Snowflake RoyalClyde1998tidus_mi2 A game where we seemed to edge it without really looking like scoring and then ended up collapsing.
Highlight was when an older guy almost got in a fight with a teenager.
This. We only collapsed after the second goal - we had a good chance with Ehib to equalise just before their wonder strike. I also felt we edged the game until their first goal, but didn't really feel like we had the cutting edge to actually score.
Did you hear what they were arguing about? Couldn't hear it from where I was. I think it was at 3-0 down, so probably something about criticising players.
I enjoyed watching the pigeons in the second half; they showed much more movement off the ball than our players.
The thing is we created chances but no one looked capable of a finish. Whilst you knew Charlton could only get better.
They didn't create much first half and what they did they completely fluffed. But it was so clear they'd improve and we'd eventually present them a goal on a plate or something would fly in.
At least Craig looked comfortable and Wing dows look a step up on most of our midfield.
Nothing will improve whilst we continue to play Selles' way.
I think not having someone capable of finishing has been our biggest issue this season. Basically every away game has hinged on us not taking chances at crucial points. Perhaps Sam Smith playing will help with that (can't remember him having a shot yesterday though); one of the positives was getting an hour out of him.
I'd say we should switch to a diamond midfield, rather than a box (if we're going to play four defenders and two strikers, with the width coming from the full-backs).
Instead of:
AM (Knibbs) - AM (Azeez)
CM (Craig) - CM (Wing)
Yesterday's midfield in brackets
We'd play:
AM (Knibbs/Elliott; being allowed to drift wide)
CM (Savage/Craig) - CM (Wing)
DM (McIntyre/Hutch)
I think that would assist defensively. I don't know how many times we relied on the pace of Abbey to prevent Charlton having a one-on-one chance yesterday, but it seemed to be constant.
Incidentally, does anyone know why McIntyre, Holmes and Mukairu weren't in the squad yesterday? Were they injured or simply not selected? I'd be starting with Mukairu over Azeez in our current system.