The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Turveyman wrote:Much depends on what Starms' brief is. If it is to challenge for promotion this season, he needs to add to the squad.

But, where do we need to strengthen ? Cross- NO. Merrill- NO. Parkinson- NO. Clarke- NO. Brown- NO. the defence is fine.. I think we have missed the balance of having Sean in the middle.

Brownie, you make a very good point regarding the difference between and defence and defending. Clearly we attack as a unit and defend as a unit. Unfortunately our defence the other night got a tad exposed against their mobile front men. In all my post match comments I have never mentioned one player by name in any criticism and I'll continue to observe that protocol. ;) At times I feel that our tactics are one dimensional and if that doesn't work as seen in the second periods on Tuesday and at Huntingdon then there doesn't appear to be a change of plan in the locker. I would like to see more use being made of the wide men, hugging the touch line, and less reliance on these 30 yard howitzers from defenders.

FOOTYMAN wrote:

Turveyman wrote:Much depends on what Starms' brief is. If it is to challenge for promotion this season, he needs to add to the squad.

But, where do we need to strengthen ? Cross- NO. Merrill- NO. Parkinson- NO. Clarke- NO. Brown- NO. the defence is fine.. I think we have missed the balance of having Sean in the middle.

For me, a good defensive mid fielder (plus a quality back up) would make the difference. Last Tuesday showed that we can't always rely on scoring more goals than the opposition. Too often, PNS had the space to run at our central defenders.

Turveyman wrote: Too often, PNS had the space to run at our central defenders.

I thought ex-RDFC player, Luke Kennedy, their number 8 and captain was particularly influentional and their number 11, Billy Smith, will surely play at a much higher level.

Trek wrote:The direct play to Dunks is great when it works and he's winning every aerial ball and/or scoring goals but unfortunately there were many times on Tuesday when the large and determined defenders were on top and the same applied at Huntingdon in the second half and then to me there doesn't seem to to be a Plan B and perhaps our management need to address this issue.

That point has been raised at various times already this season. We need to vary our way of playing or we will end up losing more than we win. Marking Dunks out of the game is a no brainer to any team that comes to play us.
As for criticising/insulting the players/management are these people for real?

rudolph_hucker wrote:

Trek wrote:The direct play to Dunks is great when it works and he's winning every aerial ball and/or scoring goals but unfortunately there were many times on Tuesday when the large and determined defenders were on top and the same applied at Huntingdon in the second half and then to me there doesn't seem to to be a Plan B and perhaps our management need to address this issue.

That point has been raised at various times already this season. We need to vary our way of playing or we will end up losing more than we win. Marking Dunks out of the game is a no brainer to any team that comes to play us.
As for criticising/insulting the players/management are these people for real?

Agree but if a team tries to mark Dunks out the game it will take more than one, so me thinks that may leave us with a spare man, it ain't rocket science is it :o lots of ways to play the options but sadly we play Sat & Tue so the 8.00 - 9.30 session tonight is all they will get regarding training. Oh the joys of step 5 footy, still things ain't to bad are they :?: 1000 + feet through the turnstiles every week would say no. If in doubt just remember what senior Rushden teams were available to watch 24 months ago :o

Trek wrote:Everyweeker, my annoyance was similar to that after the Huntingdon League defeat, another match which I believe you didn't witness.

I think all this shows is that I need to attend more games ;)