And now for something different

I have been to rying to reflect on why we have struggled to perform and get results at home if god forbid we have another season in this league.
1 we do not create or take enough clear cut chances
2 it seems to matter little which members of the squad take to the field the pattern of play and problems are the same
3 unconvincing since Christmas again

So what needs to change to address this if we have to do it all next season?
1 create a squad of players who can be used to change our style for certain games or indeed during games. Our current squad are all like for likes, especially the midfield and strikers. We are just too predictable and by Christmas other teams have worked out how we play and know how to stop us.
2 completely overhaul the midfield including wide areas. We need to be much stronger physically in the centre and be capable of playing 5 across the middle with a lone front man, but attack in numbers when we do. Not necessarily every game but to unlock stubborn defences. Playing this way we will get more second balls and prevent the opposition from pushing us back.
3 we need to be able to get the ball through and beyond defenders and reduce the high ball into the area. Defenders at this level will deal with that all day long. Turn them with the ball on the floor and they will struggle.

Finally we do have some talented players but too many are too lightweight for this league and don't have the space to express themselves, we get forced into playing close 1 touch football and the moves break down. This why we looked better against the league clubs and other teams who play a more open style. So I think we are stuck with this for now and there is little PH or anyone else can do to change it at this stage. Still hoping for the best.

Let's start with Paddy at left back. Drop Disley to the bench and start with Kerr/Thanoj. Rodman/Neilson wide with orders to overlap and cross/cut in at every opportunity. Don't care who plays up front, as you say we've tried them all, it's the team behind them not creating chances that is the problem. But Tonka looked every inch a true Town player last night, he looked like he cared.

Time for Hurst to actually try something different, to be ruthless and drop apparently un-droppable players and shape the midfield into an attacking one. Defence, as above with Paddy included, will always be solid.

why would you want paddy at left back ??

Quoted from RoboCod

Let's start with Paddy at left back. Drop Disley to the bench and start with Kerr/Thanoj. Rodman/Neilson wide with orders to overlap and cross/cut in at every opportunity. Don't care who plays up front, as you say we've tried them all, it's the team behind them not creating chances that is the problem. But Tonka looked every inch a true Town player last night, he looked like he cared.

Time for Hurst to actually try something different, to be ruthless and drop apparently un-droppable players and shape the midfield into an attacking one. Defence, as above with Paddy included, will always be solid.

Confused.com

Aswad is the natural left back and has had several MOTM performances. Paddy has played there once.
The only players I would definitely keep next season would be McKeown, Thomas, Pearson, McDonald and Boyce if we can get him.
Maybe Neilson, Thanoj and Rodman, but the rest for me could go, we can get better, and would need to.

UTM

Now I am not in favour of this BUT the way we was aimlessly playing balls forward in the air late on in the game on Tuesday we might as well as brought McDonald on, played him up front and hope that someone may have got on the end of one of his headers

Quoted from mariner tommy

Aswad is the natural left back and has had several MOTM performances. Paddy has played there once.
The only players I would definitely keep next season would be McKeown, Thomas, Pearson, McDonald and Boyce if we can get him.
Maybe Neilson, Thanoj and Rodman, but the rest for me could go, we can get better, and would need to.

UTM

The players you mention there tommy is exactly the same as what my lad and me said this morning, i would add Paddy to that list though.

Quoted from cmackenzie4

The players you mention there tommy is exactly the same as what my lad and me said this morning, i would add Paddy to that list though.

Yeh, I would probably add Paddy as well, a genuine guy I think.

UTM

Paddy is the only player under contract for next season isn't he? Signed a 2 year deal last summer if I am correct. Agree though I think he's shown us he's a good player when he's had a chance albeit being played out of position in the left midfield role. Would be good to see him in his favoured central midfield role the next couple of games considering the Diz/Kerr partnership looks like it's lost the spark.

Everyone I spoke to after the Chester game were impressed with Paddy's qualities at LB, bearing in mind he was a stand-in. I though Thomas was dreadful last night, even before the yellow card he seemed nervy when in possession and not at all sure where he was going with the ball, a far cry from the surging runs we've seen him manage. For me McLaughlin does/did everything that Aswad fails to do,simple defensive duties with no silly' committed'/mistimed tackles, excellent on the overlap and dares to burst into the box instead of looking for the extra yard to deliver the cross.
Would like to see a continuation of his time at left back and how he can link with Neilson, and make us look a real threat down the sides, constantly, for once.