⚽ Match Thread vs. Swindon (A) 31.08.24 [EFL L2]

[Med Pie]

The bonus to that I suppose is the opposition are more open and not packing their third and any break away by them is met by 3 or 4 of our players and not a ball over the top or into space beyond one defender.
I also think the balance is just about right between defence and attack and we look more capable (and confident) across the whole pitch.

Hard to argue with that, I think that if we can manage to put out a reasonably unchanged team with some careful rotations across a dozen or so games, we will definitely be hard to beat and as such, genuine contenders.

Living abroad as I do, I don't get to as many games as I'd like and by the time I get to my fist game of the season which looks like it will probably be Port Vale at the 'San Sirrel', the league will be starting to take shape, hopefully with us, right in the mix.

I got to more than a dozen games last year which has been my best attendance for years.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Hard to argue with that, I think that if we can manage to put out a reasonably unchanged team with some careful rotations across a dozen or so games, we will definitely be hard to beat and as such, genuine contenders.

Living abroad as I do, I don't get to as many games as I'd like and by the time I get to my fist game of the season which looks like it will probably be Port Vale at the 'San Sirrel', the league will be starting to take shape, hopefully with us, right in the mix.

I got to more than a dozen games last year which has been my best attendance for years.

Great stuff considering your location!! 👍

[the_anticlough]

i'm expecting a dominant performance.

First home game of the season against a low block (Fleetwood) was pretty awful - I hope we've learned from that.
As Stall commented, faced with such tactics we have to be prepared to put the ball at risk. Such teams are delighted to see Platt pass to Bedeau, back to Platt, to Macari, back to Platt.

I think we can only do that if we go 1 up and after the 55 minute mark, unless it's 2 up, otherwise the opposition will be happy and will never take the bait and come looking for the ball. While ever it's tied, or just 1 up, up to that mark, we should always be pushing and taking the initiative.

[Med Pie]

i'm expecting a dominant performance.

First home game of the season against a low block (Fleetwood) was pretty awful - I hope we've learned from that.
As Stall commented, faced with such tactics we have to be prepared to put the ball at risk. Such teams are delighted to see Platt pass to Bedeau, back to Platt, to Macari, back to Platt.

I think we can only do that if we go 1 up and after the 55 minute mark, unless it's 2 up, otherwise the opposition will be happy and will never take the bait and come looking for the ball. While ever it's tied, or just 1 up, up to that mark, we should always be pushing and taking the initiative.

Assuming that Jatta gets the go ahead, we now have more tools with which to attack teams that sit deep, if we can't get around or through, we now have an aerial threat which was missing last season so we go over.

[the_anticlough]

Assuming that Jatta gets the go ahead, we now have more tools with which to attack that low press, if we can't get around or through, we now have an aerial threat which was missing last season so we go over.

Not sure about that Med, any defence will be ready to pick that off. Bedeau and Macari have to drive into open space and all three of them have to be prepared to play a positive pass and make themselves available again. The midfielders have to throw off their markers and demand the ball

[Med Pie]

Not sure about that Med, any defence will be ready to pick that off. Bedeau and Macari have to drive into open space and all three of them have to be prepared to play a positive pass and make themselves available again. The midfielders have to throw off their markers and demand the ball

A team defending deep, will leave a largely vacant midfield, it should be crossing practice? A lot also depends on the quality of the service too but both Jones and Crawley are capable of supplying balls in to the oppositions box which few others in this league can match, we have a flexibility this season which was missing last season and to a large extent, we got found out.

What also helps is that our so called 'stars', are very happy at the club, enjoying their footbal and playing well.

[SmiffyPie]

If teams are holding back in anticipation of a high ball to AJ that makes room for DC and JJ. It's the alternative that LW would not try.

[Med Pie]

If teams are holding back in anticipation of a high ball to AJ that makes room for DC and JJ. It's the alternative that LW would not try.

Agreed, we are now more adaptable to what's in front of us.

[1955pie]

Question for UTM.
Sorry if it’s been asked before?
Historically what has been the seasons outcome when we got 8 points from our first 4 games?
Thank you.

[marky]

Question for UTM.
Sorry if it’s been asked before?
Historically what has been the seasons outcome when we got 8 points from our first 4 games?
Thank you.

I remember in 2006 2007 season we got 8 points from 4 games but ended up 13th under Steve Thompson. Can't remember any others though.