AC Mack
Striker
Like others, I wasn't sure about our starting line up, with just one change and the new signings all sitting on the bench. It did mean a change of shape, and a shape we've excelled in at times this season, but it also meant players out of position. Pritchard returning was a big positive.
We struggled to break them down all game and I'm glad that we did at least change shape and personnel to try something different, but it's a case of 'what if' today, and ultimately we got it wrong.
My main issues today were the following:
1) as they were happy to sit back and keep their shape, they practically invited Doyle to run forward with the ball, knowing he'd have no options when he did need to release it. This happened a few times and always had the same outcome. I said it against Lincoln and some people disagreed, but it was evident again today. We had to force them to change their shape, which meant Neil and Evans coming deeper to get the ball off the centre backs, and Pritchard then dropping back into the space to receive the ball. We realised this second half and it's exactly what we started to do, and we created two or three decent chances in quick succession.
2) We were too light in the wide areas due to our shape first half. I made a thread earlier in the week outlining possible shapes we could try, and the first was 3-4-1-2, which is what we played today. I can't be too critical as it's something I've advocated, but it was clear when they sat back that it wasn't working as we only had one player providing natural width on each flank. Cirkin was getting a bit of joy but I couldn't help but feel that Clarke cutting in from that flank would have given us more joy, without really having to sacrifice too much (three centre backs wasn't really necessary). In fairness, we tried this for half an hour or so and I actually thought there were some promising signs.
3) As mentioned, our shape wasn't right in general. I've made my thoughts clear on 4-2-3-1 and how it isn't really conducive to the type of football we're trying to play. However, on the flip side it does suit our individual players very well, and that's what we shifted to second half. Wright plays the hybrid right centre back/right back role quite well but Winchester seemed confused at times, as did Gooch down that flank.
I imagine the feeling is pretty negative at the moment, and in truth it was a poor performance. However, on the balance of play it really wasn't a game we should have lost, and on another day we'd have probably won quite easily. I'll probably get stick for saying it, but if we'd been a bit more clinical and lucky, the mood would have been different. What we most certainly did need though was more off the ball movement, players getting closer to their teammates in possession, and much quicker pass and move football. And ultimately, a better team selection.
I really want to see starts from Clarke, Matete and Roberts on Tuesday. Probably Hume too, but it's hard as I've never seen him. Gooch, and even the likes of Embleton, Neil, Winchester and Doyle should be sweating for their places.
Hoffmann - I haven't seen any replays, but the first goal looked a bit soft. There were ironic cheers when he kicked long, but he's a young keeper who has good distribution and has work to do on the goalkeeping side of things. He's here to help us play a specific way and as long as he's between the sticks and Doyle is in front of him, that's what will be happening. 5
Winchester - out of position and mostly ineffective. We were imbalanced at times and he didn't really seem comfortable with whatever it was he was supposed to be doing, particularly with when to move wide or stay narrow. 5
Batth - our best defender in terms of the basics. He's strong and reads the game well, stepping in and making interceptions. One thing that puzzled me though was their opening goal. When Neil lost possession we seemed fairly well set along the back line. However, one dink over the top and they were in - was Batth out of position? 6
Doyle - as previously mentioned, he isn't always helping with our style. He seemed to realise this and start keeping things simple, but he also needs help from the midfielders. 5
Gooch - frustrating all afternoon. Forced to play in three positions, and was ineffective in each of them. 4
Evans - generally positive from him today. He broke things up, used the ball well at times and made himself available on occasions. 6
Neil - he saw a lot of the ball and I hoped that finally this would be a game to suit him, as they were happy to sit off and let him have it. However he couldn't really find any telling passes and lost the ball needlessly a few times too. 5
Cirkin - marauded up and down the left flank and gave us an option, but was often isolated and moved broke down at crucial stages. 6
Embleton - in and out of the game but had little real effect. 5
Pritchard - great to see him back, and the one player looking to make things happen. He spent a lot of time trying to find space all across the pitch that he could work with, and he created a few decent opportunities that we didn't make the most of. He seemed to put a couple on a plate for Stewart, and eventually played a part in the goal. It was good to see him last the full game. 7
Stewart - missed too many chances, even if they were only half chances. We sometimes resorted to boots up the field and flick ons, but we got no joy from those either. 5
Subs - Clarke looked lively again and should start next game. Matete was tidy in possession and always wanted the ball. Defoe had little impact.
Pritchard played well, Batth, Evans and Cirkin were decent enough, the others weren't good enough.
Doncaster - very organised, and they'll be delighted tonight getting a big win given the situation. However, they had no stand out players and for me were fortunate to come away with three points.
Ref - good. It looks like we should have had a crucial goal, but that's the linesman's job.
We struggled to break them down all game and I'm glad that we did at least change shape and personnel to try something different, but it's a case of 'what if' today, and ultimately we got it wrong.
My main issues today were the following:
1) as they were happy to sit back and keep their shape, they practically invited Doyle to run forward with the ball, knowing he'd have no options when he did need to release it. This happened a few times and always had the same outcome. I said it against Lincoln and some people disagreed, but it was evident again today. We had to force them to change their shape, which meant Neil and Evans coming deeper to get the ball off the centre backs, and Pritchard then dropping back into the space to receive the ball. We realised this second half and it's exactly what we started to do, and we created two or three decent chances in quick succession.
2) We were too light in the wide areas due to our shape first half. I made a thread earlier in the week outlining possible shapes we could try, and the first was 3-4-1-2, which is what we played today. I can't be too critical as it's something I've advocated, but it was clear when they sat back that it wasn't working as we only had one player providing natural width on each flank. Cirkin was getting a bit of joy but I couldn't help but feel that Clarke cutting in from that flank would have given us more joy, without really having to sacrifice too much (three centre backs wasn't really necessary). In fairness, we tried this for half an hour or so and I actually thought there were some promising signs.
3) As mentioned, our shape wasn't right in general. I've made my thoughts clear on 4-2-3-1 and how it isn't really conducive to the type of football we're trying to play. However, on the flip side it does suit our individual players very well, and that's what we shifted to second half. Wright plays the hybrid right centre back/right back role quite well but Winchester seemed confused at times, as did Gooch down that flank.
I imagine the feeling is pretty negative at the moment, and in truth it was a poor performance. However, on the balance of play it really wasn't a game we should have lost, and on another day we'd have probably won quite easily. I'll probably get stick for saying it, but if we'd been a bit more clinical and lucky, the mood would have been different. What we most certainly did need though was more off the ball movement, players getting closer to their teammates in possession, and much quicker pass and move football. And ultimately, a better team selection.
I really want to see starts from Clarke, Matete and Roberts on Tuesday. Probably Hume too, but it's hard as I've never seen him. Gooch, and even the likes of Embleton, Neil, Winchester and Doyle should be sweating for their places.
Hoffmann - I haven't seen any replays, but the first goal looked a bit soft. There were ironic cheers when he kicked long, but he's a young keeper who has good distribution and has work to do on the goalkeeping side of things. He's here to help us play a specific way and as long as he's between the sticks and Doyle is in front of him, that's what will be happening. 5
Winchester - out of position and mostly ineffective. We were imbalanced at times and he didn't really seem comfortable with whatever it was he was supposed to be doing, particularly with when to move wide or stay narrow. 5
Batth - our best defender in terms of the basics. He's strong and reads the game well, stepping in and making interceptions. One thing that puzzled me though was their opening goal. When Neil lost possession we seemed fairly well set along the back line. However, one dink over the top and they were in - was Batth out of position? 6
Doyle - as previously mentioned, he isn't always helping with our style. He seemed to realise this and start keeping things simple, but he also needs help from the midfielders. 5
Gooch - frustrating all afternoon. Forced to play in three positions, and was ineffective in each of them. 4
Evans - generally positive from him today. He broke things up, used the ball well at times and made himself available on occasions. 6
Neil - he saw a lot of the ball and I hoped that finally this would be a game to suit him, as they were happy to sit off and let him have it. However he couldn't really find any telling passes and lost the ball needlessly a few times too. 5
Cirkin - marauded up and down the left flank and gave us an option, but was often isolated and moved broke down at crucial stages. 6
Embleton - in and out of the game but had little real effect. 5
Pritchard - great to see him back, and the one player looking to make things happen. He spent a lot of time trying to find space all across the pitch that he could work with, and he created a few decent opportunities that we didn't make the most of. He seemed to put a couple on a plate for Stewart, and eventually played a part in the goal. It was good to see him last the full game. 7
Stewart - missed too many chances, even if they were only half chances. We sometimes resorted to boots up the field and flick ons, but we got no joy from those either. 5
Subs - Clarke looked lively again and should start next game. Matete was tidy in possession and always wanted the ball. Defoe had little impact.
Pritchard played well, Batth, Evans and Cirkin were decent enough, the others weren't good enough.
Doncaster - very organised, and they'll be delighted tonight getting a big win given the situation. However, they had no stand out players and for me were fortunate to come away with three points.
Ref - good. It looks like we should have had a crucial goal, but that's the linesman's job.
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