Tactics

Redraine · 08-04-2006, 17:52

I am really upset that our earlier season style of play has generally deserted us in the last few weeks. Defenders banging the ball hopefully upfield is a dubious policy, even when Mully is playing and on top form, but with Boco and Mangan up against 3 centre backs it is crazy. I can only think it is deliberate coaching policy as a safety first measure, to stop the opposition getting in on goal, but it's not working, even allowing for the state of the pitches at this time of the year.
I appreciate that since Barry left us we haven't had an effective holding midfield player but surely it's time to try to play the ball through midfield a bit more, maybe with Jaggers, who rarely wastes a pass, doing the business. It may be churlish to moan at this stage in this fantastic season but my nerves are getting shot to pieces.
Hopefully today's results means the team can relax a bit more and play with some freedom and batter Woking on Saturday. Can we bring the Championship home with some style, ready for a celebration on Easter Monday?

JEFF · 10-04-2006, 08:27

We went so long unbeaten playing attacking football then all of a sudden against Southport we starting playing defensiveley (as we did last season) then we started struggling. We changed it back against York and won then changed back to defensive again. Last Friday we had Mully missing but we brought in an extra defender against a team at the foot of the table and again we struggled. We have two bottom teams yet to play, are we going on the defensive or are we going to go at them and stuff them ? I hope it's the latter. The sooner we wrap up this Championship the better.

Redraine · 10-04-2006, 20:57

Going on the defensive by packing the midfield wouldn't be so bad if we really used the midfield to release the front runners. Just lumping the ball upfield from the back and by-passing the midfield by trying to hit the front men, but more often finding touch, is crazy!
It seems we're not alone though - Rovers fans complain about their similar tactics in hoofing it up to Bellamy. Much as I love Rommy and Mangan, Rovers have a little bit more chance of making it work with their man!
All fans who I talk to can see what's happening, but it seems to escape the management - or are we all missing something?

Willie Miller · 10-04-2006, 21:02

We haven't got Anthony BArry now & that is the real reason we aren't playing the football we were. Also there is much much more at stake & so nerves & pressure set in & its get rid.

Mark Boyd can do Barrys role & pick the ball of the defence & not panic, but he needs games & a pre season injury free

Lets just win it, its frustrating but hey, we been following ASFC long enough to realise the frustrations...

You missing Woking Mick???? *giggles*

Redraine · 10-04-2006, 21:10

Don't rub it in!
However, last time I was up in the lakes on a climbing hut holiday was a Friday night 3-1 away win, which I couldn't find out about until 10.00 am Saturday by climbing up to 2500 feet on Red Pike when my mobile eventually got a signal. The sheep were running scared when that text came through.
Same again will do!