Slighty techy stuff..

[Sean 2]

Haven't seen this pointed out so far about the game yesterday so will try and keep it simple...

Our problem yesterday in keeping that 2-0 scoreline intact came from possibly many areas that have been discussed thus far,a local derby,weather conditions,tough midweek game but it's time to turn to tactics.
We made a great start,pushing Col Ewe back to their box and turning their full-backs sideways to send in balls from wide areas which they struggled to deal with ultimately conceding twice early on.Coyne with his early injury was struggling indeed in their centre-back position before being subbed but by then the damage to the in-breds was done after just 20mins or so.

But even in those early stages Col U had success in getting into wide positions themselves and getting the ball in,their finishing proved awful but the writing was on the wall even then and one wondered that if it happened again surely they wouldn't miss such gifted opportunities..

But the point i wanted to make that held such a great bearing on the game came about after we went 2-0 up and Coyne came off they sent on the replacement centre-back.The tactic Lambert employed was to push his defence as high up the pitch as possible,squeezing the play and the two teams close together.Now in order to overcome that we needed to benefit with either good wing play ang get those centre-backs scurrying back to their box or break through the middle of their midfield and overlap to create confusion as to who to mark scenario for their defenders thus making them defend deeper in their half.
Unfortunately we couldn't manage either.
Betsy never got a run on his opponent and Hal was met with a brick wall every time he turned.Christophe will never overlap in a month of Sunday's and Sawyer ran himself into his own backside chasing down Perkins and the marauding Mark Yeates to even contemplate making runs past Revell.

So,we were in fact trapped,almost in our own half and no sooner than a clearance was made,it was coming back again in no time.Revell and Laurent aren't exactly speed merchants and were well marked when showing for the ball so for our defence to get a well-needed rest from being pulled around they had to clear it over the Col U defence for Revell and Laurent to chase.Hopeless,no wonder we conceded 3 goals.

Then at 3-2 down,Tilson changed it.Took off the ineffective Kanu and put on Macca.Which helped.Macca joined the attack soon enough and started shooting,if slightly wayward.Next up he added some pace to the front line with Scannel and for the real ammo to smash through Colchester's defences Tilson instructed Pete Clarke as the battering ram infront of our central midfield,so when we cleared the ball upfront in the air suddenly Clarkey got a flick on,Scannel used his pace and strength to carry it and Macca provided a great option out wide.

The last corner at the end we scored from,no suprise as such because Gherkin in goal flapping away like a demented duck with every high ball as shown in the first half,letting the ball drop in his own box on more than the single occasion.
There you go..

 

[graysblue]

my perspective,

leading 2 zip the lads became too casual with the ball,playing triangles around your own third is reckless to say the least.

colchester played the better football and neverv gave up whilst the blues lost their way in many areas,how many times did we see thundering 5050/ challenges from the blues? colchester bossed the midfield and young sawyer cannot compete at the moment meaning combating the midfield area.,the other midfielders failed to put their foot in thus allowing colchester to dictate play.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Did Betsy go off? Thought it was HRK and Betsy switched over? But I get your point and agree with what you're saying, the game was calling out for Macca to come and take hold of the midfield by the scruff of its neck....or other less obvious places!

 

[Sean 2]

Did Betsy go off? Thought it was HRK and Betsy switched over? But I get your point and agree with what you're saying, the game was calling out for Macca to come and take hold of the midfield but the scruff of its neck....or other less obvious places!

You are of course quite right!

HRK did indeed leave the field of play.

 

[Sean 2]

my perspective,

leading 2 zip the lads became too casual with the ball,playing triangles around your own third is reckless to say the least.

colchester played the better football and neverv gave up whilst the blues lost their way in many areas,how many times did we see thundering 5050/ challenges from the blues? colchester bossed the midfield and young sawyer cannot compete at the moment meaning combating the midfield area.,the other midfielders failed to put their foot in thus allowing colchester to dictate play.

I thought Sawyer had his hands full doing extra work covering HRK and Betsy,both ineffective whilst trying to support the attack where possible and help out in defence.The work rate was admirable from the lad.BUT,we needed the experienced Macca to help dictate.

 

[OldBlueLady]

You are of course quite right!

HRK did indeed leave the field of play.

;)

I thought Sawyer looked tired and struggled in the conditions although he did try to do his usual stuff.

 

[graysblue]

sawyer in my book is a great talent yet does not have the engine to battle for 90 minutes,this will improve as he becomes stronger.

most games are won or lost in midfield,yesterday the lads surrendered this area hence being outplayed.

 

[Irate Ian]

Haven't seen this pointed out so far about the game yesterday so will try and keep it simple...

Our problem yesterday in keeping that 2-0 scoreline intact came from possibly many areas that have been discussed thus far,a local derby,weather conditions,tough midweek game but it's time to turn to tactics.
We made a great start,pushing Col Ewe back to their box and turning their full-backs sideways to send in balls from wide areas which they struggled to deal with ultimately conceding twice early on.Coyne with his early injury was struggling indeed in their centre-back position before being subbed but by then the damage to the in-breds was done after just 20mins or so.

But even in those early stages Col U had success in getting into wide positions themselves and getting the ball in,their finishing proved awful but the writing was on the wall even then and one wondered that if it happened again surely they wouldn't miss such gifted opportunities..

But the point i wanted to make that held such a great bearing on the game came about after we went 2-0 up and Coyne came off they sent on the replacement centre-back.The tactic Lambert employed was to push his defence as high up the pitch as possible,squeezing the play and the two teams close together.Now in order to overcome that we needed to benefit with either good wing play ang get those centre-backs scurrying back to their box or break through the middle of their midfield and overlap to create confusion as to who to mark scenario for their defenders thus making them defend deeper in their half.
Unfortunately we couldn't manage either.
Betsy never got a run on his opponent and Hal was met with a brick wall every time he turned.Christophe will never overlap in a month of Sunday's and Sawyer ran himself into his own backside chasing down Perkins and the marauding Mark Yeates to even contemplate making runs past Revell.

So,we were in fact trapped,almost in our own half and no sooner than a clearance was made,it was coming back again in no time.Revell and Laurent aren't exactly speed merchants and were well marked when showing for the ball so for our defence to get a well-needed rest from being pulled around they had to clear it over the Col U defence for Revell and Laurent to chase.Hopeless,no wonder we conceded 3 goals.

Then at 3-2 down,Tilson changed it.Took off the ineffective Betsy and put on Macca.Which helped.Macca joined the attack soon enough and started shooting,if slightly wayward.Next up he added some pace to the front line with Scannel and for the real ammo to smash through Colchester's defences Tilson instructed Pete Clarke as the battering ram infront of our central midfield,so when we clared the ball upfront in the air suddenly Clarkey got a flick on,Scannel used his pace and strength to carry it and Macca provided a great option out wide.

The last corner at the end we scored from,no suprise as such because Gherkin in goal flapping away like a demented duck with every high ball as shown in the first half,letting the ball drop in his own box on more than the single occasion.
There you go..

Pass the ball to death at 2-0, and none of the tactical changes would have become necessary. Football can be a simple or complicated game - but the opposition have certainly never scored without first having possession of the ball.

The tactical scenario you relate is well perceived and Colchester are clearly a better side going forward. In fact their defence and goalkeeper looked very weak when we were able to pin them down in their own half, so their change to attack being the best form of defence, worked well for them.

Our failure to offer a real threat on the break/counter when defending was a major problem and the wide players must take some responsibility though using Fred's long kick the ball often was delivered without their having much chance to latch onto.

No threat from the bench. Need Freedman and Barnard available ASAP.

 

[Sean 2]

Pass the ball to death at 2-0, and none of the tactical changes would have become necessary. Football can be a simple or complicated game - but the opposition have certainly never scored without first having possession of the ball.

The tactical scenario you relate is well perceived and Colchester are clearly a better side going forward. In fact their defence and goalkeeper looked very weak when we were able to pin them down in their own half, so their change to attack being the best form of defence, worked well for them.

Our failure to offer a real threat on the break/counter when defending was a major problem and the wide players must take some responsibility though using Fred's long kick the ball often was delivered without their having much chance to latch onto.

No threat from the bench. Need Freedman and Barnard available ASAP.

Certainly for me Barnard and Freedman are the dream ticket,though i'm certainly happy with the points amassed whilst they've been injured.Well done to the squad!

 

[Blueshrimper]

My view is they got lucky with the first goal which inspired them to go on to get the other two.