my analysis for mansfield town

Quoted from TAGG

What a rip snortingley riveting read

UTM

Thanoj was pretty anonymous but nobody seems to have mentioned the ridiculously good pass he threaded through to Devitt in the penalty box early in the second half who then had acres of space to pick out a striker, but I think Hannah could only hit the bar (or did it go straight over?) from his cross.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Thanoj was pretty anonymous but nobody seems to have mentioned the ridiculously good pass he threaded through to Devitt in the penalty box early in the second half who then had acres of space to pick out a striker, but I think Hannah could only hit the bar (or did it go straight over?) from his cross.

It was a lovely weighted pass and I thought it glanced off the front of the bar. Would have been a lovely goal - just after that brilliant save their keeper had made down to his right. Let's be honest, Thanoj has been picked out because LJL didn't get a run out.

For too much of this season we've relied heavily on our defensive prowess whilst not really gelling up front with any of the partnerships tried. One can only imagine what a fit Liam Hearn would have done BACKED by such a great back line. A look at the number of goals our strikers have managed between them in comparison to individuals in our rivals shows an inherrent problem. Whilst I've shared the view that a scruffy one goal win is still three points etc. it is our apparent lack of a workable plan B if we fall behind that could prove our undoing. I cannot remember too many games this season where we've fallen behind and gone on to win. Last night if we'd got the first goal I'm confident our defence wouldn't have conceded twice.

Thomas 7 - IMO best game for a while
Thanoj is an enigma - superb pass for Devitt (who them wasted yet another good crossing opportunity) - then can't seem to get in the game and becomes a bit of a passenger.
Best performance for a long while and how we didn;t get something is a mystery - not it's not actually...bad luck, bad finishing, bad final ball

Quoted from Stevie Saunders

Thomas 7 - IMO best game for a while
Thanoj is an enigma - superb pass for Devitt (who them wasted yet another good crossing opportunity) - then can't seem to get in the game and becomes a bit of a passenger.
Best performance for a long while and how we didn;t get something is a mystery - not it's not actually...bad luck, bad finishing, bad final ball

I didn't think there was much wrong with Devitts crossing last night. There were at least two occasions in the second half where crosses weren't stuck away from reasonable distances.

Quoted from barralad

I didn't think there was much wrong with Devitts crossing last night. There were at least two occasions in the second half where crosses weren't stuck away from reasonable distances.

Well that is because we are too static, nobody is there streaming in to get the ball as it flashes across goal, if it isnt to them they dont move

Quoted from aaron rattray

Well that is because we are too static, nobody is there streaming in to get the ball as it flashes across goal, if it isnt to them they dont move

Absolute nonsense! Last night Hannah's movement in the box was excellent, creating space for himself and others.

I would also disagree with barralad about Devitts crossing. On too many occasions his crosses were hit within comfortable distance of the keeper who gathered easily. I can excuse the old boy his lack of judgement as not many people of his advanced years can get to games, let alone see what is happening  

Happy Birthday btw

Have to say very good analysis mate, but Cook winning nothing in the air, are you joking? Lol baring in mind once we conceded all the team did was lump balls up to him! He won everything and when he didnt he drew the foul, he worked his socks off all game and although wasnt as lively as Hannah in attacking positions he nearly scored a header and was a text book target man. Love him.

Our problems relating to players are these IMO:

None of our wide players are performing with consistency and are drifting in and out of games. Delievery from set pieces and crosses has generally been disappoinnting. Colbeck is the worst culprit for me.  At times is has been infuriating. Too many games are won or lost by set-pieces and crosses and we can't afford to be rubbish. This is the main reason we're not scoring enough goals. The other reason for me is - we're messing about with the forward permeatations too much. Not enough patience or faith is shown if a player has an indifferent game or two, selection 'gambles' haven't paid off, or substitutions have had little or no effect. Plus - injuries to key players has affected our stability. The Hatton/Wood/Thomas interchange is not bringing the best out of any of them, and you could argue that they've all, at times, deserved to lose their place to one of the others. Again, lack of continuity and lack of consistency. Also, the level of performance that specific departed players displayed has been sorely missed (Pond) or has not been replicated by their replacement - Nielson/Devitt.