10 Games in, how are we doing??
Sept 17, 2014 10:35:44 GMT
RD, I Voted For Kodos, and 1 more like this
Post by gretschgas on Sept 17, 2014 10:35:44 GMT
So they say 10 games is when the league starts taking shape and fairer judgement's can be made, how is our position, points tally and general level of performances comparing to everyone's pre-season expectations?
Tactics - I think we are massively improving with how we are playing, the great thing about DC is that he literally takes each game as it comes and sets up dependent on the individual game. After an impressive away win on Saturday lots of managers would have stuck with the 3 at the back wing back formation but credit DC for going with a more attacking line up and two wingers out there to get at Nuneaton, it paid off. Earlier in the season we really were not at it tactically, Barnet and Altringham were terrible performances and I don't know if that was down to DC or the players but if we look at the last few games we do seem to have learnt our lesson. This league will not be a stroll and everyone will want to beat us.
Signings - The are starting to look the part now and I would say that a spine of Trotman, Mansell and Cunnington is really strong, hardworking and disciplined. With other more creative players such as Taylor, Martin, Monkhouse and Gosling around them the potential is there. Balanta will be interesting to see as on paper he is a great signing but he must be in this league for a reason. We have a decent sized squad now with Brunt/Leadbetter/Monkhouse/Balanta not even on the bench last night.
Opposition - I have to say that the standard of opposition is lower than I expected. From the games I have seen only Barnet actually looked like a better team than us. Altringham and Braintree were disastrous more down to us not being up to it rather than being beaten by the better team. I thought Forest Green were poor and despite the fact that Wrexham had won all of their away games and Halifax all of their matches when we played them neither looked like beating us. A cause for optimism if we can believe in ourselves a bit more and get that mentality that we can beat anyone in this league without it turning in to complacency. We have to really battle to win games.
Set plays - We look dangerous from corners/free kicks, a lot more so than recent times. It really helps when we have several different players taking them rather than just Brown swinging it into the box every time. Martin is brilliant with his left foot and Mansell has a decent delivery from the other side. We are even trying the odd short corner or training ground routine which is pleasing.
Harrison - he looks a lot more confident coming on now than at any stage last season, the two times he got the ball yesterday both caused havoc and with his pace he can be a really useful asset this season.
Goals - We haven't scored as many as we would have liked up to now but the pleasing thing is that goals are coming from all over the team. 6 goals in the last two games shows we are starting to gain some more confidence in front of goal.
Right back - Still feel this is an area where we are short, maybe Turley can play there? Lockyer is best as a centre back/midfielder and Leadbetter is more an attacking wing back so we do look a little open there at times. This really affects whoever plays at right midfield too as they are not able to really express themselves as much as Martin on the left as they are always looking over their shoulder.
This is quite a positive post despite the fact that we are 10th in the Conference which really is not good enough for BRFC. We still have a lot to work on to finish in the top 5 where DC said we would and cutting out defensive errors and improving our finishing must be priorities. Also we look very dangerous in the times we actually play football and create next to nothing when reverting to hoof ball. At this level we are never going to play fancy football for 90 minutes but it is frustrating watching us lump it to Taylor or White when we know that they can get it on the floor and play.
So 10 games gone and an average start, signs of improvement are there though - when was the last time we won 3 on the trot? I am more optimistic than after 5 games but things can change very quickly. I predicted we would be just outside the playoffs at this stage after some potentially difficult games early on so based on that we are doing ok.
Bring on Woking, good to see they lost their unbeaten run last night to a last minute free kick. Our home form as been outstanding so I would be disappointed if we don't turn 3 into 4 wins in a row.
Tactics - I think we are massively improving with how we are playing, the great thing about DC is that he literally takes each game as it comes and sets up dependent on the individual game. After an impressive away win on Saturday lots of managers would have stuck with the 3 at the back wing back formation but credit DC for going with a more attacking line up and two wingers out there to get at Nuneaton, it paid off. Earlier in the season we really were not at it tactically, Barnet and Altringham were terrible performances and I don't know if that was down to DC or the players but if we look at the last few games we do seem to have learnt our lesson. This league will not be a stroll and everyone will want to beat us.
Signings - The are starting to look the part now and I would say that a spine of Trotman, Mansell and Cunnington is really strong, hardworking and disciplined. With other more creative players such as Taylor, Martin, Monkhouse and Gosling around them the potential is there. Balanta will be interesting to see as on paper he is a great signing but he must be in this league for a reason. We have a decent sized squad now with Brunt/Leadbetter/Monkhouse/Balanta not even on the bench last night.
Opposition - I have to say that the standard of opposition is lower than I expected. From the games I have seen only Barnet actually looked like a better team than us. Altringham and Braintree were disastrous more down to us not being up to it rather than being beaten by the better team. I thought Forest Green were poor and despite the fact that Wrexham had won all of their away games and Halifax all of their matches when we played them neither looked like beating us. A cause for optimism if we can believe in ourselves a bit more and get that mentality that we can beat anyone in this league without it turning in to complacency. We have to really battle to win games.
Set plays - We look dangerous from corners/free kicks, a lot more so than recent times. It really helps when we have several different players taking them rather than just Brown swinging it into the box every time. Martin is brilliant with his left foot and Mansell has a decent delivery from the other side. We are even trying the odd short corner or training ground routine which is pleasing.
Harrison - he looks a lot more confident coming on now than at any stage last season, the two times he got the ball yesterday both caused havoc and with his pace he can be a really useful asset this season.
Goals - We haven't scored as many as we would have liked up to now but the pleasing thing is that goals are coming from all over the team. 6 goals in the last two games shows we are starting to gain some more confidence in front of goal.
Right back - Still feel this is an area where we are short, maybe Turley can play there? Lockyer is best as a centre back/midfielder and Leadbetter is more an attacking wing back so we do look a little open there at times. This really affects whoever plays at right midfield too as they are not able to really express themselves as much as Martin on the left as they are always looking over their shoulder.
This is quite a positive post despite the fact that we are 10th in the Conference which really is not good enough for BRFC. We still have a lot to work on to finish in the top 5 where DC said we would and cutting out defensive errors and improving our finishing must be priorities. Also we look very dangerous in the times we actually play football and create next to nothing when reverting to hoof ball. At this level we are never going to play fancy football for 90 minutes but it is frustrating watching us lump it to Taylor or White when we know that they can get it on the floor and play.
So 10 games gone and an average start, signs of improvement are there though - when was the last time we won 3 on the trot? I am more optimistic than after 5 games but things can change very quickly. I predicted we would be just outside the playoffs at this stage after some potentially difficult games early on so based on that we are doing ok.
Bring on Woking, good to see they lost their unbeaten run last night to a last minute free kick. Our home form as been outstanding so I would be disappointed if we don't turn 3 into 4 wins in a row.
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