Fair to say that today we just needed something to raise the spirits. Could be a thumping win, or a win of any kind, decent performance, encouraging performances from individual players, perhaps even just an enjoyable game of football. A reason to believe. Given that both teams were going into the game on the back of pretty awful recent form, and had managed to score 40 goals in 35 games between them (while conceding 41), hopes weren’t especially high.
Just as well they weren’t as both sides conspired to show why they have scored so few. The chances were balanced in that in the first half Mansfield, who were much the better side in that period, missed a sitter and at least two other decent chances, while we failed to convert an early one-on-one and produced nothing after that, but in the second we improved and had the gilt-edged one, along with other moments – including a good shout for a penalty, an unusual one but so what? They did still manage to sky a shot or two from good positions. The stats showed there were 20 shots in the game, just two on target. A point apiece was a fair result as neither side deserved to win.
The team showed three changes from the Lincoln game and pointed to a 3-5-2. The central defensive three in front of Maynard-Brewer were unchanged (Jones, Mitchell and Gillesphey) but while Campbell(T) was asked again to play wing-back, on the other flank Edwards was given a rest and Small started, presumably to provide a greater attacking threat. In central midfield Docherty dropped to the bench as Coventry returned from a knock, while up front Jones opted to start with Godden and Kanu, with both Leaburn and Ahadme among the subs. Jones also decided to revert to having a back-up goalkeeper available, with Mannion seemingly available again after injury.
For us the game started brightly as Campbell cut inside from a throw and played an excellent ball for Anderson, who made a very good run from deep, to be effectively through on goal. But his second touch was heavy, sent him a bit wide, and gave their keeper the chance to advance and save the effort. That was as good as it got in the first half as Godden and Kanu were marked out of the game, Campbell after his early involvement was unable to create anything down the right, while Small seemed to have the beating of his guy on the other flank but didn’t see enough of the ball.
By contrast Mansfield had a centre-forward capable of matching our back line for strength. He gave a master class in holding and laying off the ball, also providing a reminder to all that a big, strong guy up front doesn’t mean you have to hit everything in the air. He was instrumental in allowing their midfield to get up in support and stretch is. He was also responsible for blowing their best chance. We were opened up on their left and the ball was played in low. The forward was in space but sent his shot on the turn high and wide. That was followed by a two-against-two around the edge of our box which we just about got away with, then from a set piece a ball was played back on their right and was met by a guy around the penalty spot. He didn’t know much about it and the contact sent the ball wide, but if it had been on target would surely have been a goal.
Not surprisingly Jones made a change at the break, with Leaburn replacing Godden. And that did change the balance of the game. Our penalty shout came early on. The ball seemed to be running behind for a goal kick, Oshilaja thought so. But Leaburn managed to get to it and knock it back into play. Both were on the ground but Leaburn was getting up first to the loose ball, only to be clearly held back/dragged down. It was a curious one, but no question VAR would have resulted in a penalty.
The bulk of the chances after that were for us. The main one was just before the hour as Campbell flicked on a throw and Leaburn was, like Anderson before him, effectively through on goal. But his right-foot effort went wide of the advancing keeper. A ball into the box later found Leaburn’s head, but he couldn’t divert it on target. Mansfield did seem to wilt through the second half, and by the end were probably the more content with a stalemate, but still managed to send a couple of shots well wide from good positions.
We made more changes, with Berry replacing Taylor and then Ahadme for Anderson, with by then Leaburn and Ahadme the front two, Campbell and Kanu on the flanks as we tried in vain for a winner. It wasn’t through lack of effort we didn’t get one, but in addition to profligate finishing far too often the ball forward was poorly placed or under/overhit. Lack of quality, lack of confidence. And while we might praise a clean sheet that too was the result of poor finishing.
So we ended up with a game which would have disappointed the purist and gave no reason to believe that we are about to hit the gas with players back. Jones must have had a plan in mind for the first half to go with the two smaller strikers, but whatever it was didn’t work. And it was noticeable that the bench contained Docherty, Berry and Campbell(A), the three Jones midfield stalwarts brought in during the summer. There are three more league games before the end of December. We have to hope they will show the improvement we are hoping for, but for that to happen somebody has to start scoring some goals.
No comments:
Post a Comment