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Post by shatter2 on Nov 1, 2022 12:04:47 GMT
We play the Royals tonight at Kenilworth Road, we're both on 25 points but we lead on a slightly superior goal difference. Since Paul Ince took over their performances have improved from early last season. It will be another tough one for us taking into account our injury crisis. COYH! Royals Trivia. 
A Div 3 match from April 1965. We won 3-1 with goals from Harber, Philips and Pleat. Unfortunately we were relegated to Div. 4 at seasons end. |
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Post by Wimbo on Nov 1, 2022 14:14:59 GMT
Lovely photo Steeve; is that N0 9 Ted Phillips with the 1,000 mph shot?
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Post by shatter2 on Nov 1, 2022 15:10:29 GMT
Lovely photo Steeve; is that N0 9 Ted Phillips with the 1,000 mph shot? Yes the very same. He had a partnership at Ipswich with Ray Crawford both were prolific goal scorers. And although he only played 12 games for us he scored 8 goals not a bad return for a player at the end of his career. Can't remember the goal scorer Harber for us? |
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Post by bms on Nov 1, 2022 18:41:54 GMT
Women obviously didn’t wear clothes back then. And Flowers brewery was a goner by the time I began to imbibe I think so Brewmaster was a beer in the Whitbread stable by then. I went to my first game around that time - remember Jardine well but none of the other Town side as players.
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Post by bms on Nov 1, 2022 22:43:11 GMT
And about the game
Lots of positives in a bizarre way - despite starting the game without Morris and Clark, two of our best players this season, until Bradley’s injury, we looked the more likely and created some good chances. We then held on until half time, with Horvath making an excellent save. Having to sub Berry for Bradley was only going to put more pressure on Potts and Lockyer and the latter succumbed to injury too. Unsurprisingly Reading then looked the more likely to break the deadlock but we proved stubborn opponents and could have won the game if Potts had been able to convert a late chance.
Pelly was excellent throughout, good to hear so many positive comments from the crowd. I thought Bell was again superb. Doughty is really settling into the side. It looks as if we will go to Blackpool with only Bree, Bell and Potts as recognised defenders. But don’t write our play off chances just yet.
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Post by bernardshakey on Nov 1, 2022 22:48:10 GMT
The ref was diabolical didn't seem to understand what was 6 of one and half dozen of another and what was a deliberate or nasty foul.
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Post by 8two on Nov 1, 2022 22:49:33 GMT
As goalless draws go that wasn't half bad. I thought it was an entertaining game and we had some half decent attempts at goal, plus one from Pelly which nearly took a defenders head off.
The centre backs are dropping like flies but hopefully Lockyer will quickly recover and I imagine that serious thought will be given to the ex-Fulham centre back that has been training with the Town. I said it before, I'll say it again, Osho you prat.
Man of the Match, there can be only one, Pelly.
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Post by Wimbo on Nov 2, 2022 10:03:18 GMT
I thought that it was a very good point last night and can now clearly see why Nathan rated Tom Ince, he pulled the strings for Reading. As mentioned by others, our centre-back crisis strikes for a second consecutive season; how I wish Kioso had been a little more patient but understand that he also has a long-term injury at his new club Rotherham.
Like most I guess, I was a touch concerned about the premature return from injury of Pelly but last night the “good Pelly” was on show; I thought he played very well as did Tom Lockyer until he was attacked by a mountain.
I don’t like the long ball game but fully realise that with our resources we have to both collectively play as a team and at the same time use whatever tactics we can to give us an edge. I did note that part way through the second half we put some passes together al that looked good.
As good as Alfie Doughty was on Saturday, last night was not his best in terms of making space to attack or get his cross in. A good player but coming back from injury and two games in the space of four days must be a big ask; no moans from me as it's just a case of the squad being so stretched with injuries etc.
Overall a decent point and maybe just another 24 are needed for security.
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Post by proudhattersince74 on Nov 2, 2022 11:42:09 GMT
FWIW, I thought that was our most impressive result of the season so far. Depleted by injuries, suspensions and downright fatigue beforehand and being battered by Reading's front line ... and not just Carroll despite him being the pantomime villain to most spectators.
To gain anything from that game once the already limited pack was shuffled, re-shuffled and re-shuffled again was down to dogged determination not to let their bully-boy tactics win. Playing Harry at RWB and expecting him to mark Carroll whenever their GK was about to launch a high bomb had me fretting! But Harry did what he could to make himself more of a nuisance than I ever expected - so Carroll didn't get a simple free run and the aerial balls. Okay he won them but he didn't turn them into decisive flick-ons or defence splitting passes.
Harry also got in a very important challenge inside our penalty box in injury time just as a shot was about to be unleashed. The ricochet summed up how most challenges went as it squirmed out to a Reading player for yet more defending but at least Harry wasn't afraid to get stuck in to help defend ... possibly braver then when he is charging forward at the other end.
Freeman came on when we had a defender alongside him on the bench in Casey Pettitt. Okay the kid hasn't played this level but if he's there and we're camped in, Freeman would certainly not have been my choice. That noted, I recall that some (larger) forwards have been deployed as CBs when needed, usually when a CB had been red carded ... Harford certainly knew how to play CB when called upon. I wondered if Jerome could do a job in the back line in an emergency.
Oh and given his previous game time, Pelly was immense. Playing 100 minutes and playing competitively for the whole duration was a surprise - I fully expected him to flag after 60-70 minutes. Before Bradley's departure, Pelly was obviously the main midfield link and what he did was done quickly and efficiently - he didn't make his (previous) trademark cut-backs when the ball was at his feet. Those cut-backs became too easily readable for the opposition (especially as we've moved up the football pyramid) so it was good to see him playing far more simply and making it work.
COYH.
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Post by lancshatter on Nov 2, 2022 11:49:28 GMT
Agree with all the above...Pelly often gets slaughtered for one error never mind several - last night I didn't notice any, and he covers the ground and gets interceptions in almost unnoticed!! His shot wouldn't have troubled the keeper, but it was a great hit...more of that with accuracy and we could have another goal-scoring midfielder too!
I suspect that Pelly's value to the team is also evident in his camaraderie with others, lifting, encouraging and generally upping the mood in the squad.
Lockyear is surely undroppable now. Do hope the concussion fades very quickly!!
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Post by 8two on Nov 2, 2022 12:55:57 GMT
Lovely photo Steeve; is that N0 9 Ted Phillips with the 1,000 mph shot? In all my years of watching the Town I have never seen a ball hit harder. That includes our own Gordon Turner or Bruce Rioch and the Leeds legend Peter Lorimer. Bearing in mind in was TP's penultimate season in League football one would be in awe at the force he would generate in his prime. |
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