Match Discussion - Matchday 45 - Bromley (Lilywhites) H

[Dripsey3]

Bromley are a point behind us with a game more played. They really can't afford to lose tomorrow. That could play into Notts's hands. Bromley are on a 3 match unbeaten streak. It's going to be a tough game for sure but Notts are in fine form so it should be a home win. 3-1 to Notts for me. 

[liampie]

neither can we, its another must win game and it will say more about how we can handle pressure than previous games. can the players deliver another excellent performance? i hope so, i can see this being a draw tho.

[DangerousSausage]

Don't know whether to laugh or cry after that. A very entertaining match and all in all a good performance against a decent side and lots of chances created. And after going behind against a defensively well organised team it could have ended very differently. 

On the other hand, we deserved to win that game and the manner in which we conceded the equaliser is annoying. Those extra two points could really have come in handy in such a close playoff race. 

[Dripsey3]

It should have been 3 points but that point could be crucial. Bromley and Halifax are 1 and 2 points behind us with a game more played. Wrexham away is a huge game now. Avoiding defeat will be a massive step towards a playoff place. 

[menzinho]

I think you always feel a bit more hard done by when you play well but draw. We had more than enough chances to win that and their goals were from rare attacks.

Bromley were quite happy to sit back, even at 1-1 they were happy to keep the two banks four. They looked better when we couldn’t get our third but it’s disappointing when we must have had triple the number of crosses in the box, yet they get two goals from them. Given their size I think that’s the game you’d have wanted Rawlinson, Ellis and Lacey as the back three. But credit to the Brindley and Chicksen they were pretty solid.

Still lots to be positive about, we look so much better on the ball now. The movement off the ball is a massive improvement too. We’re getting more players in the box. And when we play it long it’s because there’s someone making a run for the ball. You can see what IB wants now and at 2-1/2-2 we were still pushing hard for a third goal.

Still all in our hands, and I'm feeling quietly confident... (Never thought I'd say that again about this season!)

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

some good points from @menzinho. If the head coach is going with a back 3 looking forward to next seasons, then some tough choices need to be made. Lacey ticks the box for defending and footballing ability. Rawlinson never looks comfortable with the ball at his feet  and Chicksen switched off for Bromley's second.  We may need to recruit 2 big un's with footballing ability

It has taken to the season's end that Wootton's main partner was to be Ruben, playing the #10 role. Suddenly the whole team has a better shape and we look like creating chances galore, though the final ball still needs work.

 

[Feral Fox]

I think the word shape, mentioned above is important here. We finally look like a team who has control of its own shape for a change. The whole team look like they’re playing together for each other.

It was a superb match to watch. I know the result was only a point, but actually enjoyed it more than last three games. One of those that you know you would have loved to be there for. It had everything.

Defence is still the biggest issue for us. We can obviously create chances as a team when told to.

JoB was a bit of a weak link IMO, but no one would have dropped him after a hat trick the other day.

3 at the back works well with attacking intent, but the 3 CBs need to be ticking all boxes. Chicksen has done well so far, but it was his mistake.

 Brinds didn’t look anything other than average. Rawlinson looks dodgy in a 3. Lacey nest of the bunch. Ellis would be fine with two more Alex Laceys next to him!

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

Agree too with @Feral Fox though is Ellis really good enough defensively against tall strikers? Certainly Turner is not the answer

[Feral Fox]

2 hours ago, Piethagoram said:

Agree too with @Feral Fox though is Ellis really good enough defensively against tall strikers? Certainly Turner is not the answer

Possibly not, but his goal scoring helps the overall morale and confidence.

 

[DangerousSausage]

I think the formation with wing backs is IB's solution to our problems in midfield and out wide, as it allows us to pack more bodies in midfield and compensate for Doyle and Reeves' lack of mobility. It's really starting to bear fruit. It's not perfect, as we don't really have anyone suitable to the wing back role on the right and the back three don't look entirely comfortable, but performances have definitely improved. Whether we persevere with it next season remains to be seen.

Bromley looked a really tough nut to crack - really well organised and physically big and strong, but despite the fact that we only had one "big man" in the back three, they actually had very little on goal. They had a five-minute spell after the first goal when we lost our composure, but in the second half I can't remember them having a chance apart from the goal (where Chicksen just lost his man). We did really well to claw our way into it after going behind. Miller and Rodders looked completely reborn, if only they'd delivered performances like that a few weeks earlier. Then again, us pushing further up the pitch suits them down to the ground as it gives them more options. Their team mates are now constantly moving and making runs, whereas a few weeks ago we had 11 statues on the pitch.

By my reckoning, two wins from the last three will guarantee us a play-off spot. If we want to finish above Wrexham and get fifth (meaning a play-off QF at home), no less than a draw will do on Tuesday. Or to put it another way, we're five wins away from League Two.