Forest Green Rovers (H) - Sat 6th January

[tangerinedream]

Given the current form and present position of both ourselves and FGR there's no doubt that this is very definitely a 'six pointer' game. It's now 11 games since our last three point haul and 10 since Forest Green Rovers last won. Add to this that our last home league win was as far back as 7th October (and it's only one of two all season) and FGR's last away win was on the 2nd September and it clearly indicates two teams bang out of form although they are presently above us (as is every other team in the division) in the form league which is hardly surprising given we've taken just 3 points from a last possible 21. Callum Morton who is on loan to the visitors till the end of the season is ineligible to play but the big question is whether Simon Wiles will still be temporarily in charge or if a new manager will be recruited before Saturday? Either way a win is crucial on all levels and it's to be hoped that the team is backed by all supporters straight from the kick off and throughout the game.

[irlamsheightlad]

Massive game this.

If we lose we are at a real risk of relegation, with FGR 3 points behind us with a game in hand.

We really need all the fans to get behind the team on Saturday.

I hope the haters don't turn up, cause haters will always hate.

If you love Salford turn up and support please.

[je85]

Troy Deeney’s pre game comments "When we get our win - which I think will come Saturday - we go and we kick on and I think we get two, three, four wins in a row and that's when you'll see the real definition of a team,"…

The last time FGR came to ML we made them look the complete opposite of where they were in the league at the time - we didn’t play them off the park but we did nullify their threats well with relatively little stress. I think they will fancy it tomorrow and I am expecting them to come at us from the get go - but with a new manager in place I am hopeful.

FGR are one of the more direct teams in the league so whether they mix that up against ourselves who have sat really deep this season is to be seen. FGR do get the ball forward quickly with a low number of passes in sequence (avg 2.78) before going over the top. Both sides Xg is comparable, on paper this looks like a low scoring draw but as the first game of the season shows the FGR back line can be got at.

One of or both, Watson or Lund ideally needs to be in along side Watt for me tomorrow, initially for the aerial threat but also think if we are going to continue to build out from the back Watt needs assistance if teams continue to double up on him. This also gives Cairns a second option into midfield instead of solely looking for the CB to CB to RB/LB passing circuit that only seems to result in an opposition throw in. 2nd balls in midfield will be key to get a grip of possession. I hope N’Mai and Bolton are available tomorrow because a fast outlet into the channels and actively looking to try and turn their defence seems a no brainer - especially first half attacking their fans.

I imagine we will go 4-3-3, that front line has to be compact with the two wide players looking to occupy the space between CB and FB’s. I am inclined to think there will be an element of pragmatism from Robinson and he will want to instil confidence in the group by getting them to go for it from the off.

He is a good hire, with 3-5 solid youth prospects like he has had at other clubs where he has done well. Only issue I have is - is he a scouser? Rainhill Liverpool or the Wirral… Either way 3-2 Ammies - LFG! UTA!

[Deleted]

That was some debut for Robinson lol

[tangerinedream]

Much better watch than it's been for some time, particularly in the 1st half and late on in the game. I liked the high press, the energy and the willingness to fight for each other. Great to see a decent cross coming in for Matt Smith's opener which we need to see more of because that's what his game is rather than kicking the ball down the centre of the pitch and hoping someone will pick up on a flick which to be honest very rarely happens. Luke Bolton had his best game for as long as I can remember and generally speaking everyone played with a positive attitude and we actually looked like a team. The referee was appalling. A little commonsense clearly was lost on that clown when he sent Karl Robinson off for not giving them the ball back and while the letter of the law now apparently states that throwing the ball away is deemed to be a sending off surely there's a time to apply a little commonsense and a yellow card and a warning should have been sufficient. The build up to their equaliser saw Luke Garbutt literally strangled and thrown to the ground although Curtis Tilt should have defended better in the long run and then Declan John was pulled up for a completely fair and innocuous 50/50 challenge which left their player sprawled on the ground coupled with an earlier incident in their 18 yard box when two of their players literally sandwiched and pulled Matt Smith down to the ground which warranted a penalty all day long. Second half we lost our way somewhat with the ball rarely staying on the ground and play generally stop start and scrappy and when they scored their second heads appeared to drop. Credit then to the lads for fighting back and with both full- backs Ingram and John taken off in favour of Lund and Luamba it was clear that KR's policy of attacking football was adopted in place of NW's damage limitation tactics. Great cool piece of finishing for the penalty equaliser in the 91st minute from Ryan Watson but Adrain Mariappa really shouldn't have reacted to their big donkey of a centre half by going head to head literally. Given we were managerless for 75 minutes there was more energy, togetherness and self belief then I've seen for many weeks which augers well for the coming weeks and with Callum Hendry and very possibly Odin Bailey back in the fold in the next week or two I envisage it not being too long before we record that long overdue win.

[alanb]

I came away from the match feeling good, so that must say something.

[tangerinedream]

Simon Wiles post match .....

[alanb]

Jan 6, 2024 18:36:12 GMT tangerinedream said:

Much better watch than it's been for some time, particularly in the 1st half and late on in the game. I liked the high press, the energy and the willingness to fight for each other. Great to see a decent cross coming in for Matt Smith's opener which we need to see more of because that's what his game is rather than kicking the ball down the centre of the pitch and hoping someone will pick up on a flick which to be honest very rarely happens. Luke Bolton had his best game for as long as I can remember and generally speaking everyone played with a positive attitude and we actually looked like a team. The referee was appalling. A little commonsense clearly was lost on that clown when he sent Karl Robinson off for not giving them the ball back and while the letter of the law now apparently states that throwing the ball away is deemed to be a sending off surely there's a time to apply a little commonsense and a yellow card and a warning should have been sufficient. The build up to their equaliser saw Luke Garbutt literally strangled and thrown to the ground although Curtis Tilt should have defended better in the long run and then Declan John was pulled up for a completely fair and innocuous 50/50 challenge which left their player sprawled on the ground coupled with an earlier incident in their 18 yard box when two of their players literally sandwiched and pulled Matt Smith down to the ground which warranted a penalty all day long. Second half we lost our way somewhat with the ball rarely staying on the ground and play generally stop start and scrappy and when they scored their second heads appeared to drop. Credit then to the lads for fighting back and with both full- backs Ingram and John taken off in favour of Lund and Luamba it was clear that KR's policy of attacking football was adopted in place of NW's damage limitation tactics. Great cool piece of finishing for the penalty equaliser in the 91st minute from Ryan Watson but Adrain Mariappa really shouldn't have reacted to their big donkey of a centre half by going head to head literally. Given we were managerless for 75 minutes there was more energy, togetherness and self belief then I've seen for many weeks which augers well for the coming weeks and with Callum Hendry and very possibly Odin Bailey back in the fold in the next week or two I envisage it not being too long before we record that long overdue win.

Odin Bailey was walking around our pitch today. I'd assumed that he was staying at Stockport.

[chipbarm]

Basically what TD said. I think KR was a bit daft to do what he did but the ref couldn't wait to make it all about him. An abysmal performance from him and the lino in front of the South Stand who missed the constant tugging of Smith, the foul for their 1st and a blatant offside.

I think if KR would have been around all game we'd have won as I thought we dropped off a bit late in the 1st half and early 2nd and bad habits crept back in. It was refreshing to lose the never ending passing between the defence and he was constantly cajoling and organising the team and urging them forward. It was noticeable we had a higher line at free kicks and restarts but we gradually went deeper and deeper after he went off so that is something to work on. Unlike NW he was out for the warm up too, all little things to keep them on their toes. Finally I thought the change of captain was a great call as Watt had his best game in a long time. All in all I'm much more confident that with a couple of additions and once KR embeds his methods we'll avoid the drop.

Interesting about Bailey. I wonder why he wasn't in the matchday squad, maybe there's a move being worked on?

[Chris P. Bacon]

I too came away feeling better than I had for ages. The team looked like a team. They played and fought for each other. When we equalised, I saw both the players and the bench winding their arms around urging them to look for a winner. Compare that with Wood the other week where he had Cairns holding up the ball in the last couple of minutes to try and hold out for a draw.

The Lino on the North Stand was poor too, but the worst ref I’ve seen in a long time. He was poor for both teams.

At the end of the game as Garbutt went to walk to thank the fans, KR called him back for the huddle. At the end of it he reminded the players to walk and thank the fans. That was class from him. He can’t turn them into Man City overnight, but he can get them playing better.

[chipbarm]

Does anyone know if KR has to serve a ban or not?

[je85]

Amazing what being ten - fifteen yards higher up the pitch will do for a teams offensive output. Majority of positives have been mentioned but I want to make a special mention for Luke Garbutt and his role today. Playing him high up on the left effectively as a wide playmaker allowed McAleny and Watt to drop into the pocket behind Smith and overload McCann. The number of crosses from each side 1st half especially was pleasing, especially from the area around each corner of the 18yard box. Smith seemed to be eating these short dink’d crosses up, but as the game went on Garbutt kept the ball circulating really well and was proactively looking to get the ball forward throughout. The three of Garbutt, Watt and Watson I thought were excellent today.

Losing Ingram was a real shame because of the compounded injury situation meant Garbutt had to drop back. The boos as his name was announced before kickoff were pathetic, those behind the goal booing I hope enjoyed their humble pie after his performance today.

Personally thought FGR were really poor - and arguably the worst team we have played at ML this season. Deeney tried to talk them up at full time in his comments but beyond Charlie McCann and Macallister I didn’t see anything of real quality from them. The fact an ex-United and Wood alumnus scored their equaliser was irritating, and all in all 2-2 flattered them. Beyond the 7 minute spell just after the hour mark where Steven’s made it 2-1 I didn’t think we couldn’t get a second.

Whether the intensity drop off on our part was due to KR being sent to the stand I am not so sure, but I do think the officials negatively impacted the game today. How Harvey Bunker completed the first half let alone the ninety with just a yellow is astounding. The move he, Inniss and Moore-Taylor kept pulling on Smith, Watson, John in the build up to the FGR equaliser and Lund before the foul that was given for the pen in the NFL is called a horse collar. Literally yanking down a player by the collar. Ref Charles Breakspear and the linesman in front of the north stand on corners were solely looking at Smith despite Watson and Tilt getting wrestled to the ground on three separate occasions. Second half I thought Tilt was well in his rights to question the Lino if he was just ‘guessing’. KR will need to get used to the low quality officiating we get most weeks but today was a shambles.

In closing if today was an apéritif for how KR plans to get us away from the trap door I think he will need bodies back or brought in. I can’t imagine that we don’t get a few loans in, ego gets mentioned a fair bit with the CO92. I hope the threat to their egos being deflated with a relegation prompts them to bring in some weapons for the new boss to give this a right go. Good start - onto Crawley on the road. UTA!

[chipbarm]

One other thing just occurred to me. It's notable he used Luamba and Nmai as subs rather than McLennan which bears out the MK fan on Danny's podcast who said he values young players and will give them a chance. Hopefully they kick on with some game time