Lack of Pace

[ahsatan]

Was at the game last night and fears after Saturdays game were pretty much confirmed, we have a severe lack of pace at the back, especially down the flanks, Peter Hawkins seems to be skinned on most occasions and although sacha gets in several last ditch tackles he is sometimes found wanting in the speed department. Overall we have a decent side and could quite easily have put both games to bed before half time, I am sure we will click up front sooner rather than later, its just the defence that is a concern. Last season we leaked a few goals when opposing strikers outpaced us and had a run of games where we conceeded 3 goals in each.

I think Mark Ricketts must be in line for a recall, PH has not had the best two games and heard some of our lot being none to polite about his performances at both games.

But hey ho, onward and upwards !!

[Richard C]

one name - Paul Mcarthy

 

without him we struggle - simply put................

[ahsatan]

True, bind together as a unit more when macca plays, but i still feel we need to improve defensively before we will start to challenge for the play off places

[MrMushroom]

Originally Posted By: ahsatan

True, bind together as a unit more when macca plays, but i still feel we need to improve defensively before we will start to challenge for the play off places

Having conceded four goals in two games, it would be difficult to argue with that.

[bilbo baggins]

Agree completely about Paul McCarthy - he adds experience to the back four that Smith or Charles lack

He is not the quickest at 37 but we still need him

Not sure the criticism of Peter Hawkins is fair - he is a steady unfussy player who has proved his ability many times

I just think he looks better player as part of a back 3 "wing back" system rather than as right back in a flat back four

[eufckev]

For the Rushden game, I would have rather seen Mark Ricketts start instead of Peter Hawkins. Fair enough, Hawkins is more experienced, but it would've put a fresh pair of legs out on the pitch. I think it was a mistake to start off with the same squad as the Mansfield game.

[JFW]

Out of interest - who picked the teams for the first two matches?

[Dave EUFC]

Originally Posted By: JFW

Out of interest - who picked the teams for the first two matches?

Daish, the way it should be

[JFW]

Long may he continue to do so

[Ian_D]

The members apparently chose the same team as Daish for yesturdays game.

 

Edit: Wehey 1000 posts

[ahsatan]

I will be suprised if there are no changes for Mondays game, big John and Mark Ricketts must be pushing for a starting place.

 

[Jeff]

Big John pushing for a starting place?

 

He has to start doing some pushing to do that mate.

 

[eufckev]

I'm all for Kweshi instead of Akinde to start. Akinde needs to push more, if he don't get regular football whilst with Ebbsfleet United, then the higher clubs will lose interest in buying him.

[Richard C]

Which isnt going to make our

[Albie78]

Totally agree richie macca should be recalled along with ricko and get kez in there.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: ahsatan

I will be suprised if there are no changes for Mondays game, big John and Mark Ricketts must be pushing for a starting place.

I'm guessing you haven't seen big John play lately ahsatan.

[Richard C]

I havent - but im guessing we take

[ahsatan]

Slarti,

I have seen both games this year, plus the Millwall friendly where he scared the s**t out of their defence when he came on, but if Mansfield and Rushden are anything to go by, it could be a season of " what may have been", as we have let several chances go begging, both games should have been won by half time, if you see that as OK then I take it you will be happy for us to have an average season. We need a few changes now and again to keep players on their toes and up the ante, with competition for starting places hotting up it can only be a good thing.

[Slartibartfast]

If you saw the Millwall match ahsatan then in the last minute with us trailing you saw John clean through with just the goalkeeper to beat and he passed instead of shooting...we lost.

If you saw the Mansfield game then although he was only on the field for 15 minutes you saw John clean through 3 times, once he let he defender tackle back, once he scuffed a woeful shot well wide and once he tried to pass to someone who was in a worse position than he was, 3 good chances never looked like scoring. If he had taken any of them we would have won.

John was passing instead of shooting for the last two months of last season as well so no surprise that he has continued in the same vein.

No ahsatan I don't see missing all those chances as ok but I don't think the solution is to pick the guy who is so far out of form that he doesn't seem willing to shoot at all.

Gash and Moore are our best starting combination but I would sooner see Appiah or Ibie being the first change until John sorts himself out.

[1 F in Fleet]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

I would sooner see Appiah or Ibie being the first change until John sorts himself out.

Seconded . John needs to wake up and smell the liniment . He could be great , but must match last season's heroics first and then every season thereafter , wherever he plays - hard to learn off the pitch .