⚽ Match Thread vs. Crawley Town FC 28.11.23 [EFL L2]

[SwalePie]

[Proactive not Reactive]

Firstly, bloody cold there tonight! Cold enough I couldn’t even be arsed to take my gloves off and argue on here earlier!

Shaky first half hour or so imo. Sam S looked dodge, but overall, not convinced Stone is any better.

We huffed and puffed in the middle and didn’t do a tremendous lot tbh. The loss of Palmer and Bostock can’t be underestimated.

Defence looked suicidal at times as usual, but found they grew into the game. Thought Macari looked wobbly first half hour, along with the rest, but grew in confidence as the game went on and looked established by the end. Hope he stays in the team now and gets a good run and Brindley is kept on the bench along with Rawlo. Love Rawlinson as a person, but our defence will continue to be an issue if Brindley and Rawlinson are the answer.
Good to see Junior grab his goal. Was a bit worried Didzy was injured, but I think it was planned sub tbh.


Hot chocolate in a flask? Can’t beat a steaming bovril in a flask at half time.

It was cold the Pavis was quieter than usual apart from the guy who decided to abuse the Linesman after a few minutes and carried it on for the majority of the first half
Thought Stone did everything asked of him made a couple of decent saves and was a lot better than Slocombe tonight who was very poor
Don’t be surprised to see Rawlinson or Brindley starting on Friday or even both with it being FA Cup

[nw6pie]

Two games against Crawley this month and both could have finished 5-5 - we are nothing if not entertaining. As bad as we were in the first half hour, once Jodi Jones started running at them we could have been comfortably ahead at halftime.

Much better in the second half as Dan Crowley came alive, our pressing improved and we ran out easy winners - especially as Crawley started impersonating our defenders when playing suicidal passes out from the back. All in all, another fun night at the Lane.

[optipez]

Notts78, Macari wasvery poor in the opening half. So sorry for wanting to sign a better player than Macari. Imagine another Baldwin type player, with a bit more bite and stronger in the air. Macari is poor coming out of D with the ball at his feet, not his fault for being asked to play a position which he doesn't look comfortable in.
JOB, what a warrior and loved his goal celebration,
Very pleased for Morias, very well taken goal, and a good choice of pass by Crowley, as I think Macca was in an offside position.
Huge relief that it looks like Jones was only suffering from cramp.
Stone looked very confident when he came on, and made a couple of crucial saves.
Just to think, only 6 points off top, and this place was nearing meltdown on Saturday.

Macari makes the whole right side more solid. Far better get than Brindley. They offered no threat all night from their left.

[applepie2]

Macari makes the whole right side more solid. Far better get than Brindley. They offered no threat all night from their left.

Apart from hitting the bar very late on.

[jacobncfc]

Entertaining game, good win. Thought we were well worth it in the end, kept improving as the game went on.

Still obvious issues, particularly in midfield where JOB and Austin will work but can’t give us the control that Palmer did, but not a lot we can do about it until January other than keep picking up enough points to stay in touch.

[Proactive not Reactive]

Entertaining game, good win. Thought we were well worth it in the end, kept improving as the game went on.

Still obvious issues, particularly in midfield where JOB and Austin will work but can’t give us the control that Palmer did, but not a lot we can do about it until January other than keep picking up enough points to stay in touch.

Yep we looked more in control when Bostock came on rather than in a basketball match - different to see Chicksen in there and maybe better than Austin in that position especially in away games

[Proactive not Reactive]

Apart from hitting the bar very late on.

Thought Macari did well 2nd half imo Brindley has more tools than him as good in the air,quicker and can pass as good but Macari would get the nod at the minute because of the impression he gives on the pitch he is positive and looks like he wants it with a lot of urgency where as Brindley appears negative with the ball and going through the motions(could be his style ?)
The 25(Tsaroulla) looked very tricky last 20 minutes and almost scored 1 or 2 times.

[jacobncfc]

I thought Macari was fine tonight overall, even seems like a steadying influence.

Made one big error first half but recovered well to get a tackle in. Otherwise he’s got a bit of pace, reads the game decently and is positive on the ball. He’s not going to solve our defensive issues on his own short term, but well worth bringing in on a long contract if we can. Think he’s a decent League Two defender now with the scope to develop a lot.

[OchPie]

Didn't stay up for it. Watching the highlights, looks like they defended like us but even worse. Nice goals.

We're in 6th, have won more games than anyone else except Stockport, and our GD isn't as bad as Gillingham's. The second and third automatic spots look like they'll be a real fight.