This is starting to become like one of those medieval discussions about how many angels can fit on a pin head. Let's move on.
As you were there, it would be interesting to hear your views on why we didn't convert possession into goals, what could be done to rectify this, aside from Jennings at the apex of a diamond and who in your view were the best players and MoM last night?
I think there are a number of problems which are compounding each other.
Firstly, playing Cook as a lone striker. Unlike Norwood when he plays that role, Cook is not mobile and as a result is very easy to defend. Keep him outside the eighteen yard box and get bodies round him. You know he has not got the pace to turn and run past you, so all you have to do is make sure he can't bring down one of the long balls lobbed in his direction and prevent him from bringing others into play.
Secondly, when we do get into attacking areas and put the ball in the box, Cook is generally the only player in there. Last night we had so much possession, Ridehalgh and Buxton were playing like wingers by the end of the game and some of the deliveries into the box were decent. I agree with Mellon about that. However, all Guiseley had to do was get two or three defenders round Cook and prevent him from jumping and there was nobody else there to win the ball.
Thirdly, playing Jennings out of position. He is our most creative player and, in the absence of Tollitt, it is vital he plays well if we are going to succeed. Last night he was played on the left wing and looked like a fish out of water. He does not know what is role is in that position, can't influence the game and seems to be losing confidence as a result. In fact, the whole team is now showing signs of a loss of confidence.
Fourthly, opposition teams take special measures against us because we are such strong title favourites. Last night the shape of the Guiseley team in the second half was so negative it was almost comical. Aside from Odejayi all of the Guiseley players were within fifty yards of their own goal in the second half. If we don't score early, and given the problems I have cited above, it is no wonder we struggle to break teams down. I doubt that Aldershot and Dagenham have to cope with tactics quite like the ones we face, and it may actually suit us to play a slightly better team, who will actually commit men forward at some stage of the game.
Having Norwood available on Saturday will rectify some of these problems, but I think Mellon has to change system to get Jennings back into a central position, otherwise the midfield won't function.
Regarding the defence, I agree with Ian that it is still very strong. Although McEveley has struggled, we have only conceded two goals in four games in matches where we have not played very well.
Regarding the wider situation, I think we are in quite an alarming position. Of course we should not panic after four matches. However, if this run continues for another four or five games we will be out of the title race. We need to win at least thirty matches this season, which effectively means winning two games out of every three and maintaining that consistency over the whole season. We are nowhere near that level at the moment.
As for last night, I thought McNulty was superb and was man of the match. He once again demonstrated why his detractors are wrong. Both full backs also played well and Norburn was good in the second half. Everyone else was below par.
