Maybe a bit early to post this with a few minutes to go in the other games, but how the hell are we still top of the Division! Stevenage and Bradford drawing, Wimbledon and Lincoln both losing.
We won’t be for much longer if we can’t get a shot on goal. Here’s a plan. Less tippy tappy and more shooty shooty.
That's 3 league games on the trot now where in all honesty we've been second best side on the pitch and none of the 3 are exactly world beaters at this level. We got away with it with wins against Orient and Reading, but got our comeuppance yesterday when the better team actually won. Taking comfort from staying at the top of the pile after that performance was more to do with the failings of our competitors rather than any credit to City. On current performances, it won't be long before that changes. So where do we go from here - or rather what is BBM going to do about it? He's gained the early season plaudits, and rightly so, but something has changed from the free running performances that took us to the top of the pile. To me, it's looking more and more that this side is actually being over-coached and restricted. Technical perfection is one thing, but any flair and initiative on the pitch looks to have been sidelined for "method" coaching. Route One may not be the answer, but there are more direct options. Playing out from the back and making a couple of dozen passes before getting anywhere near the opponents box is killing us.
Fair points. BBM stated post match we need to turn possession into chances and have more cutting edge. Turnbull has had enough opportunities to enhance the team this season which he hasn’t taken. He’s a weak link in the midfield. BBM needs to find his most effective CM and stick with it and not tinker. I’ll bang the drum again - the team lacks pace; too many moves break down when approaching the opposition area; the tactics aren’t direct enough and the crossing into the box needs improvement.
From the games I've seen and the extended highlights I've watched, we have been good at getting from back to front reasonably well, getting into good positions, or winning the ball high up the pitch. Then in the recent games we've played, it gets bogged down. Salech is starved of the type of service he needs. The last two games that hes scored in have come from desperation rather than design. Its almost like arsenal of old (not that we're anywhere near that level), looking for the perfect opportunity. Space then clogs up as the time taken allows defenders to get back. Yesterday, we were well behind on shots taken. A different sport, but I remember a successful period the rugby club I played for in Bristol had. The coach split the field in thirds. In the defensive third, he didnt care how slow the ball was as long as it was clean ball for the half backs. In the middle third it was structured, with the forwards tying in defenders and playing to the touch lines to create width. In the final third it was all about quick ball for the backs. If we turned it over occasionally, no worries, try and win it back, but make the game unstructured and challenge the defenders. Don't let them get set defensively, move them about, create mismatches. A relatively simple game plan. Coaching structure for the first two thirds of the pitch, more about individual skill in the final third. It feels as if once get into the final third we need to take the handbrake off. Get crosses in, get shots off. Chalkenge defenders. Take them out of their comfort zone. It has become too tentative. Big strides forward from where we were, but we need to take the next step.
Tan's extreme is probably the opposite end of the spectrum from where we are now. Just need to find a happy medium.
In essence, Tan is right - if you don't buy a ticket you won't win it. Shots whether on target or off can be deflected in or out - we've seen that this season time and time again for and against us. I think the problem with the much quoted "why don't you shoot more" quote was that he asked Marshall.
Bradford play Lincoln tonight. A win for Bradford sends them to the top. A win for Lincoln sees them go above us. A draw would be the best result then.
Bradford draw with Lincoln so we're down to third with a game in hand on first two. Could have been worse.
I've not bothered much before this season with League One teams, but having watched quite a few so far in the flesh and on the box, there are half a dozen decent sides at this level that could challenge for the autos - and that includes us. Apart from our "on the day" below average performances like at Bolton and at home to Bradford City and Burton (Burton FFS! ), we've played very well - in fact the difference in quality football to last season is staggering. So far there's not a runaway team like Brum last season to prevent us getting to the top of this pile. I don't want to get carried away with the current table position, but I'd say top 2 is well within reach, and top 6 a near certainty. We got away with it in our last 2 home games against Orient and Reading. We could (should) have dropped points in both, but the fact that we actually didn't is more good vibes to me than bad.
Our League 1 opponents don’t generally leave that much room between their defence line and midfield as Wrexham did last night for our attacking players to do their thing. If that’s the case BBM will need to work out how to make the most of the majority of ball retention to create openings which City could not do at Bolton.
In terms of 'final third', the weekend and last night were chalk and cheese. More of Saturday and promotion will be a stretch. More of last night and it's hard to argue against it. Plenty of good opportunities created last night. Still lacking a clinical edge. Still feels as if we're heading in the right direction. Ashford and Davies looking better on their 'natural wings'. I wonder what's changed BBMs mind on that?
Ashford had his best game in a while. And yes, I agree, he is right footed - taking corners with his right. Ironically he often took on his full back by going outside on his left. Why he rarely goes outside on the right wing I don't know? Unless he is instructed to do that to make room for his over lapping full back. While Isaak did okay with his more direct approach, Kellyman was a close second to Ruben as our best player in the first half. Wrexham just couldn't handle him. Hope he wasn't injured and subbed at half time to protect him. He has a great understanding with Kpakio (who is suspended for the next round) and is also starting to work well with Ruben.
