Just back

Well....I found it an intruiging watch in many ways as it was such a scrap, they are a very well organised, drilled, strong physical outfit , after the first 10 -15 mins you could see it was going to be one of those hardy games to watch.
We just didn't have the strength or pace to break through any one on one situations and they pressed fast and hard giving our one somewhat one dimensional midfield no time to get into a rhythm.
Think we worked a couple of good moves round the back both of which I think came after Clifton/Pepple came on and the change in formation.
Although a tough afternoon we had two glorious chances to win it. The disallowed goal...think it was a foul further back in the box, the ref was talking to the group of players for ages and once the corner was taken he blew quickly. He did that several times, I think he was actively looking for and penalising "blockers".  
Taylor was far too isolated, which I think was what Hurst was referring to about the pitch being too long.

Hurst hit nail on the head. Minimum expectation is effort, of which there was plenty. Quality awful!

Hurst slated the performance, I only had a listening brief today but is it possible that some players had their minds on Tuesday?

It should be a good game on Tuesday, be interesting what team Forest put out but our players should be up for it and there isn't any danger of Hurst overcomplicating it going man for man like Jolley did against Chelsea.

Sutton had the plan - freeze out Taylor, keep him isolated and drop as soon as he challenged for the ball.

Get him angry to get him off his game - that worked for them  as the ref fell for it.

Clifton made a difference by keeping the ball on the floor once he was on the pitch.  

His graft and energy was missing today.

Too many long high balls in both halves to lost causes and they fought strong and hard for every 2nd ball.

Our passing looked like a pinball game at times.

We were lucky that their final crosses were woeful most of the time.

One to forget !

Either team could’ve won 1-0. L2 is tough and a bigger step up in terms of quality of opposition than perhaps some people think.
Take the point. Clean sheet. Unbeaten at home. Steady away. We know where we are a bit light and no doubt we’ll improve but have ups and downs. Said before I think it will be progress if we establish ourselves and are competitive in this division so can’t grumble. When opposition teams are ‘in your face’ and closing you down quickly at home, and referees are whistle happy you have to take a philosophical view I reckon. Didn’t lose to a smash and grab, even/scrappy game, another point and on we go.

UTM

Pretty much agree with Hurst’s assessment of the game. Too many players well off the pace today as I’ve eluded to in other threads.

Thought Green was very poor but improved once he was moved further back and made some good challenges towards the end of the second half.

Still finding out about players and positions aren’t we.
Just wish we had Jonny, as he makes something happen from nothing and takes chances. There’ll be a few of these games that’ll end up a draw that McAtee would’ve turned into victories. But, it is what it is.

Let’s be honest, the selection on the left side was a bit odd today.

With better decisions today, we could have won 3-0.

The goal from the corner appeared strange that the referee blew. Sadly when a keeper goals down or stumbles over the line, refs always side with the defending team. I’d like to see the incident back, but looked a legitimate goal to me.

Pepple should really have scored his one on one, but probably had too much time to think, and didn’t act instinctively.

Taylor’s effort was dreadful. As he has no pace, he should have hit the ball first time, and the element of surprise would have given us half a chance. Sadly his first touch was abysmal, and as he can’t run any faster than I can walk, had no chance of getting there before the keeper.

I didn’t go to the game today, but what I can be sure about is that people who don’t think Ryan Taylor is good enough for league 2 should not bother going to watch as they clearly haven’t got a clue about football.