wanderlust wrote:I think we've been worked out.
Even if we played a back 3/5 with our best defenders to solve our defensive problems (Johnston, Santos and Aimson with John and Jones on either side) we'd be tighter at the back but still be struggling to score.
Not that I blame Doyler given his phenomenal workrate - it's just that he doesn't get the kind of ball that he finished off so well tonight anywhere near often enough.
As many have said on here before, we are so slow in the build up we have a wall of defenders to get through by the time the ball is at the business end and the sliderule passes to split them just don't happen. We are far too ponderous in front of goal and at times look shot shy.
And whilst Dapo can handle himself I wonder if our midfield notably Sheehan and Lee are just too small to compete physically in the middle?
Maybe we'll find an approach that works with these players or maybe Amaechi will bring something to the table on the opposite side to Dapo but somehow we have to find a winning combination and one thing I am convinced of is that we have to play a lot quicker especially in the transition.
Farting around with it at the back looking for an opening is Ok if we don't make mistakes but when that opening appears we have to move it a lot faster and a lot more directly if we're going to take advantage of it - because in league 1 openings are closed in next to no time.
Evatt has brought these players in to suit his system which makes it difficult to change the style of play if required.
Agree with that lusty, we looked our best last year when we moved the ball quickly but this season the players don’t seem to move once they’ve passed the ball. Once again though on Saturday, it was Dapo who created both goals, first with a brilliant through pass to Izzy, then with the first shot the keeper parried to Kachunga. Hopefully if Amaechi is fit it will allow Dapo to play centrally all the time and that could have a big effect. I’m not sure I’d want a back 3 again, I’m unconvinced but I certainly think Baps needs to be used only as a sub now, too slow for this level, just lost the County player for their 2nd and nearly gave Dale a flying start last Tuesday.