bungle
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The defeat itself doesn't bother me too much. Winning runs have to end at some point, and even Wilder's title winners tasted defeat at a similar stage of the season.
However, IMO the manner of the defeat has brought a few wider concerns to the fore which need to be rectified ASAP if we are going to have a successful season:
We are extremely reliant on set plays and have yet to score a league goal from open play this season. Despite Brady's stated desire to develop a more effective 'bums off seats' style following relegation, we are still repeating last year's fatal error and consistently failing to create enough chances from open play.
Why? Because he's keeping his two most creative central midfielders on the bench (Flores and Pollock) and playing a utility player out wide whilst one of the fastest wingers in the league gathers splinters on the sidelines. The entire creative burden is currently on Pinnock and sides will soon work out that if they stop him they stop our entire threat. McWilliams and Lewis are too similar and Lewis is the one who should make way due to Sean's superior pressing ability. We need a ball-playing central midfielder to stop the defence pumping it long and bypassing the midfield every time (which is always going to be a temptation for lower league centre backs when you play with two 6ft+ centre forwards).
I'm definitely at the pro-Hoskins end of the spectrum on here, but the man simply doesn't have the crossing ability, assists or goals record to be starting for us at home on the wing. If we're going to play 4-4-2 it needs to be with proper wingers who can cross the ball: start Connolly and give him a run in the side. If Connolly isn't up to it (and Brady should know being a former winger himself) then use some of the Chuks money to get another winger in. Use Hoskins as sub to close games down when we're in the lead or, at a push, start him in tight away games where his superior workrate will pay dividends. If you play 4-4-2 then you have to get the wingers right - it's as simple as that. At the other end of the pitch, I'd be tempted to bring Harriman back in against the stronger sides as soon as he's fit. He's arguably our best defensive full back.
Brady needs to be braver.
Roberts
Mills/Harriman Horsfall Guthrie McGowan/Harriman
Pollock/Flores. McWilliams
Connolly Pinnock
Kabamba Etete
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« Last Edit: August 21, 2021, 16:36:10 pm by bungle »
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