No I didnt go, I finished late from work and for once was glad I did. Sat there last night watching with at first disbelief, then embarrassment and then a growing sense of I don't care any more. Followed by a masochistic moment of listening to Pressley interviewed. This morning trying as best I can to erase the memory of last night.
Yes there were some good things (stay with me on this) there were moments of decent passing, of movement, of attacking, of actual attempts at goal. But they were just that .... moments. There was no consistent quality, no sustained pressure, no commitment, no rolling the sleeves up and getting stuck in. How Pressley can take real positives from that shambles is beyond me.
"We performed much better in the second half". Well yes but by that time Swindon who are a good team in this poor division had taken their foot off the gas. You knew that if they needed to they could step up several gears and really nail us.
"We have to take our chances" well yes we do but we also need to set up to go win games. Pressley sets up not to lose and doesn't really know how to change it. I do not mean by that throw three strikers at a game and see if it comes off, got to be more organised and clear as to what we are doing on match days, the players have got to understand their roles and buy in to it. Clearly they do not. I watched Pressley "explaining" to Madine on the sideline during a break in play....... Pressley wasn't listening to or accepting any input from Madine and the bemused look and comment Madine made to Jackson following it spoke volumes.
"We worked on the high press all week". Great but it only works if all the team do it. It doesn't work if the defence is slow and stay deep. It doesn't work if the teams idea of high press is to run up to a player then once he moves let him go. Players have to run with the opposition players not just let them go. Even then the team has to keep its shape not leave gaps all over the place.
There is no pace in that team..... either physically or mentally. The defence is disorganised, the midfield light weight and the forwards give you no confidence that they can score. Last night you couldn't even say they had good possession because the stats clearly say otherwise
Please someone explain to me why Webster and Martin are considered first choice, except if there is no other choice I just do not see it. They have no pace, they react slowly, have the turning circle of the QE2. As a defence we were pulled all over the shop we had little shape and little bite in the tackle.
For once I felt sorry for Allsop. He had very little cover infront of him. As for Webster berating him first half for not coming out to edge of box when it was Websters ball to deal with is it any wonder the lad isn't consistent in his decision making.
For me there were few if any players taking responsibility. The senior players shout at others but half the time that is just to deflect from a mistake they themselves have made.
Pressley frankly doesn't seem to have a clue, and doesn't see what is in front of his face
Embarrassing