This One is Down to You, Zigor.

By Neil Ravenscroft
September 17 2002

I never have been one to criticise players, especially when a lot of what I hear around me at the games is unjust, but I have to make an exception tonight.

The game tonight was a vast improvement on what we have seen so far this season, in terms of creativity, willingness to shoot and chances created. What ruined it, however, was the worst defensive performance so far this season. Two schoolboy pieces of defending, plus falling to a sucker punch of a quickly taken free kick (letting Darren Byfield score, of all people!) left us with a mountain to climb in the second half, even with the bonus of two excellent finishes from the impressive David Dzrillic. However, climb it we did, thanks to a lovely piece of goal poaching from Jorge Leitao. However, even after he got away with a blatant handball in the box, which the abject referee did not see, we lose the game to a non tackle from Zigor Aranalde. At that stage in the game there was only going to be one winner, so I have to say that this time, “Zigor, you lost us the game”. I can’t even criticise the Manager for this one, the players themselves will have to put their hands up for this. Colin Lee has said that he needs a proven goalscorer. I think his number one priority has to be a decent left back. Plus points? We scored three goals and the Man of the Match for once was totally deserved. I thought Dzrillic’s movement was superb all night and he gave their centre backs nightmares. Corica looked a lot sharper and was unlucky with a couple of good efforts, Jorge took his goal beautifully (he is so dangerous with his back to goal in the area). Downers? I presume Sonner was injured, going off so early, but he is missing for the next three anyway. Carbon also, I presume, was injured, as Roper was warming up to replace him at half time. Total plonker of the Match (other than Zigor) has to be joint winners between a completely useless referee and the linesman on the Banks’ Stand side in the second half. By the way, was Lee the referee’s love child? It has been a long time since I have seen a centre forward get away with so many pushes, pulls, and fouls in general. I would have booked him for persistent misconduct in the first half and he wasn’t even penalised for most of those fouls! Note of optimism to finish on? We can’t defend that badly again, surely, and we’re back in the GA next home game!