General Opinion
General Opinion
Strengths
Defence - Don't look like conceding with Lee and Miller looking good and have conceded from pens
Walshaw - looks decent and hungry for goals
Weaknesses
Goals - although Walshaw looks hungry and we have Smith and Campbell as back ups we don't look like we are ever going to score more than 1
Midfield - From what I've heard and seen so far Kris Taylor and Atkinson look poor. Taylor looked lightweight and a little non-committed at times. Chandler seems to have to try and force the passing game because the midfielders aren't doing it. McCready might be decent this season as a sub.
Crosses - I think the team needs to cross the ball more and i mean from the by-line and not 60 yards deep. Our best chance of the first half was from a cross from the line which Hatch thrives on. (I'm aware that the formation hinders this but i will make my point)
Formation - The 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation is difficult to play and I'm not convinced the new players know how to play it. I recall Cooper talking about width and the full backs create this, however when we have arnison and brown there it can work because they are up and down full backs with decent attacking ability. Purkiss looks like he can defend but he clearly doesn't want to attack. Greg Taylor is a handy player to have as he fills in positions but I'm not sure what his strongest position is, again although he's better at attacking than purkiss, it still doesn't come naturally and i think therefore think that the formation is flawed. Personally i would revert to 4-4-2 until our natural full backs are fit
Any sensible comments are welcomed
Defence - Don't look like conceding with Lee and Miller looking good and have conceded from pens
Walshaw - looks decent and hungry for goals
Weaknesses
Goals - although Walshaw looks hungry and we have Smith and Campbell as back ups we don't look like we are ever going to score more than 1
Midfield - From what I've heard and seen so far Kris Taylor and Atkinson look poor. Taylor looked lightweight and a little non-committed at times. Chandler seems to have to try and force the passing game because the midfielders aren't doing it. McCready might be decent this season as a sub.
Crosses - I think the team needs to cross the ball more and i mean from the by-line and not 60 yards deep. Our best chance of the first half was from a cross from the line which Hatch thrives on. (I'm aware that the formation hinders this but i will make my point)
Formation - The 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation is difficult to play and I'm not convinced the new players know how to play it. I recall Cooper talking about width and the full backs create this, however when we have arnison and brown there it can work because they are up and down full backs with decent attacking ability. Purkiss looks like he can defend but he clearly doesn't want to attack. Greg Taylor is a handy player to have as he fills in positions but I'm not sure what his strongest position is, again although he's better at attacking than purkiss, it still doesn't come naturally and i think therefore think that the formation is flawed. Personally i would revert to 4-4-2 until our natural full backs are fit
Any sensible comments are welcomed
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Re: General Opinion
The fact is John Campbell could chip in with 15-20 goals. Cooper just won't start him.D_F_C wrote:Strengths
Defence - Don't look like conceding with Lee and Miller looking good and have conceded from pens
Walshaw - looks decent and hungry for goals
Weaknesses
Goals - although Walshaw looks hungry and we have Smith and Campbell as back ups we don't look like we are ever going to score more than 1
Midfield - From what I've heard and seen so far Kris Taylor and Atkinson look poor. Taylor looked lightweight and a little non-committed at times. Chandler seems to have to try and force the passing game because the midfielders aren't doing it. McCready might be decent this season as a sub.
Crosses - I think the team needs to cross the ball more and i mean from the by-line and not 60 yards deep. Our best chance of the first half was from a cross from the line which Hatch thrives on. (I'm aware that the formation hinders this but i will make my point)
Formation - The 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation is difficult to play and I'm not convinced the new players know how to play it. I recall Cooper talking about width and the full backs create this, however when we have arnison and brown there it can work because they are up and down full backs with decent attacking ability. Purkiss looks like he can defend but he clearly doesn't want to attack. Greg Taylor is a handy player to have as he fills in positions but I'm not sure what his strongest position is, again although he's better at attacking than purkiss, it still doesn't come naturally and i think therefore think that the formation is flawed. Personally i would revert to 4-4-2 until our natural full backs are fit
Any sensible comments are welcomed
Re: General Opinion
Agree mainly with what has been said, but to make a point about the full backs, both Purkiss and G Taylor have played their part in the impenetrable defence so far.
Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Also, Purkiss has a reputation of being very good going forward, which is exactly why one or two of suggested him as a potential signing, and exactly why Cooper has been chasing him. Purkiss is actually suited to the formation. Well why hasn't he got forward as much as Arnison would, you might ask? It's down to fitness levels, he's playing catch up. Arnison might also struggle for his first few games too.
Biggest problem for me is the centre midfield hasn't really got to grips with things yet.
Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Also, Purkiss has a reputation of being very good going forward, which is exactly why one or two of suggested him as a potential signing, and exactly why Cooper has been chasing him. Purkiss is actually suited to the formation. Well why hasn't he got forward as much as Arnison would, you might ask? It's down to fitness levels, he's playing catch up. Arnison might also struggle for his first few games too.
Biggest problem for me is the centre midfield hasn't really got to grips with things yet.
- jjmick
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Re: General Opinion
Who would you play as the wingers?D_F_C wrote: Personally i would revert to 4-4-2 until our natural full backs are fit
Darlo till I die!!
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Re: General Opinion
Rundle and Bowman would be good shouts.jjmick wrote:Who would you play as the wingers?D_F_C wrote: Personally i would revert to 4-4-2 until our natural full backs are fit
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Re: General Opinion
Agree with all of that Quackers.Quakerz wrote:Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Also, Purkiss has a reputation of being very good going forward, which is exactly why one or two of suggested him as a potential signing, and exactly why Cooper has been chasing him. Purkiss is actually suited to the formation. Well why hasn't he got forward as much as Arnison would, you might ask? It's down to fitness levels, he's playing catch up. Arnison might also struggle for his first few games too.
Biggest problem for me is the centre midfield hasn't really got to grips with things yet.
Re: General Opinion
What you said about Campbell not being good enough and that you'd be surprised to see him last the season, I think you're wrong but he's not going to prove it without a run of games.
The fact that Bowman and Smith both got on before him in recent games was a joke.
The fact that Bowman and Smith both got on before him in recent games was a joke.
- jjmick
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Re: General Opinion
Campbell and Bowman are about equal in my eyes although Campbell is more of a finisher, and Bowman is more of a dribbler/runner, not that Campbell is slow or anything.
As for Smith, he can swivel.
As for Smith, he can swivel.
Darlo till I die!!
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Re: General Opinion
I would not be surprised to see Campbell come into the side shortly, especially if we fire blanks again on Saturday.
I'm just not convinced by him, but would love to see him prove me wrong.
He took a small knock in pre-season (groin, I think), so perhaps it set him back a week or so in training and accounts for Bowman being ahead of him.
I'm just not convinced by him, but would love to see him prove me wrong.
He took a small knock in pre-season (groin, I think), so perhaps it set him back a week or so in training and accounts for Bowman being ahead of him.
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Re: General Opinion
weaknesses... purkiss, he's shite. (IMO)
atkinson, loses the ball and moves break down because of him, which is what we really seem to be missing in verma, he did the little things well and created chances for us.
generally i think our main problem is creativity, we seem very static in midfield and their doesn't seem to be much happening during games. the service to hatch and walshaw is very poor.
atkinson, loses the ball and moves break down because of him, which is what we really seem to be missing in verma, he did the little things well and created chances for us.
generally i think our main problem is creativity, we seem very static in midfield and their doesn't seem to be much happening during games. the service to hatch and walshaw is very poor.
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Re: General Opinion
i don't really know why people don't seem to rate campbell very highly, he hasn't had a decent enough run in the team to prove himself. but when he has played he's looked lively. once again, a striker can do an awful lot if the service from midfield is shitedarlo2001uk wrote:I would not be surprised to see Campbell come into the side shortly, especially if we fire blanks again on Saturday.
I'm just not convinced by him, but would love to see him prove me wrong.
He took a small knock in pre-season (groin, I think), so perhaps it set him back a week or so in training and accounts for Bowman being ahead of him.
- theoriginalfatcat
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Re: General Opinion
Campbell put in a good shift at Wembley, he should be given a chance.
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Re: General Opinion
He was woeful!theoriginalfatcat wrote:Campbell put in a good shift at Wembley, he should be given a chance.
Re: General Opinion
I was worried when Verma and Terry left. Obviously G.Smith being out as well means of our central midfield unit from last year, which I felt was really strong, only really Chandler remains.
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Re: General Opinion
Not a fan of Bowman, hard worker, no instinct. John Campbell has got that killer instinct in the box, must be having a mare in training like cos doesnt look like he's fancied. Campbell and Hatch worked much better last year. Dont get the situation with Tommy, give him his chance, we're still paying his wages, and we've been getting bullied upfront lately even big Hatchys been getting it. Got options in Tommy and Campbell who should be ahead of Bowman by now after missing two sitters in two games?
- KCChiefs
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Re: General Opinion
Its ok going on about the Strikers but midfield is the issue as Q mentioned - Hatch, Walshaw, Campbell, Bowman, even Wright are all ok if they get decent service and crosses into the box. Against Alfreton the full backs and the midfield had plenty of occasions to get the ball in the box and they simply didnt - either dwelling on the ball or playing sideways pass.
Atkinson and K Taylor seem to play an easy ball or want too much time on the ball - McCready showed them how to do it second half by not being afraid to turn in amongst players and running at the defence.
Atkinson and K Taylor seem to play an easy ball or want too much time on the ball - McCready showed them how to do it second half by not being afraid to turn in amongst players and running at the defence.
Re: General Opinion
Other than Hatch's off target header from Purkess's inch perfect cross and Bowman's appalling miss from a decent cross.KCChiefs wrote:Its ok going on about the Strikers but midfield is the issue as Q mentioned - Hatch, Walshaw, Campbell, Bowman, even Wright are all ok if they get decent service and crosses into the box. Against Alfreton the full backs and the midfield had plenty of occasions to get the ball in the box and they simply didnt - either dwelling on the ball or playing sideways pass.
Atkinson and K Taylor seem to play an easy ball or want too much time on the ball - McCready showed them how to do it second half by not being afraid to turn in amongst players and running at the defence.
The midfield is the problem, or, to be more specific, K Taylor and Atkinson are the problem. There's no link between defence and attack. McReady has to be in for Atkinson on Saturday.
Re: General Opinion
This is why we're struggling with the diamond and MBW is struggling to impose himself on games.aveda wrote:The midfield is the problem, or, to be more specific, K Taylor and Atkinson are the problem. There's no link between defence and attack. McReady has to be in for Atkinson on Saturday.
The diamond relies on your central 2 midfielders to be good on the ball, to be able to move with it and pick a pass. When the 2 central midfielders are moving they are attracting players towards them which then gives MBW the space to find in behind them, at the moment MBW is getting no space as the midfielders Atkinson and Taylor can't hold the ball for more than a few seconds.
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Re: General Opinion
So, park a portashitter on the sideline. SortedQuakerz wrote: Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Re: General Opinion
Agreeddivas wrote:This is why we're struggling with the diamond and MBW is struggling to impose himself on games.aveda wrote:The midfield is the problem, or, to be more specific, K Taylor and Atkinson are the problem. There's no link between defence and attack. McReady has to be in for Atkinson on Saturday.
The diamond relies on your central 2 midfielders to be good on the ball, to be able to move with it and pick a pass. When the 2 central midfielders are moving they are attracting players towards them which then gives MBW the space to find in behind them, at the moment MBW is getting no space as the midfielders Atkinson and Taylor can't hold the ball for more than a few seconds.
Re: General Opinion
Mccready in for atkinson and maybe a change to the strikers as the partnership hasnt currently worked to well. McCready made a massive difference on tuesday so must get a start!
Re: General Opinion
Did I mean they get up the field and then need a shite? No, no I didn't.joejaques wrote:So, park a portashitter on the sideline. SortedQuakerz wrote: Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Re: General Opinion
i agree with McCready to start next game but I'd want both k taylor and atkinson dropped.
For those people wanting Campbell in who would they drop for him? Cause Hatch has been poor from what I've seen and Walshaw looks lively (I haven't made up my mind before anyone says anything)
From what Quakerz said in one of his posts that Purkiss was brought in because of his attacking ability i am very surprised, he looks panicked everytime he's past the half way line.
Bowman and Rundle wide with Chandler and Bridge Wilkinson in the centre of midfield, takes the responsibility of creativity off the full backs.
For those people wanting Campbell in who would they drop for him? Cause Hatch has been poor from what I've seen and Walshaw looks lively (I haven't made up my mind before anyone says anything)
From what Quakerz said in one of his posts that Purkiss was brought in because of his attacking ability i am very surprised, he looks panicked everytime he's past the half way line.
Bowman and Rundle wide with Chandler and Bridge Wilkinson in the centre of midfield, takes the responsibility of creativity off the full backs.
Re: General Opinion
Rundle one wing,bowman the other,hatch and walshaw upfront! We've got to stop playing so defence minded and start having a go! I'm getting fed up hearing about this sodding diamond formation! Gregg taylor is coopers love child for this season which is a shame as he's crap! Mcready should start and atkinson shipped back to huddersfield,he's not a patch on mcready. The half time pies are also too expensive!
Re: General Opinion
Wow, I used to think you knew what you were talking about.anus wrote:Gregg taylor is coopers love child for this season which is a shame as he's crap!
PS Michael Smith is Cooper's lovechild, long lost son, cute kid brother, protege, idol, all rolled into one. There are no words left in the dictionary to link Taylor and Cooper.
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Re: General Opinion
Isn't that the usual meaning of being caught short? Lighten up man.Quakerz wrote:Did I mean they get up the field and then need a shite? No, no I didn't.joejaques wrote:So, park a portashitter on the sideline. SortedQuakerz wrote: Whilst some may say we'd be better going forward with Brown and Arnison back, we'd also be a little weaker defending because both Brown and Arnison like to get up the field and can occasionally get caught short.
Re: General Opinion
What a load of s***. G Taylor looked pretty poor in his first couple of games last season, (but then that is what happens in a new team, especially at this level!) but since then has looked like our best player. On tuesday night he looked like our only real threat until Mcready came on. Both players like to get the ball down and tak a man on. I lost count of the amount of times G Taylor skinned his man, he looked as if he was playing around with their right back at times.anus wrote: Gregg taylor is coopers love child for this season which is a shame as he's crap!
I think the problem is the lack of options when we are on the ball. We are too static and just wait for the pass rather than running into space or creating a gap for someone else to exploit. As only Mcready and G Taylor are the only two who currently look capable of taking a ball down and passing a man with ball at feet we rely on hoofing it. We need more people beating the man to create space or opposition teams will be happy to come and stick 8 at the back and let us try and pass it through them ( which we dont have the skill to do) or hoof it long. Spread the ball about with quick passes then dribble it through the gaps to drag the defence about then we will be able to create more chances for the forward line, who i think are good enough for this level. Like someone else said earlier in the thread, we are missing the little things that G Smith and Verma did so well.
But then this is the conference so maybe i'm being naive.
ps, i know my spelling and grammar is appauling.