Trying to take the positives today lads but to say the team that ended the first half vanished second half is an understatement. For a change we looked pretty decent from the first whistle winning some ball and getting forward as a unit, I didn't really think they were that much better than us and we bossed the last twenty minutes of the first half with yan, Idi and Steve seeing lots of the ball and Alex / Andy looking fairly dangerous . Defensivly we looked strong with Al in particular winning and distrubuting the ball with confidence. We had three v good chances in front of goal and its these that we need to start taking. Saints were having some success down the wings but that was about it and the goal was against the run of play as jonny was left helpless from a fluked cross. So as with the majority of games at half time we were in it for sure but one down....
I can't explain what happened in the second half but we were a suddenly second to everything, couldn't win a second ball, couldn't pass and before we knew it we were three down.....we've got to take responsibility as a defensive unit to keep that line, if one of us doesn't move out as a unit we will be punished. Decision was made at three nil down to go 4-4-2 with Alex joint Andy up front and Yan being replaced by Ren. This had little impact to be honest and as we tired in the horrendous conditions Saints frankly walked through us like we weren't there . It was really disappointing for everyone to see the saints run through us to win 7-1. The second half today was the first time this season that we've been genuinly poor as team.
I can't question the effort but fitness in the second half, poor passing and not winning the second ball cost us against a good well organised team. We all need to take responsibility , I've learned some things today which will be useful going forward. We must keep the ball better lads, during midweek football some of you are virtually impossible to get the ball off and we need to translate that onto the eleven a side pitch. We dont seem confident on the ball, we need to pass simple balls and then move. We also need to keep our shape, this is something ill be trying to communicate to everyone, the importance of moving up and down the pitch in our formation as a unit, this will stop those f'in gaps opening up where teams exploit us and allow us to move the ball around the pitch better.
Our confidence has taken a kicking today, lets not beat around the bush that second half was a shocker but there was good stuff at times in the first half. All teams will have at least a half like that this season.
Ill do some hard thinking on formation and shape and try to get a more consistent approach in the weeks up to chrimbo where we should have a more settled squad to choose from.
Lets not let today happen again and pick ourselves up for next week, a massive game for us against fellow strugglers Kenilworth town.
I'm going to keep the faith until I'm fired, then ill be right back again which is far more enjoyable than doing my wally with the brolley impression today !
On the plus side everyone seemed happy in the pub afterwards, imagine what we will be like if we win one !!!
PUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
