Bromley.

[gazan]

Score goals from crosses. Simple: stop the crosses and don't give away fouls around the box.
Okay, not really THAT simple but is the jist of the matter. The important thing is not to be drawn into a hoofball contest, which has often happened in the past. A repeat of the fast moving one touch football from Monday night would suit. As long as the the ball is moving forward. Give their big defenders something to think about by playing off their shoulders and taking them on one-to-one.
Will it happen? We shall see. 1-1

[Harlzed]

I?m hoping Lankester has enough fitness now to start and play 60 minutes. If he does, I?m hoping for a fast, pressing start from the Alex. I?m predicting 2 up by half time and then a weaker second half for a 2-1 win. Would like to see Rankine played in the second half to see what he?s about and whether that might work.

[lukcour]

For me it should be a good home win, but with our management you just never know what you are going to get. Agree I am hoping Lankester starts. Holicek is just not ready for league2.

[Timmy58]

For me it should be a good home win, but with our management you just never know what you are going to get. Agree I am hoping Lankester starts. Holicek is just not ready for league2.

Holicek may not be fit to play in any case. However, I disagree about him not being ready for League 2. He looks more than ready and the only way he is going to get the only thing he lacks, which is experience, is by playing. Playing these lads is what we do and that is how we attract them in the first place.

[gazan]

Oh no! He's gone with 3 at the back!!!!!!

[Wartman]

Oh no! He's gone with 3 at the back!!!!!!

Well that result is totally on Bell got the formation completely wrong today neither Connolly or Golding can play in a 3, as a result of the formation had no control in the middle of the park, and March isolated for large parts of the game. Bell worried far to much about their height today and paid no attention to what we are good at. Bell gets 0 out and of 10 today for that selection and formation.

[Harlzed]

It was not Goldings day today and that should have been seen sooner. Connolly did very little. Those two are all down to the formation which didn?t work. The players made poor decisions today though at times which you can?t blame LB for. March looks like being out for a bit. What?s happened to O?Reilly. Tezgel, other than against Chesterfield has been ineffective. Disappointing afternoon and tricky games to come.

[jimmyboldon]

Well that result is totally on Bell got the formation completely wrong today neither Connolly or Golding can play in a 3, as a result of the formation had no control in the middle of the park, and March isolated for large parts of the game. Bell worried far to much about their height today and paid no attention to what we are good at. Bell gets 0 out and of 10 today for that selection and formation.

Totally agree.

[gazan]

Me too. My heart sank when I saw the lin-up. Here is a manager who has no confidence in the team or himself. Playing at home to a mid-table team and your reaction is to worry about the opposition. What was worse was putting Connolly, who is clearly one footed, his right, on the left of the back three.
Despite this we should have been 2 up in the first 20 minutes. However, after that the Alex simply lost their shape and sense of direction.
I'm a sceptic about playing out from the back. I see the theory but I'm not sure the Alex players understand it. It seems to be mere dogma when they try it. With 3 opposition forwards on the edge of our box there must be loads of space to be exploited behind them. However the Alex hardly ever use that fact and never remotely look comfortable passing around at the back under pressure. The other point is that LB tells us the opposition is well organised but play is slowed down in front of them and the organisation is not challenged.
In the past I have been proud of the fact that the Alex give people a chance rather than being knee-jerk. However, it's very clear to me that the Alex will not get promoted with Lee Bell as manager.

[jimmyboldon]

Me too. My heart sank when I saw the lin-up. Here is a manager who has no confidence in the team or himself. Playing at home to a mid-table team and your reaction is to worry about the opposition. What was worse was putting Connolly, who is clearly one footed, his right, on the left of the back three.
Despite this we should have been 2 up in the first 20 minutes. However, after that the Alex simply lost their shape and sense of direction.
I'm a sceptic about playing out from the back. I see the theory but I'm not sure the Alex players understand it. It seems to be mere dogma when they try it. With 3 opposition forwards on the edge of our box there must be loads of space to be exploited behind them. However the Alex hardly ever use that fact and never remotely look comfortable passing around at the back under pressure. The other point is that LB tells us the opposition is well organised but play is slowed down in front of them and the organisation is not challenged.
In the past I have been proud of the fact that the Alex give people a chance rather than being knee-jerk. However, it's very clear to me that the Alex will not get promoted with Lee Bell as manager.

Strangely I was pleased that we lined up with a back 3, as looking at the team sheet, the other option was a back 4 with Golding in midfield. That would have been worse. He gives the ball away far too often.

[gazan]

Strangely I was pleased that we lined up with a back 3, as looking at the team sheet, the other option was a back 4 with Golding in midfield. That would have been worse. He gives the ball away far too often.

Not quite sure why you thought Golding would have had to play in midfield as he would have continued in the role of CB alongside MickeyD as he has been doing the last couple of games. I do agree that he's not comfortable in midfield but as a CB he's strong in the blocks, heading clear and at intercepting.

[jimmyboldon]

Not quite sure why you thought Golding would have had to play in midfield as he would have continued in the role of CB alongside MickeyD as he has been doing the last couple of games. I do agree that he's not comfortable in midfield but as a CB he's strong in the blocks, heading clear and at intercepting.

If you read my post correctly, it was on seeing the team sheet, which included both Golding and Connelly.

[MikeSB]

Looking at the highlights the left back was useless who almost gave a goal to Bromley. And some think we need an academy and loads of coaches to tell players NOT to do things like that. But then at RH probably all they do is to pass the ball to each other. Get rid and sign players who KNOW how to play this game as some of ours don't that is for sure. Bromley also had loads of other chances to score as well. We looked like a poor National League side IMO..

The manager and coaches are useless if this is the standard of play and not even sure changing the manager will make much difference when we have an academy and loads of coaches that really have not the slightest idea of how to play this game.

[Timmy58]

Looking at the highlights the left back was useless who almost gave a goal to Bromley. And some think we need an academy and loads of coaches to tell players NOT to do things like that. But then at RH probably all they do is to pass the ball to each other. Get rid and sign players who KNOW how to play this game as some of ours don't that is for sure. Bromley also had loads of other chances to score as well. We looked like a poor National League side IMO..

The manager and coaches are useless if this is the standard of play and not even sure changing the manager will make much difference when we have an academy and loads of coaches that really have not the slightest idea of how to play this game.

It wasn't the left back, it was the left sided centre half who is right footed and had a poor game overall. Bromley didn't have loads of other chances to score, they had a couple which were well saved by our excellent keeper. Sadly, a loss gives you a perceived opportunity to criticise our academy that actually saves us money on wages as we develop these players. Recently you have said our keeper shouldn't be playing because he lacks experience and isn't good enough which is clearly untrue. And you wonder why this board is dead. I am not even sure why I am responding to be honest!

[jimmyboldon]

It wasn't the left back, it was the left sided centre half who is right footed and had a poor game overall. Bromley didn't have loads of other chances to score, they had a couple which were well saved by our excellent keeper. Sadly, a loss gives you a perceived opportunity to criticise our academy that actually saves us money on wages as we develop these players. Recently you have said our keeper shouldn't be playing because he lacks experience and isn't good enough which is clearly untrue. And you wonder why this board is dead. I am not even sure why I am responding to be honest!

And we could easily have been 3 up after 20 mins, but hey just watch the skewed highlights . Agree, why am I bothering.