What's the problem?

This is the first time I've posted ... but here goes.
I'm not a negative moaner but a realist. I've just  been to two draws in four days, and although there are loads of niggley problems what concerns me is pace and control, or our lack of either. We were second to most 50/50 balls, always take one too many touches, and therefore get out-paced in all departments.
I'm no coach but these are fundamental, so how come the one guy (Hughes-Mason) who shows passion, skill and speed is never given a real chance? UTM

Thanks for posting Kiernan

We looked jaded in both matches, but Townsend seemed a bit brighter last night. Coulson looks and plays like he's already moved on! Huge gap between midfield and front two which meant CM could track back n defend but they had too much ground to cover getting forward again. This was apparent when we got the chance to get the ball coward quickly and catch them pushing forward it didn't happen unless the ball was hit over the top for Hearn to chase n hold up! Just not firing on all cylinders!

The big problem I feel is Disley, don't really see what he does? He looks lazy at times and if his ankle has been playing up, he should have been dropped! Thanoj offers so much more and Panther just made things simple.  Did we need to bring in Wright? KHM should have been given a chance in the last few games with Hearn missing.

Wright looks good at this level, however Disley IMO didn't complement wrights performance at all, he was ponderous and closed down very easily, meaning we couldn't distribute the ball quickly or accurately enough!

Disley has been head and shoulders our best Centre Mid this season. Think the experience of this season will stand Thanoj in good stead for next year.

Disley has been good, but has lost a bit of spark, and has always been weak when shielding or holding onto the ball, yet his positive attributes negated his faults, however the last 5 games they havnt. All players hit a bad patch/blip, hopefully like Townsend, Dizzy will find his mojo n we will start to look like a team with purpose again! UTM

To be fair to Disley he's played a lot of games without a break (think he missed one FA Trophy game?). He's also had to play with a constantly changing CM partner which isn't going to help him, especially when he's had very young, inexperienced partners such as Thanoj and Church.

I personally think the amazing run we went on has raised everyone's expectations and now we almost expect too much.

Compared to last season we've made a huge improvement. We just lack a bit of quality to be right at the top but we are a good team. You don't go to Luton and come away with a draw by being completely rubbish.

The play-off race isn't over until it's mathematically impossible - there's still Kiddy and Southport to play. All the teams above us are unlikely to win every game until the end of the season.

Unfortunately, I think we'll just miss out but if you look at the other teams who have come down it maybe takes 3 or 4 seasons to adapt and become a real title contender.

Keep the faith.

Quoted from ticker_1610

Disley has been good, but has lost a bit of spark, and has always been weak when shielding or holding onto the ball,

agree I think Disley is a decent lower league player and a good addition to the squad.Technically able but his weakness like you say is he isn't strong enough and against a physical team may get bullied

Thanoj been better than Dis in my own opinion.

I think a lot of people rate Thanoj too highly.

He's only very young for a midfielder and has the potential to develop into a good player, but he's smaller and less mobile than Disley and much weaker in the air. Physically, I think Disley is able to hold his own most of the time. Thanoj can't quite compete physically yet with some of the more powerful midfielders we face. I think he's a player who would benefit from an 'enforcer' type playing alongside him. Something we don't have.

Myself I don't think fans are thinking Thanoj is to good as Allan Buckley as said on the radio he thinks he as the skill of a top player with a few more years of good coaching.utmm

Quoted from GtfcGarner

Thanoj been better than Dis in my own opinion.

I think disleys football league career answers that quote for the time being . Thanoj has potential but has a long way to go yet .

I think every answer to the above question has been answered . Expecting too much after a wonderful run . Players who have achieved above their level . Although we did just clicked together for 3 months , with everyone doing the right thing and of course LUCK .

I think we can all look forward to next season , with one or two additions . Townsend will return to Hull , plus one or two others will go . Now our leaders know what this division is like they will prepare a team to suite .

Couldn't there be a chance that we get Townsend back again next season on a season-long loan. He won't be ready for Championship (or Premiership) football next season so surely him playing regularly here would benefit him more than playing in the reserves at Hull next season. (If they have a reserve team that is) and I'm sure he'd jump at the chance if offered.

I think the mid-season unbeaten run coincided with us meeting a LOT of the lower half teams. This indicates that we're a high end mid table side, not quite playoff material yet but not a million miles away.

Clearly we'll need a new LB unless we perhaps convince Connor to do another season long loan. Better to be playing here than warming the bench at 'Ull?

If Hearn goes (personally I think a deal may already be in the offing. No reason, just a gut feeling) I see KHM as being the focus next year and may explain why he's only being used sparingly this. Keep hime injury free, hungry and raring to go next year.

I think Thanoj will also be pivotal next year. If we can get Church up to it he and Thanoj could be the core of the side for years and years. Unfortunately I doubt he will be given time to improve enough and will be released and a different defensive midfielder brought in.

Not sure about Disley. He has a calm head and can clearly play a bit but he drifts a lot for me and doesn't get nearly enough goals for a playmaker. Maybe one to let go as well.

Quoted from Maringer

I think a lot of people rate Thanoj too highly.

He's only very young for a midfielder and has the potential to develop into a good player, but he's smaller and less mobile than Disley and much weaker in the air. Physically, I think Disley is able to hold his own most of the time. Thanoj can't quite compete physically yet with some of the more powerful midfielders we face. I think he's a player who would benefit from an 'enforcer' type playing alongside him. Something we don't have.

you're right about disley's heading - won lots of aerial battles last night, as he has done all season.imho the present partnership looks ideal ;they just need a bit of pace and trickery out wide to complement their hard work and usually safe passing. i'm already hoping that wright's signing isthe prelude to a permanent move in the summer

Quoted from newdoctower

I think every answer to the above question has been answered . Expecting too much after a wonderful run . Players who have achieved above their level . Although we did just clicked together for 3 months , with everyone doing the right thing and of course LUCK .

Agree with all that. To read some posts last night and this morning you'd think we're now on a terrible run at the moment. We've only lost 2 games in more than 20 and they were both to injury time goals. Been a few uninspiring draws recently but points away at Tamworth and Luton aren't bad results - just not enough in the context of this season after we started so poorly.

Quoted from Biccys

I think the mid-season unbeaten run coincided with us meeting a LOT of the lower half teams. This indicates that we're a high end mid table side, not quite playoff material yet but not a million miles away.



.

As opposed to Tamworth and Braintree??? We were beating the likes of Southport and Cambridge away. . . Doesn't really add up for me that. . .  The slump clearly occurred when Fenty got behind the controls again just as our upturn coincided with him having his attention taken up with other stuff and the power 'lying outside the boardroom'!!!

Quoted from 1054

As opposed to Tamworth and Braintree??? We were beating the likes of Southport and Cambridge away. . . Doesn't really add up for me that. . .  The slump clearly occurred when Fenty got behind the controls again just as our upturn coincided with him having his attention taken up with other stuff and the power 'lying outside the boardroom'!!!

Here it comes again....that's an old record too!

As much as I'm not in the Fenty camp, I don't think he was the reason the season stuttered again

The York game being called off, the injuries at Southport, the Elding ban etc; these had more of a disruptive effect imho

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Disley has been head and shoulders our best Centre Mid this season. Think the experience of this season will stand Thanoj in good stead for next year.

Agreed.
No idea about last night but think his workrate and contribution is vastly under-rated.

But is he the right type of player and is Maringer's last point a valid one ?

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

The York game being called off, the injuries at Southport, the Elding ban etc; these had more of a disruptive effect imho

Missing Liam Hearn can't have helped either.
I think tiredness and a congested fixture list has played it's part too.

Quoted from 1054

As opposed to Tamworth and Braintree??? We were beating the likes of Southport and Cambridge away. . . Doesn't really add up for me that. . .  The slump clearly occurred when Fenty got behind the controls again just as our upturn coincided with him having his attention taken up with other stuff and the power 'lying outside the boardroom'!!!

flipping hell can you just pop round to Fenty's and pull the trigger? That way you'll be banged up so won't be able to come on here and talk out your anus and the gypsy stabbing pins into a voodoo doll of Fenty can have a break.

Have a day off ffs.

Quoted from pontoonlew

flipping hell can you just pop round to Fenty's and pull the trigger? That way you'll be banged up so won't be able to come on here and talk out your anus and the gypsy stabbing pins into a voodoo doll of Fenty can have a break.

Have a day off ffs.

Although I agree with your sentiments, I think RBOH has caught one here.....

we need to pass and move and anticipate play

Quoted from pontoonlew

flipping hell can you just pop round to Fenty's and pull the trigger? That way you'll be banged up so won't be able to come on here and talk out your anus and the gypsy stabbing pins into a voodoo doll of Fenty can have a break.

Have a day off ffs.

That is a complete misrepresentation  of my ongoing vendetta against Fenty. . . I haven't posted anything about John Fenty in the last 2 weeks as I have been concentrating on tackling the bigotry expressed on here with regard to the ethnic diversity of the Luton area!  Absolutely disgraceful Pontoonlew!

Your either a really bad wind up or medically insane. Or both.

He seems to have you pretty wound up so maybe he's better than you're giving him credit?