What Exactly did go wrong tonight?

We were 2-0 ahead after 15 minutes and looking like we could score at will. After 95 minutes, we had lost 2-3. So what exactly did go so badly wrong?
Could it be anything to do with the age of the team? We had a seventeen year old playing at right back, a nineteen year old at the defensive point of the Diamond and another playing as a Striker. Another four players were under twenty three. Don’t all shout at once that it was the older players who let us down. It might have looked that way, but games have to be managed, and part of the reason that we conceded such poor goals was down to game management, a skill that the younger players have not yet acquired.

Could the reason be the system? The diamond had helped to get us the lead because it allowed us to concentrate our pace (Williams and Cole) in attacking the centre of their defence. However, this also proved to be our downfall because the lack of pace at full back was exposed because of the lack of cover from a retreating winger. I am confident that County would not have exposed us so badly had we resorted to a normal 4-4-2 sooner.

Of course, we may then have been attacked down the centre, where we have been found wanting earlier in the season, hence the need for the Diamond. There was nothing in the play of the two centre backs or the defensive midfield player to suggest anything but a damaging lack of pace. Cranie and Ramage seem to be no nearer to forming an understanding than they were at any time last season. So often were they out of contact and/or out of alignment that I am tempted to suggest they take their mobile phones with them the next time they play.

I am tempted to suggest that the opposition gradually came to terms with our system, but I do not think that they did. We continued to create chances throughout. The difference was that our young team failed to take any of them and failed to keep their heads when a final pass was on, whilst County took their own. Better game management would have reduced the number of chances that we created, but might have kept them out altogether.
Could the reason be physical? Well there is absolutely no doubt that some of our squad were not able to do a proper pre-season because they were signed so late. It is also true that young players can be bullied out of a game. Finally, one or two of the older players are not as physically strong as they need to be, and one or two go missing when the going gets tough. Once again, this is a very young team that needs a year or two of experience.
Was the team transfixed by the possibility of a bucket full of goals, and because of this they threw too many players forward, only to leave the back door open. Well the full backs were certainly left far too exposed.

Would we have won had Bailey played? I think so.

These players will learn, but unfortunately, that learning process must take place in the glare of the floodlights. There are certainly areas where the team is unbalanced. The addition of a target man will allow us to get the ball forward faster. An O’Grady type would be holding the ball up so that our attacks do not pull us so out of shape that we are unprepared for the inevitable counter attack. It would allow our midfield more time to recover its energy, if mounting attacks was not such hard physical work for them. It would also allow us to play a five man midfield when necessary, because the manager has few options at the moment when he has to make changes. If you don’t believe me, just try picking a team with 5 man midfield, or indeed a team utilising the wing back system that first got Danny noticed here. The acquisition of a proper right back would allow us to rest Bree and bring him through more slowly, because this is why Danny made the change today, rather than for any tactical reason.

One last word…. And that word is PATIENCE.

 

Thats just about **** on, a good asssessment.

 

I think we would have won if Lita had played. I don't think Bailey would have made too much difference. Poor defending and poor finishing cost us nothing else.

 

Doubt Lita would have made much difference, Bailey probably would though.

 

Again, one of the best posters on this forum.

 

Spot on. The stats also show how we should have won this match. 6 shots on target to their 3. Corners 8 to 1 - possession 58%. I believe we shall see a turnaround in results before long.

 

We ran out of steam too, not ideas, offensively we are quite good. For me youngsters or not, the overall fitness of the team as a whole is way below the standard required.
You have made some good observations, as I mentioned in a previous post I went to the match with my dad who asses games / teams like this for a job and its good to get his views.
Our squad is better than most in this division.
Formations, tactics, fitness all of the above apply.

 

Agree with the sentiments there. I thought we were excellent to watch - not something we have been for a long time and we have a lot of young players. I couldn't believe we lost the game but do believe we are on the up generally. We need to stick with them and support them and I'm sure we will start climbing the league table soon.