Why Is Our Record So Poor Against Midtable Teams?

A disappointing game, performance and result, one that you really struggle to take any positives from. Perhaps one or two lessons. From our perspective the first half, Godden’s early header chance notwithstanding, was an embarrassment as progressively Exeter pushed us back and for periods we were unable to either control the ball and possession (other than passes across the back line) or find any outlet with long balls forward. We did improve in the second half, but until late on only to the extent of making it an even contest.

The chances which Jones said not taking cost us the game came in the closing minutes, by which time we had thrown caution to the wind. Yes, we should have taken at least one of the two gilt-edged ones. That would have given us a point, perhaps shifted the focus in favour of five unbeaten (forget the cup games) instead of now four without a win. Even then it would only have amounted to sharing the spoils with another mid-table team, one which carried very little attacking threat, despite a decent display of leading the line by Magennis, but which gave a demonstration why they have conceded only 10 goals in 13 games. We started the season with three wins on the back of three clean sheets, keeping things (very) tight at the back and relying on nicking one at the other end. We can hardly complain that Exeter pretty much did the same to us.

Not much point a day later dwelling much on the game itself. In the first half early on we had a good Godden header saved and later a Taylor volley which may have been on target but was blocked. Exeter had a couple of promising situations but seemed to take wrong options. At the break both teams had had one effort each on target; but Exeter’s 58% possession and 11 corners (to our two) told the story. We did show an improvement in the second half but, after a whipped Edwards cross just eluded Leaburn, went behind as a central defender was allowed to move freely from a central position to meet a corner at the near post and gave it the deft flick necessary to divert it into the net. Our two golden chances to equalise came in the final 10 minutes of normal time. First a long ball forward was nodded down (by Purrington it seems) and dropped kindly for Godden in space, but his shot on the turn went agonisingly wide. Then from a corner Docherty headed back and Mitchell(A) missed the target from close range. Exeter did also clear a stoppage time scramble off the line.

The team may have shown only two changes from Southend but there were five from our previous league game (Wrexham). It seems that Mannion and Anderson were unavailable and according to Jones Edun on the bench wasn’t fit to play a part. That meant effectively we went into the game short of Mannion, Ramsay, Watson, Potts, Edun, Anderson, Aneke, Campbell(T) and Kanu. If you look at the whole squad really of those available only Asiimwe (just back from loan), Dixon, Rylah and Mbick, all players still learning their trade, were not involved. That is getting down to the bare bones.

Injuries have had a serious impact on recent campaigns, just that we hoped this one would be different. It isn’t an excuse for underperformance but is a mitigating factor, especially as the changes it means work against continuity and developing understanding. Perhaps it’s also having an impact on our approach to games. For too long yesterday we seemed content to be at 0-0. That might be acceptable against Birmingham, even at a stretch at the moment Wrexham. But surely not yesterday.

Jones said after the game that we were “nowhere near” in the first half. But that has happened so often this season (once again I’d highlight our first half v second half record) that it only raises the question why. Is it the mindset going into the game? Is it the gameplan they go onto the pitch with? It’s as if we’ve got locked into a pattern we can’t break, one which early in the season had at least some rationale as we looked to Aneke, then Leaburn, to get off the bench. Now we’re making changes to personnel and formation when we go behind and have to chase the game. Whatever happened to imposing yourselves on the opposition, giving them problems to try to deal with? Our passive approach while level – once behind we brought on Ahadme and Small with a switch to a back five, then Berry was introduced – cost us the game, not taking the late chances denied us being able to take something from it.

So where does the problem lie? Is it a midfield without pace unable to provide support to the front players, or forwards’ lack of movement and ability to hold the ball (or to combine effectively)? Or is it an unavoidable consequence of the ‘safety first’ approach, which involves midfielders so often lofting the ball forward without direction any time they are put under pressure? I suspect all three.

What’s the answer? Has to begin with a deep conversation with the physios. Just how long are we going to be without certain players, most obviously Ramsay, Jones and Aneke, also Kanu and Campbell(T), the two forwards who provide the pace option from whatever position. On the basis of that, look at what we do have and decide whether we are just looking to hold the fort until players return or whether we have to plan without them - in which case all thoughts of Plan A, or B, should go out of the window and you start from scratch looking at what you have. 

If you look at a breakdown of our results for the 14 games so far there might be a clue. Our overall record against the teams above us (won two, drawn three, lost two) is pretty much on a par with that for those below us (won three, drawn one, lost three). But the more remarkable thing is that the two defeats to those above us have been against Reading and Exeter, teams outside the top six. We’ve played four of the top six and haven’t lost (one win, three draws). And of the teams below us, our three wins have been against teams in the bottom six (Shrewsbury, Leyton Orient, Wigan).

So if you take out games against the top six and the bottom six – which arguably leaves the games you need to be winning consistently, or at least not losing, to be in the promotion frame – our record reads played seven, won one (Bolton, a team most would have expected to be in the top six), drawn one (Rotherham ditto), and lost five (Reading, Blackpool, Stevenage, Bristol Rovers and Exeter). If it’s types of games/opposition we are underperforming against you want to identify, there it is. Just why this should be is another matter of course, but you might conclude that against the leading teams we go out full of determination and resolve, against the worst teams we have the power to beat them, but against those around us, especially those which do not look strong on paper or reputation, far too often we are coming up short. That smacks of either not being in the right mindset for a scrap, or having the wrong tactics/formation for particular opponents, or just not being good enough when our backs are not against the wall – or a combination of all three.

It is far too soon to be talking of another season lost (which is not to deny that it is clearly a possibility). We know we can be competitive against the best in this league and we know we need key players back available asap. What is also obvious to all is that we have to improve if we are to get into the play-offs 

Taking Stock

It seems as if the season has barely started, but this probably reflects the impression that we are still a work in progress and that a lengthy injury list will work against us firing on all cylinders for a further period. Fact is the season is already more than a quarter over – and by this stage the table doesn’t lie. Overall 19 points from 13 games is obviously not a return that can get us promoted while breaking it down throws up such mixed conclusions and implications.

The 13 games have included three successive wins at the start and three consecutive defeats. Strip out both – if you treat them as exceptional - and you get 10 points from seven games, still well short of what is required. Take out just the start and 10 points from 10 games would put us in a relegation scrap if extended over a full season. A total of 15 goals in 13 games is clearly not enough – unless you have an impregnable defence. We thought we did when we rattled off three clean sheets to start the campaign, but nobody needs reminding that including the Southend cup game we’ve shipped 11 in the last six, utilising a different formation from the opening 5-3-2/3-5-2, even though we’re unbeaten in the last five. I’d add to this as previously highlighted the stark difference in our points return in the first half of games and in the second. And for every Bolton and Birmingham there’s a Bristol Rovers and a Stevenage (no disrespect intended, they earned those wins, as did we).

Throw in an injury list which now includes Ramsay, Jones, Potts, Watson, Aneke, Kanu, and it seems Campbell(T), partially redressed by the return of Ahadme and Asiimwe and the improving match fitness of Leaburn, and you can understand that any assessment of our current position and immediate outlook is likely to centre on the impossibility of fielding a first-choice squad and the absence as yet of a real spine to the team as well as lack of clarity on our best formation.

Injuries and suspensions aside, and accepting Jones’ complaints that keyboard pundits don’t see what goes on in training (or for that matter devote sufficient time to studying the opposition) I’d suggest that a successful team contains perhaps six that if available you expect to start week in, week out and a pool of say 12 from which to make up the other five and the substitutes (with another half dozen sometimes included on the bench). I’d say right now shoo-ins to start are only Mannion (despite a hiccup or two of late and Maynard-Brewer’s excellent display against the Chelsea U18s), Mitchell(A), Edwards, and Godden; if Ramsay and Jones were available they would be added.

Before thinking of who fits the bill for the other spots, you have to decide on the formation. We currently seem to be alternating during games between a 4-4-2 (with the ‘box’ midfield) and a 3-5-2/5-3-2 as and when we need to chase the game. For me, the way we play 4-4-2 is best kept as an option for particular games. It was a superb call by Jones for the Birmingham game, especially with Kanu running their back line ragged. If you are looking to stifle opposition especially adept at playing through the middle it is undoubtedly an option to call on. But it is inherently defensive and negative, in general (but not always) working against actually scoring and winning games. It stifles space and movement for us with the ball as well as the opposition. Is it really the best we can muster against lesser (on paper) teams?

The loss of Ramsay and Watson does undermine the case for now for 3-5-2. For it to work well you need specialist wing-backs on both sides. Whether Jones considers Edmonds-Green, or Asiimwe, as ready to fill the slot on the right, or indeed whether one of the left-sided options might be able to change over, I’ve no idea. The problem is compounded by not having Jones the player (and Potts) available and being stretched in central defence for a back three if Edmonds-Green plays wing-back, even including Mitchell(Z). I am hoping that nobody’s thinking in terms of Campbell(T) playing wing-back, if he is available. Did we learn nothing from trying that with Blackett-Taylor?

I’d at least consider a more traditional 4-4-2, dropping the box midfield and using players more comfortable in wide positions. If Campbell(T) isn’t available to play wide (and/or Jones sticks to the view that wingers need to be converted into central forwards, as also with Rylah against Chelsea) that might suit playing Small in front of Edwards on the left (and conceivably Asiimwe in front of Edmonds-Green on the other side). Given our current injury list it looks like a waste of a very useful asset for Small not to be involved. We know he can work the line well and deliver good crosses.

Would this leave us too exposed in central midfield? Potentially, but nothing is without risks, pros and cons, and the choice would also set problems for the opposition, perhaps obliging them to change their approach. Also, it’s not as if a midfield four with wide players has never worked for us. Remember Newton and Robinson either side of Kinsella and Jones? Or the central partnership of Parker and Jensen? For sure if it’s a central two the emphasis is more on their tackling and defensive cover abilities than forward play; ideally you have a real box-to-box option like a young Bowyer. Of course it’s a question of what is available, but I refuse to believe that there are perfect formations, just styles.

For me the two main disappointments of the season so far are: first, the failure to sustain the dogged and aggressive approach to defending our box evident in the early games (and to be fair when it was needed against Birmingham), perhaps it just isn’t sustainable; and second, the failure to date to craft effective central midfield partnerships. Perhaps it’s too early, but I did expect more collectively from Docherty, Berry (obviously his goals are a balancing factor) and Campbell(A). Add in Coventry, Taylor, Anderson, possible Edun too, and you have the numbers, for either the box midfield four or a central three, but not to date the quality and effectiveness to make midfield numbers the determinant of formation (IMO of course).

Up front, our immediate options have changed with the return of Ahadme and the settling back in of Leaburn, plus the recent inclusion of Hylton, but also the unavailability of Kanu and perhaps Campbell(T), plus Aneke (for who knows how long). At the moment if two start up front and we have two on the bench it’s a case of four from four, unless Mbick and/or Dixon are added. It really is a case of play it by ear for now in consultation with the physio team.

Any chance of a conclusion? If pushed, I’d say if everyone was available my preference would be for 3-5-2 and a starting X1 of something like: Mannion, Ramsay, Jones, Mitchell(A), Gillesphey, Edwards, Coventry, Taylor (not least for the set pieces), Berry, Leaburn and Godden, with Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Small, Docherty, Campbell(A)/Anderson, Ahadme/Aneke and Kanu/Campbell(T) on the bench. Of that starting line-up only two are currently unavailable (Ramsay and Jones), along with one who would be a replacement (Watson). Be ready to go with 4-4-2 and the box midfield for selected games. Be ready to consider a more traditional 4-4-2 depending on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. And pray to whatever might be available to you that the injury list shrinks in the weeks ahead.

On other fronts it goes without saying that we’re all delighted by another gong for Sir Chris, saddened by news of the death of Albert Uytenbogardt, who was I believe the oldest former player (now Eddie Firmani?). We all know his record of six appearances in around five years in the thankless role of understudy to Sam Bartram, which earns him a special place in our affection. And you’ve got to love this offer:

https://prints.colorsport.co.uk/football/albert-uytenbogardt-charlton-athletic-8240959.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6DXdA-EYkehBvQJt7eyAo6bcnbj__rbFlX651UnfTsUhzuu1z

Get a wall print of Uytenbogardt making a save in the game at Blackpool in September 1952. Given that we lost the game 8-4 a picture of an actual save by him is truly a collector’s item.

Can't Be Unhappy With Another Point

Well, we cut that one a bit fine, didn’t we? Second consecutive 2-2 draw with the points decided only in stoppage time. Did we deserve to get something out of the game? Falls into the ‘maybe’ category. We had I think a stronger case for a point than at Barnsley, even though we ended up only a minute away from winning that one, especially if you focus on the fact that Wrexham had just two efforts on target all game (and none in the first half even though they took the lead) against seven for us. But you would have to add that going into the closing stages of both games it looked as though we would end up empty-handed (at 1-0 down at Barnsley it was hard to see where a goal might come from only for us to score twice, yesterday was much the same even well into stoppage time). So I’d say we can be reasonably pleased with both outcomes, especially given the players we are missing (to which I guess we now have to add Watson).

Of the four goals yesterday only one came from open play, which might say something about both attacks and both defences. I’d say the major differences between the two teams what that their front two caused us problems all afternoon, held the ball and used it well, kept us stretched, whereas we lost possession too often and too easily when balls were played forward. I think our back four deserve some credit for managing to keep them at bay for most of the time, although it often seemed to be a close call. Both of their goals involved good fortune, with the first scored by us, whether or not the OG is attributed to Coventry for the deflection or Mannion for his failure to turn the deflected cross away from goal, and the second when an excellent challenge by Mitchell ran sweetly into the path of their guy who’d played the ball in. They did clip the bar, courtesy of the returning Lee, and you might say our penalty was just a few inches from being blazed over the bar. But those are the margins in a game of very few really good chances.

We’d set up with the same 4-4-2 (although the BBC is describing it as 4-2-3-1) but with personnel changes. With Ramsay out of the picture Watson came in at right-back instead of Edmonds-Green, who (briefly) dropped to the bench, while in midfield Docherty and Berry swapped places with Taylor and Campbell(A) to partner Coventry and Anderson. Up front Campbell(T) returned to the starting X1 in place of Leaburn. On the bench there were no places for Dixon or Mbick with instead Hylton included alongside Leaburn. Really all looked like reshuffling the pack in light of the opposition and the state of legs after Barnsley, with all of us looking for a repeat of the performance against Birmingham in terms of intensity and determination.

The game was only a couple of minutes old when Watson went down and it soon became clear he wasn’t going to be able to continue, so Edmonds-Green was in action again very early. The early exchanges were inconclusive, one ball flashing across their box but not getting a touch, but any thoughts of just keeping a clean sheet until the break went out of the window on 15 minutes as a free kick on their right side was delivered well but we contrived to score for them, apparently off Coventry and then Mannion. Horrible and soft, but you have to say one of those that happen. Fortunately we were not behind for too long as on 22 minutes a corner was cleared but Edwards sent the ball back into the far post, where Gillesphey rose well and sent a looping header back over their keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Wrexham then had a couple of chances in quick succession, with Lee’s shot clipping the crossbar and then another guy blazing over from a good position. Berry had a shot deflected and saved, Campbell was causing them problems with his pace, but it was still a little surprising at the break to see from the stats that we had had a majority of possession and six efforts on goal with three on target against their four and none. The other first-half stat of note was 10 minutes of stoppage time, reflecting Watson’s injury, then the ref needing treatment after a collision, and his eventual departure with all the time it took to change technical equipment with his replacement.

It was also slightly surprising that Jones opted to make another change at half-time, with Leaburn coming on for Anderson, making it the second game in a row that he only lasted the first half. Wasn’t clear to me (or others) whether this involved any change of formation (to five at the back with Campbell as one wing-back) or rather just a switch for him to a wide position in a midfield four. He had been doing all of his good work in a wide position in any event.

Trouble was, with Leaburn still looking ring-rusty we continued to find it difficult to retain the ball in their half and consequently to be on the front foot. Instead Wrexham gradually gained a clearer ascendency and began to put us under real pressure. On 64 minutes Jones reacted with a double-change, with Taylor and Campbell(A) replacing Docherty and Berry, but the balance of play remained the same, even though Leaburn won a free kick on the edge of their area which was whipped in by Taylor only for their keeper to turn it over.

It wasn’t a big surprise that Wrexham took the lead on 70 minutes. A guy down their right in space played a decent ball inside. Mitchell stretched and prevented the forward from getting an effort on goal, but the first guy had kept running and the loose ball set him up perfectly to shoot across Mannion and into the far corner. It had been coming.

Hylton replaced Coventry with 10 minutes of normal time left. Just what formation that resulted in I’ve no idea, we were just getting desperate and had to try something to find an equaliser from somewhere. Some balls went into the box but it seemed as though Wrexham would be able to see out the game with some predictable timewasting with relative ease. The five added minutes were almost up when their guy hacked down Campbell(T) to prevent him from breaking clear and the resulting free kick was something of a Hail Mary, even though for some reason Mannion didn’t go forward for it (what had we to lose?). Instead the ball in was knocked back and their guy clearly moved his arm out instinctively to block it. It looked as though the rebound might be converted but when that effort was blocked the ref did the right thing and pointed to the spot. Godden remained calm (outwardly at least) and hit it hard and central into the roof of the net, with just about the last kick of the game.

You can’t be unhappy if you score an equaliser right at the end, just ask Barnsley. And it sent all Addicks home with a smile, even if we are well aware of our current shortcomings as the unavailable list gets longer (Watson, Ramsay, Jones, Aneke, Ahadme, Kanu), especially difficult as its split between three defenders and three forwards, so we can rotate the midfield at will but are short of some first choice players and cover in the other departments.

At least in terms of games which matter we have a period ahead of relative calm, just four league games in November (away at Exeter, home to Peterborough, away at Huddersfield and the only midweek one away at Burton). Just what happens in the three cup games scheduled, including the trip to Southend, I really couldn’t care less, other than for these games hopefully seeing some of those absent being able to return. We’re four unbeaten now, albeit with just one a victory, and it’s starting to feel like the backs to the wall unbeaten run under Jones late last season. Realistically we just have to hang on through November and remain in touch – even though of course we’ll be looking to win all four in the month ahead. There are still many ways to slice and dice the season to date, bottom line is we’re not firing on all cylinders and can’t expect to be with the current injury list. We just hope that changes as quickly as possible and that it isn't an excuse for letting standards slip in the interim.

Could Have Been Worse

All set up for another tough one, away at opponents showing similar mixed form to ourselves - having won two, drawn two, and lost two of their last six – but harbouring like ourselves promotion ambitions. Avoid defeat at least and we put more distance from the three successive defeats, a win and for what it’s worth there was every chance we’d be back in a play-off spot ahead of Wrexham’s visit on Saturday.

What we got was a point, overall a lucky one as for most of the game Barnsley were clearly the better team, causing us problems with their passing and movement while we struggled to reproduce the intensity of the Birmingham game. Barnsley will rue not putting the game to bed in the second half, denied by the crossbar, Mannion saves, and a splendid goalline clearance by Leaburn. That we came within a whisker of winning it just highlights the fickle nature of football. In the cold light of day taking a point after a below-par performance, albeit one Barnsley deserve credit for, is not the worst outcome.

Ahead of the game there were a number of imponderables arising from Saturday. Would Jones stick with 4-4-2 (in the event he did for the first half, switched to 5-3-2 in the second) and if he does would he adjust the midfield combination to give it some width and pace? Would he consider Leaburn ready to start (which might depend on whether Aneke or Ahadme would be available on the bench)? Would Taylor keep his place rather than Coventry return? And would Ramsay be available after the knock he took on Saturday?

In the event Ramsay didn’t make it and Jones opted to keep Edmonds-Green in place rather than recall Watson, so the defence was as we ended on Saturday. In midfield Taylor did indeed keep his place but was joined by Coventry, with Anderson and Campbell(A) making up the four, with Docherty moved to the bench to accompany Berry. Up front Leaburn was selected to start, alongside Godden (captain for the night) with Campbell(T) among the subs, with still no sign of Aneke or Ahadme (or Kanu). Dixon was also on the bench with Mbick missing out from Saturday. And from recently going with three forwards in reserve this time it would be just one, and no ‘big guy’, with Watson and Small defensive alternatives (presumably Edmonds-Green would switch inside if necessary). Have to say that missing Ramsay, Jones, Aneke, Ahadme and Kanu amounted to if not an injury crisis then a restriction of options.

Having recently highlighted our lack of first-half goals, we began last night by almost scoring in the first minute. Leaburn wriggled free on the right side and was in on goal but with a tight angle. The keeper easily blocked the shot. Can’t blame Leaburn for shooting but a simple square ball would have found Campbell for a tap-in.

And in the early stages we seemed to be edging things, with a good move involving Coventry and Campbell leading to a snap shot from Godden that went over, then Campbell got past his man and into the clear only to be pulled back. The yellow for their guy (it was too far out to be considered for a red) was matched by one for Edmonds-Green for pull back of his own to stop their guy moving down the line. But as the half progressed Barnsley gradually got on top, and on the half-hour mark a sequence of three shots from distance ended with them taking the lead. The first produced a routine save from Mannion, the second a superb fingertip to turn it over the bar. But the third saw Mannion not only fail to gather the ball but to commit the cardinal sin of pushing it out into the danger zone, in this case right to the feet of their forward between two defenders to poke home.

For the rest of the half Barnsley continued to probe while we were finding it difficult to string together passes or make the right choice when in a decent position. At the break Barnsley had had 56% possession with five shots on goal, four on target (three in that sequence) against three and one (Leaburn’s effort) for us.

As on Saturday Jones made a change to the midfield four at half-time. Then it was Campbell, this time it was Anderson, who had been guilty of losing possession in bad areas and of failing to make the most of the ball in their final third. But rather than a straight swap (for either Docherty or Berry, even a risk with Dixon) he sent on Watson, which meant Edmonds-Green moving inside into a central three at the back and Watson and Edwards operating as wing-backs.

Although the second half began calmly enough, and Leaburn managed to play in Godden for a shot saved, we soon came under the cosh in a period during which the game could easily have been put beyond our reach. First, a Barnsley guy headed over from a good position unchallenged; second, from a long throw and resulting scramble their guy swivelled and hit a shot which came back off the crossbar; and third, Mannion made a poor attempt to punch clear a corner and it fell to their guy, who surely felt he had made it 2-0 only for Leaburn to intervene with an outstretched leg on the goalline.

That spell and the coming of the hour mark sparked further changes. Small came on for Edwards, to provide fresh legs and presumably a greater attacking threat down the flank, and Berry replaced Taylor. The first thing that Berry managed was to fluff a shot from a decent position, but to say he was to more than made amends would be an understatement. On 70 minutes a tiring Leaburn was replaced by Campbell(T). He is not surprisingly rusty after the long absence, the head and the legs not working in perfect combination, but his departure left us all wondering where a goal might come from.

I sent a message around our group at that time saying “can’t say we deserve anything or look like getting anything; but still only one behind …” And on 76 minutes out of the blue we were level. A ball into their box caused a bit of a scramble and as it dropped Berry shaped superbly to be able to control his shot, sending the ball low into the net, their keeper stranded. Just how we were on level terms was a mystery to all watching the game – and Barnsley must have been furious with themselves for not having killed us off.

Now the momentum had shifted and, with us no longer having to chase the game (and Barnsley having to) it seemed that more space and greater pace up front might pay off. Godden had another shot saved, a sharp Berry cross was not converted, while Barnsley were by now throwing caution to the wind with further changes. Into five minutes of stoppage time and we took the lead. A decent break led to a Campbell(T) cross which their keeper should have easily dealt with. Instead he matched up Mannion’s error by weakly palming it away, for Berry to be able to chip it back into the net from inside the box. Just a few minutes to hang on. But we couldn’t. In the final one a ball back into our danger area was allowed to drop and their guy shot home well, with Mannion having no chance.

So not surprisingly deflation at the end, we had come so close to what would have been an outrageous victory. And in that sense the game highlighted the current shortfalls of both teams. Jones wasn’t happy with what he saw and you can understand why, with no repeat of the intensity and determination we saw against Birmingham to close people down, reflected in Barnsley having 20 shots in the game (to our eight), and some patchy defending. We played one half with 4-4-2 and one with 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2) and are at the moment missing some key players. At least we have consolidated our top spot in the second-half league table.

Can We Please Not Continue To Waste The First Half

Let’s have a small reality check. Yes, we should have won on Saturday, yes we had the chances to take all three points. But I wouldn’t echo the talk that we ‘played well’, against what on Saturday’s showing (perhaps they had an off day, I don’t know) was very limited opposition. We wasted another first-half with a formation which was unsuited to the job in hand, were behind at the break, possibly unluckily but when you don’t score there’s always that risk, and only really came alive when changes were made and we’d got back on level terms (and even then we couldn’t find the winner we craved). Yes, there were positives, but we still look like a work-in-progress.

There is one startling statistic/league table for the first 11 games. A table for first halves and second halves is pretty revealing - https://www.soccerstats.com/halftime.asp?league=england3#google_vignette).

It shows for the first half we sit in 20th place, just above the relegation zone on 10 points, with one solitary goal to show (against Bolton) for 495+ minutes of football. No other team has scored less than four. To be fair it has to be added that we’ve conceded only four first-half goals. Then switch to the second-half table and, heavens behold, we are top, with 23 points, having scored 10 goals, not the highest total but at least respectable. With this a quick word of warning, Saturday’s opponents Wrexham are top of the first-half league, scoring 13 of their 19 goals in the first period, but an indifferent 10th for the second. Suggests if we can be on level-pegging at the break the stats would be in our favour.

Now for sure there are many factors at work. Defensive discipline, especially away from home, hasn’t encouraged free-flowing football in the first periods, we’ve also had the ‘Aneke factor’ as Chuks is introduced around the hour. But surely there’s a message here, that we can’t go on wasting the first halves of games as an attacking force as, like on Saturday, it only takes one slip and you’re chasing the game, when so often scoring first has been crucial.

We are, with just about a quarter of the season gone, still very much a work in progress. We thought at the start with three straight wins and three clean sheets we’d jumped the gun on the others. If we did it was short-lived. In the eight games since we’ve amassed eight points, not much off relegation form. Now those games did include the excellent victory against Birmingham, when Jones got the tactics and line-up spot on. Just that too often we haven’t been set up either consistently or with nullifying the opposition’s strengths in mind.

In recent seasons we’ve often tried to play five at the back but haven’t had any natural wing-backs. Let’s not forget Blackett-Taylor’s efforts in that area. We now have wing-backs to spare. As long as we haven’t lost Ramsay for a lengthy spell, on his side we have Watson and as he showed on Saturday Edmonds-Green, even with Asiimwe out on loan. On the other flank the excellent Edwards is keeping out the exciting Small, with Edun not getting a look-in. And we’re not short of the central defenders required, with Mitchell and another two from Jones (assuming he too is available again soon), Gillesphie, Potts, Edmonds-Green, and Mitchell(Z).

By the same token, with the emphasis on wing-backs we’ve turned away from natural width in midfield, or a front three. With Jaiyesimi having left, along with Blackett-Taylor and Rak-Sakyi, we have just one natural wide player, Campbell(T), who we are told is now a central forward. So – in my view as we saw in the first half on Saturday – if we don’t play with wing-backs we have no threat down the flanks from the midfield. That might be fine when we are looking to strangle Birmingham, who enjoyed 65% possession, but left us looking pretty toothless ourselves against Stockport despite having that 65% of the ball.

In my book the teams which succeed, especially at this level, are those which have either the weapons to stick to a system and core line-up and simply prove better than the other teams (aka Sir Chris’ team that won the league), or those which out of necessity adopt a flexible approach and change it around, taking in the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. We are not in the former camp, at least not yet, so if it’s the latter surely the fact that formation and personnel choice did the job against Birmingham was no recipe for a home game against much poorer opposition – even if it is acknowledged that we lost Kanu, Coventry and Jones through injury and suspension.

It’s too easy to blame forwards when we’re not scoring enough goals. But we haven’t yet worked out our best alternatives, either in general or for selected games. I did comment at the start of the season that I didn’t feel we were well covered up front given that Aneke would only play part of games, Leaburn would be coming back from a long lay-off, Kanu is still progressing, Campbell is still working out how to play centrally, while Ahadme and Godden were new faces. If you look at things now Ahadme has struggled so far, Godden has until recently been not getting game time, Leaburn is still quite rightly being nursed back, while Aneke is (also quite rightly) kept in cotton wool. Add in Kanu picking up a knock and the problem is compounded. That Mbick and Dixon were added to the squad on Saturday was exciting (and Dixon looked, like Jones said, like a firework), but it did reflect the unavailability of three forwards.

Personally I think Godden’s a real asset, intelligent in the box, and with the service will score a good number of goals. If we are looking for the ‘big guy’ to work with him, if Leaburn is ready and we have a replacement (Aneke or Ahadme) on the bench, then starting these two together might make sense, using Campbell as a winger if we go with 4-4-2 or with him and Kanu as options.

I’m not paid to come up with answers and for sure have no idea how things look on the training ground. Most of the time I don’t really know much at all about the opposition, unless they contain former players. But I do know that if we continue to almost treat the first half of games as a softening-up exercise, during which we play no more than lip-service to striving to take the lead, we will come up short too often and be chasing too many games. As for personnel choices, I love it that Taylor has given Jones a real headache when it comes to him or Coventry; I’d love it more if he could show Coventry just how he manages to deliver a wicked ball into the box from a set piece.

Two Points Dropped But Some Positives

Sandwiched between the glamour Valley games against Birmingham and Wrexham (glamour? Birmingham? Wrexham? Really?) we had the small matter of a contest against budding League One upstarts Stockport. They’d surprised most I would guess with just one defeat in their opening nine games, conceding only seven in the process (and if you take out the 1-4 home defeat by Leyton Orient they’ve only conceded three in eight), while they boasted a pair with nine goals between them so far. Nobody was sure how this one might pan out or was pretending it might be easy – and it wasn’t. But it was a game we should have won and didn’t. 

The team/squad we knew would have changes due to at least Coventry and Kanu being unavailable. Perhaps the greater issue was whether Jones (the boss) would stick with the 4-4-2 that had worked so well against Birmingham or whether that would be a one-off for that opposition. In the event he did – and with the list of unavailables also including Jones (the defender), Aneke and Ahadme it was a case of who would be drafted into the slots and who added to the bench. In the event Gillesphey was chosen to partner Mitchell in central defence, with Edmonds-Green on the bench (Potts missing out), Taylor got his first game this season in midfield, alongside Anderson, Campbell(A) and Docherty, with Berry among the subs. Up front Campbell(T) returned to partner Godden, while accompanying Leaburn on the bench as forward options would be Mbick and Dixon.

The lesson from the first half was that what had worked very effectively against Birmingham was not right for today. While we were content in that game for our midfield to harry and strangle the opposition, conceding the bulk of possession, today there was less threat and we had 65% first-half possession but could do little with it. With a back four there is less chance of Ramsay and Edwards getting forward down the flanks and, whereas most teams with a midfield four have natural wide players involved, we did not. The result was a lot of stifled play and not much service to the front two. And to compound the problem we’d gone behind, the result of some muddled defending.

The early exchanges had been mixed, but before 10 minutes were up their goal had come. An aimless hoof forward was allowed to bounce and with Mitchell and Gillesphey backpeddling their forward was able to get in behind them. Mannion saw the danger late and came out to challenge for it, only for the ball to be touched on and for him to career into the forward. All clumsy more than anything else, but the ref probably had little option but to give the penalty (although given his erratic performance through the game with hindsight we might have got away with one). Mannion was wrongfooted with the penalty and we were chasing the game.

We did carve out good positions during the first half, helped by a step up in the quality of delivery from set pieces, Taylor sending in some excellent balls, but were unable to exploit any of them. Anderson intercepted a ball out and found Campbell(T) only for his rather tame effort to be turned around the post and from that corner Anderson had a header from close range saved. Then one Campbell found the other only for the opening to be closed off, then Campbell(T) cut inside only for his shot to be deflected wide.

At the other end Stockport seldom threatened and the half-time stats showed we had two shots, both on target, to their three and one. The truth is they would have been content, they were ahead and looking reasonably comfortable, we were looking rather frustrated. And to add to the problems Ramsay had had to go off, replaced by Edmonds-Green. He seemed to get a leg stuck and went down in a lot of pain, we just have to hope that it doesn’t prove to be serious.

Jones seemed to realise that the midfield combination wasn’t working and brought on Berry for Campbell(A), hopefully to provide more support for the front two. But it really wasn’t until the hour mark when the game changed, with Leaburn coming on for Docherty, Campbell(T) moving to a wide position. Helped by the fact that we equalised soon after the change, with a more classic forward pairing and more natural width we looked an altogether different proposition against opponent who seemed to wilt as the game progressed, prompting frequent substitutions and some extensive time-wasting.

We almost got on level terms thanks to a sliced attempted clearance from their defender, which ended up going only just over the bar. It mattered little as we scored from the corner. A low one was sent in for Campbell. His shot was saved but the rebound fell kindly for Edmonds-Green, who planted it firmly in the net.

With plenty of time it really was game on and we had plenty of close calls to take all three points. A good Taylor pass inside found Berry who in turn played in Leaburn, only for his shot to be deflected over. From that corner Godden had a free header but sent it wide, then Leaburn found space at the near post and when the cross was knocked out it fell for Anderson, who shot over from a good position. Godden was involved in other openings but nothing was falling his way.

With a few minutes of normal time left our hopes were lifted again as a late challenge on Godden produced a second yellow for their defender. Seven minutes were added on – and in truth it should have been a good deal more, given lengthy injuries, multiple substitutions, plus time-wasting. Dixon was introduced for a very tired Taylor and after a Mitchell header was saved he was involved in setting up Leaburn for the late chance which so nearly won us the game, the final shot going just wide. A final Berry free kick was palmed out and that was that.

We will look back on it as two points dropped as by any measure we had created enough to score more than one, while Mannion probably made just one save in the game (they did have threatening moments in the second half but created no real chances). It has to be said that Jones – who got the tactics and set-up so right for the Birmingham game – didn’t get them right today, at least not to start. If he gets touchy about criticism on that front (not the abuse, which sounds as if it was simply unacceptable) he would have to acknowledge that he made a change at half-time because his chosen formation wasn’t working. And while it is too soon for Leaburn to be looking to play a full game, and Aneke wasn’t available, we really only put them under the cosh when he came on.

Of the positives, Taylor slotted into Coventry’s role pretty well and his set piece delivery was so much better (with one exception). He managed almost the full game despite his time out. Dixon looked like something different in his brief cameo. And we did at least turn around a game which might have run away from us, getting something out of it despite having gone behind. We still give off the impression of being a work in progress, that we haven’t yet got the key partnerships working properly yet, nor the Plan A. It remains to be seen if we have dropped for good 3-5-2 but if Ramsay is out for a while the case for 4-4-2 is strengthened, especially if Jones is available again. But if it’s a midfield four it needs some natural width and some pace. So still plenty for Jones to be working on, even though the season is already a quarter over.

A Benchmark Performance

One team with one win in six and three straight defeats, the other flying high having taken 22 points out of 24, and bringing with them Alfie May. Sure, we wanted a result, a draw being acceptable, even if we were to bore the pants off them (and us watching). But this is football, this is The Valley. And the challenge brought out the best in us on the pitch, the return to the resolution and focus of the first three games, to the extent that Mannion didn’t have anything to save all game (he did deal well with balls in the air), all player ratings would be very high, Jones rightly gets the plaudits for selecting a formation fit for the task in hand, and even to the point of the display causing annoyance that we had slipped from this standard in recent games. The match served as a reminder of the effort required to win any game in this league, not just to be reserved for the league leaders.

The team was bound to be changed from Tuesday night. Jones opted for five actual changes and what looked like a change in formation, to a 4-4-2. Ramsay came back in for Watson and only two centre-backs (Mitchell and Jones) pointed to a back four with Edwards on the right side, with Edmonds-Green and Small on the bench and Gillesphie and Potts not making the squad. Coventry and Anderson were retained in midfield and added to with Docherty and Campbell(A), with Berry dropping out of the starting X1. Up front Kanu and Godden were selected to start, with Ahadme not in the squad and Campbell(T) on the bench, along with Aneke and Leaburn.

We didn’t score in the first half. That we no surprise, we have failed to do so now in nine of 10 starts. What was surprising is that we should have done and that we so limited Birmingham’s threat that their manager made three changes at the break, including replacing both May and Bielik (albeit him through injury). The midfield four did their jobs in strangling Birmingham, who enjoyed plenty of possession but were able to do nothing with it, while the back four snuffed out anything that got through.

For us, Godden had an early shot on the turn over the bar but really everything happened late on and involved Kanu. First, a good ball in from Coventry found him in space in the box. He was offside but put his effort wide in any event. Second, Kanu anticipated well and intercepted a back pass, took it around their keeper, but from a very tight angle hit a straight ball which went wide of the far post when it required either better precision, some curl to send it into the empty net, or a ball played square for Anderson to tap in. Third, in stoppage time Birmingham’s keeper tried another risky pass out only to find Kanu inside the box; but he was understandably taken by surprise and took a heavy first touch, allowing the keeper to make amends by smothering the ball.

At the break you felt (at least I did) that we’d done all that could be asked, had knocked Birmingham out of their stride, but had failed to take one of the late chances to take a deserved lead. The fear was that Birmingham would get a half-time rollocking and come out with a stronger intent in the second half and make us pay for that.

That just didn’t happen – or rather we didn’t let it happen. Instead, on 53 minutes we took the lead, with a goal that we would hail as excellent forward play and they would lament as criminal defending. It was poor from them in that they allowed a long throw to bounce in their box with nobody getting on the end of it. It went through to Godden, back to goal but having steered his marker goalward with enough space to turn and pass the ball low into the corner of the net. Really his third expertly taken goal of the campaign. The League One stats show him having scored three in nine appearances but in terms of goals per minute on the pitch, at 105 he is right up there, basically a goal every full game played.

Not long after Kanu once again caused them problems and won a corner but was clipped and hobbled off, to much deserved applause. He didn’t take the chances and get the goal his play deserved, but he helped to keep Birmingham on edge with his pace. The fact that he was replaced by Campbell(T) rather than Aneke or Leaburn could be seen as a reflection of Jones’ desire to keep stretching them with pace rather.

Increasingly the game came down to whether or not we could keep it up as legs tired and more replacements would be needed. We could. To the point that Birmingham’s frustration rose, reflected in the petulance of their expensive forward, and we actually saw out the game with Birmingham still unable to have an effort on target. Aneke did come on for a tiring Godden, playing an instrumental role in running down the clock, later Small and Berry for Edwards and Campbell(A). All contributed in keeping the lid shut tight.

Birmingham’s manager described it as their “worst performance of the season”. He should really have said that we so smothered his team that it became that, it was to our credit, that we deserved the points. Jones quite rightly focused on the success of the tactical plan and didn’t single out any individuals as the team was immense – although I’d go along with others and make Ramsay man of the match, he was immaculate and on a number of occasions brought the ball out of dangerous situations with aplomb.

I hope all the squad bottle how they felt at the final whistle and that the link between that feeling and just how hard they had to work to fashion the victory is driven home. That, like the Bolton game, is the benchmark. Sure, there will be games when the breaks go against us, when the opposition produces something exceptional or unexpected. But if every time they come off the pitch knowing they couldn’t have done more and that the attitude was spot-on from the start of the game the results will look after themselves. Since the Bolton game we have too often seen standards fall, often against opposition which perhaps some felt we could beat without going all the way. No more, we hope. But for the good feeling they gave us all during and after the game I hope Jones and all the players enjoy the break ahead (while working their tails off in training).