|
Post by Eaststandboy on Dec 27, 2016 9:35:18 GMT
Anything to do with no Christmas Day training?
|
|
|
Post by yellowoptimist on Dec 27, 2016 9:37:01 GMT
Macca and hall were both terrible when swapped to the wrong sides. And part of the reason why hemmings had no service, the crosses stop as both wingers cut inside to get the ball and can't beat the defender on their wrong foot. Lunny also struggles to get forward as maguire sits so deep and keeps taking the ball off of him rather than letting lunny move forward with it. It may be his preferred position but a no10 is supposed to be right on the shoulder of the 9 supplying him with flicks and through balls, he also didn't do that once for hemmings yesterday, we all know that if maguire gets to the edge of the box with a choice of lining up a shot for hemmings or having a go at a worldly what he's going to choose That was a problem yesterday, Maguire was wanting the ball in deep positions which then left it weaker up top, slowed the ball down and left limited options to pass to. Maguire has to realise that there are other players in the squad and it's not all about him. Yes he's a great player, but I can see him taking the goal kicks next! Oh, and what the hell was Ledson going on about after the game on Radio Oxford by saying that they (Northampton) are down there fighting for their lives? They're above us! Deluded! And we're the lowest out of all the promoted teams from League 2. We are accommodating maguire for sure. Don't think we have any choice as he is the only one scoring goals and is clearly a very clever player. Do sometimes wonder whether it is to the detriment of some of the players around him.
|
|
|
Post by uptheus on Dec 27, 2016 9:37:56 GMT
Jesus, if that's the case then Dunkley needs to go back on the course! The freeze frame of Mapp"s face on YP interview probably sums up yesterday and his comment about Northampton buying lottery tickets Wouldn't read too much into mapp and the players saying we played well. They're obviously given some media training and the answers given on the radio were very 'media-trained' in my view. As Nathan said on the radio they might not fully believe what they were saying. However, we were poor yesterday. Really frustrating and out of character compared to our previous 8 or so games. Our quality players failed to really show up and no one took responsibility, then we were punished. But it has highlighted our need for reinforcements. Every cloud has a silver lining I guess... That was a problem yesterday, Maguire was wanting the ball in deep positions which then left it weaker up top, slowed the ball down and left limited options to pass to. Maguire has to realise that there are other players in the squad and it's not all about him. Yes he's a great player, but I can see him taking the goal kicks next! Oh, and what the hell was Ledson going on about after the game on Radio Oxford by saying that they (Northampton) are down there fighting for their lives? They're above us! Deluded! And we're the lowest out of all the promoted teams from League 2. I thought the Maguire's free kick at the end summed up yesterday!
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Dec 27, 2016 9:41:46 GMT
That was a problem yesterday, Maguire was wanting the ball in deep positions which then left it weaker up top, slowed the ball down and left limited options to pass to. Maguire has to realise that there are other players in the squad and it's not all about him. Yes he's a great player, but I can see him taking the goal kicks next! Oh, and what the hell was Ledson going on about after the game on Radio Oxford by saying that they (Northampton) are down there fighting for their lives? They're above us! Deluded! And we're the lowest out of all the promoted teams from League 2. We are accommodating maguire for sure. Don't think we have any choice as he is the only one scoring goals and is clearly a very clever player. Do sometimes wonder whether it is to the detriment of some of the players around him. Yet nearly all of his goals from open play have come with him on the right. Fast feet and tricks, getting past/between players and driving into the box. Play hall and maguire wide, on the proper sides, hemmings up with Taylor/new version of Taylor, and give lunny the space to run the middle. Sorted. Then we have the choice of bringing on Johnson, or playing him in games where skarz' s defending ability isn't needed. Or even move skarz along side Nelson
|
|
|
Post by behindthegoal on Dec 27, 2016 10:14:24 GMT
Am i in the minority? ?...I think we played not too bad until we got near the goal, 'if'...yes I know...but 'if' we'd scored one or two and played the same...most on here would be on cloud 9.
|
|
|
Post by archie on Dec 27, 2016 11:12:22 GMT
I dont think the performance in general is in question its the sheer lack of anything decent in the final third and how we are going to solve that problem.
I personally feel we have a very good footballing side just lack any sort of cutting edge
|
|
|
Post by holdsteady on Dec 27, 2016 11:20:54 GMT
It was a poor first half from both sides, we were comfortably better in the second half than them, but our shooting/finishing/final ball is terrible, how many shots/crosses go silly high and wide?
We aim for the top corner screamer/perfect cross every time, sometimes you have to play the percentage game and do the best you can in the situation you are in, not try for a wonder goal that will need to defy the laws of physics to go in.
|
|
|
Post by Junior on Dec 27, 2016 11:24:52 GMT
Anyone know the breakdown of Maguire's goals for us this season? From memory! I make it 3? From open play the rest free kicks or pens.
|
|
|
Post by CheltenhamYellow on Dec 27, 2016 13:07:36 GMT
Wouldn't read too much into mapp and the players saying we played well. They're obviously given some media training and the answers given on the radio were very 'media-trained' in my view. As Nathan said on the radio they might not fully believe what they were saying. However, we were poor yesterday. Really frustrating and out of character compared to our previous 8 or so games. Our quality players failed to really show up and no one took responsibility, then we were punished. But it has highlighted our need for reinforcements. Every cloud has a silver lining I guess... No; I don't think Mapp believes what he was saying, either! Trying to cover for a poor performance, and supporting the players. Still, things would be very different if we could hit the proverbial barn door with our shooting. It's really quite pathetic.
|
|
|
Post by Junior on Dec 27, 2016 13:37:30 GMT
It wasn't a poor performance. We dominated the majority of the game. Would love to see a breakdown of the attacking possession as well. For large chunks of the second half we were camped in their half. Even the keepers kicks were coming straight back as an attack. Now where we shit was the conversion. Why Johnson is stuck at LB is beyond me. He's a match winner, a gamechanger. Appleton signed him, Appleton signed Hall. Appleton knows all about Macca. Appleton has a formation. So Appleton is he one who needs to stop being greedy and play the best team and JR the best individuals across varies positions.
The bench had nobody who could come and create a spark yesterday. Nobody who could change the game if needed.
|
|
|
Post by bigronaldo on Dec 27, 2016 13:39:23 GMT
Personally, i really do not see Hemmings as a striker who is hungry enough for goals. Not aggressive enough. Not enough desire to grab a game by the scruff of the neck. Demand the ball. Make things happen by his own force of will. I just see someone who shrugs his shoulders and trots off back into the shadows of the game. He tore up defences in scotland, but here he clearly is not. I don't know what the answer is, but he had better stop sulking about it and start pulling his finger out. With that said, If we continue to lump the ball up to hemmings, then we will never see the best of him anyway.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Dec 27, 2016 13:41:56 GMT
Personally, i really do not see Hemmings as a striker who is hungry enough for goals. Not aggressive enough. Not enough desire to grab a game by the scruff of the neck. Demand the ball. Make things happen by his own force of will. I just see someone who shrugs his shoulders and trots off back into the shadows of the game. He tore up defences in scotland, but here he clearly is not. I don't know what the answer is, but he had better stop sulking about it and start pulling his finger out. With that said, If we continue to lump the ball up to hemmings, then we will never see the best of him anyway. I think ur last sentence answers your own question. If we played hylton or roofe in the way we played hemmings yesterday it would have the same effect.
|
|
|
Post by dubaiyellow on Dec 27, 2016 14:06:47 GMT
Just watched the highlights. Its fine saying don't be afraid to shoot but watching that is a little embarrassing. I expect a lot more from the likes of Lundstram, Hemmings etc...its not good enough.
At the very least all our midfield and attacking players need to do extra training this week and practice shooting - MAPP please arrange for this so we can see the improvements on Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Cannell on Dec 27, 2016 14:45:41 GMT
gaah
|
|
|
Post by Junior on Dec 27, 2016 14:46:29 GMT
It's ^^ also decision making and making decision a bloody lot quicker. To many times we take an extra touch or an extra second before pulling the trigger..
That said, Northampton had at least 2 unbelievable blocks when the ball was well on its way towards the goal. The one 2nd half was superb. For me that was going in.
Surprised nobody has picked up on the Macca v keeper 50/50 - for me Macca bottles that, he was favourite and would have scored if he'd had gone fully into it. Never one to question Macca and certainly not his commitment but yesterday (like others) he was well short.
|
|
|
Post by Yellow River on Dec 27, 2016 14:53:09 GMT
We're missing Sercombe more than I thought we would, Lundstram and Ledsom are forming a decent partnership in midfield, however Sercombe gives energy, gets into the opposition box and scores his fair share of goals.
|
|
|
Post by Junior on Dec 27, 2016 14:54:27 GMT
Decent shout that. Fully agree as well.
|
|
|
Post by concretebob on Dec 27, 2016 15:42:20 GMT
It's ^^ also decision making and making decision a bloody lot quicker. To many times we take an extra touch or an extra second before pulling the trigger.. That said, Northampton had at least 2 unbelievable blocks when the ball was well on its way towards the goal. The one 2nd half was superb. For me that was going in. Surprised nobody has picked up on the Macca v keeper 50/50 - for me Macca bottles that, he was favourite and would have scored if he'd had gone fully into it. Never one to question Macca and certainly not his commitment but yesterday (like others) he was well short. Agree with all that. We certainly lacked that extra zip yesterday - as previously mentioned I think it may have been down to not holding a training session Christmas Day. We looked lethargic at the best of times
|
|
|
Post by makv on Dec 27, 2016 19:06:38 GMT
I think this is the 4th game on the trot with the same starting 11. Coinciding with Skarz being out. I'd be amazed if he doesn't start the next game. I'm assuming Johnson stays, but moves forward. So who's out?
|
|
|
Post by makv on Dec 27, 2016 19:08:31 GMT
Just watched the highlights. Its fine saying don't be afraid to shoot but watching that is a little embarrassing. I expect a lot more from the likes of Lundstram, Hemmings etc...its not good enough. At the very least all our midfield and attacking players need to do extra training this week and practice shooting - MAPP please arrange for this so we can see the improvements on Saturday. Isn't it their f*cking job? If they can't hit the net by now, that's a bit of a concern, no?
|
|
|
Post by makv on Dec 27, 2016 19:10:57 GMT
Never one to question Macca and certainly not his commitment but yesterday (like others) he was well short. Yup. About 5'4" I reckon.
|
|
|
Post by yellowfever1 on Dec 27, 2016 23:28:44 GMT
Some important points from the match-
1) O'Toole should have been sent off. It's shocking how he wasn't.
2) There was blatant shirt pulling on Hall in the area, which caused him to go down. We should have had a penalty
3) Nine times out of ten, the block by Dunkley that led to the corner that led to the goal would have gone out for a throw in instead
Generally unlucky day at the office, but nothing to panic about. We'd done really well up until that point (In previous 8 games) and yesterday we clearly deserved at least a draw.
|
|
|
Post by sjmchops on Dec 28, 2016 9:38:08 GMT
Personally, i really do not see Hemmings as a striker who is hungry enough for goals. Not aggressive enough. Not enough desire to grab a game by the scruff of the neck. Demand the ball. Make things happen by his own force of will. I just see someone who shrugs his shoulders and trots off back into the shadows of the game. He tore up defences in scotland, but here he clearly is not. I don't know what the answer is, but he had better stop sulking about it and start pulling his finger out. With that said, If we continue to lump the ball up to hemmings, then we will never see the best of him anyway. I havn't seen Hemmings win a header since we signed him and yet the ball still gets pumped up towards him!! I have to be honest he hasn't shown anything that will worry any defences in this league, and from watching his highlights from last season he seemed to have the lot! Scottish football must be a lot worse than I thought! If we can't change the way we're playing, and I can't see that with Ledson and Lundstrum as our CM, then Taylor needs to start! Maguire is clearly a very good player but because he goes where he wants when he wants it takes away any specific formation up top. We don't seem to be able to pass the ball around or through teams anymore and I do think that is down to Lunny's obsession with playing long raking passes and a lack of quality and pace on our wings! I would also like to see Rothwell return because he at least looks to come to the ball and play little one twos going forward and will turn and take the ball up himself. Robbie Hall can break the lines from Midfield or he can run away and look for through passes which in itself makes the people marking him take pause. Marvin Johnson is filling in well enough at left back but for Christ sake we need to play him further forward!! He has great pace and enjoys running at players but obviously can't do that so much from left back. There are still a lot of faults in our team which are hampering our undoubted potential to become a real quality side in this league. In my humble opinion I'd love to see the next team sheet look like this: Eastwood Edwards Raglan Nelson Ruffles/Skarz Hall Ledson Rothwell Johnson Maguire Taylor This wont happen tho ( Dunkley and Lunny seem to be undroppable ) and it'll be the same back 5 with the exception of Skarz coming if fit, it'll be the same midfield, even tho unless Maguire drops back and gets involved they can't pass the ball around each other, and if that is what we're gonna do again then he will probably start Hemmings up top again even tho he can't win a header, out muscle a CB or out pace a Full Back!!
|
|
|
Post by shosho on Dec 28, 2016 12:20:13 GMT
A few observations... 1) we played incredibly narrow - all attacking players looking to occupy the middle...doesn't seem too clever when you consider the strength of the Northampton CB's...not sure what the attacking plan was! Attachment Deleted2) The balls to the front players were pretty woeful (imo) - Hemmings had 15 aerial duels and won 3 of them...Taylor when he came on had 8 aerial duels and won 2 of them. You can cut this many ways, poor strikers, poor balls to the strikers, or a bad game plan? Personally, I dont feel we play to the strengths of Hemmings. 3) Distribution from the back - especially Edwards and Johnson needs to be better. Johnson played 16 long balls, 4 successful and Edwards played 19, with 5 successful. That long ball down the line may 'turn the opposition' and sometimes win a throw further up the pitch, however a majority of the time it *appears* to just concede possession. Lundstram makes the team tick and Ledson has a great passing ability also. 4) Our real strength lies in our ability to carry the ball - Maguire, Johnson and Hall are our most proficient players when attacking and 1v1. The quality of Johnson's crosses, especially in the first half were asking for a six yard poacher. I see Hemmings as this player, however he is continually being asked to run the channels and thus is out of position for the crosses. 5) Our shot selection was pretty horrible - the volume of attempts were pretty much in line with most of our matches under MApp - 16 - however the locations were pap. If you consider shooting outside the box carries a 5-10% chance of scoring, combined with an increasing distance, plus many Northampton players between the attacker and the goal...whats the probability of scoring? Compare this to Northampton's attempts (right) - they had fewer attempts but of better quality. Just a few observations. I'm sure some will agree and some disagree!
|
|
|
Post by shosho on Dec 28, 2016 12:54:27 GMT
A few observations... 1) we played incredibly narrow - all attacking players looking to occupy the middle...doesn't seem too clever when you consider the strength of the Northampton CB's...not sure what the attacking plan was! 2) The balls to the front players were pretty woeful (imo) - Hemmings had 15 aerial duels and won 3 of them...Taylor when he came on had 8 aerial duels and won 2 of them. You can cut this many ways, poor strikers, poor balls to the strikers, or a bad game plan? Personally, I dont feel we play to the strengths of Hemmings. 3) Distribution from the back - especially Edwards and Johnson needs to be better. Johnson played 16 long balls, 4 successful and Edwards played 19, with 5 successful. That long ball down the line may 'turn the opposition' and sometimes win a throw further up the pitch, however a majority of the time it *appears* to just concede possession. Lundstram makes the team tick and Ledson has a great passing ability also. 4) Our real strength lies in our ability to carry the ball - Maguire, Johnson and Hall are our most proficient players when attacking and 1v1. The quality of Johnson's crosses, especially in the first half were asking for a six yard poacher. I see Hemmings as this player, however he is continually being asked to run the channels and thus is out of position for the crosses. 5) Our shot selection was pretty horrible - the volume of attempts were pretty much in line with most of our matches under MApp - 16 - however the locations were pap. If you consider shooting outside the box carries a 5-10% chance of scoring, combined with an increasing distance, plus many Northampton players between the attacker and the goal...whats the probability of scoring? Compare this to Northampton's attempts (right) - they had fewer attempts but of better quality. Just a few observations. I'm sure some will agree and some disagree! To further add to this...on of Johnson's crosses...Hemmings out wide, Johnson crosses, only Hall in the box that makes a good near post run...no midfield support, 8 Northampton players back.
|
|
|
Post by dabigfella on Dec 28, 2016 15:42:39 GMT
Until we can get a four man defense instead of a three and a quarter one we will always be liable to lapse at the wrong time. Defense is where you start, and we haven't started since Skarz got injured.
|
|
|
Post by dubaiyellow on Dec 28, 2016 15:51:23 GMT
Just watched the highlights. Its fine saying don't be afraid to shoot but watching that is a little embarrassing. I expect a lot more from the likes of Lundstram, Hemmings etc...its not good enough. At the very least all our midfield and attacking players need to do extra training this week and practice shooting - MAPP please arrange for this so we can see the improvements on Saturday. Isn't it their f*cking job? If they can't hit the net by now, that's a bit of a concern, no? Was a tongue in cheek comment TBH, but they do say practice makes perfect and you can never stop trying to be better can you? - Or maybe we have and thats the problem.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Dec 28, 2016 15:58:58 GMT
Until we can get a four man defense instead of a three and a quarter one we will always be liable to lapse at the wrong time. Defense is where you start, and we haven't started since Skarz got injured. We did not lose because of Johnson. He had his best game yet in that position.
|
|
|
Post by bazzer9461 on Dec 28, 2016 16:00:47 GMT
Until we can get a four man defense instead of a three and a quarter one we will always be liable to lapse at the wrong time. Defense is where you start, and we haven't started since Skarz got injured. We did not lose because of Johnson. He had his best game yet in that position. Some of Johnsons runs on Noxing day showed why MAPP brought him here same can't be said of Hemmings though
|
|
|
Post by dabigfella on Dec 28, 2016 18:14:48 GMT
Until we can get a four man defense instead of a three and a quarter one we will always be liable to lapse at the wrong time. Defense is where you start, and we haven't started since Skarz got injured. We did not lose because of Johnson. He had his best game yet in that position. As you say it was his best game. And his attacking play was good. Unfortunately his defending left Alfie Potter look world class!!!! Sorry but as a defender he was crap. Unfortunately again because of that whoever plays left side centre back is in the awkward position of never knowing when he is going to be left on his own to cover the centre and the left back position. Its no surprise that Dunckley has played better since he moved to the right side position, and its no surprise that Nelso has played worse since he moved to the left side position. Let me be clear I am citicising Johnson's defensive capabilities not his attacking abilities. From what I have seen so far I think I would prefer Johnson in the left wing position over Hall as he has that bit better physical strength to take on some of the Neandethal defenders that infest League 1
|
|