Ian Perkins (Page 106)

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Four games in the spin at Huish Park and things couldn’t be much worse. Here are my five conclusions from the dire draw against Weymouth.

I stick up for Joe Quigley, quite a lot. After Tuesday I thought we needed to change it up and take him out of firing line, and his performance against Weymouth validated that view. He was given a torrid afternoon by Josef Yarney. The defender physically dominated Quigley. He was sharper. Quicker to the ball and had the nous to earn free-kick after free-kick at the expense of Quigley. Our top scorer’s awful afternoon was compounded when he failed to retain possession from a corner in the 90th minute when trying to wind the clock down which allowed Weymouth to get the ball up the pitch and find an equaliser.

We stuck with a 4-3-3 with Charlie Wakefield up front and it worked nicely in the first 45 minutes. Wakefield took his goal nicely and caused problems for the Weymouth defence. As we dropped deeper in the second half we struggled to get Wakefield on the ball and couldn’t utilise his energy. Wakefield is becoming a bright spark in what has been a dark couple of weeks for the Glovers.

As the second half wore on, the eventual equaliser was as obvious as Phil Jevons putting away a penalty. Grant Smith was taking time on his goal kicks in the first half and in the second we were in no hurry to chase a second goal. Weymouth made tactical changes, brought on fresh legs up front and we dropped deeper and deeper. We made Omar Mussa look like Xabi Alonso in midfield, giving him time and space to dictate proceedings. Our changes saw us bring on a left back for Tom Knowles and move a left back into his position. We were about bring on Lewis Simper to kill some minutes but we never got him on the pitch. Our tactics in the second half invited Weymouth onto us and we paid the price. The resilience and robustness we lauded at the start of the season has been replaced by fragility and fear. 

There were the most vocal chants against our absentee owner who, once again, couldn’t find his way to Huish Park. As the silence continues, the vociferousness of opinion will only continue to grow and he only has himself to blame for that. It was time for someone to stick their head out before the Altrincham game. The longer this goes on, the more toxic the football club is going to become. We’ve talked about the need for total change on the podcast and it could not be clearer now. One of those at the table was at the game today, he has to know the supporters don’t want him running the club. 

We need change in the dugout. Darren Sarll’s race is run in my view. He exited down the tunnel rather than face the fans and I think the signing of Mitch Rose and his comments in the aftermath have caused irreparable damage to the relationship with some supporters. The quality of football is down there with his predecessor’s. Once we’re on the pitch, we can’t change shape or system effectively. I think he’s a manager who has got his hands tied behind his back by his boss, but his cosiness with the “custodian” who is letting the football club die is irreversible. He’s not the man to unite the fans and turn the tide in my view. With anyone else in charge at the club, I think we’d see Terry Skiverton managing on Tuesday and I actually wouldn’t mind it. Sadly, while Scott Priestnall’s at the helm, I don’t see any change happening and that’s why we need a takeover to be completed as soon as possible.

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Glovers’ legend Chris Weale was in attendance to watch Yeovil Town’s 1-1 draw with W*ymouth this afternoon.

The former shot-stopper, who enjoyed great success as Gary Johnson’s number one in the early ’00s, took to twitter to give his views on the game and the style of football on show.

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Another episode of a not-award-winning podcast for you!

Ian, Ben and Dave are here to talk Altrincham, W*ymouth, #YTFCMeansToMe and about all the stuff that’s happened this week.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, enjoy some retro content on Instagram. Leave us a review and share the pod with a pal.

If you want to take part in the quiz, have an idea for the website or just want to send us a message, email gloverscast@gmail.com.

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Yeovil were held to a 1-1 draw by Altrincham at home last night and here are our five conclusions…

We did play better(ish!). We had a lot more shots than Saturday and we did cause Altrincham problems in the open stages. The movement of Yussuf and Seymour did cause problems until the injury to Altrincham ‘keeper Tony Thompson at which point they shored up. It was damning that we struggled to test Connor Hampson, a left back, who came on from the bench to have a go in goal. Eventually, it became apparent that couldn’t catch anything in the second

Joe Quigley opens the scoring against Altrincham.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

half, which led to Quigley’s opener. But, inevitably, we let it slip, allowing our former player Ajay Leitch-Smith to equalise. Once again we were left lacking creativity, ideas and failed to break down a side that had been protecting their not-goalkeeper for more than 70 minutes. Although the players felt aggrieved not to have had a winner through Josh Staunton, we really should have been able to do more than rely on a decision from an official to find a winner. Beforehand,  I would have taken a draw against part-time Altrincham (such is our decline) but there is no doubt that we should have got more than that in the context of the match

Don’t fall in love with footballers. Tom Knowles, the shining light at the end of last season. The player who many have pinned our hopes on for this season. What’s happened? Where’s that spark gone? He was playing in a different role during the last campaign. Is he a bit shackled with our new defensive focus? He was withdrawn at half time on Saturday and the first off last night. Something’s not quite clicking in this system for Knowles and we need to get it right. When Knowles is confident, and playing well, we’re going to be a better team. Personally, I want him through the middle as close to the goal as possible.

Joe Quigley had another one of those games which make you question what we’re doing. I like Quigley, I think he’s scored more goals than we thought he would and I think he’s a better player than many give him credit for. However, we’re not playing to his strengths. He struggled to win any headers last night, yet we continue to lump it forward to him. We need his goals (no one else is scoring) but we need to try and switch up how we use him. Maybe he needs to come out of the firing line for a game or two and we give Yussuf and Seymour a go together. I thought Quigley and Yussuf sort of got in eachother’s way a bit in a 4-3-3 last night.

The pressure is on. Three disappointing results in a row at home and W*ymouth come to Huish Park on Saturday, in front of fans, for the first time since November 1999. The off-field uncertainty x growing unrest amongst supporters is not the most ambitious crossover event in history and it’s made Saturday feel like a must-win for Darren Sarll. Even if we win, it may not be enough.

The Supporters Alliance Group are united. On a night when our gate was 1640, with Scott Priestnall absent (again) and Glenn Collis in the Directors’ Box the timing of the SAG statement has made it abundantly clear for those in charge and those at the table. The supporters of Yeovil Town FC want total change. The supporters groups of Yeovil Town haven’t always agreed on things, but at this critical moment in the club’s history they are working for the same cause. We want change, we need change and it can’t come soon enough. Obviously, it’s the owners prerogative who he does a deal with, but with momentum and a united voice, supporters should feel empowered to make their feelings clear.

 

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On this episode, Ian, Ben and Dave talk about the Notts County debacle, the uncertainty around the club’s ownership, the position of the manager and more. This one got a bit serious.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, enjoy some retro content on Instagram. Leave us a review and share the pod with a pal.

If you want to take part in the quiz, have an idea for the website or just want to send us a message, email gloverscast@gmail.com.

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Dion Pereira showed glimpses of his quality. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It was a difficult afternoon at Huish Park for Yeovil Town as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Notts County. Here are our Five Conclusions from the game.

Once again it was another game with a lack of creativity. Two centre midfielders who play it safe, an out of form Tom Knowles and a new loan signing in Dion Pereira adjusting to his new surroundings struggled to create anything. Pereira showed glimpses of quality but the overall performance made it near impossible for him to make an impact. Charlie Wakefield looks better on the right hand side than the left, and looked a threat after his half time introduction, but Joe Quigley is looking increasingly isolated. I know it’s easy to say, but we need an Ed Upson. 

I think there’s a decision to be made about Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. The youngster is struggling to adapt to the physicality of the National League. He was withdrawn early against Chesterfield having made little impact. He came on against Maidenhead United when they were down to ten men and couldn’t unlock them. And yesterday he didn’t get a sniff out of Notts County. I’m sure Sonny has a very bright future in the game but right now his contribution in a Yeovil shirt is negligible. We’re on the verge of crisis territory and it’s unfair to put a young loanee in that environment because with every stray pass, every lost challenge the supporters’ frustration grows. 

For the second consecutive game Josh Staunton was voted the sponsors Man of the Match. It was another strong performance from the stand-in skipper and he’s proving what a smart signing it was last season. However, when your centre back is getting man of the match awards, it’s a damning indictment of the shape of things. Well done Josh, you’re becoming a leader and standard bearer, but I’d love a striker or a winger to be Man of the Match on Tuesday after scoring three and setting up two.

Minus King’s Lynn, we started well this season. A solid and dependable XI that we weren’t forced to change. The loss of Luke Wilkinson through injury has created a ripple effect through the side. With Staunton having to move back (mainly because of Morgan Williams’ injury) we’ve had to shuffle the pack a bit, including breaking up Staunton and Gorman. But are we changing things too much now? Three changes against Maidenhead United, after an alright (given the circumstances) performance against Boreham Wood in our last outing. Another three changes yesterday, and I’m not sure why. Jordan Barnett has been one of our better performers and was left out of the team yesterday for loanee Jack Robinson. Mitch Rose, regardless of the overwhelming negativity, started on Tuesday but was dropped for Notts County. History tells us that chopping and changing for every match doesn’t bode well, and now we can expect more on Tuesday.

Darren Sarll’s final substitution at 1-0 down yesterday was to remove Dale Gorman, the slightly more forward thinking of our central midfielders, for a defensive midfielder in Mitch Rose. We had an experienced striker in Adi Yussuf on the bench. I think with 20 minutes left at 1-0, we should have brought on another striker, tried something different and at least gone down swinging. That change was essentially us forfeiting the game in my view. Our rigidity is our strength in certain moments, but it is a weakness when we’re trying to do the same thing over and over again and failing to achieve anything. I know we’ve heard about ‘doing Plan A better’ in previous seasons but in the space of two weeks, the team appear to have been totally sapped of confidence and are barely carrying out Plan A. 

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, October 9 2021, 3pm kick-off.

Conditions: An August day in October.
Ground: A great surface which was almost unused.

Scorers: Reuben Rodrigues 16 (0-2), Reuben Rodrigues 81 (0-2)

Attendance: 2,438 (291 away)

Referee: Gary Parsons

Bookings:
Yeovil: Robinson 55,
Notts County: Nemane 11, Palmer 14, Chicksen 45, O’Brien 57

Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jack Robinson
Dion Pereira, Dale Gorman, Matt Worthington, Tom Knowles
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Joe Quigley

Subs:  Charlie Wakefield (for Knowles, 46), Ben Seymour (for Lo-Everton, 56), Mitchell Rose (for Gorman, 66)  Jordan Barnett, Adi Yussuf.

Notts County: Patterson, Brindley, Brennan, Cameron, Chicksen (for Kelly-Evans, 70), O’Brien, Palmer, Rodrigues, Nemane (for MItchell ,80), Roberts Wootton Subs: Mitchell, Francis, Vincent, Sam.

Summary

Yeovil Town fell to their third home defeat of the season at the hands of a far superior Notts County side this afternoon. Ruben Rodrigues put the Glovers to the sword with a goal in each half.

There were three changes for Yeovil after Tuesday’s

New signing Dion Pereira in action against Notts County.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

dismal draw against Maidenhead United Matt Worthington came in for Mitch Rose to partner Dale Gorman in central midfield. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton took Ben Seymour’s place behind Joe Quigley and there was a debut for Luton loannee Dion Pereira with Charlie Wakefield dropping to the bench.

The opening ten minutes of the match saw little in the way of any action with both sides trying to get a foothold. There was an early yellow card for County’s Aaron Nemane after he cynically brought down Pereira in the Yeovil half. Matt Palmer joined his teammate in the book shortly after for a late challenge on Gorman.

Notts County took the lead after quarter of an hour through RODRIGUES who picked up the ball outside the box and sauntered past Max Hunt before firing a left footed effort at goal which took a small deflection leaving Grant Smith on his knees.

County dominated the ball following their opener and Smith was called into action again diving to his right to palm away Cal Roberts’ deflected shot from just outside the edge of the area in the 24th minute. Smith’s save fell to the feet of Nemane but the Glovers cleared their lines after a scramble inside the 18 yard box.

Yeovil did get County’s defenders hearts racing moment later with some neat interplay between Pereira and Quigley almost forcing an effort at Patterson’s goal.

Joe Quigley battles for the ball.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Glovers were starved of any meaningful possession as County imposed their technical superiority, finding space across the pitch. Murmurs of discontent grew with supporters struggling to keep their patience at wayward passes and aimless hoofs forward.

The closest Yeovil came to a shot in the first half was in the 44th minute when Dan Moss aimed a cross into the box towards Quigley. His effort was charged down on the penalty spot by a County defender.

County should have doubled their lead before the break as they outnumbered Yeovil defenders on a counter. Some fancy footwork in the box slowed the attack down and Moss got a block in on Kyle Wooton‘s shot.

As the half time whistle went there were boos from the Thatcher’s terrace, unsatisfied with a submissive first half display.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Notts County 1

The Glovers made a change at half time with Tom Knowles, who had been largely anonymous, making way for Charlie Wakefield. Wakefield moved to the right with Pereira taking up Knowles position on left midfield.

County had an early effort on goal through Rodrigues who was allowed to take the ball from the half way line to the edge of the box by a back-pedalling defence. His effort was high and wide, though.

Roberts thought he had a shout for penalty in the 53rd minute as he went down under a challenge in the box. The referee waved away the appeal, and there were few shouts from Roberts teammates.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was replaced by Ben Seymour just before the hour mark with the Glovers chasing the game. The diminutive midfielder struggled to make an impact throughout the game.

County had a big chance to grab a second in the 60th minute as Roberts put a sliding effort wide of the left hand post. The winger had plenty of time on space after being found by Rodrigues.

Sarll made is final substitution in the 66th minute taking off Gorman for defensive midfielder Mitchell Rose, to a smattering of boos from the terrace.

Wakefield managed to get hold of the ball on the right and get round two Notts players before slipping Seymour through on the right of the 18 yard box. The Exeter loanee struck a stinging cross across the box which was palmed out by Patterson. The incoming Periera and Wakefield got in each others way with the former handling the ball and conceding a free kick.

Worthington had a half chance moments later after a Seymour flick on but he couldn’t get the ball under control and a Notts County defender pinched the ball off his toe on the edge of the box.

RODRIGUES doubled his tally in the 80th minute with the County man rising alone in the box to head home from a corner emphatically.

Seymour had Yeovil’s first effort at goal in the 85th minute after being put through on the left hand side. He was closed down quickly by Patterson who saved his tame effort comfortably.

Yeovil forced another half chance in the 90th minute as a cross from left found Wakefield in space but his volley was saved well at the near post.

Five minutes were added on at the end of what has been a disappointing week for Sarll’s men in front of the Huish Park faithful. Altrincham on Tuesday before Weymouth in the FA Cup next Saturday look to be two increasingly important fixtures for Sarll.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Notts County 2

Read our Five Conclusions Here

 

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”16″ display=”basic_imagebrowser”]All pictures courtesy of Mike Kunz – thanks Mike!

 

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Last night, the Glovers drew 0-0 with Maidenhead United at Huish Park, here are our five conclusions.

We’re not creating enough going forward is the blindingly obvious one. Darren Sarll reiterated a need for patience from the fans for the likes of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, and the young players in the squad but for the final 20 minutes, Yeovil were up against ten-men. (Not that that changes games of course…) Against a semi-professional side who had not won since the 28th of August, we should have created more. Our system is robust and we didn’t give away a lot of chances, but I think it’s fair to expect more from a team who haven’t had a competitive fixture in 10 days.

Ben ‘don’t call me Tom’ Seymour showed signs of a spark. He’s got the pressing and chasing mentality that Gary Johnson’s strikers tended to have. He looked pacy and sharp and I think we can expect some good things from him if he’s served right. His low-effort at the end of the first half was his effort on goal but he worked hard and that’s a good sign.

Jordan Barnett who came on as a second half substitute in the goalless draw with Maidenhead United.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

What has Jordan Barnett done? I think Barnett has started well for us. Dedicated, decent defensively and happy to push forward too. I thought it was an odd circumstance to bring in Jack Robinson for his first game and leave out Barnett who had started every game. Robinson didn’t set the world alight and I think Barnett can feel hard done by to lose his place.

Last night Darren Sarll was asked about the signing of Mitch Rose for the first time since the midfielder signed for the Glovers. Rose, as has been widely reported, is serving a suspended sentence. When asked about the circumstances surrounding the midfielder, Darren Sarll said: “People should understand and know the full extent of any situation before we start beating people down. Mitch is an ex-youth team player of mine, I have known him years and if something untoward has happened in his life I have certainly not got any details about it.” It feels disingenuous to say you’ve signed a player without this information, especially when the player himself indicated the opposite. I would imagine the only reason we’ve signed this player is because of the ‘untoward’ circumstances. The manager had plenty of time to think about how this signing could be communicated in a positive and almost redemptive way, and he chose to plead ignorance. 

Another match where our absentee owner was nowhere to be seen. We’ve not heard any communication from Scott Priestnall since the Glovers Trust informed members that they were aware of two bidders for club. No denial, no acknowledgement. Nothing. In July 2019, when Priestnall met with supporters and the media ahead of his own takeover completion, he said: “I’m not going to put the club in danger, so I want to bring a fresh viewpoint on how the club moves forward.” At the end of the match last night, there were a few boos. I think they were aimed at the performance and the tactics and it seems there is a bubbling frustration amongst supporters, albeit a minority, which stems from the over-promising of the summer. If as an owner of a football club, when you insist that you’re building a squad for promotion and you fail to beat a ten-man semi-professional outfit, fans are well within their rights to vocalise their feelings on the state of affairs.