Chasing the game

[ncRover]

For me a notable theme of the last couple of years from Grant is a lack of composure when we’re behind in a game and are trying to get back in to it. Happened yet again yesterday.
 
I feel that when he throws an extra attacker or two on that it doesn’t help us at all (think Port Vale at home last year when he chucked Sharp, Street and Ironside on). We lose our shape and the players look lost and clueless as to how to play more direct.

Could Hanlan have come on for Sharp like for like earlier so we could have kept probing away? Billy was getting tired and struggling to impact the game.

The Barrow 4-2 game a few seasons ago is an obvious counter argument but that is a long time ago now.

[Chris Black come back]

Interestingly we have only gone behind first in 6 of our 15 league games this season. After going behind first we have lost 4 of those games (Huddersfield, Luton, Wigan and Orient), drawn 1 (Reading) and won 1 (Mansfield Town).

What is more concerning is that before Barnsley our previous 3 home league games we had gone ahead first (Wimbledon, Burton and Northampton) and managed 1 point from those 9 points.

[Reg of the Rovers]

We don’t have a plan B at all, we play wide men on their wrong foot, assuming so they shoot rather than cross. Our delivery in to the box is woeful, so that width seems pointless.

Moly was great yesterday, apart from crossing in to the box, Clifton made a difference and unless he was dead or injured he should have stayed on. Not starting with Nixon was also a shocking decision.

Getting an extra forward on was the right thing to do, Sharp and Hanlan need a partner, but instead of change of system / shape we just robbed a defender to throw on an attacker so made us disjointed. Hopefully Grant gets his manual out in the week and thinks of another way of playing that’s more successful in this league.

[Nudga]

You'd think after 10 years of management experience that Grant wouldn't be so reactionary and knee jerk during 2nds halves.
Tactically he's getting outdone a lot this season.

[scawsby steve]

Interestingly we have only gone behind first in 6 of our 15 league games this season. After going behind first we have lost 4 of those games (Huddersfield, Luton, Wigan and Orient), drawn 1 (Reading) and won 1 (Mansfield Town).

What is more concerning is that before Barnsley our previous 3 home league games we had gone ahead first (Wimbledon, Burton and Northampton) and managed 1 point from those 9 points.

Sorry to be pedantic, mate, but we scored first against Reading.

[POD]

For me a notable theme of the last couple of years from Grant is a lack of composure when we’re behind in a game and are trying to get back in to it. Happened yet again yesterday.
 

If anything, it was slightly more measured than in the previous home game v Northampton.  In that game, GM threw the kitchen sink at it in attacking terms with 20 minutes to go and left us so open in midfield and at the back that Northampton should really have won by several more goals.
Yesterday, he left the second striker (Hanlan) until 10 minutes to go and we didn’t leave so many gaps, with this time Broadbent in the team to play the role of defensive midfield which he does so well.   
The quality of the crossing throughout the game as well as towards the end is something to be worked on. Switching of wingers from side to side during the game would be my plan, so that they are crossing from the bye line with their best (most accurate) foot for more of the game. 

[Alan Southstand]

GM criticises the players for it, but he doesn’t set an example, does he? The truth is he hasn’t got the tools to change it. There’s nobody on the bench that can come on and make a difference - they’re all much of a muchness.
As each game goes by, it’s becoming clear that we needed more strength and pace (and a finisher). None of the loans have improved us, except for O’Riordan.
The question I keep asking myself is are we any better than last season? I think, so far, other than the odd game, the answer has to be no and we’re in a better quality league!

[Thorney]

If he doesnt make changes in shape and swaps like for like then he gets stick for not trying to change it up.

He makes changes in shape and tactics and gets stick for it.

What the bloody hell can he do right then?