Taking of Grimsby Pelham 123. November 24/11.

[guest3063]

It's an odd state of affairs for a club legend who has only just turned 30. Is it my imagination or does JJOT normally improve around Christmas time? I remember he went on a great scoring run under JED at around this time of year.

Perhaps he's just finding it hard to adjust to being back in league 2. Either way we need him to rediscover some of his old form quickly.

I think you're right. He never starts the season very well and gets stronger as the season goes on. Hopefully it will be the same again this season.

[Madrid Cobbler]

Reading through the comments on this thread I've only seen blame for the first Grimsby goal attributed to Taylor for not challenging for the ball and McWilliams (or whoever should have marked the overlapping player) for allowing the cross to come in. In this case it was clearly Pierre's fault (for once) - he could have both avoided the cross reaching the Grimsby player by being tighter on him and then he let him cut back past him far too easily - if that had been Taylor he'd have been crucified on here.

Agree that McWilliams and JJOT have been poor recently, the latter not a shadow of his former self so far this season. It's amazing that with Crooks and Foley both out recently we've still been picking up points with our central midfield so out of sorts.

Finally, I think we can forgive KC a day when his tinkering and subbing didn't come off. So far his formations, team selections and substitutions have shown how well he knows the opposition and understands the game in general. Those questioning Taylor's inclusion should have seen how much our defence improved last week when he came on at Exeter for Turnbull. Very impressed so far with KC - fingers crossed he will keep it up.

[The 12th Marquis of Sixfields]

I lay blame for the goal with Pierre also, miles off the player

[Wolvo]

I lay blame for the goal with Pierre also, miles off the player

I was directly behind it as it went in. Very disappointed by Pierre for that goal. Cornell was rubbish too, he got his whole left hand behind it but it seemingly went straight through him.

Turnbull was the best centre back in my opinion, surprised it was him subbed off.

Van Veen was our stand out player. His work rate was absolutely examplary on Saturday. He made one tackle in the left back position when the other defenders were caught miles out of position.

Hoskins, O'Toole and Mcwilliams struggled all game (and in almost every game this season). Shame we couldn't bring Karl Henry in to offer some experience in the middle.

[everbrite]

I lay blame for the goal with Pierre also, miles off the player

As suggested in Chron ref player ratings. Pierre was marked with a 5 and Taylor 6!

[guest3114]

We seemed to have turned a corner as a squad. This coincided with the dropping/injury to Ash Taylor who was previously ever present. Now he has returned, so have the old habits and performances. Whilst not without his weaknesses (which all players have at this level) I actually think he’s a fairly decent player. So coincidence maybe, but for whatever reason something tells me it’s not?