The first game in a high quality pre-season program proved to be an excellent game of football in its own right. As well as ticking all the usual boxes for what we want from pre-season it also gave us a chance to readdress how we want to approach the season ahead.
First of all well done Ben and Jimmy - good players become better players with good players around them and that cuts both ways so we improve as a squad with their joining.The match can be summarised pretty quickly. Chippy conceded a soft pen 7 minutes in. Sam almost levelled two minutes later but his fierce shot was well saved - Ben was quickest to the loose but hit the post from close range.In the 15th Olli slotted in Ben who released Sam to finish well from 15 yards - top drawer. In the last 10 minutes of the first half we lost a bit of shape chasing a score and they countered well and only a full stretch save from Revill denied them but on the stroke of half time Jimmy had pushed up, lost out in a 50/50 and Revill couldnt save us that time.
At the restart we pushed Kyle on to shake things up and within 3 minutes we fashioned a move which ended with Kim converting Dazza's cross only for it to be ruled offside, enough said! Ben became disorientated in the central area as they overran us in the middle and they had 6 early strikes from around the left hand side of our box - Revill had his angles covered so they never hit the target. Ben sat out the 55th-65th minute minutes whilst the game settled. He rejoined the game as we reverted to a single holding player and that last 20 minutes saw us at our best. With 10 to go Kyle broke forward on the right and with players outside chirping for the ball he took the correct option and his driven curling cross was converted with a flying header by Kim who had also broken down the left. The game closed at 2-2 which was probably the right result although we know we can step up a level.
We started with our usual 3-5-2 but set out with 2 holding players anticipating the tough challeges set in our pre-season program and what we expect to be a tougher league campaign in our premiership debut. We toyed with this shape at the start of the last two seasons and quickly abandoned the idea and parts of this game reminded us why.
In possession it's essential that a least 1 of the holding players pushes on or the central player (here Josh) becomes isolated and any switch in possession means we are quickly overrun. If the fullbacks dont push beyond the holding players it leaves the two wide midfield players with a dilemma - if they tuck in close to Josh they vacate the flank and if they stay wide there is too much space between Josh and them. It was great credit to Josh that he still policed that central area. Part of the problem was unfamiliarity and therefore indecision in the holding roles and part of the problem was lack of fitness in the full backs which led to reluctance/lack of confidence to push on.
The knock on effect was to limit the impact of two of our most influential players - Josh and Ollie - who weren't allowed enough of the ball in the areas where they can influence the game. It was noticable that once we reverted to our usual shape both players made telling contributions at both ends of the pitch.
Lots of players in TRNWESL dream about playing for The Association - the rest have nightmares about playing against us. With so many good players within our group it was a mistake to set out a game plan without seeing the test before us. We're much better when we set about the task of imposing our own unique system on the opposition and then finding solutions on the pitch to problems as they arise. Even playing against a group several tiers ahead of us we could see that we had the technique and ability to compete and win and at times we played really good committed football at both ends - a pleasure to watch.
As far as individuals are concerned some things are worth mentioning. Revill continues to improve and his distribution was excellent (as was his 'keeping). Glen showed that he'll be quick to rediscover his best form and his recovery pace is a "get out of jail" card - its like a new signing. Jimmy showed that class is permanent and he'll get better across pre-season. Ben looks like he's found home and once he finds his feet rotating he'll give us added strength in the top third. Once Chippy had put off SC with that silly pen he proceeded to give a master class in defensive play, tackling on his feet and not just shutting the door but bolting it too - fantastic. Some great moments too from everybody else, a proper spirited performance 12 v 20.
With only Jack and Billy to come in we are really 2 players below what we need for the season ahead. If anybody knows of a committed player (or two) of the right quality, personality and commitment, capable of joining on equal terms with the rest of the squad vis a vis selection rotation let me know (first).
