Tolaji Bola Signs On Loan

In the diamond formation the wing backs are probably the most important and difficult positions on the field and I thought Bola played very well and looks like a good signing

 

The subs cost us the game. Bringing them at at that time in the game needed experience to get hold of the ball and keep it. Not young heads who haven't got that experience.

 

Given the number of times we have conceded late on to drop points, I'm amazed that Hughes still persists in protecting a one goal lead. We just don't do it very well.

 

Agreed, but unfortunately with Smallwood's absence, there was no experience in reserve.

And to think, some moaning we were signing too many older players...

 

Earlier in the season when we were on our decent run, MH was managing this better. Regularly around 60-70 mins he would bring on Sutton or Song'o, or both, to consolidate our position

 

I think getting rid of Sutton AND Songo'o was a mistake, but I can't fault either player for wanting more game time.

I read a recent article by Simon Parker where the logical case was that we'd replaced both, but actually, only if we class Songo'o as a centre back - not a central midfielder, which is where we'd have used him on Saturday.

But again, he'd have only got 20 minutes, so I still can't grumble about him leaving.

 

Agree with that. I think if either had stayed they would have played a part in most matches, albeit from the bench. Ironically at the moment that seems to be their role at their respective pective new clubs

 

The fact we dropped deeper and deeper in the second half stopped pressing and ceding the ball to Mansfield at every opportunity cost us the game not the subs even though they were poor on the day

 

And perhaps Critchlow shouldn't have been so out of position that Platt and Halliday were forced to allow the overload at the far post?

 

Yes I think I’ve mentioned that on the Mansfield match thread, you can always look for multiple reasons for any goal.

 

But we didnt actually start dropping deeper until the subs came on, so that blows your theory right off the pitch. I get that Walker and East were probably bushed but had the subs been chosen better (both before the match and during) then we probably wouldn't have drawn.

Neither Chapman or Nevers made any contribution to stopping us dropping back. Stubbs would have helped at the back (maybe prevent the "overload") and Derbyshire or Oliver would have helped us keep the ball further up the pitch, something both the subs made failed badly at.

 

On what basis? In some respects I'm glad Ridehalgh is getting the respect he deserves and yes he's better defensively.

But our problems are not defensive - we've conceded less goals than matches played. If we're going to keep creating chances like we did against Mansfield, then the full backs are going to play a vital role. And they're going to be on a hiding to nothing as those positions are easily the hardest on the pitch now.

I've noticed, increasingly during the past few seasons that successful L2, basically play with wingbacks (Kane Wilson of Forest Green last season and Stevenage has a LB that was so good he was recalled by his club and sold to Plymouth)

But that means there will be holes at the back (Halliday, is criminally constantly overexposed - probably because Critchlow is excellent at providing cover for the L(W)B and Platt is less comfortable playing as a secondary RB).

So it then down to contributions from your full backs and Bola was excellent at that, delivering at least two very good crosses and he hit a first time 'up and under' which created chaos in their box. He's clearly skilled for delivering the ball at L2 level.

It's like the McMahon vs Darby debate. Easily our best right backs, in the last dozen seasons - but you could argue for either playing, even though they are different in their approach.

 

I'm increasingly thinking that Platt is far too static Or simply only comfortable as an old fashioned CB, i.e. uncomfortable outside the penalty box.

Halliday cannot control two attackers coming at him. Platt has to get out to help him, but that's an instinctive act that a stylish CB like Critchlow has - hence why we're not as bad down our left (even better when Wright was around). Anthony O'Connor was also excellent at defending all across the defensive zone,

I can see Stubbs coming in for Platt, some time soon.

 

Chapman is not a "young head". What he did when he didn't see Nevers alongside him for a good chance to make it 2-0, was almost criminal.

I like his drive and clearly he's desperate do well, but frankly he's brain dead when it comes to football intelligence.

I agree that bringing Nevers on was an error.

 

I don't believe Hughes does. Players have to game manage and make correct decisions - we dominated enough of the first 20 minutes of that second half to warrant a 2nd goal.

To me it was fitness issues and wrong subs - both of which we can blame Hughes. The latter point is obvious and the former because he's put three on the pitch that had hardly played any full matches all season (Walker, East and Bojo) plus Clayton, who inevitably is going to tire easily - showing the disadvantage of older players (outweighed by the positives for me)

 

Platt wasn’t the problem. As the ball was played in Crichlow was out of position. Platt and Halliday marked 2v2 in the middle. The overload outside of Halliday could have been covered if Crichlow was in the middle where he is supposed to be and the other 2 shuffle over a man a piece.

 

The amount of times Chapman has failed with the final pass is worrying. He's like a horse with blinkers on.

 

Or an alternative point of view. Hit them on the break with pace and speed and get the second. If they have 5 strikers on the pitch, sitting back is inviting trouble

 

and 4 left feet