Just Got Home From Tranmere

[McLovin]

I'd rather lose 3-0 by trying to win than lose 1-0 by trying to draw.

[Asher]

thanks you at last someone who sees what I see

[Reg Smeeton]

Have to say, I've a certain sympathy with King and his formations.....he knows we're weak in midfield, and with the extra momentum provided by facing a home side likely to be overrun ....therefore the obvious solution is to stiffen the midfield......the Migz, Pook, Whalley axis looks OK and theoretically Heath and Shakes are capable of providing support.

 Theory is one thing practice another, we play 4-4-2 at home  and are conceding an average 2 goals a game....think you could add another on if we use it away.

[sonicyouth]

I'd agree with that Reg, the only option available to King to strengthen the midfield was play 4-5-1 and it worked to an extent, but at the cost of Fallon having any support up front.

Sadly, King did himself no favours by leaving it so long to make the changes - it was blatantly obvious halfway through the first half that we'd never score and he left it so long after Tranmere scored that the substitutions were too late to make a real impact.

[normy]

I'd rather lose 3-0 by trying to win than lose 1-0 by trying to draw.

Agree with this, though I can sympathise with King and it's a hard call when playing away.

My reasoning is as follows;

For one up front :
Midfield strengthened ( because it's weak?)
Fear of getting hammered, AK afraid of being crucified.
A draw, one point, is better than nothing.
Premiership teams do it successfully.
Our midfield should be able to link up and help Fallon.



For two up front;

4-4-2 worked well at home (with Fallon), and in the past.
They are used to the system.
They have an ideal target man to go with the second striker.
One win equals three draws.
Defence/ midfield is not strong enough to hold opponents to draws.
Teams come to Swindon and do well with two upfield.
A negative message is sent out, we fear you, we're looking for a draw, bad psychology, only one lonely striker.

That's only my view, but I can imagine some of the King Outers being merciless if we came away losing say 4 -0, or 4-2, having attacked more and failed.

[Ben Wah Balls]

Fair analysis normy. I don't think we should use 4-5-1 much this year and I don't think we will.

[sonicyouth]

Well put normy, I'd agree with most of that.

[Sippo]

Premiership teams do the 451 well because their players know how to play it. Ours don't.

[Spud]

Premiership teams do the 451 well because their players know how to play it. Ours don't.

Exactly, why do people think that we can do it just cos Premiership sides use it?. We havent got the quality to play 4-5-1 its as simple as that.

[santini]

We had lots of good possession but could not find that quality final ball to put us in with a scoring chance. Migz had chances but dallied and they were gone. Too often he hit the defender with an intended through pass.

Shakes has lost confidence. Always got the ball to his feet and got closed down. Couldn't beat the full back with skills and invariably gave the ball backwards.  Needed to run on to through balls to have an impact but got very few.

[DV]

I'd rather lose 3-0 by trying to win than lose 1-0 by trying to draw.

Indeed, playing for a draw is just dull, boring and generally the other team will nick one sooner or later.

Plus with us, I think our best form of defence is attack!

[Ralphy]

Honestly though, is it just me or does anyone else sense a repeat of last season?

[sonicyouth]

We had lots of good possession but could not find that quality final ball to put us in with a scoring chance. Migz had chances but dallied and they were gone. Too often he hit the defender with an intended through pass.

Shakes has lost confidence. Always got the ball to his feet and got closed down. Couldn't beat the full back with skills and invariably gave the ball backwards.  Needed to run on to through balls to have an impact but got very few.

I'd put Stef's poor passes down to a lack of match sharpness but you're entirely correct about lacking the quality in the final ball, this is why I still think Summerbee would have been a superb signing.

[Ralphy]

I agree with Sonic there, Summerbee (when fit) would have been class.

[sonicyouth]

Honestly though, is it just me or does anyone else sense a repeat of last season?

In what manner?