Bees v Crawley Reports

[Garybaldbee]

Very well deserved three points. We were very good indeed in the first half, fluent, confident, playing with width and delivering very good quality final balls into the box courtesy of Harry and Shay. The only disappointment was that we didn't have more to show for it. Clayton's finish for his goal lacked much conviction but it crept into the corner, and we forced a number of other good chances. At least today we were hitting the target and making the keeper work. Hayes began to look like the link up player we had expected with a lovely touch and control and Harry was a constant threat - he really does look the business now.

We didn't reach the same heights in the second half but never really lost control of the game. Crawley created little and their equaliser came out of the blue, Logan, who had been one of our stand out players to that point selling Moore short with a back pass when he should have cleared into touch and the ball across the goalline was bundled in.

A draw would have been a travesty and justice was done when Clayton's clever lob after good work from Hayes trickled satisfyingly into the net. We created a few anxious moments for ourselves near the end, Bidwell and Farid giving away needless free kicks around the box but the only real negative was what looked like a nasty injury to Farid which caused a long delay and led to him being stretchered off.

Lots of positives. We were much better balanced today with more width, Craig and Hayes are growing into the team, Forshaw and Harry are a joy to watch and can only improve further and, the occasional silly lapse aside, the defence looks sound. Moore had little to do but when called into action again made some cracking saves.

I expected a reaction today. Under Uwe we rarely string two bad performances together. Now we have to do the hard bit and start to string the good ones together.

[pensioner]

excellent game, especially first half. great for CD. Hayes played a very good game( class). keep that up and we'll be in top six by xmas.

[mundee4england]

Very good performance other than the 10 minutes when we lost our heads after their goal. The 4-4-2 was effective and Forshaw and Forrester used their class to cause them problems from the flanks whilst Dave and Douglas worked in the middle.

Hayes showed his class in linking up the play and some of his first touch lay offs were exquisite! Donaldson continued to put himself in good positions and today it paid off, typically it was when he didn't have time to doubt himself!

We looked solid at the back and Craig gets better by the game! Dean was solid again and had the beating of Alexander. Logan and Bidwell did their jobs, the only blips were Logan's severe error for the goal and Bidweel's unnecessary push at the death which could have cost us!

Good result and I hope Uwe is starting to realise that your best players in a 4-4-2 will deliver results. We need to play Forrester and Forshaw every game, happy to mix it up in the middle if necessary.

A bad injury for Farid by the looks of things, all the best to him. Alexander didn't do much other than wind people up, which he used to do for us and we lOved, but obviously against us it was not on!

Need 3 points next Saturday to really get the season going!

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Uwe says Farrid knee swollen. Too early to tell how bad. Midweek they will access how bad, after swelling gone down. Definitely unavailable for Tuesday

[mhead bee]

We were excellent first half, if it wasn't for their goalkeeper making 4 good saves and 3 clearances off the line from close range headers we would have been up by 4 or 5 by half time. A fantastic goal, great move and an excellent run and cool side foot finish from CD. Second half started the same and then Logan made an awful error and gifted them an equaliser with a poor back pass. Crawley then rallied and went toe to toe for 15 minutes but CD's pace got him in front of their defence to lob the keeper. Thoroughly deserved win.

Keeper was excellent, two CB look the nuts against a barrage of long balls and elbows from our favourite son, the two full backs great going back and forwards (other than 1 error). Midfield worked very well, harry tormented all day with great whipped in crosses, Forshaw was economical with the ball but lacked the cutting edge he has showed in earlier games. CD was CD, ran tirelessly all day, scored two very well taken goals but also missed a sitter, but thats what you get. Hayes did ok in the first half but seemed to struggle in the second, farid looks to have picked up a nasty one, i really hope not as he is an important player for us.

All in all a deserved win and another enjoyable day out. My 8 year old son said he wants a ST next year

[Artixbee]

How apt it felt that we won 2-1 on the week of my 21st birthday! As Shaelum and Simon were wrappping up my present naughty Gary swooped in to steal it away. There was a happy ending though as Clayton heroically swooped to save the day and bring me back my present.

Well done Bees. Now time for some bevvies!

P.S. Get well soon Farid

[beebopalula]

Firstly, I'm very pleased that the ex Bees on show are all ex Bees. None of them are good enough for our present squad.
Only a moment of madness opened the game up for them. How/why do we do it? Aside from that we gave them a lesson in how to play the game. Good performance. Shame about Farid. Looks like knee ligaments to me which means a loan is required.
Not getting excited . 35 to go but I trust Uwe's critics will come on here and congratulate the management.

[North London Bee]

Good team selection. Good shape. Good football. Good result.

It all worked today and the only quibble was we didn't score far more when we were on top but I'm just as pleased we scored a winner after being pegged back.

Moore was solid and watchful and the back four coped well with their aerial barrage apart from Logan's idiocy which cost us a goal and the impetus and a couple of soft free kicks.

Douglas and Dave ratted around won the ball and used it and when the latter tired Adeyemi made a real impact.

Forshaw and Forrester are simply match winners who also did the dirty work and defended too.

Hayes looked inventive and Clayron just did what he does - a total enigma.

A really good win with some excellent football as well as bottle and balls.

This will do us some good but we will need a loan striker this week given how serious Farid's injury looked.

442 is the best formation at home and today proved it as we outplayed and also outfought a tough direct and confident team.

[Brentford_till_die]

Very well deserved three points. We were very good indeed in the first half, fluent, confident, playing with width and delivering very good quality final balls into the box courtesy of Harry and Shay. The only disappointment was that we didn't have more to show for it. Clayton's finish for his goal lacked much conviction but it crept into the corner, and we forced a number of other good chances. At least today we were hitting the target and making the keeper work. Hayes began to look like the link up player we had expected with a lovely touch and control and Harry was a constant threat - he really does look the business now.

We didn't reach the same heights in the second half but never really lost control of the game. Crawley created little and their equaliser came out of the blue, Logan, who had been one of our stand out players to that point selling Moore short with a back pass when he should have cleared into touch and the ball across the goalline was bundled in.

A draw would have been a travesty and justice was done when Clayton's clever lob after good work from Hayes trickled satisfyingly into the net. We created a few anxious moments for ourselves near the end, Bidwell and Farid giving away needless free kicks around the box but the only real negative was what looked like a nasty injury to Farid which caused a long delay and led to him being stretchered off.

Lots of positives. We were much better balanced today with more width, Craig and Hayes are growing into the team, Forshaw and Harry are a joy to watch and can only improve further and, the occasional silly lapse aside, the defence looks sound. Moore had little to do but when called into action again made some cracking saves.

I expected a reaction today. Under Uwe we rarely string two bad performances together. Now we have to do the hard bit and start to string the good ones together.

Spot on

[To Bee Someone]

Good point NLB re: Forrester and Forshaw. I do like a flair player who is willing to work their nuts off

[magicbees]

Good Post NLB

[shouldbee]

We gave them a master class in how to play football. Standouts for me were Clayton's goals, especially the second one which no other player in our squad could have scored ( hopefully it will shut up his knockers, for a while anyway) Forrester's first half perforamace frightened the life out of them especially that shortarse Byrne. Our two centre backs were superb, Harlee will be some player. Hayes played his best game for us and Adam Forshaw was again pure class. As for them, well I hope all Gary's admirers, especially the one who said he's better than Hayes can now see what an absolute donkey he is............we were a proper team today

[Les Beeavinu]

We've got some really good players at our football club.

[beebopalula]

We've got some really good players at our football club.

And management

[super J]

Best performance of the season and a fully deserved win. It would have been a travesty if Crawley had got anything from it and in truth for large parts we completely outplayed them. The first 25 minutes were up there with the best we've played under Rosler, pace, flair, quick passing and looking like scoring every time we went forward. Forrester was immense in the first half and they couldn't cope with him, Byrne was completely out of his depth as a right back up against Harry and he had the beating of him every time. We could have been 2 or 3 up before we scored, Harry powering through the middle and slipping in Clayton to roll it into the net. We were so dominant, we should have been out of sight. The only way I could see Crawley scoring was through a mistake and sadly that's what happened. Logan with a poor back pass intercepted by their striker, he rounded Moore and rolled it across before it was scrambled in on the line. They didn't deserve to be level and they knew they'd got out of jail. Thankfully Clayton popped up with a brilliant winner, knocking the ball over the on rushing keeper and out pacing the defender to score into the empty net. He looked absolutely shattered but kept going, he's such an asset to the side that when he's on fire he's almost unplayable. Farid's injury took the shine off things slightly with what looked nice a nasty knee injury but we held out. Clayton got the goals but Harry was the best player on the pitch, I always felt there an awesome talent there but whether he could turn it into something on the pitch consistently but at the moment he is s**t hot and I just hope we can hang onto him in january. Some of his crosses were top drawer and he's our most creative outlet, please don't drop him for next week Uwe! Liked the look of Hayes, he is definitely more of a partner for Clayton, he drops short and tries to get the knock downs. Farid may be more of a goal threat but I think Hayes' presence gets the best out of Clayton, our best striker. Craig now looks like the player we hoped he better, Harlee was his usual self, Forshaw keeps the ball so well and never gives it away. Surprised Dave started but justified it and Adayemi came on and gave us real energy. Crawley were 3rd and we battered them, I haven't yet seen one decent side this season and I don't think there's anyone to fear this season, even Sheffield Utd don't look anything special without Ched Evans. More performances like that and we'll be right up there come the end of the season.

[cliffbee]

There's no doubt we have more quality players than we have done for several years. Let's hope the manager can resist the temptation to stop chopping and changing the team. The likes of Forshaw, Forrester and Dean should be playing every game, bar injuries or being completely knackered. Our inconsistency this season has a lot to do with the fact that Rosler never picks the same starting 11. Lets hope he sticks to the same team for the next game (fat chance)

[AirborneTom]

Uwe finally starting Harry and Forshaw today paid off. Creativity and the confidence to run at defenders is a big plus in this league. Hopefully Uwe won't chop and change it......

[gashbee]

Thought Craig was excellent and appears to have hit some form. A very brave player.
Do do do Gary is a w****r. X
Sincerely hope poor Farid is ok, looked like a real bad one.

[NorthamptonBee]

We've got some really good players at our football club.

Much better than those at Crawley, great performance bar 10 minutes where we dusted ourselves down after Crawley's equaliser. Much better shape to us and the tempo was superb, really pleased for Clayton and I won't get involved in the "is he good or bad" chat, I like him and feel really pleased for him but I accept what others say. Craig has got much better, Harry is class, Forshaw is classier, better day at the office.

[scruff puppy pup]

Much better than those at Crawley, great performance bar 10 minutes where we dusted ourselves down after Crawley's equaliser. Much better shape to us and the tempo was superb, really pleased for Clayton and I won't get involved in the "is he good or bad" chat, I like him and feel really pleased for him but I accept what others say. Craig has got much better, Harry is class, Forshaw is classier, better day at the office.

Why do you think the moaners/doubters like me get so frustrated?
'Cos we can see the quality there and yet we're down in 10th and the likes of Tranmere, Stevenage and Crawley are above us.
Build a team around Harry. Upgrade from Douglas and Dave. Pay a premium for a goalscorer if you have to, then we'll be top three.

[Les Beeavinu]

Our first half performance oozed class from 1 to 11. I can't find fault and Crawley must have been wondering how they were 3rd in the league and we weren't. Needed that second and we would've cantered home - it would have been travesty if we hadn't got the winner after their lucky equaliser.

I've said it before - we are so close and now getting closer but ....... still not quite there. If we get it right though, we will, imo, piss this league.

[Les Beeavinu]

Why do you think the moaners/doubters like me get so frustrated?
'Cos we can see the quality there and yet we're down in 10th and the likes of Tranmere, Stevenage and Crawley are above us.
Build a team around Harry. Upgrade from Douglas and Dave. Pay a premium for a goalscorer if you have to, then we'll be top three.

He was excellent today.

[Bill Benn]

Excellent first half Forrester won everything put in numerous crosses had a couple of great shots well saved,Clayton could have had 4 goals in a period of 25 minutes of superb attacking play from us 1 he scored from a great ball in by Forrester 2 the one disallowed that I thought he was onside 3 a goal bound shot that was diverted by their defender for a corner that he knew nothing about 4 when Harry and Forshaw linked up the latter put a cross in that he couldn't put away from 3yards although could be down to good defending from their player.Thought Hayes linked up well with Clayton and while I agree with his critics that he won't get many goals he played some good balls in to him including the one for the winner.Shame about Logan's cock up who had a great game apart from,Dean was immense and my motm just pipping Harry.Dave was the only neg from me still don't get what he brings to the team Bidwell played Alexander out of the game when Dean let him out of his pocket.Shame about Farid hope he's back soon,Forshaw was as we expect these days pure class.Really surprised and pleased Uwe replaced a forward for a forward when Hayes came off I was expecting Leegge on.Really hope Hayes continues to get game time as he is the first effective partner I have seen who can get the best out of Clayton.Deserved 3 points lets be fair we battered them for 80 minutes.

[shepperton bee]

My goodness me we looked a good team for an hour , here suddenly was the penetration we all wanted to see , some of the link up play involving Forshaw , Forrester , Hayes and Donaldson was outstanding and Crawley were chasing shadows for long spells, the gulf in class between the two sides was there for all to see . Chances . clear cut ones were created and this time it was good goalkeeping and bad luck that stopped us getting the 2 or 3 goal lead we deserved. What was also encouraging was the fact that despite being pegged back , we showed the grit and determination as well to win the game.
What Uwe needs to have now is CONFIDENCE in his young ballplayers and go out and beat teams by our class and quality and not send teams out picked to counter the opposition (as we so disapointingly did on Tuesday), the injury to El Alagui looked serious , hope he's ok but it will give a chance for Hayes to get an extended run and build on this good performance, also may need to get someone in on loan if he's out for a while.
Last point , perhaps a bit more PATIENCE from some on here ...some recent comments were so over the top I know we all desperately want to do well but its a marathon not a sprint and really pleased for Donaldson , Hayes and Rosler all of whom got OTT stick on here recently.

[wanderer paul]

We've got some really good players at our football club.

Yes we have. We just need a settled XI with the odd change when the time is right. Let's hope Uwe keeps the same XI for Donny....... Or stick KOC in there for Toumani....

It was better today than I expected. Especially After reading last tuesdays reports. Only 'old' owlsmoor thought we'd win, whilst us old doom merchants thought we'd be in for a tonking!!

Forrester, Forshaw, Dean and Moore. We should be grateful they play for us!

An excellent game to watch. Good football from the Bees. Harry outstanding first half. A lovely finish from Donaldson for the first goal. Then..... The balls up...... we lost our way for while after that.... Then the bees found their form again and Hayes laid off a good ball for Donaldson to chase, beat his man and the keeper and chased the flick into the net. No more than we deserved.

Shame about Farid, damaged ligaments? Didn't go to hospital, as we thought at the time, so here's hoping.

Great to meet Hunty again too..... Top fella.