Quote Originally Posted by jacobncfc View Post
Played seven of the first eight league games. If there has been a time this season when we have looked like a team capable of ‘running through this league’ it was then (Altrincham and Barnet games, winning at Sutton), although we still had some pretty clear frailties IMO. To be honest I think since we got relegated we’ve looked like a slightly above average National League team, apart from when Roberts has been playing. He’s good enough to have that kind of effect on a team at this level.

Otherwise, I dunno what performances you’re looking to replicate? Our three best since Roberts got injured have, IMO, been Dagenham at home which is impossible to try and recreate for obvious reasons and the last two games.
Think back to the period just after we lost Roberts - Nov to early Feb and Halifax away, Chesterfield away win, Wealdstone (win) Woking win, Stockport wins (home and away). And don't discount a) the Daggers performance with 10 men once the midfield was unlocked and those early games with Roberts when it was others shining as well.

There have been games and periods in games where we looked just too good for this league - and although it seems this flew past our own supporters I'm sure it wasn't lost on the rest of the league, who I think will be pretty mystified at our total collapse.

The times we've looked the most creative and potent we had a fluid 4-2-3-1 with Roberts, Boldewijn, Rodrigues, Sam playing behind and in and around the striker (which was Wootton on better form, although it doesn't have to be him, I guess). It fact Wootton seem to thrive when having these creative players around him. I've watched every home game and I know when I've been entertained and when I haven't and it's been when these players were given the freedom to express themselves. It's really not so hard to remember and the film evidence is there.

And the really disappointing thing is that this approach seemed to be what Burchnall was talking about with his 'attacking football' players who like to get on the ball' 'taking risks in the final third'. But no, he wants 5 recognised defenders in a 5-3-2 and the creative players as far away from the team as possible.

Even if it didn't come off, at least we could say we went out having a go instead of the defensive, boring whimper we have gone out with.