No way does Kone leave, unless the owners want to buy the bedsheets from Reading and wave a massive white flag over AP surrendering our promotion hopes. He is under contract till 2026. He will still be in demand in the summer. He will understand all of this.
As far as the worries, I know L1 is a beast this year, but let's remember that after January last season we went on a very good run with Leahy, Butcher, and Taffs all prominently involved. Apart from Lonwijk, we are not really missing anything from that "base team" and I would say are already better at LB (though Leahy was decent there) and creative midfield (Humphreys), and we have a large rotation of quality forwards, with Kone having kicked on from even his decent initial form last season. My most significant concern with the forwards is the general lack of form outside of Kone, but you know what they say..."class is permanent." We also need Sadlier back in the worst possible way - Lubala is simply not a wide forward, and should be the primary #9 understudy to Kone.
In other words, even if we lose Taylor and Morley, we are still potentially in better spot than last January, quality wise, with the ability to add to that foundation judiciously. This is why I really want to keep Joe Low, as losing him for me would be the key transaction that makes us inferior to last January.
It seems very likely we'll at least be without both for Saturday, barring some incredible negotiations.
It's time for Scowen to step up to a start, but do we change tactics and have him in his "old" role in front of the back 4? Or do we put Bakinson in there and take Leahy out? Not sure Leahy could do the Morley role, but who knows.
With Taf having seemingly dropped out completely - unless we've literally wrapped him in cotton wool for starting soon, and Skura a bit shaky last time out and again not in the squad (can't remember if he had a knock or not), Hartridge goes from well out of the picture to actually starting. Funny how things change.
The Championship is the wealthiest non-top-flight football division in the world, the ninth-richest division in Europe (Wikipedia). This is the football world we are trying to get into, and presumably establish ourselves. While we don’t know what Bolton’s valuation of Morley is, the figures bandied around are sofa change in the context of the Championship. To risk destabilising our squad when we are in such a fantastic position at New Year would seem to imply a lack of ambition. However, I’m sure there’s a clear plan/strategy in place, so we can all relax and breathe.
Skura picked up a knock as far as I know that is why he hasnt been in the squad recently, if he was fit I am sure he would be in the squad as he appears to be very highly thought of.
Losing Morely is bad, but for me losing Taylor after he has built such an understanding & relationship with Low is much worse.
It’s all very well to say if Rav was better he’d be playing at a higher level, but we’re trying to play at a higher level, so I’d really like us to have someone better!
“We deserved a point,” assistant manager Kevin Nicholson said, with Caldwell unable to conduct post-match media duties after his red card. “Our game plan was right, we controlled the game, bar a 15 minute spell in the second half.
“To come to a place like this when they have been free scoring and they’ve scored a deflected free kick and a contentious penalty to say the least, and we have had a goal disallowed which I’m struggling to understand why it was disallowed. I feel for the players. They’ve come here in a busy schedule, done everything we have asked, and have done it well.
“I hate excuses and hate to talk about officiating but it does feel like the referee has made several decisions which have gone against us and culminates in the manager being sent over. But the level of frustration is understandable based on how well we played and how much that has hurt us.
“The penalty, it has hit his hand but from six inches away and his hand goes up as it hits him, of course it does, he’s trying to get it out of the way. It’s in a natural position, a foot away from the player, and to be given in those circumstances, nothing about it seems right.
“The disallowed goal I’m still struggling with. They’ve said it was for a foul by our number two, but they have a player there so we can’t have touched the goalkeeper, their player is pushing him away, everyone misses it and we score a perfectly good goal. I hate excuses but I do feel like the officiating has kind of let us down.”
The crater sized hole left by Morely has to be filled by someone with an ability to dictate tempo. Leahey can’t do that. He’s a great passer and can often deliver a great set piece but he can’t dictate tempo. When Josh came on we picked up everything. Comments regarding us being able flat recently are very fair when the conductor is not in the team. Butcher can’t do it (any more?), Bakinson can’t (as far as I can see).
If I was an Exeter fan, I'd be really disappointed. Not for the last minute penalty, but becuase they were so passive and so negative. It's one thing to have a backs-against-the-wall, gritty, fight for everything in the face of quality opposition performance and set out for a point. It's quite another to look like you've got virtually no interest in trying to win the game. We were pretty average for 45/60 minutes, and if they'd been a bit more positive I think they'd have given us some problems. Strange really, becuase Exeter sides in the past have always given us a hard time - but I felt they got what they deserved today.
Regarding the disallowed goal, the Sky stream showed a really good angle - I think the referee got the decision spot on. At first glance it looked like we got away with one but I don’t think we did.
Seeing that handball it looks even more obvious on video.
How can their assistant suggest putting your hand up in the air and patting the ball is a "natural" position. It's one of those knee jerk reactions that are explainable, but doesn't stop them being a sure fire pen.
I thought we were a bit disappointing with the ball again today. Aside from the Stevenage game, we've been a bit underwhelming in possession over the Christmas games. But 6 points from those three matches is a very good return.
Actually thought we did well today without the ball. The shape was good and we clearly had a plan to go man for man. Looked like Exeter's full backs tucked in to give them more passing options from defence into midfield. Fred and Lubala stuck on them consistently and we did a good job preventing Exeter playing out. It felt like they had very few chances and 2-3 times we could and should have done better from turnover high up the pitch.
It did make for a bit of a dull game though, with Exeter seemingly happy to stand on the ball in central defence for aaaages.
I thought Exeter were very negative...but we did not get at them effectively. First time I've been frustrated about subs. We should have had some fresh attacking legs on once we scored. They are the comeback kings at the moment. Inviting them on was always going to be dangerous. Their player winding up the Terrace and the refusing to retreat for one of the free kicks, and the manager trying to distract the penalty taker meant Exeter came across as quite an ugly side. They had the measure of Fred who got quite a pasting. We are hanging in there. Looking forward to January changes in a way. Classy end to Morley's adventure with us. Fingers crossed we hang on to Humphreys and Taylor, but if not I trust in the management. It's quite a turn up that we're worried about not getting promoted!
Their disallowed goal. The corner which was awarded to them from which it came was so contentious that I think the referee decided he was going to give us a free kick to ensure that no goal came from it
It certainly looked like a goal kick rather than a corner to me.
Comments
Yep, didn't seem any great surprise that was ruled out. Their man who scored was whinging, but he'd probably not seen what went on.
No way does Kone leave, unless the owners want to buy the bedsheets from Reading and wave a massive white flag over AP surrendering our promotion hopes. He is under contract till 2026. He will still be in demand in the summer. He will understand all of this.
As far as the worries, I know L1 is a beast this year, but let's remember that after January last season we went on a very good run with Leahy, Butcher, and Taffs all prominently involved. Apart from Lonwijk, we are not really missing anything from that "base team" and I would say are already better at LB (though Leahy was decent there) and creative midfield (Humphreys), and we have a large rotation of quality forwards, with Kone having kicked on from even his decent initial form last season. My most significant concern with the forwards is the general lack of form outside of Kone, but you know what they say..."class is permanent." We also need Sadlier back in the worst possible way - Lubala is simply not a wide forward, and should be the primary #9 understudy to Kone.
In other words, even if we lose Taylor and Morley, we are still potentially in better spot than last January, quality wise, with the ability to add to that foundation judiciously. This is why I really want to keep Joe Low, as losing him for me would be the key transaction that makes us inferior to last January.
He will understand all of this.
I'm a king and kings can do whatever they want!!!!
It seems very likely we'll at least be without both for Saturday, barring some incredible negotiations.
It's time for Scowen to step up to a start, but do we change tactics and have him in his "old" role in front of the back 4? Or do we put Bakinson in there and take Leahy out? Not sure Leahy could do the Morley role, but who knows.
With Taf having seemingly dropped out completely - unless we've literally wrapped him in cotton wool for starting soon, and Skura a bit shaky last time out and again not in the squad (can't remember if he had a knock or not), Hartridge goes from well out of the picture to actually starting. Funny how things change.
(Assuming we don't magic a loan or 2 in 2 days!)
The Championship is the wealthiest non-top-flight football division in the world, the ninth-richest division in Europe (Wikipedia). This is the football world we are trying to get into, and presumably establish ourselves. While we don’t know what Bolton’s valuation of Morley is, the figures bandied around are sofa change in the context of the Championship. To risk destabilising our squad when we are in such a fantastic position at New Year would seem to imply a lack of ambition. However, I’m sure there’s a clear plan/strategy in place, so we can all relax and breathe.
Skura picked up a knock as far as I know that is why he hasnt been in the squad recently, if he was fit I am sure he would be in the squad as he appears to be very highly thought of.
Losing Morely is bad, but for me losing Taylor after he has built such an understanding & relationship with Low is much worse.
It’s all very well to say if Rav was better he’d be playing at a higher level, but we’re trying to play at a higher level, so I’d really like us to have someone better!
“We deserved a point,” assistant manager Kevin Nicholson said, with Caldwell unable to conduct post-match media duties after his red card. “Our game plan was right, we controlled the game, bar a 15 minute spell in the second half.
“To come to a place like this when they have been free scoring and they’ve scored a deflected free kick and a contentious penalty to say the least, and we have had a goal disallowed which I’m struggling to understand why it was disallowed. I feel for the players. They’ve come here in a busy schedule, done everything we have asked, and have done it well.
“I hate excuses and hate to talk about officiating but it does feel like the referee has made several decisions which have gone against us and culminates in the manager being sent over. But the level of frustration is understandable based on how well we played and how much that has hurt us.
“The penalty, it has hit his hand but from six inches away and his hand goes up as it hits him, of course it does, he’s trying to get it out of the way. It’s in a natural position, a foot away from the player, and to be given in those circumstances, nothing about it seems right.
“The disallowed goal I’m still struggling with. They’ve said it was for a foul by our number two, but they have a player there so we can’t have touched the goalkeeper, their player is pushing him away, everyone misses it and we score a perfectly good goal. I hate excuses but I do feel like the officiating has kind of let us down.”
The crater sized hole left by Morely has to be filled by someone with an ability to dictate tempo. Leahey can’t do that. He’s a great passer and can often deliver a great set piece but he can’t dictate tempo. When Josh came on we picked up everything. Comments regarding us being able flat recently are very fair when the conductor is not in the team. Butcher can’t do it (any more?), Bakinson can’t (as far as I can see).
In what sense do they think they "controlled" the game for goodness sake!?
Just keeping the ball aimlessly at the back isn't doing that.
Hand goes up when the ball hits it. Love it!
If I was an Exeter fan, I'd be really disappointed. Not for the last minute penalty, but becuase they were so passive and so negative. It's one thing to have a backs-against-the-wall, gritty, fight for everything in the face of quality opposition performance and set out for a point. It's quite another to look like you've got virtually no interest in trying to win the game. We were pretty average for 45/60 minutes, and if they'd been a bit more positive I think they'd have given us some problems. Strange really, becuase Exeter sides in the past have always given us a hard time - but I felt they got what they deserved today.
Nailed on penalty and we won the game after playing well below par.
We will need to step it up for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday.
Guessing the X1 on Saturday is a tricky one isn't it!
Regarding the disallowed goal, the Sky stream showed a really good angle - I think the referee got the decision spot on. At first glance it looked like we got away with one but I don’t think we did.
No.
Rav
Grimmer Low Hartridge Harvie
Scowen
Leahy Bakinson
Fred Kone McCleary
I bet you eleventy pence that won't be it.
I've made a similar argument before.
But his kicking was poor today I thought.
Pushed another shot out straight to the onrushing forward as well, which is becoming a little bit of a habit.
Has it been confirmed that Taylor is gone back?
It was a toss up between Mccleary and Udoh, and obviously if Taylor is still here he comes in for Hartridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=130&v=CgS_3-HBkjk&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.exeweb.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTM5MTE3LDM2ODQyLDM2ODQyLDM2ODQyLDM2ODQyLDM2ODQyLDEzOTExNywyMzg1MQ
Seeing that handball it looks even more obvious on video.
How can their assistant suggest putting your hand up in the air and patting the ball is a "natural" position. It's one of those knee jerk reactions that are explainable, but doesn't stop them being a sure fire pen.
One interesting take from an Exeter fan
" People complain about the tiki-taka joy sap keep ball, but we defanged them with it first half, expertly,"
Defanged! Nice word.
Ravizolli; Imray, Low, Williams, Harvie; Morley, Scowen, Humphreys; Onyedinma, Kone, Udoh.
Who is Williams? Must have missed that one!
And has Imray actually signed on loan yet?
Williams is the centre back from Walsall that we appear interested in.
I thought we were a bit disappointing with the ball again today. Aside from the Stevenage game, we've been a bit underwhelming in possession over the Christmas games. But 6 points from those three matches is a very good return.
Actually thought we did well today without the ball. The shape was good and we clearly had a plan to go man for man. Looked like Exeter's full backs tucked in to give them more passing options from defence into midfield. Fred and Lubala stuck on them consistently and we did a good job preventing Exeter playing out. It felt like they had very few chances and 2-3 times we could and should have done better from turnover high up the pitch.
It did make for a bit of a dull game though, with Exeter seemingly happy to stand on the ball in central defence for aaaages.
I thought Exeter were very negative...but we did not get at them effectively. First time I've been frustrated about subs. We should have had some fresh attacking legs on once we scored. They are the comeback kings at the moment. Inviting them on was always going to be dangerous. Their player winding up the Terrace and the refusing to retreat for one of the free kicks, and the manager trying to distract the penalty taker meant Exeter came across as quite an ugly side. They had the measure of Fred who got quite a pasting. We are hanging in there. Looking forward to January changes in a way. Classy end to Morley's adventure with us. Fingers crossed we hang on to Humphreys and Taylor, but if not I trust in the management. It's quite a turn up that we're worried about not getting promoted!
Being top at the halfway point seems to have spooked this forum.
Maybe 7th with a shot at the playoffs is our happy place.
The Gasroom is nothing if not consistent.
I think you are right but luckily we aren't playing and have no say in transfer dealings. Sometimes you have to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Their disallowed goal. The corner which was awarded to them from which it came was so contentious that I think the referee decided he was going to give us a free kick to ensure that no goal came from it
It certainly looked like a goal kick rather than a corner to me.