After two defeats in a row Solihull were the team we wanted to face to get back on track. Solihull are a good team: they finished 5th last year, missed the playoffs the season before that but were 3rd the year before that. But they are a team we match up extremely well against. They don’t press us and let us play and they don’t counter at pace, two things we can be vulnerable to. Instead they try and out pass teams. It’s usually successful (hence finishing in the playoffs two out of three years) but teams rarely outpass us and this was a fourth victory in a row against them with the previous three all being by at least 3 goals.
Our team saw two significant changes with Pepple returning and KAF being given a first start. Whilst some continue to say we need experience I had been bemoaning the lack of youthful exuberance in the side. These two gave us that and that youthful exuberance put us 2 up. Both goals saw the player take on and beat their man by being direct and cutting inside them before finishing emphatically.
KAF’s goal saw him make a run from midfield and be picked out by a long Crowther pass that was made possible by playing along the back line. An attacking run off the ball followed by fast feet saw KAF cut inside his man and finish well. Goals hadn’t been a particularly big part of his game at Daggers but if he can add a goal threat with runs from midfield and a directness on the ball that can be a big part of this side’s development.
The impressive Pepple made it two with some directness of his own. He reminds me of Emile Acquah but he’s a more developed Acquah, the one Barrow got to see, not the 18 year old kid thrown into the side too early of whom we only had glimpses of his potential. In all 4 of his starts we’ve been winning before we (and he faded).
The third goal Saturday was all about him as well as he held his man off and the ball up before threading the ball for the incoming GSM who everything he touches turns to gold, the ball beating the keeper via a fortuitous deflection. But if you don’t shoot you don’t score and Gus has all the confidence in the world right now.
The fourth was a poacher’s goal, not something we’ve seen much sign of from Bim, turning in a header from a corner from inches out.
Defensively we weren’t as secure as we have been. That midfield looks a little open with Noor in the Cav role but it also looks more fluid in possession. Husin, Moncur and KAF is a midfield where everyone can beat their man and that makes us dangerous in possession.
Fitness is still a huge issue. Again we conceded late on first half and midway through the second half. Fortunately a goal from a set piece helped kill the game off.
Moncur, Pepple, Bonne are all not fit enough right now. Maybe KAF too albeit he’s closer.
This problem is exacerbated by a lack of suitable subs on the bench. Bonne clearly played at a higher level but he’s also clearly not fit. We’re playing him to try and get him into shape. That’s not ideal.
Our team saw two significant changes with Pepple returning and KAF being given a first start. Whilst some continue to say we need experience I had been bemoaning the lack of youthful exuberance in the side. These two gave us that and that youthful exuberance put us 2 up. Both goals saw the player take on and beat their man by being direct and cutting inside them before finishing emphatically.
KAF’s goal saw him make a run from midfield and be picked out by a long Crowther pass that was made possible by playing along the back line. An attacking run off the ball followed by fast feet saw KAF cut inside his man and finish well. Goals hadn’t been a particularly big part of his game at Daggers but if he can add a goal threat with runs from midfield and a directness on the ball that can be a big part of this side’s development.
The impressive Pepple made it two with some directness of his own. He reminds me of Emile Acquah but he’s a more developed Acquah, the one Barrow got to see, not the 18 year old kid thrown into the side too early of whom we only had glimpses of his potential. In all 4 of his starts we’ve been winning before we (and he faded).
The third goal Saturday was all about him as well as he held his man off and the ball up before threading the ball for the incoming GSM who everything he touches turns to gold, the ball beating the keeper via a fortuitous deflection. But if you don’t shoot you don’t score and Gus has all the confidence in the world right now.
The fourth was a poacher’s goal, not something we’ve seen much sign of from Bim, turning in a header from a corner from inches out.
Defensively we weren’t as secure as we have been. That midfield looks a little open with Noor in the Cav role but it also looks more fluid in possession. Husin, Moncur and KAF is a midfield where everyone can beat their man and that makes us dangerous in possession.
Fitness is still a huge issue. Again we conceded late on first half and midway through the second half. Fortunately a goal from a set piece helped kill the game off.
Moncur, Pepple, Bonne are all not fit enough right now. Maybe KAF too albeit he’s closer.
This problem is exacerbated by a lack of suitable subs on the bench. Bonne clearly played at a higher level but he’s also clearly not fit. We’re playing him to try and get him into shape. That’s not ideal.
Ding dong, ding dong, we’ve got Bim and Bonne. Ding dong, ding dong, the blues march on. 
