Exeter v Torquay 3pm ,sat 2nd August

[ferrarilover]

As an aside, Exeter are in trouble if L2 isn't as dreadful as it was last year and/or they don't get a big slice of luck. They're sort of ok out of possession, but the instant they get the ball, they're devoid of ideas. The whole first half consisted of Exeter having the ball, passing it sideways a dozen times, them lofting a fairly aimless pass forward in the hope of finding a runner. Second half, when Chris had got us in and told the boys to go out, stick the boot in and go for the kill, Exeter crumbled. They lost their discipline and were lucky really not to have a couple of men carded (there could have been a red in a real game). They also wilted and their attacking prowess deminished completely. Once Ajala and Richards came on and began linking with the intelligent and productive running of Bowman and Sully (rather than the eye-catching but fruitless mincing about that Benyon offers), City's back line looked all at sea, offering free crosses and being easily outmanoeuvred by relatively simple three man triangles.

Don't give me all that "it's a fitness exercise" bollocks. Not this close to the season it isn't. This was a full dress rehersal and Exeter forgot their lines and missed their marks time and again.

Matt.

[hector]

O'A[r]chie out of his depth? You mean aside from winning every header he went for and muscling at least two much more experienced defenders off the ball? He slotted straight into a decent side and worked especially well with the other black guys. I'm not really sure what you mean about Sully either. He could have comfortably had a hat-trick today and he was only on 20 minutes. He was inches from an excellent Briscoe cross (is there any other kind?), saw one excellent 20 yarder denied by the save of the game and managed to mishit a difficult, but not impossible volley. In 70 minutes, Benyon had one (admittedly very well struck) shot and you seem pleased with his day's work.

I never get a good sense of the game at City. Too low down for my liking, but those bits that were right in front of me looked bloody good. I have my concerns about Downer, and wonder if he might be losing his place to Old Mac when Pearce is back fit.

Matt.

Are you slipping into that casual racism again? Are you suggesting he did he not link as well with the white guys?

I just felt he looked a little lost. Let's hope you are right and that over the season he proves to be what you appear to think he is.

[Dutchgull]

Downes sadly lacking and we all know about Tongue and Cruise if only we could get rid we could almost be competitive in this league. Benyon gone would be a big help as well !!

[ferrarilover]

Are you slipping into that casual racism again? Are you suggesting he did he not link as well with the white guys?

I just felt he looked a little lost. Let's hope you are right and that over the season he proves to be what you appear to think he is.

I am if people are going to try that hard to find racism in things, yeah.

My teacher at school wrote the words to Baa Baa Black Sheep, in black marker on the white board. I expect that would give some people a coronary these days.

Matt.

[DelWTS]

Congrats CH.
I watched the game yesterday. And thought wow
There is lots of new players. And later in the game
When some excellent committed tactics were
Played. The way they looked in this friendly
And with CH guidance. All the ingredients are
There for players to fight for position. And
Tufc look like they have a committed chance of returning
To the football league at first shout.
Good luck CH & tufc.

[cambgull]

Congrats CH.
I watched the game yesterday. And thought wow
There is lots of new players. And later in the game
When some excellent committed tactics were
Played. The way they looked in this friendly
And with CH guidance. All the ingredients are
There for players to fight for position. And
Tufc look like they have a committed chance of returning
To the football league at first shout.
Good luck CH & tufc.

A lovely poem, Del.

[hector]

I am if people are going to try that hard to find racism in things, yeah.

My teacher at school wrote the words to Baa Baa Black Sheep, in black marker on the white board. I expect that would give some people a coronary these days.

Matt.

Well your observation that he linked especially well with the 'other black guys' of which, for much of the time there were just two on the pitch - one of whom was a defensive midfielder, whilst the other switched around from right to left wing a fair bit, perhaps overlooks the other EIGHT players, he presumably, from your point of view, didn't link so well with. Perhaps when Niall Thompson then came on at right-back, he then fashioned an effective link-up then.

Your 'other black guys' was a nonsensical thing to say. If you thought he linked especially well with Richards and Ajala, why not just say their names, as you would have done, had it been Chapell or Briscoe, rather than making a comment that suggests that O'Achie - because he is black, formed a more effective link with the other black players than he did with the 'white' players.

[yellowforever]

That's not racism I'm afraid.

[ferrarilover]

It suggests exactly what it says, he linked well with the other black fellas on the pitch. If you choose to take yourself on a flight of fancy and make wild extrapolations from that, there's little I can or would care to do about that.

Matt.

[cambgull]

Well your observation that he linked especially well with the 'other black guys' of which, for much of the time there were just two on the pitch - one of whom was a defensive midfielder, whilst the other switched around from right to left wing a fair bit, perhaps overlooks the other EIGHT players, he presumably, from your point of view, didn't link so well with. Perhaps when Niall Thompson then came on at right-back, he then fashioned an effective link-up then.

Your 'other black guys' was a nonsensical thing to say. If you thought he linked especially well with Richards and Ajala, why not just say their names, as you would have done, had it been Chapell or Briscoe, rather than making a comment that suggests that O'Achie - because he is black, formed a more effective link with the other black players than he did with the 'white' players.

Yeah... that really isn't racism. Racism is not anything that involves the use of someone's skin colour, it's saying something in a derogatory way in order to make a different race seem somehow inferior, as people. Matt didn't do this.

[rooster]

Racism:

The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

[Dave]

Somebody calls a black man, a black man, and so many scream racism, and take offence, somebody calls a white man, a white man, and no one gives a flying fork. What's the difference ?

[gullintwoplaces]

Somebody calls a black man, a black man, and so many scream racism, and take offence, somebody calls a white man, a white man, and no one gives a flying fork. What's the difference ?

Completely agree, this is all getting a bit silly.

[DevonYellow]

The colour of someone's skin has no bearing on the way they link up with other players. It's irrelevant.

I'm sure (I know) no racism was intended but why focus on skin colour? Just say he linked up well with Duane, Courtney etc...

[Dave_Pougher]

Don't always agree, with Matt says but got to stand up for him here, how on earth can he be even considered a racist.

I'm fairly confident he hates everyone exactly the same regardless of their origins.