Cambridge v Barrow match thread

[Big E]

What a ridiculous post... to be doing what we are after the disruptions etc etc is nothing short of amazing.
Hardcastle will be back shortly, and would be surprised if we don't try and add some more in January. Hird has been solid last few weeks, and did ok today bar the back pass. Ok he might get done for pace occasionally but that could be said of the Taylor boys as well.
You need a reality check on what we have actually achieved so far this season.
The last few weeks the performances have improved massively, and will only get better as the season develops.

It's a opinion.I heard after Blackpool and Derby games we will meet nothing of this quality .
Well facts do not lie, 2 wins out 12.
Pre season against the might of United of Old Trafford we let them back into the game,as we have done with Bolton etc.
Looked at the goal and the suicide pass Hird put back to Dixion was ridiculous .The guy is not a novice he would have been better putting it into touch.
The midfield position has been obvious since pre season.
It's just a view.

Always the negative... Look at the positive side for once.. Only an opinion....

[Jim]

to be fair to hird surely Dixon was as bad he should have just put it into touch!

I am glad someone has mentioned this. There was an earlier post about "another Hird howler". Possibly, he had other better options than a pass back, but Dixon still had time to deal with it. Unfortunately, his first touch wasn't good, then he slipped as he tried to kick it. These things happen, neither player deserves to be castigated for an error.

Ps - although I would add that I am not a great fan of passing back to the keeper. I think we do it too often. It almost always results in a boot upfield, which is contrary to the principles of 'passing football' and often leads to us giving the ball to the opposition.

[spirit of 1990]

to be fair to hird surely Dixon was as bad he should have just put it into touch!

Exactly what I thought. Perhaps not the smartest back pass but Joel should have just cleared it. I think this one is down to keeper error.

[Sefton Aubergine]

Yes... If Dixon puts his laces through the ball instead of trying to take a touch the back pass would not get a mention and we would be talking about a famous and well deserved away win.

[Barra Marra]

For all the arguments about not good enough, or two wins from 12.
On basic statistics, I suppose it's cause for concern. Doesn't tell the whole story though, does it?
We're playing well. Possession and control is good. We're causing sides major headaches with our ability to cut them open and create chances. We look like a side that belongs in the football league, we've not been dominated by a side yet (including higher league opposition in the cups) and the squad looks to be working well together.
Things that need to improve - silly errors at the back, gifting sides goals that never looked like coming, negating all the control and possession we have.
Finishing. If we convert half of the chances we get, the table looks different. Front men getting in the 6 yard box instead of balls flashing right across goal without a touch.(Although we have hit the woodwork a lot, so not far off).
It's by no means a disaster, far from it. Yes, statistics could (and should) look better, but I believe that will pick up. The foundations are there, the performances are generally, very good. Sort the two boxes out and we're golden.

I also agree that Dixon should've hoofed that into the stand. If in doubt, get it out. Harsh to blame either player solely for that. Bad pass, badly dealt with. They'll both know that. Can't change it. The response from the team was fantastic though. No heads went down and Dixon made a cracking save to atone for it later on. The character and fight in that second half was as important as anything else and will be important in this campaign. Good to see

[Hadrian]

Its a forum. People entitled to opinions. You call them idiots but they may think the same of you.

No need to call them idiots, though. We should try to differentiate between a person's opinion and the person, although some make that a little difficult.

[russell_anderson]

to be fair to hird surely Dixon was as bad he should have just put it into touch!

I am glad someone has mentioned this. There was an earlier post about "another Hird howler". Possibly, he had other better options than a pass back, but Dixon still had time to deal with it. Unfortunately, his first touch wasn't good, then he slipped as he tried to kick it. These things happen, neither player deserves to be castigated for an error.

Ps - although I would add that I am not a great fan of passing back to the keeper. I think we do it too often. It almost always results in a boot upfield, which is contrary to the principles of 'passing football' and often leads to us giving the ball to the opposition.

Actually it was mentioned about an hour after the games finished!

Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:16 pm
Easily the best performance of the season. Controlled the match from start to finish but still lack a player in midfield who can split an opposing defence with a pass. However, should be able to beat most teams in this league once Hardcastle is back in midfield with Mike Jones and Jason Taylor. Blame for their goal down to both Sam Hird and Joel Dixon both who apart from that played very well, IMO. We just have to stop giving these soft goals away as it's costing us badly. Strange decision to take Brough was brought off unless he was injured. Seemed a waste of a potentially attacking substitute. Cambridge played just as we normally do when we're ahead which is stop trying to attack at all and they paid for it as we often have done! Jason Taylor and Matt Platt pick of the team for me today.

[Hadrian]

If pushed to do so, I would suggest Dixon was more at fault but accept this may have resulted from slipping as he kicked at an angle on a sodden pitch.

Certainly not a "Hird howler".

[saltcellar]

If pushed to do so, I would suggest Dixon was more at fault but accept this may have resulted from slipping as he kicked at an angle on a sodden pitch.

Certainly not a "Hird howler".

Problem was the backpass was not along the ground.
It bounced a couple of times before reaching Dixon.
That made it difficult to kick straight away.
With the touch taking it away from him and Mullin bearing down on him, Dixon had to stretch to try and clear it, resulting in a soft contact clearance straight to Ironside.

[Adam29]

You can hear the BBC Radio Cumbria post match show from yesterday here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08wsg7b
Features my interview with David Dunn and also the Bluebirds fans forum guests

If people want to get involved with the fans forum drop me an email:
Adam.johnson@bbc.co.uk with a name and contact number.

[Jonty]

If you choose to play it wide and short from the keeper then you take on that risk of limited forward passing options and losing possession. Alternative is for Dixon to play it longer first time. Then it becomes a battle further up the pitch but where the danger is less

[blue nige]

One of the strangest posts I’ve read on here.

Quite. The Watford game referred to was in 1959, and the Altrincham game 1980.

that Watford game was definitely not 1959 because I went to it more like 68 or 69 !

[blue nige]

to be fair to hird surely Dixon was as bad he should have just put it into touch!

Exactly what I thought. Perhaps not the smartest back pass but Joel should have just cleared it. I think this one is down to keeper error.

whats going on we're in agreement things must be getting better!

[Jonty]

It was clear Hird had no forward pass options. If we are going to play out wide so early in our own half from the back, there has to be movement further up to receive the pass so he doesn't have to play it back across the centre or back to the keeper. Its asking for pressure against a high press team.

[SayitagainSam]

Starting to come together now. Dunn/Kelly looking a shrewd appointment ... ??

be careful we all know about predictions!

"Be careful" you say 'blue nige'. This was your prediction in February that 'games might be cancelled due to Coronavirus'.

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