Today's marks [Match Ratings]

[durhampie]

Just hope his head hasn't been turned.

If he he is off then i wouldn't play him in the final,

[Lullapie]

I'm still a member of the ABC club (Anyone But Chicksen). He just doesn't offer enough.

[queenslandpie]

It looked to me Ruben was injured and was asking to stay on despite not being able to run.

If you look at that bench cam at the end when the winner went in he is clearly hobbling pretty badly.

[laddo]

Just hope his head hasn't been turned.

Sayyyyy????? Whatttt??????

Ruben? I don't get it.

[jackal2]

Every player scores 10/10 for me. That's not based on performance because we weren't at our best, it's based on the 'never say die' attitude that Luke Williams has instilled into the squad where we win as a team or lose as a team.

Just one more game please Luke.

I think it's possible to agree with this given the way we recovered and won the game, but to still take some big lessons from yesterday.

Yesterday proved, conclusively, that playing John Bostock deep in midfield does not get the best out of him. He's a very gifted player, but he's at his most dangerous when he plays further forward and is effectively forced to play quicker and sharper. Nobody is more likely to play an instinctive, defence-splitting pass than Bostock, because he can, but he's got to be far enough forward to do it. When Bostock plays deep and thinks he has time on the ball, he goes into peacock mode and takes too long to release the ball, which slows the tempo of the entire team. Everybody in the stands and BT Sport's co-commentator were all saying the same thing: we need to move the ball more quickly. Worse still, his dwelling on the ball yesterday led to Boreham wood's second goal, which could have been fatal on another day.

Matt Palmer is far better at playing the deep defensive midfield position. He doesn't dwell on the ball, but rather, hurries play a long with lots of short, simple passes, keeping others on their toes and setting a faster tempo. Bostock's a talent, but you've actually got to deny him time to get the best out of him, and that means playing him further forward where you've got to act fast.

Defensively I thought we were a shambles at times. Yes, there were some fantastic last-ditch challenges by Nemane and Baldwin, but they're only necessary because of mistakes that have already happened. We rely on playing a high line, but when the players call for offsides they shouldn't simply stop playing, as we did a few times yesterday. Baldwin almost literally stood still looking at the linesman before recovering by the skin of his teeth and forcing Boreham Wood's striker to hit the post.

For me, whatever league we're in, defence is the key area for upgrade in the summer. We've got an over-balance of centre-halves who are very good footballers, but not particularly good defenders. Baldwin and Cameron both fall into that category. Rawlinson as a footballer is limited, but he is our most orthodox defender and I think we need to recruit more of that type in the summer if we're going to become more solid at the back. It's true that we haven't conceded that many goals this season, but the ones we have conceded have generally been poor ones, rather than outstanding play by the opponent, so there's big room for improvement if we're going to be "elite" (to use LW's phrase).

The final observation would be that Ruben, as good as he is, seems to be nervous in the biggest games. He had a poor game at Wrexham, often holding on to the ball too long and losing possession, and he had a nightmare in front of goal yesterday. He did good things in the game too, but I thought Cedwyn Scott when he came on held the ball better and gave us a bit of a target (to feet) to play off, linking play nicely.

[countygump]

For me, whatever league we're in, defence is the key area for upgrade in the summer. We've got an over-balance of centre-halves who are very good footballers, but not particularly good defenders. Baldwin and Cameron both fall into that category. Rawlinson as a footballer is limited, but he is our most orthodox defender and I think we need to recruit more of that type in the summer if we're going to become more solid at the back.

It's the nature of the beast. If you wanna play football, you tend to have ball playing centre halves who tend not to be 9ft 6ins hulks who can head and boot it all day. Could we mix and match it better than we already do? Possibly. If there was a player I could sign it would be someone in the mould of Ndlovu, Big, strong, pacey and not without skill.

[nw6pie]

I think it's possible to agree with this given the way we recovered and won the game, but to still take some big lessons from yesterday.

Yesterday proved, conclusively, that playing John Bostock deep in midfield does not get the best out of him. He's a very gifted player, but he's at his most dangerous when he plays further forward and is effectively forced to play quicker and sharper. Nobody is more likely to play an instinctive, defence-splitting pass than Bostock, because he can, but he's got to be far enough forward to do it. When Bostock plays deep and thinks he has time on the ball, he goes into peacock mode and takes too long to release the ball, which slows the tempo of the entire team. Everybody in the stands and BT Sport's co-commentator were all saying the same thing: we need to move the ball more quickly. Worse still, his dwelling on the ball yesterday led to Boreham wood's second goal, which could have been fatal on another day.

Matt Palmer is far better at playing the deep defensive midfield position. He doesn't dwell on the ball, but rather, hurries play a long with lots of short, simple passes, keeping others on their toes and setting a faster tempo. Bostock's a talent, but you've actually got to deny him time to get the best out of him, and that means playing him further forward where you've got to act fast.

Defensively I thought we were a shambles at times. Yes, there were some fantastic last-ditch challenges by Nemane and Baldwin, but they're only necessary because of mistakes that have already happened. We rely on playing a high line, but when the players call for offsides they shouldn't simply stop playing, as we did a few times yesterday. Baldwin almost literally stood still looking at the linesman before recovering by the skin of his teeth and forcing Boreham Wood's striker to hit the post.

For me, whatever league we're in, defence is the key area for upgrade in the summer. We've got an over-balance of centre-halves who are very good footballers, but not particularly good defenders. Baldwin and Cameron both fall into that category. Rawlinson as a footballer is limited, but he is our most orthodox defender and I think we need to recruit more of that type in the summer if we're going to become more solid at the back. It's true that we haven't conceded that many goals this season, but the ones we have conceded have generally been poor ones, rather than outstanding play by the opponent, so there's big room for improvement if we're going to be "elite" (to use LW's phrase).

The final observation would be that Ruben, as good as he is, seems to be nervous in the biggest games. He had a poor game at Wrexham, often holding on to the ball too long and losing possession, and he had a nightmare in front of goal yesterday. He did good things in the game too, but I thought Cedwyn Scott when he came on held the ball better and gave us a bit of a target (to feet) to play off, linking play nicely.

Is it just me or does Ruben look a little overweight? He certainly seems a little leaden-footed over the past few games and struggles to get away from his marker.

That said, he still got into great attacking positions in the first half when he could/should have had a hat trick, played the pass of the game - which would have put Sam Austin through on goal if he'd managed to control it - and did a great run to earn the penalty (which I've not seen back yet but looked a little generous at the time from my view in the Pavis Stand).

[durhampie]

I think it's possible to agree with this given the way we recovered and won the game, but to still take some big lessons from yesterday.

Yesterday proved, conclusively, that playing John Bostock deep in midfield does not get the best out of him. He's a very gifted player, but he's at his most dangerous when he plays further forward and is effectively forced to play quicker and sharper. Nobody is more likely to play an instinctive, defence-splitting pass than Bostock, because he can, but he's got to be far enough forward to do it. When Bostock plays deep and thinks he has time on the ball, he goes into peacock mode and takes too long to release the ball, which slows the tempo of the entire team. Everybody in the stands and BT Sport's co-commentator were all saying the same thing: we need to move the ball more quickly. Worse still, his dwelling on the ball yesterday led to Boreham wood's second goal, which could have been fatal on another day.

Matt Palmer is far better at playing the deep defensive midfield position. He doesn't dwell on the ball, but rather, hurries play a long with lots of short, simple passes, keeping others on their toes and setting a faster tempo. Bostock's a talent, but you've actually got to deny him time to get the best out of him, and that means playing him further forward where you've got to act fast.

Defensively I thought we were a shambles at times. Yes, there were some fantastic last-ditch challenges by Nemane and Baldwin, but they're only necessary because of mistakes that have already happened. We rely on playing a high line, but when the players call for offsides they shouldn't simply stop playing, as we did a few times yesterday. Baldwin almost literally stood still looking at the linesman before recovering by the skin of his teeth and forcing Boreham Wood's striker to hit the post.

For me, whatever league we're in, defence is the key area for upgrade in the summer. We've got an over-balance of centre-halves who are very good footballers, but not particularly good defenders. Baldwin and Cameron both fall into that category. Rawlinson as a footballer is limited, but he is our most orthodox defender and I think we need to recruit more of that type in the summer if we're going to become more solid at the back. It's true that we haven't conceded that many goals this season, but the ones we have conceded have generally been poor ones, rather than outstanding play by the opponent, so there's big room for improvement if we're going to be "elite" (to use LW's phrase).

The final observation would be that Ruben, as good as he is, seems to be nervous in the biggest games. He had a poor game at Wrexham, often holding on to the ball too long and losing possession, and he had a nightmare in front of goal yesterday. He did good things in the game too, but I thought Cedwyn Scott when he came on held the ball better and gave us a bit of a target (to feet) to play off, linking play nicely.

You are right regarding Bostock. Prior to him joining we were attacking teams, and moving the ball through the middle at pace. Since his arrival we have become slower in our build up play, which allows the opposition to re-group and more difficult to break down..

[Magpies1959]

As you know I am a JB fan, but can see your point jackal after yesterday, however I wonder if the slower play was forced by Boringwood's style of play.

Regarding the centre-halves, I think it is the nature of the beast at this level, that it is very difficult to get one who can defend like CR and play out from the back like AB. Personally I would rather have AB types who can play a bit rather than lumps like the Boringwood back line.

nw6pie, I have been thinking Ruben has looked a bit overweight now for two or three games, and certainly cannot get away from markers. It makes me wonder if he has been carrying a niggle for a while and has not been able to train as much. If you remember when he first arrived he struggled with his fitness and was heavier looking back then.

[GranthamPie]

You are right regarding Bostock. Prior to him joining we were attacking teams, and moving the ball through the middle at pace. Since his arrival we have become slower in our build up play, which allows the opposition to re-group and more difficult to break down..

I do agree that pace seems to be an issue at the moment. Particularly yesterday and in comparison to Boring Wood, who lobbed diagonal balls to attacking positions with ease. We seem very ponderous going forward and it was only when Jones came on, that we showed some attacking intent.

Still.. I’m not the manager… so what do I know?