I now need to take a couple of weeks off to get over Saturday. What a game.
It would take me far too long to pour over the individual points of such an action packed game. I’m going to try to pick the meat from the bones, so bear with me.....
Firstly: Last season we were massively guilty of not starting for the first 20 minutes. It cost us far to many times, and we never really sorted it. Both games this year we have started like a train, and it is a massive positive (Pre season - who knows?). Against Harpenden we were 3-0 up after 20 minutes, and I couldn’t have been happier. Then I spent the next 25 minutes getting a massive buggering at left back and before long we were 3-3! There are a few theories floating around as to why this happened, but I think an extra man in their midfield made up from pushing fullbacks and dropping strikers did for us. It gave Ben and Jonny too much to do. Rob and I were 3 on 2 too often, and perhaps we were a bit slow to react? We fixed it to a large extent in the second half by a combination of Centre Backs coming out to the dropping Strikers and one of the Coppers dropping to make the five in midfield. This really is the way to deal with this, as we proved.
Ben was replaced by Gareth. Andy had asked me seeing Ben limping (i was on that side) what was up, and I said that Thursday he pulled up at training. I hadn’t seen him limp myself, but in answer to Andy, I asked him to give him 5 to see if it could be run off, but not to take any chances. With Gary fresh in my mind from last week it was prevention not cure. Andy is good enough to help me out here, and your captain whilst not happy about being subbed, had the good grace to take ten and keep positive( thank you). We have Lost Jonny for a few weeks as he has asked for a rest (his words, “I’m broken”!). With the size of our squad, I want everyone to be responsible about injuries. I managed the Dave cup through a muscle strain over a full season. It didn’t cost him his place did it? A quick word to thank Andy for his help with this. Having a set of eyes on the sidelines is immesurably useful. They are always big calls, so be mindful and respectful of the decisions please boys?!
At 3-3 we managed to pressure Harpenden into conceding just before the half. It was massive in the context of the game. To your great credit you pushed them into it as they had all the momentum at that stage. Gareth “Delap” slung a monster in and Alkie, the Machine and D pressured such that they put in for an OG.
If we can keep them positive, I quite like the new Half Time format. I say my bit, and then we have a discussion as to how we are all feeling about the game. If we keep it constructive, I think it works well (though happy to go one man one voice or captain and manager if thats what you prefer)? The key to the second period really came from three things:
* Matching the shape up: Centre halves pushing & One Striker dropping
* Simple passes
* Exceptional performances form the coppers and the subs
Don’t be offended if (like me) you are not in that list, as the contribution was MOST CERTAINLY a team one, however special players make matches sometimes. The Harpenden Town Semi Pro centre Forward was certainly one of those - he really was shit hot.
Man Of the Match:
For us, our Long Arm (and little hand) combo were simply superb. Two assists and six goals is a fabulous return. Dale can count himself massively unlucky not to walk off with the MOM, but pipping him with the same hat-trick allied with two assists is Diego. His hold up play and contribution was match winning. Mark in Goal was as voiciferous as I have heard him - more of the sameplease. Commendations to Dan, Gareth and Chris from the bench, it couldn’t have been easy coming on in such a white hot game?
We now have a run of cup games, but sit proudly atop the league. Saturday sees us in our cup. I am away, but leave you in the very capable hands of Ben, Dale and Andy. Get us in the hat for the next round boys.
Keep it Rotten.
Gav x
