AC Mack
Striker
I don't usually do a report for mid-week matches that I can't make, however I'll make an exception due to the interim head coach being in charge and the impact that might have had on the win. It'll be brief though!
For anyone who didn't see the game, and after all the speculation about who out of Seelt, O'Nien and Hume would replace Ekwah in midfield, well the answer was none of them. We switched to a back three/five with Seelt and O'Nien as wide centre backs, Hume and Huggins as wing backs, Neil and Jobe in the middle with Ba, Pritchard and Clarke across the front.
In short, we looked as though we'd played like this all season, against arguably the best attackers in the league. Leeds never really had a sniff, and the discipline shown from each player was formidable. Summerville is possibly Leeds' best player, and although he looked a threat at times, he had both Seelt and Huggins to deal with. Leeds only really threatened when Spence joined Summerville and we lost a bit of shape, but it was rare. Then when we lost Seelt and had to reshuffle, it was always going to be difficult with Clarke at wing back against Gnonto, but we coped. We did seem to emphasise their left as a major threat with the way we set up, and it worked a treat.
We played some good football at times, and the pass and move combination between Neil and Pritchard in the build up for the goal was delightful. The whole move was excellent, and it was a really clever touch from Pritchard at the end to set up what was a great run from Jobe. Cracking goal.
Looking at things more generally, if we're to use this shape in the future, the obvious benefits are that it makes us stronger at the back numerically, allows us to easily transition into a 3-2-5, with either the wing backs getting forward and the inside forwards cutting in, or the two central midfielders pushing into the half spaces and the wide attackers keeping the width. This would allow the two full backs to play narrower and become our central midfielders, something Hume is familiar with, and also allows them to quickly get back into their defensive shape if needs be.
Both wide centre backs like to be on the ball and this shape allows for that - I think it could really suit O'Nien and Seelt, with Ballard keeping things together centrally. Hume can play there, as can Alese and Cirkin when fit. It also negates that desire to have a singular holding defensive midfielder as it's not necessary in this shape - you can play two central midfielders in there knowing the have the third centre back as cover.
I imagine though that we'd only see it when Dodds felt we were up against it, and that won't always/often be the case. Plus, we've no idea how many games he'll be in charge.
Patterson - one excellent save early on then no other saves to make but was solid. 7
Hume - solid in both positions and back in form. 8
Seelt - gave a few free kicks away early on but grew quickly into the game. He was massively tested this evening and passed Kath flying colours, both on and off the ball. 8
Ballard - just remains vital to us if we're to have a successful season. 8
O'Nien - as said earlier, this role tonight probably suits him better than being in a two, and he excelled in a similar vein to Seelt. 8
Huggins - I love his energy. He can put himself about like Hume, and is all over the pitch as well as being technically good with the ball at his feet. He's becoming an important mainstay of the side. 8
Neil - disciplined, tidy and composed. Excellent for the goal. 7
Jobe - not quite as composed or assured in his decision making on the ball as Neil, but probably more willing to get forward (or more natural) than Neil when they play alongside each other. Should have done better with a header earlier but I love that he's a threat aerially, and timed his run and finish for the goal perfectly. 8
Ba - way off the pace, looked low on confidence and the one player who didn't quite seem to get his role in the team. As he was drifting centrally quite a lot, I actually think Aouchiche could have played that role, although Roberts was the more obvious swap. 5
Pritchard - led from the front superbly, keeping the ball and dictating the game when we had it. Another assist and pretty much 90 minutes under his belt. 8
Clarke - ripped Gray to pieces first half, and despite not impacting the key moment of the game, he got us up the pitch and caused them problems all first half and parts of the second too. 8
Subs - Roberts was a big improvement on Ba, and Ekwah was a welcome and clever addition as it meant we could move Hume and it not affect our game too much. It didn't feel like a game to be bringing on inexperienced foreign players, so the subs were sensible with the game in mind.
I don't think anyone stood out ahead of the rest, it was just a really good job done by the whole team.
Leeds - comfortable on the ball and they have good players for this level, but they were a bit like what we've seen from us on many occasions - plenty of the ball with the opposition in front of them but unable to break down an organised and disciplined defence. Went down like fannies particularly first half, and barely created a thing. When we empty our back pockets tomorrow morning we'll find ten Leeds players tucked away safely. They resorted at the end to throwing all their attackers on which I thought was a bit of blessing, as all it did was congest the space in that area even more and meant they had nobody to really feed them with chances either.
I'll have missed loads no doubt as I only watched on TV, but that's how I saw it.
For anyone who didn't see the game, and after all the speculation about who out of Seelt, O'Nien and Hume would replace Ekwah in midfield, well the answer was none of them. We switched to a back three/five with Seelt and O'Nien as wide centre backs, Hume and Huggins as wing backs, Neil and Jobe in the middle with Ba, Pritchard and Clarke across the front.
In short, we looked as though we'd played like this all season, against arguably the best attackers in the league. Leeds never really had a sniff, and the discipline shown from each player was formidable. Summerville is possibly Leeds' best player, and although he looked a threat at times, he had both Seelt and Huggins to deal with. Leeds only really threatened when Spence joined Summerville and we lost a bit of shape, but it was rare. Then when we lost Seelt and had to reshuffle, it was always going to be difficult with Clarke at wing back against Gnonto, but we coped. We did seem to emphasise their left as a major threat with the way we set up, and it worked a treat.
We played some good football at times, and the pass and move combination between Neil and Pritchard in the build up for the goal was delightful. The whole move was excellent, and it was a really clever touch from Pritchard at the end to set up what was a great run from Jobe. Cracking goal.
Looking at things more generally, if we're to use this shape in the future, the obvious benefits are that it makes us stronger at the back numerically, allows us to easily transition into a 3-2-5, with either the wing backs getting forward and the inside forwards cutting in, or the two central midfielders pushing into the half spaces and the wide attackers keeping the width. This would allow the two full backs to play narrower and become our central midfielders, something Hume is familiar with, and also allows them to quickly get back into their defensive shape if needs be.
Both wide centre backs like to be on the ball and this shape allows for that - I think it could really suit O'Nien and Seelt, with Ballard keeping things together centrally. Hume can play there, as can Alese and Cirkin when fit. It also negates that desire to have a singular holding defensive midfielder as it's not necessary in this shape - you can play two central midfielders in there knowing the have the third centre back as cover.
I imagine though that we'd only see it when Dodds felt we were up against it, and that won't always/often be the case. Plus, we've no idea how many games he'll be in charge.
Patterson - one excellent save early on then no other saves to make but was solid. 7
Hume - solid in both positions and back in form. 8
Seelt - gave a few free kicks away early on but grew quickly into the game. He was massively tested this evening and passed Kath flying colours, both on and off the ball. 8
Ballard - just remains vital to us if we're to have a successful season. 8
O'Nien - as said earlier, this role tonight probably suits him better than being in a two, and he excelled in a similar vein to Seelt. 8
Huggins - I love his energy. He can put himself about like Hume, and is all over the pitch as well as being technically good with the ball at his feet. He's becoming an important mainstay of the side. 8
Neil - disciplined, tidy and composed. Excellent for the goal. 7
Jobe - not quite as composed or assured in his decision making on the ball as Neil, but probably more willing to get forward (or more natural) than Neil when they play alongside each other. Should have done better with a header earlier but I love that he's a threat aerially, and timed his run and finish for the goal perfectly. 8
Ba - way off the pace, looked low on confidence and the one player who didn't quite seem to get his role in the team. As he was drifting centrally quite a lot, I actually think Aouchiche could have played that role, although Roberts was the more obvious swap. 5
Pritchard - led from the front superbly, keeping the ball and dictating the game when we had it. Another assist and pretty much 90 minutes under his belt. 8
Clarke - ripped Gray to pieces first half, and despite not impacting the key moment of the game, he got us up the pitch and caused them problems all first half and parts of the second too. 8
Subs - Roberts was a big improvement on Ba, and Ekwah was a welcome and clever addition as it meant we could move Hume and it not affect our game too much. It didn't feel like a game to be bringing on inexperienced foreign players, so the subs were sensible with the game in mind.
I don't think anyone stood out ahead of the rest, it was just a really good job done by the whole team.
Leeds - comfortable on the ball and they have good players for this level, but they were a bit like what we've seen from us on many occasions - plenty of the ball with the opposition in front of them but unable to break down an organised and disciplined defence. Went down like fannies particularly first half, and barely created a thing. When we empty our back pockets tomorrow morning we'll find ten Leeds players tucked away safely. They resorted at the end to throwing all their attackers on which I thought was a bit of blessing, as all it did was congest the space in that area even more and meant they had nobody to really feed them with chances either.
I'll have missed loads no doubt as I only watched on TV, but that's how I saw it.