Thoughts from H&R

[Chris1]

Yessss!!! 4-4-2 and it worked a treat. Ok it was only one match, but all of us who have been calling for it can pat ourselves on the back. It was a well deserved victory against a fast mobile team, exactly the type that have pulled us apart the last few Saturdays.

 

I will be interested to see what others thought, because I think I might be suffering from told-you-so-itis.

 

Mitten

Oates-Deen(Donovan)-Trott-Allman

Yiga(Sesay)-Keister-Protheroe-Knight

Hockton-Brayley

 

Unused subs Gradley, Edwards, Standen (Bill Standen according to the PA)

 

Protheroe wore the armband, although there was a lot of chat from various players. In the technical area we had a silver-haired gent who looked like a tactician, a younger fellow I didn’t recognise, and a new physio in the style of Billy Bunter. No doubt someone will enlighten me as to who these people are.

 

Not an exciting game, except of course for Gate fans eager to assess the new lineup. We had 2 good chances, they had 1.

 

Apart from a scare at the start from a long throw we held them well in the first half, without really threatening much. There was quite a bit of chat while we settled, but all in all we dealt with everything well. Our central midfield played quite deep, which meant Brayley and Hockton did not get terrific service.

 

Deen was injured at the start of the second half, which meant a like-for-like substitution. It looked as if Donovan was about to come on anyway, and I wondered if the original intention had been to bring off a midfielder and push Deen forward.

 

Hockton failed to hit the target when put through on the keeper by (I think) Protheroe.

 

As the half wore on the game opened up a bit, although our back four continued to deal with everything competently. They threw on a taller forward but took off a playmaker, and we continued to look at least as good. We brought Sesay on as a direct swap on the right of midfield.

 

At last Hockton was again put through on the keeper and this time made no mistake, 1-0. The cheers were very loud!

 

Within a couple of minutes they could have equalised when Wells headed over from a free kick. Apart from that I don’t remember them having a clear shot at goal all game.

 

Our lads and lasses gave good support as always. So nice for them to have something to cheer about for a change. ‘Robin Trott’s barmy army’ sounded good to me.

 

Player ratings:

 

Mitten 5. Didn’t have a lot to do in truth. Flapped a couple of times and punched when I thought he might have claimed it. Might not be fully fit. No keeper on the bench.

Oates 7. A good game at right fullback.

Deen 6. Played well, but I would like to see him midfield.

Trott 8. Superb defending throughout.

Allman 6. Was getting a lot of instructions during the first half about positioning, including from RT and JK simultaneously at one point.

Yiga 5. Similar role to what we have seen him playing, but not winning the ball enough and getting dispossessed. I would love to see Sesay start in this position on the right of midfield, which I think is made for him.

Keister 6. Hard work all game. I don’t know what his opinion of the formation is, but I thought he took some time to adapt.

Protheroe 8. Outstanding performance. Never dispossessed, nearly always finds a man with space to pass to. Doesn’t mind having a go at goal. My MOM.

Knight 6. Some good work out there on the left.

Hockton 8. Missed one, took one. Looking like a goal a game striker, which will do me!

Brayley 5. Not at his best today. Drifted wide left for long periods in the second half. Not linking with Hockton as well as usual; in fact I think they had words towards the end. He should play deeper than Danny, because whereas Danny turns defenders Bertie looks to win the ball off a defensive error and then carry it forward.

Donovan (sub) 5. Pretty solid. Didn’t try anything fancy.

 

In summary, we looked 1000% better than in recent weeks. Good luck to RT, he deserves the praise he will get. We cannot fail to avoid relegation if we continue to play like this.

[Blues with Soul.]

If you are refering to the 'silver haired gentleman' - in a suit - I was informed it was Mike Flannigan - ATM.

[Dutch_Mike]

Thanks for the report Chris. Unfortunately, I missed today's game. Starting to feel like there is a pattern - last 2 away games I have missed were Wealdstone and Hampton - anyone else see the pattern? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[michael]

Thought i'd add some belated thoughts.

 

Imo draw would have been a fair result.

we were margnally better side but they did have 3-4 decent chances ,and Yaku had two powderpuff shots when in on charlie(the player that is) where, had he hit ball harder would have been easy goals for Hampton.

 

I thought Trott was faultless as a defender-i would give him a 10.

Oates played best i've seen him for ages aswell-played a bit deeper and we looked as though we had a defence.

 

hope Hasim not too badly injured, but have to say that despite apparent recent errors, when he came on, Donovan was in fine form-even looked quite mobile-, and would be tempted to play him alongside Trott with Deen in midfield.

 

'On paper', both Yiga and knight were distinctly below par imo.HOWEVER, they did give width, and although in all honesty, they contributed little, the fact they were there and out widish, meant that Hampton had to cover them, and thus could not surge through either down the flanks or through the middle, that we have seen so many times this season-again-the benefit of 4-4-2.

I do think standen and Sesay would give better options however in these positions.

 

i thought Hockton took his goal brilliantly-takes skill and confidence to chip over oncoming keeper on a hard and bobbly pitch.

 

odd thing that impressed me most was when we scored and most players and fans understandadbly went nuclear(memeories of Sigere's late winner at Hereford that kept us safe came to mind),Trott kept the back line behind the halfway line-they did not celebrate-but prepared for the last 8 or nine minutes(and we were lucky the header did not go in).

Keeping the defence concentrating during our moment of euphoria impressed me.

 

Don't you just love it when you don't concede.

 

One Robin doth not make summer, but its an ok start

 

More 1-0's to the gate please

[geoff pay]

excellent quip to finish. still felt vastly diff without CK

[Chris1]

Yes, made me chuckle too mm!

 

100% agree with you about Deen in midfield. He and Protheroe will make a great pairing and bridge the gap better.

[Gate Watcher]

Vastly better in my opinion Geoff.

[michael]

A bit sad that CK not there to take some praise.

 

In fairness, the players were his,and he has contributed vastly; but i think the stubborness re: the formation got too much for too many.

 

I think CK has done so much good for this club, that it will take some beating.

I would add though, that i am stillggrieved over last seasons tactics to play Shambles at full back, when there was an alternative option in Clarke, and game after game we lost because of weakness and full back.Then arguably Green was held back for two more games than absoltely necessary.

Points deduction, or no points deduction, i still feel peeved that we are down in Ryman in first place,and think that had alot to do with tactics last season