A good performance I thought. We struggled at the back on the right in the first half but sorted the problem out in the second. When you play one midfielder deeper than the other three it tends to leave one flank a bit weak. Only one gripe; Number 11, I think his name is Matt Wood.He should understand that supporters will forgive a bad game, a misplaced pass etc, what they will not forgive is the sight of a player losing the ball and then standing still feeling sorry for himself whilst others try to cover for his error. You look like you could be a good player for Witton Matt, but only if you learn supporters and Managers don’t like it when a player simply gives up.
WHS.
Harsh comments about the number 11 and unnecessary in my view. I am sure the management team will address issues as they see them.
Overall I thought we played really quite well. The game was even at 1-1 and we showed good energy all over the pitch.
Not harsh, just the honest truth. Anyone can have a bad game but lacking effort is a “No, No” in my book and there is no point in pretending it did not happen. All the lad needs to do is make sure it does not happen again if he wants to play for Witton. Wittoners love a trier, he, on this occasion did not try. If he had a “Blinder” would I have been wrong to say so because the management would have “Addressed the issue”?
WHS.
Well, my opinion for what its worth is that he on one occasion did look as tho he had given up but I guess it was in a moment of weakness or exasperation however that said he is very young looking and raw but he has pace, tenacity and I saw him tracking back on many occasions particularly late on so he has stamina, most people I talked to liked him and thought he had good potential and I agree.
The match overall was a fair draw, still waiting to see our best 11- does the manager know yet ? ben harrison impressed again, centre mid partner for macca not certain I think Adam foy looks better than Parkinson - has broadhead gone , not involved and so far has not looked the same player as last year ? keeper had his best game so far which was good news, another new right full back to look at Holt ( not moult ) looked ok, we still need to get sharper we got caught in possession a number of times ( danny warner chief culprit )and lost the ball too easily with careless passes all over the pitch. Would like to see Hancock have a full game sometime maybe upfront with Kinsey didnt think Canning added much upfront !maybe smith and Kinsey will be better - its a great job being a manager - Oggie tho has to do it for real. Cmon Wittern
I think sometimes things have to be said both positive and negative and as long as the comments are reasonable it can lead to a healthy debate - gets a bit boring otherwise. In this game I thought the balance up front was wrong. Canning is comfortable drifting out wide and sometimes deep as well, whilst Kinsey likes to go deep and is not necessarily renowned for his pace down the centre but is selected for his other attributes, e.g. holding play. However, this meant that on a number of occasions there was no one in the centre, up front, to trouble the central defenders especially when the attacking play progressed quickly and as a result the chances on goal were somewhat limited. Overall a good game though with some good shot stopping from our keeper, in particular in the first half.
Don’t disagree he has potential, my comment was made in the hope that he would learn from it. I also agree he did his best but was obviously having a bad night, particularly in the first half and in the end he let it get to him. As for your other comments C J cannot disagree with a word.
WHS.
Sorry WHS, but I really do disagree with you here. In one breath (or post!) you are saying he did his best and in the next he lacked effort. In the overall context of the game and performance its an unwarranted comment about a young player who I think did try his best, has loads of potential and needs a bit of time and encouragement. I think the management team will talk to him about his overall game and how he can build on that going forward. We are going to have a lot of new young players in this team and they are not going to do everything right all the time. All we can ask is that the players give of their best and there is no doubt in my view that all the players did that last night. Such open criticism of individuals does nothing to instil confidence in the team.
Sorry Knutsfordian I could not disagree more, I am the first to praise any player for a good performance and for effort, this lad had a poor game overall which I can readily forgive, what I cannot forgive is that having lost the ball late on with the score 1-1 he simply stood there for at leat 10 seconds and made no attempt to get back and help rectify his mistake. When he plays well and works his socks off I will be the first one on here to say so. I did not say he lacked effort throughout the game, I merely pointed out this isolated incident which in my opinion needed pointing out to the player so he could learn from it, we all learn from our mistakes but only if we are aware we have made one, I should know, I make enough!
WHS.
FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!
Have you seen me lately Robbo? I would have difficulty throwing a punch never mind landing one! This is just a difference of opinion, as Brian Clough said “I always discussed everything with the players, I listened to their views and decided I was right”. I have discussed this with Knutsfordian and as usual I have decided I am right, SO THERE!!!
WHS.
I must admit Matt came on as a sub against Vauxhalls I think and I remember commenting to my mates stood with me on 3 occassions when he lost the ball that he did’nt seem to want to tackle back and simply just stood their as if it wasn’t his job to do that! Obviously a lad with pace and potential but if he does want to make the grade he has to accept that some parts of his game need some work, and determination to win the ball back is one of them. So if your reading this Matt we are impressed with your overall play and keep it up mate. Just need to pick up on when losing the ball try very hard to get it back off them.Sure you will have been told about this by others in the know though!!
I do like Ben Harrison for a young lad he shows a lot of maturity at Centre Back. I noticed against Colwyn for instance when going up for a set piece he didn’t just simply stand in the penalty area but waited about 5 yards outside then started his run toward goal as the corner was kicked. This makes it difficult for their defenders to mark. As I say maturity beyond his years. His tackling and positional play are excellent as is his abilty in the air. The big problem here is that someone is bound to come in for him! Just hope that Ben realises he would do better having a season with us and continue his learning the game and not just go to another bigger non league club. Better to wait for a decent League club as I’m sure the scouts will be flocking to see him. Yes I believe he’s that GOOD!!
Think the whole thing is coming together nicely though. Nice blend of experience and youth and I’m sure Mr Ogden will finilise his squad very soon. I hope that Adam Foy and Frosty are in the final cut. I’ve been impressed with their effort, level of fitness, contribution and sharpness.Also really impressed with the team spirit as the players all seem to hang around with each other and stick around after the match a big improvement on last season.
Really looking forward to the season now Onward and Upward Stalybridge will be a good test tomorrow!!
Mona, good post agree with everything you said there - its looking good imo. 
I read a book recently about the 1990 World Cup, and there was a lengthy interview with Chris Waddle which was conducted during the tournament. In it he was asked about the difference in footballing culture between playing in/for England compared to his experiences playing in France for Marseilles. His main point was that in Europe flair players/wingers are allowed to ‘play’, without being expected to act as glorified fullbacks and tracking all the way back to their own goal. It means that when they get the ball in an attacking area they are better able to use a burst of pace, or have a bit more air in their lungs to help them get past their marker.
Interesting theory; are we expecting too much of our creative players to do all the leg-work of a fullback, whilst also expecting them to be able to create for 90 minutes at the other end of the pitch? You need a balance between attack and defense, but should some allowances be made for players who can win you games?
Robbo, you make a valid point about flair players but young Matt was playing left back when he stopped, not left wing. Sad to see Broadhead go but we have to accept we can only afford to keep 16 players or so.
WHS.
I take your point Robbo but I think the game is a bit different now sad to say. More emphasis on things like work rate, team work, and closing down. I like to think there are still a few individual players who can change games on their own but I guess they are few and far between. The point is I’m more impressed with the lads we have this season than last. OK its early doors yet but at least the team spirit and the effort is there for all to see and was so evidently lacking last season. We also have promising young players, Matt is one of them so I think and I’m hoping its all going to come good this season with hopefully a play off place!! Onward and Upward!! Stalybridge tomorrow can’t wait and these are only the pre season friendlies!!
Slow reader Robbo ?
Apparently he also recently finished a jigsaw in under 3 months.
He was particularly pleased because it said 3-5 years on the box :silly:
Excellent post Robbo.Flair players must be allowed to express themselves.What we have to have in our team are water carriers,shielding our flair players.MUFC have adopted this fancy notion for years,just look at Berbatov.
Over the past and present years we have had the perfect footballer.In the past we had the big and handsome Joe Conner.Last year we had Brad Maylett and we still have Peter Heler.All these three were and are flair players.Brad last year was at times rail-roaded for not giving it his all.What complete and utter cobblers.On performances and pedigree Brad has earned himself a good move to Rhyl and i would imagine he will be paid accordingly.I thought Brad suffered from our forced winter break,before Christmas he was on fire.Brad burst both his balls for the cause of our club.
Peter is a fantastic footballer.He already is unaware that he is in my all time top five of fantastic Witton players.He is pure class on the ball.I would happily pay twice the admission price to watch Peter alone.
We are on the cusp of exciting times at Witton harnessing the brave blend of know-how with the very best of local talent.This vision must be given time.In the words of the manager,fasten your seat-belts this will be a bumpy ride.
We have to let our younger lads perhaps not track back because they are recovering their composure from attacking play.This may not see us gain victory at places like Lancaster,Mossley,Skem and Chorley.But at least we have a blueprint for the years ahead…
You are either in or out warts and all.It is as simple as that.
FORZA WITTON AND ALL WHO SAIL IN HER.
Very interesting topic. My spin on things is that we have tried the “footballing” route for many years without having the necessary steel to impose ourselves on the opposition. Plenty of anecdotes spring to mind - how often have we heard “you’re the best team we’ve come up against”? Only to go on and be denied albeit sometimes at the final hurdle. Top of the Fair Play League? Hmmm - I know what I would prefer.
At the end of it all of course there has to be a balance and we leave that to the management team. Sounds like an exciting season brewing. Let’s hope so, but as had already been said, patience may be in order.
Come on the Albion!
Spot on Eddie the key is the right balance as you say.I thought the committment and effort from the team last year was dissapointing. We didn’t get the best out of flair players like Brad and Peter H. I’m hoping that our current manager will make Peter tick and all the signs are there that he will.So I would say yes its great to have a flair player in the team but there are times when even the flair player has to put some tackles in and help out with the marking from set pieces etc. I do want to see us play football but there have been times where we have let ourselves down by not playing the right formation with perhaps more physical players. I’m thinking of course where we’ve narrowly failed to get promoted where we’ve still tried to play “Nice” football against teams like Fleetwood and AFC Telford.I think we now have the experienced manager who can cope with this kind of thing!! Onward and Upward tonight will be a good test for us to see how far we’ve come already looking forward to it!!