Performance at Brentford

[Goldstone NS87]

I can't find a thread specifically about this so here I am. ( sorry if I missed it)
I was at the game and in my honest opinion I think at the moment our biggest problem is in midfield. There was a couple of flashes of brilliance and if we can re-create that on a regular basis it will be fine. But all in all the midfield could not create anything. Slow to react Brighton were nearly always second to the ball. Through balls never got....through! And we were lacking in any kind of ingenuity.

Second worst was the front line. Two clear cut chances in the second half and both times the shots were fired directly at the keeper. It was like watching rabbits caught in the headlights.. "oh my god oh my god I have the ball and it's me against the keeper, what do I do? Ooohhh shooot!....." I was quite shocked to see how average Dickinson was. I hold no hope he will improve.

The defence was like a rock, and they needed to be. Virgo was wonderful. I could barely fault the defence. And kuipers was solid.

If we don't sort out the midfield and get a decent striker we will be in the bottom half this season. I watched the bbc1 league show and so many other teams have superior quality.

I just hope the issue is one of gelling together. It's either that or slade has bought rubbish.

It's still early days but this dire rubbish can't continue.
It was a fair result. 0-0 but it was brentfords lack of a finishing touch and our thankfully good defence that only stopped them nicking it. We need to improve fast if we are to stand any chance of getting to the play offs. (don't laugh)

 

[BensGrandad]

I agree that it was a game between 2 sides neither of whom will challenge for honours and unless they have a very bad run neither will be in relegation trouble.

We do however need to up the anti in front of goal and it is no good people just saying Murray should never play again because who else will score us a goal or two.

 

[RM-Taylor]

I thought Crofts and Navarro in the centre looked good. Cox showed in flashes that he can be excellent. Unfortunatley I didn't even realise Marky Wright was playing until around the 40th minute.

Liam Dickinson looked awful, why would a striker of his height duck when the ball comes near him (alot like Fleetwood did during his loan spell here). His touch and skill were also awful. Was very very suprised to see him stay on the pitch for the full 90 minutes after his performance.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

We like spuking money away with shit strikers.

Dixon £ 55000 - Shit
Davies £ 100000 + - Shit
Dickinson £ 300000 - Shit

 

[The Ringleader]

Dickinson has played 3 games and Hasn't scored. OH f***ing DEAR, he has had some clever touches and looks alright IMO how can he score goals if we are not creating chances, f***ing hell there are some twats on here

 

[Bald Gull]

Dickinson has played 3 games and Hasn't scored. OH f***ing DEAR, he has had some clever touches and looks alright IMO how can he score goals if we are not creating chances, f***ing hell there are some twats on here

I do agree it is early days and far too early to panic but my issue with him is not that he hasn't scored - it is more his general ability. He is appalling in the air for someone of his height and I'm not convinced of his skill on the ground either. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong but in terms of footballing ability, he looks a long way short of the likes of Forster to me

 

[Goldstone NS87]

Dickinson has played 3 games and Hasn't scored. OH f***ing DEAR, he has had some clever touches and looks alright IMO how can he score goals if we are not creating chances, f***ing hell there are some twats on here

I don't think I or anyone else mentioned he was rubbish because he had not scored yet. I was there... At brentford.... And I am telling you... He played awfully!! Simple as that. Yes I agree that he did not get good service. I did mention that the midfield was awful.... Did you read the post?

But when Dickinson did have the ball in a good position he did nothing with it. The ball seemed to get stuck under his bungling legs or when he should have passed he didn't, he couldn't beat their defenders. All in all he showed (at this match anyway) no signs of being a good striker...irrespective of goals or not.

I hope he does improve and scores loads. I just didn't see enough quality.
But agreed, if we had a decent midfield he may get more opportunities.

Also after watching the bbc1 league show there were not many other strikers who have had a problem over the past two matches scoring goals. We have not scored 1 in 3 games. That's reason enough to panic web at this stage. Unless you were expecting us to finish in the bottom 3 or 4 in which case we are doing well I guess.

 

[seagull_special]

I think it is very important not to give players a chance to settle and to get on their backs as soon as possible. It is our right as fans to totally undermine our club and players. It is about time they realise they are here because we pay their wages and their skill and dedication is irrelevant and just how lucky they are to be playing for this massive club.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Our defence is GOOD. that is a very good basis to start a season from. Goals will come, but last season that point against a newly promoted side like Brentford could easily have been a loss..

 

[Hotchilidog]

I thought it was better than last week. We are definitely a work in progress at the moment and I feel we will improve. It's a little reminiscent of when Slade joined us last season where he took three or four games to finally get the team working together.

Fortunately the back four looks very solid so hopefully they can earn us a few points whilst the rest of the team gets sorted. I think Dickinson looks ok actually, and I think he will improve further, but he needs a partner up there. Effectively starting as the lone striker does not do him any favours at all, Forster or Davies have to start with if fitness allows.

As always the black hole in the team is in the middle, we still haven't got it sorted yet and we look a few games away from having a settled midifield. I would really like to see Dicker back in the centre as he was such an effective player for us at the end of last season.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Jake Wright. Rubbish.

Liam Dickinson. Keen and runs about. Wins the odd header. But hesitant in front of goal.

 

[Goldstone NS87]

I think it is very important not to give players a chance to settle and to get on their backs as soon as possible. It is our right as fans to totally undermine our club and players. It is about time they realise they are here because we pay their wages and their skill and dedication is irrelevant and just how lucky they are to be playing for this massive club.

I do see what your saying, I do, but there is a world of difference between 'not being settled in yet' and clearly being not very good, Dickinson was not very good. It had nothing to do with being unsettled. He lacked any kind of quality.

I do hope he turns it round and he finds some form. God knows we need him to find some form.

I am just saying that against Brentford he was awful. Cut it whatever way you want... That's a fact. Pure and simple.

But the biggest issue as several people including myself have said was the midfield.

 

[crodonilson]

A pleasing point

Lets not panic, it's still very early days and a number of our new players are still bedding in. Any point in League One is a good point away from home.

 

[Rookie]

Dickinson looks twice the player when he has a partner up top, someone to work off. Up top on his own he gets the ball and has no one to give it to because the midfield are so slow at supporting him. When Murray came on we looked more dangerous. Despite the going ons at the final whistle would hope to see Murray and Dickinson start on Tuesday night

 

[Barrel of Fun]

We looked like a team that really didn't know much about each other. Fair to say they don't as they have played less than 5 games together as a group. Certainly no time to be hitting the panic button. I am a bit bemused as to why we were going with 4-3-2-1 as I don't think either McLeod or Cox are strong/good enough to be classed a 'wing-attackers'. Dickinson looked a bit marooned on his own.

I was very pleased with El-Abd. Showed good strength and determination. The only worry is he has a tendency to back off a bit too much and that is inviting trouble.

 

[Danny-Boy]

Dickinson looked useful to me, and to my Bees-supporting mate.

 

[Storer68]

I seem to recall that around 1988 or 1989 we went 8 consecutive games without scoring.

and I went to all of them.

So not scoring in three is not worryionging me unduly

 

[Giraffe]

I seem to recall that around 1988 or 1989 we went 8 consecutive games without scoring.

and I went to all of them.

So not scoring in three is not worryionging me unduly

I think there was a run in 1987 perhaps under Barry lloyd where we didn't score for 6 or 7 games. This may be what you are thnking of?

 

[Giraffe]

Jake Wright. Rubbish.

Liam Dickinson. Keen and runs about. Wins the odd header. But hesitant in front of goal.

I thought before his injury Jake Wright had an excellent game against Brentford. Tricky winger hardly got anything out of him and his distribution was reasonable.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

I thought that Crofts had a good game & he will be important for us this year. I would like to see crofts & Dicker given a go in the middle