My one gripe about the way we play.....

[FleetFanatic]

.....win or lose - and it's been like it most seasons;

 

On a forward run, the player gets to the edge of the box with enough space to run into to.

There's just one defender between the player and the goalkeeper.

 

Option 1:

Get round the defender, chance of a shot on goal with only the 'keeper to beat.

 

Option 2:

The defender catches the player, chance of a penalty.

 

Option 3:

Pass sideways in the hope of getting a cross in.

 

Why do we invariably go for option 3?

 

That's where our inconsistencies lie - not in just that scenario but in the fact, we're too predictable. That's how these lower league clubs do us in the cups - work out how we play, and prevent it happening. Whereas the 'bigger clubs' have their own style of play and don't change their game too much for anybody - hence The 'Fleet get a result.

 

It happens in games we win too, Grays the most recent example - but we need to learn we aren't going to win every match by crossing the ball and getting on the end of it.

 

Where's the flash of genius, the quick run into the box?????

 

(Or is this too much to expect at conference level?)

[Unrecognized Genius]

Yes. We are definitely vulnerable against the teams whose 1st priority is to stop us playing.

 

We have evolved quite a bit, but we are not yet the finished article in terms of variation & flexibility, but we are undoubtedly a better footballing side than we were last year or when we first entered the Conference. Ironically, though, the team that won the Ryman & the one that saw us through the 1st Conference season would probably not have lost at Chelmsford or against Wimbledon. They were lesser teams in terms of footballing ability, but better at dealing with decent, tough teams from a lower level.

 

I have a theory that in becoming a better side, you go through a phase in that development where you are more vulnerable to certain types of play - just as Barnet were walloped by us at their place in our 1st season up, when we were known for having a big uncompromising side which was well organised & made life tough for the opposition. At the end of your development into a side that outplays the opposition, you end up with a team like the one that Yeovil had when they won the Conference: no big bully boys, no gamesmanship in the tactics, they simply won by outplaying the opposition. Now, if we end up with a team like that in a season or 3, I'll gladly settle for the odd stumble against lesser sides on the way.

 

EC