Not enough in the box

Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset · May 1, 2005

Even when in our winning streak I thought this. Fine, we have plenty up for corners and some free kicks, but in open play there has been a lack of anyone in the middle waiting for a cross when Gower or whoever does get in a crossing position. And its part of the reason why Gower's form has been poor - if there is no one making runs or just the ball back to Juppy the only option then he's bound to appear a bit naff.

This was even more evident on Saturday - Gray was coming back too deep (and as has been mentioned elsewhere did little to enthuse), and we had little movement from midfield running forward to get into space for a pass.

We should not go gun-ho, but to seek to sort things:

1. Gray should start making runs from a few yards back from the oppositions defence - he's got the pace to do damage when in a one on one, so this plays to his strength.

2. Bentley or Guttridge (whoever plays) should get forward more to support the front two.

There, cracked it.

Alex · May 1, 2005

your right, the thing is eastwood runs too wide because there is no winger (usually on pettefers side) to collect the ball leaving knowone in the middle where eastwood should be, that then means he has to cut across the box past 3 defenders and shoot past the keeper from 20 yards out and get it on target, not an easy thing to do. in our last 2 games when the ball did go forward knowone else did, bentleys sprints into the box were missed and anyone in the team should be busting a gut to get into the box when ever it does go wide

sealion · May 1, 2005

Agree completely, never seems to be enough bodies in the box. I'm getting boring watching the game saying the very same thing-apologies to anyone sitting near me hearing me repeat this.

Guest · May 2, 2005

I think we just over play and dont seem to have much idea how to get the last and most importaint pass through and then we pass it around the 18 box this way and that way ,and for the other team they must love this mark out eastwood BINGO who can score with 20 /30 yards game plane over. You dont hit teams fast we wait for eleven players to get behind them before we pass it around them,gower never wonts to take players on .i say play edwards stick BARRET in the middle at least he run at players (not side wards and backwards)but to win games you need to score GOALS and freedy is just not aload to have the space he first had.Bentley runs st players and cause problems (left it to late on sat bringing him on) I would have started with him and seen hoh he was (lucky im not manager).I do think Tily is the bollox and will go a long way as a manager (looks like he wants to win from the back being tight)only moan dont see him on the line screaming at them with emotion,he was at maccs ,and the yeovil manger was on sat (fry was my best at this ,but i hope for all the lads sake it all come right on sat becuase the team and manager have done really well this year .I for one will be there at grimsby being really happy or crying my eyes out .football is like an love affair it has all the emotions the ups and downs of a marridge i hope it ends on a up and not a down ,any thats enough of that .see you all at grimbsy .
p.s i wouldnt really stick barrett there its just a dream.

Sandbach Shrimper · May 2, 2005

I agree with you SS it's a problem we have. Also, Eastwood spends too much time out wide helping out Gower/Pettefer when he should be in the box.

Shrimper2thecore · May 2, 2005

I think the problem Freddy is finding, is that he has never really been marked before. When at Grays, defenders at that level did not know what to do, but now week in week out, he is playing defenders with experience, and a better knoledge of the game, as they know his dangers they are playing him well, and he does not like it. So he is drifting out wide, which is not good, we need him in the middle.

We need wingers who are going to do something, i really like Carl Pettefer, but he cant beat a man to save his life, which is still ok, as a stricker is moving out wide, but then he needs to get on the edge of the box, and be in a position to have a crack, as he is moving our forwards. He doesnt do this, he doesnt seem to have confidence to do so, this i feel is something Tilly needs to work on indervidually.

I feel Guttridge is getting uneccersay stick also, i though he looked very lively on saturday, he was making some terrifc challenges, those that make the opposition want to stay well away from you, and he was getting forward and comprimising a defender, and puilling their shape about.