sufcintheprem
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Having been to each of the games since and including Cardiff (bar Yeovil), I've noticed a bit of a pattern to our play and think this could be key to the result on Saturday.
Sad to say, Eastwood has looked a bit tired recently and I completely understand as this is his first full season in professional football. This isn't to say he's played badly, though, it's more a reflection that it's harder for him to take on two or three men and hit a scorcher as he was doing so frequently earlier in the season.
Sadly, this seems to be where we're falling down tactically now. Without Eastwood's spontaneous magic and with Gower's indifferent form, we look very short of creativity. So, fair enough, if you're creative players are struggling, knock the ball around and try and work an opening through knocking the ball round.
This is where the tactical difference of the opposition seems to be key. In every game except Macclesfield, you could see the opposition had been told to keep one man tight and one man loose on Eastwood. This either forces him deeper and deeper or holds play up for the rest of the team to get back. In addition, the two central midfielders have been on instructions to close Maher down quickly. By doing this, they reduce our fluidity across the midfield massively, particularly as our tactics involve Kev seeing so much of the ball.
In stark contrast, Macclesfield started with their usual 3-5-2 formation giving Eastwood plenty of room on the flanks to pick the ball up and run and on another day, he'd have put at least one of his efforts in. Second half saw them change to 4-4-2 but still very little pressure on the midfield was allowing us to knock it round them with ease. In addition, their back four was poorly drilled and it was obvious that one side had a wingback and the other a centre back. It was a gap created by this problem that gave McCormack room to run in to and score.
I think what it seems to boil down to is whether the opposition press Maher and Eastwood and make it difficult for them to play. By doing this, they ask questions of the rest of the team and sadly, we've been wanting. If Gower was on form, we'd have no problems. Play the ball out to him, offer a different threat and he should have plenty of room to play in. Similarly with Guttridge. I think if Luke was match fit he'd be able to play a creative role.
Sadly recently, with Eastwood marked and the midfield hampered by constant pressing, we've resorted to long balls too much. Whilst Gray tries manfully and his sheer determination often wins him balls against bigger opposition, Eastwood is not a target man and most defenders at this level are good enough in the air to deal with our long balls. Not only that, we're not particularly good at them.
As a result, I can only really see a few ways we'll win at Grimsby...
a) Gower has a good game
b) The long balls are hit at Bentley
c) We get a lucky break
d) Grimsby don't press Maher/Eastwood
Can't believe how much this game's taking over my life! Virtually all I think about is the game at the moment. I really hope we avoid the playoffs.
Sad to say, Eastwood has looked a bit tired recently and I completely understand as this is his first full season in professional football. This isn't to say he's played badly, though, it's more a reflection that it's harder for him to take on two or three men and hit a scorcher as he was doing so frequently earlier in the season.
Sadly, this seems to be where we're falling down tactically now. Without Eastwood's spontaneous magic and with Gower's indifferent form, we look very short of creativity. So, fair enough, if you're creative players are struggling, knock the ball around and try and work an opening through knocking the ball round.
This is where the tactical difference of the opposition seems to be key. In every game except Macclesfield, you could see the opposition had been told to keep one man tight and one man loose on Eastwood. This either forces him deeper and deeper or holds play up for the rest of the team to get back. In addition, the two central midfielders have been on instructions to close Maher down quickly. By doing this, they reduce our fluidity across the midfield massively, particularly as our tactics involve Kev seeing so much of the ball.
In stark contrast, Macclesfield started with their usual 3-5-2 formation giving Eastwood plenty of room on the flanks to pick the ball up and run and on another day, he'd have put at least one of his efforts in. Second half saw them change to 4-4-2 but still very little pressure on the midfield was allowing us to knock it round them with ease. In addition, their back four was poorly drilled and it was obvious that one side had a wingback and the other a centre back. It was a gap created by this problem that gave McCormack room to run in to and score.
I think what it seems to boil down to is whether the opposition press Maher and Eastwood and make it difficult for them to play. By doing this, they ask questions of the rest of the team and sadly, we've been wanting. If Gower was on form, we'd have no problems. Play the ball out to him, offer a different threat and he should have plenty of room to play in. Similarly with Guttridge. I think if Luke was match fit he'd be able to play a creative role.
Sadly recently, with Eastwood marked and the midfield hampered by constant pressing, we've resorted to long balls too much. Whilst Gray tries manfully and his sheer determination often wins him balls against bigger opposition, Eastwood is not a target man and most defenders at this level are good enough in the air to deal with our long balls. Not only that, we're not particularly good at them.
As a result, I can only really see a few ways we'll win at Grimsby...
a) Gower has a good game
b) The long balls are hit at Bentley
c) We get a lucky break
d) Grimsby don't press Maher/Eastwood
Can't believe how much this game's taking over my life! Virtually all I think about is the game at the moment. I really hope we avoid the playoffs.
