FAT SF 1st leg: Wrexham v Torquay United 3pm 21st Feb 2015

"We matched them up tactically in the first half"
C.Hargreaves
21.02.15

He meant matched the shape - i.e. 3 v 3 in centre midfield.

He didn't mean the battle was "honours even".

Lots of ifs and maybes flying around and plenty of manager criticism but if the players you put out don't perform from the off, for whatever reason, you've got little chance of a result.
This obviously happened yesterday, another slow stat that was costing us before our slightly better recent spell.
Play any formation with motivated and capable players and you should get a result but lets just remember where and how this squad of players were gathered together and the measly
sums that one or two are playing for - in footballing terms any way.
McQuilkin still playing for expenses?
Levi Ives is another example and is being lampooned in certain circles for a struggling performance yesterday. Not the first time but all the hype surrounding him and the
fact he hasn't committed to us by signing a contract will add even more pressure on his very young shoulders. I'm certain he can handle that but in my opinion he will always be hampered by his lack of size and stature. Is he a better choice than the improved Tom Cruise I'm not so sure at this moment in time and its obvious to me that hes getting the nod to try and encourage him to sign on the dotted.
Pearce at full back is a bit of a puzzle also he just doesn't look made for that role maybe CH thinks he's less of a liability there who knows? When you consider the players brought in and playing for pennies to compete with him it makes you realise how much his contract must be costing the club. One other factor that jumps out at me is the fact were playing on bog like pitches at the moment which doesn't suite the style of play the squad is geared for. I think we have struggled on poorer pitches and the likes of Cameron and Ajala are inevitably less effective on glue pot pitches particularly supporting Bowman. Briscoe is another option but struggles to play ninety minutes though being our second top scorer I wonder why he doesn't get more starts and didn't even get on yesterday.
Tuesdays team choice should be interesting Luke Young needs to up his game again as his ability to really influence matches has deserted him, with fewer driving runs that were winning us games earlier on. Midfield and the link between defenders and forwards is a reoccurring issue. With Harding again off of the radar Richards, Young and McQuilkin as a three-sum look a bit lightweight for the physical "defensive" battles in that area. The Bristol match exposed that and I would suggest its why we look so exposed at times. Talking of BR they are giving themselves every chance of pipping Barnet to the post for automatic promotion and just look at their defensive record only 26 conceded compared to our 43 whilst scoring 5 less than us with plenty of one goal margin wins. Obviously a better recipe for success.
Lincoln will fancy something on Tuesday who along with us have an outside chance of a playoff berth I just wonder if our lot will be up for it for both games this week.