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Post by GasAttacK on Nov 17, 2024 11:43:01 GMT
I haven't read any other comments, but here's my take.
First half, excellent. Crawley may have had more of the ball but not in dangerous areas, and we limited them to a couple of blocked shots. We were at it from the start closing down, pressing high, and forcing mistakes. We created enough chances to have the game won by half time. Hutchinson should have had 2. A little unlucky with the one off the bar but he probably should have scored, and defenitely should have put us in front when played clean through on goal. Forde also had a great chance that was well saved, and McCormick so unlucky with his header that was tipped onto the underside of the bar. We should have been at least 2 or 3 up at the break.
Second half we simply couldn't play with the same intensity, and Crawley were able to pass they way up the pitch far easier. I can understand wanting to get fresh legs on to try and bring more energy back to our performance but it didn't work. Hutchinson and Conteh were playing pretty well, and although Crawley had already started to gain momentum, we lost even more control when they were replaced with Ward and Sinclair. I'm assuming McCormick was knackered because he was easily MOTM, and we lost what little attacking threat we had when he went off. Promise frustrates me. He looks like that big, quick, physical forward we've been crying out for, but he rarely breaks into a sprint, can't hold up the ball, and doesn't jump for headers. He should be a nightmare for defenders, but he's not. Needs to do much more IMO.
Crawley were lucky to still be in the game at half time, but their manager was right. He said to his players at HT that we wouldn't be able to play with the same intensity after the break, and that if they kept playing their football they would take control of the game. That's how it proved to be because they gave usd a footballing lesson in the last half an hour.
A game we should have had won by half time, but in the end were hanging on for a point.
I'm not suggesting now is the time to part company with MT, but if we were to make a change in the next few weeks, I wouldn't be against Rob Elliot. He's got his Crawley side playing some excellent football despite losing many of their best players in the summer. In fact, he'd probably be my number one choice.
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Post by baggins on Nov 17, 2024 12:07:12 GMT
We were fine until the substitutions.
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Post by wertongas on Nov 17, 2024 12:18:22 GMT
We were unlucky to hit the goal frame twice in the first 8 minutes, after that we created enough chances to go into half time with a decent lead. Don't know what Taylor did to the players at half time, but the team seem to totally lose momentum in the second half, we just do not seem to be able to play for 90 minutes or anything near it, I just get the feeling that Taylor seems to struggle sometimes in keeping the players motivated. Anyway Crawly grew in confidence in the second half took control of the game, overall a draw was a fair result, but not the result we wanted with a very tough run of games coming up. We are only five points clear of the bottom four and will need to beat Blackpool and Orient and hope to pick up odd points against teams like Birmingham, Bolton and Mansfield if we are to avoid slipping into the bottom four in the new year, with both our Christmas games being away from home. The main positive is that we have made a very gradual improvement over recent weeks.
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Post by gasify on Nov 17, 2024 12:19:54 GMT
I haven't read any other comments, but here's my take. First half, excellent. Crawley may have had more of the ball but not in dangerous areas, and we limited them to a couple of blocked shots. We were at it from the start closing down, pressing high, and forcing mistakes. We created enough chances to have the game won by half time. Hutchinson should have had 2. A little unlucky with the one off the bar but he probably should have scored, and defenitely should have put us in front when played clean through on goal. Forde also had a great chance that was well saved, and McCormick so unlucky with his header that was tipped onto the underside of the bar. We should have been at least 2 or 3 up at the break. Second half we simply couldn't play with the same intensity, and Crawley were able to pass they way up the pitch far easier. I can understand wanting to get fresh legs on to try and bring more energy back to our performance but it didn't work. Hutchinson and Conteh were playing pretty well and we lost even more control when they were replaced with Ward and Sinclair. I'm assuming McCormick was knackered because he was easily MOTM and we lost what little threat we had when he went off. Promise frustrates me. He looks like that big, quick, physical forward we've been crying out for, but he rarely breaks into a sprint, can't hold up the ball, and doesn't jump for headers. He should be a nightmare for defenders, but he's not. Needs to do much more IMO. Crawley were lucky to still be in the game at half time, but their manager was right. He said to his players at HT that we wouldn't be able to play with the same intensity after the break, and that if they kept playing their football they would take control of the game. That's how it proved to be because they gave usd a footballing lesson in the last half hour. A game we should have had won by half time, but in the end were hanging on for a point. I'm not suggesting now is the time to part company with MT, but if we were to make a change in the next few weeks, I wouldn't be against Rob Elliot. He's got his Crawley side playing some excellent football despite losing many of their best players in the summer. I was surprised that Conteh went off for Ward and Lindsey played the whole game. I was expecting the Ward for Lindsey usual swap. I also thought that Promise rolled his ankle just after coming on. He wasn't ready to come back into the squad but lack of forward options meant he had to.
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Post by Quarters on Nov 17, 2024 12:20:20 GMT
We were fine until the substitutions. Not in the second half.
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Post by baggins on Nov 17, 2024 12:21:44 GMT
We were fine until the substitutions. Not in the second half. That's when the substitutes happened.
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Post by mftc on Nov 17, 2024 12:23:56 GMT
It does worry me the general lack of fitness.
A very good first half but then too many players just couldn't keep the tempo up. Martin is the understable but we just can't seem to keep it going for an hour.
Despite the moans, there were several positives, more minutes for Martin, best full back display of the season from Bilingo, the recent return to form of Connor and Macca and signs that there is a bit of understanding showing between the players and more players returning from injury means better options.
Promise looked very unfit and gets caught in wrestling matches with cenre halfs when he should concentrate on the ball. Maybe he should watch their no 14 to learn how to fall over and win free kicks. Mind you the notorious Mem blades of grass can be super slippery.
Overall still a work in progress. There are signs of green shoots.
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Post by Quarters on Nov 17, 2024 12:25:15 GMT
That's when the substitutes happened. Martin on 65. Conteh & Hutchinson on 57 Thomas on 76. Not sure we were fine in the minutes leading up to the 57th min subs.
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Post by baggins on Nov 17, 2024 12:38:19 GMT
That's when the substitutes happened. Martin on 65. Conteh & Hutchinson on 57 Thomas on 76. Not sure we were fine in the minutes leading up to the 57th min subs. It was obbvious Crawley were going to come at us 2nd half and although they showed some gusto they didn't really trouble us. Then he took our 2 outstanding players off, Hutchinson & McCormick and that was it, they battered us for the rest of the game.
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Post by richard on Nov 17, 2024 13:09:20 GMT
Martin on 65. Conteh & Hutchinson on 57 Thomas on 76. Not sure we were fine in the minutes leading up to the 57th min subs. It was obbvious Crawley were going to come at us 2nd half and although they showed some gusto they didn't really trouble us. Then he took our 2 outstanding players off, Hutchinson & McCormick and that was it, they battered us for the rest of the game. McCormick came off with less than 15 minutes left. Blaming the subs is way too simplistic. The entirety of the second half was poor.
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Post by baggins on Nov 17, 2024 13:21:57 GMT
It was obbvious Crawley were going to come at us 2nd half and although they showed some gusto they didn't really trouble us. Then he took our 2 outstanding players off, Hutchinson & McCormick and that was it, they battered us for the rest of the game. McCormick came off with less than 15 minutes left. Blaming the subs is way too simplistic. The entirety of the second half was poor. I didn't blame the subs, I blamed the substitutions.
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Post by Topper Gas on Nov 17, 2024 14:33:55 GMT
McCormick came off with less than 15 minutes left. Blaming the subs is way too simplistic. The entirety of the second half was poor. I didn't blame the subs, I blamed the substitutions. What else could MT do if Hutch, CM & LM had all run out of steam? Sinclair, LT & a fully fit PO should really be able to replace them, it wasn't like asking Bilongo to replace CM, although he did better than PC managed yesterday, or MT did his favourite move of going to wing backs?
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Post by igotgas on Nov 17, 2024 15:08:56 GMT
I didn't blame the subs, I blamed the substitutions. What else could MT do if Hutch, CM & LM had all run out of steam? Sinclair, LT & a fully fit PO should really be able to replace them, it wasn't like asking Bilongo to replace CM, although he did better than PC managed yesterday, or MT did his favourite move of going to wing backs? Absolutely no way on earth Conteh or Hutchinson had run out of steam 10 mins into second half! No chance. Making subs then, meant he’d made his mind up before 50th minute. As we’ve seen, MT panics and doesn’t trust his players because at the first sign of the score one not quite being what it should’ve been he couldn’t wait to throw some sh*t at the fan and see what stuck. Anyone thinking SS was impacting a game needs their head testing. Even when he’s done ok his involvements in the games have been pitifully low and in line with what he added yesterday. My feeling is MT is someone who thinks he has to be seen to do something in order to be seen as someone who can change games. Better managers sit that one out for another 15 mins and see if we regain the dominance of the first half, at that point we weren’t under any undue pressure and there were no gaping holes that needed plugging. Ridiculous game management.
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Post by wertongas on Nov 17, 2024 15:11:10 GMT
We lost momentum when we came out after half time, on this occasion substitutions had little effect on the outcome as things were going down hill before players were substituted and nothing changed.There are occasions when we have changed things around when doing ok and things have got worst and vice versa. I think some of the problem lies with Taylor he is a poor motivator, DC,GC and Barton seem to be able to get players to respond better than our current manager, players should be able to play for 90 minuets not 45.
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Post by Topper Gas on Nov 17, 2024 15:48:06 GMT
We lost momentum when we came out after half time, on this occasion substitutions had little effect on the outcome as things were going down hill before players were substituted and nothing changed.There are occasions when we have changed things around when doing ok and things have got worst and vice versa. I think some of the problem lies with Taylor he is a poor motivator, DC,GC and Barton seem to be able to get players to respond better than our current manager, players should be able to play for 90 minuets not 45. Somebody motivated the players for the first 45 mins and for most of the Lincoln game, and also the WSM game? JB hardly motivated the players for the majority of the time we were in L1, the first season we were relegated, the second season they gave up after Christmas and last season he was sacked for under performing! Only GC has ever motivated the players in L1 in recent seasons.
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Post by Topper Gas on Nov 17, 2024 15:52:00 GMT
What else could MT do if Hutch, CM & LM had all run out of steam? Sinclair, LT & a fully fit PO should really be able to replace them, it wasn't like asking Bilongo to replace CM, although he did better than PC managed yesterday, or MT did his favourite move of going to wing backs? Absolutely no way on earth Conteh or Hutchinson had run out of steam 10 mins into second half! No chance. Making subs then, meant he’d made his mind up before 50th minute. As we’ve seen, MT panics and doesn’t trust his players because at the first sign of the score one not quite being what it should’ve been he couldn’t wait to throw some sh*t at the fan and see what stuck. Anyone thinking SS was impacting a game needs their head testing. Even when he’s done ok his involvements in the games have been pitifully low and in line with what he added yesterday. My feeling is MT is someone who thinks he has to be seen to do something in order to be seen as someone who can change games. Better managers sit that one out for another 15 mins and see if we regain the dominance of the first half, at that point we weren’t under any undue pressure and there were no gaping holes that needed plugging. Ridiculous game management. Problem is something needed to be done after half time, if it wasn't trying Ward & Sinclair what else could MT do, as both LT & PO are either not fully fit or simply not interested. With Shaw and Antony out on loan, O'Donker injured and RS on international duty MT didn't have that many options yesterday.
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Post by keygas on Nov 17, 2024 15:54:44 GMT
We lost momentum when we came out after half time, on this occasion substitutions had little effect on the outcome as things were going down hill before players were substituted and nothing changed.There are occasions when we have changed things around when doing ok and things have got worst and vice versa. I think some of the problem lies with Taylor he is a poor motivator, DC,GC and Barton seem to be able to get players to respond better than our current manager, players should be able to play for 90 minuets not 45. Can’t argue too much with what your saying, but in my opinion, taking off Hutchinson was a mistake, at least he was trying to make things happen, it was a bit like in previous seasons when Antony Evans ever got substituted, you started to wonder where the creativity was going to come from. Still hard to fathom how 2 half’s could be so different, was it tactics, substitutions, fitness or Crawley’s players getting the riot act read to them at halftime.
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Post by igotgas on Nov 17, 2024 16:00:11 GMT
Absolutely no way on earth Conteh or Hutchinson had run out of steam 10 mins into second half! No chance. Making subs then, meant he’d made his mind up before 50th minute. As we’ve seen, MT panics and doesn’t trust his players because at the first sign of the score one not quite being what it should’ve been he couldn’t wait to throw some sh*t at the fan and see what stuck. Anyone thinking SS was impacting a game needs their head testing. Even when he’s done ok his involvements in the games have been pitifully low and in line with what he added yesterday. My feeling is MT is someone who thinks he has to be seen to do something in order to be seen as someone who can change games. Better managers sit that one out for another 15 mins and see if we regain the dominance of the first half, at that point we weren’t under any undue pressure and there were no gaping holes that needed plugging. Ridiculous game management. Problem is something needed to be done after half time, if it wasn't trying Ward & Sinclair what else could MT do, as both LT & PO are either not fully fit or simply not interested. With Shaw and Antony out on loan, O'Donker injured and RS on international duty MT didn't have that many options yesterday. Let the game settle following half time? The players were barely getting second wind. If Crawley had come out all guns blazing and picking holes in our defense then something has to change, but as it was sometimes when you don’t know what to do the best thing is to do nothing. Trust what you’ve selected and why you’ve selected them. The front 3 attacking mid players were all causing lots of problems and there’s nothing in any of the subs that suggested they’d be any improvement other than had it been a change of formation or had Crawley changed something that was leaving us exposed. By the time he took off Hutchinson and Conteh that wasnt happening at all. I don’t believe for a second it was anything to do with tiredness it was simply MT feeling like he had to be seen to be doing something. He didnt have the courage of his convictions. Personally I dod t feel Shaq was causing them as many problems as Hutchinson and McCormick were tbh but as a front 3 they occupy defenders and defending midfield players by their movement especially the two wide men when they roll inside. Once that was disrupted Crawleys wing backs got an opportunity to be more offensive.
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Post by baggins on Nov 17, 2024 16:14:24 GMT
I didn't blame the subs, I blamed the substitutions. What else could MT do if Hutch, CM & LM had all run out of steam? Sinclair, LT & a fully fit PO should really be able to replace them, it wasn't like asking Bilongo to replace CM, although he did better than PC managed yesterday, or MT did his favourite move of going to wing backs? None of them had run out of steam! They started with as much running and enthusiasm as they'd finished first half. And try typing in the full names instead of initials all the goddam time. It's not difficult.
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Post by Topper Gas on Nov 17, 2024 16:40:03 GMT
What else could MT do if Hutch, CM & LM had all run out of steam? Sinclair, LT & a fully fit PO should really be able to replace them, it wasn't like asking Bilongo to replace CM, although he did better than PC managed yesterday, or MT did his favourite move of going to wing backs? None of them had run out of steam! They started with as much running and enthusiasm as they'd finished first half. And try typing in the full names instead of initials all the goddam time. It's not difficult. If it upsets you don;t much just ignore my posts!
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