Rockford's Love Child
Member
- Joined
- 15 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 13,916
- Player
- Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
- Manager
- John King
On reflection, I was probably slightly harsh in my assessment of last night's performance. A lot of credit has to go to Guiseley for playing very well and pushing us all the way.
However, I still don't think it was a good display for a number of reasons. I thought we were too deep and stood off Guiseley for long periods of the game. We did not press as a team, and when Norwood did harry their back four Higdon was nowhere to be seen. I thought Higdon's first half display was good but he faded badly again in the second period, whether due to tiredness or laziness. Whatever the reason, he really should not be on the pitch if he is not prepared to jump for a header or chase a ball down five yards away, and I was amazed he was not replaced at any stage.
I thought the back four were also poor defensively, the full backs beaten too easily by their wide players and the centre halves basically battered by Liam Dickinson, certainly after McNulty went off. On a number of occasions he won headers on the edge of our box completely unchallenged, which is a concern if Big Mac is out for any length of time. I also thought Davies should have comfortably saved the shot for their second goal, although he was not helped by some awful defending in the build up.
In isolation a draw last night is not a disaster, but it seems that way because we have no room for manoeuvre at the moment. Without being dramatic, I think a victory at Dover gives us a reasonable chance of making the play-offs, but lose and it is all over.
However, I still don't think it was a good display for a number of reasons. I thought we were too deep and stood off Guiseley for long periods of the game. We did not press as a team, and when Norwood did harry their back four Higdon was nowhere to be seen. I thought Higdon's first half display was good but he faded badly again in the second period, whether due to tiredness or laziness. Whatever the reason, he really should not be on the pitch if he is not prepared to jump for a header or chase a ball down five yards away, and I was amazed he was not replaced at any stage.
I thought the back four were also poor defensively, the full backs beaten too easily by their wide players and the centre halves basically battered by Liam Dickinson, certainly after McNulty went off. On a number of occasions he won headers on the edge of our box completely unchallenged, which is a concern if Big Mac is out for any length of time. I also thought Davies should have comfortably saved the shot for their second goal, although he was not helped by some awful defending in the build up.
In isolation a draw last night is not a disaster, but it seems that way because we have no room for manoeuvre at the moment. Without being dramatic, I think a victory at Dover gives us a reasonable chance of making the play-offs, but lose and it is all over.