Ian Buxton's Bat

Agree with PW on Radio Derby to some extent…..didn’t play well but missed sitters cost us.
Clear foul in build up to their goal but Bradley should have put the ball and the player into the stand to stop the cross.
There’s been loads of talk about back 3 vs back 4 vs back 5 but the thing PW keeps getting wrong in my opinion is playing 2 in midfield.
Hourihane isn’t a good enough athlete to play there in a 2, Adam’s….despite all the plaudits…isn’t a good enough footballer to play in a 2.
Put in a third player and hey presto, they both become very good players at this level.
I don’t always agree with Eric Steele but I’ve no idea why you’d play Thompson anywhere else other than in midfield - really odd set up today.

Agree with PW on Radio Derby to some extent…..didn’t play well but missed sitters cost us.
Clear foul in build up to their goal but Bradley should have put the ball and the player into the stand to stop the cross.
There’s been loads of talk about back 3 vs back 4 vs back 5 but the thing PW keeps getting wrong in my opinion is playing 2 in midfield.
Hourihane isn’t a good enough athlete to play there in a 2, Adam’s….despite all the plaudits…isn’t a good enough footballer to play in a 2.
Put in a third player and hey presto, they both become very good players at this level.
I don’t always agree with Eric Steele but I’ve no idea why you’d play Thompson anywhere else other than in midfield - really odd set up today.

Not sure about ‘we’ but I have…..but then maybe I’ve been looking for the good in him as I think he’s a decent player.
5 goals, 7 assists plus lots of good deliveries e.g Cashin’s header that hit the post v …was it Reading?
Granted, he’s not scored any worldie free kicks as far as I can remember 

Not sure about ‘we’ but I have…..but then maybe I’ve been looking for the good in him as I think he’s a decent player.
5 goals, 7 assists plus lots of good deliveries e.g Cashin’s header that hit the post v …was it Reading?
Granted, he’s not scored any worldie free kicks as far as I can remember 

Not sure about ‘we’ but I have…..but then maybe I’ve been looking for the good in him as I think he’s a decent player.
5 goals, 7 assists plus lots of good deliveries e.g Cashin’s header that hit the post v …was it Reading?
Granted, he’s not scored any worldie free kicks as far as I can remember 

I'd play him in a 3 but not in a 2 and maybe not at all at Pompey.
I know if it's 1-1 with 10 to go v Carlisle and the ball is dropping to the edge of the area, I know who I want from midfield on the end of it.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

It's because he's no longer in his prime.

RTV
Wildsmith….8.5…..two magnificent saves 
35Nelson….8…..it’s getting boring now……Solid.
3Forsyth…8.5….superb return. 
6Cashin….8…..see Nelson
23Ward…..5.5……did Ok. Essentially played in a back 5 which isn’t his forte.
2Wilson…..7.5….good goal and runs the clock down better than anyone else. Really good.
32Adams…7….another very good afternoon. Everywhere.
4Hourihane….5.5….funny one. Thought he deserved to be hooked and then thought we really missed him for 30 mins. Needs an extra body in there if it’s a back 5 rather than a back 3
16Thompson….6….poor for 30 mins then came good at a vital time
17Sibley…..6….essentially played in a back 5. Did ok
20Elder…..6.5…good first touch!
7Barkhuizen…..6…..ok-ish in a poor-ish first half. Hope he’s fit as he’s great at relieving pressure when we’re under the cosh
10Waghorn….6….glad he’s fit….needs to find  proper decent form now Gayle is out 
25Gayle……6….quiet before injury
12Smith…..7.5……very quietly had a fantastic game
11Méndez-Laing….7…..not his best game but constant outlet and threat. Worked hard.
 

Looking at Peterborough fixtures between Saturday and the last game of the season, it may not be a bad thing if they beat Portsmouth....provided we beat Bolton!
It would put a lot of pressure on our game V Portsmouth but I wouldn't be wholly surprised to see Posh +1 go up in the autos with Portsmouth in the play-offs. Portsmouth have a horrible run-in.

I absolutely agree with you in principle but, to be fair, their keeper absolutely smacked into the post when he saved Ward's free kick.
 

Fully deserved to win that. Better team by a mile.
Thought we played really well first half and should’ve been up by a couple.
Second half wasn’t great. Ref cemented his position at the top of the cards chart and we were the beneficiaries.
Thought we went to pot with substitution roulette again. 4 subs in one go with a change of shape is what you do when you are losing isn’t it? And we kept the 3 players on yellows on the pitch which meant they couldn’t risk a tackle.
Ultimately it was closer than it should’ve been.
That said, I enjoyed it and agree with other posters that we’ve become easier on the eye in recent games.
Really disappointing to see Robbie Savage having to be told to shut up and sit down by stewards. He should’ve known better than to give it a large celebration in the Derby end when Reading scored and should not have then be surprised he got some chirp afterwards.
Don’t mind the bloke at all but he let himself down a bit imo.

Fully deserved to win that. Better team by a mile.
Thought we played really well first half and should’ve been up by a couple.
Second half wasn’t great. Ref cemented his position at the top of the cards chart and we were the beneficiaries.
Thought we went to pot with substitution roulette again. 4 subs in one go with a change of shape is what you do when you are losing isn’t it? And we kept the 3 players on yellows on the pitch which meant they couldn’t risk a tackle.
Ultimately it was closer than it should’ve been.
That said, I enjoyed it and agree with other posters that we’ve become easier on the eye in recent games.
Really disappointing to see Robbie Savage having to be told to shut up and sit down by stewards. He should’ve known better than to give it a large celebration in the Derby end when Reading scored and should not have then be surprised he got some chirp afterwards.
Don’t mind the bloke at all but he let himself down a bit imo.

ATG
1Wildsmith....6....Spectator. Looked a bit slow to get down for their one attempt on target.
35Nelson......7.......Solid. Again. Won everything when they put their big units on
5Bradley........6.5.....Played OK. Ultimately, at fault for their goal but plenty of opportunities for other players to have stopped it ever being a chance
2Wilson........7......thought he was excellent when he came on. Largely responsible for making 8 mins of injury time seem more like 5 rather than 15
6Cashin......7......another good game. Pity the header didn't go in 
23Ward.........7........Played very well first half and great ball for first goal. Deliveries are superb
27Blackett-Taylor.....6.....looked more on it. A bit more zip but still not really happening for him
32Adams......7........as with some other games, excellent until he gets booked. They wouldn't have scored if he wasn't on a yellow as he'd have definitely stopped their midfield runner rather than politely jumping out of his way (but at least has the brains to do that!)
4Hourihane.....7......played well. Great delivery for Cashin's header. Calmer than me for the penalty!
 12Smith........7........played really well when he came on. With hindsight he's been quite a big miss for the squad 
17Sibley........6.5......missed a decent chance but was there to miss it. He's a proper threat when we play a back 3 rather than a back 5
7Barkhuizen.......8......just MOTM. Always adds zip and forward momentum and gets on the end of things. Possibly our best player when we're winning as he's great on the counter
25Gayle......7.5.......great goal, great speed for the pen. Froze the highlights and think he's just on-side for the goal .....player marking Cashin plays him on. Did a tap-in go under his foot after about a minute? Looks fit, fast, classy and bothered. 
10Waghorn.....6.....denied by a worldie save. Did OK and is a good option off the bench
11Méndez-Laing.....6.....not his best game but they dished out some stick and doubled up because of how good they know he can be.
3Forsyth....6......great to have him back as an option
One of those games where no-one played badly. First half was a a joy to watch.......and, whilst I've not been in the PW out camp, I've pretty consistently said that it's been a tough watch this season.

ATG
1Wildsmith....6....Spectator. Looked a bit slow to get down for their one attempt on target.
35Nelson......7.......Solid. Again. Won everything when they put their big units on
5Bradley........6.5.....Played OK. Ultimately, at fault for their goal but plenty of opportunities for other players to have stopped it ever being a chance
2Wilson........7......thought he was excellent when he came on. Largely responsible for making 8 mins of injury time seem more like 5 rather than 15
6Cashin......7......another good game. Pity the header didn't go in 
23Ward.........7........Played very well first half and great ball for first goal. Deliveries are superb
27Blackett-Taylor.....6.....looked more on it. A bit more zip but still not really happening for him
32Adams......7........as with some other games, excellent until he gets booked. They wouldn't have scored if he wasn't on a yellow as he'd have definitely stopped their midfield runner rather than politely jumping out of his way (but at least has the brains to do that!)
4Hourihane.....7......played well. Great delivery for Cashin's header. Calmer than me for the penalty!
 12Smith........7........played really well when he came on. With hindsight he's been quite a big miss for the squad 
17Sibley........6.5......missed a decent chance but was there to miss it. He's a proper threat when we play a back 3 rather than a back 5
7Barkhuizen.......8......just MOTM. Always adds zip and forward momentum and gets on the end of things. Possibly our best player when we're winning as he's great on the counter
25Gayle......7.5.......great goal, great speed for the pen. Froze the highlights and think he's just on-side for the goal .....player marking Cashin plays him on. Did a tap-in go under his foot after about a minute? Looks fit, fast, classy and bothered. 
10Waghorn.....6.....denied by a worldie save. Did OK and is a good option off the bench
11Méndez-Laing.....6.....not his best game but they dished out some stick and doubled up because of how good they know he can be.
3Forsyth....6......great to have him back as an option
One of those games where no-one played badly. First half was a a joy to watch.......and, whilst I've not been in the PW out camp, I've pretty consistently said that it's been a tough watch this season.

Fully deserved to win that. Better team by a mile.
Thought we played really well first half and should’ve been up by a couple.
Second half wasn’t great. Ref cemented his position at the top of the cards chart and we were the beneficiaries.
Thought we went to pot with substitution roulette again. 4 subs in one go with a change of shape is what you do when you are losing isn’t it? And we kept the 3 players on yellows on the pitch which meant they couldn’t risk a tackle.
Ultimately it was closer than it should’ve been.
That said, I enjoyed it and agree with other posters that we’ve become easier on the eye in recent games.
Really disappointing to see Robbie Savage having to be told to shut up and sit down by stewards. He should’ve known better than to give it a large celebration in the Derby end when Reading scored and should not have then be surprised he got some chirp afterwards.
Don’t mind the bloke at all but he let himself down a bit imo.

Fully deserved to win that. Better team by a mile.
Thought we played really well first half and should’ve been up by a couple.
Second half wasn’t great. Ref cemented his position at the top of the cards chart and we were the beneficiaries.
Thought we went to pot with substitution roulette again. 4 subs in one go with a change of shape is what you do when you are losing isn’t it? And we kept the 3 players on yellows on the pitch which meant they couldn’t risk a tackle.
Ultimately it was closer than it should’ve been.
That said, I enjoyed it and agree with other posters that we’ve become easier on the eye in recent games.
Really disappointing to see Robbie Savage having to be told to shut up and sit down by stewards. He should’ve known better than to give it a large celebration in the Derby end when Reading scored and should not have then be surprised he got some chirp afterwards.
Don’t mind the bloke at all but he let himself down a bit imo.

Outrageous accusation.
If your job is to blow a whistle, give fouls and dish out cards then this bloke is anything but incompetent. He loves a penalty too.
Stats from Who Scored show Charles 'let-the-game-flow' Breakspear is currently top of the league, but others have games in hand.
He's home and hosed on total yellow cards but he's not quite there with yellows per game. He'll have one eye on Carl Brook, who could take this year's pens/ game award and he'll be keeping his fingers crossed for a fight so he can go neck and neck with Simon Mather on the total reds. The rescinded red at Bolton has him only in the bronze medal berth in that category, which may have him fired up for this evening
https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/8/Seasons/9623/Stages/22081/RefereeStatistics/England-League-One-2023-2024

Outrageous accusation.
If your job is to blow a whistle, give fouls and dish out cards then this bloke is anything but incompetent. He loves a penalty too.
Stats from Who Scored show Charles 'let-the-game-flow' Breakspear is currently top of the league, but others have games in hand.
He's home and hosed on total yellow cards but he's not quite there with yellows per game. He'll have one eye on Carl Brook, who could take this year's pens/ game award and he'll be keeping his fingers crossed for a fight so he can go neck and neck with Simon Mather on the total reds. The rescinded red at Bolton has him only in the bronze medal berth in that category, which may have him fired up for this evening
https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/8/Seasons/9623/Stages/22081/RefereeStatistics/England-League-One-2023-2024

@Ellafella sorry mate. Not directed at your efforts, good sir, but rather some idiots who use the rankings as another means to dig out individual players.