[ELTON 2020]

It looks like Caldwell's going down the route of "purist" football in a non-purist league/league position. I 'm thinking next year it will be more of the same. Has this been our downfall/Achilles heel over the period at the Proact?. Is it time for more big lads, bruisers and a more bully approach so we can look after ourselves a bit more. Take the Stevenage and Wycombe models perhaps. What I witnessed yesterday was bunch of committed lightweights apart from Evatt. If we are going to do it on a reduced budget, is the tough approach a better option?

[Mrhappy]

In my experience a mixture is required. I believe we need a couple of youngsters in the squad who have no fear, we need an experienced and physical player in centre mid to break up opposition play alongside a footballer who can create.

Pace is important in wingers, tho not essential, so I'd have one quick winger who can alternate wings with his teammate, therefore giving a different problem to each opposing full back.

[jack bauer]

I think the ability to mix it is what you need in the lower leagues. I would always want my team to try and play but too often you come up against sides who are well drilled and won't let you. I always remember nicky law saying that you have to match teams physically and then your football should win you the game. I think you have to earn the right to play, teams aren't just going to let you.

[The Black Triangle]

To win playing pretty football you need very good technical players. To win ugly you need big bruisers. We have neither.
A disaster of a season made worse by a terrible transfer window
Matched only by events upstairs. It's tragic

[plannerj]

The Gimp, on 12 February 2017 - 12:31 PM, said:

To win playing pretty football you need very good technical players. To win ugly you need big bruisers. We have neither.
A disaster of a season made worse by a terrible transfer window
Matched only by events upstairs. It's tragic

You sound like Donald Trump. He could do with a few realistic answers also!

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

Elton John 1866, on 12 February 2017 - 10:44 AM, said:

It looks like Caldwell's going down the route of "purist" football in a non-purist league/league position. I 'm thinking next year it will be more of the same. Has this been our downfall/Achilles heel over the period at the Proact?. Is it time for more big lads, bruisers and a more bully approach so we can look after ourselves a bit more. Take the Stevenage and Wycombe models perhaps. What I witnessed yesterday was bunch of committed lightweights apart from Evatt. If we are going to do it on a reduced budget, is the tough approach a better option?

We've needed more physical presence in the squad for years, even when we were doing well. We had Armand to come on and that was about it

[Johnnyspireite7]

plannerj, on 12 February 2017 - 12:40 PM, said:

You sound like Donald Trump. He could do with a few realistic answers also! Bullet!

There that's better!

[The Black Triangle]

plannerj, on 12 February 2017 - 12:40 PM, said:

You sound like Donald Trump. He could do with a few realistic answers also!

Eh?

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

Big or small it's all about quality.

Cook's sides weren't particularly physical but were successful 'cos they were damn good footballers.

[dim view]

MDCCCLXVI, on 12 February 2017 - 12:57 PM, said:

Big or small it's all about quality.

Cook's sides weren't particularly physical but were successful 'cos they were damn good footballers.

What a great run and pass by Dion for the goal. He's always had that in his locker and it's time now to give him a run in his best position. You have to weep at the highlights. I have never seen such poor goals given away.

[whittman]

dim view, on 12 February 2017 - 01:04 PM, said:

What a great run and pass by Dion for the goal. He's always had that in his locker and it's time now to give him a run in his best position. You have to weep at the highlights. I have never seen such poor goals given away.

Have not got round to watching the lowlights yet

[60s 70s Spireite]

dim view, on 12 February 2017 - 01:04 PM, said:

What a great run and pass by Dion for the goal. He's always had that in his locker and it's time now to give him a run in his best position. You have to weep at the highlights. I have never seen such poor goals given away.

Don't think they show one tackle or one 50:50 ball won by us do they? Especially in the middle of the park, which in turn led to their goals.

[dim view]

60s 70s Spireite, on 12 February 2017 - 01:12 PM, said:

Don't think they show one tackle or one 50:50 ball won by us do they? Especially in the middle of the park, which in turn led to their goals.

That's the nub of the problem, not who played CH.
Midfielders running into dangerous positions and not being stopped/challenged.

[DIFH]

dim view, on 12 February 2017 - 01:16 PM, said:

That's the nub of the problem, not who played CH.
Midfielders running into dangerous positions and not being stopped/challenged.

There you have it Dave Evatt can't be everywhere, a forward line swapping and changeing positions and then midfielders bursting forward from know where. O'Toole was exceptional late arriving in the box on numerous occasions.

[Mrhappy]

Who's Dave Evatt? Have we signed Ian's brother? 😉

[sophocles]

60s 70s Spireite, on 12 February 2017 - 01:12 PM, said:

Don't think they show one tackle or one 50:50 ball won by us do they? Especially in the middle of the park, which in turn led to their goals.

Two of the goals were very similar to the Oldham one. For all three, two of our players stood off and gave the opponent time to look up and measure a cross with no attempt to close him down. For all three the cross went straight to an unmarked opponent in our 6 yard box. It would be totally unacceptable for a pub team, so why can't any of our managers get any of our players to actually close down and prevent a cross going into our box, and why can't they get across to the players the most basic concept of marking an opponent? No matter how young and inexperienced the youngsters are, they should be able to follow those simple instructions.