| Reflecting on the game 00:15 - Aug 18 with 1565 views | radiogaga |
Undoubtedly we had an escape today.
Very positive/ fast start in the first 15-20 minutes, playing on the front foot and earning the right to dictate play. Winning the ball in the centre of the pitch and getting the ball out to Edwards/ Rowe was proving simple but effective. Edwards & Rowe were also constantly closing down and busy, and quick balls up to Norwood/ Jackson kept the Peterborough defence stretched and hesitant to play a higher line. Our goal was very fortunate and very much a poacher's goal (something we have not had for a long time).
We lost our way after the good start, and annoying old tendancies quickly resurfaced as the afternoon went on. Inviting pressure by needlessly conceding possession, unpressured errors and silly fouls to concede free kicks in dangerous crossing areas. Having got away with it 3 or 4 times from various threat levels, we allowed one of the most talented wingers in the division to cross the ball into a poorly marked Toney to head in. An ugly reminder that our habit of inviting crosses with cheap fouls and not being able to deal with the subsequent set pieces has not gone away.
Kenlock and Donacien were very poor and often caught in possession, giving the ball away cheaply/ lazily and often getting caught out of position (Holy bailed out Donacien in particular early in the second half with the save when the player was completely open). Another poor goal for the opposition came as the result of another individual mistake in the centre of defence where a poor attempted clearance from a simple diagonal ball into the box somehow led to a one on one opportunity.
Going forward, we failed to create much by way of clear cut opportunities for most of the afternoon. Too often we resorted to long aimless punts up the pitch which mostly led to nothing. On the occasions we did get to the final third, passing was laboured and generally broke down into multiple short passes in the corner of the pitch followed by a hopeful punt into the box to nobody. Jackson and Norwood had little by way of convincing service to feet/ head all afternoon, with many of their best openings coming from chasing down quick balls down the channels or simply anticipating possible mistakes. Service into them needs to improve. Although Skuse and Downes were excellent today, there is not enough creativity in the centre of midfield. In the end, late pressure, an excellent El Mizouni delivery and an excellent Chambers header earned us a late reprieve, despite those final 20 minutes of watching Peterborough sit deep with relative comfort as we toiled and laboured with very little threat being made on their goal (again a theme from last season in particular). Judge was again ineffective, too often electing to shoot from unlikely distances when using a team mate was a more sensible option.
Despite our obvious weaknesses and shortcomings, Peterborough did not trouble us hugely either over the course of the game and arguably should have. Holy could do little on the goals (both self inflicted by ourselves) and otherwise made an excellent save at 1-1 and a routine save from a Toney header straight at him at 1-0. It was not a hugely busy afternoon for him despite our issues. Downes and Skuse in particular were assured and comfortable for much of the afternoon without offering much going forward, Rowe and Edwards played well too. Jackson was excellent, winning the penalty in the second half (albeit a dubious call) but generally getting himself in good positions often through his work rate and desire rather than good service being given to him. Norwood had a mixed afternoon, to get off the mark was an important moment for him today but remains to be seen how he will react to the missed penalty in the second half. It was a poor penalty, and I'm sure he'll be the first to admit that. Ultimately, if we want to get the best we can out of Norwood, he will need better service.
All and all, 5 points from the first 3 games and being unbeaten is a good outcome, particularly given that the result felt like a bit of an anti climax despite the late drama. In the same way that Sunderland hung in a game that they were very very poor in a week ago, we did exactly the same this week and that is what the better teams in any division do. We will be in the upper levels of the division come May, but talk of top 2 has to be tempered currently. We have some good players returning from injury in the coming weeks and hopefully you would expect they will add to what we have currently and make a big difference. Without doubt, we need to get a winning habit going though. Big week coming up, Wimbledon will shape our mindsets hugely. 8 points from the first four would be great, fail to win and suddenly it's three games without a win/ no win since the opening day, and question marks will naturally creep in. A big week for sure, and a lot to work on. Vincent Young will hopefully be an excellent addition, but a further winger and striker are also required. Our style today was crying out for a Daryl Murphy up front. [Post edited 18 Aug 2019 0:21]
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| Reflecting on the game on 07:18 - Aug 18 with 1413 views | ArnieM |
Can’t disagree with much of that.
We are an injury hit squad , that also had a fair few very young and inexperienced young players. The inexperienced Woolfie’sv”naive” tackle” on their attacker for the free kick that led to their first goal.
Our current left and right backs are simply not good enough - Lambert HAS identified this Donacians complete lack of close marking underlining why I think he’s on a limited time here st Town. Kenlock whilst usually good going forward, like his predecessor, Knudsen, is found wanting in the defensive role. He also looked devoid of any pace. A must in the modern game.
Until Lambert can sort out our backs, the “ back door entry” to our goal will always be open and our CB, whoever they are, will always be under significant pressure to cover, and make up ground trying to cover the backs mistakes.
As for the striker issue ( the other area Lambert has identified), I do wonder if he is waiting for the Millwall striker to recover from his hamstring injury before we sign him up . Saving unnecessary wages being spent at this time on an injured player? |  |
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| Reflecting on the game on 07:37 - Aug 18 with 1376 views | Jon_456 |
| Reflecting on the game on 07:18 - Aug 18 by ArnieM |
Can’t disagree with much of that.
We are an injury hit squad , that also had a fair few very young and inexperienced young players. The inexperienced Woolfie’sv”naive” tackle” on their attacker for the free kick that led to their first goal.
Our current left and right backs are simply not good enough - Lambert HAS identified this Donacians complete lack of close marking underlining why I think he’s on a limited time here st Town. Kenlock whilst usually good going forward, like his predecessor, Knudsen, is found wanting in the defensive role. He also looked devoid of any pace. A must in the modern game.
Until Lambert can sort out our backs, the “ back door entry” to our goal will always be open and our CB, whoever they are, will always be under significant pressure to cover, and make up ground trying to cover the backs mistakes.
As for the striker issue ( the other area Lambert has identified), I do wonder if he is waiting for the Millwall striker to recover from his hamstring injury before we sign him up . Saving unnecessary wages being spent at this time on an injured player? |
Think you’ve got It the wrong way round with Knudsen. Was always solid on the defensive side of the game (which is why he generally looked decent at cb) but was dreadful going forward. |  | | |
| Reflecting on the game on 09:08 - Aug 18 with 1219 views | blueconscience |
It seems to be a regular pattern, starting well and being in control for the first 15-30 then dropping off and letting the other team take over.
We really need to start making more chances we create in those 15-30 minutes count. [Post edited 18 Aug 2019 9:09]
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| Reflecting on the game on 09:25 - Aug 18 with 1176 views | homer_123 |
| Reflecting on the game on 09:08 - Aug 18 by blueconscience |
It seems to be a regular pattern, starting well and being in control for the first 15-30 then dropping off and letting the other team take over.
We really need to start making more chances we create in those 15-30 minutes count. [Post edited 18 Aug 2019 9:09]
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And this is where we simply havent progressed since Lambert took over.
Cast your minds back to Blackburn at home last season. The first 15 to 25 mins we knocked the ball around with pace and purpose....created chances and were all over Blackburn. It looked very good.
Then we set the patter that was to see us through the entire season. We play in patches, we look good at times but then switch off. We couple this with notable individual and collective mistakes that typically end up costing us a goal or 3 points.
Under Lambert those periods of decent play are marginally longer and better but the pattern remains.
We essentially look the same team as under Hurst. I posted last night.
Lambert hasnt stamped his authority on this team, yet. |  |
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| Reflecting on the game on 10:16 - Aug 18 with 1108 views | agentp |
| Reflecting on the game on 09:25 - Aug 18 by homer_123 |
And this is where we simply havent progressed since Lambert took over.
Cast your minds back to Blackburn at home last season. The first 15 to 25 mins we knocked the ball around with pace and purpose....created chances and were all over Blackburn. It looked very good.
Then we set the patter that was to see us through the entire season. We play in patches, we look good at times but then switch off. We couple this with notable individual and collective mistakes that typically end up costing us a goal or 3 points.
Under Lambert those periods of decent play are marginally longer and better but the pattern remains.
We essentially look the same team as under Hurst. I posted last night.
Lambert hasnt stamped his authority on this team, yet. |
But we haven't really got a game manager/leader. Huws, Judge, Skuse, Downes et al are all decent players but we lack some one who can hold things together and direct the performance. We have lacked that for years so that person is now hard to find. It will take time for him to evolve within. I think we may be seeing a temporary inbound solution next week ;-) | |
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