Man of the Match for Colchester, A Woolmer from Northamptonshire. have to admit it was difficult to tell he was playing for Colchester, due to the fact he disguised himself in a referee's kit. 3 penalties in about an 8 minute spell, the first one only he saw as not one player or fan from colchester appealed. The 2nd will always be given if your a home player going down in the box, never given if your an away player. Flinder's almost pulled off a hell of a save on that one as well. 3rd well I admit it hits Liddle's hand, but once more a home penalty debateable if an away one as hands are down by his side and it more ball to hand than other way round.

Well there's the reasons for todays Man of the match, so what was the game like.

Suppose if honest we played better in every other away game so far, never really troubled their 'keeper, in fact cant remember him doing anything at all, including claiming many crosses. Plenty of effort again but a total lack of any sort of ball into the forwards, even when they were subbed, changed about.

Colchester probably edged the first half in that they got the ball forward quickly, not a pretty passing quickly more as quick and as route one (more times than not) as possible. but with Platt up front opposition should know thats coming.

If being honest the two teams were probably level in most of the game, nothing outstanding from either, Flinders pulling off a good one handed(possibly arm) save to his right just towards the end of the first half and before any penalties given. A couple of other shots by Colchester failed to test him.

All in all not to good a game and definetely the wrong result, though most would say the expected result. After our last performance away from home at Oldham, could be described as after the Lord mayor's show. It's only one game and hopefully we can gain our first win on home soil next saturday.

More disappointments than successes today but thats football. Hopefully just one of those days and not a case of what the season holds in store.

Once more many congratulations to A Woolmer on an outstanding performance for Colchester. he give them everything quickly and hesitated to give us anything. One free kick in the second half which we took quickly he called back and made us take it again in the correct place which was appro 10-15 yards IN FRONT of where we took it quickly from. 10 minutes later Colchester took a quick free kick which he allowed to continue, from 10-15 yards in front of where it should have been took from.

Did here him say to one of his linesmen after the game this was one of my bankers for the coupon this weekend

People go on about reasons why folk stop going to matches. If anything was to put me off watching Pools it would be the standard of referees/linesmen. I can put up with most things but some of these officials are so full of their own importance. They think the game is all about them and it isn't.

ps....I usually get over it but it really is frustrating.

At the risk of being controversial and further incuring the wrath of PD. having watched them on TV I felt all three were penalties, the two involving Liddle were nailed on the first one perhaps less so. Put it this way I would have been upset if thay had not been given at the Vic in our favour.
Cue abuse

I thought the first one was very harsh, however the 2nd was nailed on and the 3rd, well I suppose we'd have been disappointed if it was us and we hadn't been given it, however, its was ball to hand.
What worries me more is that apparently we created foook all and their keeper had an afternoon in the sun reading chapters 1+2 of the "easiest afternoon of my life".

As Billy Whitehurst once said to me at Spennymoor when I commented on the quality of the Frickley Athletic team he was managing, "this game is all about opinions mate" That was just before he threatened to level me......Something of a learning experience!!

I though they were all a bit poor as decisions go. Collins and their player were just in an aerial tussle for the first, the second one Liddle went for the ball and didn't move his leg towards their player but the player turned and fell over it, and the third he just flapped, which was a daft thing to do, when the ball was going over his shoulder.

Flinders played a great game though from the ten minutes I saw.

I thougtht all three could be given as pens. However, if all referees were like that (and consistent with it), we would get 25 pens per game.

We'd have appealed for all of them and been livid with the ref if we never got them at vic park.

I'd say they we're all penalties.

I agree re Flinders. You just have confidence in the guy. He actually looks like he knows what he is doing unlike recent keepers. IMO he is probably the best 'free signing' for years.

I disagree re the penalties however. The first one was possibly harsh but I bet a lot of ref's would probably have given it to the home tream. The second one was a stonewaller for me. We would have been up in arms had we not got that decision! The third one would be given by most referees in favour of the home side.

Justice was possibly done with the first penalty as he missed it anyway. We cant go looking for excuses all the time. From what people who were at the game have said, we were second best and did not deserve anything from the game. Penalties or not, they all count unless it is the top goalscorer tables .

If we won a game by virtue of a disputed penalty and someone come on the bunker and said that we were lucky and had to rely on a dodgy penalty they would get well and truly shot down in flames!

Lets stop all this vendetta talk re referees, our players just underperformed on the day.

which is what I was trying to say on a different thread. This atmosphere 'thing' is all very well and I truely hope it works on saturday, but once the first few mistakes are made on saturday, the moaners will soon be heard. Lets hope an early goal for pools settles the players nerves and we spank walsall 10 nil.

Agreed. Im not sure if that was aimed at me but I would not say I have a vendetta against any players, I merely moan about those who underperform on a regular basis and keep their place.

I wasnt saying lots of people have been underperforming or anything. I was merely meaning that I dont have a vendetta against anyone especially not on the basis of a one off poor game.

I hate it when things you say get totally taken out of context. Just EAD's post seemed to make out that I have a vendetta or something but maybe he did not mean it like that.

No offence meant whatsoever.

No worries. I certainly dont have a vendetta against anyone and didnt want people thinking that.

As far as underperforming goes this season I think Sweeney is (as a midfielder) . I actually felt he looked really promising at right back when he used to play there.

I have not given haslam any grief. He looks pretty unspectacular but fairly solid. At least if he does have a dip in form then we can put austin or possibly sweeney there.