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U's 1 Crawley 1 - Noah's View
U's 1 Crawley 1 - Noah's View
Wednesday, 19th Sep 2012 08:45 by Noah4x4

I was encouraged by a far more attacking line-up that included Morrison, Massey and Henderson at the outset. My initial thought was that at last, maybe John Ward is listening to the fans, except that once again, he bizarrely selected Michael Rose ahead of Coker. Ben had impressed me at Brentford and given no reports of injury, I feel he didn't deserve to be dropped for either Doncaster or this. But to be fair, Rose did have his best game in a U's shirt, and even made some decent tackles. For once, the defence looked reasonably solid against a very fluid and pacey Crawley.

However, up front, it simply didn't work, notably in the first half. There was no cohesion between the forwards. Massey and Henderson, both playing very wide, were rarely on the shoulder of Morrison, and had a propensity to dribble and cut inside rather than deliver an early and effective cross. Only when the full backs overlapped to deliver a cross did we look a threat. When the ball was pumped skyward from the back to Morrison, he didn't win and hold as much ball as an Odejayi or Iwelumo might. But then I don't think that is Clinton Morrison's game. He is an in the box goal poacher, hence needs ball to his feet, and didn't get the service, and rarely an opportunity to even get into the box. I can't help feeling that a big man like Odejayi might have been the solution alongside him, as any combination of Morrison, Sears, Henderson and Massey seems to be misfiring.

The midfield had bite, first from a combination of Izzet and Bean, and later from Bean and O'Toole. But it was worrying that when Kemi was replaced and hence passed on the captain's armband via our favourite Irishman, John-Joe seemed mystified who to give it too. Comically, the crowd around me were muttering "to you", "no to you", also reminiscent of the U's passing on occasion as they struggled to make any forward penetration. Morrison was right, we do need the leaders to come forward, and Ward to also make it clear who takes over from Izzet when he is subbed.

As the first half drew to a close, I started to sympathise with John Ward as my favoured forward combination and tactics wasn't working any better than any previous combination. It was a dire half with neither side looking remotely like victors.

From the distant South Stand viewpoint it was impossible to understand the controversy regarding the Crawley goal. Rumour was that it was put into the net by a Maradonna style hand, but a more reliable source closer to the incident later suggested it was illegally fondled (by hand) out of Cousins hands. Having seen a photograph it looks like a bit of both and no headed contact. Whatever happened, it was sufficient to have the referee back-peddling away from the vociferous U's protests. When bottom of the league, it does seem that referees conspire to be unhelpful to the cause, and I recall that Mr Woolmer has previously form ("We always get **** refs"). Seems clear we were cheated.

But the goal sparked life and the missing passion into the U's, especially after the substitution of Henderson in favour of Sears. However, I don't think Sears had a particularly good game, and lost the ball too easily, but suddenly the U's midfield was finding space and at last had some forward outlets as the off the ball movement was noticeably better. Even Woody was skipping and running during this period and for once was showing the talent that he has.

Heavy U's pressure eventually paid off when Massey was up-ended in the box. Many South Stand fans, remembering his last dire effort, couldn't look as Woody placed the ball on the spot. However, he blasted it (e.g. no clever dick chip today) and the U's got a deserved equaliser. Some might say the U's were lucky as Crawley did hit the woodwork three times. However, I actually think Cousins had all three attempts (two which merely skimmed the crossbar from wide), adequately covered and his judgement was sound. Yet again, brave at the attackers feet, it would not have been unjust had Cousins been made MOM.

In summary, a battling and well deserved point. I came away from the ground with more belief in John Ward than hitherto. He had departed from his previous lone striker tactics; and even selected my favoured trio; and then tried yet another new combination. The BBC website suggests we had seven shots and five on target, but I struggle to remember the U's posing too many threats. I am now struggling to get my head round what might be our best combination, or must we accept that the mix isn't right and the perhaps the loan of a big target man is our only option?

With both Coventry and Bury both losing, the point was welcome. Looking at the tables, we have now played four of the top six in our seven games, and of those others played, Brentford and Doncaster are also top half. The cynic might say that it was U's performances that put them there. However, Tranmere, having now played 7, and with 17 points from 21, are evidently there on merit, as is Crawley. Maybe we should put such results into perspective, and also accept decent points from the Blades, Preston and Portsmouth.

I still feel that John Ward's days should be numbered if we can't get win results up next against struggling Scunny and lowly Hartlepool. But tonight, I have greater inclination to give him the benefit of the doubt, as he did what I felt was right, and then changed it, just as I would have done, and yet we still only scraped a draw. It's become clear to me from tonight's experience that it's far easier to manage a team from the South Stand than from the Team Bunker and/or Technical Area.

Photo: Action Images



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