Well, I've slept on it .... and it hasn't changed my view of last night. Those on this forum will know that I'm generally optimistic and positive, and I've said previously that I have faith in the way the team was going and Colly wants us to play. That faith has been shaken over the past few weeks and particularly last night. I felt as dispirited at the final whistle as I did at performances under Cox. Where's the pleasant football to feet that we played (admittedly only in patches) earlier in the season? By the end we were out-fought, out-run, out-passed, out-everythinged by Banbury. Even when they went 2-1 up they kept three upfront, presumably because they didn't feel threatened and/or felt it was the best way to keep us out. By the end they looked the team who have three days of training, not us. They had a clear shape and found their men. Good luck to them. We were sloppy, with possession lost too easily.
I've just watched Cully's interview, and I don't recognise the same game. He used the word 'superb' at one point. I didn't see that, apart from perhaps the first few minutes when we looked like a team that was determined to make up for Curzon and Worksop - but, as usual, it didn't last. He went on about the chances we didn't put away, but I really can't remember clear-cut chances that I thought ought to have been a goal. I suppose people will criticise our forwards, but they're feeding on scraps. Balls lumped up to them don't really give them a chance, particularly when the midfield is way back. Most of the few threats we posed were created by them, with Knowles (who looks dangerous when he gets the ball in the right areas) prepared to run at the defence. Both he and Mooney never stopped running all night, to give them their due. If we are going to launch long balls, we could at least try and aim them at someone. Too many sailed over everyone to their keeper.
When we appeared to be getting in nothing but midfielders over the summer, I thought at least we'd be strong in that area. But I suggest that is where we are weakest at the moment. They don't protect the defence or support the attack (that doesn't entirely save criticism of the defence for the goals). When we had throw-ins or free kicks, we were ponderous. At throw-ins players just stand there and there is no movement to try and get the ball, something that has always enraged me with previous managers. When Banbury had a throw-in they were quick to take it with players immediately looking for space. And I don't like the fact that we don't leave anybody up front when the opposition have a corner.
It says it all that if I'd been judging Man of the Match I'd probably chosen Dylan Hill, and he was only on the pitch for about 20 minutes. He showed more desire to get forward and create something in those few minutes than most others in 90+. Somebody in Ellender's afterwards had thought exactly the same!
Cully has to do something. There really is no evidence at the moment that the hybrid system is doing us any good. I know it's a young team, but we seem to be getting worse rather than better. The basics such as ball control and passing to someone in your own team must be improved. And team shape eludes me. I don't enjoy writing this - but rant over. I'll be there, of course, on Saturday. There's always another game (to prove me wrong?)..... UTP!
