Match Thread vs. Hartlepool United 10.04.21 [NL]

[BanjoPie]

[MAD_MAGPIE]

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.

[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

[the_anticlough]

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

[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.

[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

[durhampie]

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

I would say they are more suited to losing than winning..Regardless of formation..

[the_anticlough]

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.

I've seen so many different midfield pairings in 4-4-2s over the decades. I don't think you always need 2 holding players if you play that - if the defenders can be trusted to defend and there are no passengers in the front four, pairs like Harkouk and Goodwin, Webb and Hodge can work..
Do we have those things now to play say a Reeves and Rodrigues partnership? No!

[irish_pie]

Done and dusted, payed for a terrible first half performance once again... so negative and uninspiring, getting what we deserve unfortunately

[upthemaggies]

12 LIVE televised away games without a win and this will be the 10th defeat in those 12.