Match Thread vs. Woking 02.10.21 [NL]

[queenslandpie]

After all the pre-season hype and early games, it usually takes me until October to start wishing the season was over and, bang on cue..........

Not much to disagree with FL. Happy Labor Day long weekend though. Definitely a good time for a significant amount of beers this afternoon, but for now surfs up!

[ForeignLegion]

I thought it was the Queen’s b’day?

[countygump]

[nw6pie]

I don't think we're a poorer side than Ardley's but we're poorer than the one that finished the season, for 2 simple reasons, Ellis and Miller; we haven't replaced them.

I agree in part with those saying we need a ball winner in midfield, but we haven't been particularly overrun in the middle much, we just haven't converted possession into chances and today we didn't defend balls into the box.

I think Burchnall has the good ideas but, unfortunately, so far, it doesn't look like the analysis/budget has given him the right players to put it into action.

Great point re Miller and Ellis. We’re also missing the Ruben who was on fire at the end of last season and Michael Doyle. I can’t imagine today’s capitulation happening with Doyle on the pitch. I’m definitely not saying let’s bring him back, but we’ve not replaced him.

I was concerned last season when the kid from Crewe was seen as the short-term solution to Doyle’s absence, and that’s been repeated by the “nice” footballers we’ve brought in over the summer. Kyle Wootton embodied that niceness in his post-match interview - lovely guy, but give me a scowling Iain McCulloch-type any day.

It can’t be a surprise to the owners that this is a tough, physical league and that the teams that thrive are tough, physical and quick - and can also play football. We seem to keep on prioritising the latter quality over all others.

With no game next weekend, it’s ***** that we pick up three points on Tuesday against the team two places above us. Should tell us a lot about this side and the manager.

[Elite_Pie]

Great point re Miller and Ellis. We’re also missing the Ruben who was on fire at the end of last season and Michael Doyle. I can’t imagine today’s capitulation happening with Doyle on the pitch. I’m definitely not saying let’s bring him back, but we’ve not replaced him.

I was concerned last season when the kid from Crewe was seen as the short-term solution to Doyle’s absence, and that’s been repeated by the “nice” footballers we’ve brought in over the summer. Kyle Wootton embodied that niceness in his post-match interview - lovely guy, but give me a scowling Iain McCulloch-type any day.

It can’t be a surprise to the owners that this is a tough, physical league and that the teams that thrive are tough, physical and quick - and can also play football. We seem to keep on prioritising the latter quality over all others.

With no game next weekend, it’s ***** that we pick up three points on Tuesday against the team two places above us. Should tell us a lot about this side and the manager.

Agree with nearly all of that, but aren't we away to Yeovil next weekend?

[legs77]

Burchinall saying he only plays one style of football is like immediately gifting the impetus and ideas to the other team. They know who he'll play and how they'll play. Any manager now knows how to to combat this team of *****cats who don't have a clue of how to project a physical presence in front of their opponents without fouling them.

Well doesn’t every team know exactly how the other is likely to play.

I mean it’s how you play on the day if we go 2-0 up we more than likely win but if you miss chances and defend poorly you are likely to lose.

[ForeignLegion]

For a club with the resources we have at hand, that’s a pathetic result. Why are we drafting in young, inexperienced CBs ?

[Elite_Pie]

For a club with the resources we have at hand, that’s a pathetic result. Why are we drafting in young, inexperienced CBs ?

I presume it's because the recruitment system we work to identified him as the best option. I thought he looked useful for most of the game so wouldn't blame him, but sometimes short term a Mark Ellis 'head it and kick it' type is better than a kid with potential.

[laddo]

Because incredibly we had 3 CBs all injured at the same time. Our squad naturally doesn't stretch to cover that. Could we have got an experienced CB in for a month maybe, not sure.

Agree it's a pathetic result, sounds like the result was worse than the performance but that's very little consolation.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

This game was a good lesson in that to win a game of football you've got to keep switched on and work hard for the full 90 minutes otherwise you'll get punished.

We were fine for 70 minutes and looked comfortable but needed to be more ruthless and get that second goal. As such Woking were nothing special but they did what a lot of clubs do at this level is they get the basics right in both boxes and used their height, physicality and set pieces to their advantage.

The most alarming part of today for me was how easy we collapsed and crumbled between 70-80 minutes after conceding the first goal to then concede another two and it was game over by 80 minutes and at home as well. Woking have taught us that you can play all the football you like but it's what you do in both boxes that count in the end.

This is exactly the type of game we should have been getting something from especially at home if we are to get automatically promoted. We have to be tougher, stronger and composed against the big physical sides who use set pieces to their advantage. These sides may not play attractive football but they know how to play effective football at this level.

It's a sobering reminder of how far we have fallen that today is the first time we have conceded four goals at this level in normal time. Hopefully it's a wake up call that we cannot take any team for granted and that we have to remain switched on and focused for the full 90 minutes and kill teams off when we are on top as we were on 70 minutes.