Official Match Thread SUFC vs QPR

[davewebbsbrain]

Lack of route one? Surely you jest? I thought at times that PS must still be in charge. Whilst the BBBC was on the pitch he was the favoured outlet and he was also unable to do zip with it.
I agree in part that Eastwood did not shine but I still believe he has retained enough technical ability to do something with the ball if he is given it more often. When we lump it up field it negates the FE route.
I believe I saw elements of ability around the squad. Coker looked busy and neat, Straker looked more confident, White looks competent etc but unless we actually realise that there are 11 players in a team and we need to play to their strengths as a unit and not just welly it to our so called great target man, then we are doing no more than the previous regime.
I accept that against lesser opposition we may do better but I hope we do exhibit one or two variant tactical ideas in the process otherwise what have we learned?

Massive Eastwood lover with the rose tinted Eastwood glasses on. He had the ball plenty last night and lost the ball 90% of the time. His first touch was awful, no control whatsoever. I really hope he comes good but I won't be putting any money on it.

We played a lot of football on the floor, even Prosser passed to feet because he was given the option. When Clifford came on, he was constantly asking for the ball, even coming to the edge of the penalty area to take it off the defence/Bentley

 

[Southend Pier]

Lack of route one? Surely you jest? I thought at times that PS must still be in charge. Whilst the BBBC was on the pitch he was the favoured outlet and he was also unable to do zip with it.
I agree in part that Eastwood did not shine but I still believe he has retained enough technical ability to do something with the ball if he is given it more often. When we lump it up field it negates the FE route.
I believe I saw elements of ability around the squad. Coker looked busy and neat, Straker looked more confident, White looks competent etc but unless we actually realise that there are 11 players in a team and we need to play to their strengths as a unit and not just welly it to our so called great target man, then we are doing no more than the previous regime.
I accept that against lesser opposition we may do better but I hope we do exhibit one or two variant tactical ideas in the process otherwise what have we learned?

I've always had the philosophy to encourage with good man-management in the vast main and to not overly place too much emphasis on tactics. doing that can end up complicating and as a result confusing. just let them play the way they see it, express themselves and let them enjoy it. this way you are putting trust and faith in them which will be rewarded with any luck. a good point in case is prosser. not the greatest even at L2 standard but with sound man management and close advice has become a much improved player.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

I think that is the starting back four - very happy with what I saw of Coker and White.

The midfield had to work hard to hold back QPR and Laird was fabulous with Streaky and Atkinson doing well. For me, the other midfield place is up for grabs. I was unsure about Clifford - nothing negative, just that it can be hard to tell from 45 minutes against opposition 2 leagues above.

Freddy and Barry ran around a lot but mainly isolated - more of a fitness session at times. Again, difficult to conclude anything about Cowans.

All in all, I think at least 9 of the starting XI will start against Plymouth bearing in mind that Hurst and Timlin may be match fit (ish).

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Was it me or has Freddy become more of a playmaker rather than an out and out striker?

Lots of neat lay-offs, but I do miss that old "killer touch" that he has / had

 

[Southend Pier]

Was it me or has Freddy become more of a playmaker rather than an out and out striker?

Lots of neat lay-offs, but I do miss that old "killer touch" that he has / had

Can see what your saying Harry and in part i find that a slight concern. not criticising the "playmaker" thing but this does suggest this could well be him and the manager thinking along the lines that he won't consistently cut the mustard in the way we knew and loved in his first spell here. could also mean Corr being looked to as the chief goalscorer if freddy is playing in behind creating. i'm sure both players were told to go easy last night as they'll be needed possibly on a regular basis from next sat onwards due to restrictions of signing players. can't see them being fit all the time but there is goals there but my hunch is not enough as we would like to see. a pacey forward still needs to come in if possible and prefably one with experience but that maybe pushing it.

 

[Southend Pier]

Its vital in my eyes Fred operates as the scoring forward. So if the ball is knocked long he hopefully will get on the end of a Corr flick on. If those 2 play the other way round then I fear if the balls knocked long Fred will be out of the game mostly. i'm sorry to say it but fred as a platmaker will not win promotion. you'll need a specialist fulfilling that role from midfield.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Its vital in my eyes Fred operates as the scoring forward. So if the ball is knocked long he hopefully will get on the end of a Corr flick on. If those 2 play the other way round then I fear if the balls knocked long Fred will be out of the game mostly. i'm sorry to say it but fred as a platmaker will not win promotion. you'll need a specialist fulfilling that role from midfield.

No but the rest of the team will have fab ponytails.

 

[Southend Pier]

No but the rest of the team will have fab ponytails.

Good one the Briain. Think you get the gisk of what I was trying to say. Also Fred in that role behind the scoring forward won't assist a great deal in any hope we have of going up. In the Prem like with Rooney. Should play further forward as possible but goes deep too much starving his partner with service. No one to feed.

 

[Southend Pier]

Prefably play the ball in the main on the ground. but nothing wrong with hitting the ball long when it is necessary too and if its the right option to do so. this will give Fred and Corr every chance to form a decent partnership. playing side by side rather than one behind the other. playing this way you ( one behind the other) you have to all to accurate what with playnmaking and gettin on end of flick ons. some of this they wont have to worry about if its taken out of the equation. better playing side by side.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

I hope (and think) Fred will have a large role to play this season - but having him trot over to take corners seems like a waste of his talents. Perhaps that will change if Hurst is available.

Otherwise, I think it was very difficult to tell anything about our two main forwards from that game. The midfield were playing quite deep and shielding the defence and leaving quite a gap up to the 2 front men. And the QPR players were so quick that they made some our passing look quite pedestrian by comparison. And they easily had their midfield in place once we tried to attack.

I can only guess (and hope) that this will be different come Saturday. I just hope that all the players continue to try to play the ball along the ground when possible.