I think the moment that summed up the season was when we made it 1-1, only
one team was going to win the match and that was Grimsby.
Grimsby, a team with 7 consecutive league defeats and a first round Worthington cup exit behind them.
Grimsby, a team that had to release its best players due to financial problems.
Grimsby, a team that only gets 6,000 for home matches.
We all started the day in high spirits, I think most people expected the
losing sequence to end, most thought a win. We met up with some mates we
had met in Japan, getting extra tickets is getting fairly easy and I think
another crowd of only just over 6,500 says a lot at the moment.
We arrived at the ground and expectations remained high as it was confirmed Zamora and Kuipers were back. As Brush said at 3pm the sun was out, the team looked up for it, at 3.02 it was all doom and gloom.
Mayo attempted to head a ball up field, but put it across the back four, Watson had gone AWOL and the left winger had a free shot on goal.
Zamora was clearly not fit, yet he remained our one hope of securing a draw.
He responded with a brilliantly taken goal, from a move started by Oatway.
The relief was obvious, but we have problems with kick offs.
Grimsby responded positively and the free kick fiasco was the next talking point. The Grimsby number 7 curled in a great free kick into the top corner but as or after he struck it the Ref blew for encroachment by Oatway and made them take it again.
It was an appalling decision, and I would have been as annoyed as the Grimsby bench which resulted in the player/manager being sent off.
Within minutes the game was over, number 7 was running around like a crazy man after the free kick and he scored a goal that was our worst 'defending/tackling' episode of the season.
Oatway lost the ball/missed a tackle and he was free and running. Everyone backed off and he just carried on and struck the ball sweetly into the corner.
Zamora was limping badly after scoring and he jumped for a header and when
he landed clearly in pain. I hope he is fit for Watford.
At the final whistle (as at half time) many people did vent there anger at Hinshelwood and the players (only Cullip came over to applaud the South Stand), but many did sadly just walk our silently.
People seem to have accepted we are out of our depth and will be relegated. Our thanks used to be apathetic and our away support mid 80's to mid 90's used to be very poor (2/300 at most places). Are we going to return to that? We had just 710 at Rotherham (even Reading took 750) and 288 at Ipswich.
Hinshelwood has a limited budget and playing staff, yet he has chopped and
changed the central defence partnership several times, continues to play
Oatway and Watson when they are both badly out of form.
We started the season well and determined, yet we now look a beaten team once the opposition has scored. Bad management? Bad coaching?
Still don't worry Hishelwood has waited a long time for his chance and wont
walk away as he loves his job (next he will mention he has the support of
his wife, his kids and his pet dog!) .
He did mention he played for the Palace team that got relegated 2 seasons on the trot, not sure what that means!
So nearly a quarter of the season gone and we have 4 points. Woo Hoo!
My player stats would be
Kuipers - 5 good to hear him shouting instructions, but well beaten by both
goals (and the free kick)
Watson - 2 just gets worse each game (over or under hit nearly every
cross/corner)
Mayo - 2 had a terrible match
Cullip - 5 solid
Virgo - 6 some great balls forward
Hart - 4 lacked his usual battling display
Oatway - 2 great pass for the goal, dreadful gift of the 2nd goal!
Brooker - 5 a couple of good runs, but no link up play
Carpenter - 7 a class above the rest as usual, must be sick to death of team
mates inability to pass a ball
Zamora - 5 looked very unfit, but a brilliant goal
Barrett - 8 gave a Hart 100% commitment display, was prepared to have a go
at players and never gave up
So yet another poor display yet we did not see a sub until the 83rd minute
for an injured Zamora and Oatway managed until the 86th minute. How? Why?
What for?
Mark R
Ps Completely off topic but if anyone wants to try a Japanese restaurant I
can highly recommend the Sapporo in Preston Street. It has a half price
menu from 6 until 7.30 and is superb!