A BRAVE EFFORT BUT SILLY MISTAKES COST US

Subs

• Halloran for P.Ryan

• Mytton for Cardall

• Barnes for Foster

• P.Ryan for Palmer

A cold morning put the match in doubt but eventually we got things under way.  This is the 1st time in the last 3 years that we have come up against the ever-improving Phoenix side that is destined to do good things in the Premier League next season.  I understand that Phoenix have not lost a League match for 3 seasons and when you consider they have beaten Arden and Cadbury in the cup they came with very high credentials.

Selection was tough but it was nice to have Henner’s back and fit to play.  Mike Cardall went into midfield after impressing in last weeks friendly.  Peter got the nod to partner the inform Ryan up front.

The game itself was yet another time when we were beaten in a closely fought encounter with a top side.  I think back to Coleshill 4-5, Cadbury 0-2, Hanbury 0-1.  In all of these games we have more than matched our opposition when a lot of people would expect us to take a good beating.  The only game this season we have looked out of our depth was the Bromsgrove game.  Stevo saved us from an embarrassing defeat that day with a string of fine saves.  Other than that we have competed well.

The slightly worrying thing is that in all of these tight games we come out on the wrong end of the result.  Something needs to click into place.  There is a missing ingredient somewhere that we have not quite put our finger on yet.

When I look back on the Phoenix game I will not remember us being cut apart by better players and I will not remember Phoenix missing chance after chance.  I will remember that we gifted them 4 goals with poor defending.  Particularly from set pieces.  Steveo flapped at a few corners as he looked hesitant fort he 1st time this season.  We used to have a real problem defending corners but this season has been much better.  So to lose 3 goals from set plays was annoying.  Without the silly corners we conceded and failed to defend the game was extremely close.  We even created more clear-cut chances.

Ryan Stokes is growing into his role in the team and his form in recent weeks has been as good as any.  He was unlucky not to score twice yesterday and it would have been goals he deserved from another lively performance.

Mark Williams returned to something like his best form.  He was a much stronger presence and more like the leader that our team is badly missing.  I felt that Mark won the physical battle yesterday and that is something we are keen to see more of.

Dayle was another plus.  His hard work and support of our left back was vital against the tall and pacey winger.  Jacko held his own but Dayle support was great.  The only disappointment was that we didn’t give Dayle more chances to impressive in the attacking half of the pitch.

On the occasions that we did get the ball out wide Matt B looked to have the beating of the full back.  We did not really give Matt enough of the ball.  We need to be a little cleverer on the pitch.  If we identify a weakness in our opponents we need to be quicker to attack that weakness.

Defensively I was a little disappointed although conditions were tough on a windy and muddy day.  It is no good four defenders putting in good individual performances.  A defence needs to be a unit and has to work together.  We are far too slow at getting out when we clear the ball and often we get 10 yards outside our area and then stop???  We need to get higher up the pitch to play the game in our opponents half.

Individually I thought Henner’s was impressive.  Scott, Gray and Jacko gave all they had but we have work to do on the roles of the back four.  It looked as though the four lads had never met each other before.  There was too little communication.

The next 2 games are the inform Moor Green and bottom placed Kings Heath.  Six points are a must as we are endanger of ruining all of the good things we have done this season.

We are competing and at times outplaying the top teams.  We need to find the missing ingredient to turn these performances into wins.

The Phoenix manager and the referee (league secretary) were both very impressed with us a team.  Lets start turning it into points.

Steve