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Not Bad For A Little Old Team From Somerset - Notes for Yeovil
Tuesday, 17th Sep 2013 12:00 by HarryFromBath

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp for Tuesday’s game by delving into their forums.

"We are in the Championship. We have a manager and coaching staff that we trust. It’s not going to be easy, but what the hell. Let’s enjoy another season as underdogs. Let’s not worry if we get beaten, even if we deserve something from the game."

Six games into the season and Yeovil are getting the measure of life in the Championship: "We should see this season as a celebration of Yeovil Town FC." "Many lower league clubs must look at us and think ‘If they can do it, so can we’."

"No offence but against the worst team in the league we should be winning." Several Wednesday fans made this comment at the weekend, and it makes Yeovil fans extremely irate. "Well I think I can say without fear of contradiction we're far from the worst team in this league."

Gary Johnson

"I have supported this club for 27 years, and I have loved the experience so far this season. I want to say a massive thank-you to Sir Gary for getting us where we are. Let’s just hope we can gain some experience this season, stay up and enjoy the ride."

"I have been thrilled with the passing and running off the ball, and the defending has been second to none. All we have lacked is that little extra in front of goal, and that mercurial of all things, luck!"

"It worries me that he does not yet know his favourite first XI, his favoured tactics and his first choice strikers."

Glovers’ biggest concern is easily their lack of an attacking threat: "One goal in five games (before Saturday) shows how ineffective our tactics have been."

"I can’t agree. These very tactics have created a number of chances which simply haven’t been taken."

Yeovil have only come badly unstuck once this season, playing 4-5-1 in a 3-0 defeat to Derby, but have otherwise worked with a fluid 4-4-2 system.

Pass and Move Football

The Glovers’ game is based around a high workrate when out of possession, and fluent pass and move football when in possession.

"It just proves that a small budget doesn’t stop you getting players who can actually play a pass and move style game."

Yeovil drew 1-1 with the Owls on Saturday, having been reduced to ten men with the dismissal of centre-back Byron Webster just before half-time when a goal down. Many Wednesday fans applauded them off the field. Their comments are insightful and worth repeating here.

"Yeovil totally overran us in midfield with nice passing and movement. They were always pushing forward and showing for each other. They were very impressive." They came at us straight from the kick off. They really went for it."

"They dictated the game, passed the ball better, showed more energy and desire and none of their players hid from the ball."

"Their strikers put a right shift in. They never gave our defenders a second on the ball. They were good at holding it up and linking play."

"They are fighting with everything they have to stay up, all while playing nice football every now and then." "Our budget must be twice theirs and they played us off the park." "How they did not win is a travesty."

Defence

"Our defence isn’t actually too bad, apart from the odd lapse. It’s sticking the ball in the net that is the problem."

"The back four can play too flat in possession and can be cautious in supporting the attack. They usually play behind the ball."

With Marek Stech (who had a trial at Ipswich in 2011) out with an injured hand, the Glovers have brought in Wales International Wayne Hennessey on loan from Wolves.

Wayne Hennessey


"His lack of recent competitive football experience may be showing. He is not quick enough to come off his line. He pushed a shot to Chris Martin for Derby’s third goal."

"Immense as usual," former Gunner Luke Ayling plays at right-back. "He needs to not constantly appeal for offside every time he is caught out."

"Against Reading, he was too slow to track back, and took a swipe at the ball, allowing Adam Le Fondre the opportunity to ‘earn’ the spotkick." He can be naïve.

However, the 22-year-old is "our strongest player in possession" and "he’s a real threat going forward".

"He links up well with Kevin Dawson and tries to create flowing moves in midfield." "Ayling scored a peach of a goal (in the 3-3 Capital One Cup game against Birmingham). It broke his duck, and in some style."

Danny Seaborne, who had a trial with Ipswich this summer, is "an impressive performer in the centre of defence." "He has been our best signing." The former Southampton player was played as left-back in part of the Glovers’ 3-0 defeat to Derby, where "he looked completely out of place".

He will be partnered by Liam Fontaine, who is on loan from Bristol City. The 27-year-old came on after Byron Webster was red-carded on Saturday. "He suffered a huge loss of confidence at Bristol and always looked nervous in possession. Gary Johnson may be able to reignite some enthusiasm into his career."

Webster will be missed. The former Northampton player "wins lots of aerial challenges and makes strong tackles that are just the right side of legal". His red card on Saturday was for a challenge — a punch on the Owls Atdhe Nuhiu - that was anything but legal.

"I saw the Webster incident, and if he thinks he can punch someone and not suffer the consequences, then he should go. He deserves all he gets and should be disciplined by the club."

"If Macca is fit enough, get him in and get some balance on the left." Jamie McAllister played at left-back against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. The 35-year-old former Bristol City player "needs more game time as everyone can see that he is rusty," and has been accused of "dwelling on the ball".

Former Oxford United player Liam Davis has featured on the left side for the Glovers. The 26-year-old had "a woeful first half against Derby as a winger. Every time he got the ball, it seemed like he would give it away".

"He decided to be a winger when he went to left-back." "Davis looked fantastic in the second half when he went to left back." "It looks like he has a few tricks in his box with his left foot. He created some attacking play and linked up well with Joel Grant."

Midfield

"Our midfield can burn out in the last quarter. They can’t keep up this intensity." "I do think that we miss having out and out wingers who can go past players and create." Glovers are by and large happy with how competitive their midfield has been so far this season.

Ed Upson

"Upson has more creativity than Edwards, and will become a good play maker given time." "He will look for space and swap with Edwards to find this." "Upson has been regularly singled out by the opposition as a threat. If they stop Upson, Madden (or whoever is up front) is out of the game anyway."

Twenty-three-year-old former Ipswich Town youth player Ed Upson "looks impressive going forward when we are on the attack". "He was our most influential player last season." "His season has drifted into inconsistency. We find it hard to keep possession, and Upson must take more responsibility for this."

His midfield partner, Joe Edwards is "a cracking little player who gives everything in a green and white shirt". "He normally enjoys getting involved and passing the ball around." "The one thing about Joe is that he never has a bad game."

The 22-year-old former Bristol City player "is in his best position alongside Upson in the centre of midfield. Those two are inseparable." "We would be lost without Edwards. In midfield, players like him are worth their weight in gold. His work rate is phenomenal."

"Hopefully things will improve for the promising Cardiff talent." Joe Ralls, the 19-year-old midfielder on loan from Cardiff, scored the Glovers’ equaliser on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday. "He can disappear from games."

"At times it was hard to remember he was on the pitch (against Reading). Every ten minutes, you would hear someone in the crowd say ‘Who’s that? How long has he been on for?’" "Ralls was way, way out of his depth today." He has been substituted in his last three appearances.

On the right side of midfield, 23-year-old former Shelbourne player Kevin Dawson has played regularly as a substitute. "I have been impressed with his work rate. He is great at breaking up play, but lacks that killer instinct in the final third."

Joel Grant

"I’m a little surprised Grant hasn’t been given more of a chance." Ipswich summer target Joel Grant "has looked dangerous coming off the bench and giving us an extra threat. He is not ready for a full start yet, but it is reassuring to have a player with his ability on the bench if he is needed."

The 26-year-old former Wycombe player, signed this summer has been "an absolute revelation. You can see the excitement in the crowd every time he gets the ball." "I think he’s fantastic. He gives us something we haven’t had in a long time."

Strikers

"The Championship is an unforgiving league. If you don’t take your chances, you will be punished." No Yeovil striker has scored a Championship goal this season. "They haven’t got their shooting boots on." "Watch out Ipswich. The law of averages says a YTFC striker will score on Tuesday."

Supporters think that Gary Johnson’s tinkering with the front formation and personnel haven’t been helpful: "We need to settle down the strike partnership generally, whoever gets ultimately chosen."

Andy Williams

Andy Williams has returned to the club on loan from Swindon, but has some work to do to regain supporters’ trust. When the striker left to join the Robins "he said to the press that ‘he didn’t want to spend another season ‘struggling’ at the wrong end of League One".

"After we saved his career, Williams jumped at the first chance he had. His most disrespectful moment came at the County Ground. In his first game against his former club he scored. His celebration consisted of him sprinting gleefully towards the Swindon fans. I have never felt such rage following Yeovil."

"If Williams scores ten goals this season, then all will be forgiven." "I think the fans will warm to anyone who scores a bloody goal at the moment." "To be fair, he can go past players, take people on and add some space."

"We need a bit of spark. Williams charging at speed will open up space for Madden or Hayter." "Madden and Williams are our best strike pair without a doubt, with Hayter coming on for the last 20 minutes."

"Paddy Madden is the star striker." Former Carlisle striker Paddy Madden was last year’s top scorer, but the 23-year-old has been used infrequently this season. "His bubble has burst." "I think he lacks that bit of quality the Championship requires."

Paddy Madden

"It’s worth being patient with him to get him firing again." "Madden contributes tremendously to every attack. His work rate is phenomenal." "He chases everything down but needs a goal."

"In my opinion, Paddy Madden is a confidence player. He needs to believe in himself and he is playing with his head down right now. Once he finds his Championship feet and gets a few goals, his tail will be up and we’ll see the old Paddy."

"James Hayter works his socks off up top, and is very good at bringing others into play." The 34-year-old, who joined from Doncaster in 2012 "has proven himself at this level before. He may not be able to play a full ninety minutes, but he is a vital part of our squad".

"Whilst I can see we need a big man up front, I am sorry to say that Ngoo is not that man." Liverpool loan signing Michael Ngoo "cannot hold up the ball for longer than two seconds and struggles without support." The 20-year-old "is rather limited in ability besides his height".

"Ngoo is not a lone striker." "He is about as threatening as a paper bag up front." "He looked uninterested, and hasn’t the work rate of Hayter or Madden." "Try playing up front against four players with no support."

Twenty-one-year-old Kieffer Moore joined this summer from Dorchester Town. The 6ft 5in tall striker is "a huge bloke, yet he can’t head the ball. I thought that maybe he’s got a bit about him on the deck, but nope." "I feel sorry for him. He’s obviously not up to this standard of football. It’s a huge jump for him."

Poor Refereeing Decisions

"I am starting to believe there is some hidden agenda with the refereeing fraternity to some clubs is this division."

"The refs always seem to play up to the bigger clubs. If that is the case, God, are we in for a long season?" Yeovil supporters felt very bitter about the Sheffield Wednesday goal at the weekend.

Both teams stopped when the assistant referee flagged for an offside decision only for the referee to wave play on. The Glovers feel that they were also the victims of soft penalty decision in their narrow defeat to Reading the previous week.

"Ever since we first kicked a ball in this division, we seem to be on the end of terrible officiating every week." "With a little more good fortune and better officials, we simply would not be where we are now. We have played some really decent football."

Website

The only Yeovil message board worth looking at is The Green Room . It is not the busiest, given the size of the club, but it is very polite and full of informed comment. Registration is required.

There is little in terms of discussion of opponents ahead of games on their message board, and it may not be possible to put a matchday forum thread together, given the lack of available material.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



ericclacton added 12:22 - Sep 17
Very well put together very informative and interesting, good effort Harry.
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BillBlue added 12:25 - Sep 17
Very, very, informative. Thanks again Harry. I think this might be a very good game.
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Steve_M added 12:36 - Sep 17
Wonderfully informative as ever; Hennessey looks as though he may be a little difficult to get the ball past judging by that picture though.
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Pendejo added 13:21 - Sep 17
They sound like us!! Luck, Strikers & Referees.

Much respect to them for making it and here's hoping "bigger" names are in the bottom three come May (as long as they let us have 4 or 6 points....)
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irishtim added 13:50 - Sep 17
Great read as usual. Well done Harry.
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kerryblue747 added 14:00 - Sep 17
Thank you I look forward to reading all your posts very imformative long may it last
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statto72 added 14:01 - Sep 17
I went to Yeovil twice in the mid to late 80s when they were in the Isthmian (now Ryman) Premier, at their old sloping Huish ground. Even then they were a big fish in a small pond at that level, averaging near enough 2000 at home when the most of the rest of the division were getting about 3-400. They were in the Ryman Premier as 'recently' as 1997 so to be in the Championship in 2013 shows what can be done when club's are run properly and have a fanbase. All too often you see non-league clubs go bust when they get these silly ideas, chase a dream and don't have the support or long-term backing to sustain it. The Yeovil story is very much a success story and I hope they do enough to stay up this year and prove a few doubters wrong. I'm looking forward to the trip there in March.
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