Gloversblog (Page 7)

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This weekend Yeovil Town mananger Mark Cooper joins an elite list of Glovers’ managers. He will take charge of his 100th first-team fixture for the club when his side take on Dagenham & Redbridge at Huish Park.

With 99 on the clock, and a win rate percentage of a tiny bit over 43%, he sits second in a ‘Post-Gary Johnson’s First Stint in Charge’ table for games won ratio – for those wondering only Josh Staunton’s perfect one from one can boast a better percentage.

Presuming he sees the season out in charge at Huish Park, he’ll overtake Darren Sarll’s 134 games, and if he sees out his contract in full, he’ll have skipped past both Terry Skiverton (157) and Darren Way (152) for league games in charge.

By the end of October, Cooper will also have passed two complete years as Yeovil boss. All of these numbers are, in the grand scheme of football in 2024, impressive. But that doesn’t begin to tell the full story.

Like his predecessors, he’ll (hopefully) make a fortune telling the full story of his time at YTFC, but I don’t think anyone quite saw the rollercoaster that would unravel when we first saw Cooper in the stand at Oldham Athletic, with Chris Hargreaves’ tenure destined to end.

He said he was there to watch son Charlie, who appeared as 74th-minute substitute in a 2-0 win for the Latics and who would eventually follow his Dad to Somerset. Could they have predicted what would follow their arrival?

He watched from the stands as the Glovers drew with Maidstone United the day after after he was announced as manager and suffered more late heartbreak when a late goal led to a defeat at Woking in his first match on the touchline. But after that, he managed us through a seven-game unbeaten run over the Christmas and New Year period.

Mark Cooper watches on from the stand at Maidstone United in October.

He promised a “heavy possession style” with “a team that likes to get crosses in the box” in his first pre-match press conference. 100 games later, it feels like he’s kept that promise.

The back end of the 2022/23 season was a car crash off-the-field – we’ve talked the back legs off this stuff and don’t need to again – but one shining light in all the darkenss was the way that Josh Staunton as captain and Mark Cooper fronted up time and time again.

Not a single Yeovil fan would have blamed Cooper, or anyone associated with YTFC, from walking away after the Wrexham game that confirmed the Glovers’ relegation to the National League South – Cooper’s first-ever on his managerial CV, albeit one with a huge asterisk attached to it.

He said he “could have walked away six weeks ago”, but said he wanted to stay, he felt a loyalty and would “love to” rebuild the football club.

Following his takeover new owner Martin Hellier offered Cooper the stability to get on and build a team capable of bouncing back.

A massive club in a relatively small division, needed more than just money throwing at it. We may have had one of the biggest budgets in the National League South, but getting the people right was was crucial to preparing a side for challenges we had not seen since our last stint in regional football back in the 1990s.

We were big fish in a small pond. Cooper knew that and knew that we weren’t going to blitz teams away, but were still good enough to win games and entertain people. We did just that.

The unbeaten run that got everything up and running needed more than it’s fair share of patience, as late goals (mainly from Morgan Williams) were the norm. We kept the ball moving, sometimes sideways, sometimes backwards – but actually when you think about it, football is a simple game, you can’t concede if you have possession of the ball. 

With the help of assistant manager Chris Todd and first-team coach Marcus Stewart the playing staff was built, and then tweaked as the season goes on.  Will Buse out, Joe Day in, Zac Bell out, Michael Smith in.

Manager Mark Cooper with assistant Chris Todd. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Tough decisions, ones that many of us from the outside were shocked by, like Josh Staunton not getting the game time and eventually leaving the club, on paper made no sense. 

But when you look back now, and the defensive solidity that came from Smith-Wannell-Williams-Whittle built our title charge.

What we see in press conferences is a Mark Cooper with his guard up sometimes, a little shielded, maybe a little tense, with a professional head on – cards close to the chest with only a few nuggets offered out.

That same steely approach even creeps into warm ups, we’ve seen back fours warm up in a certain way only to start the game with wing-backs.

But off camera, off the record, he’s a carefully considered football man, someone who cares deeply, and can laugh and smile and joke about a referee’s decision – they are jokes, right, Mark?

See, he can smile. Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

I consider myself fortunate to have spent a few of those moments after games in Cooper’s company. After Wrexham, Boreham Wood when things are bad, after Boston this season when things were good and plenty more besides – at some point in the next 100 games, I think I’d like to see that side to Mark Cooper show itself a little more.

We saw it (just) after Worthing away, where he ended up in a Rhys Rosser hug and let out – by his standards – a roar of delight. Watch the HP Source after the Truro City win that secured our return to the National League Premier at the first time of asking. He tells his team they need to beat Dover Athletic in the next match, but then invites them to “go f***ing mental”.

He took very little limelight, almost apologetically lifting the trophy to a packed out Huish Park. But I really don’t think any of us should take lightly how he turned a losing dressing room into a winning one.

Super Cooper’s Greens are gunna blind you…
📸 Gary Brown

It was a Huish Park that wasn’t used to being packed out, by the way. You can improve the matchday experience as much as you like, add as many bars and entertainment channels as you like, if the results on the pitch aren’t there – the DJ is playing to nobody.

He has, at times, asked for more from Yeovil fans, particularly those behind the dug out – “Gerrit for’ard Cooper” they demand – but he’s a man of principals, we’ve only ever ‘parked the bus’ once that I can remember – Notts County away, the most ridiculous of 0-0 draws.

Players have come and gone, some have really shone, others have barely blinked an eyelid before their time is up.

But each one of them either knows before hand, or finds out very quickly, what it’s like being a Mark Cooper player. Some get it, Matt Worthington (who worked with Cooper before) and Frank Nouble (who Cooper was desperate to sign the season we went down) stand out under Cooper. Jake Wannell, Sam Pearson, Jordan Young and others have all grown under Cooper, too.

With plenty of time still left on Cooper’s contract, there’s no sense of him being done with his YTFC story yet. It’s one thing being the manager that gets us back into a National division from the depths of regional football, but someone WILL be the coach who takes us back to the Football League.

That might not be this season, maybe not next either, but with the right backing, the right support around him, I’d argue Mark Cooper is well-qualified to do that. He remains the only manager to be promoted from both regional divisions and the National League Premier.

The asterisk I referred to before, the one that adorns the only relegation on his CV, now acts merely as a coaster to rest the National League South trophy on.

100 Games in charge is no mean feat, especially given the path that took us to where we are now.

Thank you for your service, Mark… just one more thing… “Gerrit for’ard, will ‘ee”

DateOppositionCompetitionH/AResManagerNo.
29-10-2022Maidstone UnitedVanarama National LeagueA1-1Mark Cooper1
01-11-2022WokingVanarama National LeagueA0-1Mark Cooper2
08-11-2022Maidenhead UnitedVanarama National LeagueH0-0Mark Cooper3
12-11-2022GatesheadVanarama National LeagueH3-1Mark Cooper4
19-11-2022Notts CountyVanarama National LeagueA0-0Mark Cooper5
26-11-2022FC Halifax TownVanarama National LeagueH1-0Mark Cooper6
03-12-2022BromleyVanarama National LeagueA0-0Mark Cooper6a
06-12-2022Taunton TownSomerset Premier Cup (R2)H2-1Mark Cooper7
10-12-2022Scunthorpe UnitedVanarama National LeagueH0-0Mark Cooper8
17-12-2022Dorking WanderersFA Trophy (R3)H0-0Mark Cooper9
26-12-2022Torquay UnitedVanarama National LeagueA1-1Mark Cooper10
01-01-2023Torquay UnitedVanarama National LeagueH2-0Mark Cooper11
14-01-2023BromleyVanarama National LeagueA1-4Mark Cooper12
28-01-2023Dagenham & RedbridgeVanarama National LeagueA2-0Mark Cooper13
31-01-2023WealdstoneVanarama National LeagueH0-0Mark Cooper14
04-02-2023Maidstone UnitedVanarama National LeagueH2-2Mark Cooper15
14-02-2023Paulton RoversSomerset Premier Cup (R3)A1-2Mark Cooper16
18-02-2023Notts CountyVanarama National LeagueH1-4Mark Cooper17
21-02-2023Maidenhead UnitedVanarama National LeagueA0-2Mark Cooper18
25-02-2023York CityVanarama National LeagueA1-2Mark Cooper19
28-02-2023AltrinchamVanarama National LeagueH1-1Mark Cooper20
04-03-2023WokingVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper21
07-03-2023EastleighVanarama National LeagueH1-0Mark Cooper22
11-03-2023ChesterfieldVanarama National LeagueA1-1Mark Cooper23
14-03-2023BarnetVanarama National LeagueA1-2Mark Cooper24
18-03-2023FC Halifax TownVanarama National LeagueA1-1Mark Cooper25
25-03-2023BromleyVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper26
01-04-2023Southend UnitedVanarama National LeagueH0-2Mark Cooper27
04-04-2023GatesheadVanarama National LeagueA0-4Mark Cooper28
07-04-2023Aldershot TownVanarama National LeagueA1-1Mark Cooper29
10-04-2023Dorking WanderersVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper30
15-04-2023Solihull MoorsVanarama National LeagueA2-2Mark Cooper31
18-04-2023WrexhamVanarama National LeagueA0-3Mark Cooper32
22-04-2023Oldham AthleticVanarama National LeagueH0-3Mark Cooper33
29-04-2023Boreham WoodVanarama National LeagueA0-1Mark Cooper34
12-08-2023St. Albans CityVanarama National League SouthH2-1Mark Cooper36
15-08-2023Truro CityVanarama National League SouthH2-1Mark Cooper37
19-08-2023Maidstone UnitedVanarama National League SouthH1-1Mark Cooper38
26-08-2023Tonbridge AngelsVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper39
28-08-2023Havant & WaterloovilleVanarama National League SouthA3-4Mark Cooper40
02-09-2023Chelmsford CityVanarama National League SouthH1-1Mark Cooper41
05-09-2023Weston-super-MareVanarama National League SouthA3-2Mark Cooper42
09-09-2023Eastbourne BoroughVanarama National League SouthH3-2Mark Cooper43
16-09-2023AFC StonehamFA Cup (R2Q)H7-1Mark Cooper44
23-09-2023Hampton & Richmond BoroughVanarama National League SouthA2-1Mark Cooper45
30-09-2023Didcot TownFA Cup (R3Q)H2-0Mark Cooper46
07-10-2023AveleyVanarama National League SouthH3-1Mark Cooper47
10-10-2023Keynsham TownSomerset Premier Cup (R1)A3-3Mark Cooper48
14-10-2023Southend UnitedFA Cup (R4Q)H2-0Mark Cooper49
21-10-2023WorthingVanarama National League SouthA2-1Mark Cooper50
24-10-2023WeymouthVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper51
28-10-2023Braintree TownVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper52
01-11-2023Clevedon TownSomerset Premier Cup (R2)A1-5Mark Cooper53
04-11-2023GatesheadFA Cup (R1)H3-2Mark Cooper54
07-11-2023Torquay UnitedVanarama National League SouthA3-1Mark Cooper55
11-11-2023Dover AthleticVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper56
14-11-2023FarnboroughVanarama National League SouthH4-2Mark Cooper57
18-11-2023Torquay UnitedFA Trophy (R2)A1-2Mark Cooper58
21-11-2023Chippenham TownVanarama National League SouthA1-1Mark Cooper59
25-11-2023Welling UnitedVanarama National League SouthA1-4Mark Cooper60
03-12-2023WrexhamFA Cup (R2)A0-3Mark Cooper61
06-12-2023Bath CityVanarama National League SouthA1-0Mark Cooper62
09-12-2023DartfordVanarama National League SouthA2-2Mark Cooper63
16-12-2023Hampton & Richmond BoroughVanarama National League SouthH0-0Mark Cooper64
23-12-2023Eastbourne BoroughVanarama National League SouthA1-0Mark Cooper65
26-12-2023Taunton TownVanarama National League SouthH4-1Mark Cooper66
06-01-2024Bath CityVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper67
09-01-2024Taunton TownVanarama National League SouthA1-0Mark Cooper68
20-01-2024Hemel Hempstead TownVanarama National League SouthH2-0Mark Cooper69
27-01-2024St. Albans CityVanarama National League SouthA1-1Mark Cooper70
30-01-2024Slough TownVanarama National League SouthH3-1Mark Cooper71
03-02-2024Maidstone UnitedVanarama National League SouthA1-2Mark Cooper72
10-02-2024Tonbridge AngelsVanarama National League SouthA4-2Mark Cooper73
17-02-2024Havant & WaterloovilleVanarama National League SouthH1-0Mark Cooper74
20-02-2024Weston-super-MareVanarama National League SouthH2-1Mark Cooper75
24-02-2024Chelmsford CityVanarama National League SouthA0-1Mark Cooper76
02-03-2024FarnboroughVanarama National League SouthA3-1Mark Cooper77
04-03-2024AveleyVanarama National League SouthA0-0Mark Cooper78
09-03-2024Welling UnitedVanarama National League SouthH0-1Mark Cooper79
12-03-2024Chippenham TownVanarama National League SouthH1-3Mark Cooper80
16-03-2024Slough TownVanarama National League SouthA0-0Mark Cooper81
23-03-2024Braintree TownVanarama National League SouthA1-0Mark Cooper82
29-03-2024Torquay UnitedVanarama National League SouthH3-0Mark Cooper83
01-04-2024WeymouthVanarama National League SouthA0-1*Mark Cooper83a
06-04-2024WorthingVanarama National League SouthH1-3Mark Cooper84
11-04-2024Truro CityVanarama National League SouthA2-0Mark Cooper85
13-04-2024DartfordVanarama National League SouthH3-1Mark Cooper86
20-04-2024Dover AthleticVanarama National League SouthA3-1Mark Cooper87
10-08-2024Hartlepool UnitedVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper88
17-08-2024Braintree TownVanarama National LeagueA1-0Mark Cooper89
20-08-2024Ebbsfleet UnitedVanarama National LeagueH3-2Mark Cooper90
24-08-2024GatesheadVanarama National LeagueA1-3Mark Cooper91
26-08-2024RochdaleVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper92
31-08-2024Boston UnitedVanarama National LeagueA3-1Mark Cooper93
07-09-2024AFC FyldeVanarama National LeagueA4-3Mark Cooper94
10-09-2024Solihull MoorsVanarama National LeagueH0-1Mark Cooper95
14-09-2024AltrinchamVanarama National LeagueH1-1Mark Cooper96
21-09-2024Oldham AthleticVanarama National LeagueA0-1Mark Cooper97
24-09-2024Sutton UnitedVanarama National LeagueA0-0Mark Cooper98
28-09-2024Aldershot TownVanarama National LeagueH1-1Mark Cooper99

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Yeovil came from behind to draw 1-1 with Aldershot in an exciting afternoon at Huish Park. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions from the Press Box.

It was an open game. With both sides having struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks, I wondered if this would be a cautious, cagey affair but it was far from that. Aldershot were open, we were open and both sides created plenty of chances. I think Jordan Young should have put Yeovil 1-0 up when he was through on goal and then from the resulting corner Aldershot break and open the scoring. The visitors rattled the bar from a corner, Charlie Cooper was denied by a save from Dewhurst and Frank Nouble should have done better when he was through on goal too. I thought it was an entertaining afternoon, with both teams going for it.

Dom Bernard sends the ball forward. Pic Gary Brown

We were shaky at the back in the first half. The quest for goals left us susceptible to the counter attack and I was impressed by the running of Hady Ghandour and the string-pulling Josh Barrett. He seemed to always find space and be one step ahead of everyone and scored a wonderful opener. We’ve not found ourselves cut open very often this season but in the first half, Aldershot could have scored three or four. We seemed a behind in moments at the back, and shot ourselves in a foot a couple of times, but we rode our luck and did what we had to do to get a point.

That was Jordan Young’s best game in some time. I think we got to see a Jordan Young that looked more like last season’s player. He was picking up the ball facing goal and taking opponents on. He had a couple of his trademark efforts cutting in from the right onto his left foot. Although he should have put Yeovil ahead, you can see that he’s starting to gain confidence and re-discover a bit of form. As well all know, he can be a difference maker when it comes to those attacking areas and he had a big role in the equaliser…

Ciaran McGuckin scores his first Yeovil goal. Pic GARY BROWN

Ciaran McGuckin was a handful. The loanee was preferred ahead of Aaron Jarvis for Aldershot and offered another dimension to Yeovil’s attack. McGuckin was less of a squabbler with defenders and more of a runner. He linked play well and his energy levels kept the pressure on the Shots back line. His goal was a good example of everything he’d been doing well. He gets on the ball – looking like he’s about to cramp up in a big way – knocks it to Young before getting beyond his teammate for the return and puts a great finish past Dewhurst. It’s a tricky angle, there’s Aldershot bodies getting back and there’s plenty to do to find the bottom corner.

The supporters stuck with the team. As always there’s been a lot of talk about the reaction of supporters at Huish Park. The home supporters, who have not been given a great deal to cheer about thus far in 2024/25, were on form yesterday and no doubt contributed to that second half performance. Frank Nouble won the toss, which meant the Glovers had their preferred second half attacking the Thatchers Stand, and you could feel that energy compared to previous matches this season. That energy was fuelled by some decisions by the match official, who decided there was no need to stop play when Sam Pearson nearly had his head kicked off, nor the repeated shirt pulling on Aaron Jarvis. 

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The search for a green and white goal goes on, but at least Yeovil came back from Sutton with another point on the board. Here are Ollie Marsh’s conclusions from the away end at Gander Green Lane.

The midfield wasn’t missing. There’s been some criticism that Yeovil haven’t been strong enough in the middle of the park recently, so it was nice to see tonight’s pairing make their mark. Brett McGavin was brought back into the side, and his tidiness on the ball proved a perfect complement to Charlie Cooper’s ‘wasp at a picnic’ playing style, giving us more control in the game, in the first half at least. When Cooper Jr is on it- flying into tackles, breaking up play and kickstarting attacks – it’s particularly pleasant to see, even if he did perhaps get the wind taken out of his sails as the game wore on.

Put some respect on Ollie Wright’s name. Last season, Mark Cooper made the right call by ditching his young keeper and bringing in a more experienced pair of hands. This time around, he deserves credit for sticking by his man after some called for a repeat. Wright still has the odd wobble – as you’d expect from a 21-year-old – but his shot-stopping over the past two games should mean his stock is higher than it is within some sectors of the fanbase. The nerviest moment from our man between the sticks was when he painfully collided with the woodwork while claiming a cross, but he recovered to ensure his MOTM-worthy performance remained blemish free.

Ollie Wright did superbly to turn a first half free-kick from Lewis Simper over the bar.

We need to make more of Aaron Jarvis’ bag of tricks. The striker’s hold-up play remains impressive, and he puts himself about like no other, battling away with the best of them and making himself a nuisance… but to what end? Mark Cooper pinpointed “seven or eight crosses across the face of goal in the first half” and “a one-v-one which he will be frustrated he did not score”, but I would argue the service he received probably still left Jarvis wanting more. While Frank Nouble did seem to stick a little closer to him than usual, leaving him less isolated than in previous games, it does still feel like we’re not quite utilising our number nine. It’s a question we need the answer to if we’re going to end our four-game goal drought.

What was going on with the final balls? Both teams had their share of wayward shots and crosses, with nobody able to show the composure needed in the final moment. If Sutton had inflated the match balls with helium, it still wouldn’t have quite explained how Jordan Young managed to find the corner flag with an effort that looked for all the world like it was shaping up to be one of his trademark cut-inside-and-put-it-top-bins goals. The comedy moment of the evening must surely have been claimed by Finn Cousin-Dawson though, whose foul throw was the ‘chef’s kiss’ on a night where everybody was fluffing their lines.

We need a little more. A 0-0 draw away at Sutton should be considered a good point on the road, but nothing more than that. If we’re aiming to go “back-to-back” or for “play-offs minimum”, we need to find a way to get ourselves on the right side of those fine margins, and that means turning defeats into draws and draws into wins. If we can get all three points at Huish Park on Saturday, it will go down as a fantastic week’s work, but anything less and there may be some grumbles.

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It was a rare defeat on the road for Yeovil Town as they went down to a late Mike Fondop goal at Oldham Athletic yesterday. The result means the Glovers have not scored in their last three outings, but are still just about comfortably mid-table in the National League Premier rankings. Dave made the short journey (for him) across to Greater Manchester and here’s what he made of it…..

Let’s just scrap Rule 1: I’m going to get the obvious point out of the way straight off, referee Paul Marsden had a stinker. When both sets of supporters are on your back after 20 minutes, you know it’s not going well and it just got worse as the game went on – inconsistent and at times baffling decisions. There were fouls we committed that were given our way, both Aaron Jarvis and Frank Nouble must have felt like just giving the Oldham defence their shirts the amount they were having them almost torn off at times. Referees have a tough job, I get that, but when you get as much wrong as this guy did, you deserve the bad review. I’d put our penalty shout at the end down in the ‘you’ve seen them given’ category rather than ‘stonewall’, but Marsden’s performance was awful before even that happened.

Frank ‘has a word’ with referee Paul Marsden at the final whistle.

Frank and Pearson impressed: In the first half, we went toe-to-toe with an Oldham side which has had considerable investment – I doubt either James Norwood or Joe Garner are getting paid in pork scratchings. A big part of our threat was carried by Frank Nouble, who caused Reagen Ogle all kinds of problems down the left side, and Sam Pearson who was a constant nuisance throughout on the right. I still think Frank’s best position is that free role where he can go and do as he likes, but left wing suited him down to the ground in the first half yesterday.

Take (another) bow, Ollie Wright: There has been some questions from the Huish Park press corps about ‘online criticism’ of Ollie Wright. I’m not sure if that’s @Gary47985 (that’s not a real account by the way!) saying something wayward, because if that’s the case we’re all the target of online criticism. But, from what I have seen of him this season, Ollie Wright has done more right than wrong and he kept us in the game at Oldham on multiple occasions. Big saves against big players in a big match atmosphere. I said it in my Five Conclusions after the win at AFC Fylde, Ben mentioned it in his analysis of the win at Boston, this lad is a fantastic shot-stopper and performances like that are only going to help him grow. My man of the match.

Sam Pearson was busy at Boundary Park.

There’s an issue up front: No, I’m not claiming I’m a rocket scientist and I would like the prize for the most obvious statement of the day, please! But it’s 273 minutes since Dom Bernard’s winner at AFC Fylde, the last goal we scored and there is no-one who has watched us play in the last three matches who can honestly think we don’t have an issue going forward. In their post-match interviews both Chris Todd and Frank Nouble eluded to things not clicking – even Mark Cooper shouted “get it forward” at least once at Boundary Park! So what is it that meant we didn’t force Oldham’s keeper in to a meaningful save? Well, they have a decent defence, let’s say that to start, but it’s so painfully obvious to me that Aaron Jarvis needs an actual strike-partner. Maybe not all the time, but at least some of the time. He came off for Ciaran McGuckin in the second half at Oldham, I would have loved to see one of our midfielders come off and tried the two of them up there together. Jarvis works his nuts off and his link-up play is a great at times, but give the guy some help up there. 

Let’s take the positives: There was a lot to be positive about in the first half yesterday night and we have to take that in to Tuesday night at Sutton United. We’ve said on the podcast several times that our season will not be defined by results away at Oldham Athletic – or against the likes of Gateshead, Hartlepool United and maybe Rochdale and Solihull Moors as well. Yes, I have just named the teams we have lost against. We’ve got our points against teams we need to be getting them off and our league position after ten games is one I’m quite happy with. Yesterday, Ollie Wright had a blinder, we looked defensively solid, decent on the flanks, it’s just that ‘small matter’ of scoring goals. We’re ten games in to the gelling/getting used to a higher division process now, we have to keep on improving. On to Tuesday night and let’s see if we can add those missing bits.

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We are nine games in to Yeovil’s 24/25 National League season so let’s look at what the data is telling us about the team’s performance in each game. Has there been a tactical change in recent games and how has our form been affected? 

NB. YTFC Performance score is my score based on the data, not the result

Yeovil 0 Hartlepool 1

First up was a tricky encounter with former manager Darren Sarll’s Hartlepool.

YTFC Performance Score: 1/7
Yeovil xG: 0.73
Hartlepool xG: 1.22

Hartlepool’s xG was nearly 0.5 higher than Yeovil’s. Despite Yeovil having 60% of the ball their first shot came in the 75th minute. My results predictor has Hartlepool winning that match 47% of the time and Yeovil on 20%.

This left the expected points from the game looking like Yeovil Town on 0.93 and Hartlepool United expected points 1.75. 

Braintree 0 Yeovil 1

Second game was a trip to National League South Playoff winners Braintree.

YTFC Performance Score: 4
Braintree Town xG: 0.72
Yeovil xG: 0.92

Results predictor has this game down 38% of the time as a Yeovil win. This leave the expected points looking like this:

Braintree Town xP: 1.15
Yeovil Town xP: 1.50

Yeovil Town 3 Ebbsfleet United 2

A dominant performance from the Glovers, the best attacking display of the season

YTFC Performance score: 7
Yeovil Town xG: 3.49 (2.67 from regular play and 0.82 from set pieces)
Ebbsfleet United xG: 0.44

Result predictor had Yeovil winning this game 95% of the time leaving the predicted points looking like:

Yeovil Town xP: 2.90
Ebbsfleet United xP: 0.06

 

Gateshead 3 Yeovil Town 1

Longest away trip of the season was up next as the Glovers travelled to Gateshead. Despite the scoreline the overall  performance was at a very good level.

YTFC Performance Score: 4
Gateshead xG: 1.82
Yeovil Town xG: 1.34

Note the Gateshead Set Piece xG 0.76, that is entirely from the penalty at the end. Without that Yeovil have a higher xG (I’ll come back to that shortly).

Result Predictor shows Gateshead winning 49% of the time and the expected points in their favour as well.

Gateshead xP: 1.75
Yeovil Town xP: 0.99

Now if we take the penalty away, the result predictor reads in Yeovil’s favour with a Yeovil win percentage of 43.5% and a draw at 28.5%. this leave the Expected points looking like Yeovil’s 1.59 and Gateshead down to 1.12. 

Yeovil Town 0 Rochdale 1

Bank holiday Monday saw Rochdale visit Huish Park and snatch a 1-0. Despite the result the performance from the Glovers was solid if unspectacular.

YTFC Performance Score: 5
Yeovil Town xG: 0.55
Rochdale xG: 0.27

Result predictor was in favour of a draw at 49% or a Yeovil win at 36%. Expected points was in favour of Yeovil as well.

Yeovil Town xP: 1.58
Rochdale xP: 0.92 

 

Boston United 1 Yeovil Town 3

3 points in the bag at Boston but what does the data tell us? Yeovil got lucky, even against 10 men for 70 minutes. Thank you Brett McGavin and Ollie Wright.

YTFC Performance Score: 2
Boston United xG: 2.24
Yeovil Town xG: 1.92

Results predictor has Boston winning this game 45% of the time. Which means expected points is in their favour as well.

Boston United xP: 1.6
Yeovil Town xP: 1.16

Fylde 3 Yeovil Town 4

Next up was another long trip for the Glovers as they travelled to Fylde and got a great win, but did the performance match the result?

YTFC Performance Score: 3
Fylde xG: 2.34
Yeovil Town xG: 2.24 (thanks to a massive (1.22 from set pieces)

Expected result was in Fylde’s favour as they win 40% of the time.

Fylde xP: 1.44
Yeovil Town xP: 1.33

Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 1

Glovers were back at home as the faced Solihull. Solihull took the spoils and the data shows they deserved it

YTFC Performance Score: 1
Yeovil Town xG: 0.5
Solihull Moors xG: 0.9

Solihull win the game 44% of the time.

Yeovil Town xP: 0.93
Solihull Moors xP: 1.7

Yeovil Town 0 Altrincham 0

Yeovil entertained Altrincham but not the crowd as both teams failed to find the net. 

YTFC Performance Score: 3
Yeovil Town xG: 0.56
Altrincham xG: 0.71

A slightly better performance from the glovers but hardly any threat. Altrincham have the two best chances, which gives them a 36% win chance. Draw being 39%.

Yeovil Town xP: 1.1
Altrincham xP: 1.5

So if we work out all the xP from every game it leaves the table looking like this:

Note Altrincham being 3rd from bottom. The bottom two have already sacked their manager, Yeovil having played both. In fact Yeovil have played all of the bottom 3 and 4 of the bottom 7.

Yeovil are performing pretty well and roughly on the points they should be. However, then I spotted a recent dip in form. Here you can easily see we have been second best in the last four games, including two games against two of the worst performing teams in the league to date – AFC Fylde and Altrincham.

If you remember the Gateshead performance without the penalty was a positive one. The last four games are all suddenly negative, which shows a drop in performance, including games against arguably three of the teams Yeovil should be stronger than. Especially if you look at the expected points table above, playing teams below them.

Last Friday I spotted this, which made me think: Why has the performance suddenly dropped? What has changed?

At first my thinking was that we have had members of our regular back four missing, including Morgan Williams who had been injured. Then it clicked, our dip in performance has coincided with us moving to a new tactical formation with 3 central midfielders.

Let me explain….

Mark Cooper has moved away from his successful box formation which he had started the season with. Read Cooper talking about the box formation following the win over Taunton Town here.

This is generally how we have lined up for the first five games of the season and the box is there with the two central midfielders and two central defenders.

In the last four games we have started the game with three central midfielders. One holding and two slightly further forward. Which looking at it you would think should be more solid and being able to control games.

Against Altrincham I specifically observed the midfield closely, as I felt something wasn’t right and what I saw shocked me slightly.

As the Yeovil defenders pick up the ball and start passing it around, the Defensive Midfielder (in this case Charlie Cooper) drops in with the central defenders or sometimes deeper than them. There is no issue with this. However, at the same time where are the other two central midfielders? Coming short to help progress play? No they are closer to Aaron Jarvis.

As the crowd grow impatient due to the lack of speed in passing and the lack of progressive passes, the ball is then launched forward to a now front five, which sometimes becomes seven with the full backs joining in. Altrincham comfortably dealt with this. Now, this might be how Mark Cooper wants them to play, but I can’t believe it is.

“We tried to stick to our identity pleased me the most. I know there are certain sections of our crowd that want us to boot the ball forward, but I will not do that and maybe my opinion is what makes us effective.” Mark Cooper after beating Ebbsfleet

This is how we look with the ball as it is being passed around at the back. Often the Full backs are higher as well believe it or not.

Don’t believe me? Here is a photo of this very thing happening.

Question: Can you spot Charlie Cooper?
Answer: He the player closest to Ollie Wright by a good five metres.

Question: Which Yeovil players are moving?
Answer: Three, Whittle, Nouble and the ball carrier Williams.

Morgan Williams has five static Yeovil players in front of him and two others on the other side of the pitch making runs away from him. There are six Altrincham players Williams has to get the ball past before any of those in green shirts can get it, a near impossible task.

How can this be resolved?  Charlie Cooper was 20 meters further forward in the centre circle straight away that gives a link between defence and midfield. He could receive the ball on the half turn and we would be past 3 defending players. He would then have three Yeovil players directly in front of him and one Altrincham player, instantly Yeovil would be in a great attack position.

It’s not just Charlie Cooper, if Sonny Blu Lo-Everton or Matt Worthington notice that Cooper is out of position, why isn’t one of them filling that space? If they’re not noticing it, why not? The more different options you have to attack the more a defence has to think and react, which in itself creates more space. The attackers are often getting the blame for not enough quality but if you are feeding off scraps you will always struggle. I would suggest it is the supply to the forwards that is the issue.

“We didn’t have any quality, our forward players produced zero quality.” – Mark Cooper after losing to Solihull 

“You expect them to produce the bit of quality they are in the team to produce.” – Mark Cooper after losing to Hartlepool

The lack of movement off the ball is a worry to me. It is magnified at the throw-ins. They take forever and no one seems interested in receiving the ball, with most players are just standing still. It may be that Mark Cooper wants the control the ball and the game like that, but the speed they are currently playing at it allows the defending team to get set in their defensive shape, which is then harder for Yeovil to breakdown. 

Two of Yeovil’s best chances on Saturday came from players breaking on the transition, this meant the opposition were on the back foot and out of position. Play faster and this will happen more often.

I am not sure if this is how Mark Cooper wants them to play, the players just aren’t used to the system yet or something else. Perhaps the four goals in the second half at Fylde has made Mark Cooper want to play a more direct style. However, for me, the midfield needs to be activated and link defence to attack. Currently the midfield is being bypassed.

If I see three central midfielders on the team sheet against Oldham, I will hope this issue has been resolved.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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It was another goalless show from the Glovers at Huish Park yesterday, but it was an improvement on Tuesday’s performance. Here are Ian’s conclusions from the 0-0 draw against Altrincham.

It was better than Tuesday. Tuesday was the lowest of low bars, of course, but it was a definite improvement. I thought, given the calibre of opposition, we played some nice stuff. I think we got the ball forward more quickly and looked brighter, especially in the first half where we couldn’t capitalise on our momentum unfortunately. Altrincham made it to the playoffs last season and they just wanted to get on with their game and knock it around quickly and I think you could see their quality in possession. I don’t think we asked enough questions of them in the second half though. Of course there is plenty of room for improvement, but we’re learning how to compete at this level again after having it largely all our way last season. 

The little nippy fellas got their chance. With Frank Nouble and Brett McGavin having started every match, Mark Cooper freshened things up and brought both Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Josh Sims back into the fold. It was a different set up for Yeovil in 4-1-4-1 with a more advanced Matt Worthington and Charlie Cooper sitting. The Glovers did get more bodies forward but once again Aaron Jarvis toiled, but it still didn’t quite click in the final third for him to get any quality service.

The wingers need to start delivering. We’ve clearly got some talent in the attacking areas. Sam Pearson, Josh Sims and Jordan Young have all shown quality with us or elsewhere, but we’ve not seen enough consistency so far. Pearson, the ever-willing runner, works so hard but couldn’t get the final ball right yesterday. It feels like Josh Sims just needs to get round a man and smash it in the top corner to get his confidence. Jordan Young, scored at Boston, but what else has he done this season? In the last two matches he’s not made the impact you’d expect fresh legs to make. I’m left wondering what a now cup-tied Dylan Morgan would add to this team.

Michael Smith really sets the standard. I think we could have a Michael Smith conclusion after each match. The Yeovil right back was everywhere yesterday. He had a busy afternoon on the defensive side and did his usual marauding full back role getting forward. He was so unlucky not to score for the Glovers when he picked the ball up late in the second half and just decided to go for broke. His measured effort looked destined for the goal only to be denied by the bar. He called a stop to his afternoon before the final whistle, which is a concern, but fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious.

Can we win the bloody toss please? We’ve been turned around in 4 out of the 5 home matches this season. Each week there are groans, but yesterday there we boos for it. Marginal gains is a buzz word in sport these days, but I don’t think you can put shooting towards your supporters in the second half in that category. The impact that Thatchers stand has had over the years in drawing the ball into the goal and making goalkeepers wilt has won games for Yeovil. It’s huge. Please can we get practising the coin toss in training?

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Well, I guess someone had to do the negative one.

Gloverscast Ben was watching on National League TV – with a Camera Operator who couldn’t keep track of the football – and watched the Yeovil Town produce a… flat… performance against Solihull Moors. Conclusions, five of them, incoming.

Are we unfit or just a bit knackered?

Post match, Matt Worthington called the performance, ‘leggy’ and ‘lethargic’ and it was absolutely evident from very early on we had some players really feeling it.

As early as the latter stages of the first half, some players were running in custard whilst our opponents were gliding across the pitch, making closing down and pressuring look really easy.

This staggers me, I cannot believe that a Mark Cooper side would ever not be fit, but I don’t quite know what else to think?

Is it the many, MANY motorway miles? The quick turnarounds? The sheer effort that as been exerted against Boston and Fylde or something else that it catching up with a few players? I don’t know, but it’s a long old season and on the face of it, we already look like we could use some time to rest.

For what it’s worth, only Olly Wright has played every minute so far this season, (820), with Nouble (669), Smith (649) and Matt Worthington (651) next on the minutes played list. 

We were done by the dark arts again.

Just like against Hartlepool, we not only gave our opponents something to hold onto, to defend, but we also… let them defend it.

Our very own Ian Perkins made a great point on commentary that when Laurie Walker, the Moors’ keeper was booked for time wasting on 79 minutes, it was really only the crowd who got on the official’s back to do something… are we being too nice?

Where was the oomph we saw at Boston? the Ability to give a bit back to let the referee know about every pulled shirt, every kick out of sight, every second delayed?

I don’t get it, make a song and dance about it lads, there were times that Frank Nouble literally had the shirt lifted off his back and it was just… let to pass by.

A couple of times Solihull players felt the whiff of a nearby passing of wind and decided to have a roll about and really take their time to get back going – I’m not knocking it, I’m wanting us to play those games too, or at very least put up a bit of a fuss that it’s happening.

A physical encounter on the opening game of the season against Hartlepool United. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Right, breathe, let’s do a positive one.

Jarvis is the real deal up top – let’s get with him

Aaron Jarvis chased back over 50 yards in the 94th minute to snuff out one final Solihull counter attack. He and Sonny – who had just been brought on – found more in their legs than just about anyone to get back and prevent a second goal.

Ok, that’s great, but Jarvis again was doing so much up front but really felt lonely at times.

We’ve chopped and changed the trio of attacking talent in behind the front man, but he’s been a fairly constant figure and for the most part and has put his body on the line and played really well for annoyingly little return.

Mark Cooper said he was underwhelmed with his attacking players, I say let’s give Jarvis a partner. He’s got all the attributes to either do the back to goal stuff or get himself into the box, but all too often there’s not enough bodies around him to either pick up the pieces or be a second body in the box for a cross, or even provide the cross for Jarvis to get on the end of.

Is it Sims, maybe a big-man-little-man? Could it have been Greenslade if it wasn’t for the injury? Is there a Sonny Cox-style striker out there? I’m not going to go full Mike Bassett here, but would 4-4…2… be worth a go?

…and actually maybe that’s the point.

What is our best team line up?

We’re heading to Oldham next week for the tenth game of the season, and even if the next two go badly, we’ll be sitting on 12 points from 10 games, not bad at all.

But there’s still this rumbling debate on the terrace (and on the pod… and in the WhatsApp chats)… “Is that a four at the back? Have we gone to wingbacks? Surprised to see him starting, I thought he’d be on the bench. Isn’t he more of an impact player?”

You’ve had those conversations haven’t you?

What is our preferred way of setting up? Because last year you could rattle the eleven off in seconds, you know where each of them are going to be and how well they’re going to do it.

This season, through injury, suspension and new faces and new opposition, I don’t think we do know.

We’ve now made the Half-Time double sub Hail Mary on each of the last two games, suggesting the first eleven probably wasn’t right, we’ve seen the defence chop and change more times in eight games than we did in 48 last year. 

Is it time to nail down a team, a style, a formation, a way of playing and sticking to it?

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

Let’s get Huish Park back to the fortress it can be.

In the National League South, Huish Park was essentially every team’s Wembley final, some loved it and pushed us all the way, some wilted under the pressure of playing in a stadium with more than three stands in it.

This year, it isn’t the same, teams have been to us before, it’s not the big day out for them. So, what we have now is an expectant home crowd, who’s heard our last two away games, watched on streams and heard the Gloverscast wax lyrical about them… now they want to see some of that for themselves.

Matt Worthington is right, it’s a two way street, the players need the fans behind them (booing in September, by the way, have a word… it was poor, but come on) but also, you need something to cheer.

How about this, on Saturday, Glovers fans promise to give you everything, the drum will beat, the ‘Everywhere we go…’ chat will fill the Thatchers stand..

But as the lyric says… ‘watching super Yeovil putting on a show’.

Glovers fans will do their bit, the team will do theirs… deal? Good.

You know what to do next weekend, people.

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It was another three points on the road for Yeovil Town (that’s three for the season, by the way) this weekend with a win in a chaotic, see-saw match at AFC Fylde yesterday.

It took a while for Dave to get his heart-rate down long enough to pen some conclusions on the match, but these are them.

What have I just seen? That was absolutely bonkers. If anyone doubted the Spirit of 2023/24 had departed, think again. In the second half, we just went for it and it was a performance built on fearlessness to attack, character to get back up after Fylde pulled it back to 3-3, and a healthy dose of quality.  That said, for context, in the first half we looked well off it. I know both Mark Cooper and Dom Bernard said afterwards that they thought we were okay, but I felt our defence was rocking every time Fylde (or Nick Haughton, more to the point) pressed forward, our midfield was anonymous, and I  don’t think their keeper Ben Winterbottom had anything to do. In the second half, he had plenty to do and we did that magic thing of taking our chances when we created them. These boys have got some cast-iron balls and deserved everything they got yesterday.

Dom Bernard celebrates his winner – and kudos to the wearer of the 1995-96 shirt featured. Picture courtesy of Bekah Harper.

Take a bow: Aaron Jarvis quite rightly got the plaudits from his manager post-match. Yeovil have had plenty of players who just ‘run around a lot’ in the past, but everything Jarvis does has a purpose. If you don’t believe me, look at his role in Sam Pearson’s first goal and the way he brings the ball down and is then in the right place at the right time to score the equaliser. He did that a lot and gave as good as he got from the Fylde defence as well.
But can I also give a shout out to Ollie Wright? He made some important saves, none more so than from Taelor O’Kane in injury time. And, if praising opposition players is allowed, Fylde’s Nick Haughton. He could have had four or five goals alone and must surely be interesting some EFL clubs. All that said, Sam Pearson was my Man of the Match.

The importance of substitutions: Mark Cooper spoke before the season about how the increase to five changes from seven substitutions would be key. He got his changes right and Fylde’s Chris Beech got his wrong. Now, Cooper only had five to pick from today – those magical empty benches made up the other two (Hey, Gloverscast Ben!) – and the changes he made all paid off. Sam Pearson and Jordan Young both caused problems, Pearson especially was at the heart of a lot that we did well in the second half, and then that strike from Sonny – it looked even better from behind the goal than it does on the highlights. 

Another one of ‘those’ ticked off: It’s far too early to be looking at league tables, but if you were to do that you’d see Yeovil Town in seventh place, the final spot for the National League play-off places. Now, I’m definitely not saying we’ll be there come May, but if we’re going to finish nearer the top than the bottom, Fylde away is where you need to get points. Given the injuries and suspensions, I would have happily taken a point from this one, so to take three is a big bonus. That is three wins from four away from home, now let’s get our home form going. It’s Solihull Moors under the lights at Huish Park on Tuesday, another tough test but one we should not be fearful of. Jake Wannell will return from suspension, Dom Bernard has an impressive debut under his belt, so we can go in to it with confidence. Pack the Park, ladies and gents, Pack the Park.

Sometimes it’s more than a game: As everyone enjoyed the post-match celebrations, some quick-thinking supporters and, more importantly, the Yeovil Town medic Tony Boreham and physio Joe Storey, raced to the aid of a fan who had been taken ill on the terraces. We learnt afterwards the fan in question was the grandfather of Corey Koerner, the young full-back who was named amongst our substitutes, and there were some worrying moments as he was ‘worked on’ as fans filed out of the ground. It is with much relief we learnt soon after that he was responsive thanks to the treatment he received and was taken to hospital. It’s often said that a football ground is sometimes the best place to be taken ill, and the quick-thinking and undoubted skills of the Glovers’ team to spring in to action underlines this fact. Well done to them and everyone who supported, and we obviously wish Corey’s grandfather a full and speedy recovery.

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Yeovil Town picked up three points on the road with a 3-1 win at Boston United yesterday and Gloverscast Ben was back behind the mic for BBC Somerset.

Here are his five key takeaways from the game in Lincolnshire……

Red Cards Change Games.

Both Jordan Richards and Jake Wannell can have little-to-no complaints about their red cards. Wannell had a rush of blood to the head, made a silly decision and will now sit out next weekend’s game at AFC Fylde.

I won’t be throwing him under a bus for it, the reigning Glovies’ Player of the Year has got us out of far more sticky situations than the ones he’s got us in during a season and a bit. Don’t do it again, Jake. 

I was amazed that so many people in the Boston crowd (which I was sat amongst) did not think the Richards challenge warranted a red. It’s a bog standard reckless challenge for me and it’s a red card all day long. The amount of contact is almost irrelevant, if Charlie Cooper’s foot is planted in the ground at point of impact you’re looking at a leg breaker. The Boston manager said they’ll consider appealing the three-match ban. I’m fairly confident in saying he’ll sit those games out. 

Red cards do change games, and both of Saturday’s certainly did, it was a chaotic affair which was only exaggerated by a couple of crazy moments.

Jake Wannell sees Red

Anyone got any defenders?

Raphael Araoye has a dead leg and went off yesterday, Morgan Williams has a concussion from Monday, and now Jake Wannell has next weekend off.

Alex Whittle was in Boston, in kit, but not named on the bench, Finn Cousin-Dawson looked good for the most part and Michael Smith was.….well, he’s Michael Smith, of course he’s spectacular.

But we had, at different points in the game, Matt Worthington, Charlie Cooper, Sam Pearson (!) and from the bench, Jordan Thomas as part of the defensive unit. It might just be one game were we look eye-catchingly short, but I don’t fancy going to Fylde with a Thomas-Smith-FCD-Pearson back four.

We have seven days to find a defender or two, maybe just for a month. We need some bodies at the back, preferably someone who can play left back too in case Whittle isn’t quite ready to do a full 90 twice in a couple of days. 

Does it end up being ex-Glover and now Cheltenham Town defender Tom Bradbury who was linked with us this week? I don’t know, but I do know, we need some depth in there and it needs to come from someone with some experience and quality.

We played the game, not the atmosphere.

I really liked the fact that – aside from Jake Wannell’s “moment” – we didn’t fold under pressure against a physical and riled up Boston.

Charlie Cooper was the perfect player to play pantomime villain in the game. He took the shocker of the challenge which led to the red card and then proceeded to walk around with a target on his back where the number 24 once was.

Cooper was cool headed throughout, he took the kicks and knocks and play acting from those who he so much as breathed too heavily in the vicinity of and let it all brush past him and I really think we’re going to need more of that as the season goes on.

He has the nous, experience and je ne sais quoi in the tough moments and he led the way with that yesterday. Cooper was my Man of the Match, we’ve spoken about needing a bruiser in the middle of the park to compliment McGavin and Worthington, and Cooper can do that.

Furthermore, I was impresssed with the way that some of the younger players handled those moments, not afraid to put their body on the line, in harms way and get it done a touch ugly. Harvey Greenslade, Jordan Young and Sam Pearson will all have bumps and bruises on Sunday morning, but they kept their heads and that, I think, was vital in seeing the game out.

Urgency, Urgency, Urgency.

Eurgh, I hate to do a negative one when we’ve won a game, but I have to mention something which I spotted against Gateshead and Rochdale… and then again against Boston.

Get. On. With. It.

I like the fact that we keep the ball so well, I don’t mind that sometimes the ball goes backwards, I don’t mind that it goes sideways.

What I do seem to mind, is that when the ball goes dead, it can take 30-40 seconds for someone to trundle over, pick the ball up and think about maybe throwing it to a friend.

In that same 30 seconds, every one of the opposition players have tracked back, got into position and immediately cut off the routes to goal which our players are more than capable of going through. That then leads to the ball going backwards or sideways as we look to find another way through.

I do wish we’d hurry up a bit when the ball stops. Free kicks, get it moving, get someone running down a line and be brave enough to get the ball up there. Throw ins, go and grab the ball and be ready to get going – ideally forward – quickly. I truly believe it will give us better positions to get that final ball right more often. 

We’ll end on a positive though.

Brett McGavin Saturdays.

When Yeovil were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, I proclaimed on air, it was “Charlie Cooper Territory”, I’m afraid there’s a new Territorial Kingpin in town.

Brett McGavin has a famed long shot on him as his YouTube reel will testify. We saw that with his second goal later on in the first half, but the free-kick goal was one of the purest strikes, I think I’ll ever see of a set piece.

It could not have been placed any better, any more fierce or any more pin point perfect.

Boston’s Cam Gregory is not a small goalkeeper, he had a large wall, and he got nowhere near it, on his side of the goal. Absolute “Top Bins” (that’s what the cool kids say, right?). I feel like we’ll watch that goal a few times this season, it’s probably already earned its spot in the Glovies’ Goal of the Season nominations.

My challenge to you Brett is… before the end of the season, score an even better one. I dare you.

We’ll be here watching this clip on loop until you do. Cheers.

 

 

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It ends in defeat at home for Yeovil, as they fell to a late winner in a 1-0 defeat to Rochdale. Tom Bailey was in the stands for this one, let’s see what he thought.

A gutting result following a valiant effort. We just didn’t quite have enough in the end to get over the line, in a literal sense as well as a wider perspective. For the first 60 minutes, we looked like we had something about us, getting forward and putting the Rochdale defence under some pressure, including two goal line clearances, but it just wouldn’t get over the line today.

A shame to see us drop off in the last half hour or so, as we had another decent attacking showing today, with nothing to show for it.

I don’t think McCooper worked as a midfield duo today. I was initially surprised by the benching of Matt Worthington, before remembering he’d played every minute of every league match so far, and I then became curious at the possibilities of Brett McGavin and Charlie Cooper in the middle of the field. While it wasn’t a bad showing, I don’t think it quite worked today. McGavin felt a little lost at times, when he got on the ball he’d hold for too long in deeper areas, and at times Cooper felt like the attacking threat of the two – I see it working the other way round, with McGavin pushing forwards and Cooper sweeping up. Not against seeing it again, but it didn’t click for me today.

The subs didn’t work out. When Harvey Greenslade and Sam Pearson entered the field, renewed hope filled me, Greenslade will run until the sun goes down, and Pearson has proven to be a threat on both wings so far this season. Unfortunately, they simply vanished today, and it coincided with the team dropping off and Rochdale growing into the game. I wouldn’t say it’s their fault, purely bad timing, but Cooper’s usual subs to spark something didn’t help us today.

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Just needed to speed things up a bit. At points today, there were opportunities to break quickly, and instead we closed ourselves off to build from the back. When you’re a goal ahead, or clearly dominating the game, this is all well and good, but when you’re hunting for that opening goal, particularly as times wears on, it becomes difficult to understand why we won’t counter with pace. When Sam Pearson came on, he had acres of space to run into from a caught corner, a brilliant opportunity for Ollie Wright to sling a long throw out into his path, but we waited… and waited… and waited… until Rochdale had regained their shape and high line, causing us to start from the back once again. A bit of pace and intensity could’ve got us over the line today I felt.

The fans were class today. A nod to the fans today, that second half was buzzing. I was in the Screwfix stand, and hearing the Thatchers off to my left in fine voice for a good 75 minutes or so was brilliant to see, and I do think it helped the boys along. A few long stoppages sucked the life out of the game and the fans unfortunately, but brilliant work you Glovers!

On to Boston!