Stags v U's (Mansfield v Cambridge)

[AdamStag]

Typo. Sorry was drinking a pint while I typed it.

That said, benning would probably have still scored!!

 

[Flaxman's Alibi]

I think Cambridge can feel somewhat aggrieved to have not got something out of the game, however, they certainly didn't dominate it, it was a low quality affair where neither side did enough to argue that they deserved the points.

The penalty also looked nailed on to me.

I think U's will pose most sides some real questions this season. They're big and strong and are in the faces of defences. Ikpeazu and Ibehre are physical and cause all sorts of problems; fortunately for us Pearce and Mirfin are as good a pair of jailhouse doors that you'll find at this level.

Ultimately, a draw would have been a fair result. Our team is still struggling to find an identity (today's impotent starting midfield shouldn't be repeated) though we've lost out on points we've deserved this season, so we'll take 3 that are debatable.

 

[Arbury]

Just seen the highlights and the pen looks soft to me.

Be interesting to hear what tom and Alan have to say about the game, sounded like we played ok and was unlucky.

KTF

 

[Laker]

Just watched the highlights on channel 5, hard not to think the penalty is soft - I can see why everyone on our forum is pretty cheesed off.

We beat Coventry last week and were a tad fortunate, sounds like this one was the other way round. Swings and roundabouts.

 

[Stoney]

We didn't deserve to win that game at all but I'll take it. At the end of day we've not even got out of 2nd gear yet and we're 5th and unbeaten in 6 now.

Cambridge will cause good teams problems this season because of how physical and big they are as a side. Their number 6 (Legge?) was awesome all game, I'd be more than happy if he was in our side.

 

[Vanni]

FWIW, I watched the game on iFollow, and my first instinct was to think that's a penalty. I did watch the incident later on more than once and while it's not the best angle, I still think it was. Maris barely complained and players' reaction is often a good indicator. It's hard for any player at any level of the game to keep himself composed when his opponent dives to win a pen.

 

[Flaxman's Alibi]

Regarding the penalty, from the Tv angle it looked harsh. From mine in the upper White went over a stray leg. Probably a mix of clumsiness from the Cambridge player and cuteness from White but there was little arguing from the defending team.

It was undoubtedly the turning point of the game. We'd created nothing up to that point and United were deservedly ahead and on top. I think from then on the assertiveness altered in our direction, until we scored the winner and play shifted again.

I was impressed with Cambridge. They look a side that should be challenging the top 7 this season. And I wouldn't fancy playing them in a play off.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Certainly deserved a point, more so because Mansfield didn't deserve to win It, but that's what good teams do I suppose. Haven't watched the highlights back (don't when we lose, sore loser me.....) but it sounds like the penalty wasn't one, but we weren't switched on after scoring, and I was able to call out the second one 10 seconds before it happened. Still got a good defensive record but I have the same concerns there that I did at the start of the season, would still like to see Howkins play with Taylor shifted left and Dunk pushed on.

 

[Richard Cranium]

FWIW on Vanni's post about Evans mot shaking Derry's hand they certianly had a cuddle on the touchline at the end.

I missed the penalty decision so couldn't even tell you who was imvolved in that. That Legge impressed me for Cambridge.

 

[Conker]

Cambridge front two will cause problems simply because of how physical they are, luckily Pearce and Murfin dealt with them.

Most teams don’t have CB to the same standard of those two though.

 

[Habbinalan]

I felt and feel as upbeat after an away defeat as I can remember. It was as good a match as I've seen at Field Mill, result aside. We've been getting better and better match by match, with the Barnet defeat as a blip. We're still not the finished article but we've settled into a way of playing, with some straightforward variations and use of subs. A relatively settled team means partnerships have developed and I'm so bullish for Tuesday that I might even play a joker in oakroader 's Predicta................so we'll turn Forest Gump's season around and Mark Roberts will get his first FL hat trick.

We dominated the first half, played some good football and didn't score. I commented that Mansfield have to have more about them than this and so it proved. They defended like they meant it, played without a functioning midfield and found a way of winning.

As we walked up Quarry Lane, a number Stags fans, unprompted, said we deserved to win or were the better team. My response was that if you can play like that, especially first half, and take 3 points, there might be something there for the rest of the season. Having walked back to the car amongst groups of despairing, despondent and beyond frustrated Staggies over recent seasons, following some dire matches, I was happy to look back on our recent results and performances and encourage them to enjoy their time in the sun - and EVANS has to have a coronary soon doesn't he.

 

[Conker]

I feel like we was the better side clearly in the first 20/25 minutes, playing some good football but overall the first half was pretty even.

 

[Hamez]

The first half, was poor, with Cambridge slighlty shading it & had the better chances. Think second half was failry even, with us looking better when Anderson & Mellis came on.

Cambridge definitely deserved a point.

 

[SVH]

If anyone thinks that was a pen then they need their eyes testing.

Maris didn't react but the lad realised he wasn't getting the pass with the one two so he went down and hoped.

Should be banned.

 

[AdamStag]

The first half, was poor, with Cambridge slighlty shading it & had the better chances. Think second half was failry even, with us looking better when Anderson & Mellis came on.

Cambridge definitely deserved a point.

I didn't see the Wycombe game, so can't really comment, but certainly the best side i've seen at field mill this season.

Some said Luton were good, whereas I disagree, they were largely poor and got lucky late on when Evans made the wrong sub decisions