fbm
Blue tinted optimist⭐
Tilly/Brush need to mix it up as we have the blend of the team all wrong at the moment.
Fact - Since we beat Canvey 2-1 we haven't scored a goal from open play.
Fact - From what I hear we haven't actually created too many chances either... last year we had more shots than any other team in the division. This year we are not making the chances to miss... and that is a REAL worry.
Fact - We haven't won a league match since Easter Monday v Darlington - and we came back from 2-0 down in that one!
Fact - We haven't kept a clean sheet since March 3rd v Boston away; that's 16 league games.
Firstly Edwards and Prior are too similar. If he plays them together then IMHO he would also have to play either Barrett or Hunt who are slightly quicker. Perhaps a 5 man defence is a possibility for away games.
The full backs pick themselves to a degree.
Midfield - this is where the real problems are.
Gower - an imitation of last seasons player of the year. The only player however who CAN create something so he must start (if fit).
As for the rest - Maher, Hunt, Pettefer, Corbett, Bentley, Wilson, Bramble, Husbands... all these players can play midfield (obviously some better than others) and we have Jay to come back when fit. But with our lacklustre performances so far we have to seriously look at the supply line.
Bentley is box-to-box and will chip in with a few goals a season. He is worth a place in the middle.
Maher? Right - please note I AM NOT SPECIFICALLY HAVING A POP AT KEVIN MAHER! But in 2 out of 3 league games he has failed to rally the troops and find an extra gear when necessary. Tilly has to relieve him of the captaincy and fast!
It is no good playing Wilson, Hunt or Pettefer in the same midfield as Maher. None of them create anything. Consequently either Husbands, Corbett or Bramble must be on wide right (and Tes is still suspended).
Up front we could have Michael Owen and Ruud Van Nistelrooy but if the midfield don't supply then they wouldn't score. But my preferred partnership is Broughton/Corbett at the moment.
Consequently I woul have the following team for Saturday (fitness permitting)
Griemink
Jupp
Barrett (capt)
Edwards or Prior
Nicolau
Gower
Maher
Bentley
Husbands
Broughton
Corbett
Subs
Flahahan
Dudfield
Gray
Hunt
Pettefer
This sort of team has a much better feel IMHO. However, whether Tilly has the bottle to make such radical changes so early in the season I am not sure. I somehow doubt it.
Fact - Since we beat Canvey 2-1 we haven't scored a goal from open play.
Fact - From what I hear we haven't actually created too many chances either... last year we had more shots than any other team in the division. This year we are not making the chances to miss... and that is a REAL worry.
Fact - We haven't won a league match since Easter Monday v Darlington - and we came back from 2-0 down in that one!
Fact - We haven't kept a clean sheet since March 3rd v Boston away; that's 16 league games.
Firstly Edwards and Prior are too similar. If he plays them together then IMHO he would also have to play either Barrett or Hunt who are slightly quicker. Perhaps a 5 man defence is a possibility for away games.
The full backs pick themselves to a degree.
Midfield - this is where the real problems are.
Gower - an imitation of last seasons player of the year. The only player however who CAN create something so he must start (if fit).
As for the rest - Maher, Hunt, Pettefer, Corbett, Bentley, Wilson, Bramble, Husbands... all these players can play midfield (obviously some better than others) and we have Jay to come back when fit. But with our lacklustre performances so far we have to seriously look at the supply line.
Bentley is box-to-box and will chip in with a few goals a season. He is worth a place in the middle.
Maher? Right - please note I AM NOT SPECIFICALLY HAVING A POP AT KEVIN MAHER! But in 2 out of 3 league games he has failed to rally the troops and find an extra gear when necessary. Tilly has to relieve him of the captaincy and fast!
It is no good playing Wilson, Hunt or Pettefer in the same midfield as Maher. None of them create anything. Consequently either Husbands, Corbett or Bramble must be on wide right (and Tes is still suspended).
Up front we could have Michael Owen and Ruud Van Nistelrooy but if the midfield don't supply then they wouldn't score. But my preferred partnership is Broughton/Corbett at the moment.
Consequently I woul have the following team for Saturday (fitness permitting)
Griemink
Jupp
Barrett (capt)
Edwards or Prior
Nicolau
Gower
Maher
Bentley
Husbands
Broughton
Corbett
Subs
Flahahan
Dudfield
Gray
Hunt
Pettefer
This sort of team has a much better feel IMHO. However, whether Tilly has the bottle to make such radical changes so early in the season I am not sure. I somehow doubt it.