I'm away in Turkey at the moment (where it's raining every day&#128580 and we're 3 hours ahead so I'm debating whether to watch the match on I-follow. If I don't, I'll probably be checking my phone every 5 minutes, so maybe I might as well watch it. It's just the question of whether it's worth it! I'm getting tired of the endless expectation and inevitable disappointment. I also know if I watch it, I'll be so wound up with anger and frustration that I won't get much sleep. Ah life as an Alex fan!!!
So what to expect this time? Well last time out against Bromley was the infamous occasion when Bell changed a winning formation to 3 at the back, "to counter the threat of set pieces". As it happened, set pieces were few and far between but the cautious approach led to the inevitable 1-0 defeat. It was a match that most of us thought the Alex could have won if they'd gone front foot. However, Bromley drew strength from the game and haven't looked back. We, on the other hand, have got steadily worse, clueless, muddled and lethargic.
After Saturdays game, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bell revert to type and bring back Connolly, either to replace Pond or for his natural inclination to play 3 at the back. Whatever the case, he needs to look at his midfield as Bromley will attempt to by-pass it. O'Reilly has been looking tired recently and has been nursing his hip. Holicek has been ineffective/anonymous despite his undoubted ball skills. Agius often disappears but can pop up with a goal now and then. Lunt eventually went off with an injury on Saturday so I don't know what his status will be. It looks like none of the injured will return so availability is limited.
Whoever is available, it is imperative that March is not, once again, allowed to be isolated up front. If O'Reilly is fit, I 'd play him through the middle (ACM) and not wide. This way his ball skills would be more telling as it will be an area where Bromley will not be particularly gifted. He can advance with the ball and pick out passes or even shoot on sight as he packs a wallop. March needs another person to play off. It seems the only person available is Moult so he'd have to do. We definitely need a 2 pronged attack. That would mean Agius and Holicek would need to support Sanders despite neither having much defensive ability.
In the end, it's all academic as Bell and Dicker won't change anything but will continue to over complicate instructions so that the team will not really understand their roles and then go through the motions on the pitch. 3-0 defeat - possibly from 3 soft goals/defensive errors.