Overall, we were pants today. Stoke two, the return against a better side. Lucky not to lose.
We have been found out playing wingers, as the other sides flood the midfield and make our central players look poor and get outnumbered on the ball. That said, there was a lack of tackling in midfield and a good Bristol side took advantage. We used to hunt in packs in midfield, now other teams are doing it to us. It did not help that Eccles, Torp and Rudoni were all pretty hopeless struggling to put passes together, tackle and needlessly giving the ball away. Wingers will only work if they get on the ball and beat their marker. Tats was poor, Hadji Wright started well but they ganged up on him and he faded.
Defence was fine and it took a worldie to score for them. Our tactics of allowing opposition teams to have a man over on the edge of the area from set pieces has looked a poor decision.
Dovin is the classic Euro goalie, push it to safety and punch rather than catch. There are advantages to either method of goalkeeping. Dovin MOM.
Subs gave us a lift with Palmer playing a crucial role as he did in the cup match. EMC looked a handful with power rather than pace. JDS never put a foot wrong again shoring up the left hand side. The other subs gave us energy.
Simms was too quiet again and must create more in tight matches where we defend for long periods of time.
Not sure if the subs starting would change the dynamic.
Second string against Oxford. Wonder what team they will put out?