The biggest deficiency in the team as I see it at the moment is the complete lack of pace in the back 4 and the midfield.
This means that we have to play to a very rigid formula where the back 4 have to be shielded by 3 central midfielders who also have no pace. This results in none of these 3 being able to go beyond our striker and join in any attack and still have the ability to get back and cover. So basically we are playing with 3 attack minded players and 7 defensive players.
The lack of pace in defence means that as a unit they have to play deep and not leave any space behind because if they did we would be very vulnerable to the ball played over the top. This leads to us not being able to squeeze a team (as you often hear the supporters calling for) as we cannot allow too much space between our defence and our midfield. So we have to let our midfield drop off and defend our 18 yard box and try to draw teams on to us and then try and beat them on the break. Which is difficult without any pace! So we have to rely on skill from Carey or a free kick or corner to threaten the opposition's goal!
So even though we beat Northampton 2-0 (from 2 crosses from free kicks)we did not force their goalie into 1 save in the whole 90 minutes!
With Grant and Carey(amazing skill but again slow) also expected to do their defensive duties we very rarely have more than 2 players in the box from open play and have to rely on free kicks and corners to create any pressure.
This lack of pace is really shown up when we go a goal down because as soon as we have to "go for it" teams that pass and move quickly (like Oxford) tear us apart and we concede 3 or 4 and look like conceding 8.
This is not just this season's problem as we saw any team with pace last season cause us great problems at home, such as Blackpool (0-3) and even Leighton Orient! (2-4)
A rigid, defensive, hard working team might be OK at getting the odd draw or win away from home but when it comes to opening up teams at Home Park and providing some entertainment our current squad just can't play that way.
A quick central defender and 2 quick central midfielders are a must buy in January and hopefully with Threlkeld back at right back and we might have a team that will entertain.
Unfortunately as we all know players with pace and ability cost the big bucks so it looks like we will have to put up with dull football for a while longer as the club tries to get more finances in to be able to buy the players we need.
The current players work ethic cannot be faulted and deserve our support but I think that supporters wanting more entertaining football to watch are going to have to wait a while longer until the club can get better players in.
Until then we will just have to support a hard working, tactically rigid team that hopefully will finish at least 5th from bottom this season and a Billionaire will buy the club in the summer and buy us some players with pace! :scarf: :scarf: :scarf:
This means that we have to play to a very rigid formula where the back 4 have to be shielded by 3 central midfielders who also have no pace. This results in none of these 3 being able to go beyond our striker and join in any attack and still have the ability to get back and cover. So basically we are playing with 3 attack minded players and 7 defensive players.
The lack of pace in defence means that as a unit they have to play deep and not leave any space behind because if they did we would be very vulnerable to the ball played over the top. This leads to us not being able to squeeze a team (as you often hear the supporters calling for) as we cannot allow too much space between our defence and our midfield. So we have to let our midfield drop off and defend our 18 yard box and try to draw teams on to us and then try and beat them on the break. Which is difficult without any pace! So we have to rely on skill from Carey or a free kick or corner to threaten the opposition's goal!
So even though we beat Northampton 2-0 (from 2 crosses from free kicks)we did not force their goalie into 1 save in the whole 90 minutes!
With Grant and Carey(amazing skill but again slow) also expected to do their defensive duties we very rarely have more than 2 players in the box from open play and have to rely on free kicks and corners to create any pressure.
This lack of pace is really shown up when we go a goal down because as soon as we have to "go for it" teams that pass and move quickly (like Oxford) tear us apart and we concede 3 or 4 and look like conceding 8.
This is not just this season's problem as we saw any team with pace last season cause us great problems at home, such as Blackpool (0-3) and even Leighton Orient! (2-4)
A rigid, defensive, hard working team might be OK at getting the odd draw or win away from home but when it comes to opening up teams at Home Park and providing some entertainment our current squad just can't play that way.
A quick central defender and 2 quick central midfielders are a must buy in January and hopefully with Threlkeld back at right back and we might have a team that will entertain.
Unfortunately as we all know players with pace and ability cost the big bucks so it looks like we will have to put up with dull football for a while longer as the club tries to get more finances in to be able to buy the players we need.
The current players work ethic cannot be faulted and deserve our support but I think that supporters wanting more entertaining football to watch are going to have to wait a while longer until the club can get better players in.
Until then we will just have to support a hard working, tactically rigid team that hopefully will finish at least 5th from bottom this season and a Billionaire will buy the club in the summer and buy us some players with pace! :scarf: :scarf: :scarf:
