I know the problem!

[Pilchards]

Fonte has to be everywhere at the back because the other centre back is pants.

Harding has no left midfielder to pass too so he has less options.

Pucheon does not want the ball as he knows he is playing crap and plus he hears the fans on his back.

Hammonds wanders around the pitch and is a lost little boy.

Lambert won't get the ball in the middle on the floor or from a great cross as we don't deliver him one.

 

So that's the problem and I'm afraid I can't see any answers because those players that are dragging us down can't be replaced by anyone else right now.

[Manuel]

I always thought Jaidi provided a solid partner for Fonte. I'd be happy to have him back in the 11.

[70's Mike]

Fonte has to be everywhere at the back because the other centre back is pants.

Harding has no left midfielder to pass too so he has less options.

Pucheon does not want the ball as he knows he is playing crap and plus he hears the fans on his back.

Hammonds wanders around the pitch and is a lost little boy.

Lambert won't get the ball in the middle on the floor or from a great cross as we don't deliver him one.

 

So that's the problem and I'm afraid I can't see any answers because those players that are dragging us down can't be replaced by anyone else right now.

 

disagree it is Fonte and Lambert who have played the last few games as if their heads and hearts are not up for it

[simo]

Were you at the game ?

[NickG]

Martin was best player in the two games before injured, Seaborne did ok today.

 

Personally think you are missing the problem areas

[barney]

The problem is NO LALLANA+ NO ANTONIO +NO WAIGO=nobody to create chances.

[Nexstar]

The problem is NO LALLANA+ NO ANTONIO +NO WAIGO=nobody to create chances.

 

The problem today wasn't creating chances it's taking them. We created plenty enough to win the game today.

[Pilchards]

disagree it is Fonte and Lambert who have played the last few games as if their heads and hearts are not up for it

 

I did this thread at HT on the phone and I can tell you that Fonte was bloody good today as he wanted it badly.

The best player on the pitch and for you to say that puzzles me Mike.

[barney]

Apart from various lambert free-kicks outside of the box how much did we really create?

[Nexstar]

Apart from various lambert free-kicks outside of the box how much did we really create?

 

8 shots on target, 8 shots off target and 10 corners.

[Pilchards]

Apart from various lambert free-kicks outside of the box how much did we really create?

 

We was better today, NA had one day's half training with the guys on Friday and it was miles better than the Wombles game.

Hammond said it on the radio and I agree too when he said 'We have a whole weeks training session with the new manager and its going to be great, the players are smiling and enjoying it again.

 

I know for a fact will will beat Sheff Weds as I could see a half spark today.

[barney]

8 shots on target, 8 shots off target and 10 corners.

Sorry nex but we are missing that little bit extra that opens up certain teams,which with those players i named above we got.

Clear cut chances where were they?

[EastleighSoulBoy]

The problem today wasn't creating chances it's taking them. We created plenty enough to win the game today.

 

And, once again, came up against a keeper who made some great saves which others might have missed.

 

I think, currently, Ricky has been found out. I feel he's off key and with him not getting the romm from defenders he is struggling a little. NA will ensure

that when RL is fully fit those defenders will have to be on top of their game. I also think we missed Aaron Martin as I'm unsure about Seabourne.

[NickG]

Biggest two differences compared to last season:

 

Lallana injury and Lambert's poor form.

 

Biggest problem in team:

 

Hammond - lacking grit, energy and ability to control centre of park

[Professor]

Just an opinion, but The Prof thinks:

Back Four:- Martin is not as good as Jaidi was last year but he is now better than Jaidi, who has sadly slipped over the hill. Martin will continue to improve, and Seaborne is adequate as cover. Dickson should have the LB slot. Butterfield is adequate cover until Richardson is fit. Conclusion, no new players needed.

 

Midfield:- Lallana will hold the left slot when he is back. Hammond is not performing well enough in a key area and should be replaced by a new creative central MF player. Morgan is best seen as defensive MF but will do better with a more constructive partner. Alex O-C is playing well but should be cover, or impact sub on the right. A fast winger needed for starting line-up (but not Puncheon). Conclusion, two new players needed, one central MF one wide right MF. Alex O-C, Puncheon and Hammond to be MF cover.

 

Strikers. Lack of goals suggests a problem, but existing strike force of RL, LB and DC looks adequate with RG as second cover. RL and LB to be first choice pairing in 4-4-2 formation.

 

Formation - 4-4-2 preferred at home, 4-5-1 for away games at stronger teams.

 

Subs - Always sub when player fitness, form or booking requires it, but otherwise, subject to situation in game, if scores are level, consider first sub at 60/65 mins, not 70, second sub at 70/75mins mins. Do not sub for tactical reasons after 85 minutes unless trying to waste time.

[Pilchards]

Just an opinion, but The Prof thinks:

Back Four:- Martin is not as good as Jaidi was last year but he is now better than Jaidi, who has sadly slipped over the hill. Martin will continue to improve, and Seaborne is adequate as cover. Dickson should have the LB slot. Butterfield is adequate cover until Richardson is fit. Conclusion, no new players needed.

 

Midfield:- Lallana will hold the left slot when he is back. Hammond is not performing well enough in a key area and should be replaced by a new creative central MF player. Morgan is best seen as defensive MF but will do better with a more constructive partner. Alex O-C is playing well but should be cover, or impact sub on the right. A fast winger needed for starting line-up (but not Puncheon). Conclusion, two new players needed, one central MF one wide right MF. Alex O-C, Puncheon and Hammond to be MF cover.

 

Strikers. Lack of goals suggests a problem, but existing strike force of RL, LB and DC looks adequate with RG as second cover. RL and LB to be first choice pairing in 4-4-2 formation.

 

Formation - 4-4-2 preferred at home, 4-5-1 for away games at stronger teams.

 

Subs - Always sub when player fitness, form or booking requires it, but otherwise, subject to situation in game, if scores are level, consider first sub at 60/65 mins, not 70, second sub at 70/75mins mins. Do not sub for tactical reasons after 85 minutes unless trying to waste time.

 

superb and spot on.

The subs is the way I see it and that's why this season AP did my head in.

NA yesterday brought two on the 70 minute mark. Good man.

[NickG]

Dixon and Holmes made strong case to be part of Adkins future plans

[Deppo]

I know for a fact will will beat Sheff Weds

 

Somebody tell the News of the World! We have our next scandal!

[Professor]

Dixon and Holmes made strong case to be part of Adkins future plans

And Dickson.

[Badger]

Just an opinion, but The Prof thinks:

Back Four:- Martin is not as good as Jaidi was last year but he is now better than Jaidi, who has sadly slipped over the hill. Martin will continue to improve, and Seaborne is adequate as cover. Dickson should have the LB slot. Butterfield is adequate cover until Richardson is fit. Conclusion, no new players needed.

 

Midfield:- Lallana will hold the left slot when he is back. Hammond is not performing well enough in a key area and should be replaced by a new creative central MF player. Morgan is best seen as defensive MF but will do better with a more constructive partner. Alex O-C is playing well but should be cover, or impact sub on the right. A fast winger needed for starting line-up (but not Puncheon). Conclusion, two new players needed, one central MF one wide right MF. Alex O-C, Puncheon and Hammond to be MF cover.

 

Strikers. Lack of goals suggests a problem, but existing strike force of RL, LB and DC looks adequate with RG as second cover. RL and LB to be first choice pairing in 4-4-2 formation.

 

Formation - 4-4-2 preferred at home, 4-5-1 for away games at stronger teams.

 

Subs - Always sub when player fitness, form or booking requires it, but otherwise, subject to situation in game, if scores are level, consider first sub at 60/65 mins, not 70, second sub at 70/75mins mins. Do not sub for tactical reasons after 85 minutes unless trying to waste time.

 

Agree with most of that except I would not want to rely upon DC as being an option as striker.In view of his age and injury record,he is a "back up" at best,when he is fit.

 

I am comfortable with Harding at LB but would like to see Dickson playing in front of him at LM until Lallana is back.

 

Intersting observations on formation and subsitutions though.Didn't Adkins seek a 3-5-2 towards the end of the game yesterday ? If so then its good to have a manager -at long last - with a plan B.

Edited 19 September, 2010 by Badger

[Weston Saint]

If your looking for a creative, challenging and forward thrusting central midfielder look no further than Lallana when he returns fully fit. Schneiderlin as the holding midfielder.

 

Lallana is not a wide left player. It is not his natural position.

 

One of the problems yesterday was Barnard and to a lesser extent Lambert had to go wide to win a ball and pass it too much. That should be our midfield doing that with Barnard and Lambert as the outlet in front of goal.

[NickG]

And Dickson.

 

not so much

[monosaint]

I was at the game and felt that the Back Four looked solid and I think Seaborne being left footed gives us something extra at the back. The subs came on and did well. We now have cover for Puncheon, in fact I would play Lee Holmes ahead of him at the moment. In terms of strikers we should be patient. Rickie and Barnard looked up for it yesterday. That's the best I've felt after a 0-0 for a long time. Could see the "Green shoots of Recovery".

[NickG]

If your looking for a creative, challenging and forward thrusting central midfielder look no further than Lallana when he returns fully fit. Schneiderlin as the holding midfielder.

 

Lallana is not a wide left player. It is not his natural position.

 

One of the problems yesterday was Barnard and to a lesser extent Lambert had to go wide to win a ball and pass it too much. That should be our midfield doing that with Barnard and Lambert as the outlet in front of goal.

 

back to the Ball/MLT days - you want you best player involved as much as possible - so agree

[Badger]

I was at the game and felt that the Back Four looked solid and I think Seaborne being left footed gives us something extra at the back. The subs came on and did well. We now have cover for Puncheon, in fact I would play Lee Holmes ahead of him at the moment. In terms of strikers we should be patient. Rickie and Barnard looked up for it yesterday. That's the best I've felt after a 0-0 for a long time. Could see the "Green shoots of Recovery".

 

But hasn't Barnard got a hernia ? (Did I read that somewhere or is it just my own dementia setting in ?). If so, I don't think we can afford to be that patient and reinforcements are required.

[eelpie]

The problem today wasn't creating chances it's taking them. We created plenty enough to win the game today.

 

However, when players ran forward with the ball they weren't always supported by others, so they had no one to pass to and consequently got blocked. We were constantly stifled by a Colchester team who were able to intercept passes easily. So we had chances but could have made more.

 

It was better when Holmes came on because we suddenly had a wider pitch to play in.

 

We should have had a couple of penalties from handball too.

[trousers]

I've come to the conclusion that our 'problem' is not actually our problem per se....

 

We seem to have come up against our (un)fair share of teams whose goalkeepers play a blinder.

 

Almost every highlights programme I've watched of our games seems to show the opposition's keeper pulling off one or two blinding saves.

 

I know this doesn't excuse our own below par performances but if we'd have played some teams where their keeper had an off day (Bristol Rovers?) then this would have balanced things out a bit more I reckon.

 

On the other hand, perhaps we're just rubbish and I'm clutching at straws....?

[70's Mike]

I did this thread at HT on the phone and I can tell you that Fonte was bloody good today as he wanted it badly.

The best player on the pitch and for you to say that puzzles me Mike.

 

I have been concerned that the centre forwards have been dragging him wide and making him ineffective, ewpecially against Rochdale and yesterday he was caught at least once or twice when balls were played in behind him, also think he hasbeen suspect in air.

Still it is a game of opinions and debate between between two people who actually watched games is good

[lethallee]

If your looking for a creative, challenging and forward thrusting central midfielder look no further than Lallana when he returns fully fit. Schneiderlin as the holding midfielder.

 

Lallana is not a wide left player. It is not his natural position.

 

20 odd goals last season from wide left suggest he can play there albeit not his preferred position. Lallana is good enough to play wide left, wide right or upfront but doesn't have physical presence for centre midfield.

[SFC Forever]

Lots of quality teams have a central midfielder who is not a naturally physical manmountain but they have a team of them around him that can do the rough stuff. Adam has gained strength since Pards came and is still in my mind a natural attacking central midfielder. He doesn't have the stronges shot in the world but he is more than capable of taking teams on when he has the ball.

Fonte has been a worry this season but maybe more relaxed now we have the new manager and mat begin to play as he did mostly last season.

[NickG]

20 odd goals last season from wide left suggest he can play there albeit not his preferred position. Lallana is good enough to play wide left, wide right or upfront but doesn't have physical presence for centre midfield.

 

bit like that Cesc guy for Arsenal - never imposes on a game when playing in middle!