Brief Synopsis

[Balham Green]

Nelse trying to stagger back on to the pitch after having oxygen and the paramedics having to hold him back was priceless

That's passion for you, wish I was there to see it.
From what I could hear from the radio commentary it sounded in the 2nd half like most of argyles games the midfielders retreated to defensive positions and in the sense that doesn't really help the cause of Harvey and Banton. I think sometimes some of the folk on this site need to get a grip, on the sound of it many of those condemning the two forwards weren't even at the match, but 'my mate said' is not good enough. I don't know if they were good or bad, but according to both sparks and errington the midfielders deserted them and they were left on their own, totally alienated, which was contrary to the first half.
John Sheridan must be aware of this problem, after all it was an issue well before he arrived.
I don't think it was about Harvey and Banton, Reid and Allesandra would have struggled with that kind of service. Both defence and midfield need to discuss this in depth and try and become a 90 minute team and not a 50 minute one.
Apart from that well done argyle, more points towards the total we need.

So you criticise other people for making comments when they weren't at the game then do so yourself. Do you realize how stupid that makes you look? I woudnt waste your effort defending Banton.

If I was a nasty kind of person I could reciprocate, but I try to be a little more even handed at this time of the year, so God bless you and merry christmas.
My match day experience did come through sparksey admittedly and yes it is 2nd hand, but I have seen Banton play before and I do, like most fans notice the midfield withdrawing to keep the goalie company in the 2nd half. Anybody who says it doesn't happen is telling porkies, never attends or watches the match through the back of their heads and out through their a55e5. If you excuse the term
My whole point is that Banton is a different type of player to Reid or Allesandra and we should change tactics accordingly when he comes on. Going by games I have seen they boot the ball up to Banton and expect him to do what Reid does, but he will always lose most balls given to him in that fashion.
And I do stand up for my earlier point that I never understand people attacking players when they haven't seen the match, it's illogical for a start and unfair.

Fair enough. Some of what you say is correct but Banton did get some service to his feet, kept losing it and/or being caught offside. The ball kept coming back and we were under the cosh as a result with the Midfield deeper to protect defence. Chicken & egg situation really.

 

[James_Dennis]

Great day out yesterday. We were good, very good, in the first hour. For the first time in many years we seem to have a pattern of play - players seem to know what to do when they get possession. Andy Kellett's goal was sublime.

Northampton, for the most part, were pretty dreadful which probably made us look better than we were. They had misplaced passes everywhere, repeatedly dribbled or mishit the ball out of play and were subject to some debatable decisions from the ref, which their fans understandably found quite frustrating but the Argyle fans found it highly amusing. I must admit, it is quite nice to see the shoe on the foot a bit - this seemed to be our lot until very recent times.

When we went 3-0 up, part of me thought "Nope, this is Argyle it can't possibly go this smoothly" and that's how it transpired! Their first goal was a silly one to concede, the second was unstoppable. I thought my heart was going to give out from there onwards. But hey, that's the beauty of football and is what keeps us going back for more. As someone else commented on this thread, Nelson unwittingly did Argyle a favour by his injury as it took the heat and momentum out of Northampton's play. Let's just hope he's back soon.

Credit to the Northampton fans too. Firstly to Cobblers who was on here before the game and advised me to park in the housing estate opposite the ground and save myself a few quid and an hour stuck in traffic - it worked a treat so if you're still reading: a massive "thank you". Also to the Dad and his young kids who wanted to know all about both Reids and Kellett. "Why can't WE get loan signings like that?" was the Dad's comment - amused me since we spend a lot of our time on here bemoaning the fact that nobody wants to move west of Reading!

Should also mention that my South African friend who I dragged along said afterwards that he'd just had one of his most enjoyable days since arriving in the UK in 2007 - high praise indeed.

 

[demportdave]

Perhaps Fleetwood apart, probably the best Argyle away-day in a very long time, at least for the first 75 minutes or so.

Made what should have been an easy win into hard work in the last 10 minutes but ultimately, showed some grit to prevent an improbable comeback. It really looked like they were going to equalise in the massive scramble that left Nelson writhing around on the ground in agony.

But thanks to the two useless Paramedics who took so long to come on that it helped take a bit of momentum out Northampton's late rally.

Thanks again also to the lads in the Minibus who when they saw us going across to the away end ticket booth outside the ground called us back and let us have a couple of tickets on the cheap.

 

[memory man]

1) Bullet header from Hartley gave us the perfect start. We were outstanding in the first 10 minutes and could have scored more.

2) Northampton came into the game a bit more from then up to half-time, hitting the post and blazing a good chance over the bar. Hartley put in a couple of important blocks too.

3) Kellett's goal - sublime. Defending was poor yes but to have that much skill and composure at the end was a joy to watch.

4) Chris Wilder will be seething with his defence I'm sure - the 2nd goal they could have done better as I said, the first goal was a free header from a corner, and the 3rd goal was woeful. Well set up by Reid and good finish from Lewi but the defending was properly awful.

5) Then Nelson and O'Connor left a ball for each other and Northampton pounced. Then we panicked. Mind you Banton could have made it 4-1 but bottled the chance big time. Northampton's 2nd - only probably Jake Cole would have saved that, purely because he is such a "on his line" keeper (which is normally a problem not a strength). But can't criticise Luke for it.

6) The last few minutes were torture to watch. Northampton had chances, we were desperate in our defending, and one chance in particular came - it looks like a poor spill from Luke but it was one of those were a Northampton player nipped in front of him and looked like he'd just get a touch on it, so Luke couldn't know what to do. In the ensuing scramble Nelson went down with a broken elbow. As others have pointed out, this probably helped us as it gave us a chance to regroup - Luke in particular was geeing his team-mates up during the delay.

7) I love how many people it took to physically stop Nelson from coming back on - you could see he was desperate to. Fantastic passion.

8) We held out for a crucial win - scoring as many goals from open play in that game as we had done in the entire season away from home before that. It puts us right back in the pack - had we drawn that game we'd not only be 8th now but psychologically we'd be finished.


McCormick 6 - Strange kicking, always seemed to be towards one isolated player as opposed to where we had more strength in numbers. Some good claims from crosses though.

Nelson 7 - One awful mix-up with O'Connor for their goal, don't know who shouted for who but it looks like neither did - you feel Nelse should be more commanding there.
O'Connor 8 - Very very composed with the ball - used it excellently.
Hartley 8 - Good goal, a couple of great blocks and generally commanding performance. A few poor passes out from the back though.

Mellor 7 - Beat his man a few times and stayed fairly disciplined. Good game if not spectacular.
Cox 8 - Superb. The odd stray pass but he's so good at getting out of tight spots.
Blizzard 6 - Not really an away game player - more defensive duties mean that his serious flaws get exposed more. Still good with the ball though, I hope his injury isn't too serious.
Bobby Reid 9 MOTM - This boy is really something special. Such a fantastic range of passing, confidence on the ball, skill, pace, energy... he was even intercepting and picking up loose balls brilliantly as well. Fantastic.
Kellett 9 - Better end product, in particular his incredible solo goal where despite some iffy defending he did brilliantly. Northampton left him in acres of space in the first half on many occasions and he utilised that well. What impressed me most though was his defending - don't know if someone's had a word with him or whatever, but his awareness and particularly his positioning (he didn't get drawn into silly areas in the middle of the pitch when we didn't have the ball) impressed me a lot. If he can keep that up, we've got ourselves a damn good player.

Reuben Reid 7 - Nothing worked for him in the first half but he certainly put a shift in, and a nice assist for the 3rd goal too.
Alessandra 6 - Worked hard as always. Appallingly wasteful in the first half, but as bad as the defending was, his finish for the 3rd was nice and composed.

Subs:
Norburn 8 - Barely wasted a pass. We won't miss Dom too much if Norburn can come in and replicate that kind of performance on a regular basis.
Harvey 6 - Doesn't deserve criticism. He's not an impact sub at all because he's not physical (in terms of strength or speed) in any way. Some silly mistakes but he did ok in a tough situation. The other sub, however...
Banton 3 - I have defended this man as much as anyone in the past, but I'm afraid he's running out of chances. His confidence is through the floor. No idea what he was doing with that chance which he fluffed. Don't care that he didn't clap the fans at the end but he desperately needs a goal - whether here or out on loan.

A great away day - as a team we looked very good for the most part and we took advantage of a poor side. On yesterday's showing Northampton could find themselves heading for the trapdoor with Hartlepool come May. We're now 11 points better off compared to this stage last season, which means in essence we only need to replicate last season from here on in to make the play-offs. If we're on 40 points when we hit the new year, I'll be a happy man.

Doesn't this show how footballers can frustrate us Dan, and how difficult it must be for the manager - part of your post from 22 Nov

5) Andy Kellett has 3 options: Either a) tell the manager that like he said in his first interview here he doesn't like defending and he's a left winger, nothing else, b) learn how to bloody defend, or c) leave. At home we might just about get away with it but away from home there's nowhere to hide. He can't defend for toffee. Shambolic positionally and doesn't mark his man well enough. Gets drawn into stupid areas all the time without the ball. Nelson, O'Connor and especially Hartley all had a go at him during the game, and they were quite right to. Dangerous going forward but a liability at the back.

Then he goes and scores what must be one of the finest goals any Argyle player has scored.

 

[Green Flash]

Kellet's goal was great, but not quite as great as it looked first time around. It had more to do with shambolic defending than sublime skill on his part. The composure was fantastic, but not even convinced it was the best goal of the game!

 

[Suffolk Green]

Enjoyed watching some great football from Argyle. The shape, movement & occasional skill (that belongs at a higher level) was a joy to behold. Glad I was there to witness Kellet's goal - brilliant. However, I aged ten years after Northampton scored. Still, Argyle may have put down a marker with that display / result. Important now to pick-up more points on the road.
Hope Nelse gets back from injury pronto - he's an essential cog in the Argyle wheel.

 

[memory man]

Kellet's goal was great, but not quite as great as it looked first time around. It had more to do with shambolic defending than sublime skill on his part. The composure was fantastic, but not even convinced it was the best goal of the game!

Just watched FL72 Review and Don Goodman picked it as the League 2 goal of the week, describing it as "Messi-esque."

 

[Dan Ellard]

You are absolutely right MM. Maybe I was a bit harsh on the lad on reflection, he had barely played any first team football before coming here and he's proved he can learn quickly. He's inexperienced so I guess that he could well be inconsistent like most young players, but he proved yesterday how much talent and potential he has.

 

[Cobi Budge.]

I hear Norburn played well. I've been impressed with him every time he's played for us. I'd have him, Cox and Bobby in midfield on saturday.

 

[demportdave]

I hear Norburn played well. I've been impressed with him every time he's played for us. I'd have him, Cox and Bobby in midfield on saturday.

Norburn did play well, like a man who's been waiting for his chance and was keen to shows what he can do. We looked more solid with him on he pitch.

Unlike Blizzard, Norburn put in a number of crunching tackles and really got stuck in rather than drifting around on the fringes. Cox also had a pretty good game, winning tackles and breaking up play but Reid was the MoM. Showed tremendous energy and picked up numerous "second balls", the dynamic midfielder we have been crying out for. Chuck in a few goals and he will be the real deal.

 

[GreenSam]

I hear Norburn played well. I've been impressed with him every time he's played for us. I'd have him, Cox and Bobby in midfield on saturday.

Norburn did play well, like a man who's been waiting for his chance and was keen to shows what he can do. We looked more solid with him on he pitch.

Unlike Blizzard, Norburn put in a number of crunching tackles and really got stuck in rather than drifting around on the fringes. Cox also had a pretty good game, winning tackles and breaking up play but Reid was the MoM. Showed tremendous energy and picked up numerous "second balls", the dynamic midfielder we have been crying out for. Chuck in a few goals and he will be the real deal.

Agree with all of that.

 

[lewjam14]

hope he can do this every game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVO4wRmz-vA :scarf: :scarf: