Oh bugger My pre-season optimism has been popped.

[Swissbloke]

If anyone that was there could provide positives it would be most welcome. thanks!

[Baboo]

If anyone that was there could provide positives it would be most welcome. thanks!

The defence.

[joepoolman]

We just didn't look sharp, I think down to a lack of a proper pre season. We'll also be better when McClaren comes back in, we missed him.

[Steppers]

Took less than 2 hours to get home!!!!

We seemed to be more 4-5-1 formation it seemed the games plan was to hold out and get them tired then put the pacey wingers on to snatch it.

Both teams were poor nil nil would have been about right.

[Geoff]

Whing looked very solid. Batt was poor in the first half. Davis was sharp in the first half. I was disappointed how quickly we faded once they'd scored. We didn't stop trying but there wasn't much good football and we didn't look like scoring.

[Baboo]

[quote=&quotSteppers&quot}

We seemed to be more 4-5-1 formation it seemed the games plan was to hold out and get them tired then put the pacey wingers on to snatch it.

[/quote]

Which would have been a tactical masterstroke if it had come off. As things turned out it all looked rather pathetic.
We didn't trouble their defence which looked solid to me. No service but it was one of those games when those that question how good Beano really is at this level had some evidence to work with. Not saying I agree with that school of thought that occassionally pops up.

[OUFC4eva]

No problem Baboo.

If you are going to play a rigid 4-5-1 formation it is imperative that your lone centre forward is adept at holding the ball up, can bring others into the game and is mobile. If he is half decent in the air, then great.

Beano is a sniffer and poacher and plays on the shoulder of the last defender but when he has to come short and be aware of what is around him, his shortcomings are there for all to see.

He works extremely hard and will probably get around 20 goals but it is very difficult playing as a lone striker in our set up.

[joepoolman]

No problem Baboo.

If you are going to play a rigid 4-5-1 formation it is imperative that your lone centre forward is adept at holding the ball up, can bring others into the game and is mobile. If he is half decent in the air, then great.

Beano is a sniffer and poacher and plays on the shoulder of the last defender but when he has to come short and be aware of what is around him, his shortcomings are there for all to see.

He works extremely hard and will probably get around 20 goals but it is very difficult playing as a lone striker in our set up.

Totally agree, he's just not the right player for the system. Beano didn't look sharp anyway, not as punishing on defenders as he normally is, mind you he tends to start a bit slowly. My main concern is the lack of a replacement for McLean, Smalley seems (good but) similar to Constable, Pittman just looks like a winger, I think we need a striker who links with midfield, passes well and just has that touch of class that makes a Beano or a Smalley want to play with him, aka a replacement for McLean...

[Baboo]

No problem Baboo.

If you are going to play a rigid 4-5-1 formation it is imperative that your lone centre forward is adept at holding the ball up, can bring others into the game and is mobile. If he is half decent in the air, then great.

Beano is a sniffer and poacher and plays on the shoulder of the last defender but when he has to come short and be aware of what is around him, his shortcomings are there for all to see.

He works extremely hard and will probably get around 20 goals but it is very difficult playing as a lone striker in our set up.

100% agree.