We produced a very good performance that on another day might have
given us all 3 points. Unfortunately, despite being on top for much
of the game and creating some very good chances, we didn't put the
Vikings away. We lost our shape in the last 20 minutes and Vikings,
after some sustained pressure, won it with two goals in the final few
minutes of the match.
We started very well. High tempo, good passing and decision making
and excellent movement of the ball created lots of space for us to
push forward. Adam Scott scored the first having been put clean
through and beaten the off side trap. The Vikings had a better spell
in the middle of the first half forcing a couple of good saves from
the Alan Boden and scoring a cracking goal to level the game.
Asterix came back well and dominated the last 15 minutes of the first
half. Terry Harris opened his account for the season after an
excellent build up. Some good interchange and movement in the
middle of the park released Aidil down the right. His far post shot
was parried by the keeper and tucked away by Terry. We almost scored
another when Terry Harris was again clean through only to be hauled
back by the last defender. The ball broke to Adam who slotted in;
sadly the ref did not play an advantage nor did he send off the
defender for the offence. We hit the post near the end of the half
after we had two strikers clean through on the keeper. But 2-1 it
was at half time.
The second half started the way the first had ended. We continued to
play good football and created some very good chances to score. Adam
Scott was unlucky not have got a second after his long range effort
hit the bar and bounced on the goal line and then out. In the last
20 minutes we tired and lost our shape and gave the ball away too
easily. The Vikings came at us and created some good chances. Some
fine work in goal by Alan Boden maintained our advantage until the
final 3 minutes when Vikings scored two quick goals to win the game 3-2.
Clearly, we're all disappointed not to have gotten something from
this match. However, we have to look hard at our performance and
learn from this.
Firstly, we were very much on top for the first 60 minutes of this
game. We scored 2 good goals but should have scored a couple more.
If we could have gone 3-1 or 4-1 up we could have killed the game
off. We have to have a killers instinct. When we're on top for a
sustained period like we were on Sunday, we need to be not satisfied
until we put teams away. That means getting at least the 2 or 3 goal
advantage that our possession and chances warrant. I'm looking for
the strikers and midfielders to hold themselves accountable for
ensuring we do this.
Secondly, we lost of our shape terribly in the latter part of the
second half; this affected us defensively as well as when going
forward. The back four played very deep and the midfield was still
pushing forward whilst we're not in possession. That left a massive
gap between the line of midfielders and defenders. To their credit
the Vikings exploited it well and their midfielders were able to run
directly at our back four. Going forward, we reverted to knocking it
long and giving up possession too easily. This lack of shape
effectively stranded our midfielders; the space behind them made it
easy for the Vikings to pass through us, our midfielders were chasing
back when we're not in possession. When we regained the ball and
knocked it long the midfielders had to run forward to support the
strikers often 40 or 50 yards away. The reason that we looked so
tired is that our lack of shape caused us to do more running -
particularly in the midfield - than was necessary. It's important
that we maintain our shape; by that I mean play as a unit. On
Sunday, there was little threat of us being done for pace by a long
ball hence I'm not sure why we dropped so deep at the back. We need
the back four to push up quickly and reduce the space between them
and the midfielders. In the event that the back four is deep, I want
the midfielders and attackers to maintain our shape as a team and
drop back accordingly. Again, I'm looking for the back four to call
the midfielders back so that space between the midfielders and back
four is eliminated. Ultimately, it's the back four's position which
will determine if we're able to push on or have to sit deep; they
hence need to communicate with the midfielders so that we're set up
to defend effectively.
If we'd either have converted or pressure and chances into goals or
defended as a unit we'd have likely picked up all 3 points.
However, it's also important to look at some of the positives. We
dominated the game for much of the match against a team that will
likely be up there challenging for the title at the end of the
season. For that we should take some confidence and belief in
ability to do very well this season.
The important thing now is that we pick ourselves up for the next
league game which will be versus Astaka at EP on 18 November. In the
meantime, we'll have one friendly and two training sessions details
of which I'll send out by evite. Please do your best to be available
for them all.
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