Not for me
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So you’re saying the good management is from the owners of barrow who manage the club in a way that enables them to financially compete at the top end of league 2.
It’s plausible, but a bit thin on substance. What are they doing that our owners aren’t? Because they get smaller crowds and are in a remote area.
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I put today’s defeat fully down to ams’s decision to start attending away games again.
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I was worried by Sadlers comments in the week about how tough this game was going to be, and I was shocked by Liam Gordon’s commentary too, echoing those sentiments and talking about how difficult it was inevitably going to be. It made me think we’d spent the week shitting ourselves about playing a team in the same league as us (when we weren’t over egging a win in a U21s comp that most players are just trying to not get injured in).
They weren’t allayed when the game started. We looked like we were playing a premier league team. Sitting back, trying to be resolute, belting the ball as far up the pitch as possible (the overrated Okagbue’s only attribute in fairness, so it might not have been a tactical ploy). Completely contradictory to how we have played so far this season.
The team selection for the second week running was also utterly bizarre. Sticking Lowe upfront on his own then pinging the ball at him to chase is a ridiculous use of his skills.
Hopefully back to the norm next week, Bradford at home will be a very telling test of just how far this team has come on. We absolutely shit the bed against them last season, in a crunch game, against what is a decent League 2 outfit. Feels like it will be good barometer.
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My thoughts exactly good post .
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To me Sadler to put it bluntly has got the tactics today arse about front we should have started with team and attacking threat we had in the second half ,and if we’re gonna hang on a play defensively that should be later in the second half of the game .Not in the first half of the game we’re we were lucky not to go in 3 down .unfortunately I don’t think this is Sadlers mindset to play like this .if we are going to be successful this has to change.we should have come away with something today MK for me were very ordinary.but like I said before bad day office .
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You have hit the nail of the head, Michal. We are missing that essential bit of creativity in midfield that Hutch used to provide - we haven’t replaced that. The nearest we have got is Uncle Albert. I think our best midfield 3 are: Earing/Jellis; Stirk; Adomah. We need to sign a wing-back who is uncontracted and play UA in midfield - this is a must in games against the better teams that are hard to break down!
Nah, I just think the general plan to win games has some flaws. In theory it’s simple, solid defence, at least one way of scoring goals from the open play and constant drilling set pieces, but … it’s too simple. Every other team is doing the same thing, so you have to be smarter. That wasn’t the first time, when MS looked like he was out-thought by opponent. I hope it will change but if not, more games like this will happen. And it’s not Hutch, but missing Farq can hurt more.
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I’d say it was tactically naive but hoofing it to an 18 year old kid isn’t a tactic it’s braindead if your going to play like that then you start Matt surely?
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Based on the highlights we looked good for a draw.
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I would agree regarding being comfortable on the ball. However a huge concern for me having watched the last game is I just cannot see Adomah being effective at RWB defensively.
A few times yesterday he looked out of puff after a run and left a gaping hole down the flanks which others had to try and cover as he couldnt / didnt get back.
Oh yes. I did warn people beforehand Locky 
Wing Backs have the highest workload in the team. They essentially have to play two positions, and get roasted if they don’t perform one or the other perfectly, because they are so vital to the system and therefore how the team plays (which is what I’ve been trying to tell people about Liam Gordon for years. His defensive work and turnover skills are so underrated it’s ridiculous).
I did say when we signed Adomah that, as talented as he is, I don’t see him as a Wing Back and so far he’s looked far more comfortable further up the pitch with less defensive responsibility. It’s a waste of his talent to have him play a high energy role, that requires defensive work. His attributes are his control, unlocking a defence and yes his delivery from outwide, but you could still get that from an attacking midfield role where he can drift outside.
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I agree with all that. We really missed Gordon at LWB yesterday and Weir seemed well off the pace. Several times their RWB was through with Weir trailing 20 yards behind. Lakin, playing out of position, actually did better.
Hall is not yet match fit. I think he will get better but he is recovering from a serious injury and it will take time. I am not sure why he started in front of Cleary, who looked good when he did come on.
A couple of other positives were that Hornby showed he is a good keeper and Williams is worth his place.
For the game against Birmingham, injuries meant we had to field a strong side and, although it was only the BSM trophy, they put in a lot of effort, which also took its toll yesterday.
Let’s hope that a week’s rest brings us back to peak form.
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Rubbish tactics, defend from the start then attack at the end when it’s too late.
Most successful teams I’ve seen over the years, attack from the off then make defensive changes at the end.
Mr Sadler has it all wrong away from home.
Won’t be everyone’s bag but I’d imagine it’ll be of interest to certain posters….
The Coaches Voice is a you tube channel that has managers on to explain their tactical preparation / plan for certain games…
Scott Lindsay’s on how he played MK in the play offs is simply brilliant. The detail is incredible and watching in hindsight knowing that his players executed it to a tee is fascinating
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Oooh I love this content. Great stuff thanks for the link.
Thoughts on yesterday CS? Do you think Sadler got it wrong with that diamond 4 behind Lowe? Do you like it?
Just seemed overly complicated to me. Think we worried too much about stopping MK playing though us, and we forgot to have any sort of attack. I can’t remember Barrett marauding on once yesterday - very out of keeping with how we’ve played the first few games.
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From watching that it just shows how good a chance earing’s was in the first half and with the pace and closeness he hit it from, it literally just hit the keeper - 3 foot either side of him, it’s a goal, and a good one too.
Right at the end we almost got caught out, giving the ball away when we could have had a good break on and presenting them with a greay chance.
I think the big pitch stumped us a bit although we should have trained and been prepared for that.
Onto next week.
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Thanks CS, Most insightful.
Who said that football was a simple game?
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