So what went wrong last night?

[GHA EFM]

Rob. Did I not make any other fair points?

 

Webbo. Kindly describe a situation where 3-5-2 is 'needed.'

[Rob_the_Saint]

Tom, I would not have described our first-half performance against Hayes as crap. We were crap against Hitchin, crap for 80 minutes against Enfield and verging on crap for most of the Borehamwood game but I thought we played quite well in patches during the first half on Tuesday. OK maybe we didn't 'dominate' (unfortunate choice of word) but we didn't do too badly. The second half however, is best forgotten...

 

But enough of that, on to Saturday and I am very worried about the centre of midfield. With Castle and Evans out who's going to plug the gaps? We seem to be lacking a bit in ball-winners so I guess the obvious answer is to move Ryan into midfield and bring in Rob Gould at the back. My team would therefore be (in 4-4-2):

 

Wilmot; Gould, Campbell, Townley, Naylor; Kean, Moran, Challinor, Smith; Martin, Crawshaw.

 

Subs: Oakes, Hollenbach, Brown, Sippets, Roberts.

[GHA EFM]

Robin.

 

Eeevo hasn't been playing in midfield this season. So, with Castle out, I would guess the midfield will be one of two:

 

Oakes, Challinor, Smith, Kean

 

or

 

Oakes, Challinor, Smith, Hohenzollern

[your m8]

Are you sure Corey Cambell is having a good season ? and Smith has had 3 or 4 poor games,but he's still the best in squad. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif" alt="" />

[Rob_the_Saint]

Just as an aside, I see in the Observer that Castle will play on Saturday before starting his two week ban and Robbo also hinted strongly that Beckett could be in the starting line up.

 

I quote "Beckett is a player who started extremely well but has suffered a dip in form," said Roberts.

 

"Make no mistake about it though, he is a very important player to us and could well start on Saturday.

 

<img src="/forums/images/icons/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Webbo MFI]

<blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr>

Hohenzollern

 

<hr></blockquote>

 

sh*t my sides split!

[AFF]

I never comment on team selection.

 

I'm not buying the programme any more [Hollenbach "tired"] and I gave up on that local rag ages ago [Hollenbach "dip in form" - well he hasn't suffered a 'dip in form' in the last 4 games; he hasn't played.]

 

A couple of handy hints for The Duo:

 

When it comes to team selection, never, ever, think about the opposition. Let them worry about us. Assess what we are doing and how the opposition are playing 20 minutes into the game and make changes, if required.

 

Up front: Martin and Crawshaw. Just before kick-off, so that he doesn't have time to forget, tell Simon to try to keep his eyes open when he heads the ball. On the bench as cover: De Souza and Sippetts.

 

In the midfield, Keen on the right. Challinor. Castle if available, if not Smith. On the left Hollenbach or Smith. On the bench as cover: Oakes and Sippetts.

 

At the back: On the left: Naylor, Smith or Hollenbach. On the right? Hmmnn. Moran or Gould? Hmmnn. Moran, Gould on the bench. Centre backs. Two of Townley, Campbell or Brown? Before Tuesday, it was Townley and Campbell for me. I would stick with that.

 

Hollenbach should start. If Castle isn't available, Smith should start in the midfield.

 

Roberts D. in goal, Wilmot on the bench.

 

Last thoughts. Bring a marker pen and write on the backs of the hands of the middle 4, "Don't drift deep". On the left and right backs, "stay tight on any winger". [On second thoughts, there may not be room on their hands for all that so just leave it as "stay tight".] Remind the centre backs that defensive headers are directed generally upwards, but in attack, head the ball in a downwards direction. Limit pre-match verbal instructions to an absolute maximum of two per player.

 

Always pleased to assist.