Just back  (merged)

I liked the way Barrow played with accurate passing and movement.  Their big bloke at number 6 doing golf- chip passes and then pointing to where the receiver should pass to.  They made 3 early subs to try and change things, and still played good football.

Their shooting was poor.  24 shots at goal according to the BBC.  On another night they would have scored more goals.  Like Crawley they attacked us with pace creating decent chances on numerous occasions.

Our first touch, passing, movement, pace and buildup seems ponderous.  Opposing defences usually have time to get into position.  When we play it quickly or with a good ball forward or a good cross - we can score.

With the penalty we could have scored 3 goals when not playing well.  This looks very impressive when Barrow had the best defensive record in the League before last night (only 9 goals conceded), Along with Mansfield and Gillingham..

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Khan didn't offer Efete much support against Crawley but it's not his game is it? We malign Hurst for picking wingers primarily because they do their defensive duty and then when he picks more attacking wingers we complain they're not doing their defensive duties.

I don't know what to think about last night. We really needed 3 points and we got them but I felt more concerned afterwards than I have after any other game this season. When I think about the games we've won at home this season (against Salford and Gillingham) we were so aggressive off the ball and really hard to play against but Barrow sprayed it around seemingly at will last night.

Maher getting injured really seems to have unbalanced the defence so hopefully he's fit for Saturday and that settles down. It's then a case of balancing having enough bodies in midfield to control the ball whilst having enough attacking threat in front of them to actually create with the possession.

4-3-3 with Wilson and Eisa next to Rose? Think opponents would really target our full backs as Mullarkey suddenly seems vulnerable and our best left back is right footed. 4-4-2 sounds great but do we have a midfield 2 who can get hold of the ball enough? Maybe the lopsided version we used in 2016 where we almost had three centre mids and one winger?  copulated if I know but we can't play like we did last night again and expect to get anything.

This is what I'm thinking would suit us best at the minute. At the very least we've got two good strikers for this level in Rose and Wilson who between them are a real nuisance for defenders with their running and harassment. If we had Eisa on the left who is a threat and draws players in as well, we could put Harry on the right who has the energy to get forward but could tuck in when needed if we're getting over run in the midfield. Not ideal but if we got the ball forward quickly (not just hoofed) then I would fancy Eisa cutting in and Rose having Wilson working off him could cause a decent amount of problems. We'd also have to hope Maher is fit so the defence looks solid again.

Eventually you have to just go with your strengths and stop being shít scared of the opposition and where you might be targeted. If you’ve got Eisa, Rose & Wilson all fit & firing then go 4-3-3 with that frontline and give the oppo something to think about. Might be struggling at left-back but that’s going to be the case until January so make-do and if needs be have Clifton on the left of the middle 3 with a bit more of a leash on him.

Even Andrews would offer us something on the left of that three being a natural left footer.

End of the day, Wrexham don’t worry too much about their back line as they know they’ll probably score 3 or 4. Same with Notts County, Swindon and Hurst has even said it himself.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Khan didn't offer Efete much support against Crawley but it's not his game is it? We malign Hurst for picking wingers primarily because they do their defensive duty and then when he picks more attacking wingers we complain they're not doing their defensive duties.

I don't know what to think about last night. We really needed 3 points and we got them but I felt more concerned afterwards than I have after any other game this season. When I think about the games we've won at home this season (against Salford and Gillingham) we were so aggressive off the ball and really hard to play against but Barrow sprayed it around seemingly at will last night.

Maher getting injured really seems to have unbalanced the defence so hopefully he's fit for Saturday and that settles down. It's then a case of balancing having enough bodies in midfield to control the ball whilst having enough attacking threat in front of them to actually create with the possession.

4-3-3 with Wilson and Eisa next to Rose? Think opponents would really target our full backs as Mullarkey suddenly seems vulnerable and our best left back is right footed. 4-4-2 sounds great but do we have a midfield 2 who can get hold of the ball enough? Maybe the lopsided version we used in 2016 where we almost had three centre mids and one winger?  copulated if I know but we can't play like we did last night again and expect to get anything.

Just had to check before I posted but my memory wasn't failing me!! Gnahoua played in front of Mullarkey in both the Salford & Gillingham games and, if I remember correctly, made several important defensive interventions. To be honest, I've seen nothing of Otis to warrant him starting and he offers no defensive cover at all.

I turn the clock back to those first ten games in the Conference when we played some exciting, entertaining and winning football that had me believing that Hurst had changed his approach tactically and from then on, even if we lost, we could leave the ground having enjoyed our positive approach.

Unfortunately, it was a false dawn and our style of play is now pretty similar to that during his first spell and once again we are told by him, prior to each match, how good the opposition are. Thus a significant number of supporters become increasingly frustrated and the demands start for a change of Manager. I believe most of us accept (or at least hope) that Hurst is a safe pair of hands who given a full season will keep us safe and the threat of relegation will be no more. Maybe, during our recent times in L2, that continual threat of relegation has made the fan base more accepting of mediocre performances and whilst no side is going to play well in every match our lethargic home performances, even when winning, significantly outweigh the games with great entertainment value.

I, like many I suspect, were anticipating a different approach this season with a high press, more skilful and technically gifted players which had me rubbing my hands and looking forward to trips over to BP. Somehow that enthusiasm has already dwindled despite us losing only one home match, and that was one we shouldn’t have lost, and seeing Eisa score some cracking goals. Maybe it’s just me but when your approaching seventy you know your own time clock is speeding up and thus I want Town to be progressing at a faster rate so I not only see it but I also get to enjoy my son celebrating League success.

Not desperate for Hurst to be replaced but I’m pretty keen on him changing our tactical approach, particularly at home, and seeing how capable some of our players actually could actually prove to be.

Quoted from ska face

Eventually you have to just go with your strengths and stop being shít scared of the opposition and where you might be targeted. If you’ve got Eisa, Rose & Wilson all fit & firing then go 4-3-3 with that frontline and give the oppo something to think about. Might be struggling at left-back but that’s going to be the case until January so make-do and if needs be have Clifton on the left of the middle 3 with a bit more of a leash on him.

Even Andrews would offer us something on the left of that three being a natural left footer.

End of the day, Wrexham don’t worry too much about their back line as they know they’ll probably score 3 or 4. Same with Notts County, Swindon and Hurst has even said it himself.

100%

Not convinced it matters what formation we play, our fullbacks are a weak area.  Be it 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-5-1 or even if we go with wingbacks, we're going to be targetted down the flanks.

I think I'd prefer to see us going with attacking intent further up the pitch in the wide areas just to pin any attack minded opposition full-backs back.

We can't limit our attacks just because our fullbacks are excrement at defending.  If it's that bad of an issue put Clifton and Khouri (when fit) as the fullbacks.  Both are solid, dependable and won't be dominated.  Or we need to dip into the free agent market to find some who are an improvement, starting October with your second choice right-back getting the nod over two specialised left-backs and then doing everything you can to protect your first choice right-back is just bonkers.

I thought their midfield all looked much tidier on the ball and in possession than ours did (Andrews aside, perhaps, as I thought he looked useful), though admittedly, we just stood off them and let them pass it whereas they closed us down.

They had more players who looked comfortable receiving and distributing the ball, although it was certainly an off-day for many of our players. I know some on this forum seem to think Hunt is the man to help provide this. I'm sceptical about that and think Andrews did enough last night to probably keep him in the team ahead of Hunt for the foreseeable future.

Elsewhere, I think Efete is a decent defender due to his pace, strength and aerial ability, but his passing and crossing is poor in general so I can't see him playing effectively as a wing-back. On the other hand, Mullarkey is a capable ball player and has put some decent crosses in already this season, but I do think he's a bit too tall to be completely effective at full-back. Wingers tend to be shorter and therefore quicker off the mark - Mullarkey isn't slow, but he's always likely to be a bit behind shorter players over the first few yards and that's an issue for a full-back. It's no coincidence that you don't see too many much over 6 feet tall.

I'd certainly prefer Gnahoua to Khan on last night's performance which was, frankly, a bit half-arsed on his behalf. Very little effort went into defending as he appeared to be playing with his latest call up at the front of his mind.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

I turn the clock back to those first ten games in the Conference when we played some exciting, entertaining and winning football that had me believing that Hurst had changed his approach tactically and from then on, even if we lost, we could leave the ground having enjoyed our positive approach.

Unfortunately, it was a false dawn and our style of play is now pretty similar to that during his first spell and once again we are told by him, prior to each match, how good the opposition are. Thus a significant number of supporters become increasingly frustrated and the demands start for a change of Manager. I believe most of us accept (or at least hope) that Hurst is a safe pair of hands who given a full season will keep us safe and the threat of relegation will be no more. Maybe, during our recent times in L2, that continual threat of relegation has made the fan base more accepting of mediocre performances and whilst no side is going to play well in every match our lethargic home performances, even when winning, significantly outweigh the games with great entertainment value.

I, like many I suspect, were anticipating a different approach this season with a high press, more skilful and technically gifted players which had me rubbing my hands and looking forward to trips over to BP. Somehow that enthusiasm has already dwindled despite us losing only one home match, and that was one we shouldn’t have lost, and seeing Eisa score some cracking goals. Maybe it’s just me but when your approaching seventy you know your own time clock is speeding up and thus I want Town to be progressing at a faster rate so I not only see it but I also get to enjoy my son celebrating League success.

Not desperate for Hurst to be replaced but I’m pretty keen on him changing our tactical approach, particularly at home, and seeing how capable some of our players actually could actually prove to be.

I have to agree, it’s hardly entertaining is it and there’s a fine balance between being careful what you wish for and actually wanting to be entertained.

Imagine being round the table in the mid 1800’s when they pitched the idea of football and it was described in the way we play it. A game where the only aim is to hope you scrape a result by taking the 1 or 2 chances you create in 90 minutes, whilst making sure you absolutely do not stray from your positions and proritise your defensive duties above all else.

I can’t see it taking off…

Quoted from mariner91

This is what I'm thinking would suit us best at the minute. At the very least we've got two good strikers for this level in Rose and Wilson who between them are a real nuisance for defenders with their running and harassment. If we had Eisa on the left who is a threat and draws players in as well, we could put Harry on the right who has the energy to get forward but could tuck in when needed if we're getting over run in the midfield. Not ideal but if we got the ball forward quickly (not just hoofed) then I would fancy Eisa cutting in and Rose having Wilson working off him could cause a decent amount of problems. We'd also have to hope Maher is fit so the defence looks solid again.

That  has been Hurst's usual formation over the 10 years he's had here . 4-4-2 with one winger tucked in (normally a cm ) who can make a 3 when needed - think Paddy Mglaughlin was a pretty good exponent of it like Clifton - it was always quite lobsided but made us a tough team to play against .

It was normally the left hand side with the tucked in player and a wide wide winger on the right-  think Mcgreth and Colbeck .

He used it quite well with Sousa  on the right hand side in the play off run I seem to remember aswell really stretching the play with Clifton tucked in on the other side .

We always played with a link forward aswell so it was effectively a lobsided 4-4-1-1  most if the time wasn't it .

I used to like it , we were a horrible team to play against really and I know not the easyiest on the eye .

The problem is now we look an easier team to play against and still not that easy on the eye .

Haven't read through all but my thoughts.
We have two fit left backs but aren't playing them. Don't like that.
Our right hand side was far too open there was space there to be exploited which wasn't really addressed.
I thought Otis Khan had a good game. Obviously the goalscorers took their chances well.
I don't mind looking at playing back and switching looking for space but we were too slow in both moving the ball and movement of players.
I recall one move there only being one available pass, a Barrow player cutting off that passing line then the ball being recycled.Thats too easy.
There were some good moments when we looked better than the level but they were too few and there was a ridiculous amount of desperate defending when we should have been controlling the game.
I hope the ref takes a look back and addresses his performance. I know we slate refs but he was at a different game to me.
Onwards we go, hopefully a win lifts spirits . We will see at Tranmere