Post by JamesB on Jan 30, 2013 0:48:21 GMT
It's true that we defended well in the second half, and pressed well generally (which was something that was particularly visible on TV, compared to when watching from the Pop). But at the same time, for a team that did defend well, we let them have a lot of chances. It was only Keohane's sloppy finishing in the first half that kept us in front at half time. Had they started with Cureton, I think it would've been a different matter - still can't fathom Tisdale's choice to start with a false 9/withdrawn striker in a League Two match, let alone a derby. This wasn't Barcelona vs Chelsea - it felt like it, though, with us being Chelsea and Rene as Didier Drogba
Poke and Downes had fantastic games as usual, and Saah was good too. Those 3 never seem to be at fault for our defensive issues, but you can't say that we don't have any. The continuing issue of sitting back in the last 25 minutes is concerning - let's not pretend it has gone away just because we held on this time - it's no different to what happened in the last 6 games other than the fact that Cureton and others wasted good chances, and ultimately your defence is only as good as the attackers they are facing
I do have a theory about this - it's all come since the switch to 4-2-3-1. It "worked" initially with those 2 wins after the Southend hammering but I think in hindsight it was just papering over the cracks - I don't think it's a coincidence that we've become very susceptible to pressure late on since the formation change, without having an anchor man in front of the back 4 to protect
I'd also add that I thought our ball retention was poor all through the game, with too many sloppy errors - we just worked hard to force Exeter into doing the same. The problem is getting the ball off the opposition is only one part of the job - keeping it and doing something with it is another. Last year we generally retained possession well, and I think this is where the loss of O'Kane is really hitting us - that's why we need to play Craig in the middle. I don't think we created enough either, but that's a linked issue as you can't create anything if you haven't got the ball
I still think our best formation is 4-5-1/4-3-3 but I'm not convinced it'll happen, mainly because Ling seems intent on 1) having Jarvis in the team, 2) sticking Craig on the wing which doesn't suit him (can't fathom this - I heard a neutral remarking this during the match as well), and 3) probably including Easton into such a formation. If I was picking the team, I'd have Lathrope sitting behind Craig and Mansell with Macklin and Bodin wide. Jarvis was totally anonymous (I think he has been unnecessarily rushed back into the team and still isn't 100%) and Stevens likewise, so I don't see a place in the team for them at the moment
I'd also add that I don't think League Two works particularly well on TV (it was a terrible match to watch for 70-odd minutes) but I'm happy to take the money from that and be able to watch my team while lying in bed in the warm without a 150 mile trek to the South West
Poke and Downes had fantastic games as usual, and Saah was good too. Those 3 never seem to be at fault for our defensive issues, but you can't say that we don't have any. The continuing issue of sitting back in the last 25 minutes is concerning - let's not pretend it has gone away just because we held on this time - it's no different to what happened in the last 6 games other than the fact that Cureton and others wasted good chances, and ultimately your defence is only as good as the attackers they are facing
I do have a theory about this - it's all come since the switch to 4-2-3-1. It "worked" initially with those 2 wins after the Southend hammering but I think in hindsight it was just papering over the cracks - I don't think it's a coincidence that we've become very susceptible to pressure late on since the formation change, without having an anchor man in front of the back 4 to protect
I'd also add that I thought our ball retention was poor all through the game, with too many sloppy errors - we just worked hard to force Exeter into doing the same. The problem is getting the ball off the opposition is only one part of the job - keeping it and doing something with it is another. Last year we generally retained possession well, and I think this is where the loss of O'Kane is really hitting us - that's why we need to play Craig in the middle. I don't think we created enough either, but that's a linked issue as you can't create anything if you haven't got the ball
I still think our best formation is 4-5-1/4-3-3 but I'm not convinced it'll happen, mainly because Ling seems intent on 1) having Jarvis in the team, 2) sticking Craig on the wing which doesn't suit him (can't fathom this - I heard a neutral remarking this during the match as well), and 3) probably including Easton into such a formation. If I was picking the team, I'd have Lathrope sitting behind Craig and Mansell with Macklin and Bodin wide. Jarvis was totally anonymous (I think he has been unnecessarily rushed back into the team and still isn't 100%) and Stevens likewise, so I don't see a place in the team for them at the moment
I'd also add that I don't think League Two works particularly well on TV (it was a terrible match to watch for 70-odd minutes) but I'm happy to take the money from that and be able to watch my team while lying in bed in the warm without a 150 mile trek to the South West
