Scoring First

[Little Shrimp]

Just had a quick browse through our games this season, thinking about how we've been conceding some really stupid goals and then struggled to fight our way back in and been hit on the break.

In the league, we've only scored first on three occasions: Mansfield, Macclesfield and Port Vale. We've only been in the lead four times (I think), when we went 2-1 up against Salford to add to that above list.

Against Mansfield, we eventually got worn down by a promotion favourite. Macclesfield we won, and we looked comfortable against PV until the red. Then against Salford, we conceded thanks to a calamitous error from Roche.

The point I'm attempting to make is once we've gone ahead, we've done ok - we've only lost courtesy of a red card after going ahead. But on so many occasions, we give up ridiculous silly goals to go behind in matches, usually quite early on. Often it's through poor concentration in defence - not tracking runners (often from midfield), losing a man and some weak goalkeeping at times. Then we're chasing the game, getting hit on the break and really having to scrap for whatever points we get. I'd potentially argue this is the biggest issue this season - that we're conceding poor goals and making every game a fight back in which we get stretched. We need to sort out our concentration and organisation at the back desperately, as currently most games are inevitably uphill struggles.

[BerlinWaller]

Good post with some valid points. We are far too easy to play against. Our build up play is so slow with Old getting far too many touches. I struggle to see the system in place to create chances. It is almost as if we see passing as more important than scoring. We go from side to side with nobody ever wanting to receive the ball. Ask yourself, who is the creative spark in the side? Who demands the ball and dictates the play? Do we play to the strengths of our attackers? You have alluded to Bradfords counter attack on Saturday, it worked well. Perfect set up when 2 up away from home.

We desperately need a midfield. Kenyon is not the answer but Brewitt maybe. People talk about Flemmo as if he was Scholes or Gerrard. His stats are ordinary at best. He stood out because he did the simple stuff well. He could control a ball and tackle. We need a passer, a creator. Old is a concern. Clearly out of form. We are crying out for a Mark Hughes.

[Andy D]

This problem isn't just this season though is it?

We've been like this since 2010, with different players, and results and how we set up are still the same, our home form is horrendous and damaging to gate receipts.

[marky No.1]

Confidence is at a real low and the ball is like a hot potato, it's like pass the parcel at times, everyone appears to want to get rid of it rather than do something positive. Even Miller seems to want to pass it to someone else.

We need a boost from somewhere

[Keith]

I agree with Little Shrimp's analysis. We try to keep it tight for the first twenty minutes or so, playing a seventy minute game of football. We need to play a ninety minute game, attack from minute one and try to get ahead. Then we can play on the break. Chasing a game is too difficult for us, especially when we're so devoid of confidence.

[Morecambe Jack]

The lack of movement in attack is terrible at times, we might be a good passing side at times but it is usually with no threat whatsoever. The lack of urgency to move forward and into space is why we don't look like scoring many goals, let alone actually score them.

What we do see is a very late flurry of activity when we are already beaten and have nothing else to lose. Too late.

[al1]

Keith,this is a j bentley team we are talking about,his tactics revolve around passing sideways and backwards! anyone who veers away from this is left out,like mendez-gomes , jagne,cranston, oates etc.think it was last season that flemmo started to be more adventurous for a few games,next thing he was out of favour for about 3 months.all he wants to do is keep it tight for as long as possible,even at home,he will never change and never learn.i hope he applies for the fylde job and gets it,would be best all round in my view

[Posh]

One thing I think should change is to make the captain an outfield player. Someone with experience to gee everyone up. Never understood a goalkeeper captain.

[Andy D]

I'd like a settled system and starting 11.

With 2 players for every position(like we have) and if you play well you keep your place, and if you dont the next guy comes in for his chance, it keeps a happy dressing room.

Leicester City won the league against all odds using this formula, it was said they'd only used 19 different players in the league that season 6 weeks before that season finished.

[Phil Anderer]

Keith,this is a j bentley team we are talking about,his tactics revolve around passing sideways and backwards! anyone who veers away from this is left out,like mendez-gomes , jagne,cranston, oates etc.think it was last season that flemmo started to be more adventurous for a few games,next thing he was out of favour for about 3 months.all he wants to do is keep it tight for as long as possible,even at home,he will never change and never learn.i hope he applies for the fylde job and gets it,would be best all round in my view

Must correct one thing in your post al. Flemmo was out through serious injury, which has ultimately finished his career. Jim said at the time it happened that he was probably the player of the season so far, so hardly likely to drop.him.

[redrobo]

One thing I think should change is to make the captain an outfield player. Someone with experience to gee everyone up. Never understood a goalkeeper captain.

Sounds as though we are on the same wavelength about the on field position of a captain.

[MfcChris]

Good post with some valid points. We are far too easy to play against. Our build up play is so slow with Old getting far too many touches. I struggle to see the system in place to create chances. It is almost as if we see passing as more important than scoring. We go from side to side with nobody ever wanting to receive the ball. Ask yourself, who is the creative spark in the side? Who demands the ball and dictates the play? Do we play to the strengths of our attackers? You have alluded to Bradfords counter attack on Saturday, it worked well. Perfect set up when 2 up away from home.

We desperately need a midfield. Kenyon is not the answer but Brewitt maybe. People talk about Flemmo as if he was Scholes or Gerrard. His stats are ordinary at best. He stood out because he did the simple stuff well. He could control a ball and tackle. We need a passer, a creator. Old is a concern. Clearly out of form. We are crying out for a Mark Hughes.

It is better to keep the ball than constantly giving it away though, even if we are not doing much with it.

[BerlinWaller]

Good post with some valid points. We are far too easy to play against. Our build up play is so slow with Old getting far too many touches. I struggle to see the system in place to create chances. It is almost as if we see passing as more important than scoring. We go from side to side with nobody ever wanting to receive the ball. Ask yourself, who is the creative spark in the side? Who demands the ball and dictates the play? Do we play to the strengths of our attackers? You have alluded to Bradfords counter attack on Saturday, it worked well. Perfect set up when 2 up away from home.

We desperately need a midfield. Kenyon is not the answer but Brewitt maybe. People talk about Flemmo as if he was Scholes or Gerrard. His stats are ordinary at best. He stood out because he did the simple stuff well. He could control a ball and tackle. We need a passer, a creator. Old is a concern. Clearly out of form. We are crying out for a Mark Hughes.

It is better to keep the ball than constantly giving it away though, even if we are not doing much with it.

Totally agree, ball retention is vital. Knocking it about aimlessly is not.