Match Thread vs. Eastleigh 17.04.21 [NL]

[MAD_MAGPIE]

That shows that without key players such as Doyle, and a ten game drought for Wootton which is no different to if he had been injured (which is what we were all fearing) and Enzio not in the position he played in last season we are a very poor side.

The only way we can somehow salvage this season is to get Doyle back, Wootton firing and Enzio the freedom to play in the position he was so effective in last season.

[jacobncfc]

3-5-2 was NA's last throw of the dice and it came off, allowing us to go on collecting points.

Not even sure it did come off tbh. Yeovil at home was fine, but otherwise we spawned a 1-0 win away at Wealdstone who are being hammered every week (7-2 yesterday!), and only came back to scrape draws at Yeovil and Boreham Wood after we switched back to four defenders. 3-5-2 had us 2-0 down in both.

[the_anticlough]

Not even sure it did come off tbh. Yeovil at home was fine, but otherwise we spawned a 1-0 win away at Wealdstone who are being hammered every week (7-2 yesterday!), and only came back to scrape draws at Yeovil and Boreham Wood after we switched back to four defenders. 3-5-2 had us 2-0 down in both.

I think it did for a bit. There was definitely a time when the last 4 games starting with 3-5-2, compared with a back 4 was favourable.
It was introduced right after the players' meeting and obviously there was some buy-in from those selected that allowed us to scrape some wins after the Aldershot debacle.

Anyway, it's clear from my posts that I'm totally against 3 at the back if it isn't done properly and you don't have the right players for it. I expect it to backfire and collapse every time and I think we've reached this point already (I'm not going to buy another Home stream to see 5 defenders play).

[Kelton]

I think we all agree we dont have the quality or ability within our midfield to unlock defences even at this level. Sobering thought isnt it.
The 3 CB’s isnt the problem its the midders and wing backs that arent doing it. You cant really pin the blame on the back 3 yesterday thats just ridiculous. I have read posters saying its Slocombes fault he shud have saved the shot its Turners fault for giving a corner away its Lacey or Rawlinsons fault for poor distribution. This is just barmy. In reality all the the 3 CB’s did yesterday over and over was pass it short into Reeves and Griffiths as per the managers plan. That is where our problems began. We just couldnt work the ball from that point into the oppos half and create chances? Its irronic that Rawlinson put the best cross in all game and Chicksen should have scored. I dont claim to know what the answer is now. We have no time to change the squad so we are what we are?

[laddo]

Tru dat Kelton. The midfield, in particular the central midfield whether a 2 or a 3 , no matter what players selected and in whatever formation we've tried they just haven't worked. There are such obvious weaknesses both with and without the ball, and worse still there isn't much difference between 3 of them. The supporting cast of Wolfe and Griffiths are different midfielders but haven't impressed on their limited opportunities.

[durhampie]

The biggest problem we have is Burchnall, He has convinced himself that we are playing well and are dominating games. Whilst ever he thinks that the situation will remain unchanged.. Its blindingly obvious to every one that we too slow moving the ball forward out of defence, the reason for that is simply that we dont have the players in midfield who are capable of creating space for the ball to be passed to them. What we do have is players standing static, resulting in the forward pass being easilly intercepted..

[Ayeayeskipper]

Tru dat Kelton. The midfield, in particular the central midfield whether a 2 or a 3 , no matter what players selected and in whatever formation we've tried they just haven't worked. There are such obvious weaknesses both with and without the ball, and worse still there isn't much difference between 3 of them. The supporting cast of Wolfe and Griffiths are different midfielders but haven't impressed on their limited opportunities.

Thought-provoking stuff Thicko.

[the_anticlough]

Some good posts.
Whatever has been tried, is all about working around our main problem - central midfield, and there's no easy fix for that. It's sad to see suggestions of reverting to Doyle and Reeves, that's where it was failing in the first place. I'd like to see Reeves and Rodrigues given a go. Even Doyle and Rodrigues rather than go back to what's failed before. I realise this joker we have in charge would never try that, 'bravery' 'attacking football' 'taking risks' seem to be empty soundbites for him, not something he'd actually do.

[TheBlackHorse]

... just what is it with some of you on here ... IB is never going to give players the stick in open interview. This means you will only get praise/positive comment and circumspect comment to the media. He's never going to say what some of you want to hear. Grow up, ffs.

[Elite_Pie]

... just what is it with some of you on here ... IB is never going to give players the stick in open interview. This means you will only get praise/positive comment and circumspect comment to the media. He's never going to say what some of you want to hear. Grow up, ffs.

So that means he's going to tell loyal supporters who paid for the live stream that we controlled a game, when in reality we never got going and were always second best.

Can't see that sort of bullsh!t going down well.