It was a disappointing first visit to Brackley Town for Yeovil Town as they went down to a 2-1 defeat in Northamptonshire with former loanee Ben Wodskou netting the winner late in the first half. Dave was among the more than 300 travelling Glovers who made the journey and here are his conclusions.
What’s the point of possession if you do nothing with it? For long periods of this game, we created absolutely nothing with it and even more frustratingly we never looked like we even might. There were countless times when our players stopped and put their foot on the ball and looked around to see everyone in green-and-white completely static with no-one making a move to try and create something. The second half was a complete non-event with Brackley, who were ahead in the game, very happy to watch us pass it ponderously around, whilst we never seemed to have an idea of how to get through them. So slow, so lacking in intensity.
We look so fragile defensively: If you haven’t seen them yet, go back and watch both Brackley goals. Do you see anyone taking responsibility in our side? Tell me who they are if you do, because I see no-one. The first goal comes from a sloppy back pass from Kyle Ferguson but even after that Shane Byrne is completely unchallenged to tap in it. Then the second, it is far too easy for the Brackley player to win a header from the corner and Wodskou is the only one who seems to want it in the ensuing scramble. There is a huge Morgan Williams-shaped hole in our defence and, sorry, but Jake Wannell is not a captain for me. Either in his performances – and no, not just today – or his demeanour, he doesn’t do enough to warrant the armband. But, who does? It’s leadership again, isn’t it? We simply do not have it.
WE NEED A STRIKER!!: We have brought in six players in the past fortnight and we have so many ‘creative players’, ‘attacking midfielders’ or wingers – but WE NEED A STRIKER. Yes, I understand they are hard to come by, they are the ones who cost money, they are hard to come by in January, but surely anyone we bring in cannot be worse than what we have. Aaron Jarvis was completely anonymous in his 45 minutes and Tahvon Campbell was not much better when he appeared in the second half. There was a moment in the second half where Campbell found himself offside when there was an opportunity to have an effort on goal, cue screams of frustration from the away end. That noise sums up my feelings on everything about our attacking play at the moment.
Perrett offered something: If I had to pick a glimmer of hope it would the substitute Trey Perrett. The Cardiff City loanee who was given the last 20 minutes of the game to show what he has. He – and to a lesser extent fellow substitute Terrell Works – were the only players who looked to move in a positive fashion going forwards when we had possession. Perrett got a couple of shots away before he was able to lay one off to Luke McCormick to get a shot away late on. Let’s hope there is more of that to come.
Rowley needs to figure it out: There were boos from the away end at Brackley at the final whistle and the criticism was aimed at the performance, not the manager. Those people I spoke to after the whistle know that this HAS to be a project and we have to give Billy Rowley time to figure it out. He spoke after the game and said “I will figure out the players that want to come on this journey and don’t” and I will bet that there are many of those who made a five-hour round trip to see that performance can help him out with his list.
The problem is that the first 3 conclusions could apply to so many games this season , and seasons before that come to think of it !
So many different things that we seem to lack , but we see them in teams we play every week .
We certainly need to get back to positive ways on Tuesdays as we can’t afford to lose too often to teams below us in the League .
Amen, Gareth, that is THE problem!
Excellent summary Dave.
The lack of movement and players being static not helping their team mate is inexcusable. One of my biggest frustrations. Seeing our CB’s stopping, putting their foot on the ball then not having a clue what to do with it should not be happening. Pass and move is one of the basic fundamentals of football. Felt like that second half almost bypassed us without laying glove on Brackley. The lack of any urgency and intensity was disappointing. If you suffer from insomnia Yeovil maybe the team to watch on that showing.
The lack of real leaders is concern. Wannell isn’t a captain and doesn’t lead by example with good performances. Had a very poor season and made far too many mistakes. Not just singling him out mind as both Ferguson and FCD are error prone too. When you don’t look like scoring at other end the pressure is on defence to keep things tight not gift the opposition two goals.
I also echo your sentiments about the need for a striker. A fit Rhys Murphy fox in the box type ideally but they cost money. Jarvis and Campbell aren’t up to it. Jarvis does put himself about in fairness but isn’t a goalscorer. Campbell is very lazy and I don’t think even broke into sweat when he came on yesterday.
Sorry Andy. I missed reading your comment and it seems we see alike!!
I’ve thought for years that we just need a striker who fits a profile rather than a fancy big name. We currently have nobody capable of scoring goals so why not gamble on a young player in part time football who has shown he can run in behind and stretch defences? More than just goals we need someone who contributes a new dynamic.
100% on the money Dave. Aside from a few moments (after the subs had been made), it was a flat, disorganised performance, and dare I suggest they looked like strangers who didn’t understand or couldn’t implement the plan.
Several times in as many games, one of the back three tip-toed 20 yards forward, stopped, waved their arms and went for the safe option, sideways. Any momentum disappears.
For too long we’ve defended the players, clapped them off/stuck with them but that might be more due to we understood the ownership situations or lost the plot managers. Now we have a manager who has a plan, and owner who is invested in the plan, so it now sits with the players.
“Hero status players” like Skivo or Staunts, ironically on BBC co-comms, would never have allowed that performance to happen.
As you said Dave – who do we have to lead the team? We don’t have (plucks a name) a Tom Parkes or choose your own grizzled warrior to lead the team – someone who has the scars! Williams is a massive loss. If Joy is fit and when we can get Ellison back, rotate them in and FCD/Ferguson out. Dare we go back to a back four?
After watching yesterday’s game on the stream then listening to Billy’s interview after. Here are my thoughts… our defence is seriously lacking in pace and ability, it was all to slow going forward which allowed Brackley to form up and defend at their leisure. There are clearly players that either dont want to or can not adapt to Billy’s style of play. I know everyone is screaming out for a striker but for me let’s get the back 3 sorted along with a battling leader at the back, who wears his heart on his sleave, hard in the tackle, good in the air and can pop up with a goal or 2 from set pieces… oh yeah brilliant I hear you shout WHO?
Well if someone was to take a look at a young lad at Dorking….. a full back he is and check his stats… Grandson of the Manchester city legend Gerry Gow (former YTFC manager) he’s fits Billy’s age range, has scored 10 in 51 appearances, 6 foot plus and mobile, hard as nails and he is relatively local in W#mo@th, his name? BRENNAN CAMP
Someone at the club please take a look.
Great conclusion. I think leadership is definitely an overriding feature. I feel we have no experience in the spine of the team sometimes 2 or 3 players 32 or older with proven EFL experience can make such a difference at our level. For example Michael hector / Mandela egbo. And if strikers are an option Lee Angol might be worth it. But I feel every team needs experience at our level.
I wish you wouldn’t sit on the fence Dave 😂 from listening to the game on the radio I completely agree with your view, could quite easily have fallen asleep, what’s happening with JW just doesn’t seem to be the same player we had a couple of seasons back, I’ve got complete faith in the owners and manager but there’s a lot on the pitch that need a huge kick up the rear if they want to be here !
100% agree with your conclusions Dave. What I find worrying is the similarities between what I saw on Saturday and the Cooper era:-
2 sitting MF who don’t/can’t venture over halfway
Square pegs in round holes eg a LW at RWB
Inability to score goals
No shots from outside the box
Overdoing the sideways and backwards passing at walking pace
Narrow set up resulting in few lateral crosses into the box
Brackley were a team with limited quality but made us look even worse. Rowleys got a job on and he needs to start tday by offloading the deadwood, the likes of Wannell, Ferguson, Efete, Campbell imo.
To weigh in with another poster I’m a Brennan Camp fan too and that would solve the hole at RWB also.