VNL 13 vs Dover - Match Thread

[markf]

Andy K posted:

I think we all know we are going to raise our game at Brisbane Road on Saturday. Just a shame that our last home league game for over a month ended with a draw that felt like a defeat. I think Jared said that we've not beaten Dover at home in 10 years. Last night we should have.

September, 2013 was the last time, 1-0.

[timall]

Sept 26, 2018 13:20:45 GMT garethl said:

Sept 26, 2018 11:57:00 GMT timall said:

At the other end too we had a short keeper flapping and punching under challenges from 6 foot players. Maybe the other Ross would have been a better option too, rotating the squad.

Personally I thought JB did well against the high ball. His punches cleared his lines well when he was needed. I don't think he was at fault at all at any point.

"Flapping" was probably too derogatory a word, and I agree he didn't do too much wrong. He can't be expected to save a penalty, and in truth Dover didn't have too many shots for him to save. Being slightly taller might have been an asset with a looping header for the equaliser, but I doubt he can be put to blame for that either.

The point I was trying to make was that a typical Kinnear side will be populated with tall players and long balls and throw ins as a technique. Against such, a smaller (than the alternative) keeper might only have the option of punching to clear, and the way the game degenerated this lead to recycling the ball back to the opposition. A taller (than the alternative) keeper should be able to catch the ball and retain possession, which at least neutralises things and allows everyone to "re-shape" before play continues.

This was known in advance, and we have seen the boss use squad rotation in most (all?) other positions, except in goal. Not saying it should have happened, or that the manager got it wrong, just that it might have made a difference.

[garethl]

I understand your point. But I do think Ross mainly punches as well (though the memory might be lying to me) as he's not the biggest keeper either! You're probably right he catches more than JB perhaps, though not sure he would versus a Dover side given the height pressure they can exert.

[suttonbornnbread]

I think a lot of the posts are harsh about last night, that is football sometimes we were 2 up and cruising then things turn it happens once or twice a season like last night. Up the U’s

[garethl]

I’d reckon and hope the team will be far harsher on themselves. That’s partly why they’re so good and will come again. They know we’re fully behind them and they only attract criticism on occasions like this because of the standards they’ve set. I think when you look at respective league positions and how the game went the disappointment at an opportunity lost is close to as high as it gets in football!

[halftimet]

What I would like to know (and this may come from the post match interview) is whether the players were asked to defend the lead in the second half, to sit deep and pump the ball clear or whether the players were responsible for not following the instruction given to them by the management team. I cannot imagine that the instruction was to defend the lead but that is how it appeared.

[pinewalker]

Sept 26, 2018 20:18:02 GMT halftimet said:

What I would like to know (and this may come from the post match interview) is whether the players were asked to defend the lead in the second half, to sit deep and pump the ball clear or whether the players were responsible for not following the instruction given to them by the management team. I cannot imagine that the instruction was to defend the lead but that is how it appeared.

It is a good question.  After due reflection come next Saturday excuses could be put forward, but sitting where I sit - I can see all the animation in both dugouts, and there wasn't a lot of angry gestures and shouting from ours at the team sitting back.  Whatever was said at half time it only showed in Beckwith changing to right-sided centre half, he really struggles in the JC berth on the left.

Once JC departed the lack of leadership - IF it was expected to be shown on the pitch and not in the dugout - was startling.  The first obvious fault was the midfield sitting too deep when defending balls into our box. Tommy was up in the lone striker slot - but headed or kicked clearances were dropping 20 yards short of him.   There they were collected by Dover and recycled.  2 midfield players should have been out there.  Eastmond, Clough, Bailey?  Who was supposed to be spotting that and remedying it?

The next observation goes towards the nub of Halftimet's question.  You have a dilemma when playing to your strengths and disguising your weaknesses require two opposite tactics.  Given that we were adopting the option of our shorter strikers, and Dover could and did bring on a tall 9 in replacement for a shorter forward, then tall Dover players outnumbered tall Sutton players at dead-ball deliveries into the Sutton box.  That was our weakness and it led to the equaliser.  The obvious fact as Sir Alex always said its that the ball is more likely to end up in your net if most of the play is going on in your box.  The strength we had, especially when a man up was in keeping the ball up in Dover's half.  We didn't attempt it.  Our back four did not gamble on a high line.  that would have risked a break away but could you see that Dover team scoring from one?  Answer is no - they were the complete opposite of Borehamwood.  But Dover winning a heading duel in our box - even money.  So you must conclude it was a bad tactical choice.