Match Thread vs. Wrexham 02.01.22 [NL]

[Riverleeno]

Pleased for Richardson that his efforts were rewarded with a goal, Chicksen caused them problems too, good to watch. Wootton...superb. According to Stall 23 points from the last 10 games, COYP

[meoldlaner]

TodayI thought we were excellent from back to front.Patto is a top keeper and Brindley was back on song. The midfield were the key though. Palmer you know you are going to get quality and Frankie is a very intelligent live wire, but IMO I thought Ed Francis was superb.
I felt for Eli but take away that poor control in front of goal I thought he did OK considering the lack of match time.
I see Parkinson thought they were the better team?l Must be watching a different game to me because I thought we were well in control.
Anyway after the $hit festive period I have had, thank you Notts for making me smile,

[Elite_Pie]

I'm interested in our style of play today especially against 10 men which traditionally affords you more space but you require more patience.

Was it the usual Burchball with lots of passing on the deck and a clear pattern of play worked on the training pitch? Or were we more direct and mixed the play up more?

I'm guessing it was the former due to the numerical advantage but would be good to hear folks thoughts on this.

Mainly the former. It worked, but out wide Chicksen and especially Richardson found loads of space but we didn't hit them often enough. When we did it caused real danger. No complaints though, more than happy with the three points.

[Elite_Pie]

I see Parkinson thought they were the better team?l Must be watching a different game to me because I thought we were well in control.

No way were they the better team. They played well with 10 men, fought hard and certainly didn't make it easy for us. They can be proud of the effort they put in, but the best team won although the numerical advantage made it easier. If Kairo Mitchell's shot had gone in and made it 1-1 with 11 v 11, it would have been a very interesting game.

[jackal2]

Eli Sam is still a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma for me. He showed some sublime footwork on the touchline, but inside the box when it really mattered he put a header over the bar, and and then showed the touch of an elephant with his best chance. All he had to do was control an easy ball and then pass it into the net.

I thought his anxiety showed in front of goal, but there was nothing wrong with his build up and support play. You don't expect a man of his size to run far with the ball at his feet, but he seems happier picking the ball up and attacking defenders than he does in the six yard box. The combination between him and Wootton looked promising though. It would be interesting to see if Eli's confidence grew with more game time in that second striker position, but obviously Rodrigues has first dibs on the role.

[Magpies1959]

Great result and performance. So pleased for Ed Francis who looks to be blossoming. This was a complete performance from him and even won some tackles. I feel Mitchell would have put away both Sam's chances, but did think Sam looked to show what he has in his locker. He needs to add consistancy now. So glad the decision to play came off as we did not want games backing up. I also must admit I am particularly pleased that my impersonation of a hyena didn't go unnoticed by the Wrexham fans I passed on the way out of the ground 🤣

[hissingdwarf]

Excellent atmosphere today. Loved every minute of it.
The game that had everything, from penalties to sending offs, goals, disputes and Phil Parkinson playing the fool as usual.
Great crowd and a well deserved 4th win on the bounce.
Thought Vincent was everywhere again. What a find.
Eli Sam…this is one area we need to strengthen in imo. He’s so unpredictable. Excellent on one thing then terrible on the next.
We need a reliable few options up front as neither Mitchell or Sam could replace either Ruben or Woots if they leave.
No criticism today though as it was an outstanding match. Glad to be involved.

[jacobncfc]

To be fair to Parkinson, I think he means they looked the better team 11 vs 11. Which might just about be right, but is basically irrelevant because it was about ten minutes.

After the red we clearly dominated in terms of possession and chances created, but they’re a good side and had a couple of spells and made it difficult for us. Great win considering the circumstances and a very brave decision to play fully vindicated.

[hissingdwarf]

To be fair to Parkinson, I think he means they looked the better team 11 vs 11. Which might just about be right, but is basically irrelevant because it was about ten minutes.

After the red we clearly dominated in terms of possession and chances created, but they’re a good side and had a couple of spells and made it difficult for us. Great win considering the circumstances and a very brave decision to play fully vindicated.

Parkinson has always enjoyed the tin hat mentality. Likes to be centre of attention and it was funny watching him loose his rag so many times today!

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Some said it was a risk to play today but with risk comes reward and we got it today. It was a game that had everything from the start with the long range goal, the sending off, two penalties, one scored and one saved and some sitters missed wrapped up in a very good team performance. Midway through the first half it seemed like an age since Wrexham opened the scoring.

What today showed for me is that whoever comes in is ready to play how we play and even though Wrexham had ten men we played our game and made the pitch wide when in possession, and remained compact as a unit. In the first half we created space down both channels and did some good switching of the ball across the field. Cameron is perfect for the way we play out from the back and today exploited the ten men to switch the ball and put in over and behind.

So many good performances to talk about, Patterson's distribution, assurance and confidence playing the ball out from the back and the stand out moment being the penalty save. Brindley, Palmer, Cameron, Lacey all solid.

The players that came in like Chicksen and Sam fitted in well. Eli Sam is a complete mystery. He came on, got booked, missed a header and a sitter from a follow up but also caused Wrexham problems and had some moments of skill that were far beyond this level and were brilliant, and put in a good ball into the box which the shot was scuffed.

Richardson was dangerous down the right side and has good pace and was rewarded with a goal. Wootton did so much work off the ball but continues his good form with a cool penalty and header.

The man of the match was announced as Palmer and because he is very good all the time it's easy to forget he rarely puts a foot wrong and today was one of those days. However today I felt Ed Francis was exceptional and would have like to have seen his stats in terms of distance covered. He was everywhere, getting involved in everything.

It was a team performance today and we were the better team in my view. Fair play to Wrexham who never gave up and always looked like they could get back in it at any moment so it was no walk in the park even with ten men.

We are 2 points short of the 2ppg required to be on course for the title so we are building nicely and continue the momentum before the enforced Xmas break. We must make sure we go to Dover and do the business there and get the 3 points. As I said earlier in this thread beating the likes of Dover are a must if we want to be up there. As poor and as much as they are cannon fodder we can't underestimate them either and need to go there and be professional and I'm sure we will. What we don't want to be is the first team this season that get's beaten by them.