It was a weird sort of game. I thought we struggled really. Quite sloppy and off the pace. It had the feel of a friendly at times which was understandable.
Williams was mercurial again - he was our greatest threat but also frustrating at times. Taylor worked very hard to close the ball down to his credit but doesn't really look a threat any more as an attacking force. He also seems to think he is a set piece specialist but his delivery is generally very poor. For me Newell and Williams are the clear first choice picks in the wide positions if fit.
Blackpool looked a decent side and they caused us real problems and on another day might have scored two or three. Emmanuel had his hands full with their left winger and I thought he marshalled him pretty well and also got forward well - particularly in the first half. In fact I thought he was our best performer.
On one occasion I thought Williams could have squared the ball to Smith or Ball when he was clean through well inside the box. Instead he had a rush of blood and squandered our chances of scoring. He launched the ball skyward. Marek Rodak played really well. Let's not forget it was another clean sheet to our credit. Credit to our defenders as we kept Blackpool's number 30 Delfouneso quiet even though the latter did have a good chance to score in the second half. Smith worked very hard up front. It was no surprise that he was substituted before the final whistle. We created quite a few chances which, on another day, could have been converted into goals.
I don't think that much "credit" could or should be given to our defence / sitting midfielders because Blackpool actually got the shots away and MISSED !
Kodak made was good with snap shots as his name implies but that was not good defensive play. Again - both sides lacked "quality" all over the pitch with poor decision making and basic football attributes being in short supply.
I watched the Scunny game the other night and it was dross and they won 2-0!
It's a really poor league...
I'm a FOOTBALL FAN - please get me out of this league !
S****horpe shouldn't be a problem - but high tempo it must be RELENTLESSLY!
The final v Charlton I think ( Shrewsbury have peaked too soon ) will be dangerous but a three match season to get back to better wages all round and new contracts...the players shouldn't need a great deal of motivation - squad fit and rested.
I thought it was laboured from us. I was sat hoping that this wasn't as good as it gets as we enter the play offs.
Of course it was a specific occasion with little to motivate either side . I contented myself with this.
I also wondered if the team has now entered a more structured and balanced phase . I've always thought the team was wobbly and wondered at times how we have had a decent indeed good season. I think it's true to say the team has matured but still lacks the quality to be anything more than very uncertain going into the play offs..
I'm pleased but surprised we finished so high. Credit to the management team for fashioning the team so quickly and effectively.
In conclusion I think my assumption is that it's a fairly weak and even league.
Bearing mind all of the unusual cir***stances (impending playoffs/dead rubber/heat/kick-off time/half decent ref) I thought the game was unexpectedly competitive against a team who had scored 14 and conceded only 2 in their last 5 games. And by winning, we achieved something which is always difficult, we have won most of our games. Also, it was good to see how Channel 5 featured Will Vaulks's goal celebration a couple of times on Goal Rush. And I did enjoy the Blackpool pass straight to Paul Warne who clearly needs to keep wearing a shirt the same colour as the opposition.
Abit late. Internet problems. Thought Rodak for his 2nd H save Mattock for his forward runs though I haven't got a problem with Purrington Vaulks for his passing & goal were the highlights. Defence weren't tested. Forwards had nothing to go on. Wide men weren't in the game. Have Taylor or Forde got past the opposition full backs on the outside while they've been here, I can't remember that happening. Williams has been a major disappointment. He'll make one run every few games that doesn't come to anything then then rest of the time not much comes off for him or he gives the ball away. I don't know which one to play in the play-offs. Why was Yates on the bench. Why not Wiles. Would like to see if he could do anything on the right, worth trying in game that was like a friendly. Think we all agree need Newell back.
Still think we have good a chance as anyone in the play-offs. We'll play 4-5-1 in the away 1st leg at Scunny.
-- Edited by T71 on Wednesday 9th of May 2018 05:49:20 PM
