Zone 14and the Art of Defence and Attack : Update4

I think after the last four matches and conceding only two goals we have mastered defending Zone 14 infront of our goal area. Theses goals came from a penalty away at Tamworth after Lloyd gave the ball away deep in our half. The second at home to Telford came from a free kick. So in terms of open play we have the HUNGER and FIGHT to stop the opposition and get the ball back. In terms of POISE and CONTROL we have dropped significantly when in possession and attacking our recent opponents penalty area. If Tom, Jack and Jordan can get further up the pitch and attack the penalty area supporting Paul, Brendan Joe/Dominic then the goals will come.
HUNGER FIGHT POISE CONTROL
Put this together and we are on our way:cheers:
COME ON TOWN : COME ON YOU SULPHURITES

Defining match for me today. If we don't turn up today then the boys may as well get paper rounds on Saturday and watch MOTD with the rest of us. Time to be billy big balls and boss the opposition in every department!

From the best results in his time as Manager in February and awarded Manager of the Month with a team scoring for fun and keeping clean sheets - to the Month of March where the results have been some of the most disappointing in Simon's time as Manager. WHY????

Simon has been unlucky with a number of issues. There has been injuries to key players as well as some silly sending offs. On top of this there has been some recent poor performances. I've said earlier that the Goalkeeper is the most important position in the team. We witnessed why at Bradford PA on Monday. A passback that was not cleared and a corner kick that was not dealt with. On top of this Simon has brought in Foster and Hearn. New players take time to settle into a team at any time especially AT THE BUSINESS END.

In the last six league games we have drawn 3 and lost 3. Four games where we have not scored and the other two a goal in each with Daniels scoring from a pen and an incredible 35yd free kick. We have lost the ability to score from open play WHY???

Some of the reasons above apply to this goal drought but we need to find the ENERGY and TOGETHERNESS to suggest we can stay in a play off place.

HUNGER FIGHT POISE CONTROL

Come on lads. The ball is in your court. Give it all you have got. Lets get behind the TEAM and the INDIVIDUALS in the team and cut out the NEGATIVE stuff.

Agreed. Want to see the team come out with purpose and dominate this game. 3 pts here and March will seem like a bad dream. No heading the ball around aimlessly. Control it, find a pass and move into space. I'd recommend shots from distance with power skimming the surface and see if we can't force an error and start chipping away at their confidence.

Today is just one step towards the play-offs. If we can win today then the pressure is off a bit and the team can concentrate on winning the last two games, away at Fylde and then home to Corby. If we can finish 2nd we will have an advantage in that if we get to the play-off final WE WILL BE AT HOME.

The team selection/formation at Nuneaton was interesting and in the end it worked. Thirwell & Colbeck were subs and not used. Maybe Simon will use them from the off today as they will be fresh. Emmett et al worked their socks off on Tuesday night. As well as defending really well and fighting hard to get the ball back we created enough chances to have gone home with three points. We have come up against two outstanding keepers at Alfreton & Nuneaton in the last two games. Both keepers kept their teams in the game with super saves near the end from an Ellis flick header and on Tuesday two Daniels SPECIALS from 30yds.

Daniels played down the middle more or less on Tuesday and this allowed Swain to make some terrific runs down the left wing which Nuneaton found it hard to defend. Swain's performance was much better but he still tends to give the ball away in our half. Knock it long Louis or keep possession. Mason Warren has played in midfield at Rotherham so it was no surprise that he brought composure and skill to the midfield. For someone so young he has an old head on his shoulders.

Playing McGurk alongside Ellis gave us a really strong spine and we were able to defend free kicks much better with having a 'extra' defender to mark their taller men. Crook still needs to dominate around his six yard box and come for any balls that are in the air especially from free kicks. If attacking players know the keeper is coming it puts seeds of doubt in their heads and builds confidence in his defenders.

Tom Platt has shaved his head for the rest of the season and Danny Ellis will be wearing a wig!! They were both immense on Tuesday and their presence gives the team strength down the middle. Clayton must start as he ties up both centre halfs and apart from his heading skills, his close ball control and his 110% attitude he deserves to START. The other players play better when he is in the team. No brainer. Come on Paul give us a goal or two.

One last thing. Can we organise a huddle at the Kop end if and when we are in a winning position. It will be a first.

HUNGER FIGHT POISE CONTROL

COME ON TOWN. HISTORY IN THE MAKING:D