Barrow v Cambridge match thread

[Jonty]

Whatever squad lines up for next season I want Bayliss to start getting them to be more direct.

Today we pushed it wide at every opportunity, playing it across the final third, and too often overplaying it. It was so easy for Cambridge to contain us. We would rather pass it back than try and have a go through the middle.

We need a Louis Almond type player over summer, a player who has an eye for getting in on goal via the shortest route possible and can run at defenders and not into corners.

[tictactoe]

Defence was nowhere for their goals today, absolutely poor. No threat up front either, and I agree that Boyes' fitness is not an excuse as he has been off form for a while. I didn't envy the mom pickers today because no-one really stood out. Poor attendance but thats the norm.

[Jim]

Whatever squad lines up for next season I want Bayliss to start getting them to be more direct.

Today we pushed it wide at every opportunity, playing it across the final third, and too often overplaying it. It was so easy for Cambridge to contain us. We would rather pass it back than try and have a go through the middle.

I don't think they were playing to DB's orders! He made a comment in his interview, something about the midfielders being "happy to make an easy pass sideways and think it makes them look a good player".

[Jim]

I agree that Boyes' fitness is not an excuse as he has been off form for a while.

I have a feeling that DB is a bit peed off with him. I wonder if it's because he already has a contract for next season that he is not feeling the need to put the effort in.

[ahippy]

Well that's my last game for this seasoning was hoping for a win so I could rib my family who live in Cambridgeshire. On wards and upwards till next season. Have a great summer all,see you in August.

[Lancaster Branch]

I agree that Boyes' fitness is not an excuse as he has been off form for a while.

I have a feeling that DB is a bit peed off with him. I wonder if it's because he already has a contract for next season that he is not feeling the need to put the effort in.

Eh?

Bayliss praised him on Monday for trying to play whilst clearly not fit and he obviously wasn't fit yesterday but still turned out. I don't think Boyesy's effort can be questioned.

[bobbie moore]

Boyes has had no service from midfield or the wings ,hes a good player and i always think he tries his best, injured as he obviously is at moment,or not..Bayliss bit wrong to single him out there are other just going thro the motions.

[Steelworks End]

Lads looking for contracts next year but didn't do themselves any favours.

I wonder why players such as Cook and Mackreth who have, it seems, been offered contracts for next season, heven't signed them yet? Waiting for better offers elsewhere, perhaps?

[Matty Bassdriver]

Rutherford MOM how?? hes been here for the last 2 seasons on the back of 20 minutes at wembley in 2010,cant remember the last time he went forward and crossed a ball...

Not sure how many games you've actually seen over the last two seasons mate, but assume by this comment it can't be many! I think we all agree that Ruthers was outstanding for much of last season. Unfortunately he has been carrying a thigh injury for much of this season, but has still put in some great shifts (and a good few crosses/passes leading to goals!). This view of Ruthers is shared by all of my mates who come to Holker Street with me and no doubt many others.

Yesterday, as is often the case, Ruthers was one of the few players who appeared to care - compare his performance with say Richie Baker Ruthers was more effective in the 2nd half when cutting in from the wing and playing in a free-er role in front of the midfield - admittedly he had nobody to pass to upfront, but hardly his fault. Would like to see him kept next season but used more often centrally 'in the hole' pulling the strings - i.e. in the David Silva position

[Kieran]

Rutherford MOM how?? hes been here for the last 2 seasons on the back of 20 minutes at wembley in 2010,cant remember the last time he went forward and crossed a ball...

Not sure how many games you've actually seen over the last two seasons mate, but assume by this comment it can't be many! I think we all agree that Ruthers was outstanding for much of last season. Unfortunately he has been carrying a thigh injury for much of this season, but has still put in some great shifts (and a good few crosses/passes leading to goals!). This view of Ruthers is shared by all of my mates who come to Holker Street with me and no doubt many others.

Yesterday, as is often the case, Ruthers was one of the few players who appeared to care - compare his performance with say Richie Baker Ruthers was more effective in the 2nd half when cutting in from the wing and playing in a free-er role in front of the midfield - admittedly he had nobody to pass to upfront, but hardly his fault. Would like to see him kept next season but used more often centrally 'in the hole' pulling the strings - i.e. in the David Silva position

Not sure your view is as widely held as you seem to think Matty.

Ruthers effort can't be faulted, but he flatters to deceive much of the time. He runs around a lot (in circles most of the time) but often achieves very little in doing so. He has ability and I like the lad for his effort and work rate, but he's probably one the most frustrating players I've ever seen.

Not sure where you get that he was outstanding for much of last season from either really. He had a decent last 7 or 8 games but thats all it was.

[SKIPPER]

I don't think anyone analysing the current squad would be even mildly surprised by results over the last few weeks. In yesterdays starting eleven we had a centre-back and a midfielder who based on their treatment this season are unlikely to wear a Barrow shirt again after next week. We had another centre-back likely to be released by his parent club but just as likely to look for a new club East of the Pennines. We had a striker who according to the RC commentator had an ankle 'still up like a balloon' and expressed his surprise that he was even considered. As for the rest they only had to glance at the joke of a bench to expel any worries about being substituted. A rookie keeper and two young defenders,one who has failed to live up to pre-season promise,the other who has been out on loan all season. If we are to avoid any repeat of this season then I think that players need some incentive once that 50-point mark is reached,financial or otherwise (yes they are professional and shouldn't do but they are also human). My final thoughts are a little worrying. I seem to remember round about Christmas Bayles saying that they wanted to get the young lads tied down for next season. One week to go of this season that just hasn't happened. Will we need to start from scratch again?

[Lancaster Branch]

Lads looking for contracts next year but didn't do themselves any favours.

I wonder why players such as Cook and Mackreth who have, it seems, been offered contracts for next season, heven't signed them yet? Waiting for better offers elsewhere, perhaps?

More than likely. We don't pay great money so this is one of the pitfalls.

However, they should try to be realistic about how good they are and not how good people whispering in their ears tell them they are.

[saltcellar]

I don't think anyone analysing the current squad would be even mildly surprised by results over the last few weeks. In yesterdays starting eleven we had a centre-back and a midfielder who based on their treatment this season are unlikely to wear a Barrow shirt again after next week. We had another centre-back likely to be released by his parent club but just as likely to look for a new club East of the Pennines. We had a striker who according to the RC commentator had an ankle 'still up like a balloon' and expressed his surprise that he was even considered. As for the rest they only had to glance at the joke of a bench to expel any worries about being substituted. A rookie keeper and two young defenders,one who has failed to live up to pre-season promise,the other who has been out on loan all season. If we are to avoid any repeat of this season then I think that players need some incentive once that 50-point mark is reached,financial or otherwise (yes they are professional and shouldn't do but they are also human). My final thoughts are a little worrying. I seem to remember round about Christmas Bayles saying that they wanted to get the young lads tied down for next season. One week to go of this season that just hasn't happened. Will we need to start from scratch again?

I thought the player already had an incentive to do well in games.
Don't they get paid peanuts, but a bonus if they win or draw?

[barrowfan_chris]

I wouldn't be sad to see rutherford go bloody annoying footballer plenty of effort but lacks an end product most of the time.

[spirit of 1990]

Not sure your view is as widely held as you seem to think Matty.

Ruthers effort can't be faulted, but he flatters to deceive much of the time. He runs around a lot (in circles most of the time) but often achieves very little in doing so. He has ability and I like the lad for his effort and work rate, but he's probably one the most frustrating players I've ever seen.

Not sure where you get that he was outstanding for much of last season from either really. He had a decent last 7 or 8 games but thats all it was.

Exactly my thoughts Kieran.

I dont think anyone can question his workrate but he does seem to lack the skill with how to deliver final balls or knowing when to release a cross into the box, playing on the wrong wing half the time does'nt help. I was hoping he would start this season as he finished the last one, that should have given him the confidence he sometimes looks like he needs to go from being a decent winger in spells to a good one consistantly.
For most of last season he was really annoying to watch (till the final third) when we'd see him play really well one week but have a nightmare the following game.
Having said all that I would really like to see him here next season, seems to be a good honest lad.