[ Tue 19th Feb ] v Olney Town KO 7:45pm UCL1 HOME

[SouthRushdenJFC]

The formation was 4-3-3 with Brad, Shanny and Aaron in midfield and Dev, Alfie and Jake up front. To a certain extent it was forced upon us with Elliott and Ben not available and Wizz and Matty not able to last 90 minutes, especially on that pitch.

We relied on Sam and Joe to give us the width and because Olney were throwing nine and ten behind the ball they didn't have the space to move into. When Wizz and Matty did come on we stretched them vertically plus we had two fresh and direct players running at tiring defenders.

Olney came with a plan to frustrate us and make it tight and it very nearly worked, the trouble is very nearly isn't good enough against the quality we had up front.

I thought Brad Harris had a good game last night, especially in the 4-3-3, he protected the back four well, which is the point when your full backs should be bombing on and helped stop Olney get in a meaningful shot. If you watch him, and just spend five minutes purely watching him then you may form a different opinion as you won't see great lung busting runs or last ditch tackles as he reads the game well and very rarely gives the ball away.

Well done to everyone who worked hard to get the lights back on and look after the chap who was poorly. These are all things that we don't have to deal with or a regular basis in our day jobs yet we coped admirably. I would also well done to the ref who didn't throw his toys out of the pram when the lights went out.

[BartonRaz]

I thought Brad Harris had a good game last night, especially in the 4-3-3, he protected the back four well, which is the point when your full backs should be bombing on and helped stop Olney get in a meaningful shot. If you watch him, and just spend five minutes purely watching him then you may form a different opinion as you won't see great lung busting runs or last ditch tackles as he reads the game well and very rarely gives the ball away.

Sorry, I wasn't saying Brad Harris had a particularly bad game or isn't good enough. I appreciate what he does and his abilities, I just don't think a player like that is required against teams like Burton and Olney, teams that on the whole aren't going to cause us any real problems defensively. He might be more useful against the likes of Sileby, Oadby and Eynesbury.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

I agree and was going to put that he will be an important player next week but thought my post was long enough already :lol: :lol:

[luckyfour]

Well done to all that made sure that the game did still go ahead, we certainly didn't need another postponement. I also hope that the fella who was ill makes a swift and full recovery.

Not sure what was going on with the change in tactics last night or why we would want to change the set up of the team just as we had settled in to a good run of form - it didn't need changing. The 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 diamond formation or 4-3-1-2 whatever you want to call it just didn't work, we had very little width (except for the odd foray when Merrill or Brown went forward). Olney to their credit were very well organised again and have got to have one of the best defences we have come up against this year. That defence combined with a heavy pitch meant we never looked like breaking them down through the middle.

Thankfully Starms changed it back in time and we instantly looked a different team once Matty and Jack were on the pitch. Didn't think the goal was going to come though and was extremely relieved when it did. Great effort from everyone.

Olney must be gutted to have lost both games by the odd late goal, they don't seem to have much going forward but are very difficult to break down.

[UttoDiamond]

They drew 0-0 at Harrowby on Saturday, so not surprised that they were hard to break down. Credit to Starms and Co who saw that 4-3-3 wasn't working and changed it with plenty of time left (to be fair I said that at half time ;) ).

Don't think I've celebrated a goal as much as last nights as it could prove to be so important!

It really is turning into a battle for the last promotion spot between us, Eynesbury and Oadby. Three into one doesn't go and whoever loses out will be gutted.

[Trek]

Not sure what was going on with the change in tactics last night or why we would want to change the set up of the team just as we had settled in to a good run of form - it didn't need changing.

That was explained in an earlier post. ;) Wizz and Gearing wouldn't have lasted a full 90 minutes. Dent, Morgan and Gilly were injured or unavailable.

[FOOTYMAN]

When you look at the team that was available last night, we did a decent job, kept another clean sheet and bagged 3 points. If Shanny was banned and had to miss this game, it would have been a different story. Brad is exactly the sort of defensive midfielder who will be an asset, when we adopt that method of play. The formation was based on who could do what, without changing the players too much. But, it was good to see Starms make all the right moves and switch it about, when it was required. I said that they would be a tough test and we will get tougher tests to deal with as the matches come thick and fast. This squad will have to cope with changes, unavailable players, injuries and teams raising their game because they are playing us.

COYD

[Trek]

attendance 395

Puts our support into perspective when the crowd at Histon for a club 4 steps higher in the pyramid is a mere 212. Clearly there are a lot of Arsenal followers in the Histon area.

[luckyfour]

Not sure what was going on with the change in tactics last night or why we would want to change the set up of the team just as we had settled in to a good run of form - it didn't need changing.

That was explained in an earlier post. ;) Wizz and Gearing wouldn't have lasted a full 90 minutes. Dent, Morgan and Gilly were injured or unavailable.

That would explain it ! Didn't realise that Gilly was injured as well.

[STAGMAN]

Wife and i spoke to the ref and one of the Linnos after the game , nice pair of guys. Also said how intimdating it must be for visiting goalies when they come the De banke end. The ref was to be in charge of our Boxing Day game and he was disappointed at it being postponed , he had been looking forward to reffing in front of a large crowd