Agree re comments about Hutchinson. Thought he was poor again for the second match in a row, although to be fair to him I think he is playing out of position as I think he is an attacking midfielder not a striker so that doesn’t help. Felt he could’ve put himself about more though and he seemed to be jogging when he could’ve been running and then maybe he could’ve got to the ball a few times.
Agree re comments about Hutchinson. Thought he was poor again for the second match in a row, although to be fair to him I think he is playing out of position as I think he is an attacking midfielder not a striker so that doesn’t help. Felt he could’ve put himself about more though and he seemed to be jogging when he could’ve been running and then maybe he could’ve got to the ball a few times.
Also agree re being out of position. It is early days yet for him but I think its a bit early t write him off as he has some promise.
Last night was as poor as I’ve seen us play all season. First half particularly. There wasn’t a single player who managed to put his foot on the ball and connect a pass and we seems forever stick between a full press and being played through at ease.
However….that said…Brizzle we’re excellent (first half particularly). They moved the ball well and outnumbered us with their pace and movement and our formation was all wrong as the 3 became a flat 5 and the midfield got pulled into wide areas and the front two became isolated in and out of possession.
The change at half time to go 442 was crying out for and made an immediate difference. It prevented Brizzle from exploiting wide areas and it stopped out central midfield being pulled around all over the place and allowed us to eventually get some possession.
Second half we were arguably worth a point but if I’m honest they should’ve been out of sight by half time. 21 efforts on goal compared to their 12 doesnt tell the complete story unfortunately as it actually amounted to 21 but only 6 on target compared to their 12 with 7 on target. They were streets ahead of us imo.
Exactly the same thoughts as you. We seemed to get going a bit when we were 2 down which was too late against a team like Rovers
Last night was as poor as I’ve seen us play all season. First half particularly. There wasn’t a single player who managed to put his foot on the ball and connect a pass and we seems forever stick between a full press and being played through at ease.
However….that said…Brizzle we’re excellent (first half particularly). They moved the ball well and outnumbered us with their pace and movement and our formation was all wrong as the 3 became a flat 5 and the midfield got pulled into wide areas and the front two became isolated in and out of possession.
The change at half time to go 442 was crying out for and made an immediate difference. It prevented Brizzle from exploiting wide areas and it stopped out central midfield being pulled around all over the place and allowed us to eventually get some possession.
Second half we were arguably worth a point but if I’m honest they should’ve been out of sight by half time. 21 efforts on goal compared to their 12 doesnt tell the complete story unfortunately as it actually amounted to 21 but only 6 on target compared to their 12 with 7 on target. They were streets ahead of us imo.
My thoughts exactly, back 5 in the end due to the pressure from Rovers. left their full backs all the space in the world to move forward, drag out a midfielder and then we were in all sorts of trouble. First half there was a lot of panicking when we got on the ball and players looking to offload the ball too fast.
Second half 4-4-2 made all the difference and Kwesi showed the rest of the players how to hold onto the ball. From then, all the players responded and we were really quite good! Certainly should have caught them out for at least a point. When the ball dropped to Nick Ts in the box, I thought we’d done it……
Loved the passion of Joel Lynch last night. You can tell he is a winner. Would like to see him as captain next season as Francombe is not a natural leader and too quiet. The same goes for the rest of the team (bar Kwesi). Whereas Lynch is a lot more vocal and leads by example.
Also when possible with enough fit CB positions I would mix it up a bit and play Lynch as a target man up front, with the likes of Kwesi and Nadders or /Nichols/Oteh running off him. Then would use Hutchinson in the hole as he is our most creative midfielder.
I definitely would get behind the idea of Lynch as captain because of his experience and leadership skills but not sure converting him to a striker would be a good move for someone at that stage of his career. Ideally we need to find a target man in the market during the summer who's good at heading and is strong, the other possible alternative is to put Appiah on an intensive strength programme so he can be converted into one.
Hopefully we won't be resorting to long balls as much next term too as that has made us predictable to play against at times. I'm not that sure about Hutchinson now to be honest as the last couple of games I think he's looked pretty poor, too many bad touches and fluffed a few chances as well
Going slightly off topic, I noticed Dannie Bulman was in the home dugout yesterday, I guess that means he's joined the coaching staff?
Agree with Steve that Lynch is not a striker especially at his tender years. I've never thought that it works as previously with big Joe McN except as a desperation act in last few minutes. Last night Joel tried hard but didn't really add much. If we keep our current strikers we do badly need an experienced front man who can lay off the ball
Hutchinson was poor last night and struggled to be effective with the ball or with his pressing but he’s definitely being played out of position, JY has already said as much so he was being asked to ‘do a job’. However i disagree about Saturday and I thought he was excellent and his best game so far.
A Good Effort but Another Craig Blunder costs us yet again. It was a spirited fight back after 41 mins with all players contributing abit.
At the end of the day, that is season over without even trying some of the new boys together this season. Very Disappointing!
I fear that a Hess, Powell, Payne Midfield 3 will drive crowds down below 2,000 for the rest of the season. Would'nt be surprised if Ludwig asks for a transfer!
Back on the Craig slagging train because I guess it would have been a bit embarrassing wheeling out the usual second half poor stats, right?
I actually thought Hutchinson played worse last Saturday than he did on Tuesday night but I bet after saying all this he'll go and bang one into the top corner this coming weekend and we'll all be shouting about what a great player he is
And as for playing players in unnatural positions I'd only advocate that if it's as part of a longer-term development, for example look at how much Joelinton has improved at Newcastle ever since he got converted into a midfielder by Eddie Howe
I actually thought Hutchinson played worse last Saturday than he did on Tuesday night but I bet after saying all this he'll go and bang one into the top corner this coming weekend and we'll all be shouting about what a great player he is
And as for playing players in unnatural positions I'd only advocate that if it's as part of a longer-term development, for example look at how much Joelinton has improved at Newcastle ever since he got converted into a midfielder by Eddie Howe
We can only hope that Yemsy has a masterplan from the guys based on what he sees on the training pitch. So far, its most definitely 'work in progress' !!
I actually thought Hutchinson played worse last Saturday than he did on Tuesday night but I bet after saying all this he'll go and bang one into the top corner this coming weekend and we'll all be shouting about what a great player he is
And as for playing players in unnatural positions I'd only advocate that if it's as part of a longer-term development, for example look at how much Joelinton has improved at Newcastle ever since he got converted into a midfielder by Eddie Howe
What, you thought he had a worse game v Scunthorpe than he did v Bristol? Wow. I find that odd.
A quick check on WhoScored.com shows on Saturday v Scunthorpe he had the 3rd most touches, played the 3rd most passes, was 2nd in pass completion % and most complete passes and most key passes. He was also had the most shots and the most shots on target (both fantastic saves!) and was only behind Tunni, Lynch and Nads for most aerials won!!
Im not sure he beat that in 45 mins v BR as they battered us first half!! As I say I thought he was poor Tuesday and rightly made way for Kwesi.
I’d say he was only used up front as he was the only other feasible option to partner Nads while Nicholls Appiah and Oteh were missing. I doubt it’s much of a long term plan.
I actually thought Hutchinson played worse last Saturday than he did on Tuesday night but I bet after saying all this he'll go and bang one into the top corner this coming weekend and we'll all be shouting about what a great player he is
And as for playing players in unnatural positions I'd only advocate that if it's as part of a longer-term development, for example look at how much Joelinton has improved at Newcastle ever since he got converted into a midfielder by Eddie Howe
What, you thought he had a worse game v Scunthorpe than he did v Bristol? Wow. I find that odd.
A quick check on WhoScored.com shows on Saturday v Scunthorpe he had the 3rd most touches, played the 3rd most passes, was 2nd in pass completion % and most complete passes and most key passes. He was also had the most shots and the most shots on target (both fantastic saves!) and was only behind Tunni, Lynch and Nads for most aerials won!!
Im not sure he beat that in 45 mins v BR as they battered us first half!! As I say I thought he was poor Tuesday and rightly made way for Kwesi.
I’d say he was only used up front as he was the only other feasible option to partner Nads while Nicholls Appiah and Oteh were missing. I doubt it’s much of a long term plan.
Lets hope so as despite all the stats, he was no good in that position
“Lets hope so as despite all the stats, he was no good in that position, in that game”.
There I just corrected that for you as he was more than ok in that position v Forest Green, Oldham and as has been pointed out, Scunthorpe. Bristol was a very very poor first half from literally almost everyone including the staff which was corrected at half time and was clearly evident by the second half performance.
A Good Effort but Another Craig Blunder costs us yet again. It was a spirited fight back after 41 mins with all players contributing abit.
At the end of the day, that is season over without even trying some of the new boys together this season. Very Disappointing!
I fear that a Hess, Powell, Payne Midfield 3 will drive crowds down below 2,000 for the rest of the season. Would'nt be surprised if Ludwig asks for a transfer!
Back on the Craig slagging train because I guess it would have been a bit embarrassing wheeling out the usual second half poor stats, right?
Steve, everyone on this forum thinks you have incredible knowledge of the game. maybe I got it wrong above. Not!