Getting stuck in

One of the things I thought we did really well on saturday was closing players down, especially in the opposition's defensive third. Although he lost the ball a lot, Serge did really well to win the ball back. Infact the first two goals both came as Town won the ball back 20 yards or so from goal and crossed for Duffy.  Yesterday's Non League Paper suggests the facts kind of backed that up - we've committed more fouls than all but four teams and have had more corners than all but two, suggesting we're trying to push up and pin teams back in their own areas of the pitch.  I've written a blog in a bit more depth here: http://wp.me/p1z5Us-bm

Personally I think that kind of bite and harrassment is what we've been missing for many years - defending from the front and giving sides less time on the ball.

WHS,

I posted last season under Woods that we had the tendancy to drop off, set up two banks of 4 and let thave the ball. All very well at the top level, when players have the skills to exploit the spaces but presurise players in the BSP and you invaribly win the ball back

I concur we got stuck in but thought we did it better 2nd half when we were ahead (Churchy helps).
Also don't think we're doing it half as much as we saw in pre-season - just watch the first few minutes of the Barnsley game and compare the two...

It's in OUR defensive third that I worry - at times thought we were ball watching, dropping deep, giving them time to play and not getting close enough or pushing them out of our final third enough.
Not the only game I've seen it happen either.

It's natural for players to "contain", defend deep or even protect what they've got but you won't always be able to get away with it against the better teams - even Cambridge hit the post late on when we should have killed them off at 2-1.

Personally I think we've got the potential to do even better and if we do, we could be a very good team.

If results keep improving, and that will only be proven in time and against teams like Stockport and Wrexham over the next couple of weeks, then we will see if the pushing up to create errors closer to the opponents' penalty and goal areas is going to last.

One thing I do know that is fans like to see pressure on opposition defences as the excitement grows, fans are happier with the team efforts as a whole and if results come from this type of play, then the crowds will very slowly return to see a better playing style.

Fans like good players with lots of skill, they also appreciate players giving their all for 90 minutes for a team result.

Saturday seemed to be another small step forward in the correct direction - maybe more time for training and manager information is eventually paying dividends.

The ongoing form of both Mafoko and Duffy is a great bonus, and if the rest can do this magic task of "gelling together", then a target must be to encourage 5,000 fans into BP by Xmas against Lincoln, not counting away fans, just Town supporters - please note the word  - supporters, those behind the team !!

One game at a time - I'd love to see small improvements each week until the closet fans have returned to get behind the team.