and Tyler deserve praise, both games they've been involved in they have done well, although I think Weir looked tired for the last 20 minutes or so, perhaps due to his lack of recent football.

Olukanmi still looks good to me, possily better than Dunkley, but needs 30 minutes at least as an impact sub imo. I like Colby Bishop too. As others have said, he needs support as it was so often him vs 3 today. Steven Craig looks a bit naff though. Doesn't/cannot run.

[wcfcnb82]

Aug 27, 2016 18:46:34 GMT thatloudbloke said:

Aug 27, 2016 18:28:37 GMT thesecondjack said:

Steve Goode on the PA was probably the highlight of the game!

Wasn't a very good game. First half we looked alright, but I felt like a draw would be the best result we could ask for, second half we looked a little tired, and Chorley just pushed us deeper and deeper until they broke through.

One thing I did notice - Draper seems incapable of distributing to the left. Time and time again Weir and Keane would be calling for the ball up the left. Time and time again it was sent long up the right, often to a Chorley player.

Steve did a good job on PA & gave the information needed, liked his way with names, said it as it looks... waiting in anticipation for next home game, & those who shouted abuse at Steve helping the club should be ashamed of themselves...

the game was good in the first half & we fell apart second half, definitely need another striker otherwise we will not score enough goals through the season.

Draper fluffed more than enough saves, & as above his distribution was again shocking, not only not using the left side his mighty kicks were just giving them possession as he did not get balls to our players, why can he not throw a ball to players so we can build an attack.

midfield distribution has got to get better stop the high balls, keep it on the ground we play our best football on the floor...

Well if you meen us lot who was singing judas and turncoat (all in jest I may add) seing as were all close with Steve. We was only having a slight with Steve, seeing as we're out with him night and he knows we were having a laugh with him!

Today's game was awful, especially second half, we didn't deserve anything. Can our wonderful chairman make a decision? Is he a football man? To me clearly not! He's been in this job 6 years now, what's changed?

[dcx]

Aug 27, 2016 20:40:38 GMT bj said:

Whilst agreeing with what's been said about lack of tactics in that woeful display, I must give praise to Tyler and especially Jacko. Fist half especially, Jacko was outstanding. For me, there isn't one of the 'new' boys who is better than who they have replaced.

Both should be starting every match when fit, only issue is I would also like to start Joe Fitzpatrick who Carl says will never play in the same team as Jacko as they are too similar players. By that I take him to want one ball playing centre mid (Jacko/Fitz) and one ball winning player (English/Batch). I would like to see what Batchelor can do; English puts a good shift in and does win the ball, but he doesn't offer a lot of creativity once he has it IMO.

Replacements for Vaughny, Nti, Gudger and Minihan were always going to be hard to find. I think we have made some good acquisitions (Keane, Oji, Steele, Fitzpatrick in particular) but we are paying the price for having to rebuild the squad in the summer.

[wr3]

A few just don't seem up to the required standard.

[downthelane]

Player recruitment was always going to be extremely hard this season given all the big spenders in our division. It is like Lidl trying to compete with Sainsburys and Waitrose.

But throw in all the negative garbage that was being spouted in the press and on social media all through the summer, is it then any wonder that Carl hasn't been able to attract a good enough playing squad? You try selling the club to players when all that is going on in the background.

[Croc]

Aug 28, 2016 7:42:18 GMT downthelane said:

Player recruitment was always going to be extremely hard this season given all the big spenders in our division. It is like Lidl trying to compete with Sainsburys and Waitrose.

But throw in all the negative garbage that was being spouted in the press and on social media all through the summer, is it then any wonder that Carl hasn't been able to attract a good enough playing squad? You try selling the club to players when all that is going on in the background.

If you're referring to the attempts of individuals to attempt to save the club in the face of an intransigent board and chairman "Negative garbage" then I invite you to maybe book a ticket for departure from Cloud Cuckoo Land...

What have you got to hide exactly? What do you know of the reasons why the board have been blocking, dithering and setting shareholder against shareholder and Trust members?

And have you fixed up a meeting with Rob, Jem or anyone else who has provided you their contact details?

If not - WHY NOT?

[Deleted]

Negative garbage in the press and social media? Is that the problem? Or is it a board and chairman who by their own admittance have steered us to within 18 months of oblivion? These clowns are the remnants of the Boddy brigade and indeed still have their support propping them up. Don't try and blame the messengers for spreading the news that our once proud club is dying.

[Dodger]

Anyway........back to the game.

City started brightly (as they did against Harrogate) and had our early chance gone in (smart save from Ashton in the Chorley goal) things may have been different. Had Jacko's volley gone in, it could have been goal of the season. However, once things settled down, Chorley showed their ability in all areas to play the ball around. I don't recall the keeper kicking much long stuff, he concentrated more on rolling the ball to the right back to get moves going. I, too, like Bishop but he was too isolated and so winning anything in the air was almost pointless. Chorley were fitter and stronger all round and it showed in the 2nd half. Their goal didn't stem from a defensive mistake it was more a midfield/up front mistake when we lost possession and were left exposed. A good finish by Carver.


Draper pulled off a couple of excellent saves to deny Chorley, but the tactics (I assume they were the tactics) of booting the ball upfield at every opportunity never looked like working. Jacko impressed with a cool head and ball distribution but mainly the team seemed 'rushed' to get rid of the ball. Hopefully Stockport on Monday will see a better performance from the lads.

We all need to realise (if not already) that the team will struggle this term as most other teams have bought big etc.. no doubt all recognising the need to stay in this league.

Dodger.

[Down The Pan]

Indeed, reality check. We are Worcester City, a club that's basically homeless and broke. Any manager of Worcester City won't have the pick of the crop, the days of signing an Adam Wilde, a Jon Purdie, a Martyn Gill are long gone. Our manager will always get the leftovers, and its a credit to Carl Heeley that he's managed to get players to play as a team every season, ok we've always struggled, but thats as good as it gets. The likelihood is that come New Year, most of the players we have now will no longer be at WCFC. Regardless of who the players are, that lack of continuity is always going to hurt us. There is no negative garbage, just an understanding of the reality. Things have to change, I think it was Einstein who said "The definition of lunacy is to keep doing the same thing, and expecting different results" Unfortunately, off the field, thats been the case for too many years, and the result will always be the same.

[stgeorge]

Agree with lots of the comments on here and it's really difficult to see us staying up. Whilst understanding that Carl can't just go and sign whoever he wants, I think he needs to make a few brave decisions before we are left 8-10 points adrift at the bottom after 12 games. IMO some of the signings just aren't good enough/committed enough to get us out of trouble - 3 that spring to mind are English, Gallinagh and Craig. Get rid

The lack of quality players is understandable but one thing I cannot defend is the tactics (lack of) and player selection. Against Gloucester we played 4 centre midfielders and asked English and Nelson Addy to play wide. Now they might not be good enough for this league in their natural position but one things for sure they're not good enough as wingers!! Same game Hutch was asked to play right back. End result we lost.

Yesterday we played a left back as a winger. End result he tries to dribble around their right back, loses the ball and 2 passes later the ball is in our net. We had Olukanmi and Chilekwa who could have played there but why play a left back? Also the ONLY player who looked like creating anything was Steele and he was bought off for Steven Craig to jog around in no mans land.

Carl has a history of picking players and trying to shoehorn them into a formation. Until we pick a formation and play the best players for this we will continue to struggle.

[Mark]

Aug 28, 2016 10:01:19 GMT Dodger said:

Anyway........back to the game.

City started brightly (as they did against Harrogate) and had our early chance gone in (smart save from Ashton in the Chorley goal) things may have been different. Had Jacko's volley gone in, it could have been goal of the season. However, once things settled down, Chorley showed their ability in all areas to play the ball around. I don't recall the keeper kicking much long stuff, he concentrated more on rolling the ball to the right back to get moves going. I, too, like Bishop but he was too isolated and so winning anything in the air was almost pointless. Chorley were fitter and stronger all round and it showed in the 2nd half. Their goal didn't stem from a defensive mistake it was more a midfield/up front mistake when we lost possession and were left exposed. A good finish by Carver.


Draper pulled off a couple of excellent saves to deny Chorley, but the tactics (I assume they were the tactics) of booting the ball upfield at every opportunity never looked like working. Jacko impressed with a cool head and ball distribution but mainly the team seemed 'rushed' to get rid of the ball. Hopefully Stockport on Monday will see a better performance from the lads.

We all need to realise (if not already) that the team will struggle this term as most other teams have bought big etc.. no doubt all recognising the need to stay in this league.

Dodger.

Yes you are quite right.

Now I am not football master tactician and I have never played the game at any sort of level above Sunday League but why when the majority of our team are no more than average height do we insist on playing high balls into the opposition penalty area for our front men to try and get a head to? If we have a number of players with pace in the team then surely we should be trying to keep the ball on the ground and play balls through for these guys to run on to?

[zeke]

I think one of the problems, is that in the past we have always had a core of a side. So when people come and go, it didn't affect us the way it does now. We don't even have a settled keeper.