Lloydy i Chesterfield - del 2
"We are clearly desperate for Marcus Bean to return and it is the midfield that seems the current route of the problem"
Här följer fortsättningen av Lloydys matchrapport från Chesterfield..
Having got it back to 2-2 the game was there for the taking but then Chesterfield made the best of the conditions, Day's kicks (which are usually good) were hardly making the half-way line and our marking was suspect. Chesterfield seemed to have an extra man on every attack. Matty Rose was frequently beaten down the right, he is not a right back and I do have a lot of time for him as a player but he has to be used correctly. When he was on the ball he made a lot of intelligent passes and linked well with Rowlands down the right. He is however lightweight in the tackle and though he reads the game very well hasn't the pace to cope with what the position requires.
I won't dwell on the final two goals but the 3rd was from a free kick on Chesterfield's left that whilst maybe slightly harsh had needlessly been given away by Rowlands the Chesterfield player put it straight in with the wind possibly via a slight touch from Hurst. The fourth Terrell played the ball straight to Mark Husdon who scored a very good goal from just outside the area.
Ok well that's the match, and the trip home was far from pleasant, apart from being knackered the rain, spray and surface water was not fun but we managed to make it home in one piece. So where did it all go wrong? There are a number of things to say, obviously confidence has been hit hard and the conditions were not the least bit conducive and added to poor Dan's long-term absence the team may not have been in the best frame of mind.
There are though some things that need saying. The first and most disappointing player, not just for this match either, was Marc Bircham. Now I don't know if there is anything going on with him or if he is carrying an injury but he is not contributing anything to the team, his passing and tackling is poor if not non-existent and he always seems about to get booked. We are clearly desperate for Marcus Bean to return and it is the midfield that seems the current route of the problem. Kevin Gallen, as I have said did his job at left midfield, but it is no place for your best player and striker to be, having to double up on defensive duties with Gino as it curbs his attacking tendencies and obviously his goal scoring threat. The team looked more balanced with the very welcome return of McLeod during the second half that meant Gallen went back upfront. Unfortunately Rose then made way for Sabin with Rowlands, our most creative midfielder, going to right back therefore cutting our midfield out completely.
A word about Sabin, he was completely ineffective. Whilst I would allow him some slack as he has played little first team football one incident made me think again. We were defending a corner and we could clearly hear Steve Palmer instructing him to stay goalside of his man and stick with him at the far post. The ball came across to the player Sabin was marking and he had pulled back 5 yards, Sabin having not watched him at all and Chesterfield could easily have scored their fifth. This was so frustrating given we had all clearly heard the instructions he had been given.
We have signed Cureton but whilst he is a great one to have is he really the answer. With Danny now out for the foreseeable future we really need, in my opinion, a right back. Terrell, though he didn't have a great game can form a partnership with Clarke. The only real problem with the defence at present is the severe lack of pace, Danny had the speed and Clarke the guile. Its all very well having thinking players but you need someone with pace to back it up. Not only would a right back be a great option but a central midfielder is also needed.
We all know that Ollie will use a 4-4-2 in any event and that is fine providing we have the players for it, Notts County is a crucial game and my 11 would be.Day, Daly, Forbes, Carlisle, Padula, Rowlands, Rose, Bircham, McLeod with Gallen and Thorpe up front. Actually I think we should go for a 4-3-3 and lose Bircham or Rose for Furlong but given that is unlikely to happen that is probably the next best option. However it should be noted that Rowlands (replaced by Daly) and Carlisle were limping at the end so I am not sure who is even going to be available next week.
