Pool Panel - Sheffield Wednesday FA Cup

Sunday 29th January - Sheffield Wednesday (h) FA CUP drawn 1-1

So we live to fight again in the FA Cup with an away trip to Goodison the reward for the winners of the replay.  Saturday was a missed opportunity in that we should have had the game dead and buried before half time, as we dominated possession, and chances, with Matt Phillips tormenting the visitors down the flanks, and the keeper making one fantastic save from Clarke in particular, to keep them in it.

Much like the Palace game, when we were on top we ultimately failed to make the most of it and got careless, allowing a breakaway goal after giving away possession in midfield and then having to work our way past a ten man defence as they set out their stall to try and hold on to their lead.  Ultimately, our patience paid dividends, as constant probing finally led to the concession of a penalty, coolly dispatched by the nerveless Kevin Phillips.

The replay means we now have three consecutive midweek games, which should enable the large squad to all get some game time, which should stand us in good stead come the end of the season.  It was great to see Keith Southern back after surgery, and he fully deserved the ovation he got when the teams were read out prior to kick off.

I believe we have enough about us to compete on two fronts, and the additions upfront of Dicko and Bednar add to that strength in depth.  Bring on Coventry when it would be nice to get in front early for once and secure three points.

STARMAN:  Kevin Phillips 

Merchandise

Phil and I are trying to gauge what interest there is for new bits and pieces of merchandise.  Let us know by filling in the poll on the message board and adding suggestions. 

Any budding designers can even add their artistic impressions of what any merchandise should look like!

The thread is here: Merchandise

Cheers

Charlie

Cardiff Away

Cardiff away Saturday 4th February


We will be running a mini bus to Cardiff away on February 4th.

This is a slightly smaller minibus than usual (12 seats) so it is expected to fill up quickly.

Departure times are yet to be confirmed but we would expect a 8.15am departure from Leeds with a pick up at Sheffield Meadowhall for 8.45am and then as need be along the route.

There is one space left available on the bus, so if you are interested in travelling on the YS express please contact Phil or Charlie.

Pool Panel - Crystal Palace (h) won 2-1

SATURDAY was one of those games that in previous seasons would have seen us lose.
The character in the team to keep going until the final whistle meant that, ultimately, we all came away happy with another three points. As in the previous week, the substitutions made all the difference.

For much of the game, Palace were content to sit on the edge of their own area and frustrate our attacking intentions, while trying to catch us on the break. Their goal had an element of controversy in it, as Ferguson didn’t move his arm towards the ball, it striking him. The controversy comes from the fact that the referee then failed to apply any consistency, turning down similar appeals from us, as Palace players were struck on the arm by the ball.

Despite the perceived injustice, the team came probing and, eventually, a flash of skill from Gary Taylor-Fletcher skinning two players, and Eliot Grandin taking the ball in his stride and smashing it in, meant that we were back in the game. Basham should have then scored, but the winner came from a header from Kevin Phillips hitting the bar, with Basham following up to gleefully bury the winner to ecstatic scenes around the full ground. It would be nice to see the ground completed asap, so that more fans can enjoy the spectacle at Bloomfield Road in a completed stadium. Next week is an example of missed revenue caused by the delay.

Man of match: Elliot Grandin

Pool Panel - Ipswich away

Sunday 15th January 2012 - Ipswich (away) drew 2-2

Another point gained at Portman Rd, but the feeling remains that we could have had all three even after being outplayed for an hour.  Ipswich set out to press right across the pitch and succeeded in stopping us playing our normal passing game, with many passes going astray, and Pool losing out to every second ball.  Despite that, we really should have gone in level at half time when LuaLua missed a glorious chance after the only good passing move we made.

We fell further behind to a second soft goal, but the resilience that is always in the side was sparked by a triple substitution   We then started playing over the high line of their back four with immediate dividends, as first Matt Phillips then Kevin Phillips got away on a number of occasions.  A cross to the back post was firmly headed by K. Phillips and the rebound off the keeper was put away on the line by Grandin.  That gave the side real belief, and after a couple of half chances missed by M. Phillips, Kevin duly supplied a firm finish after being set clear by a delightful ball from Grandin.

Further chances then came our way but were spurned, while, in the last minute, Ipswich could have nicked it, but their player trod on the ball with the goal at his mercy.

We now have three home games including the Cup tie.  If we are to be a force in the Division we really need to be making the most of these fixtures.

STARMAN: Kevin Phillips 

Message Board

We've set up a new Yorkshire Seasider's message board that will be accessible only by registered members (approved by me).  It should be a good way of communicating with eachother and having a little fun.  Hopefully it gets used more than the previous board!!

Its quite basic at the moment and very much only a first version but as we get used to and how it operates we can update and make any changes we need.

Play nicely now!

Yorkshire Seasiders Message Board

Next Meeting

The next Yorkshire Seasiders meeting will take place prior to the Portsmouth home match on Saturday 11th February, which has now been moved to a 17:30 kick off.

The plan is to meet at 15:00 in the Pump and Truncheon pub and have a few drinks prior to the game.  At the meeting we shall discuss plans for transport to upcoming games and the latest merchandise suggestions.

The Pump and Truncheon is located on Bonny Street in town and is only a 10 minute walk from the ground.  If you need directions to the "Pump and Truncheon" please see the following link:

Pump and Truncheon

Pool Panel - Christmas Period

Monday 2nd January 2012 - Birmingham (a) and Middlesbrough (h)

A busy weekend with the yin and yang of football in evidence, losing 3-0 at Birmingham, followed by a resounding win at home to Middlesbrough.

I thought that we played well in spells at St Andrews, but often in places where we were not hurting the opposition.  Time and time again we built up nicely only to fail to get a shot off by overplaying as we got to the box.  They were content to let us play in front of us then catch us on the break with pace and power.  King  got a yellow for an elbow in the first half for them, then the referee astounded most of the crowd by brandishing a red for Ferguson as he tried to hold off two men pressing him from behind.  That killed the game completely and we were possibly lucky to concede only one more late on.

By contrast, Monday’s game saw an entertaining match with both sides giving it a go, but the return of LuaLua giving us the edge as a focal point of attack.  We were unfortunate to go in level at the interval but came out in similar mood and Phillips followed us his Boxing Day heroics with another great strike and a couple of assists as we deservedly ran away with the game.

We now head into the Fylde Coast derby in good heart. It’s a game with everything to lose and nothing to gain, but potentially we can get another morale-boosting win.

STARMEN:  Mark Howard at Birmingham; Matt Phillips against Middlesbrough.