Monday Morning Quarterback – Upon Further Review

Monday Morning Quarterback – Upon Further Review

This is the first of a new weekly report, where I take a 2nd look at our Saturday match, including Terry Brown’s post-match interview, and a quick look at how the teams in our league got on over the weekend.

Ok, back to Saturday’s (woeful – TB’s words) loss to a Merthyr team, who sat above us in the league prior to the 3pm kick-off.

Looking at our line-up for this and most of our games this season, we have mainly gone with two up top with Sam Smart sitting in behind the front two, with attacking midfielder Sam Deadfield, a goal-scoring attacking Jack McKnight and Charlie Kennedy, who without doubt has been seen far more forward this year than last season.

As commented recently on the forum, this leaves the back four more exposed to attacking teams, a feature of most teams this season.

In my recent match previews, I have suggested that playing Dan Collier, alongside Charlie Kennedy, may help and allow Kennedy to push forward, as one can stay back as cover, whilst the other pushes forward. This would also allow the occasional push forward by either back Dean Stow or Rob Gerrard.

The problem with playing Collier, means that you have to lose one of the midfield threats of Smart, Deadfield or McKnight. A tough choice to make either way!

We also have the talented Zidane Akers to consider, as a number of Saturday’s crowd were calling for his inclusion into the game!

The other option and possibly used previously under TB, is to play 3 at the back, push two players in front as holding players and then have 3 out and out attacking midfielders, to support the front two.

All of these are thought’s that no doubt Terry has considered, but possibly his first more concerning thought’s will turn towards the defence, which clearly has a number of issues as he stated in his interview, as we have now shipped in 25 goals from just 13 games this season.

Financially upgrading your defence is hard, as has been suggested on the forum, but the club seemed able to add both Rob Gerrard & Mitchell Parker to the squad recently. Gerrard’s signing has clearly improved the left back role, although he probably didn’t have his best game last Saturday, but then not many did!

Whatever, Terry Brown decides over the next couple of weeks, it is clear he will make those decisions in trying to re-start our faltering League situation.

Our League this Weekend

Well league leaders Weymouth dropped to third after their loss at lowly Kings Langley 2–1, which included the sending off of debutant Jordan Rose, when already 1-0 down.                                          Taunton moved two points clear at the top with a 1-2 win at Gosport and Salisbury following their 4-2 home win to Hartley Wintney are second on goal difference.

4th  placed Hendon drew 0-0 at playoff chasing Tiverton, who moved into 5th place after Beaconsfield Town slipped to 6th, after they were thrashed 2-6 at home to Farnborough with Reggie Young getting a hat-trick for the Boro.

Staines went back to the bottom of the table on goal difference after their 1-0 loss at Wimborne, but more importantly because Chesham Utd’s 0-5 demolition win at Dorchester Town. Both teams have gained just 9pts so far this season.

The final relegation spot (20th) is now held by Swindon Supermarine with 12pts (who replaced Kings Langley up 3 spots), with their lost 1-2 at home to our Tuesday night opponents Harrow Borough. Dorchester Town sit one place above the relegation zone with 13pts. Kings Langley’s sit in 17th place with 15pts.

In next week’s Tuesday Morning Quarterback, I will add the promotion and relegation tables.

Hope to see as many of you at Harrow on Tuesday night, the Community Club AGM on Wednesday or our FA Trophy match against Torquay Utd.

Your MMQ – Martin French

 

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