|
Post by 61666 on Dec 13, 2016 22:07:34 GMT
1-0 half time, should have been more. BJ missed complete sitter. BW nothing special, we looked OK, with usual caveats. Second half, quite simply awful. Three unchallenged goals. BW still nothing special. But if you stand back and let players run in, they score. Could have been more. For me, the lack of effort was worse than Woking or Bromley. Could not string a pass together. Gave the ball away or put it out repeatedly. Paxman on for Flisher and immediately gave ball away for their third. Flisher put in usual shift, but barely won a header and often marked by two or three. Greenhalgh good goal bit little else. Crosses over hit, etc etc. Another bad day, but commitment in second half just not there and really not excuseable. Who knows which team will turn up on Saturday, but it better not be this one.
|
|
|
Post by gromley on Dec 13, 2016 23:42:31 GMT
1-0 half time, should have been more. Yeah almost impossible to reconcile those two halves. If we'd gone in 2 or 3 up, you have to think it would have been a different second half. There was one period early in the first half when I thought we gave them too much time and space, but after that we bossed it. Frustrating that once again we have shown we have the quality to compete at this level, but can't keep it going for the whole game. As the saying goes though, "this now gives us the opportunity to focus on the league". Big game on Saturday and as you infer, we need Henry Jekyll to turn up. On the plus side, I thought Jack Evans looked good in that midfield role, so maybe that is one problem resolved.
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Dec 13, 2016 23:44:00 GMT
Pretty good summery. Evans was impressive, Sweeney had his moments (both ways!), the back four looked good in the first half, but, apart from the goal, what did Greenalgh do? What was he on the pitch for? I forgot he was there at all for a large part of the second half. We came out for the second half like a team that's already won and no longer has to try, they came out like a team that's woken up after a half-time bollocking.
Not sure about Flish - he tried, certainly, he always does, but he's lost his old energy and skill, his body language in the second half in particular was of a player defeated and pissed off. Ironically, his one good moment was just before he was subbed, muscling his way between two players to win the ball, just like the old Flisher.
I think at least half our problems are down to his loss of form, he's such a vital player for us. People say we need a spine for the team or we need one good player in defence, midfield and up front - and in many ways that spine and those 'extra' players is (or was) Flish. Without him we have no muscle, no determination, no imagination, no magic. For me, he hasn't been his old self since that injury at Torquay (he was our top scorer then, with 4, but hasn't scored a single league goal since).
The problem is that, if Flish is off form, and likely to be for a while, just how do you replace him?
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Dec 13, 2016 23:46:07 GMT
1-0 half time, should have been more. Yeah almost impossible to reconcile those two halves. If we'd gone in 2 or 3 up, you have to think it would have been a different second half. There was one period early in the first half when I thought we gave them too much time and space, but after that we bossed it. Frustrating that once again we have shown we have the quality to compete at this level, but can't keep it going for the whole game. As the saying goes though, "this now gives us the opportunity to focus on the league". Big game on Saturday and as you infer, we need Henry Jekyll to turn up. On the plus side, I thought Jack Evans looked good in that midfield role, so maybe that is one problem resolved. Were we on form in the first half, or were they off form? SL commented early on that they just didn't seem the same team we'd played Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by gromley on Dec 13, 2016 23:58:21 GMT
Were we on form in the first half, or were they off form? SL commented early on that they just didn't seem the same team we'd played Saturday. Fair point - in the first half we bossed a team that didn't look that hot - but it's something we have failed to do too often (Guisley, Woking - in particular). To me though, I don't think they looked better in the second half, we just looked far worse. I didn't see either of the away games, but even if they were better at their place, we had managed 225 consecutive minutes of football against them with conceding a goal by halftime. We play them again at JWW in April and I've just moved that game in my mental map from "possible chance to sneak something" to "ought to be in there with a chance" , unless they really are better than they showed us tonight.
|
|
|
Post by porkystone on Dec 14, 2016 7:53:54 GMT
What they did show in the 2nd half was that we can't defend against pace, which is worrying ( ? are we sure about Evans holding in midfield ? ). Crap atmosphere as well...
|
|
|
Post by steveh21 on Dec 14, 2016 8:26:03 GMT
Very disappointing attendance last night. Where was everyone? This Stones team is so frustrating to watch. First half we were superb, lots of shots good passing and we really closed down the opposition. If Bobby's sitter had gone in I think we would have gone on to win easy. Not sure what Jay said to the players at half time but he perhaps needs to rethink his team talks because yesterday's certainly didn't motivate the players. Yes I'm sure BW got a kick up the arse and were told to up their game but for us to go from so good to so bad was extremely disappointing. Perhaps Callum and Ach are not match fit yet which is why we struggled at the back second half? I forgot Ben was playing second half but he was man of the match in the first 45. Loza is our best player but we do not get the ball to him enough. Bottom line is we need some more quality and to be able to see games out or at least not fold once we go behind. The players have shown they can do it, and that is what is so frustrating. I feel for Jay who must despair with his players sometimes.
|
|
|
Post by stonesforlife on Dec 14, 2016 8:57:07 GMT
We can't play over 90 mins it seems, someone switched off, we have more holes in our defence than a Swiss cheese, if it doesn't improve we will be relegated, almost the worst defence in the league conceding wise. Hopefully a win on Saturday will turn it around for a week
|
|
|
Post by porkystone on Dec 14, 2016 9:19:43 GMT
Very disappointing attendance last night. Where was everyone? On this subject, in the second half, how come the fabled town end were comprehensively out sung by 8 blokes from 'wood standing in the open by the far side corner flag. Can't blame the team in some respects for not digging deep if the crowd clearly don't give a flying f*** . It was so quiet had somebody farted loudly you could have heard that. #showerofshit, #singforthelads .
|
|
|
Post by 61666 on Dec 14, 2016 9:32:37 GMT
For those who were not there, the comments above really do sum it up. Frustration made worse by the fact BW could up their game for their ten (yes, really), gobby supporters, while Maidstone folded so completely second half. Definite rocket in the BW dressing room, as they were not interested in the first half. They were not any better in the second, still giving the ball away quite regularly, but just went for it and rather like v Sutton at home last season, we crumbled in the face of pace and determination. That said, BW nowhere near as good as Sutton that day. Pretty much all the action was at the empty end of the ground, so the ball was rarely at the town end at all. First half, playing like we did v Macclesfield and Eastleigh, back four and midfield closed them down and they got nothing, while we were creative up front, though not incisive. When he doesn't FAFF about, Lokko looks a solid centre half and nowt wrong with wellying it upfield to buy time in my view at this level. Second half, it was like we were playing into a gale, as even wellied clearances did not make the halfway line. Gawd knows what Jay can do with such a team. Needs to get into their heads somehow, for that seems to be the difference. If 'countries' like Monaco, San Marino etc can be organised enough to not to lose 10 nil to proper international teams, you would think we could manage better in this league. True, we don't get stuffed, though I fear that is on the cards, maybe against Dover, but we just do not seem able to last 90 minutes. If we are honest, that was also the case last season, when too many games had nail biting finishes, when we should have been coasting. They spend lots of time doing shooting practice before each game, but get little on target in matches. They do all the one touch stuff, but as soon as anybody has a go at them, they go into their shells. All in all, a typical 'relegation' team, that is desperate for something to give them a bit of confidence. Dover aside, we have a run of winnable games coming up. Would't it be great if we could put three or four past Ferriby - and keep a clean sheet? Go down on Saturday though and, without new blood, it is easy to see the wheels coming off completely, so bereft did they look last night. Hope the crowd can do their bit over these next few games!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 9:53:19 GMT
Yes we should have been 3 up by halftime & perhaps if we had a Striker on from the start (Odubade) then perhaps we would have. Wood didn't offer much in the first half but they did have the majority of possession. Flisher looks really out of sorts and regrettably I don't see how he can be in the starting XI on Saturday. I like Evans in midfield plus he can shoot; only a great save by the keeper prevented him from scoring. Lokko & Ache are both good players but I don't think they gell together; it has to be Coyle plus one of them (probably Lokko) for me. Sweeney a disappointment again. In the second half we just kept booting the ball upfield and returning possession to them. Is there a fitness issue?
|
|
|
Post by porkystone on Dec 14, 2016 9:59:48 GMT
For those who were not there, the comments above really do sum it up. Frustration made worse by the fact BW could up their game for their ten (yes, really), gobby supporters, while Maidstone folded so completely second half. Definite rocket in the BW dressing room, as they were not interested in the first half. They were not any better in the second, still giving the ball away quite regularly, but just went for it and rather like v Sutton at home last season, we crumbled in the face of pace and determination. That said, BW nowhere near as good as Sutton that day. Pretty much all the action was at the empty end of the ground, so the ball was rarely at the town end at all. First half, playing like we did v Macclesfield and Eastleigh, back four and midfield closed them down and they got nothing, while we were creative up front, though not incisive. When he doesn't FAFF about, Lokko looks a solid centre half and nowt wrong with wellying it upfield to buy time in my view at this level. Second half, it was like we were playing into a gale, as even wellied clearances did not make the halfway line. Gawd knows what Jay can do with such a team. Needs to get into their heads somehow, for that seems to be the difference. If 'countries' like Monaco, San Marino etc can be organised enough to not to lose 10 nil to proper international teams, you would think we could manage better in this league. True, we don't get stuffed, though I fear that is on the cards, maybe against Dover, but we just do not seem able to last 90 minutes. If we are honest, that was also the case last season, when too many games had nail biting finishes, when we should have been coasting. They spend lots of time doing shooting practice before each game, but get little on target in matches. They do all the one touch stuff, but as soon as anybody has a go at them, they go into their shells. All in all, a typical 'relegation' team, that is desperate for something to give them a bit of confidence. Dover aside, we have a run of winnable games coming up. Would't it be great if we could put three or four past Ferriby - and keep a clean sheet? Go down on Saturday though and, without new blood, it is easy to see the wheels coming off completely, so bereft did they look last night. Hope the crowd can do their bit over these next few games! Post of the season so far this one ( sadly ).
|
|
|
Post by Swaffham Stone on Dec 14, 2016 10:14:02 GMT
Can't disagree with any of this, it was a bizarre evening. You enjoy a good display first half, then ............ ? Ricky Miller is probably thinking, I can get a couple of hat-tricks over the festive period. 😬 Was walking back to my car, and overheard a conversation between a respected Maidstone Utd man and his mate. He fears that we'll go down 0-2 or 0-3 to NFU, going on that display last night. Can I disagree with that comment, not really.
|
|
|
Post by nws on Dec 14, 2016 10:59:24 GMT
If only our team had shown the ability to get something going again that has died out and then sheer tenacity to keep it going then things would have been different. For inspiration, they only had to look off pitch and watch Tim doing it. Boy, I thought I could prolong an argument over nothing.
|
|
|
Post by pwoodstone on Dec 14, 2016 11:03:06 GMT
Maybe we are tiring second half. anyone care to do some analysis on goals conceded in first against second half?
|
|