Dunstable away

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fairweatherfan
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by fairweatherfan » 01 Nov 2020, 12:15

It may be disrespectful, but if you're going to make a virtue of how professional things are (which I think is a virtue), then it's inevitable that fans will speculate on players. Besides, there's nothing particularly disrespectful per se here.

I think Robbie Bunn ought to have enough credit in the bank, but he's hardly set the world on fire this season.

410viawednesbury
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by 410viawednesbury » 01 Nov 2020, 12:18

Seamus wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 12:08
Apologies 410viawednesbury, I think I have followed your editing standards.
Nobody ever apologises to me either ;D so thanks

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andy
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by andy » 01 Nov 2020, 12:19

AwayDayYeltz wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 09:05
Paul Smith must be scratching his head this morning, wondering how the hell his team played so well and came away with nothing. As I mentioned yesterday we were 3-0 down, after Dunstable only had two attempts at goal. It was remarkable.

The first 20 or so minutes we were utterly dominant. However our failure to take chances, once again came back to bite us, as it has done numerous times this season. By the time Dunstable meaningfully ventured into Halesowen territory, which forced Brendon Bunn into a rash challenge, to gift away a penalty, we could and should have been 2-0 up.

The second Dunstable goal was a freak. A Forsyth header catching the wind and looping over Bunn into the net. A third quickly followed, and a mad 10 minute or so spell had us well and truly on the floor, and in all honesty won Dunstable the game.

I’ve never felt like this post game, because we played so well. The effort was there, and the players kept trying until the final whistle. I genuinely can’t fault the players, or Smith for yesterday’s performance. It’s a strange feeling.

In isolation, you would write off this match, and result, as a one off. One of those games that football throws up once in a royal blue moon. But when you look at the bigger picture, the signs have been there all season long, and yesterday highlights a long standing problem – that is, failure to take chances, coupled with sloppy defending, is costing us time and time again.

Take Corby, for example. 3-0 up, and just before the break Molyneux (who has been excellent this season) misses a great chance to put us further ahead. Then, after the break Cobourne misses another great chance, and hits the woodwork. We should have been out of sight before Corby grabbed, what should have been, a consolation goal. However, we weren’t, and Corby were gifted a lifeline. Then our sloppy defending, and individual errors cost us all three points, as we surrendered a 3 goal lead in an incredible 45 minutes, where we capitulated.

Again, in isolation, you’d say losing, when 3-0 to the good, is a freak. It’s one of those days. But one of those days, are occurring all too frequently this season.

Another example of our failure to take chances, and sloppy defending can be found when you look at our home win against Yaxley. We were dominant in the first half, and played so well. However, we switched off defensively, and allowed Yaxley back into the game, at 2-1. Thankfully, on that occasion, we managed to step up a gear, and our quality (which isn’t in question, even today) showed, and we were sublime in the second half, to take all three points. But the sign was there. Failure to put the game to bed, by not making numerous chances count, and sloppy defending, could have cost us.

I am by no means calling this a crisis, or anything as ridiculous as that, but it’s clear that something just isn’t clicking with us right now. I can’t quite put my finger on it. However, I get the feeling the squad isn’t as tight or together as it was last season, which could explain the poor results on the pitch.

The squad depth isn’t as good as it was last season, either. Yes, we’ve been decimated by an injury list longer than Dan Sweeney’s CV, and when Hewitt, Cobourne and Gregory return to fitness, we’ll look much stronger on paper. However, I believe that even with a fully fit squad, we’re down on quality from last season. I do understand that factors such as budget (I’ve no idea what our budget is compared to last season, but I’d be surprised if it’s the same or even more, due to COVID) and players moving onto a higher level of football, mean it’s difficult to maintain a quality squad. Simply put the players that have left us (Montel, Piggott, Sammonds, Ashmore and now Parsons) have either not been replaced, or have been replaced by players that aren't as talented. That’s a lot of quality for any club to lose.

Although the squad isn’t as good as last seasons squad, I believe that the group of players we have are more than capable of winning this league. They’re certainly capable of better than 4 defeats in 5 games.

I believe we must return to basics. I want to see a team selection where players are played in their natural position. I know it’s a little negative, but on Tuesday, the initial aim should be to keep a clean sheet. We must return to being solid and organised in defence. We need to stop conceding silly and avoidable goals.

I’d like to see us revert to a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, whatever you want to call it. A back four of Evans (RB) McCone (CB), New Bloke (CB) and Bowen (LB). Or you could even play Wright at right back, and have a McCone and Evans centre back pairing (who were excellent, when paired together last season). Either way, we must start playing defenders in defence. It’s clear the experiment of playing Forsyth (or Ali, or at times both) as a centre back isn’t working. Sadly.

At least the above selection would give us a much more balanced, solid, and natural back line, that would give us a chance to stop leaking goals, and keep clean sheets.

We aren’t a bad team, we have a fantastic manager, and a solid group of players, the majority of which are a pleasure to support and watch. The team needs tweaking. 2-3 of players need to be moved on, and replaced with better quality, if possible. But there’s nothing terminal here. Far from it. It’s still very early on in the season, and I still believe we’ll win this league. We must, however, get back to basics, and start becoming a tougher, and more street wise team.
Excellent post Josh. Excellent.
Proud owner of FOUR Georges O0 O0 O0 O0

AwayDayYeltz
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by AwayDayYeltz » 01 Nov 2020, 12:29

andy wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 12:19

Excellent post Josh. Excellent.
Thanks! I didn't intend to write such a lengthy post, but I went into full ranting mode! 😂😂
Josh - Keyboard warrior! #UpTheYeltz

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YeltzDoc
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by YeltzDoc » 01 Nov 2020, 12:36

410viawednesbury wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 11:41
What we are seeing now is a natural progression in Smith's management career with this squad he's had, after all it was his squad he had built from last season. By his own admission he had been loyal to some players and they are now for whatever reason not paying him back. This is now a pivotal moment in, both, Halesowen's season and Smith's tenure, he has a large task on his hands to get the balance right and to return the good ship Halesowen back on course.
Spot on from Wednesbury. With the exception of Stewart Hall, our good spells post-Vase have been when a manager brings the nucleus of a good side with him.
Or in the case of Robandlarry (remember him?) tried it and it failed.

It’s perfectly understandable, you do the same in business, when I get “moved on”, regular as clockwork, the first thing I do when I get a new gig is go back to the old place and nick them wot woz any good.

Once John Hill’s Tiptonites split up, he struggled, and so did we. “Friday signing anyone?” Let’s fucking hope not.

So, a pivotal few weeks as Lokomotiv Yeltz rattles across the (dropped) points.

Those with better knowledge than me will know if Paul has pulled off a rebuild before, and by the time we’re opening our blue and white presents at Christmas (now delayed until Feb, Senior Cups take precedence) we’ll all know.

I’ve every faith, but it’s going to be a (slay) ride.

Rich
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by Rich » 01 Nov 2020, 13:10

Agree with everything said by Paul.
End of the day though any team losing a striker who has just scored 30 goals in the season is going to take some replacing and a reajustment.
Think we just need all players fit and settled then we can move on and up

AwayDayYeltz
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by AwayDayYeltz » 01 Nov 2020, 13:20

I'm not going to pretend losing Montel has not hurt us. And losing Sim and Gregory is just adding salt to the wounds. But those three players being absent aren't the reason for the mini slump we're on. It doesn't help, but it's not the reason.

We just can't defend collectively as a team, while constantly making silly errors that lead to goals. That is what the issue is here.

We played very well yesterday, and scored. Away from home that should be enough for at least a point. We lost.

We were 3-0 up, away at Corby. We lost.

Both defeats were down to our inability to defend.
Josh - Keyboard warrior! #UpTheYeltz

AwayDayYeltz
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by AwayDayYeltz » 01 Nov 2020, 13:24

I know the above is a little contradictory, since I've also said our inability to take chances is costing us, which it does, but I firmly believe if we sorted out the defence, and got back to the basics, results would instantly improve.
Josh - Keyboard warrior! #UpTheYeltz

Rich
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by Rich » 01 Nov 2020, 14:08

AwayDayYeltz wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 13:24
I know the above is a little contradictory, since I've also said our inability to take chances is costing us, which it does, but I firmly believe if we sorted out the defence, and got back to the basics, results would instantly improve.
..........and that makes the selling Ashmore and Parsons in the last couple of weeks more confusing ???

juanillo
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Re: Dunstable away

Post by juanillo » 01 Nov 2020, 18:19

AwayDayYeltz wrote:
01 Nov 2020, 13:24
I know the above is a little contradictory, since I've also said our inability to take chances is costing us, which it does, but I firmly believe if we sorted out the defence, and got back to the basics, results would instantly improve.
I agree with much of your sentiment. I think your own contradiction actually sums it up.

The performances this season have indeed been contradictory; thrashing a couple of poor teams, struggling against weak or average teams in the FA Cup, or conceding goals in rapid succession.

Also, you said you couldn't fault the players for yesterday's performance. I wasn't there, but you rightly found fault in the inability to score when dominating along with some sloppy defending. The contradictions of the team seem to run both within games and from one game to the next.

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