Originally Posted by
Armchair General
Well. I don't know what to make of that. Lost 4-1 at home, in a game where we were the better team for the majority of it. Poor refereeing, and a crumbly midfield contributed to the defeat, but I wouldn't describe the team or the performance as 'utter garbage' like is happening on other threads, and I certainly won't be calling for DAs head just yet. I do agree that we shouldn't be playing 4-3-3 however (Yes. I do know that what we played today more resembled a 4-2-3-1, with first Lowery, and then Knight, operating just behind the front man). When you have a good look at our squad, we're just not equipped for a 4-3-3, or a 4-2-3-1. We only have one out and out wide player, in Bennet. Ainley and Knight are a number 10, playing in behind the striker(s) and Long and Kashkett are strikers. The squad we have lends itself to playing either the 5-3-2, like we did at Wycombe, or a 4-4-2 narrow diamond formation. We need some steel in the midfield. I know we already have a lot of central midfield options, but I do think we need that player that can screen the back four or three, depending on formation. I feel that, in January, that has to be our priority. Our defence looked ok today. The only time they struggled was when our midfield evaporated, leaving our defence exposed, with overloads in the wide areas. At least two of their goals came from that exact scenario.
On the flip side. As far as I could see from where I sat, their first and last goals were offside. For their first goal, I immediately looked across, expecting to see the flag up, only to see the linesman still stood there, trying to see what was going on, whilst shading his eyes. Quite blatantly, he couldn't see a thing, and we end up getting punished. A word also fro the ref. SHOCKING!!! I'm the first to defence ref's. They have a really difficult job to do, and should, generally, be given the benefit of the doubt. Today's ref though was just terrible. Weak, indecisive and blatantly pandering to the bigger team. Every fifty/fifty went the way of MK Dons, they were allowed steal as many yards as they liked, whilst we were penalised for taking a step away from where the ref thought the throw should be taken from, it was never a penalty (Will quite blatantly got a hand to the ball. The ball changed direction away from Will(, and the farce of first playing advantage... until it looked like we were actually going to get an advantage. then he blows up, and brings it back for a foul. Truly awful. The worst ref performance I've seen in many a year.
Conclusion? We have a lot of work to do to get ourselves organised defensively. We're starting to look more consistently threatening going forward. DA and KL are still adjusting to the fact that this squad doesn't have that instinctive knowledge and cohesion that every squad he's had since he took the reins has had. This group of players has not been playing together since they were in junior school. You can't chop and change the squad in the same way, and get that consistent level of performance that we have in previous years. We need a central midfielder who can protect the defensive line. We need to play formations that play to our squad's strengths