This was a lacklustre performance from Rovers and John McMahon's comments are frank and fair. We were poor and Crawley were not much better. We lined up 4-5-1, with JLAA just behind Cassidy. After a tense start, we settled down and the game was becoming a boring stalemate with the ball hardly leaving the middle third of the pitch. Then Max stupidly and needlessly made a rash tackle 30 yards out but in a central position. Tubbs hit a magnificent free-kick into the top left corner, giving OFW no chance. The home side got a boost from the goal, but we survived until half-time. Whatever John Mac said during the interval worked, as we came out with more purpose and had a purple patch for about 15 minutes. This was when we had our two real chances. Both fell to Cassidy who shot too close to the keeper when through one on one and then was too slow to react to another great through ball and ended up with too narrow an angle to cause their keeper any problem. Eventually, Cole replaced Brown and Rowe came on for Kirby. Neither change made any difference. As we pressed for an equaliser, we became more exposed at the back. Edwards ran onto a through ball and beat OFW as he ran out. The last action of the game was a run by makeshift winger Rowe, who was chopped down in the area and then booked for simulation. It summed up an evening when nothing went right for us.
So what went wrong? I certainly would not blame the defence, who all played soundly except for the late goal. The formation was appropriate with five in midfield and two wingers to provide width and service to Cassidy. However, the midfield seemed to lack inventiveness and penetration. The final ball was poor, except for the two chances I mentioned earlier. We missed Koumas. Cassidy tries hard, but has lost his spark and would benefit from a couple of games on the bench. He is not good at playing upfront on his own as his touch is poor and he can't hold the ball up. We badly missed Lowe, who would surely have put away on or both of those chances. Finally, we lacked a bit of leadership tonight. Goodi had a great game as a defender, but he was an ineffective captain. We need Lowe or Wallace to lead the team out.
Apart from the match, I enjoyed my first visit to Crawley. It's a friendly club and parking is very easy. The SWA were magnificent tonight, vocal throughout and even applauded when the team came over at the end. No negativity, except when Brown was taken off.
I can't remember when I last saw Rovers win an away game. I always seem to miss it when we win in the south-east. But don't worry, won't be going to Gillingham on Friday, so we might have a chance!
PS I wrote this without seeing Brightonian's report.