Dave
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Post by Dave on Sept 16, 2008 17:56:29 GMT
Matchday Thread
I think we all know we were lucky to get the three points against Northwich. In football you can play rubbish and somehow get the points and lets be honest we needed them.
It seems we played well and deserved the three points against Cambridge, so by hook or by crook, we have taken the last six points played for.
We now need to follow that up with a good home win, we need firstly to get the points, but I also hope the crowd feel they have been entertained. If we get the three points It has to be seen as progress, as before the Northwich game, no one would have given us any chance to take the next nine points, by getting three wins on the trot.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Sept 18, 2008 6:42:45 GMT
I see that we had a reserve team game yesterday with Dsane, Benyon and Green (a hat-trick  ) all on the score sheet. Did anyone see the game? Would you advocate changing a winning team (feels good to write that!) aside from the injured Ellis and probably back to a 4-4-2 formation. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Sept 18, 2008 15:21:30 GMT
rjd, I think the team has to be changed, only because I do think you should play with one striker up front, as It seems to some we did, (not Dave T)So I think we will see one midfielder dropping to the bench and I would then hope Green would start.
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Post by mickyflash on Sept 18, 2008 22:03:57 GMT
I wouldn't mind seeing PB stick to the 4-5-1 formation, and had been hoping to see him use it earlier this season as I think it suits the players we have in our squad.
I know many see it is a negative formation, but many sides use it to great affect in an attacking style, Man Utd, Chelsea and Aston Villa are three off the top of my head. now I am aware that here in the BSB we will never see the open games we see in the premier league but I feel it allows our wingers to be out and out wingers without having to 'tuck in' to help out in the center of the park. The center mid fielders we have in the side naturally like to sit which in the 42 formation has left the strikers isolated in previous games.
the 451 formation will allow 2 mid fielders to sit and one play in the hole off sills, who can lead the line as a sole striker. If the player in the hole has an intelligent football mind he should always have decent pass available, to either win, sillsys feet or indeed either of the other CM he is playing with. I said before I think this role would suit Carsile but if TT can play this role too then I'm all for it!
I feel this formation suits the passing game and the more direct style of play.
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merse
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Post by merse on Sept 19, 2008 2:26:56 GMT
 I agree, 4-5-1 does allow width and in my opinion is not negative; but when faced with a visiting side who show limited attacking intention it can cause the midfield to "clog up" and you know WE are a team (and SILLS is a player) that doesn't really set their stall out to get to the by line with the intention of pulling crosses back for a header on goal from the "Big Man" The reason it "worked" last week was because of Cambridge's impatience in progressively committing more of their midfield forward in search of the winning goal they felt obliged to chase being the home team. A trait WE have shown many times over the last year or so and paid the price ourselves late in games. Because Cambridge pushed forward, the game became more "stretched" thus opening up sufficient room to allow Stevens the opportunity to utilise his accurate passing skills, and the end result was a late winner.................job done! 4-5-1 means a game of patience, and using it at home will almost certainly lead to "our" crowd showing impatience and getting on individual players backs with the inevitable result of that evident lack of self confidence creeping back in...........................oh for an early goal when playing at Plainmoor, eh!
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midlandstufc
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Post by midlandstufc on Sept 19, 2008 12:18:52 GMT
Hate to say this but Merse has it spot on!
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Post by tufcwewillbeback on Sept 19, 2008 16:50:52 GMT
I would'nt neccesarily mind if we stuck with 4-5-1 but I dont think we will for 2 reasons.
1 - Green scored a hat-trick midweek;
2 - We are at home.
I think Bucks played the 4-5-1 away to Cambridge because we were away against one of the best side and desperatley needed to win the Midfield battle. Add to this that Mansell had to go to right back to cover for the injured Robertson, meaning we lost some of the work rate in the midfield.
I believe that we will play more like a home team with 2 up front this weekend though.
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Post by daveshaw on Sept 20, 2008 1:49:09 GMT
I think the 4-5-1 formation is a sound way to play away from home because of the midfield options we have and the ability to bring impact players off the bench when needed. Our defence was exposed far to often last season hence all the high scoring games. But we had the players to weather that until we got found out.
At home we have to be more adventurous. However, winning is the most important thing today. So right now i would settle for an ugly 1-0 win.
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merse
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Post by merse on Sept 20, 2008 8:28:22 GMT
I agree, 4-5-1 does allow width and in my opinion is not negative; but when faced with a visiting side who show limited attacking intention it can cause the midfield to "clog up" * *4-5-1 means a game of patience, and using it at home will almost certainly lead to "our" crowd showing impatience and getting on individual players backs with the inevitable result of that evident lack of self confidence creeping back in For the above two reasons I anticipate a return to two dedicated strikers, but whether that means 4-4-2 with the "second" one playing off Sills in a "peeling off" way, up on the shoulder of Eastbourne's last defender, or playing "in the hole" behind him will depend on Buck's info on how the opposition usually play. So for me, Green to "peel off" or Thompson to "play in the hole". Be aware Eastbourne have scored each time they have played away so far this season, and are no mugs. Me? I'm heading for Thurrock with the kids................no NOT shopping at Lakeside but to link up again with Hilly and Dorchester Town together with Romford and Sally (so expect some piccies tomorrow). It's a lovely day and a very civilised little ground where you can even sit at picnic tables and watch the action whilst stuffing the kids full of chips!!!!!!! ;D |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Sept 20, 2008 12:17:40 GMT
Time to leave for the game as I like to be outside the popside by 1.45pm. I do hope after the week I have had, I really see a great game Of football, but like others I will be content with a win, no matter how it comes about. Come on boys the sun Is shinning, do the fans proud.  |
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Mark L
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Post by Mark L on Sept 20, 2008 15:34:04 GMT
2-0 to the Torquay boys!!!
Tarzan swings into action!
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Post by bhamgull on Sept 20, 2008 16:53:00 GMT
not a bad performance but still not quite there yet for me.
the 4-5-1 was too defensive for me and invited a poor eastbourne onto to us in the second half. After the first ten minutes I felt we had a real opportunity to get a good comprehensive victory but it never evolved.
My ratings would be:
Poke 7/10 Didnt really have anything to do, organised the defence well.
Hodges 7/10 Good game, won most of his headers/tackles. Didnt hoof the ball forward many times showing good passing vision.
Todd 7/10 Solid, good presence
Woods 7/10 Same as above, would have been an 8 but for giving away too many needless freekicks for pushing
Mansell 7/10 Not bad, very aggressive in his tackles which intimidated the opposition winger who rarely went past Mansell. Fairly composed passing too.
Carayol 6/10 Bags of pace and some good crosses but too often lost control of the ball
Hargreaves 7/10 Sponsors MOTD but not for me. Got an early yellow and he backed off every challenge after. Good header for the goal though and grew in confidence after.
Wroe 8.5/10 Played really well, good passing/movement and energy. Set up the second goal with a good cross (I think)
Thompson 8/10 Also played well, good finish for the goal, generally lively, always looking for the ball and used it fairly well
Carlise 4/10 Had a shocker, enough said.
Sills 5/10 Won a few flick-ons but rarely anyway on the end of them (perhaps expected given the formation), but with the ball on the floor he was useless. Very poor touch, passing and shooting.
Subs
Stevens: Did well running at defenders, composed passing. Should have come on for Carlise
Benyon/Green: Too little time to assess
Overall: Not bad but could do better
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Sept 20, 2008 16:54:38 GMT
As I have said match reports are not really my thing, but I'll do my best. No real surprise that we stuck with the formation that won away at Cambridge. I thought all the team worked hard and could not fault anyone for effort.
Eastbourne I felt started a bit better than we did and had a shot from,(never any good at distances) 35 yards that had Poke completely beaten, but crashed against the crossbar.
The problem with the system was that Sills looked lost at times and the Eastbourne defense was poor, Having on two forwards, I believe we would have scored more goals.
Yes you still only get three points still, but goal differences do count in the end. Our first goal came from a good pass into the box and smart turn by Thompson, who hit a clean well taken shot past their keeper.
Second half not a lot changed, the game never ever getting to exciting, but a good move near the corner flag followed by a great ball into the box and a good header, by Hargreaves made the game safe. Before that goal we did start to sit a bit deeper and some around me were just waiting for Eastbourne to score.
I do not know what has happened to the once great atmosphere at Plainmoor, there was some singing in the first half, but to many moments when the ground was so quite. I think the gate was 1921, still very poor and while I had a nice afternoon, still never got the buzz I was hoping for.
Still three wins on the trot and nine points, we surly can have no complaints.Great to speak with Jon again, still think he looks too young to be a history man.Also great to meet the one and only Stuart B, who I told must move back to Devon as soon as possible as he nows sounds like he was born in Wales.
Also nice to say hello to Chelstongull, a face I have know at Plainmoor for so many years, (he stands out for some reason) but never knew who he was. He did say he has forgotten his password on this forum and has not been sent an email when he requested a forgot password one. I can't change passwords, but I can changed any email you have in your profile, so If he emails the forum, I will sort out his problem. That should please Merse.
Only downside to my day was I made the mistake of driving home along the seafront. Had to see that ugly balloon and also to see all the cars with parking tickets, who did not understand you can't park on the seafront between 4pm and 6pm, every day its the same down there, welcome to Torbay folks, sorry you have gone home with a bad taste in your mouth.
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Post by Swanny on Sept 20, 2008 17:05:53 GMT
Convincing win today and a confident performance. Sponsors MOTM Hagreaves, crowd 1,900+ (about 40 from Eastbourne). Same line-up as last week except Woods in for the injured Ellis.
A bright and lively opening but Eastbourne went closest after about 15 minutes, a 30 yard thunderbolt crashing against the crossbar. Eastbourne did not threaten much for the rest of the match and our back four and Poke looked a solid unit. Torquay got the vital breakthrough through Thompson who I thought was a revelation in attack. A trademark Sills header put the ball into the path of Thompson who turned his defender around the penalty spot and hit the ball low and accurately into the net. Something our other strikers have struggled to do this season. Thompson was lively all around and it was refreshing to see a striker anticipate the ball rather than waiting for something to happen. Elsewhere Wroe and Hargreaves were impressive in midfield. Wroe clearly has quality and often looked for the short pass, including some good pass and moves with him moving into attacking positions. On the wings there were plenty of good tricks from Carayol who sent over some useful crosses, and Carlisle apart from the odd silly pass did some clever play. 1-0 half-time and good value for the lead.
Second half Torquay again looked lively and there were plenty of options with all the team playing well. Chances came and their keeper made some vital saves including an impressive tip-over. After about 20 minutes we had a dogy 5 or 10 minute spell when passes started to go astray and this gave the initiative to Easrbourne. However a real bit of quality made it 2-0 and really put the game to bed. Carlisle on the right-wing cleverly threaded the ball past 2 defenders to Mansell who flighted the ball over to Hargreaves who superbly glanced the ball into the far corner of the net. Stevens came on for Carayol and late on Green and Benyon replaced our 2 strikers. After our second goal Torquay again looked assured and were unlucky not to add more. There were several moves to admire and Stevens again showed how well he can beautifully weight a pass to pick out a team-mate.
Good jolly scenes at the end when the players, and Buckle I might add, got a rousing reception. Plenty to enjoy and there's a new sense of optimism around. Well done Buckle and the players for turning things around, we're looking good !
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Sept 20, 2008 17:16:15 GMT
Thanks for your report Swangull, first class as usual, I did not see the celebrations at the end, as I left as soon as the whistle blew.
I fully agree that we were in control Of the game and Hargreaves worked so hard and seemed to be everywhere. I think we will play against stronger and better teams, but It was clear we were well organised and fully deserved to win.
Lets hope for another win at Forrest Green, as then I feel we will win back some more home supporters. Maybe because I'm a little down at this time, I did not get over excited, but good to read your positive views and as you say we seem now to be on the up.
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) all on the score sheet. Did anyone see the game? Would you advocate changing a winning team (feels good to write that!) aside from the injured Ellis and probably back to a 4-4-2 formation. 
I agree, 4-5-1 does allow width and in my opinion is not negative; but when faced with a visiting side who show limited attacking intention it can cause the midfield to "clog up" and you know WE are a team (and SILLS is a player) that doesn't really set their stall out to get to the by line with the intention of pulling crosses back for a header on goal from the "Big Man"
