A perspective away from Manager Matt after another defeat for the 4’s. After a strong start to the season its now 3 defeats in 4. Are expectations too high or do we have too many attack minded players? For me it’s a bit of both (perhaps being one of the non-attack minded players). If we were playing 5 aside we would probably win every game, but we’re not. Too many players don’t do the simple things. You win games by working hard for each other. Dribbling the ball out of defence and not tracking back needs to be addressed. Having said that we played a very good side who will be in the top 3 at the end of the season and we won’t be too far behind them and on another day we could have got at least got a point.
3 points actually seemed possible when we raced into a 2 goal lead after 15 minutes. Not sure how as the oppo had a lot of the ball early on. Andy supplied a ball into the box for George on his return from his African adventure to head home and soon after Jo was put through and beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the box before composing himself to finish well with players on the line.
We were now playing well and started to look comfortable before committing a usual mistake. Instead launching the ball long from defence (we are allowed to do this!) Sam was caught out and their striker stole the ball and struck a shot from the edge of the box that swerved in the wind and left Jake with no chance.
For once our heads never went down and we looked more likely to increase the lead and really should have done when Kev brought the ball out of midfield played and 1, 2 with George and found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper (his worse nightmare). Again a weak shot, but somehow the keeper could only palm the ball towards the goal. As it was about to trickle over the line it landed straight in a puddle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMLsw3A8PE&feature=related Being 3-1 up just before half-time may have just been the difference.
Andy had to go off at half-time due to injury forcing Jo back to right-back and our attacking team just got more attacking. Within 10 minutes after the restart it was 2-2. Our right side disappeared and although Kev got a cross the attacker rounded him with ease and squared for his partner to tap home. Jake’s dive to save was quality as he landed straight in the puddle that prevented us going 3-1 up. A rage of disgust was heard as his stood in his goal covered in crappy water!
This time heads did drop and Meads showed their inability to play as a team. Players out of position, not doing the simple things, not making tackles and supporting their team mates. Then we were 3-2 down with 20 minutes to go from our weakness on corner kicks. A high hanging corner was easily headed in from a yard out and you could sense there was no way back. This is the big problem we should have now got stuck in, but no. The 4th came soon after as Jake saved well at the strikers feet, but the ball popped out and was eventually put away despite Jake demanding a foul and abusing the ref (He was actually the best ref we have had all season).
The 5th came soon after yet again from a corner that was poked home. Jo managed to tap home and get his 2nd of the game with a few minutes left despite looking off-side. As the game ended and we trudged off and Jake completely lost it and went mental with everyone – something about we need to stop playing it through the middle and look out wide. At one point of thought he was going to cry.
Not a great day, but it could have been different. I think we all know we can do better, but that comes from hard work and encouragement. There are too many people moaning at each other. Could this be the reason why the heads always seem to drop? Group hug next week????? Man of the Match went to Dave, in an attack minded side he is often exposed, but sticks to his task brilliantly and brings the ball forward with purpose. Dave you have game!!
