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Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:49 pm
by super_les_mcjannet
I thought we tried to play exactly the same way as boxing day, we just never really got on top at all, Harrogate swapped the team around and that worked well for them.

1st goal was poor from us but well played by Harrogate with a good finish, the 2nd one was terrible two players marking space at the back but still allowing the one player enough space to stride through the centre of our defence.

3rd one the game was finished anyhow.

I don't see the point in being too negative we now just have to move on to the York game and try and take something from it. If someone had offered me 3 points with the two Harrogate games over the festive period I would have took it.

I certainly wouldn't be making many major changes from todays team, I just don't think constantly changing will help, although due to injuries we may need to make one or two changes.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:35 pm
by QUAKERMAN2
Defended well first half, Leon poor for the first, defence all at sea for the second, and again poor closing down for the third.No complaints about the result as they deserved the win, far quicker than us in midfield which was as big a concern as our second half defensive collapse.Wheatley was way off today and I fail to see how Syers keeps his place, OK he had a good shot saved but other than that did not do a thing IMO and has no pace whatsoever.And Gillies......did absolutely nothing and has had enough chances so has to be dropped.I don't blame Tommy for sticking to the same team but he was let down today and rightly was very annoyed in his post match interview.Would like to see another striker come in as well as a good attacking midfielder but failing this Galbraith has to come back at LB, bring Leon into midfield alongside Turnbull where he is more effective and Tom Portas has to replace Syers.My final change is Mills for Gillies who has had his chance too many times this season, great pity as he is a very talented player but too much of a luxury.Best player for us today was young Heaton by a mile,he will be some player for us.Roll on York and the return of happy jack, cannot wait.

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Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:06 pm
by grimsbyquaker
A very fair assessment Ron. As TW said, we held them at bay for the first 45 but you kinda knew that if they got a lead then there’d be no way back. Annoying thing about the second was that Talbot had ‘done the hard work’ by saving the one on one, only to concede when it almost looked like the danger had passed.
I do find it harder to criticise these lads compared with some of the lazy dross we’ve seen from some so called pros over the years. It’s just that some appear to have reached their ceiling in terms of quality. I thought Gary Brown looked to be never far from his next error, especially distribution wise but I can’t fault his commitment or attitude. The one exception was Gillies. He looks great when running with the ball, really talented player, but it’s been said already he doesn’t look up for it when it’s cold, wet and we’re in a scrap.
Comedy chant of the day ‘you’re just a town full of Tories’

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:28 pm
by Darlo_Pete
LoidLucan wrote:The crowd was 1,648. Harrogate haven't said how many of those were from Darlington.
Probably too embarrassed to say how many Darlo made the trip.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:36 pm
by grimsbyquaker
Darlo_Pete wrote:
LoidLucan wrote:The crowd was 1,648. Harrogate haven't said how many of those were from Darlington.
Probably too embarrassed to say how many Darlo made the trip.
Must have been close to 800/900

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:57 am
by lo36789
Darlo_Pete wrote:
LoidLucan wrote:The crowd was 1,648. Harrogate haven't said how many of those were from Darlington.
Probably too embarrassed to say how many Darlo made the trip.
I didn't know it was segregated?

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:10 am
by super_les_mcjannet
lo36789 wrote:
Darlo_Pete wrote:
LoidLucan wrote:The crowd was 1,648. Harrogate haven't said how many of those were from Darlington.
Probably too embarrassed to say how many Darlo made the trip.
I didn't know it was segregated?
Yeah it was segregated.

Probably about 800 Darlo but sadly we don't get any points for how many fans we took.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:28 am
by jjljks
Surprised no comments about Falkingham's diving & disgraceful smirking when his antics got our players booked. He was given space enough to run their game, but unlike Brown managed to do something constructive when he had the ball. Admittedly he also knocked many loose balls around but Darlo could not finish and exploit the mistakes.
1st half we soaked up pressure well with Talbot making several great catches and good decisions. Thommo was winning a lot of headers but Syers failing to link and get it to Styche. Nearly scored just before 1/2 time with a scorching drive but too close to keeper - would have been a game changer.
2nd half as usual started with absence of concentration and Harrogate finally exploited the space that Scott had been leaving on our lefthand side all afternoon. Great finish from them which Talbot was unable to do anything about, 1-0.
This gave them the boost and as we tried to get back into the game, Brown gave away possession and they accepted the gift despite an heroic save when 1 on 1 by Talbot.
Things got better when Saunders and Galbraith came on to replace Scott (who IMO is never a left back) & Gillies - another poor performance. Heaton had a great game showing good pace, nice cushioned headers back to our keeper or clearing towards Reece. Trouble was Styche being a lone runner up front most of the time with little support.
Referee was fooled into booking several of our players when Harrogate feigned injury or contact at all in some cases. This spoilt the game.
Never expected a repeat of Boxing Day, but came away disappointed to have lost by 3 goals. Would have been some consolation if Saunders lofted effort had gone in rather than hitting the bar. Some glimpses of hope for TW & AW to build on.
Anyway, the fans stayed right behind the lads to the end & hope everyone is ready to give Gray & his band of mercenaries the welcome they deserve on Saturday. C'mon Darlo

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:30 am
by Darlo_Pete
I hope our feelings towards Gray, won't distract the team on Saturday.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:47 am
by PierremontQuaker03
Are there still tickets for Saturday for York?

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:47 am
by AndyPark
Just want to comment on how much of a Grade A c*** Josh Falkingham is by the way.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:12 am
by Darlo_Pete
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:Are there still tickets for Saturday for York?
Yes just get them from quaker retail at the Dolphin Centre. I very much doubt this will be a sell out.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:17 am
by Robbie Painter
Darlo_Pete wrote:
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:Are there still tickets for Saturday for York?
Yes just get them from quaker retail at the Dolphin Centre. I very much doubt this will be a sell out.
You can also buy them online (& no fees, unlike Harrogate):

http://buytickets.at/dfcsg

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:25 am
by QUAKERMAN2
AndyPark wrote:Just want to comment on how much of a Grade A c*** Josh Falkingham is by the way.
The little squirt was even worse with his diving than he was at our place, a total cheat and most of Harrogate were the same, went down like flies at minimal contact.They do it all the time apparently, and Falkingham got a lot of stick at Blythe going by the video highlights.800 of their fans at the game......what a joke.

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Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:28 am
by AndyPark
Darlo_Pete wrote:What was the total crowd today and how many were from Darlo?
576 from Darlington according to Harrogate. Looked closer to about 800 to me.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:33 am
by Darlofan97
Thought Heaton was the only player to come out with any credit yesterday. An outstanding performance against Beck and my MOTM.

Galbraith has to start at left-back next game. We actually went forward on the left side once he came on.

Cannot work out why we sold Cartman now and didn't replace him. His goal-scoring record was poor but he could hold the ball up, win free-kicks to relieve pressure and run himself in to the ground. Styche is so isolated up front I would have thought someone like Cartman would have been the foil for him.

Unfortunately at the moment whe have too many big earners either not performing, or are simply not good enough. Probably got c£1,500 of the budget a week wasted on rubbish.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:11 pm
by QUAKERMAN2
Heaton gets better with every game and can see him attracting scouts before long, agree Galbraith has to come back, so does Portas and Mills for Syers and Gillies.We need to have another backup striker if we can afford it, and if somehow Tommy can move on a couple of players, this will give him the funds he needs.Caton and Marrs are the obvious ones.

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Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:46 pm
by jjljks
Robbie Painter wrote:
Darlo_Pete wrote:
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:Are there still tickets for Saturday for York?
Yes just get them from quaker retail at the Dolphin Centre. I very much doubt this will be a sell out.
You can also buy them online (& no fees, unlike Harrogate):

http://buytickets.at/dfcsg
Yes, felt aggrieved by the extra £3.10 for the 2 tickets i bought as there was no benefit seperate gate for ticket holders in fact more of a hassle to do buy online.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:03 pm
by JE93
Sone positives to take. But again a disappointing result based on individual errors from experienced players. As others have said this formation does make us a bit more solid. But unfortunately it leaves Styche so isolated up the field it's hard to make the ball stick. Thus we just invite pressure onto ourselves constantly.

Heaton looks like a great find though. Just what we needed at CB now we just need a partner for him who can remain at his level. Hopefully he is one we can develop into a sale into the Football league. Would be great for the obvious cash it would bring but also the reputation of the club. We might not like that players have gone to York and Harrogate this season but looking at it from another angle. We have sold 3 players to FT clubs. That could be worth something when players are considering their options of where to play their football.

There are still players in the squad who can leave for my liking and use that money to improve the squad further. Hopefully if we can move on Burgess, Marrs maybe even Gillies (if SS are still willing to pay for him), I'd say Caton but we know no one will take him. Then that would give us a chunk of budget back to continue to move towards sustainable budget but also to allow some strengthening even if just on loan. But we badly need a back up CF and I think we could do with another wide player perhaps more of a James Milner role player who will protect the full back behind him.

Looking ahead to York. Hoping that Tez and Trotman are both fit. I'd go with.

-------------------------- Talbot ---------------------------

Trotman --- Collins ---- Heaton --- Galbraith

-------------------------- Turnbull --------------------------

Mills ------ Wheatley ---- Syers ------- Thompson

--------------------------- Styche ---------------------------

Subs: Brown, Scott, Portas, Saunders, Gillies

If Trotman isn't fit then put Marrs in. He might not be in your long term plans but he's and solid Rb at this level.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:17 pm
by QUAKERMAN2
Pretty much agree JE93 but no way would I play Syers ahead of Portas.

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Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:31 pm
by JE93
QUAKERMAN2 wrote:Pretty much agree JE93 but no way would I play Syers ahead of Portas.

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I kind of agree with you while I was writing it. The only thing that kept him in the team was that he is still a very natural goal threat. And we don't seem to have that many at the minute. Barring Styche and maybe Thompson. I don't think there is anyone in the squad id rather the ball dropped to in the box. While Portas and Wheatley is a very dynamic midfield, one of them would have to add more goals to their game, or I fear we'd still be fairly toothless infront of goal.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:45 pm
by dickdarlington
When the defence were 'hoofing' the ball clear in the first half, whilst we looked vulnerable, we didn't make any horrific mistakes. Whilst we weren't creating many chances, we eliminated most risks of conceeding...they can't score if the ball is in their half.

In the second half, this stopped, the mistakes came, and we were punished. Gary Brown has to stop thinking he's David Luiz, and put his foot through the ball, letting the attacking players work hard to win the ball and build from the front. Under Martin Gray, this was the main exit route. And it worked (albeit at a lower level).

Turnbull was poor. Gillies too. Scott out of position, gets turned too easily. Wheatley looked overran. And a massive disconnect between Styche and the midfield for most of the game, left him with breadcrumbs.

Someone commented on Saunders above. Yes, he's not the solution. But his main problem is he reacts rather than creates. He only starts running when he sees where the ball is going, and invariably gets picked off by the defender. If he runs the channels instead, and then has the ball played into him, I think we'll see a different player. But we really need to look at a plan B for Styche.

Finally Mills. I can't work it out. He's got a fine record. What are we not seeing from him that he's showed elsewhere?

No shame in being beaten by a better team. At worst this is a reality check. I think we can get the 8 wins we need to be safe. But we have to be on it against the likes of Alfreton etc, and not be so lacklustre as we were against Gainsborough.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:48 pm
by theoriginalfatcat
JE93 wrote:There are still players in the squad who can leave for my liking and use that money to improve the squad further. Hopefully if we can move on Burgess, Marrs maybe even Gillies (if SS are still willing to pay for him), I'd say Caton but we know no one will take him
I stuck up for Caton on here previously because from what I saw of him in the first few games of the season I thought he looked a good prospect - and also I don't like it when one player is deemed to be the prime target for endless criticism - see Keltie years ago, and maybe even Brumwell before.

However Caton, he does have skill but for some reason it never ends up producing anything and looks like it never will, but as JE93 says, who would take him?

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:56 pm
by bga
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:Unfortunately Tommys hands are tied at the moment and there is little flexibility for him to get in who he wants, it is fairly certain whatever happens there will be a max exodus in the Summer. As I have said before the players that he has brought in look better than what Gray left us with, so I am hopeful next season we can make a push for the playoffs.
True regarding "little flexibility" but whilst none of us know the amount we paid for Styche we can be pretty sure it was a large part of any playing budget TW was given? We clearly needed a Striker but I am worried we may have put all our eggs in one basket.

Re: Harrogate V Darlington FC

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:58 pm
by 50 years
We all have our own views, because of the way we look a games and watch individuals but I thought Syers had an ok game, looked the most likely to score (and often does each game), getting into the best positions for attack, while also thought he was no worse than anyone else in midfield in that game. He just seems to get on with the job without being spectacular in midfield. Wonder what he would be like partnering Reece up front? Saying that I also like Portus, to be honest I think we have a very strong midfield group of players but for some reason they struggle to play as an effective team and work more as individuals (often charging over to one spot rather than retaining shape), but with gillies and Thommo playing it is difficult as midfield can get over run.

Just my opinion of course and does not invalidate other peoples opinions.

For me I am looking forward even more now to the York game, as long as the team don't give them too much respect, think we could pull this win off. I hope so anyway as will be with a group of Darlo and York fans (plus a Barnsley fan) and would hate to listen to MG on BBC York radio if they win as will be on the way back to York for the weekend after the game.

"Up the Quakers"