18 Nov 2007: Grasshoppers 3:4 Saint Hill Blues November 19, 2007
Posted by editor in : Uncategorized , trackbackThis season is turning into a frustrating one. We have put in some awful performances, turned up late, been hungover, got annoyed with the ref, had some unfortunate injuries/illnesses/absences and had some dreadful luck on the pitch. We have also played some excellent football, run our socks off, outplayed supposedly better teams, fought for each other and showed great team spirit. But whether through our own failings, or through sheer bad luck, we currently stand this season with an overall record of P12 W3 D1 L8. We can certainly say that we didn’t deserve to lose some of the games we have lost, including this one, but lost them we have and we need to break out of the losing habit.
The good news is that we seem to have rediscovered our ability and appetite to play good football over the last few weeks. We outplayed St Hill Blues yesterday for large parts of the game. The previous week, we lost because we didn’t take any of our chances up front. This week we lost because we gave away 4 goals through a mixture of bad luck and individual errors. There is nothing we can do about the bad luck. JP last week and Callum this week were trying their best to get something on the ball and clear it. But they say that you make your own luck and over a longer period of time that is true. I think it comes down to one thing, which we used to have in abundance, but is now lacking- composure. Last season, when we were beating teams every week, it was easy. We knew we were better, so we could take our time and play our game. This season, having not had the best start to the season, it is harder. The confidence ebbs away and a hint of desperation creeps in. It is hard to resist and it can be seen in all of the players who were here last year, in all aspects of the game. We murdered St Hill Blues in the first 15 minutes yesterday, as we had
Just (and only) by way of illustration, look at three of our players. Last season Nip was our top scorer by a street. He scored in most games and his finishing was clinical. Last season, seeing Nip go through on goal meant he would almost certainly score, but this season we have seen snatched shots, bobbles, saves (and of course a few goals!). Sam T last season created and scored hatfuls of goals, making most fullbacks look stupid in the process. This season, there seem to have been fewer surging runs and more of a willingness to offload the ball more quickly. Don’t get me wrong- an early ball is often the right decision, but the balance seems to have changed. Last season, Skelly was our undisputed Players’ Player. I’m sure he must have made mistakes, but I can’t remember any. He was immense as part of a three man defence. This season, he has been carded for swearing at the ref and has made at least one error resulting in a goal conceded, as well as his full share of goal saving tackles.
I truly hope that none of the three mentioned think that they are being singled out, because they are not. We could go through each member of the squad in the same way. The point is that none of the players have become weaker, slower, or lost any part of their ability. In fact the opposite is probably true. Some of the effort put in at last week’s training session, doing the circuits, was really excellent and our fitness levels are visibly improving every week. So what is it? In my opinion, it all comes back down to that word composure. If we regain that quality through the team, I am certain that our luck and the results, will change.
Sorry this hasn’t been much of a match report. This game was played in appalling conditions, with a cold hard wind and driving rain throughout the match. Both teams did well to play any decent football- and there was plenty of that on display. If, after beating us easily last time, they thought we would roll over again, they were sadly mistaken.
Tom, having done OK when coming on as sub for much of the early season, put in another good performance at right back, displacing Sammy, who has done nothing wrong at all and who also put in a good shift when brought on at half time. Tom’s attitude in training and the way he is learning from Aiden’s coaching is first class. He really did not put a foot wrong yesterday. Ryan at left back also had a good game, getting forward when possible and defending well in general. Callum and Skelly were their normal solid selves, apart from one momentary episode each, which probably spoiled both of their dinners. Still, I hope neither of you felt the urge to sit in a cold bath for an hour afterwards (see last week). Josh continues to work on the basis that it will never be dull. He can make the extraordinary look easy as he did with one save in the first half, and then juggles a routine pick up the next minute!
Nip had an excellent game on the right side of midfield. He worked hard all day and put in any number of testing crosses. Harry used the ball well on the left side, letting Ryan overlap, or playing diagonal balls in for the strikers. He also drifted inside occasionally, to good effect. We lost Craig ill early on from the middle of midfield, which didn’t help our cause, but Ben dropped back and worked hard with JP, who was also effective and underlined a fine performance with an excellent set piece goal from a free kick.
Up front, Jake did well, without quite reaching the heights of his excellent MoM performance last week and Scott had his best game for us yet, causing them real problems and putting in plenty of effort.
Goals for Scott (2), including one blistering finish and JP. Also plenty of contenders for MoM this week. With special mentions for Ryan, JP and Nip, Scott edges it for two excellent finishes and lots of effort. CRAP award has to be between Callum and Skelly, but on the basis that Callum’s intervention could have gone anywhere, it has to go to Skelly for THAT back pass.
Composure lads- that’s what the team needs more of! And some valium for Gordon and I please.
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