After we bounced back with a win against Crawley this was a poor follow up performance. First half we didn’t create anything of note, first 15-25 minutes of the second half was better and the tempo was raised, but then after we didn’t take the couple of half chances that fell our way, we went back to trying to rely on corners and free kicks to give us an opportunity. Personally I thought it did seem a bit like a Peter Taylor performance. Comments on players: Glenn Morris – Possibly at fault for the goal although couldn’t see that well from my position in block C of the Medway Stand. Other than that, made one good save in the 2nd half and did well as a sweeper keeper but wasn’t really otherwise troubled. Seems to have better kicking than Nelson Gavin Hoyte – Played ok. John Egan – Dependable as always in defence but way too many hit and hope balls. Yes maybe there was a lack of movement in front of him but then he should try and pass the ball around the defence and maintain possession. Max Ehmer – Did ok Amari’i Bell – My MOTM. Got forward well in both halves and was dependable defensively. Very noticeable in the second half when he really got up and down the pitch a lot. Aaron Morris – Did well in the DM role. Physically strong and won the ball back for us a lot of times. Doug Loft – A very frustrating performance. At times it wasn’t his fault as there was a lack of movement in front of him but at other times it was. One thing which I have noticed, when he receives the ball and turns he seems to very often turn into the opposition player rather than turn away from then and then if his touch is slightly off he loses the ball. Bradley Dack – Tried to get the team going with movement off the ball and spreading the play. Jermaine McGlashan – At Crawley he showed that he could play from the start but today he had no real impact. Had a couple of dangerous runs but the end cross was often not good enough and Chicksen nullified him quite well. Also when he did get the ball in space his shooting was wayward. John Marquis – Didn’t make an impact. Spent a lot of the time on the floor moaning to the ref/ lino when he should have just got on with it. Had one major chance which he dragged well wide. Luke Norris – Did ok. Did win some headers but didn’t put much effort in and seemed to shy away at times. Wouldn’t start him at Orient. Cody McDonald – Didn’t make much of an impact. Had a couple of chances, one he dragged wide and the other was blocked. Not really his fault though because of the number of long balls hit forward towards him. Brennan Dickenson – Tried hard in 1 of only a handful of opportunities he has been given under JE. His touch let him down. Leon Legge – Brought on to add an aerial treat at corners and eventually went up front. Had at least one good header from a corner saved. So my top 3 would be: 1) Amari’i Bell 2) Aaron Morris 3) Bradley Dack Referee – Didn’t do much about their time wasting apart from ‘having a word’. Did book the RB at one point, but in fact he was the one who had only just come on, when the one before did it every time but he didn’t get booked. Other than that, I thought from what I could see that in the main his decisions were generally ok. Possibly a couple of hand ball appeals though? Fleetwood – Time wasted a lot once they went in front. Personally I think there are two formation choices that offer us something. I don’t think playing 4 CM’s like we had been doing works anymore because other teams worked us out. Personally I think we should either play a 4-2-3-1 (with a few different personnel) or 4-1-2 (wingers) -1- 2. 4-2-3-1: GK: Morris DEF: Bell, Ehmer, Egan, Hoyte DM: Morris, Pritchard/ Muldoon (Haven’t seen him play so can’t comment) AM: Dack Wing: Loft, Dickenson ST: Cody/ Marquis 4-1-2-1-2 GK: Morris DEF: Bell, Ehmer, Egan, Hoyte DM: Morris Wing: Loft, Dickenson AM: Dack ST: Cody, Marquis In both formations I would put Loft on the wing. Personally although he is not quick I think he can deliver a very good cross. As we are trying things out I would like to see this given a go and then if unsuccessful, obviously don’t use it again but I would like to see it. I think to be safe we will need 53 points so a couple of draws or a win needed. It would be great if we could get the win at Leyton Orient and then enjoy the last few games although I can see us getting a draw, especially if we play like we did today. However if we play like we did at Crawley then we may get the 3 points.
