A very disappointing first half against the Cobblers where we constantly lumped long balls onto the head of Barnett much to the delight of the Cobbblers back-four who dealt easily with this very predictable tactic. Grandison and Woods showed how it should be done with some nice passing setting up a good chance for Vernon who blazed over and then he missed the target again late in the half. The introduction of Akpro and Grant brought about a much-needed improvement in attack but unfortunately not before Grant had given away a cheap free kick from which they scored after we dozily did not have anyone wide of the wall on our right-hand side. We dominated as the half went on but pretty well all of our players taking shots blazed them over the bar - this weakness (as we have seen all season) hasnot beenpunished against weaker sides but was here against a classy attack. No doubt Lawrence coming back will improve things but there are several lessons to be learned. 1) Go back to passing the ball shorter and more frequently and moving 2) Why abandon 3-5-2 which has served us so well at home when we could have brought Gayle in 3) Players like Vernon and Southern are worthy pros but their inclusion makes us rather plodding in midfield 4) Wildig (despite the rather ludicrous standing ovation from many fans when he came on) did OK and may well have apart to play to encourage a passing game Come on MM - we can play much better than this -at the moment the introduction of Barnett seems to have caused havoc with our tactics. Get the lads back to passing the ball properly and we will be promoted. If we carry on like in the first half against Tranmere and the Cobblers I doubt if we will go up.
I think the bringing in of Barnett and change in tactics is more closely linked to injuries for nkp and Weso.
NKP was the only one of the central defenders who was left footed, thus, in his absence, the problem with reverting to 3-5-2. What I couldn't understand on Saturday was the change (initially) of putting Woods wide left and further forward. Southern showed no aptitude for playing the holding midfield role. He should have been withdrawn at half time rather than Vernon who looked as though he knew what he was doing with the ball at feet.
