I was as disappointed as the rest of you yesterday!!

and very frustrated!!

Earlier in the season we conceded very little with this defence;
Dunbavin
Bateson Edwards Hessey Winnard
Also Coley had to change it around because of suspension to Bateson and he has also tried out one or two new lads - Long looks promising although we need to see him on the pitch for longer. Smith seems to me, on yesterdays evidence, to be poor with positioning and also lacking recovery speed. I know it is early days for the youngster but for the first two goals Smith seemed to be nowhere near his opponent who just strolled through unchallenged. Hessey seemed hesitant at left back too.
Even though I was in the Clayton end I feel the disallowed goal was valid.

The assistant referee was flagging for offside just TWO yards from the goal line which is where the ball was flicked in cleverly by the scorer, (was it Ryan or Gornell?) However when the ball was crossed in from the right side in front of the assistant referee the "scorer" was moving in towards goal dynamically from outside the six yard box and was not offside at the time the ball was released. Had that "goal" been allowed the course of the game could well have changed dramatically as Stanley were having their best spell in the match.
The referee was so inconsistent with free kicks, sometimes indicating a circular motion with his hands, (The man got the ball!!), and playing on in exactly the same situations. Just be consitent Refs!!
I think we should revert to the above defence on Tuesday, Procter should bring back some strength and order to to the midfield. Like others, I too think we are "lightweight" up front, so I would like to revert to a 4 4 2 shape but I would include two wingers with instructions to take on their full backs with the intention to get to the goal line and pull the ball back for our forwards and midfield boys to run on to. This tactic reduces the need for height in our forwards and also has the effect of taking the opposing keeper out of the play. Think of the flying wingers who played so effectively for us like this over the last fifteen years or so; Grimmy and Hoskins - Rory, Russell and Deano !!



It is also the most entrtaining formation and style of play too. I think it is worth a try with both Turner and Mc Conville in this type of system.