kirsikka
UTC Legend
Parker made a bold choice. Jones being the dangerman for Boro, he decided Smith would be a safer option at left back than Brady. It was a big call to make. If he felt he needed extra defensive cover on that side then you would have thought the industry of Anthony would have been the obvious choice in front of Smith but he played a wildcard in sticking Cantwell out there.
There was a real lack of intensity to the whole match. It was like a game between two sides already on the beach as they had nothing left to play for. When you consider where both clubs are, it was pretty baffling.
Allied to that was some shocking quality. Simple passes and control from both teams you'd be embarrassed to see in a pub league. All round, a terrible first 45 minutes from all 22 players. The second half was marginally better, but no more than that.
We're now three whole matches without testing the opposition keeper. We've lost all incisiveness and inventiveness going forward. The movement is static and the quality of passes is often L2 level.
Kelly's distribution today was at the level that could see Yodel trying to sign him.
Cantwell was... well, I don't know what to make of him. When he arrived I could see what he was trying to do but he seemed to lack the quality or match sharpness to make it happen. Now I'm wondering why he exists. For a player that's supposed to be all about technical ability and clever passes, he played some horrendous simple balls. I was amazed that he wasn't hooked at half time. Parker must have had some masterplan involving him that I couldn't see.
Smith at LB was a man doing a job where he isn't a natural fit. Adequate but no more. Quelle surprise? He was extremely lucky to get away without giving a penalty away. For what it's worth, I thought the handball wasn't one since his hand was down, the parallel the commentators keep trying to bring with the Forest one doesn't hold water since the Forest player's hand was raised. However, the way he took out the Boro player inside the area two seconds later... I can only assume the ref was so focused in indicating no pen he wasn't looking.
We needed Parker has to change the mindset, the approach and the desire of the team at half time. That was a triple fail. Ultimately, it was Groundhog Day with the Sheff Utd game out there with the sides nullifying each other and offering little.
It's still in our hands but we're limping towards the line rather than trying to burst over it. There's still plenty of room for us to throw this away and nerves are really going to start setting in soon. Time for some of the players to stand up and show their quality in the matches to come.
Positive performances:
Smith - Pen incident aside, he did the job asked of him even if it nullified his attacking threat by having him out there. We need him on the other side of the pitch.
Kelly & Phillips - Defensively they were as solid as we could have hoped. To include them here I have to block out what happened when they had the ball at their feet though.
Room for improvement:
Cantwell, Billing, Christie - Where were they? Virtually non-existent out there.
I don't know how many times we expect other teams to bail us out by dropping points but we're there again. The lack of energy was a real worry. You'd expect to see players fighting for everything, straining every sinew. Instead it was lackadaisical. Same from Boro as well to be honest. Both teams bored me today.
Time for Parker to step up as it's been a poor run of performances in the attacking half of the pitch. He needs to change something. Oh, and whilst I'd be delighted if the answer involves Cantwell I'd also be stunned.
There was a real lack of intensity to the whole match. It was like a game between two sides already on the beach as they had nothing left to play for. When you consider where both clubs are, it was pretty baffling.
Allied to that was some shocking quality. Simple passes and control from both teams you'd be embarrassed to see in a pub league. All round, a terrible first 45 minutes from all 22 players. The second half was marginally better, but no more than that.
We're now three whole matches without testing the opposition keeper. We've lost all incisiveness and inventiveness going forward. The movement is static and the quality of passes is often L2 level.
Kelly's distribution today was at the level that could see Yodel trying to sign him.
Cantwell was... well, I don't know what to make of him. When he arrived I could see what he was trying to do but he seemed to lack the quality or match sharpness to make it happen. Now I'm wondering why he exists. For a player that's supposed to be all about technical ability and clever passes, he played some horrendous simple balls. I was amazed that he wasn't hooked at half time. Parker must have had some masterplan involving him that I couldn't see.
Smith at LB was a man doing a job where he isn't a natural fit. Adequate but no more. Quelle surprise? He was extremely lucky to get away without giving a penalty away. For what it's worth, I thought the handball wasn't one since his hand was down, the parallel the commentators keep trying to bring with the Forest one doesn't hold water since the Forest player's hand was raised. However, the way he took out the Boro player inside the area two seconds later... I can only assume the ref was so focused in indicating no pen he wasn't looking.
We needed Parker has to change the mindset, the approach and the desire of the team at half time. That was a triple fail. Ultimately, it was Groundhog Day with the Sheff Utd game out there with the sides nullifying each other and offering little.
It's still in our hands but we're limping towards the line rather than trying to burst over it. There's still plenty of room for us to throw this away and nerves are really going to start setting in soon. Time for some of the players to stand up and show their quality in the matches to come.
Positive performances:
Smith - Pen incident aside, he did the job asked of him even if it nullified his attacking threat by having him out there. We need him on the other side of the pitch.
Kelly & Phillips - Defensively they were as solid as we could have hoped. To include them here I have to block out what happened when they had the ball at their feet though.
Room for improvement:
Cantwell, Billing, Christie - Where were they? Virtually non-existent out there.
I don't know how many times we expect other teams to bail us out by dropping points but we're there again. The lack of energy was a real worry. You'd expect to see players fighting for everything, straining every sinew. Instead it was lackadaisical. Same from Boro as well to be honest. Both teams bored me today.
Time for Parker to step up as it's been a poor run of performances in the attacking half of the pitch. He needs to change something. Oh, and whilst I'd be delighted if the answer involves Cantwell I'd also be stunned.
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