Zulu Down - Brum match thread

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm not going to get worked up about a last game of the season that had nothing riding on it for us. We weren't obviously on holiday (any more than usual), so at least we were fair to the other clubs in the relegation battle. There were some good bits in the game and some bad bits.

Lets see who goes and who comes in. I'll then set my expectation levels. I'm hoping I can hope for play-offs, but that is a rare bit of optimism from me

Yep. This sums it up. We did ok today. Defended well got 2-0 up. Then at 2-1 we had two fantastic breaks from the young lad Kellet where Jutkiewicz and Danns both should have killed the game off. But they didn't. And birmingham being desperate just kept throwing everyone into the box. Fair play to them.

Considering there was nowt riding on it for us we weren't a disgrace and certainly should have won the game at 2-0 but the way it was if we didn't kill it off on the break something was bound to bounce for them in the box.

Frankly we just have to hope next season is considerably better. And also hope that a 2-2 on the last day is enough as that seems to be the only last day result we are capable of!

[TANGODANCER]

We did ok today. Defended well got 2-0 up. Then at 2-1 we had two fantastic breaks from the young lad Kellet where Jutkiewicz and Danns both should have killed the game off. But they didn't. And birmingham being desperate just kept throwing everyone into the box. Fair play to them.

No, no, we didn't. We were pretty awful and lucky to get a point in the end. Our lot are professional footballers on damn good money. Really sloppy defending almost cost us first half, and throwing away a lead like that was amateur stuff. I know Danns has done well for us, but today he couldn't shoot a tin duck at a fairground. Beckford isn't what we need, far too flaky and there's more muscle in a fairy cake. He goes to ground faster than a stalking leopard but is about as dangerous as a Christmas cracker. About all he did useful was a pass to Juke. Our passing was woeful in places and casual was too fiery a description. Fair play to Brum, but would they give one about us in a reverse situation at their ground? I think not.

[BWFC90]

On the plus side Kellett looked good coming off the bench again.

[irie Cee Bee]

One of the few games I got to see for myself due to steaming limitations available for Championship matches. I actually enjoyed the game. Brums gave it their all and got a deserved point. We never made it easy for them despite having nothing to play for.

Our back 5 were very solid with Mills and Ream being excellent. Very difficult to break down and organised. Coped well with the intense pressure.

I wondered what all the fuss has been about Trotter. He looks a good player to me and passes well. LCY was impressive. I hope we are able to keep him next season as he adds a lot with his intelligence and skills. Scored a good goal. Danns had an off day while up front, Beckford lived off scraps. Hall disappointed in giving away the ball too many times.

Kellett was exciting when he came on while Threlkeld found the going tough at times but acquitted himself well, especially in his covering at the back post. They have good futures ahead if they continue to work hard.

A tough season for us. Now Freedman can build his own team for next season. No excuses. We should be able to challenge for the play off positions.

[bwfcdan94]

Fed up, sick to death, had enough of teams coming to our place and going away dancing. When was the last time we actually celebrated something meaningful at our own ground other than the odd win?

Beating Sunderland to stay up under Megson

[BWFC_Insane]

We did ok today. Defended well got 2-0 up. Then at 2-1 we had two fantastic breaks from the young lad Kellet where Jutkiewicz and Danns both should have killed the game off. But they didn't. And birmingham being desperate just kept throwing everyone into the box. Fair play to them.

No, no, we didn't. We were pretty awful and lucky to get a point in the end. Our lot are professional footballers on damn good money. Really sloppy defending almost cost us first half, and throwing away a lead like that was amateur stuff. I know Danns has done well for us, but today he couldn't shoot a tin duck at a fairground. Beckford isn't what we need, far too flaky and there's more muscle in a fairy cake. He goes to ground faster than a stalking leopard but is about as dangerous as a Christmas cracker. About all he did useful was a pass to Juke. Our passing was woeful in places and casual was too fiery a description. Fair play to Brum, but would they give one about us in a reverse situation at their ground? I think not.

Bottom line is we had nowt to play for against a desperate side and should have won the game comfortably with better finishing on our two breaks towards the end.

That isn't a disaster, we didn't give them a huge favour, made them play well to get a point.

I agree about Beckford. Waste of space, especially today.

But given the situation we did ok. Not good not great, but just ok, I'd say. And frankly who cares?

Next season is what matters now.

[StaffsTrotter]

absolute garbage. and that isn't just a one eyed assessment, that was shared amongst about a dozen or more of us talking about it at the match. chungy was the only bright spark which is probably why he was hooked and I thought mills was solid again

I know it was last game and all that, but it had all the same symptoms as too many other games to mention - no passing, no movement, no determination to win, no pattern etc. as with far too many teams, including all those now relegated, we were lucky to get something out of the game against them

[thebish]

chungy was the only bright spark which is probably why he was hooked...

it must be exhausting keeping this up, surely?? you genuinely believe that Freedman is such a huge cack-ball that his strategy is to take off a player that looks to be playing well - presumably just for the hell of it or simply to piss you off?

go find summat cheery to do for the summer - sounds like you need it!

[Peter Thompson]

absolute garbage. and that isn't just a one eyed assessment, that was shared amongst about a dozen or more of us talking about it at the match. chungy was the only bright spark which is probably why he was hooked and I thought mills was solid again

I know it was last game and all that, but it had all the same symptoms as too many other games to mention - no passing, no movement, no determination to win, no pattern etc. as with far too many teams, including all those now relegated, we were lucky to get something out of the game against them

This absolutely....

We have zero chance of going up next year with Freedman in charge, he's an amateur - a very negative, tactically naïve manager, I can't wait until next October when he's gone elsewhere to continue his apprenticeship.

Beckford, Trotter & Danns are absolute dogshite.....I've played against much better local amateur players. We are so slow when we have the ball, play with no tempo, we don't press and just let the opposition have the ball and without M Davies have absolutely no creativity in the squad. The team mirror's Freedman's personality....dour, boring, passionless and clueless. Week in week out we play like a team who haven't trained together as we have no pattern to our play, they play like complete strangers

And I honestly can't see what people see in Spearing....he offers nothing.

How anyone can see progress under Freedman is baffling

[bobo the clown]

Firstly congratulation to Brum. Some stress involved in that and 2 down with 15m left must have been scary.

Secondly, the match had nothing riding on it for us so nothing broken whatever the performance or result.

Thirdly, we played that game effectively with 3 men missing. Hall ... who I remain hoping like hell will come good, was a passenger. I must assume he's good with free kicks at the training ground & hence why he's allowed to take them but sheesh. Trotter was as abysmal I saw a couple of weeks ago. He bumbles around the midfield with the game simply whizzing past him. He's like an on-pitch cameraman, taking no part in the match and watching things happen. In fact he's worse than useless as he actively gets in the way.

The only shining aspect to Trotter's performance is that he was better, by several levels, than Beckford. What a complete, useless, waste of a place he was. No energy, no effort, no heart ... nothing.

Juke's cameo showed why we must do all we can to keep him. Once on the pitch things opened up and he brought other players in. Kellett was excellent to watch. His directness, his speed and his will to run at players and to then bring colleagues chance was inspiring. I'm sure it will be knocked out of him !! But how tall is he .... I'm guessing 5'2". I thought the defence were good until that last period when they panicked. Threlkeld did all that was asked of him.

Finally, and just a remark, not making anything out of it, but where the fck did the ref get 6 minutes added time from ???

[wonka]

Really cheesed off again today. In the first half and early second half we looked like an average team that had nothing to play for, but still had enough in the tank to go 2 up against a poor Birmingham team. Birmingham wanted to win more than us, but that doesn't guarantee anything, they were there for the taking. But yet again Freedman did what comes naturally to him, at 2-0 he decided it was best to simply hang onto the lead and simply defend. Of course, this happens time and time again, and we know what the outcome will be. He will never learn. Why does he do this? Why? We were winning, so why change? If it ain't broke don't fix it! We know we are incapable of *defending* a lead, but we have won more matches by keeping the pressure up.

The definition of insanity is to keep repeating the same actions over and over again, and expecting a different outcome.

Beckford is another that wound me up today. Sick of him constantly whining to Refs just cos the big bad opponent touched him. And throwing himself to ground when the ball's still there to be won. Danns didn't put in his best performance today, but he still displayed the commitment and perseverance that won him a contract, and I think Beckford should watch and learn.

Demented Bolton fan that I am, I am looking forward to next season, but with expectations now suitably lowered.

[TANGODANCER]

at was asked of him.

Finally, and just a remark, not making anything out of it, but where the fck did the ref get 6 minutes added time from ???

Didn't want em to lose. He obviously inherited his dad's Electric Light Orchestra, Move and Wizard albums, along with The Moodies and Black Sabbath and is a Brum band fan..er, maybe....or maybe not..

[Little Green Man]

Week in week out we play like a team who haven't trained together as we have no pattern to our play, they play like complete strangers

That too crossed my mind during the game (and not for the first time this season). I've no inkling as to the style of play we're trying to achieve.

[bobo the clown]

Week in week out we play like a team who haven't trained together as we have no pattern to our play, they play like complete strangers

That too crossed my mind during the game (and not for the first time this season). I've no inkling as to the style of play we're trying to achieve.

They certainly appear not to spend much time on practising set pieces.

Remember the days when getting a free near the opposition area actually had you thinking we may get something from it ?

.... oh, & on free kicks, we had one late on and DF was frantically waving players back. We eventually took it with 5 players behind the ball, plus taker and keeper. I ask you.

[thebish]

I haven't expected to score from a fk or a corner since Meite and Faye were around... that's probably a very long time now...

[Bijou Bob]

Today was poor. Why play 451with nothing to lose against a bottom of the table team?? Despite 5 in midfield, we consistently lost out and were outplayed.

[Devon White]

absolute garbage. and that isn't just a one eyed assessment, that was shared amongst about a dozen or more of us talking about it at the match. chungy was the only bright spark which is probably why he was hooked and I thought mills was solid again

I know it was last game and all that, but it had all the same symptoms as too many other games to mention - no passing, no movement, no determination to win, no pattern etc. as with far too many teams, including all those now relegated, we were lucky to get something out of the game against them

This absolutely....

We have zero chance of going up next year with Freedman in charge, he's an amateur - a very negative, tactically naïve manager, I can't wait until next October when he's gone elsewhere to continue his apprenticeship.

Beckford, Trotter & Danns are absolute dogshite.....I've played against much better local amateur players. We are so slow when we have the ball, play with no tempo, we don't press and just let the opposition have the ball and without M Davies have absolutely no creativity in the squad. The team mirror's Freedman's personality....dour, boring, passionless and clueless. Week in week out we play like a team who haven't trained together as we have no pattern to our play, they play like complete strangers

And I honestly can't see what people see in Spearing....he offers nothing.

How anyone can see progress under Freedman is baffling

Just glad this season is over, sen a few away games and i have to agree with pt for a high percentage of the games we are dour, boring and clueless.
However I look forward to away games next season, they are are superb, meeting quite a few from here and the bolton area, plymouth wanderer and the bish - get ready for the fixture list, we have to get together, meeting dan will be your highlight of 2014 / 15, well almost, you joining us pt ?

[bobo the clown]

I haven't expected to score from a fk or a corner since Meite and Faye were around... that's probably a very long time now...

I suppose the Matt Taylor time gave us some, albeit inconsistent. hope.

But ffs, they train 5 days a week. Once essentially fit Shirley to Gawd they should spend some time practicing attacking and defensive free-kicks and corners. We seem to have difficulty getting a corner over the first man, let alone create any danger.

Free kicks appear to be simply a means of restarting the game when we get them.

[thebish]

I haven't expected to score from a fk or a corner since Meite and Faye were around... that's probably a very long time now...

I suppose the Matt Taylor time gave us some, albeit inconsistent. hope.

But ffs, they train 5 days a week. Once essentially fit Shirley to Gawd they should spend some time practicing attacking and defensive free-kicks and corners. We seem to have difficulty getting a corner over the first man, let alone create any danger.

Free kicks appear to be simply a means of restarting the game when we get them.

I did once suggest that we could maybe train players how to take a corner - but there were folks on here who told me that it was a kind of spiritual gift that you either have or you don't have... summat like that anyway!

[Harry Genshaw]

Agree with most here. 1st half was truly awful - pedestrian with zero creativity with half the side seemingly having no clue as to where they were supposed to be or what they were supposed to be doing.

Beckford, a bloke I've stood up for in the past, was already on the beach. His whole body language just screamed disinterest. Trotter was every bit as bad as been described on here. Ya Ya Toure without the ability.

The late free kick, as described by Bobo, just summed up Dougies philosophy by trying to hang onto what we had. Instead, we lost possession, lost the initiative and lost the lead. Shite.

On the upside, the defence was pretty solid, distribution aside, and Kellet looks a handful.

What a crap season