SeasideEssexXile
Vital Football Legend
Bitterly disappointed, I don't know why, we never seem to score there, never mind get a win, but having slept on it here's my thoughts on tactics, formation, selection.
Let's start with the positives, for me Walker was outstanding. Man of the match by a country mile, which in itself is a worry.
I reckon NC picked that team with the attacking fullback selection to support midfield, for me it was an error.
The back 4 picks itself, almost.
Turton RB, Garbutt LB, big Marv are 3 starters, either Ballard or Icelandic lad takes the other spot.
At this point I would have Icelandic lad ahead of Ballard at present. He has come in and played fantastically, whether we are trying to court the Arse by playing Ballard to secure a loan extension I don't know but the defence is pretty much set for me.
I don't mind Gabriel, and he is going to mature in to a fantastic fullback but he doesn't offer that steadiness of Turton at this time.
If NC is playing fullbacks to push forward and support midfield, then for me the midfield needs looking at.
Dougall is a starter, regardless of selection tactics, Kemp and Robson are too similar for me to play in the same team as a starter. Both are too lightweight, and I don't understand why last night when it was clear with Madine starting as a lone striker why NC was flooding midfield with players who aren't the type to bully / muscle a game.
I would have played Ward or Anderson with either Kemp / Robson.
KK is a worry. He is so hit and miss, the inconsistency is all to regular and for me he should be nowhere near the starting 11. He is a passenger in this team and added to Robson/Kemp selection it was a weak midfield last night, and this is where we lost the game.
A dominant midfielder, would be a target for me in this window, as would a striker.
Madine played OK last night, but when Yates came on he saw nothing of the ball - most games he feeds off scraps and I would like us to play to his potential strengths, I don't think we have seen the best of him yet.
I would like us to play with 2 strikers on the pitch as a starting position. Last night a 4-5-1 didn't work, even with Gabriel and Garbutt pushing forward we had not enough of the ball in this area.
It's as if we are almost looking to win games 1-0, that doesn't allow for mistakes that cost us games, like last night, that pen giveaway was KK's only contribution to the game.
4-4-2 or even 3-5-2 if you are going to play attacking wing backs as part of the 5 but please start with a 2 upfront.
I'm not convinced that the lack of firepower has influenced the starting 11 formation.
Clearly Madine and Yates cannot play every game but that tells me we need to strengthen in this area, a forward is a must.
I would take Frenchie back in a heartbeat, I would give consideration to taking Vassell back or buying a similar player. He held the ball up well, had goals in him, wasn't afraid to shoot and played well with a player that is similar to Yates in Cullen.
1 defeat isn't the end of the world, or the season, but as we saw last season you never know when it may end, we need to make sure we get in to, and stay in the top 6 as soon as possible.
Let's start with the positives, for me Walker was outstanding. Man of the match by a country mile, which in itself is a worry.
I reckon NC picked that team with the attacking fullback selection to support midfield, for me it was an error.
The back 4 picks itself, almost.
Turton RB, Garbutt LB, big Marv are 3 starters, either Ballard or Icelandic lad takes the other spot.
At this point I would have Icelandic lad ahead of Ballard at present. He has come in and played fantastically, whether we are trying to court the Arse by playing Ballard to secure a loan extension I don't know but the defence is pretty much set for me.
I don't mind Gabriel, and he is going to mature in to a fantastic fullback but he doesn't offer that steadiness of Turton at this time.
If NC is playing fullbacks to push forward and support midfield, then for me the midfield needs looking at.
Dougall is a starter, regardless of selection tactics, Kemp and Robson are too similar for me to play in the same team as a starter. Both are too lightweight, and I don't understand why last night when it was clear with Madine starting as a lone striker why NC was flooding midfield with players who aren't the type to bully / muscle a game.
I would have played Ward or Anderson with either Kemp / Robson.
KK is a worry. He is so hit and miss, the inconsistency is all to regular and for me he should be nowhere near the starting 11. He is a passenger in this team and added to Robson/Kemp selection it was a weak midfield last night, and this is where we lost the game.
A dominant midfielder, would be a target for me in this window, as would a striker.
Madine played OK last night, but when Yates came on he saw nothing of the ball - most games he feeds off scraps and I would like us to play to his potential strengths, I don't think we have seen the best of him yet.
I would like us to play with 2 strikers on the pitch as a starting position. Last night a 4-5-1 didn't work, even with Gabriel and Garbutt pushing forward we had not enough of the ball in this area.
It's as if we are almost looking to win games 1-0, that doesn't allow for mistakes that cost us games, like last night, that pen giveaway was KK's only contribution to the game.
4-4-2 or even 3-5-2 if you are going to play attacking wing backs as part of the 5 but please start with a 2 upfront.
I'm not convinced that the lack of firepower has influenced the starting 11 formation.
Clearly Madine and Yates cannot play every game but that tells me we need to strengthen in this area, a forward is a must.
I would take Frenchie back in a heartbeat, I would give consideration to taking Vassell back or buying a similar player. He held the ball up well, had goals in him, wasn't afraid to shoot and played well with a player that is similar to Yates in Cullen.
1 defeat isn't the end of the world, or the season, but as we saw last season you never know when it may end, we need to make sure we get in to, and stay in the top 6 as soon as possible.
