Now that I have calmed down since Tuesday evening here's my take on the two latest performances. I was mostly underwhelmed when SC was appointed because I feared he would go totally long ball as the only option. That has not happened but I am now seriously puzzled by his team selections, team formation and doubtful about the quality of two of his signings. Moore is just as exposed as Parrish and Fielding before him. However he appears to dominate his six yard box better than the other two. I just feel that any keeper playing behind our defence is just an "Aunt Sally". El Abd is IMO nowhere near as good as I expected him to be - he has no pace at all and his positional play for such an experienced defender leaves a lot to be desired. Examples are the first goal scored by MK and the first from Coventry yesterday when he was left for dead on the halfway line, albeit from yet another misplaced pass by Gillet. Flint has dropped some clangers but on the other hand I was impressed with the way he kept fighting for every ball last night. Yes he back pedalled on the first goal but by doing so he did give El Abd time to get back and try to help even though perhaps in hindsight, he should have tried to tackle Moussa before he got to the box. Derrick Williams until the last month or so had been consistently the best defender but his passing has become somewhat wild. He needs to compose himself and make sure that the pass he plays reaches it's target. We are missing Osbourne, and I am not convinced that Moloney is defensively good enough for this league. Playing with a back three of El Abd, Flint and Williams is not on! A back three need to have pace and that is not available with two of the three. A back four allows full backs to cover central defenders in the way that the much maligned Richard Foster did even though too many did not want to acknowledge that part of his play! In central midfield, everyone seems to be so inconsistent it's unreal. Gillet has directly contributed to two killer goals recently, the third at Brentford and now last night's opener. Too lightweight physically and footballing wise. Marv had a great second half on Saturday yet last night hardly did anything right for 45 minutes. Pack did well in the second half especially in the air from their clearances but was helped by the strong wind. He was also helped because Coventry sat on the 2-0 lead and allowed him time to spread the ball. Bryan was lost last night playing in central midfield. He should play either wide left midfield or left back. Wade Elliott did not impress me in the time he was on the pitch v Carlisle. Our best creative midfielder is Bobbie Reid but as he is still learning the game in his first full season, we must allow him to try things that sometimes go wrong. I respect the reasons for changes because the games are coming thick and fast on heavy pitches but is SC making too many changes to this part of the team. The back three are usually the same and the two up front likewise. so why is it midfielders need rotation but the others do not? Young, fit footballers should be able to cope physically with two games a week! If they cannot, then they are either not properly fit, or should get a job in another industry. I know others may not agree, but Wagstaff is one of our successes this season. He works extremely hard and is showing total committment to the cause. Maybe not the most talented midfielder we've ever had but gives his all every match. Likewise Cunningham is looking more like his old self now he is playing almost as a left winger. Last night's City Man of the Match? Wes Burns is proving that the youngsters are fearless and it is my opinion that we should rely more on them than the more experienced loanees we've brought in. Pace is his main asset but the other thing to remember is that he gets peoples backsides off the seats and frightens defenders as he runs full tilt at them. Sam works his socks off and for my money deserves all the praise he gets for that aspect. He needs to work very hard at one on one chances and perhaps needs to actually slow himself down a touch during such occurences, so that he can try to get the keeper to commit himself early rather than just trying to blast the ball through the keeper. Which leaves me with JET. I do not believe that we can continue with the luxury of the way he wants to and actually does play the game. This is Third Division football and we cannot afford someone who is continually trying to take on two, three and four opponents with little chance of success. Yes he has scored some outstanding goals but what concerns me most is the fact that more often than not, his individuality leaves us chasing shadows as he loses the ball in dangerous areas. We are still putting square pegs into round holes so if all were fit my starting eleven would be; Moore Wagstaff Flint Osbourne Williams Burns Pack Reid Cunningham Baldock Barnett Solidity and pace at the back, Pack playing the holding role in midfield, aided by Cunningham. Burns breaking at pace, Bobbie Reid as the attacking playmaker, Barnett as the battering ram to help Baldock get some knock downs in the box. And if the team above does not suit you, how about; Moore Osbourne Flint Williams Bryan Wagstaff Pack Reid Cunningham Baldock Burns I wish I was not so pessimistic, but unless there is a tremendous change in performances, defensive solidity, taking more of the goalscoring chances, some good fortune, I do not believe we will manage to avoid the drop. And as a last word on last nights match and not intended as an excuse for our defeat. What an appalling performance from the referee, he let them waste so much time from the seventh minute onwards and did nothing about the cynical niggly fouls during the second half that broke up the tempo of the game and really helped Coventry to hold on to the lead.
Very well put I agree with almost all of this apart from the going down bit, we are crap but I think there are 4 worse teams just maybe wishful thinking but I think Crawley away could be a very large away crowd, that's how close I think it will be. What would you do with Kelly? Or when you said fit did you just mean the ones at moment? You do realise I've mentioned this about JET months ago and got comments accusing me of talking rubbish. To me he's a luxury we can afford without at the moment. Sure he's scored a lot of goals but at what expense. Some feel we would be bottom without his goals or assist. But in fairness without him we might of been stronger and team more of a unit. Without turning back time and trying no one would know. We could of maybe got a strong player to play alongside Baldock scoring some but helping others score.
It would appear that yet again JET has shown he can only realise his talent when playing under SOD's management, for so long he was ours and SOD's saving grace, but of late he has not been at it by all accounts. The big mystery for me is how the hell SOD, as such a dour bloke could get through to somebody like JET in a way that so many other mangers have failed? Beggers believe
Probably like a petulant child, if you reprimand them or give them instructions they don't like it. If you say do what you want they do just that. To the detriment of others around them.
ROD, I did not consider Kelly as I feel the most he will achieve this season is a minimal amount of game time in the last couple of games. If he does get totally fit earlier, he would come into midfield as captain! I agree 100% with your comments on JET. I know I am only repeating what some of us have thought all season. And really do hope I am wrong about the drop!
