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« on: August 10, 2016, 10:02:39 AM »
Strangely positive after that last night, expected what I saw really, lots of energy and effort but a distinct lack of communication and coordination.
The communication as others have said is leadership, we have lost massive personalities since last season. Interesting that Jay Rollins said post-match on Saturday how different the changing room is. Given by full time he was the only player from last season on the pitch for us it shows what a massive shift in such a short space of time it is.
Compare that to a very strong Harrogate side who were up there with us last season and have kept their best and added well, no wonder we are short of them.
If Maguire is to continue with the armband then silly bookings like last night need to be cut right out. He could easily have just either knocked the ball short, or taken it with him and dropped it as you see so often, to stop a quick break rather than booting it miles away and picking up a card. He did well to stay on the pitch with a questionable challenge in the 2nd half. On that the ref was in need of some calming down, how many bookings in the first half? Amazed it ended 11 v 11!
Wade clearly has ability, no doubting that at all, but frankly his work rate was limited by that lack of fitness, that needs fixing quickly. Not knocking his effort at all, kept going for the full 90 but he needs to be sharper.
Likewise all the lads dug in which was very pleasing, at 2-0 when a few chances have been missed I wondered if we would see heads drop, not a bit of it, worked hard and made more chances even into injury time.
Wide we looked strong, end product will come, quite possibly with Smith coming in on Saturday? St Juste and Rollins I like a lot and also Courtney Wildin had a fantastic run towards the end. We have good players who need to become a team quickly with a lot of expectation and pressure on them, it won’t be easy. There will be misplaced passes, confused calls, poor corner routines – because it’s so early and it’s such a new side. BUT the effort and energy is there, no player gave in and nor should we.
I'm reminded of Chris Cooks programme comments of a couple of years back, young players need encouragement, I made a point of getting near the tunnel and clapping them off and giving words of encouragement as they left the field. They looked flat, as you would expect and also good they don't want to be happy with a defeat no matter how well they performed, but they need a lift and we can give it to them. Get to games if you can, I know it’s not easy (says a season ticket holder who lives in Leeds!) but we can help turn this around rather than accept it.
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