[Exile on Spencer St]

Two months ago Stanley put in their most miserable performance I'd seen for some time to lose 5-0 to Oxford, so I guess last night's effort was an improvement. Someone who's opinion I don't doubt, also said it was a better display than the Wycombe match. But, blimey, it was pretty awful from Stanley (it was fairly poor from Oxford until they scored their first goal). There were one or two hopeful signs from one or two players, but the previous post about shots speaks volumes.
There is one particular thing about Stanley that concerns me and I have to have a rant to get it off my chest.
Unlike many teams, they are generally slow and ponderous in their build up. When players receive the ball, they have very few options other than sideways or backwards because very, very few players run into space ahead of them. Of course, with a slow build up from the back there is rarely any space because, being slow, the opposing defence has got itself organised. Most Stanley players thus tend to be standing still, waiting for the ball to come to them. It seems that they are trying to replicate the tight, intricate passing game they play in the warm up. Unfortunately, they do all not have the ball control skills of Barcelona. I lost count last night of the number of times that Oxford's Alfie Potter read the Stanley pass and intercepted it. Potter was one of the few players who seemed to be able to anticipate what a player was going to do - just a pity he wasn't on our side. This was also the guy (all 5'7" of him) who tore Stanley apart two months ago and, yet, there was never a Stanley defender within ten yards of him when he was looking to receive the ball.
Uh, game plan...? Not much evidence of anything last night other than we'll see how things go and hope their defence parts like the River Jordan. Unless they can get Moses on a free transfer that ain't gonna happen.
Last night was barely good enough for the Conference, and I can only wish Leam the best of luck in trying to turn things around.