Match Thread Away V Exeter City Saturday 6th February 1.00pm (with Poll)

Don't really agree with the guessing bit, Park.
A 'keeper waits just a tad longer to see where the ball is going, then goes for it. If he fails to stop it fair enough, but in my opinion more penalties (especially Exeter's yesterday) would be saved by the 'keeper standing his ground for a shade longer, plus the penalty takers confidence wains - eyeball him and call his bluff!
Had Hornby done that he would not only have stopped a goal, but actually stooped to pick it up!
Also a valuable point would have been gained.

 

Totally agree on the penalty, it was a very poor attempt, made worse by a schoolboy error in how to handle it.

I like hornby as a keeper, dont blame him really for either of the other goals that should have been cut out by poc or aoc, but the penalty looked like a 12 year old boy trying to save it.

 

But no-one would take a penalty like that if the keeper doesn't move!

 

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Now compare that idea with Stuart's seemingly constant tinkering to take into account the opposition. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. That said, I like that they were prepared to back their man and their set up.

 

His challenge made the referees mind up, having said that their other two goals we very poor, two headed goals from a couple of yards out, poor set piece defending, especially their second where Bowman had a free header.

 

The biggest problem with the 2nd goal was the straight ball and poor positioning from FCD which took him out and opened us up. For all we were second best, all 3 goals were poor - a set piece, a pen which came from a straight ball over the top and another goal which came from a straight ball over the top. Daft as it sounds, Hornby didn't make many saves, did he? If Canavan plays instead of FCD, I don't think we concede 2 of those goals.

Thats not to say we don't need to improve though. The interesting article on WOAP which analysed our xG suggested that while results have been good, performances need to be more convincing. We now have better resources, so there's a reasonable expectation that performances need to improve to demonstrate that T&S are the right horses to back for next season.

 

Lets hope the likes of Rowe, Evans and Cook are fit for the Scunthorpe game (if it's on) and we get yesterdays poor result and overall performance behind us.

 

Yep. Rowe is a big miss. And Evans could even be an option at right back - played there often at Portsmouth and apparently did a good job.

 

I had thought that FCD had dealt with each challenge that he has been faced with very well but yesterday he struggled against an Exeter side that moved the ball very well and pressured him. I'm not sure Hossannah would have coped much better as his strength is going forward. With the lack of a proper right it may be a good idea to move AOC there, with his experience he should be able to cope better.
On the penalty incident, I think Hornby should have done much better but I think the bounce didn't help, the ball seemed to stick in the pitch.

 

I had thought that FCD had dealt with each challenge that he has been faced with very well but yesterday he struggled against an Exeter side that moved the ball very well and pressured him. I'm not sure Hossannah would have coped much better as his strength is going forward. With the lack of a proper right it may be a good idea to move AOC there, with his experience he should be able to cope better.
On the penalty incident, I think Hornby should have done much better but I think the bounce didn't help, the ball seemed to stick in the pitch.

 

Saltaire Blonde for me

 

Certainly did. Played over the top of him many times and his man ran off him. Said it to my son at half time that it was obvious they were targeting him and getting behind him...said FCD and Stevens weren't working and needed to bring Canavan on, AOC to right back, Donaldson on and Vernam to right instead of Stevens..

 

We have a selection problem in trying to fit Cook, Rowe, Vernham & Novak into this system. All decent players who you’d think should be starters. People will say it’s a nice problem to have but not if it’s to the detriment of the results. Early days yet but maybe a change in formation might be needed to get the best from each player. Round pegs for round holes...

 

Agree on Hornby - the last 2 games have featured 3 or 4 occasions where a losing ball over the back has needed him to be on his toes and come out to sweep out. He hasn’t been and its cost us.

On FCD, he’s a young lad, learning the game - and he’ll learn from Saturday. He’s still very much a prospect but a key part of supporting his development will be not over exposing him. I think he suffered from not having the experience and work rate of Clarke in front of him. On Tuesday he’ll be up against another good winger in Eisa; i’d let him sit it out and go with either AOC or Evans.

 

A few mentioned it on here at HT, you’re right. Could/Should T&S have acted earlier...?

 

Not sure Cook and Rowe together would work, lack of movement off the ball would be a worry.

 

Be interesting to see what we do with Cook, looked incredibly slow when he came on for his debut cameo, doesn't seem to be as highly regarded as Rowe.

 

Borderlescott don't get me involved you stated Wood needs a Rocket up his arse.

 

I agree, with the options we have going forward now there isn't as much of a need for the fullbacks to be as advanced so a solid back 4 with as much experience as possible would definitely help us shore up what is becoming an increasingly shaky back line.

Oh, and ROD back ASAP. He's head and shoulders above Hornby in terms of communication and commanding his area. Something we've been badly lacking since his injury.

 

Fair comment Parader, but at the moment most goalkeepers are making it relatively easy for the penalty taker to score by throwing themselves to either side before the ball is even struck! Let's have one who stands his ground and makes it a tad harder for a change!