Team selection vs Gillingham

[alcoblade]

We are in this position because we can't consistently play as a team and rely on them all to do the basics correctly, not because Ryan Flynn gives the ball back to McMahon who then loses it or comes back to Maguire to knock towards long.

If, as it seem to me, you've thought poor players are the exception over the last few years, then our league standing and alarming decline is enough to show that that analysis isn't working.


UTB

 

[Deadbat]

He checks back too often, but it's often a product of how we play, rather than purely him liking to check back.

When he had the opportunity today (and in recent weeks), he has actually been running at defenders and been more positive.

We are in this position because we can't consistently play as a team and rely on them all to do the basics correctly, not because Ryan Flynn gives the ball back to McMahon who then loses it or comes back to Maguire to knock towards long.

...sadly we are in this position because we have a team full of really poor players. We can ague who is the worst but Doyle, Collins, Maguire, McMahon, Hill, Flynn etc are all not very good. As alco said, whether it is Flynn, Maguire, Hill, whoever, I am sick of defending these players and surprised some are. This crap about it is how we play also does my nut in. It does not help (systems/tactics etc) but too often is used as an excuse for poor players not performing. As I alluded to in my report, defend properly, win the ball in midfield, get it wide and get shots in. Simple. Sadly we do not have players good enough to do these basics (Flynn is one but there are 7 or 8 others and the rest not deemed god enough to play!) and at times I believe systems/tactics are a lame excuse. Weir's master plan was madness but we have had other managers in last 2 or 3 seasons and these players continue to show ineptitude as we limp down the league/s.

I am done with most of them now and so many have been in and out of the team and then in and out again with the odd decent performance (which Flynn, Doyle, McMahon, Collins and others have like 1 in 8) masking mostly completely inexcusable performances which combines not winning the battle (heart) with not being good enough (ability). Sadly a marriage of these two flaws has us where we are and it is clear that we need a complete clear out ASAP.

 

[Foxy]

If, as it seem to me, you've thought poor payers are the exception over the last few years, then our league standing and alarming decline is enough to show that that analysis isn't working.

I haven't thought that in the slightest. We are poor and the reason we can't consistently play well is that many aren't good enough.

That doesn't mean that pointing out problems with our play and therefore "apologising for players" is the fault.

If he had 4 men to beat (which is somewhat of an exaggeration) then surely he should move it quicker on forwards or at best sideways.

It wasn't an exaggeration, multiple times first half alone he was slated by those around us for having the audacity to pass to his own man instead of running into a dead end of waiting defenders (who had an easy job, because no bugger moved in the slightest).

He was by no means good enough today, but that doesn't mean there aren't other problems effecting his (and others) play. When we perform the basics well (I'm not talking about "systems" or formations, I'm talking about making space and taking responsibility - which players of any ability can do) - We suddenly have one of the "better" games and people suggest we've turned a corner.

 

[alcoblade]

It wasn't an exaggeration, multiple times first half alone he was slated by those around us for having the audacity to pass to his own man instead of running into a dead end.

I can think of a couple of occasions today when I agree. But I don't really see your point. The criticism is that one of our wingers consistently refuses to take his man on and produce any ammo for the strikers. He've had 2 1/2 seasons of it, on and off. You can argue about individual instances today, but it's not obvious why it;'any defence. It's a consistent feature of his game. We aren't imagining it.

UTB

 

[Deadbat]

He was by no means good enough today, but that doesn't mean there aren't other problems effecting his (and others) play. When we perform the basics well (I'm not talking about "systems" or formations, I'm talking about making space and taking responsibility - which players of any ability can do).

I recall Flynn in the side that nearly went up when we had really good players; Quinn, Williamson, McDonald, Evans, Lowton etc around him and we played good attacking football and he was pretty much exactly the same then. So unsure his performances are affected by who is the manager / players around him to affect him?

Even when he has one man to beat (sometimes nones) he still comes back inside/backwards rather than attempt to drive forward or get a cross in. Porter is good in the air but we had nothing from wide (White put 2 decent crosses in 1st half) today in general play.

 

[Foxy]

I can think of a couple of occasions today when I agree. But I don't really see your point. The criticism is that one of our wingers consistently refuses to take his man on and produce any ammo for the strikers. He've had 2 1/2 seasons of it, on and off. You can argue about individual instances today, but it's not obvious why it;'any defence. It's a consistent feature of his game. We aren't imagining it.

...and it's been a consistent feature of *our* game due to our inability to create space and stretch teams. How many times did White take his man on and cross today?

Part way through the first half, the front two and midfield drifted further apart which continued for long periods of the game, resulting in very little from midfield as most of them were stood watching and only scraps for the front two as we looked to knock it forward to them with very little support when they held the ball.

 

[alcoblade]

...and it's been a consistent feature of *our* game due to our inability to create space and stretch teams. How many times did White take his man on and cross today?

Part way through the first half, the front two and midfield drifted further apart which continued for long periods of the game, resulting in very little from midfield as most of them were stood watching and only scraps for the front two as we looked to knock it forward to them with very little support when they held the ball.

There is a lot more wrong with our game than Ryan Flynn, on that we can agree. I don't understand how it's really relevant to the criticism of Flynn which is a consistent and justified complaint. Nailing down most of the massive issues elsewhere is much less obvious. Hopefully our new boss can do it.

UTB

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Well I'm glad he noticed it at least!

taken him a month to see it..jesus wept

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Other than the first 25 mins I was as bored today as I was during many of Weirs performances.

my first yawn arrived on 4 minutes.........

 

[Foxy]

There is a lot more wrong with our game than Ryan Flynn, on that we can agree. I don't understand how it's really relevant to the criticism of Flynn which is a consistent and justified complaint.

Did you miss the part where I said he wasn't good enough today?

I'm merely expressing my frustrations at our overall play and it's effects, the frustrating thing is, the midfielder who most consistently seems to show the movement and creation of space as well as having the bollocks to be continually available for the ball started on the bench again today. Someone in the middle taking charge and doing that makes the rest of them look better immediately.

 

[alcoblade]

Did you miss the part where I said he wasn't good enough today?

No, I was stunned that you felt the need to qualify the statement with "today".



UTB

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Thought the players on the bench actually looked better than the starting midfield today.
Everything was very direct, even in the first half our midfield were dropping deep and then hitting the channels or aimless balls to Porter. Some he won, others he didn't, but we gave possession away far too quickly and far too easily.
Really poor performance today, one of few positive was Miller who looks like he might be a really good player for us once he has a few more games under his belt.
Extemporary attitude and dedication to get back from his injury and be playing again so soon I really hope he gets his due reward.

 

[Balham]

The issue today, as ever, was a chronic lack of movement. No movement = no options forward = looking backwards for the easy ball. I did wonder whether our sole tactic - wherever we got possession - was to get the ball to Maguire to then launch a hopeful 60 yard diagonal.

Flynn was OK today. Doyle was absolutely hopeless and playing him next to Lappin meant we got exactly what we deserved. That being nothing.

 

[Dnblade]

- - - - - - - - Long - - - - - - - - - -
McMahon Maguire Collins Hill
Flynn Lappin Doyle White
- - - - - Porter Miller - - - - - - - -

Yes it's far to defensive..I would have liked to see White at LB and Lappin on the left hand side as he puts good crosses in,and White would get up on the overlap.
Then if he's going to play Doyle,let's have some creativity alongside with say Baxter.
I don't mind Flynn in some ways as he keeps the ball and links up quite well,but it's all in front of the opposition and doesn't cause them enough problems...also he hardly gets any help with McMahon in forward positions.
Taylor came on and caused problems in the last 15 minutes on the right hand side,so he may be worth a look out there.

 

[Rodley]

The basic prerequisite for any team is a bit of pace. Full backs, centre halves, centre mid and wings, I've seen Shopmobility regulars with more zip.

 

[Bergen Blade]

..also he hardly gets any help with McMahon in forward positions.

McMahon overlapped a lot more than normal at Colchester. Not so today then? Did he reckon Flynn would dribble past the full back and get crosses in on his own?

 

[Dnblade]

McMahon overlapped a lot more than normal at Colchester. Not so today then? Did he reckon Flynn would dribble past the full back and get crosses in on his own?

He does get up on occasions but doesn't get beyond and usually angles a ball in from 25 yards out...doesn't know where the byline is.Doesn't look comfortable on the ball and often takes the wrong option for me.
Flynn needs his FB bombing on in the same way Williamson had Lowton linking up and running beyond the back line.