Moving forward

[TSANHO]

I’ve just about stopped sulking after last night, but it does leave a lot of questions about how we can now get the best out of this season...which realistically would be 2nd or 3rd.

We’ve seen time and time again that we just cannot dominate games, apart from the weaker teams like Wealdstone, and although we do manage to win games it seems like it’s much harder than what it should be with, like what many others have said, far greater resources than the majority of the three teams in the division.

The common problem, as far as my eyes can see, is the midfield and the lack of control we ever have over it. Also, it seems to me we’re over complicating things with different formations and systems when in reality it needn’t be so difficult.

I’m actually one of those who appreciates what’s Doyle brings to the team, but I’m now thinking that for the greater good in reverting back to a simple 4-4-2 it may be time to drop him for a while and start playing some round pegs in round holes.

For me, Wootton isn’t a lone striker, he’s struggling, and always has in anything but a 4-4-2. Sam seemingly hasn’t got the touch or the intelligence to play in a fluid three behind the striker. Neither Reeves or Doyle have the physicality to play in a midfield two.

Seeing two wide players in Roberts and Enzio playing on the wrong side of the pitch just because they occasionally score (the predictable cut in and shoot) goal, really gets to me. The opposition can see it a mile off and it just congests the whole centre of the pitch because of it.

So, here’s what I’d like to see. A return of the 4-4-2 with your best, or most suitable, players playing in a system which makes sense of our resources! Ok, I’ve put one in there which is probably (definitely) unfounded but we can’t keep going round in circles like we are and watch this season fizzle out.


......................Slocombe.....

Brindley.....Rawlo.....Turner.....DKE

Enzio.........Wolfe......Rodrigues.....Roberts

..................Wootton....Thomas

We need to see what Wolfe can do. We need that midfielder who is going to be able to run the show and let Rodrigues show his undoubtedly ability. Get Enzio and Roberts bearing their men and whipping in crosses and stop this madness of cutting inside and running into trouble every single time

We have Sam and Knowles as direct replacements for the two strikers and three other centre midfielders to support Wolfe and Rodrigues. If wolfe isnt up to the task then get someone in who is. Centre mid is the key position at the minute, sort that out, in the right system, and we can make a fiat of this year yet. Defence isn’t really a problem, we have good cover in every area there.

[bouncingoffthewalls]

I agree with most of your points, especially that Wootton looks like he needs someone along side him but I do wonder if it would be needed if, as you mention, that we played the wingers on their correct side and got their crosses in earlier Wootton might not be pinned down by the defenders who have had a chance to get set.

I have no idea about Wolfe (does anybody?) but I think Reeves would be mobile enough to be in a 2 man centre midfield, I think Rodrigues would struggle in that position, however with how we are playing it's probably worth a role of the dice to see if it works.

If we did go 442 I'd like to see Sam get a go along side Wootton, two quick powerful lads who would offer alot together I think.

[nw6pie]

Think there’s a bit of wishful thinking in that 4-4-2 lineup. We have no idea what Wolfe’s like because he’s not a chance yet, and Rodrigues is good for an hour in an attacking role, but I can’t see him shining when he’s asked to do defensive duties.

To lose a third of our games after 12 games is nowhere near good enough, and we’ve already lost as many home games as we did all of last season.

We need to get Roberts and Thomas fit, because at the moment we’re lacking up front. And we need to decide if Wolfe is the answer to our ponderous midfield problem. If he isn’t, we should send him back to Barnsley and pursue other options.

Interesting to compare the stats after the first 12 games last season and this - same number of defeats, but fewer draws:

2019: W3, D5, L4, F16, A14, P14

2020: W6, D2, L4, F18, A12, P20

If you want to get really depressed, look at the Torquay side that’s running away with things - led by a 36-year-old journeyman centre forward, which tells you all you need to know about this league.

[magpie_mania]

Think there’s a bit of wishful thinking in that 4-4-2 lineup. We have no idea what Wolfe’s like because he’s not a chance yet, and Rodrigues is good for an hour in an attacking role, but I can’t see him shining when he’s asked to do defensive duties.

To lose a third of our games after 12 games is nowhere near good enough, and we’ve already lost as many home games as we did all of last season.

We need to get Roberts and Thomas fit, because at the moment we’re lacking up front. And we need to decide if Wolfe is the answer to our ponderous midfield problem. If he isn’t, we should send him back to Barnsley and pursue other options.

Interesting to compare the stats after the first 12 games last season and this - same number of defeats, but fewer draws:

2019: W3, D5, L4, F16, A14, P14

2020: W6, D2, L4, F18, A12, P20

If you want to get really depressed, look at the Torquay side that’s running away with things - led by a 36-year-old journeyman centre forward, which tells you all you need to know about this league.

At the risk of being accused I am defending Ardley, I'm not directly, but the facts are that last season we failed to get promotion at the last hurdle, and compared to that we have won twice as many games, scored more, conceded less and have 6 more points.

It's not all bad. Why really depressed? It could be far worse.

[SwalePie]

At the risk of being accused I am defending Ardley, I'm not directly, but the facts are that last season we failed to get promotion at the last hurdle, and compared to that we have won twice as many games, scored more, conceded less and have 6 more points.

It's not all bad. Why really depressed? It could be far worse.

I was wondering that too. We're much better statistically this time around. Time for hope I'd have thought.

[TSANHO]

I agree, to a certain degree. The stats are certainly paint a prettier picture than last season, but eyeballs and experience tend to be a better tool of judgement. I’m not calling for Ardley out either, just a recognition that what is happening on the pitch at the minute has more or less, realistically, ruled out automatic promotion.

As fans you get a sense when a team is on the verge of something good, barring one or two sporadic spells I’ve not seen enough to suggest that we are consistent or confident enough, for whatever reason, to go one better than last year.

In response to the post about Rodrigues not being fit enough for a central role, I agree, I’m just trying to think of a more effective CM pairing. It is important to see what Wolfe is capable of before he goes home.

[nw6pie]

At the risk of being accused I am defending Ardley, I'm not directly, but the facts are that last season we failed to get promotion at the last hurdle, and compared to that we have won twice as many games, scored more, conceded less and have 6 more points.

It's not all bad. Why really depressed? It could be far worse.

My point is that Torquay look like a remarkably unremarkable side, with plenty of journeymen in their ranks - and they’re 11 points ahead of us.

The other point about the stats is that we had a disastrous pre-season in 2019; everyone was signed up weeks before the season started in 2020. Yet we’ve managed to lose to Dover, Maidenhead, Aldershot and Boreham Wood. COVID was clearly a factor in 2 of those defeats, but the fact is that if we want to be competing for the title, we’ve already given ourselves a small mountain to climb.

[laddo]

So far it feels very similar to last season, which after a proper pre season this time around is definitely disappointing. However some of the stuff coming out after last night's defeat is comical.

People getting stressed, others giving up on even a play off place, another calling it embarrassing being a Notts, and some joke match ratings from Mr Misery himself. I fear we may lose a few off the board not even half way through the season like we did with KC last season.

Really didn't want that to happen again this season but the manager and players have let me down I fear it's only a matter of time.

[matt_magpie]

At the risk of being accused I am defending Ardley, I'm not directly, but the facts are that last season we failed to get promotion at the last hurdle, and compared to that we have won twice as many games, scored more, conceded less and have 6 more points.

It's not all bad. Why really depressed? It could be far worse.

It's not that bad, only 12 games in, 75% had covid, 2 foreign players to bed in, quite a lot of injuries and yet we sit 3rd.

It's depressing to most cos they think its outrageous we are in this league and not romping it, I suppose Luton, Stockport, Chesterfield, Wrexham fans felt the same. When we went to down to League 2 the feeling wasn't the same, I think it's just the shame of feeling a non league club and with Torquays great start making everyone feel it's going to be playoffs best and the lottery of them and plus we lost them last time, but there's a long way to go.

[magpie_mania]

It's not that bad, only 12 games in, 75% had covid, 2 foreign players to bed in, quite a lot of injuries and yet we sit 3rd.

It's depressing to most cos they think its outrageous we are in this league and not romping it, I suppose Luton, Stockport, Chesterfield, Wrexham fans felt the same. When we went to down to League 2 the feeling wasn't the same, I think it's just the shame of feeling a non league club and with Torquays great start making everyone feel it's going to be playoffs best and the lottery of them and plus we lost them last time, but there's a long way to go.

I don't feel shame that we are non-league. Before the season posters were saying that there were a lot of clubs who would make it difficult for us. Halifax, Chesterfield, Yeovil, Barnet to name some - how are they doing?

We have made it really hard for ourselves but with 32 games to go, including 2 against Torquay, it isn't impossible. I would be very surprised if we did it, we just can't seem to click.

What I don't get though is how supporters change so much. At the end of last season, plenty had written off our chances of keeping Roberts - 'someone else will snap him up, he's L1 standard'. Last night someone mentioned Sam Osbourne as being similar to him!

'County til I die'!