For seventy minutes I thought the performance was an improvement on the previous two games. Playing a 4312 the team looked better balanced and Jennings looked more comfortable, and there was a better variation of tactics, with balls up to Cook and into the channels for Norwood, who played well. We were not scintillating, but we should have come away with at least a point. Eastleigh looked a better and less cynical side than the teams we played in the last two seasons.
The first half was very tight, with both teams having periods on top. However, we played the better possession football and slightly edged the half on chances: Cook missed a good opportunity from fifteen yards and Jennings hit the post. At the other end, the dangerous Williamson hit the side netting with a free header.
In the first twenty minutes of the second half we upped the tempo and I thought we would go on and win the game. Alas, we missed further chances. Norwood was one-on-one with the keeper but dragged his shot wide; a great cross from Ridehalgh which was crying out to be finished was not attacked; Hughes missed what looked a tap-in after being set up by Norburn. Inevitably, we paid for those spurned opportunities when Williamson fired home after poor defending, Sutton getting caught out of position and the rest of the defence wrongly attempting to play off side. At this point Harris was replaced by Dunn, in what looked purely a tactical move to me, to get three forwards on the pitch. We continued to press, but caught by a sucker punch after a poorly defended free kick, the initial foul being needlessly given away by Dunn. At this point we visibly lost confidence and heads dropped.
I honestly believe the only difference between the sides was that Eastlieigh have an in-form striker - Williamson - and we don't. Eastleigh always looked an attacking threat, but the opening goal was their first shot on target as far as I can recall.
Mellon has made tactical mistakes in previous games, but he got it right today in my view. Nor did I see any complacency from the players: I think we are just in a cycle of poor results leading to low confidence, leading to poor results. I am concerned about the situation as these runs can be very difficult to get out of. However, in every game I have seen this season, it is clear we have had better players than the opposition and I believe the squad is fundamentally good: we just have to hope we scrape a win soon by any means to get back on track.
Individually, I thought Adam Buxton had another good game but I would give man of the match to James Norwood because of his tireless running and intelligent movement. Hughes was well below par, but I thought everyone else did ok, albeit showing signs of low confidence.
Glad I am on holiday next week to get away from it all for a bit......
