Well for my first game of the season here goes, bearing in mind it is a one match view.... 1st Half. I thought we played ok. Back 3/5 were fairly strong and dealt well with the movement they had (was impressed with Bradshaw all through game - great movement-note to our strikers). The two 'wing-backs'? seemed to be too defensive and as soon as we got the ball they did not seem to have licence to go forward and create the out ball for the defenders/midfielders. Two defensive midfielders also ok (see later notes). Problem I had was that there was very little movement up front. As soon as we got the ball the front 2/3 did not give much option to the ball carrier, so it ended going sideways and back all the time. They did not seem to want to run the channels at all, be that down the wing or to come deep. Is this a mobility issue or a I just can't be bothered? Second half, not sure why it was changed to a flat back four as this gave Walsall much more room in attack, but did not create any for us. Two silly defensive errors for goals which could have easily been rectified. Pearson and Scowen looked like they were chomping at the bit to get forward more, but did not have licence to do so, they were good going past people and creating space, so maybe it needs an older defensive minded midfielder behind them two to shore up the back and give one or both of them more licence to go forward. Smith (striker), he's either completely lacking in confidence, or lost it. No movement, no touch, very poor game. Also, thought Winall was lost in his position, needed to be put up top. At half time I would have kept same formation, brought Smith off , put Winall up front and had Harris and A.N. other with good movement either side of him to start off with. Overall, it was better than I expected, but still a defeat. Will I be going again this season, unlikely, well maybe 1 more game.
You won't be going again? Not an actual supporter then - more a casual, nothing better to do, what's on tonight sort? Pretty accurate report though. I usually write at length about matches but may not bother today
No i don't and there lies the problem for the powers that be. No chance of the stay away fans returning and even some of the regulars are contemplating staying away so attendances will plummet even further.
I was a season ticket holder until about 5 years ago, and had been for 30 odd years. With work and family commitments my weekends are too full to fit a football match in now, well unless its the kids Sunday football.
I am a season ticket holder but not going on Saturday just can't face it and got a couple of mates coming up from London who I would normally drag along but watching the rugby and going for a meal seems a more attractive thought.
I took advantage of the clubs splendid 2-4-1 offer, because even though I knew I couldn't make last nights game, I was likely to attend Saturday and it was still the same price, obviously. I've had to work the last two weekends, this weekend I don't, and I ALWAYS attend if we're at home on such occasions, and often away on same occasions. But not this weekend. I've paid for the ticket, so I'll be on the announced gate figure, but I'll be spending quality time with my missus. It's not a protest. I've paid, so it'd be a **** protest. But it's a step towards seeing how I feel about missing a game I could and normally would have attended. My dad did that, in 2010. He's never been back... I will be. I'm a ******* idiot.
