Originally Posted by
AstonAlex
I agree with ruocol, for the most part.
We rode our luck a touch in the first half, but also had chances of our own so all square was fair. I couldn’t understand why the manager changed things at half time, especially moving Pickering from CM to a wider role. The withdrawal of Ainley , albeit for Bowery, took away a great part of our craft and the subsequent changes made it worse: the sight of Daggers in midfield does not fill me with hope I’m afraid.
It’s hard to have a go at the defence for the last 2 matches as we’ve been without 2 first choice CBs (Raynes and Ray), the regular RB was in midfield and then the regular LB gets injured. It never rains, etc etc. Perry and Harry looked decent n the first half, but I agree Walker should be there. The lack of a proper RB (the big mistake of the transfer dealings IMO) has prevented Perry being pushed forward - or reverting to CB - and we have been found out, despite him making a decent fist of it.
We lack midfield craft, but the strikers are also guilty of missing chances. Daggers can’t buy a goal and Porter’s early season form has disappeared. I like Bowery for his work rate, but prolific he ain’t, all of which means that we need one of Dagger’s famous streaky spells - and soon!
Having said all that, I do believe we are better equipped than 12 months ago. The squad is stronger, particularly when George and Jonah return. Time for them to prove me right and the growing number of doubters wrong. Relegation will mean the automatic downgrading of the Academy, which will delight some, but means we will have come full circle from the day Mr Gradi walked through the door.