Today’s Game And Have We Got What It Takes?

[Phil Old Boy]

Two points dropped today.

 

Mentions in the programme and in the echo before the game on how many we have scored at home in the last few games and how little scored away. With Northwood held up twice on route to the game, turning up at 3.07 pm and kicking off at around 3.22 pm, early thoughts were that their build up to the game was not ideal and if things went our way again, another good performance was possible.

Was it thirty seconds, maybe even less before they were one up and our players were stunned as you can imagine. For the next 45 minutes we passed the ball well along the back line, but fell short in carving any real openings at their end of the pitch. They were quite happy to let us pass the ball around at the back, and to be honest, they defended well when they needed to getting bodies in the way. In fact, when they found themselves in our penalty area, they looked more likely to score. There was a certain amount of indecision in our defence where they let balls bounce when they should not have, or just were slow in getting a leg in to clear, which in fact was a reason that led to their goal. Their keeper had so little to do that he did not go in at half time and needed a workout on the pitch to warm him up.

The second half was more like it and quite early on you could see they shut up shop, and who would blame them. Even then they hit the bar and a good save from Potter denied them. Our goal came from one of the many attacks we had and came from our best player today Boylan who was everywhere fighting for the ball. From their lack of a front line, Wardy wasn’t needed and subbed and Protheroe came on, and his first kick was a free kick which hit the wall. For the remainder of the game we pressed but either put the ball too near to their keeper or their defenders particularly 14 & 9 cleared.

 

So in all, a terrible start, and it was always going to be difficult but there were still 90 minutes left to change the result. If we are going to win this division this year, can we let slip in games like these? The trouble is we are the benchmark and the ones to shoot down. A result of any kind against us is like a season’s ambition for some of the clubs in our division. With the quality players at our club, we should be on top now. Somehow, we actually managed to climb to 2nd today as the results went for us and remain 4 points behind Carshalton. Imagine though through the season if we lack that killer punch or gift teams easy goals like today then we won’t be so lucky.

 

The players we have are good enough to win the league but I wonder sometimes if the team selections are not making the best use of the players. Sometimes an answer is staring you in the face but it needs another opinion to look at things differently.

 

Again my first observation and many others is that JK, although playing well, is playing out of position. He needs to be on the right where we know he provides an outlet. A couple of times in the second half, he managed to appear on the right hand side and exploit the space. This is something Midgeley has failed to do. Duffy is the outlet on the left and to provide a mix in the team, JK should operate on the right to give that option of build up play.

 

In the middle, we look so lightweight. To free up JK to the right, we have Bennett sitting on the bench now who should take over the middle. Last season he was a colossus at times and won so much at the back. Because his challenges sometimes led to a goal for the other team when played at the back, in midfield he would provide that strength and dominance we need to fight it out at times.

 

At the back, we could play both Buzz and Wardy to give us a lot of pace and get us out of trouble with Chenery, poss Cowan making up the four.

 

Would like to see a starting line up something like:-

 

Potter

Smith, Wardy, Chenery, Cowan

Bennett

Kennedy, Minton, Duffy

Gregory, Boylan

 

But whatever,

JK has to play on the right.

Bennett has to play defensive midfield

Both Smith and Wardy to play.

 

[Basil-Don]

Agree we should be seeing off teams like Northwood if we are going to win the league,fortunately most of the other teams are dropping points as well.I think today Duffy had one of his worst games for the club and hasnt really been hacking it at all this season,Midgley isnt really getting into the game.I think its time to make a few changes and agree that Benno should be given a chance,we are making changes too late in the game when its obvious early on that things are not going to plan.

I still cant make out why Jeff and Glen continue to not have a care in the world by laughing and joking on the sideline while we are drawing 1-1 and the supporters are getting more and more frustrated,christ knows how the players feel when they are working their b******s off and see them acting like they couldnt give a toss!

[ronin]

Who would you leave out of c/midfield to fit Benno in? Duffy did have a poor game today as did quite a few others but i think he is playing better so far this season than last year.

[Matt H]

I wasn't at yesterday's game so I can't comment on the events.

 

But from the comments on here I think a starting line-up like this would be good:

 

Potter

Smith - Theobald - Cowan - Chenery

Kennedy - Bennett - Minton - Parmenter

N. Gregory - Boylan

 

SUBS: Ward, Dobinson, Berquez, McDougald!! & Harrison

[CANV EFM]

i agree with j.k. on the right.. duffers maybe wasnt at his best but he does get to the line and he gets crosses in.. midgely did well in the second half..

we could have played that second half for another 45 minutes and not scored, it was just one of those days.. still we moved up to second and are still only 4 points off the lead, this is where we need to be and if it does suddenly click and we go on a run at least we wont be doing it from 14 points behind.. tricky away game on tuesday, lets see what that brings, we are at least in a position where a draw from this game is a good result rather than it being a 'must win'...

nice n tight the league this season, everyone taking points of everyone, this i think will suit us.. long way to go yet..

[Andy the Marsh Rat]

Sorry to disagree with you Basil,but Jeff was getting well agitated today,hence the altercation with that bloody awful linesman midway through the second half,beleive me he was not a happy bunny!!

[CANV EFM]

that was midly amusing.. i thought the lino was going to insist on a strip search for prothers before he let him on the fecking pitch

[Fat Boy Fat]

I'd go with;

 

Potter

Chenery Ward Cowan

Kennedy Parmenter Duffy

Minton Gooden

Boylan Gregory

 

Subs: Harrison, Theobald, Midgely, Dobinson, Smith

 

Tough choice between Chenners and Smith.

I'd replace Gregory with McDougald when he's fit and put Greggors on the bench for one of the defenders.

Sorry to all Benno fans but I think both Parms and Dobinson are better in that position.

[CANV EFM]

i favour dobbo over benno as well.. but beno is great cover in the defensive midfield role.. not in the back line tho