Tate and tactics

[gazan]

so once again we don't have Tate on the field and we collapse! what madness this was! Unless he's injured, Tate would be one of the last people I'd take off. I am seriously worried on anumber fronts.
Last time we played Preston Uche and Cooper made an impact- that doesn't mean it will always be the case. I fear that SD thinks it does.
The diamond in the midfield has worked well on occasions but that doesn't mean it will always be good against all teams! One of the drawbacks of this format is Grants 'loss of form'.He is at his best when he operates straight down the middle. Ness is quite useful as the point of the diamond but only when we've got the ball- he's next to useless when we lose possession.
Just because Uche is big, it shouldn't necessarily mean he has to be up front -that is likely to attract long hoofs but he not that kind of player. I belive he should be playing behind Haber and Ajose/Dalle Valle. Why? because he is solid and strong and can keep the ball up there away from

[Drapercrewe]

I agree Tate is sold - reads the game well and has the presence - his passing today was poor though. Think Uche did well coming on - Ajose didn't do much and Haber tried and did ok - think it was correct replacing ajose with haber.
Missed leigh i think and cooper was wrong option in a physical game.
Think grant has got some unnecessary stick - he battles and as usual kicked and battered about by opposition.
Preston front line were good but thought a very average side - we had them for the taking at 2-1 before disallowed goal - that 10 min period we looked so much better and forced them in to mistakes.

[gazan]

i'm hoping that my post will lead to a long -running discussion about how we play. i think we need someone like %Tate on the coaching team to reverse our history of poor defences (for example)

[NewtoCrewe]

I agree Gazan, SD has blamed the forwards and attacking minded players for not reacting quick enough or defending when necessary on many occasion this season, you cannot blame them for giving you the worst defensive record two years in a row. Individually the players perform alright, HD as done well since his return, GR has been excellent up until his injury, Tate has been consistent in both CD and MF, Bailee was unlucky to be dropped after good performances, Turton has grown each game,Leigh has shown his age with inconsistency but generally good...so why collectively are they not performing? Surely that has to be down to management. Tates substitution was ridiculous everyone could see that so why didn't SD? i'm all for attacking play but today didn't warrant going for it when we haven't done it previously in games crying out for it! It totally opened us up.
Hopefully no knee jerk reaction for Tuesday nights games but some thought into how we set up for the remainder of the season and

[gardsPNE]

I agree Tate is sold - reads the game well and has the presence - his passing today was poor though. Think Uche did well coming on - Ajose didn't do much and Haber tried and did ok - think it was correct replacing ajose with haber.
Missed leigh i think and cooper was wrong option in a physical game.
Think grant has got some unnecessary stick - he battles and as usual kicked and battered about by opposition.
Preston front line were good but thought a very average side - we had them for the taking at 2-1 before disallowed goal - that 10 min period we looked so much better and forced them in to mistakes.

And the other 80 mins were PNE pretty much controlled the game. Teams are going to have spells but going on about the 10 mins spell usually isn't good enough to win games as you need more than 10 mins to control the game. This average side of ours has now picked up 25 out of 27 points.

By the way we have finally broke the Voodoo

[RenegadeDS]

This average side of ours has now picked up 25 out of 27 points.

And a couple of weeks ago we had the best form in the division. It happens. Had the second goal stood like it should have done, who knows what would have happened. Garner was the difference, the rest not so much.

[gazan]

How about:
Rabchubka
Baillie/Turton; Tate; Davis; Leigh
Grant
Turton/Jones; Ness/Uche; Atkinson(or Inman/Coco)
LDV/Ajose; Haber/Uche

This line-up would depend on being Home or Away and International call-ups.
We definitely need someone stronger in the middle than Ness when we play away.
Grant would be a great anchor but by being just in front of the defence could push the mid-field further up. He could also make his runs forward.

Currently, all the diamond does is push two of our better players out of position and leaves a great hole in the middle. We need drive and strength down that middle when we are away

[itwasin]

The Big Factor missing from the Team is Inman where is he? Whats Happened! If SD played him in his correct Position we would not be struggling to score goals, but without him, its an Own Goal, and you get what you Deserve.

[Timmy58]

Brilliant! I am all for giving Inman a chance, but he has been awful since we signed him. That is why he is not in the team!

[NewtoCrewe]

Brilliant! I am all for giving Inman a chance, but he has been awful since we signed him. That is why he is not in the team!

Only once started in his correct position, CM with Murphy against Doncaster...has been played out of position ever since and not give a run of games to regain confidence. . How long was Ness poor and that's his preferred position...
Did a job on the left when on loan but that was off playing CM at Newcastle and scoring. Was signed permentally as a CM/AM so play him there if you want him to perform. Don't understand wanting to waste talent and that's not just Inman, SD has to look at his management skills these young players will only play on a high for so long before they to need guidance.