The key was leadership today, there wasn't a leader on the pitch. At least Doyle would've been giving the bollockings out.
Their first goal was a shambles, can't deny the run from the full back was a good one and yes whilst you have to try and stop the cross, sometimes they do get past and put a decent ball in. But the defending was diabolical from the cross, everyone seemed to expect the other to attack it, but nobody did. Compare that with their Centre half and he attacked most balls with a big shout. It lacked experience.
Second half though the back four partnership seemed to grow in confidence, both centre halves looked strong and alert, but get they still got pulled out of position. Alcock looks a decent centre half as does McGahey, but I agree they need some experience there. So unless butler is the answer I think we need to bring in an experienced centre half before sept. This is something that Clough has said since losing Harry, that we haven't replaced him yet. I don't doubt that the young lads will gain experience though.
We did looked tired, we didn't look composed except when Reed was on the ball, he did a very good job spreading play but I thought Basham wasn't organised or strong enough to support him.
We rushed a lot in our attacks and in possession. First half we needed their goal to kick us into life, Scoogs, Flynn and Murphy all finally bringing the spark and they were running at defenders again. We created a lot in the first half. It was noticeable though that the team wanted to bring Higdon into the game, saw his threat and the number of high balls into the box whilst slightly worrying at times, was effective. Our goal came from some shocking zonal defending, as they were lining up holding hands the sky commentators thought they were the business, right up until Higdon got a cracking header in and split them apart. Their defending was as bad on our goal as ours was for theirs. The sky co commentator then declared "I've never liked zonal"
Second half it seemed the message was to get organised, don't concede early and keep possession. We defended well at times and we were organised, but as we started to get control of the game possession wise, we weren't able to attack freely and keep organised, something which was a trademark of ours last season.
Their second goal was well worked, long diagonal ball, knocked down into the runner and bang. Scoogs didn't follow his man properly and there was a huge gaping hole from centre half to Harris at fullback.
We didn't really threaten too much second half, we didn't appear to have another gear. I didn't really see that 4-4-2 improved things.
Many positives though and debuts for McGahey, Alcock, JCR, Basham, Higdon, plus Reed is only a youngster. I can see the majority of this side being first choice as the season goes on and with some tweaks.
Still very early to even assess players and the side properly, but the fitness was telling with too many yesterday
