Latest / Blood, Sweat & Gills / Voice Notes: Gillingham 0-1 Barrow (FA Cup First Round)
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- Voice Notes FA Cup Barrow H: Welcome to Jill's 365 voice notes. Please leave your message after the tone. Well it's FA Cup match day and currently out walking a dog as I think about the match ahead. I think it's gonna be interesting. I don't actually think Ainda's gonna do too much rotation today. I think he will largely pick the team that played last weekend. the only potential change I can see is maybe Eve's getting a start for minutes. I think there's a chance that Tavares could start maybe, but I think he'll be limited to 45 minutes. I think that's mainly on Freeman. getting a kick last week and we've not really heard too much about that. It sounds like he might be okay. but i i if you get going of Tavara's minutes you kinda want to give him minutes early doors and then give it to for me give it to a player who's played a lot of minutes if we need to bring them on and they've maybe got a knock towards the end or at half time if we need to hopefully not chase in the game or anything like that. But yeah I just think playing to five from the start and giving him some minutes would be a better option than bringing them off the bench. But that's for the manager to decide, not me. maybe daily coming back in, although the back three were great last weekend and none of them really deserve to be dropped. But again it's just I'm just thinking about minutes for some players. it'll be good to see Alburas back at least on the bench, I think. again maybe another one who could get minutes after he put played forty five on Tuesday. So I think they're the potential changes we may see. I think why are we going to it with the right attitude, which I feel most games we have done this season. I don't think the attitude's been wrong. I think w the execution and the performance and the the efforts maybe not been there. so I think we're going with the right attitude. I think I think we should be okay here. it's good we're at home. It would be really lovely if we at least get to the second round maybe maybe even the third round this season because that would be good. just have a little bit of a cup run. I think all us fans would would enjoy that and you know it's been a while with us and the cup so it would be nice. it also gets a bit more money into the coffers for the club which could help come January. So yeah, I'm all for us kicking on and hopefully starting around. The fact we're as I say we're at home gives me a bit of confidence that We can stay in the stay in it. what if no replays these days. Barrow, let's see what they're like. I mean the fact we were tuned up against home against them last season and then capitulated to a threat two two. It was very frustrating and let's hope we learned our lessons. I we were done 'cause it's a different squad now. so yeah, optimistic. I won't be in my usual spot this sea today. I've opted as it's a cup game and there's plenty of tickets available to to move seats so I'll be in the Medway stand today, keeping an eye close eye on Gareth, make sure he makes the right decisions, etc. which I'm sure he will. so yeah, looking forward to it and looking forward to it game from a different perspective. So yeah, up the jewels. team news. interesting, interesting. and actually quite disappointing if I'm honest. so back three, Smith drops out, Bailey comes in, know if she's there, gives Smith a bit of a rest, he's played a lot of football. Logan dobs left and switched to the right hand side, so a bit more natural for him. So no she's there. Freeman's obviously fit. Midfield, midfield, so McManus has dropped out some Brofie's therefore had to go out to left wing back. got in the squad interesting McManus. So I don't know what that's about. has he got a knock? that would assume so, so yeah, I mean it gives Brophy a bit of a practice ahead of international break. so disappointing. So guess who's back in? It's Robbie. Robbie and Coleman. We know it's never worked before. it just worries me. Worries me, worries me. It should be enough to beat a non-league team, but feels like a step forward and one step back. no Eaves, no Dak. The bench looks pretty bare, other than a little in a McCleary. It's mainly kids and a lot on loan candle. So again slightly worrying if we the the first starting eleven don't get the job done. yeah. Bit f bit worrying. Bit worrying that we might have picked up some more injuries or knocks. Or is Garf saying no, you know, is it not taking any risks 'cause it's only a cup game. But yeah, it's a little bit disappointing. But hopefully I'm proven wrong. That's what I want to hear. And that's what I want to see. So yeah, let's see. We are inside the reign of end ahead of today's FA Cup first round at Tyre with National League Barrow and Gareth Ainsworth has been true to his word again about taking this seriously. Just a pair of changes from last Saturday's league winning Shropshire out of the starting eleven come Andy Smith. He's been due arrest. I think he's featured in every game so far. So Jack Bailey gets another opportunity from the off. Whether that means Logan Dobbs switches to the other side remains to be seen, but we'll keep an eye that. And then there's a bit of a theme, Conor McManus for the second time this season, called up by Republic of Ireland under 21s and misses the next fixture for us. So that's a little bit strange, but it gives an opportunity to Robbie McKenzie to come straight back into the starting 11. That does mean that it looks like James Brady will be shunted out to left wing back again, but needs must. This Barrow team is a team that's going to cause us problems. Are in the National League, of course, having been relegated last season, but they're playing well, they've only dropped two points in their last eight games, winning seven and drawing one. We're gonna have to be our best if we want to progress. But we have better players than them. You have to say that if we do everything correctly and play to the levels that we did last week, then I'm confident we'll be in the hat for Monday's draw. In the ground now, waiting for kickoff. Today's FA Cup game at home to Barrow in round one. Team News is in, a few changes. There's no McManus, a left wing back, fewerly injured, so I'd imagine Brophy will fit in there. McKenzie is back into midfield, obviously filling the void with Brofey moving back into defence. No Smith, maybe managing his minutes there. Daly comes in. We'll at least allow Dogs to play on the the right hand side where you know it is an actual fit. sadly there's a few absentees on the bench still. Not just those who I thought might be returning today, but there's no Eves, there's no Dak. Disappointingly Dak, you know the injuries are now starting to mount up Arnold. And he's such an influential player. We want him in the side, but sadly that's not the case. Is it? So yeah, he's got to be quite question marked about his future. today's opponents, Barrow, National League side, league below But I don't think we should be fooled by that. There's not a huge amount of difference between the majority of the National League and the majority of League Two. you know, these days most of the National League are full time, so there's no longer that issue of fitness. difference between the two teams. Tharrow on a decent run of form following their relegation to the National League. Looking at the warm-up, they've got a big strong physical side. So that'll make life difficult for us today. But I think even without the rights of Dak and moving Brofi back into that wing pack, I think we've still got maybe little bit too much quality for them and I think that quality will allow us To win the game won't be easy, but I think we'll win by the odd goal and I think we will win two one. 35 minutes Donnie, and I'm not really sure how this is still goalless. It's a really open game. Both sides have had good opportunities. We've had chances for Hale, should have hit the target after a really good passing move. Harry Waldock fell over his own feet, went on goal, and then Lamin Sillers just fired straight to keep at the other end. Jack Daly's having a torrid afternoon. Doesn't know whether to stick or twist. He's being outdone for pace, he's been beaten on the inside and the outside, and he's having a really, really tough first half. And yeah. Farrow players just rattled the outside of the post, albeit Ollie Wright had it covered, but they've had their moments, couple of balls, flashed across the box, should have been converted. Yeah, entertaining, somehow still goalist. 35 minutes gone here, and I'm not really sure how this is still goaless. It's a really open game. Both sides have had good opportunities. We've had chances for Hale, should have hit the target after a really good passing move. Harry Waldock fell over his own feet, went on goal, and then Lamin Sillers just fired straight a clear. But the other end, Jack Datey's having a torrid afternoon. Doesn't know whether to stick or twist. He's being outdone for pace, he's been beaten on the inside and the outside, and he's having a really, really tough first half. And yeah. Barrow players just rattled you outside of the post, albeit Ollie Wright had it covered, but they've had their moments, cut the balls, flashed across the box, should have been converted. Yeah, entertaining, somehow still goaless. Halftime nil-nil. Interested to see what the social media fibes are, but I don't think it's too bad. I think Barrow are doing quite a good job, so it's gonna be a tricky game. This they're sitting in, they've got five at the back. They've got their number five man mark in Bulldog, they've got their number three man marking Robbie, man for man in midfield, they're then playing two wide forwards who are very quick and as wingers and then they've got Rakeem Harper dropping in as like a false nine. So it's tricky. Their only outball is the 19. They're constantly looking to switch it and I'm afraid to say that he has Jack Daly on toast. Jack Daly is struggling to live with him and his pace. But that is their main threat, so we need to cut the source, stop the switch of play. And then looking for the nine team where we can. when we've made it a man for man game, we've played quick, we've got in. Robbie had an unbelievable chance, should had to score, or at least make the keeper make a save of note. It was pretty tame effort that the goalie managed to save quite easily if I'm honest. big, big chance that. And that came from Waldock outrunning his man or two men, man for man, and that's what we've got to do. Waldock and Robbie are the key here, they've got to run and play. And try and beat their man markers man for man. Bordox looking like he's c he can do it quite comfortably, Robbie, I'm afraid. The number thirty three has got him in his pocket, I've not seen Robbie win ahead of a up against him either yet. So that for me is where we're gonna unlock this game. we've got to be braver when we go man for man for me. if we can do that, I think we will win. because when we've done that we've got in and we've looked like we're gonna score. The danger is that number nineteen, that switch of plane, that's the bit we've got to cut off. a bit worrying that Logan does have a bit of a knock there just for half time. that didn't look too good. based on that Ainsworth said that he doesn't really want to use Andy Smith today 'cause I had a knock. but hopefully he'll be alright. I can see Andy Smith currently out here warming up on the pitch at half time indicates that Logan's okay to me. but yeah, I mean, dare I say it, I'd fancy probably Armani Little in a one-to-one trying to beat their number 33 than Robbie at the moment. Who knows? This could be a game for Armonia Littles to redeem himself. Let's see what the second off brings. Halftime here at Freezefield. It's 0-0. A watchable game, an entertaining game. Both sides have had reasonable chances to score. Neither side has taken those chances. Barrow, as expected, are looking a very decent outfit. Very big, physical, strong side, a lot of pace. play on counter attack. Their number 19 is certainly the quickest player I've seen all season play against us. And it's giving Daly a real torrid afternoon. Both sides have had chances to score, as I say. Ours unfortunately are best chance to Aldo McKenzie who never looked comfortable when bursting through. Their best chance, the guy in the six yard box, ball flashed across and it completely clean bowled him when he should have put it away. all to play for in the second half. Although it's nil-nil, I don't think we played that that badly. As I say, I think the real concern is their number 19 and the fact that he's giving David such a hard time. Whether that leads to a change in formation and personnel remains to be seen. I'd like to see Alvarez on for McKenzie introduce a few more legs to our play. But nil-nil. No, pull to play for second half now. Fifty-nine minutes and we've made our first change and sadly it's Wardock going off injured. took one seems to take one blow and then he took another one and it's just one too many. he's wandering off GMAC is on. no issue, bit of quality, but we've lost our youthful exuberance and energy, and that is where I'm worried. Just over the 20 to play in this one. It's still anybody's game. Yeah. Still plenty of effort. Both teams still trying to win the football match, but there's not been anything in a way of clear-cut chances compared to the first 45 minutes. Just been a short delay for Logan Dobbs, who looks to be okay, thankfully. But we have lost Harry Waldock to injury. Gareth McCleary's on in his place, and he's been bright since being introduced. But yeah, 20 minutes to play. If it stays like this, then goes towards extra time, and then the potential lottery of a penalty shootout. With eighteen to go. Looks like we've changed formation and shouldn't have been a of way to try and win this game. We've gone to a front three, Hale up top, Silar and McCleary either side, and then Brofie's gone into the ten and we've gone to a back four, Daly to left back, Freeman to right back. we obviously try to change it to try and see if we can get something out of this game. I think all to get a chance and needs to take it. Seems to me that Garrett wants this done in 90 minutes. We've gone to a back four, yes, with Nick Freeman at right back, Jack Daly the other side now. James Groffy, much more advanced in the 10. We just had a really good chance rolling an oil, unlucky combination of the post and the keeper kept it out. Looks like we're going out of the cut. fair play, I think, Sabara, to be honest. they've last few minutes, they've made some changes. They put basically two up front, they put two in the ten role, they've gone for it and It's been with them ever since. They've caused us big problems in the last ten minut ten minutes. We struggled to get a foot on the ball, get any kind of momentum going. it's been a bit of a an away cut underdog masterclass actually, if I'm being honest to them. I'm not sure I can see it's getting back in this now. Walking back to the car now after seeing the Jills exiting the FA Cup in round one at home to Barrow. Late goal for Barrow. We switched off a little bit of a corner, they took it quickly, shotgun was in, threw a melee of players, nestles in the goal. Narrow 1-0 defeat. Disappointing. I don't think there's much between the two sides to be perfectly honest. Both sides had opportunities. What I really want to talk about is the reaction of certain fans at the final whistle. We all know that opinion is divided upon Ainsworth as manager. The result obviously plays firmly into the hands of those who want a change of manager. I thought the booing. It was really unwarranted a game. I don't think we played that badly. We lost Narrowly. And there's a sense of entitlement isn't there amongst certain fans. We're at home, we're playing aside in the National League. And the assumption is that we should beat them. And just thought the booing was unnecessary. I thought the comments to all Dainesworth were just nonsensical. And some of those fans should actually look at where we are in the league and recall that in fact last week we got a very commendable away win in the league. So you've got to look at the bigger picture. Yeah yes it's disappointing to go out. We'd all want to cut along with me. But this toxic atmosphere for home games, if we're not careful, it's not going to help us in our bid to get promotion. There has to be more patience and more open mindedness shown by certain fans. I don't think it's gonna happen though, which is a shame and I think that is to our detriment. that's another cup run over for the year. I don't sh I don't know if it's as bad, I think the boon's completely unwarranted there at the end. don't get me wrong, I didn't think the second half we really created anything to note, but then nor did Barrow. it became a bit of a nothing game after actually being quite entertaining first half. I felt maybe we'll moan about Ainsworth changing it. Well he did change it, he changed it a few times but sadly Well due to the injury situation, w we have three senior players to change it with. And if we're honest, probably not the three senior players we're hoping and wanting to be coming on to change it. that being said, I think booing a player as they're coming on is not helpful. I don't know what we're achieving there. yes, okay, he's not everyone's cup of tea. He absolutely costs us the game at Grimsby. But really are we gonna boo a player when he comes on? I don't see what that's achieving for us. that's not gonna make him want to perform. I if that carries on I fully expect Armani Little to be asking to leave the club in January. why would you want to stay when you're getting that kind of reception? We want him to perform well for us, so let's try and encourage him. Yes, if he then does throws in absolute nightmare performance, absolutely, let's maybe give him some of our opinion. But I think to blew a player, but immediately as they come on, we actually want them to change the game and try and win it for us. What that's just nonsense. it wasn't a bad performance. I've seen far worse this season and fair play Barrow, you know. I spoke about their tactics. I felt we stopped that ball into the number nineteen in the second half, but then it can't leave prohibited us, I felt. That the big changing point was probably the injury to Waldock. We lost that energy and enthusiasm from him. and as much as G Mac did okay, it it's not quite the same kind of level of energy and effort that we're seeing, if I'm being brutally honest. but Fair Play Barrow ten minutes ago, looked at it, thought we've got nothing to lose here, we're gonna roll the dice, we're gonna put two up top, we're gonna put two attacking midfields on, and we're gonna go for it. And they got their goal. they probably should have had that penalty beforehand from my vantage point in behind the dugout, it was a clear pen. rightly they were aggrieved by that on their bench. Ollie Wright there made a brilliant save as well, not long after that. And then they got the winner. I'm not really sure they're striking you much about it. He certainly it rather hit him rather than him putting in the net. But He was the one who was on his toes and he gambled and we weren't on our toes. And that's where my criticism would lie, is that the players we kinda were hoping to get to f full time and then go again in extra time. And we were just hoping to get through those at that moment rather than actually making ourselves get through the moment by trying to win the ball, win second balls and get out. we look like we wanted to hang on and just see it out. That's where it's going on. Is that Angel's fault? Not for me. That's the players. so again I feel it's unwarranted and we are not helping ourselves because we're gonna make playing at home very difficult for our players if we as fans don't change our attitudes and it's quite pathetic.