Well Played

[Manager]

Just like to say well done today boys although a 0-0 draw only gives us a point I think it showed how we've changed as a team. The balance of the team today was outstanding. Everyone worked hard and we got something out of the game against another good team.

Thats 1 goal conceded in 3 games . Keep it up another tough game next Sunday.

Well played again. Have any of you out there got an opinion, I would like to know what you think........

Also thanks to the 2 subs who didn't get on today I apologise again but I felt, because the game was so close I couldn't put you on. Stick around you'll get your chance.

[Matt Hallam]

I think the thing that pleased me most was the fact that, although we weren't at our best, we still managed to get something out of the game.

Sometimes this season we've not played well and lost really quite easily i.e. both games against Gremio. But on this occasion we worked hard, battled for everything and sometimes rode our luck a little bit.

When you bear in mind that Real Carlton had won their last four games and had scored 25 goals in the process, to keep a clean sheet is an excellent achievement.

[Gaz]

I think Matt was at another game, once again. His scrooge like ratings of 7 across the board were unexpected.

Playing well, doesn't mean playing good football, it means matching the oppenents and digging in - just like the last game.

I think that the team performed well, digging in against a good team with coping with the decisions of a disgraceful referee.

I think the team performance was worthy of an 8 across the board - even you Matt.

Perhaps the scoring of 7 is a sinister and calculated long term plan for Matt to ensure he himself has the highest average rating at the end of the season.

Obviously, many of you will dispute whether Matt is clever enough to undertake such a scheme, he probably isn't!!! But we all know he's a dirty little cheat.

[Matt Hallam]

I dunno, you introduce a scoring system for performances as a bit of fun and before you know it the competitive instincts of the players take over and the bottom lips appear

I will admit that I was on the horns of a dilemma as to whether the performance warranted a rating of 7 or 8 but in the end I just felt that the overall quality wasn't there. I'm in no way questioning the desire, commitment and work rate that the team put in and this alone almost achieved the 8 rating but not quite. Against Sporting Wheelbarrow we battled hard AND had a cutting edge going forward. Against Real Carlton we battled hard but just didn't quite have the same cutting edge going forward as a team.

HOWEVER, never let it be said that this website doesn't listen to it thousands of readers and if enough players believe the performance deserved an 8 then it can be changed. Just let your thoughts be known here.

As for the 'sinister and calculated long term plan' to ensure I have the highest average rating at the end of the season. You may think that, I couldn't possibly comment!!!!!!

[Ian]

A 6 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Matt Hallam]

I'm sorry Ian but I thought it took you too bloody long to get served at the pub after wards.

By paying by card I had to wait a whole 1 minute and 45 seconds longer than normal to get my well earned pint.

What's with this carrying no cash malarkey. Who do you think you are? The Queen!!!!!

[Ian]

Perhaps if the weekly subs weren't so high I'd have a few quid in my pocket after a match. Surely, the club coffers must be overflowing now following our 30 a-side matches on a Wednesday.

A 6 though?!!! You should be ashamed. Who gave the midfield a vitally needed lift when it's thirty somethings looked ready for the knackers yard? That's right, I'm giving myself man of the match!

Thank you and thank you!!!!!

[Matt Hallam]

The thing is Ian you can't buy the kind of experience that those "thirtysomethings" have.

Let me demonstrate.

It's late in the game and the team is holding on for a well earned point. The opposition have a throw in deep in our half. The full back is marking their most dangerous forward player and asks you to stand in front of the aforementioned attacker to prevent the ball being thrown to his feet. You do this willingly. However, just as the ball is about to be thrown in do you:

a, Stay where you are preventing the ball being thrown to feet and nulifying the attack before it has even begun.

b, Suddenly run off in a random direction and allowing the opposition to attack at will.

Only you can decide!!!!!!

[Ian]

Hmmm... good point...

I suppose 'experience' also informs you that being a thirtysomething isn't quite physically what you had imagined it to be when you were a twentysomething. A real ball breaker that one! Having the experience to know right from wrong but having to warm up for an hour and a half before you can do anything about it.

I sympathise, I really do.

As for my defending... well Craig said we had achieved balance and I can only imagine he meant that my defensive weaknesses were being directly countered by our amazing offensive qualities. Either way, and in answer to your question, I'd select option c: alleviate the pressure on the defence by not choosing to overload an already packed penalty box. I can't believe I was so misunderstood.

I await your response...

[Matt Hallam]

I think you'll find that experience means, and I quote:

"Having skill or knowledge (or both ) because you have done something many times"

And believe me due to the, ahem, defending (sic) skills of some of our players, the back four and central midfielders do get to practice again and again and again and again, etc.

By the way how is your neck? You seemed to have a problem with it last Sunday. Were you unable to lift your head up at all, particularly when you had the ball at your feet?

Just concerned about a fellow player thats all

[Matt Hallam]

Well I think last nights training session finally put this topic to bed.

The team full of youngsters, containing Rob, Martin, Ian Addison-Smith, Daz and Wayne were soundly beaten by a team full of experience (Matt, Harry, Phil, Tim and Steve). With age (and beauty) on their side it was a stunning display of teamwork, maturity and quality which saw them win two games to one.

So there you have it. Scientific proof that experience is better than yoof!!!!!

[Ian]

Surely, last night cannot be counted as fully justified empirical evidence that experience is better than youth. The sample, for example, consisted of only 10 people some of whom are obviously taking part in other clinical trials (by this I mean Wayne). Therefore, based on such thinking, that data was entirely unreliable and must be rejected.

Nice try... but a C-.