Match Thread vs. Bromley FC 29.01.22 [NL]

[the_anticlough]

I was just wondering about JOB. I thought I saw a pic of him in training recently, but no sign of making the matchday squad. I wouldn’t say he’s the answer, but we definitely need more bite in the centre of the park - especially away from home when it becomes more attritional.

Me neither, but my point was more about the fans/media being kept in the dark. I think a bit of secrecy has been creeping into the mindset rather than transparency. Fans deserve to know

[keldsyke]

Today, we lost to a better organised team with a clearer game plan. You could see in the way we constructed attacks that, in terms of technical ability and general talent, there was a pretty big gulf between the sides in our favour.

That being the case and them being able to see out a pretty comfortable 1-0 win is a huge problem for the manager IMO. Our away form is a disgrace.

With IB saying in his post match interview that the game was effectively over after Bromley scored, it says to me he’s admitted that he has no plan B.

[jacobncfc]

Glad to hear it.
Both need to hit and feel form, because I can't see IB changing the system now.

What do think of the signing of Brunt? And what he's shown us so far? If there's any point him being here he has to be clearly better than Vincent/Roberts...not just looking the part, but actual output

I think Brunt is clearly a very talented lad. I’m yet to be convinced that we needed yet another technically gifted attacking midfielder who drifts in and out of games, though. Dropping Vincent was weird too, one of the first names on the teamsheet for me, if you want to shoehorn Brunt in it has to be at the expensive of Ruben or Cal.

Not that I can really pin-point what we need. I think we’ve got a decent defence that’s pretty solid and good on the ball, two excellent wing backs (when Taylor is fit at least), an endless list of creative midfielders and a striker who both leads the line and scores.

I said this after the Bromley home game, but we just don’t have that final, intangible ingredient. That psychological thing that turns a good set of players (which this clearly is) into a promotion winning one. They just seem a very nice set of lads and a manager who I’d probably love to have a pint with, but ultimately who will finish fifth or something playing their lovely football and be quite happy with it.

[the_anticlough]

I’m getting a bit annoyed by Burchnall’s move away from what he was late last season, where we’d at least throw absolutely everything at a game. That second half today was just dismal, nothing football.

That was certainly the case at Wealdstone where he played 5 defenders + Palmer for 90 mins. In this one we had Sam, Mitchell with Wootton at the end. Rodrigues and Vincent behind them, Richardson and Taylor wide. Looks like IB did his bit, so more down to the players today?

[jacobncfc]

That was certainly the case at Wealdstone where he played 5 defenders + Palmer for 90 mins. In this one we had Sam, Mitchell with Wootton at the end. Rodrigues and Vincent behind them, Richardson and Taylor wide. Looks like IB did his bit, so more down to the players today?

Maybe to be fair, again though I just don’t think this is down to personnel and ability as such, it’s psychological.

IMO club, manager and players are a little bit too quick to congratulate themselves for playing nice football (which we clearly do), get carried away when we get on a good run even though it’s all home games or fixtures that should be routine wins, aren’t frustrated/angry enough with some of the silly dropped points (like Tuesday) and just don’t quite seem to understand what you need to get promoted.

[the_anticlough]

Fair summary. Many fans above think mindset is the main issue.

[jackal2]

Maybe to be fair, again though I just don’t think this is down to personnel and ability as such, it’s psychological.

IMO club, manager and players are a little bit too quick to congratulate themselves for playing nice football (which we clearly do), get carried away when we get on a good run even though it’s all home games or fixtures that should be routine wins, aren’t frustrated/angry enough with some of the silly dropped points (like Tuesday) and just don’t quite seem to understand what you need to get promoted.

You could be onto something there. Sometimes when we didn't get results under Ardley and now under Burchnall, their post-match interviews seemed very scientific and analytical about the game, but perhaps lacked the passion and anger we might have heard from a Warnock or an Allardyce. Too much anger and blame isn't good, especially when you're wanting your players to be confident on the ball and willing to take calculated risks, but you still need the players to understand that the result is what matters most, and that the aesthetics of how you achieve it are secondary.

[laddo]

Seems a strong opinion, so would you be prepared to offer odds that we won't finish in the top 7?

The bookies are offering a best priced 1/4 that we will finish in the top 7, if you will offer 4/1 that we won't, then I'll take the bet*.

* I would be happy send my stake money to you by bank transfer, and trust you to pay out if I won.

It's as strong as my big bet at the start of the season.

Thanks for the offer but history has taught me (and hopefully a few others) that the odds you have offered haven't been as good as what you can find on oddschecker.

[keldsyke]

You could be onto something there. Sometimes when we didn't get results under Ardley and now under Burchnall, their post-match interviews seemed very scientific and analytical about the game, but perhaps lacked the passion and anger we might have heard from a Warnock or an Allardyce. Too much anger and blame isn't good, especially when you're wanting your players to be confident on the ball and willing to take calculated risks, but you still need the players to understand that the result is what matters most, and that the aesthetics of how you achieve it are secondary.

You’re now dealing with different generations where one set would take the criticism on board and take responsibility to rectify it and the other will claim that they are offended and sulk. 🙂

[laddo]

As for the game today, when I saw the two giants lineup for Bromley at the back I feared Wootton would play a bit part sort of a game and be ineffective and it proved the case.

It was a little strange Roberts had a good first half and looked dangerous in good threatening areas of the pitch.

Ruben showed class throughout in flashes, came the closest to scoring when he hit the woodwork, his control and passing was sublime on occasions, used his big frame well and was effective defensively. Yet it didn't work as mentioned earlier lots of standing on edge of area and short passing across the park 20-25 yards from goal. I kept expecting it work and it just didn't.