Match Thread vs. Hartlepool United 10.04.21 [NL]

[Davy500]

That Hartlepool player had all the time in the world to control that ball and riffle it into the back of the net with nobody on him.

A bad result today, and with the injury to Cal Roberts I think that shuts the door on automatic promotion this season.

Yes it was a key match, looking like a top 3 position is beyond Counties reach now, however there still is a chance, a team can finish 7th and be promoted, so we should get our chance, over 3 games in the play offs

[jacobncfc]

We simply can’t control a game against any team with legs in midfield. Squad is completely flawed, every problem you solve creates a new one.

[irish_pie]

Well that was poo.... cant lay a glove on the better teams in the league, playoffs if we are very lucky

[jackal2]

3-5-2 was stumbled upon by Ardley, right after the player's meeting. IB inherited it, dropped it, but quickly went back to it after Aldershot

Over the last 8-10 games or so, it's definitely won us more points than formations with a back 4. But it's an accidental formation and the the squad wasn't assembled for it. Our lack of specialist players for 3-5-2 is bound to catch up with us, and a switch back to a back 4, sooner or later, has always been highly likely

The problem is we've tried 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 also, and it hasn't often worked, especially when Wootton gets isolated. And even those who crave a 4-4-2 would have to admit we haven't really got the central midfield players to make it work against teams who sometimes pack the midfield. Neil Bishop and Ricky Ravenhill were energetic workhorses who made it work ten years ago, but you can't expect a veteran like Doyle, as fit as he is, to do that job; and Reeves isn't really dynamic enough either. O'Brien's maybe the hardest worker, but again he's no spring chicken.

[KCNotts]

Some people need to calm down. Hartlepool have gone top and don't lose at home. Yes we were poor in the first half, but we controlled the game in the second and were pushing for an equaliser until Cal limped off.

Just one of those days. They certainly didn't look much better than us.

We'll do them in the Playoffs.

[Elite_Pie]

We're no better with this Muppet

We're certainly no better, but it's still too early to call him a muppet.

He's definitely had a very uninspiring start though.

[Thordardaughter]

Why can’t we start a game on the front foot instead of waiting to go behind ?

[Davy500]

TBH don not think he will be judged this season, if he can get promotion it would be a bonus, but he will be judged next season

[Riverleeno]

Caused our own problems by giving the ball away too often

Seconded. Also some odd decisions, throw-ins in their half within 'ellis range' get thrown backwards and then passed back to the keeper...what's that all about?

[the_anticlough]

The problem is we've trued 4-3-3 also, and it hasn't always worked, especially when Wootton gets isolated. And even those who crave a 4-4-2 would have to admit we haven't really got the central midfield players to make it work against teams who sometimes pack the midfield. Neil Bishop and Ricky Ravenhill were energetic workhorses who made it work ten years ago, but you can't expect a veteran like Doyle, as fit as he is to do that job, and Reeves isn't really dynamic enough either. O'Brien's maybe the hardest worker, but again he's no spring chicken.

This particular squad seems best suited to 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2...I think it'll arrive back there before the season's out