Rockford's Love Child
Member
- Joined
- 15 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 13,905
- Player
- Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
- Manager
- John King
A battling and deserved point on a day when we were far from at our best. I thought Northampton were the better side in the first half, playing the better football and dominating possession for long periods. We gave the ball away too cheaply and did not get tight enough, or press well enough, all over the pitch. The second half was much more even and we were more solid, but our football still fell short of the standards we have set in previous weeks. All of that said, I think we actually had the better chances in the game: our hosts had a lot of speculative efforts on goal but Davies actually had very little to do, and we carved out several very good opportunities on the counter attack.
I was a bit concerned today that we went long too often, with too many balls knocked in behind for Norwood to chase. This tactic caused problems for their defence on a number of occasions, but I would like us to have retained the ball better in midfield at times, which in turn would have relieved some of the pressure on the back four. I also wonder whether we need to play three in midfield away from home against the better sides. We have played 442 away from home in every match so far, which has left us very open defensively, and a 532 or 4411 formation could give us a bit more control in the middle of the pitch.
Individually, I thought McNulty, Ellis and Monthe were absolutely immense and Davies was very sharp when he was called upon. However, Caprice was a bit of a liability defensively for the second away match in succession and almost cost us a goal on a couple of occasions. Norwood was relatively quiet, but checked back inside the defender and slotted the ball away brilliantly for the goal. Stockton was no better or worse than anyone else, and set up Jennings for our best chance of the second half, other than the goal. My man of the match was Connor Jennings, who worked tirelessly and assisted Norwood's strike.
As for Northampton, I thought they were a very good side in midfield but lacked something in the final third. I think they are on a par with Swindon but Mansfield were better than them.
Another excellent Rovers following of 691. Onwards and upwards.
I was a bit concerned today that we went long too often, with too many balls knocked in behind for Norwood to chase. This tactic caused problems for their defence on a number of occasions, but I would like us to have retained the ball better in midfield at times, which in turn would have relieved some of the pressure on the back four. I also wonder whether we need to play three in midfield away from home against the better sides. We have played 442 away from home in every match so far, which has left us very open defensively, and a 532 or 4411 formation could give us a bit more control in the middle of the pitch.
Individually, I thought McNulty, Ellis and Monthe were absolutely immense and Davies was very sharp when he was called upon. However, Caprice was a bit of a liability defensively for the second away match in succession and almost cost us a goal on a couple of occasions. Norwood was relatively quiet, but checked back inside the defender and slotted the ball away brilliantly for the goal. Stockton was no better or worse than anyone else, and set up Jennings for our best chance of the second half, other than the goal. My man of the match was Connor Jennings, who worked tirelessly and assisted Norwood's strike.
As for Northampton, I thought they were a very good side in midfield but lacked something in the final third. I think they are on a par with Swindon but Mansfield were better than them.
Another excellent Rovers following of 691. Onwards and upwards.
Last edited: