So today was the first match that I've got to this season (starting a new job in London). Was very interesting...
It seems as though LC has completely lost control of the squad. Not once did a single player seem to take any notice of what he was screaming and shouting on the touchline. They just had their back turned to him. Last season, every 10 minutes or so, you had Peter Clarke coming over to listen to what LC had to say. Now they seem to hardly speak.
That was evident in the way that Peter Clarke played as well. He just isn't commanding the defence like he needs to. A number of times (especially in the second half), there were men left over, unmarked. Not to mention the total lack of pace. If Colchester were any good they would have exploited it fully.
I mean, Naysmith just isn't good enough. He lacks two yards of pace, but more importantly he has absolutely zero confidence on the ball. A number of times Bennett had the ball in his hands, looking for someone to give it to. That is where Naysmith should be pulling out wide so we can build it from the back. Instead, he gets his head down and pulls in tight to the centre-backs, ultimately making him not an option and forcing Bennett to pump the ball up into the centre, where more often than not we lost it. We should be giving young Ridehalgh game time/experience.
The other point that I want to make is about Jordan Rhodes. He does not look sharp AT ALL. I was tearing my hair out today when, a couple of times, Ward whipped the ball into the box on the diagonal, only for Rhodes to just let it go by. I know he got a couple of goals, but he looks so far behind the pace of the game. He just isn't a threat. We need a striker that causes defenders to be constantly looking over their shoulders, worried that he's going to cut inside and skin them - ultimately leading to mistakes. We don't have that.
All in all, I just feel that LC is losing his grip of the squad. You can see that they clearly don't respect him, and he is not giving them the confidence that they need to play to their potential. In his post-match interview he banged on about his half time team talk telling the players to forget all the pressure. However, anyone at the ground can see that that is bullocks. The inspiration for the push came from, at first the fans, and then within the team.
It just feels like the team is playing in spite of LC, rather than for him. You can't help but feel that someone with a bit of proper experience would walk the league with our squad.
UTT
Thoughts on our current state
posted on 21/8/11
The thing is now when Johnson is fit,who do you play?Johnson and Robinson are both the same style of players,we'd have no creativity in midfield with these two in.Can Robinson play the attacking midfield role??
posted on 21/8/11
With a Johnson and Robinson combo the wingers and strikers would be able to attack with out coming back to defend as much
posted on 21/8/11
comment by jpHTFC (U7619)
posted 10 minutes ago
With a Johnson and Robinson combo the wingers and strikers would be able to attack with out coming back to defend as much
================
Oh right, that's just what we want isn't it........ midfielders that don't defend
posted on 21/8/11
With Hunt flying down the wing like he did y'day, who needs wingers ?
I've said before, if we have good pacey attacking fullbacks we can then solidify the midfield by having 4 regular midfield players instead of 2 of them doubling up as wingers, or even wingers doubling up as midfield players.
This would allow a diamond formation with one supporting the defence, one the attack and 2 in the middle doing the link up. Overlapping full backs like Hunt are priceless, so we need to get rid of Naysmith now.
This way we can have Robinson, Johnson, Gobern, Arfield, Miller and Mcdermott vying for the 4 midfield places, and Novak, Rhodes, Lee, Ward and Cadamarteri for the striking roles.
It would definately strengthen the midfield, which we need.
I'm not a fan of making wingers double up as midfielders, and only results in having to play 5 across the middle to accommodate it, which then means only one striker.
Horses for courses, not Rocket Science..
posted on 21/8/11
TBH I thought the two guys we played on Saturday (Robinson/Miller) looked decent, they just need time to get to know how each other plays.
If we are going to play the two of them together int he centre then they need to be given specific roles - one is incharge of providing the link between defence and midfield, whereas one acts as support to the attackers.
It really does just come down to gametime though. The more time the two of them can get together, the more they will learn about the other's playstyle.
posted on 22/8/11
Why would you want Ward vying for a position as striker when the general consensus is that he played excellently when actually put on the left wing which is his natural position? 4 strikers battling for 2 places at hone and one away if fine for me, 2 battling for the left wing in Roberts and Ward is also spot on.
posted on 22/8/11
ward as a cf would be a waste we have players that can finish its the build up play and final ball that needs to be more consistant. ward is a good start with that. he actually wants to be a success in a town shirt.
posted on 22/8/11
I accept Ward has pace on the wing, but to me his biggest asset is cutting in and shooting, he's got one heck of a shot on him. Playing him off a striker would give him the spaces to exploit and get some shots in on goal. Am not convinced about his midfield skills, he's def more of an attacker than a midfielder. Besides we've got loads of midfielders now, let them get on with it.
posted on 22/8/11
I can see where you are coming from but I believe we should play him to his strengths as an attacking midfielder / winger, not a striker as that isn't his natural position and I believe his other talents would go to waste somewhat by playing him in a striker role.
posted on 22/8/11
plus roberts will get his place back in the starting lineup which i would like to think he has now lost.