To Bee or not to Bee. Brentford (H) 25/10/14

[Jugs]

Didn't get to go to the game because it was my sister's wedding, but great result. I've seen the goals, and that's a fantastic goal from Mavies, probably the only player in our squad who can produce that kind of magic. A great finish from Danns too, and Cravies! I don't know much about the game apart from the bits and pieces I've read, but I'm pleased

The only question I have to everyone right now is, how come we keep persisting with Pratley on the wing? Or is it actually working?

[Whookam]

shots on target may well be some kind of statto-improvement (a pass to the goalie is technically "on-target") - I hope Lennon isn't all that carried away by the aceness of shots on target, though... I hope he's as greedy as me and wants actual goals!

An increase in goals comes with an increase in shots on target. Can't have one the former without the latter

[twilight]

Didn't get to go to the game because it was my sister's wedding, but great result. I've seen the goals, and that's a fantastic goal from Mavies, probably the only player in our squad who can produce that kind of magic. A great finish from Danns too, and Cravies! I don't know much about the game apart from the bits and pieces I've read, but I'm pleased

The only question I have to everyone right now is, how come we keep persisting with Pratley on the wing? Or is it actually working?

IMO no it's not working. The lad runs all day, got good engine, but he ain't no winger!! He was bloody awful, and on a few occasions he was ball watching. Same for Beckford, just can't take to these 2 players at all

[Prufrock]

So, what does everyone think of zonal marking on corners? I don't know if we'd done that in Lennon's previous games or whether it was particular to Brentford as they seemed to have some orchestrated set pieces.

Zonal at Charlton too. Unsure. Don't remember anyone having any chances against us from corners yet. Seems to work to get Mills free to go attack things.

[Riviman]

Brentford manager, his view on yesterday's game:
http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/artic ... 41117.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

[Jugs]

Didn't get to go to the game because it was my sister's wedding, but great result. I've seen the goals, and that's a fantastic goal from Mavies, probably the only player in our squad who can produce that kind of magic. A great finish from Danns too, and Cravies! I don't know much about the game apart from the bits and pieces I've read, but I'm pleased

The only question I have to everyone right now is, how come we keep persisting with Pratley on the wing? Or is it actually working?

IMO no it's not working. The lad runs all day, got good engine, but he ain't no winger!! He was bloody awful, and on a few occasions he was ball watching. Same for Beckford, just can't take to these 2 players at all

I thought as much.

He's been pretty rubbish throughout his Bolton career to be honest. Surely not a wise move to put him on the wing.

[TANGODANCER]

Brentford manager, his view on yesterday's game:
http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/artic ... 41117.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

Typical other manager reaction to losing. Truth is both sides had some spells of decent football and, until giving away that silly goal we were never really under pressure any more than they were. We were in control and retreated complacently and got punished for it. They were the form side and beating them in itself was a triumph in our own bad spell. There was so many positives, but that habit of backing off behind the drawbridge instead of terrier tackling has cost us so many times. To be honest, Chungy was one of our best tacklers yesterday. His work rate and readiness to look for the ball was inspiring. I got the feeling quite a few times that the ref had arrived on their team bus and we need to watch getting a "Bolton" reputation that could cost us dearly ( a la SuperKev who was a marked man before he even kicked a ball).
A few of ours need to watch tempers a bit and getting carded for arguing with refs is play school stuff. You're never going to win.

I can't get sold on Beckford because whatever good runs he makes, his primary job is to score and he's a real rabbit with chances that most strikers would kill for. Mason's movement and efforts were notably good yesterday.

First game that's had me jumping about though for quite a while.

[TKIZ!]

Very good post that, TD. Totally agree with the sentiments

[NiceHotCuppaTea]

[Armchair Wanderer]

Atmosphere sounded great from the highlights! I'm sure Celtic Park is big, full and noisy but you can also have big stadiums that are full up and quiet. It can get very quiet at a full Wembley or the Emirates, and I'm sure anywhere. Saying the atmosphere was noisy and comparing it to a very noisy stadium/supporters isn't patronizing at all imo. I hope it continues!

I noticed Spearing trying something like Mavies' goal just before it on the highlights - as if to demonstrate that it could be done. And Danns had a bit of a warm-up shot-wise before one went in. If we're playing with low confidence now, the optimist in me thinks in a few weeks, or whenever the confidence returns, it'll be very good.

[LeverEnd]

But what were you doing in the Shiffnal Street area?

'I went to the petrol station and took a wrong turn officer, and I was driving slowly next to the kerb as I tried to get my bearings'. Quote, my mate circa 2003.

[Peter Thompson]

NL will get us into the top 6 next season, possibly even promotion. I've said on several occasions that we are lucky to have him, he will (and already has) galvanised the team and the supporters.

The vast majority of teams mirror the personality of the manager - NL is a winner, combative and gives nothing less then 100%....even though I wasn't that impressed with the 1st half yesterday it was clear that he wants the team to press higher up the pitch, pass the ball on the floor (you could count the number of long balls on one hand), the movement was much better as was the quicker tempo.

2nd half was excellent - we had a 15-20 min spell in the 2nd half that was very, very good....as armchair said once the confidence comes back we will very good - IMO we are a couple of decent players short of a top 6 side (a striker and a productive wide man).

He looks like a manager who the players really want to play for, and IMO I still think he can get another 10-15% out of the majority of the current side in the next few months.

[SmokinFrazier]

NL will get us into the top 6 next season, possibly even promotion. I've said on several occasions that we are lucky to have him, he will (and already has) galvanised the team and the supporters.

The vast majority of teams mirror the personality of the manager - NL is a winner, combative and gives nothing less then 100%....even though I wasn't that impressed with the 1st half yesterday it was clear that he wants the team to press higher up the pitch, pass the ball on the floor (you could count the number of long balls on one hand), the movement was much better as was the quicker tempo.

2nd half was excellent - we had a 15-20 min spell in the 2nd half that was very, very good....as armchair said once the confidence comes back we will very good - IMO we are a couple of decent players short of a top 6 side (a striker and a productive wide man).

He looks like a manager who the players really want to play for, and IMO I still think he can get another 10-15% out of the majority of the current side in the next few months.

I think it's difficult to judge this current side because of how awful things were under Freedman. We've seen them play well occasionally but I think a good manager can improve them, make those good games happen more consistently and if that's possible, so is promotion. We're a long way off that at the moment of course but I think things are falling into place and when we start showing more confidence, I expect results and performances to be even better and if we were to put 4 or 5 wins together with just a couple of draws later in the season, I wouldn't be shocked at all. Our first team is good and we have plenty of depth too. I'd like to see us go with something like the following for the rest of the season:

______________Bogdan
McNaughton - Mills - Dervite - Ream
_____________Spearing
_________Danns ----- Mark Davies
______________Chungy
_______Craig Davies - Mason

The only real improvement I'd like to see there would be to get rid of Mason for a proper goalscorer but it's a good team and under Lennon, I expect we'll see more from each player as their confidence grows and they get used to the improved style of play.

I can't remember the last time I was this optimistic about us, honestly. Most people will probably think I'm deluded to not count out a play off spot this year but if we go on a good run, the appalling start will seem like a long way away and I think we're capable of clawing back the deficit Lennon inherited.

[TANGODANCER]

Not sure why you're in such a hurry to get Bogdan back between the sticks S.F? Lonergan is in top form right now and any mistakes in defence haven't been his. To just drop him because Bogdan is fit is hardly a reflection on his excellent form. Last couple of games alone he's made match-winning saves.

[jaffka]

That throw out yesterday by Lonergan was excellent, first class in fact.

Accurate and the right amount of power, all at a time when we were under the cosh and the pressure was building.

Marvellous keeping.

[SmokinFrazier]

Not sure why you're in such a hurry to get Bogdan back between the sticks S.F? Lonergan is in top form right now and any mistakes in defence haven't been his. To just drop him because Bogdan is fit is hardly a reflection on his excellent form. Last couple of games alone he's made match-winning saves.

Yeah, that's true, it'd be harsh to drop Lonergan because he's never really put a foot wrong for us but I just see Bogdan as our long term keeper so he'd be my first choice. I'm happy with Bogdan being number 2 until Lonergan has a poor game, gets suspended, injured or whatever though.

Agreed on the throw to Davies too, that was excellent play and secured the 3 points. I think we'd have won anyway but you never know, so it was a great bit of play.

[NiceHotCuppaTea]

That throw out yesterday by Lonergan was excellent, first class in fact.

Accurate and the right amount of power, all at a time when we were under the cosh and the pressure was building.

Marvellous keeping.

Completely agree, his performances in the past few games have been fantastic and perhaps even slightly underrated.

[Worthy4England]

Pratters Vs an average championship midfielder according to Opta...

[jaffka]

cannot see it very well

[Worthy4England]

cannot see it very well

The picture probably tells the story. The grey/blue hexagon is average...the golden bit in the middle is Pratters. I could upload the thing full size....