rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 15, 2021 8:39:30 GMT
When we last played Maidenhead back in December we were playing in front of fans and just about as well as we were all season despite having no fullbacks for this game with Andrews and Sherring filling in. Created a hatful of the chances, missed a load and with Maidenhead scoring from a late corner it ended up being a lot closer than it should have been with a tight 2-1 win courtesy of Wright scoring the winner.
Wind forward three months and we are creating a lot less chances and therefore not scoring many at all feeling the lost of both Wright and Nemane which has been a big factor in all this. Our defence is no better, Wynter is back but this is balanced by the loss of both Kerr and Cameron. No one knows how close Moxey is to being fit again but suspect it will be this Saturday at the earliest, maybe Andrews will be in the left back position again.
Maidenhead had a good two nil win against Chesterfield on Saturday, however before this hadn’t won since the end of January so seem to be a little inconsistent in their form. The goal scorers for them on Saturday will be familiar to gulls fans namely Sparkes and Blissett.
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Post by stefano on Mar 15, 2021 11:13:02 GMT
Ryan Law 21 year old left back from Argyle in on a month loan I assume eligible tomorrow ⚽️
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 15, 2021 11:46:46 GMT
Ryan Law 21 year old left back from Argyle in on a month loan I assume eligible tomorrow ⚽️ That’s a relief. He will go straight into the first X1. Know nothing about him, but know plenty about our lack of a left back in recent weeks.
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petef
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Post by petef on Mar 15, 2021 12:57:19 GMT
Likely means Moxey has had a setback and is still a long way off. At least this lad is a specialist wing back with a good cross though we have no aerial threat at all up front. When was the last time we scored a headed goal from open play? Releases Andrews to play further up the field though which may be worth a go to add a bit more bite in the midfield with potential to hit a few shots at goal. Feel we need a midfielder to "sit" and create a bit more rather than all of them given what looks to me like a free role doing a lot of chasing and pressing all over and up and down the pitch. We do seem to be spending an awful amount of energy chasing down and getting nowhere at the moment. Sure, it worked brilliantly early on with a fully fit squad but this is now a different set of players expected to fill the same roles and it just aint happening. Nemane was expert in nicking the ball and quickly turning defense into attack - sure are missing his input.
Can't fault the work rate but unless we can turn that into meaningful offence and goals I feel it can be counter productive when tired legs get a chance in front of goal. We do show our tactical hand early in games and usually, fail to score when the opposition get to grips with our play we run out of ideas to break down stubborn and packed defenses. Again we should have lost on Saturday because we were at a stage of the game where we had tiring legs trying to commit everything to attacks that were breaking down too easily and leaving us open at the back. Maybe we should try starting games aiming to be more solid at the back, a bit more patient clever and try draw the opposition out early on for us to counter more effectively. Sometimes less is more..
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 15, 2021 13:10:30 GMT
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Mar 16, 2021 0:08:07 GMT
At last. Andrews lasted longer at left back than Sam Chaney did! Another member of the father and son both played for TUFC club. Played regularly in the Southern League for Truro last season. Three games for Chippenham this season, three games for Argyle in the EFL Trophy plus a minute in the League Cup. I don't think this necessarily means prolonged absence for Moxey, Cameron or Warren. It has been ridiculous not even having four fit defenders, but we really need at least five (one on the bench) fit and we have a run now of two games a week. Moxey and Warren will never play 180 minutes a week. Law should have the left back slot to himself until we get at least one defender back, but is much needed until we get all three back 100% fit - if that ever happens.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Mar 16, 2021 0:30:57 GMT
Hoping Law's arrival means we can at long last have a proper back four all playing in position.
Our defensive record has not been too bad considering, but messing up the balance of the team to plug defensive gaps has destroyed our attacking shape.
With Hall and Randell in front of a proper back four, we just have to work out how to get the best out of the four primarily attacking roles.
Nemane is a massive miss as my favourite 4-2-3-1 needs the wide player on both flanks having the energy to join the central striker and track back when needed. I would give Koszela a go as the least bad option. He carries an attacking threat and will track back - not sure anyone else offers that. He is certainly not suited to being a wing -back - where he finished the game on Saturday - but the wide midfielder/striker role suits him.
That would mean not having to play two central strikers and would give Lemonheigh-Evans his favoured free role.
Jury still out maybe on Boden but, given his lack of action at Chesterfield, it is hardly surprising he has not hit the ground running - especially in a team struggling to create anything. I am still very hopeful he will contribute goals, but pretty certain you will not get 180 minutes a week out of him.
I would be tempted to give Umerah 60 minutes as a battering ram and see if Boden can contribute more coming on fresh as space opens up late in the game. However you do it, we will need to share the minutes around - especially if we are going to play one up top.
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Post by stefano on Mar 16, 2021 16:22:37 GMT
Things should be looking very different by quarter to five on Saturday. I can't see anything other than a further 6 points for the Gulls. Despite our difficulties nobody has taken us apart and there has been no defeat by more than one goal in any competition. We are not conceding that many and our new loanee at left back will hopefully tighten us up more, as well as adding to the attacking options. We do need to score some goals, especially from penalties! Bound to turn around soon and could be this evening!
I can see no more than 1 more point for Sutton United from Chesterfield and Stockport County.
So a lot better picture by Saturday.
I suppose we could also reflect that our point away to Boreham Wood was a point gained having in mind that their scheduled game next week has been postponed not for the normal reasons of weather or covid, but because they have THREE players on international duty playing in World Cup qualifying games.
FORECAST: Maidenhead 0 Torquay United 3 ⚽️
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Mar 16, 2021 17:11:35 GMT
FORECAST: Maidenhead 0 Torquay United 3 ⚽️ Never in a million years 😢 Think we might nick a win against Kings Lynn 😀
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Post by stefano on Mar 16, 2021 17:18:02 GMT
Never in a million years 😢 Think we might nick a win against Kings Lynn 😀 That's the spirit Phil. When our 3rd goal goes in just remember where you heard it first!
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 16, 2021 19:26:55 GMT
Andrew’s in for Whitfield. Law on the bench - link
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Mar 16, 2021 19:32:17 GMT
Andrew’s in for Whitfield. Law on the bench - linkAssume straight swap 3-5-2. Lineup looks horribly lacking in pace and energy going forward to me but I’ll go with Stefano’s optimism over my cynicism.
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petef
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Post by petef on Mar 16, 2021 19:33:32 GMT
Andrew’s in for Whitfield. Law on the bench - linkWhits - the big miss as expected. Not sure where our threat will come from with that line up but GJ has little choice.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Mar 16, 2021 19:36:15 GMT
Got picture no sound.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 16, 2021 19:39:27 GMT
Me too. 😀 Took about 10 minutes to sort out on the tv. Just started commentary.
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