A Bad Day at the Office

Subs

• Barnes for Palmer
• P.Barber for Halloran
• Foster for Hill

I guess if anybody wasn’t sure what was meant by a game of two halves then they need look no further than this one.  2-0 up and 4 –2 losers.  To be honest I really didn’t think we played well at all.  We were lucky to be 2-0 up and I think we were out played throughout the game.

We didn’t create any clear chances to score a goal in the game.  When you consider that we had to score two wonder goals I think that sums this game up.

We stuck with the team that beat Kings Heath so comfortably last week and I don’t think anybody can really complain about that.

Unfortunately Dayle was forced off with an injury early on so Jim came on at left back and Graham moved over to the right.  Henner’s went into midfield and Dylan moved out to the left.  This wasn’t ideal for us as one thing we are trying to do this season is minimise the amount of changes we make.  We are trying to create some stability within the side.  This of course makes it more difficult for the subs to get in the team but at the same time should allow players time to learn and adjust to their positions.

So, in losing Dayle we had to switch 4 players around and that seemed to cause confusion.

We had of course already gone 1 nil up when graham struck an early contender for goal of the season with a thumping left footer from 35 yards.  Graham continues to impress this season and he deserved this goal.

I feel Knowle were the better side and a little unlucky to go 2-0 down when Alex scored a cracker from the edge of the area.  It isn’t often you score two goals like that in the same match.  Both were outstanding strikes.

Half time came.  We had been defending too deep and our midfield were being pushed too far back so we tried to get Mark winning the ball further up the pitch.

The 2nd half was just awful in every possible way.  Old habits seemed to return when defending corners.  Nobody wanted to head the ball and the shape had completely gone.  Were were run ragged and didn’t offer any of the things that we have been doing so well.

We have played very well twice this season because we have played our own way.  We have passed the simple ball.  We have given each other options.  We have defended from the front.  This definitely didn’t happen this time.

All in all, a shambles.

The 1st goal we conceded was from a poor low corner that we failed to clear.  The 2nd was a better corner that was headed in well at the back post (although I’m sure I heard Steve shout keepers?)

The 3rd goal was a long ball that we failed to defend and the 4th was well taken. 

I’d say the result was about right in the end as Knowle were better than us.  Amongst a lot of poor performances were gutsy displays from Mikey, Scott and Alex and another Man of the Match performance from Mark Williams.

There is no need to panic as we have had a bad 35 minutes.  This division is wide open and yet again and most teams are beating each other. 

We have a few weeks to get back to playing to our strengths before we play Hampton in the cup.  Lets forget this one, learn from it and move on.

On a brighter note I think you will all agree that the lads looked the part in our new kit and many thanks go to Roger for getting Calor to sponsor us.

Steve