We had chances and on another day, they may have gone in and changed the whole game, but they didn’t and we laboured with the same old too many passes and static players routine.
Didzy grew into the game, but the close control stuff was never going to be the way forwards on a pitch like that imo. Bodies pulling people around and showing some aggression worked for Mansfield.
We should have come in leading at half-time, but didn’t take our chances and failed to clear the ball twice and then didn’t close the guy down for their goal. Frustrating.
Second half was very disappointing, though. Failed to create much other than the Jones chance (from a Mansfield error) that he blazed over and we were far too one-paced. For the second week in a row, we only managed one shot on target, which is worrying. Can’t imagine the XG was very high today either.
I thought Robertson was the pick of the midfield, but Bostock was dreadful and Crowley little better. Both need a spell on the bench - time to bring JOB back next week and see what the loanee from Crewe can do. I did feel for the wing-backs having to play in those sandpits, but neither did well enough overall.
Big game coming up on Friday, otherwise I fear mid-table beckons.
I wouldn’t say we played badly particularly and first half we were just plain unlucky not to be at least level, but…
We all knew their pitch was bad and that it was going to be a game about fine margins, physicality, winning battles etc. We didn’t pick a team for that, didn’t approach it like that, and lost the game in the way that everyone thought we would. I like the style of football but it’s got to be a means to an end rather than the end in itself, and feels this season we’re getting a bit close to the latter.
The commentary was embarrassing, they were hysterical every time they won a header, throwing or even ventured into our half. I think one of them even climaxed when the final whistle went.
As for us, our fought yet again in a big game. Could still be playing now no closer to scoring. I keep hoping to wake up from this bad dream and super Lukey Williams is back in the dug out, and everything is just gravy again…….I wonder if he is feeling the same right now?!