Post match views
Tuesday, 1st September, Alexandra Stadium
Stockport County, JPT 1, 1-4 (Zola)
De ja vu! Stockport didn't have to work too hard for their victory, as we gifted them three goals in the first half. Adam Ledgzin's confidence must have been severely dented pre-match, with the re-signing of David Button, but he should have dealt much better with the Stockport corners that led to their first two goals. To rub salt into an already gaping wound, Mat Mitchell-King was lost to injury and his replacement, Simon Walton gifted County a third. A switch to 4-4-2 second half saw a much improved performance rewarded with Calvin Zola's fifth goal of the season. But even then, Stockport were able to get a fourth!!! Time to concentrate on the League!Saturday, 29th August, Dean Court
Bournemouth, League 2, 0-1
Surprisingly Gudjon recalled Anthony Elding and Clayton Donaldson for Grant and Moore, but Clayton's afternoon was brought to a premature end after just 26 minutes. An early strike for Calvin Zola was ruled out for offside, and with us unable to keep a fourth clean sheet, Bournemouth secured all three points and moved up to third.
Saturday, 22nd August, Alexandra Stadium
Hereford, League 2, 1-0 (Jones)
A third clean sheet and up to third! With David Button's return to Spurs, and despite Gudjon's supposed reservations, Adam Ledgzins was given his chance in goal. A key early save from Leon Contantine ensured Hereford did not prosper from early dominance, but once Calvin Zola won, and Billy, sort of, converted the penalty, the Alex were always on top and looked likely winners. At 1-nil, you're always nervous, but the revamped defence, in particular Patrick Ada were imperious. A second would have been nice, and everyone, except the linesman, thought Anthony Elding had duly delivered. A long trip south, and much sterner test awaits, but so far, so good.
Tuesday, 18th August, Darlington Arena
Darlington, League 2, 1-0 (Zola)
Two clean sheets on the bounce! "Don't concede, then you only have to score one to win" is an approach that's hard to argue against, as once again Calvin Zola came up trumps at The Darlington Arena. The chances were there to have made the game safe before Calvin's late show, Joel Grant fluffing his lines from a clever Jones free kick, but with four in three, it's Zola the Gola! Now to impress the home faithful.
Saturday, 15th August, Blundell Park
Grimsby, League 2, 4-0 (Zola 2, Jones, Moore)
So Gudjon does have a "Plan B!" Ironically, it's Plan A from his successful early days at the club. However, it (3-4-3) is a formation that suits the players at his disposal, especially the full(wing)-backs, and really paid dividends against a poor Grimsby side. Once again Calvin Zola got on the score sheet (twice!) and is an early candidate for Player of the Month! Byron Moore also picked up where he left off against Daggers and Blackpool and is also starting to fulfil his obvious potential. The emphatic result consigned Grimsby to the bottom of the table, and next up is second bottom Darlington! Of course nothing should be read into the early season tables, but I'm sure we'll all take "seventh" in May! But it would be nice not to drop any lower from here on in!
Tuesday, 11th August, Alexandra Stadium
Blackpool, Carling Cup 1, 1-2 (Zola)A number of changes tonight, with the team the fans want rather than the one Gudjon apparantly wants! A much more enjoyable game to watch, with James Bailey, Byron Moore and Joel Grant the stand out players for the Alex. Typically, Adam Nowland, rejected by the Alex in the summer scored Blackpool's first, a well taken free kick. Calvin Zola equalised, but despite the improvement, Blackpool's second came as no real surprise. Saturday, 8th August, Alexandra Stadium
Dagenham & Redbridge, League 2, 1-2 (Moore)
Oh dear! After the optimism of Tuesday's second half, reality bites. The starting eleven was as expected, without a single Academy player involved from the start! Ironic then, that substitute Byron Moore should score a cracking equaliser. We really should have pushed on and gained something from the game after that, but just two minutes later, Paul Benson managed to come through three seperate challenges, Jones, O'Donnell and Button, to score Dagger's winner. Once again, "hoof ball" was the preferred approach. Yet, in fairness to Calvin Zola, he did fulfill his job description. A pity Gudjon didn't. Switching the forwards at half time only resulted in squarer pegs in rounder holes. James Bailey offered more creativity in midfield when he came on, but even then, there was too little football played. It can only get better!
Tuesday, 4th August, Alexandra Stadium
Birmingham City, Friendly, 4-1 (Schumacher, OG, Grant, Mitchel-King)
Unbelievable! The proverbial game of two halves. An uninspiring first half, which Birmingham bossed, but everything changed on 45 minutes! Schumacher scored a cracker to enable us to go in 1-1. Then, "wow!" From the restart everyone moved up a gear and suddenly it was 3-1 to the Alex! But we didn't rest on our laurels and only a super save from Joe Hart kept the score down! Mat Mitchel-King was awesome, putting himself about, breaking up play, and scoring a super individual goal. Expect him to feature heavily in MOTM awards! The expected eleven started, but if places are still up for grabs, Ashley Westwood is a strong contender. But where? Last night he slotted in seamlessly for Billy Jones at left-back, moving into centre mid when Tootle was given a run-out. Remember Hull, is the watchword, but this result will give everyone a timely morale and confidence boost ahead of Saturday. Wednesday, 29th July, Alexandra Stadium
Woverhampton Wanderers, Friendly, 0-1 The first defeat of the pre-season. However, a draw was probably deserved, and had Calvin Zola enjoyed more luck in front of goal, we might even of secured a win. Most notable by his absence was Anthony Elding, apparantly not risked due to a slight back strain. His position in the "hole" was taken by Joel Grant, with Byron Moore getting the nod on the left wing. Ashley Westwood starting in midfield ahead of Steven Schumacher. Trialist Maxine Chanot was given the last 25 minutes to impress, and although he didn't do anything spectacular, he looked fairly assured once he'd settled. Will he buck the trend and get a contract? Difficult to tell. However, with Gudjon suggesting his pursuit of Gunnar Mar Gudmundsson had gone cold, Steven Schumacher now looks most likely to secure the second midfield spot against Dagenham!Thursday, 23rd July 2009, Ewen Fields
Hyde United, Friendly, 4-2 (Grant 2, O'Donnell, Jones)More of the same with Gudjon apparantly settled on his starting eleven. However, loan signing David Button did come in for Adam Ledzgins. Should he have done? James Bailey and Ashley Westwood were also given a further chance to stake their claims for a midfield role, and although they did well, expect Mat Mitchel-King and A.N. Other to start against Dagenham.
Sunday, 19th July 2009, Weaver Stadium
Nantwich Town, Friendly, 1-1 (Donaldson)
Not many happy returns for Steve Davis at the Weaver Stadium. A pre-match torrential downpour made the match a "wash-out," with Nantwich' part-timers much happier with the conditions than Crewe's full time pros. A 1-1 result probably about right. Nobody excelled, and Gudjon was moved to order extra training for the lack of commitment. Three more triallists on show, the conditions didn't help them, and it'll be a surprise if Gudjon takes any of them on. But who knows..? Perhaps they'll feature at Hyde?Thursday, 16th July 2009, Alexandra Stadium
Wigan Athletic, Friendly, 1-0 (Grant)Pre-season preparations continued apace with a deserved 1-0 win over Premiership' Wigan at Gresty Road. Gudjon would appear to have his formation and first eleven, well first nine, in place already with just Joel Grant and Steve Schumacher replacing Shaun Miller and James Bailey from last Sunday's starting eleven at Newcastle. An excellent first half performance saw Joel Grant open the scoring, although Calvin Zola, a bad miss, and Anthony Elding, a bad decision should have added to the scoreline. Wigan played a different side in each half, however Gudjon resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes, with just Ashley Westwood replacing Steven Schumacher at half time. Westwood did his cause no harm with a very tidy second half performance, the trialist were "OK" but didn't pull up any trees, Byron Moore had much more of an impact than Miller, and it's likely to be a straight fight between him and Grant for the "left-wing" role. Notably, Adam Ledzgins played the whole 90 minutes, and when called upon to make saves in the second half, made them! Sunday, 5th July 2009, Lyme Valley Stadium
The first of six friendlies, and in all honesty a relatively easy work-out for the team. Gudjon promised to start with his best "eleven," and went with four at the back, with Mat Michel-King providing cover in front of then. Miller and Donaldson worked the flanks, with Anthony Elding, playing off Calvin Zola up front. Encouragingly, Zola, Elding and Donaldson all scored, with the bonus being a brace from trialist Hamdi Rasak, formerly of Swindon Town. Cries of "sign him up!" might be a little premature, but his performance has earned him an extended stay at Reaseheath, whereas, fellow trialist and former Swindon collegue Michael Pook is pursuing other options, taking in a pre-arranged trial at Cheltenham Town. Both goalkeepers played a half each, with Adam Ledzgins the first half starter. However, neither had a save to make in a very one sided game. Will the same starting eleven; Ledzgins; Brayford, O'Donnell, Ada, Jones; Miller, Bailey, Mitchel-King, Donaldson; Zola, Elding; take to the field against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, August 8th? The countdown begins.
A third clean sheet and up to third! With David Button's return to Spurs, and despite Gudjon's supposed reservations, Adam Ledgzins was given his chance in goal. A key early save from Leon Contantine ensured Hereford did not prosper from early dominance, but once Calvin Zola won, and Billy, sort of, converted the penalty, the Alex were always on top and looked likely winners. At 1-nil, you're always nervous, but the revamped defence, in particular Patrick Ada were imperious. A second would have been nice, and everyone, except the linesman, thought Anthony Elding had duly delivered. A long trip south, and much sterner test awaits, but so far, so good.
Saturday, 15th August, Blundell Park
Unbelievable! The proverbial game of two halves. An uninspiring first half, which Birmingham bossed, but everything changed on 45 minutes! Schumacher scored a cracker to enable us to go in 1-1. Then, "wow!" From the restart everyone moved up a gear and suddenly it was 3-1 to the Alex! But we didn't rest on our laurels and only a super save from Joe Hart kept the score down! Mat Mitchel-King was awesome, putting himself about, breaking up play, and scoring a super individual goal. Expect him to feature heavily in MOTM awards! The expected eleven started, but if places are still up for grabs, Ashley Westwood is a strong contender. But where? Last night he slotted in seamlessly for Billy Jones at left-back, moving into centre mid when Tootle was given a run-out. Remember Hull, is the watchword, but this result will give everyone a timely morale and confidence boost ahead of Saturday.
The first defeat of the pre-season. However, a draw was probably deserved, and had Calvin Zola enjoyed more luck in front of goal, we might even of secured a win. Most notable by his absence was Anthony Elding, apparantly not risked due to a slight back strain. His position in the "hole" was taken by Joel Grant, with Byron Moore getting the nod on the left wing. Ashley Westwood starting in midfield ahead of Steven Schumacher. Trialist Maxine Chanot was given the last 25 minutes to impress, and although he didn't do anything spectacular, he looked fairly assured once he'd settled. Will he buck the trend and get a contract? Difficult to tell. However, with Gudjon suggesting his pursuit of Gunnar Mar Gudmundsson had gone cold, Steven Schumacher now looks most likely to secure the second midfield spot against Dagenham!
Not many happy returns for Steve Davis at the Weaver Stadium. A pre-match torrential downpour made the match a "wash-out," with Nantwich' part-timers much happier with the conditions than Crewe's full time pros. A 1-1 result probably about right. Nobody excelled, and Gudjon was moved to order extra training for the lack of commitment. Three more triallists on show, the conditions didn't help them, and it'll be a surprise if Gudjon takes any of them on. But who knows..? Perhaps they'll feature at Hyde?
Sunday, 5th July 2009, Lyme Valley Stadium
