A lot has been said about our awful home record but just how bad is it? This season's stats post Dagenham 17/11.
Home: Played 11 Won 4 Drew 0 Lost 7
Scored 18 (1.6 per game) Conceded 20 (1.8 per game)
Clean sheets 2
Away: Played 11 Won 6 Drew 3 Lost 2
Scored 19 (1.7 per game) Conceded 14 (1.2 per game)
Clean sheets 4
We haven't drawn a game at home so far, its all or nothing. Our confidence is fragile, when teams press us we panic and revert to route 1 rather than play the sexy football we see on the road. Only two clean sheets yet we have four away two of which were against League 1 sides. I don't understand how we can play in such a disciplined manner like we did at Rochdale, defending heroically and counter attacking efficiently yet at home we crumble. Statistics show playing at home is becoming less of an advantage at all levels as counter attacking football is on the rise. Tactically it is evident we suit playing away but that still doesn't explain the extreme panic that shudders through our squad at home.
This is the starting line up v Dagenham and their ages:
Roche (33)
McGowan (19)
Edwards (22)
Parrish (27)
Wilson (29)
Kenyon (23)
Fleming (28)
Barkhuizen (22)
Wildig (23)
Devitt (25)
Miller (28)
Average age of the 10 outfield players 24.6
No outfield player in their 30's
So far this season only three players (Roche, Goodall & Ellison) in their 30's have appeared for us. Looking at that starting line up there is a clear lack of experience. McGowan is just a kid (albeit a very talented one) and Kenyon has come from non league. Edwards, Barkhuizen, Wildig and Devitt all failed to establish themselves at a higher level and were loaned out to numerous clubs where they played a handful of games. They now find themselves as first team regulars and are expected to play consistently well every week. This is a big step up in responsibility which has seen them falter at the Anxiety Arena (suitable new name ). Our support is certainly more positive on the road. It doesn't take long at home before the moaning starts. The insults being shouted from a minority in the home terrace are thoughtless and only add to the negative vibe that fills The Globe.
For me our sponsorless stadium doesn't fill me with any more hope and optimism than our visits to Accys much sponsored stadium. We have a squad with big potential but it lacks characters that will stand up and be counted when we're down and the fans are turning on the players.