NewBlue Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 All valid points, but is Coventry away really the game to unshackell this adventurous attacking philosophy? Are they gods gift to football - no - Did they have a really dangerous front 3 who could have ripped us to shreds on the counter - clearly!! The conversation may have some validity if we set up the same way against Blackpool. To use the idea of cricket, its about judging moments in the game - not a set template that creates success. There are clearly moments to attack with the ball and set the field accordingly....but equally sometimes stopping runs can create pressure and wickets. We used the latter approach on Saturday - Blackpool away (recent form accepted) might demand the former!! Knicking a point at high-flyers and ending the game the stronger side should start to rebuild the confidence deficit we've accumulated. We are so brittle - you could see it in the way we couldn't string together two passes and nobody showed for the ball at Sheffield and Crewe, even when it appeared we had momentum - we wouldn't have competed in an attacking contest yesterday. The same will be the case on Boxing Day, where Blackpool are on form, and we're still fragile, but more draws and scraped wins without defeat will breed confidence. We saw last season with this group that after they accumulated a bit of confidence during that 15 game unbeaten run we were brilliant. I'm expecting more ambition than was reported by fans at Coventry, but Boxing Day is another step in a gradual process where I'm content in accepting subdued football, as long as it develops progressively as we grow in confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magister Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 As long as we don't run out of overs NewBlue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewBlue Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 As long as we don't run out of overs NewBlue! Hence the other thread I made was to question how, with what strategy, he plans to achieve it in the alloted time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mighty_bosh Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 I don't have much of a problem with how Dunn set us up for the 1st 50 minutes. Our shape was good and to be any more adventurous would have probably meant we would've been 2 or 3 down. But between 50 and 75 minutes we had more of the ball but we weren't set up to get the goal back and when Dunn did eventually make the subs, he brought on Poleon who was a downgrade for that role on Cassidy and kept the same impotent shape. It's no coincidence that we created our best chances with both Higdon and Poleon on, but it should've happened a lot earlier than 88 minutes. Yesterday looked like the players were doing as well as they could in the system that they were instructed to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Agreed. You need a wicket that might do a bit....I wasn't suggesting Coventry was such a wicket..........what I am saying is that we have a few games coming up where attacking fields and playing a few shots might bring a reward. Let's commit to a positive attempt to score first...it is a much easier game if you do We could be on a sticky wicket at Blackpool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magister Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 We could be on a sticky wicket at Blackpool. Win the toss and put them in then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Coventry fan's view of the match: https://mattyroper.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/coventry-city-1-1-oldham-athletic-2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Win the toss and put them in then? They might have declared by half time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 David Johnson @lamtara2006 Please pass on thanks to traveling @OfficialOAFC fans who joined in applause for late Jimmy Hill. Good luck for rest of season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Og Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Bullet header Danny! What was their keeper doing? That is the worst attempt at a save I have ever seen, and that includes the Crystal Palace & District Sunday League Division 5 which I graced for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc1955 Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Coventry fan's view of the match: https://mattyroper.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/coventry-city-1-1-oldham-athletic-2/ Including this familiar opinion..... Upon conceding, The Latics perked up a little bit and they began to come at us more intently. You could clearly see that theyre a side devoid of quality in the attacking areas, however, with makeshift centre back Chris Stokes and Aaron Martin mopping up with ease. You knew that Oldham wouldnt score unless it was handed to them on a plate, but City managed to serve them up a right treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonLatics Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 For those who went to the game, how did Ryan Kent perform? Royton lad and a latics fan from what I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mighty_bosh Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 For those who went to the game, how did Ryan Kent perform? Royton lad and a latics fan from what I understand. He got into promising positions more than any of their other players, but his lack of end product meant that he flattered to deceive. That said, he probably should've had a penalty in the 2nd half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bozzy108 Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 He was MOTM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Including this familiar opinion..... Upon conceding, The Latics perked up a little bit and they began to come at us more intently. You could clearly see that theyre a side devoid of quality in the attacking areas, however, with makeshift centre back Chris Stokes and Aaron Martin mopping up with ease. You knew that Oldham wouldnt score unless it was handed to them on a plate, but City managed to serve them up a right treat. Another one added to Tommy Lee on DD's Christmas card list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hands on Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 We simply need to start equalising before the other team scores. We seem to be facing a series of games intended to rebuild confidence followed by a run of loses and then a series of games intended to build confidence followed by a run of loses and then a series of games intended to build confidence followed by a run of loses and then a series of games intended to build confidence followed by a run of loses and then a series of games intended to build confidence..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boundaryblue80 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Cornell may need to improve on crosses but it still sounds from the text reports that he had a decent game: 20 Cole delivers the ball into the box but Cornell holds confidently. 22 Cornell out quickly to deny Armstrong a chance on goal. Good goalkeeper, again. 38 Good save, Cornell! Jim OBrien gets half a yard in the box, shoots, but Cornell is down well to save, and hold the ball. 93Attempt saved. Jim O'Brien (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved by Cornell in the top right corner Seriously, don't be relying on that :censored: to prove that Cornell is doing a good job for us...that so called "save" in the 93rd minute was :censored: all like a save. It was a standard ball for him to gather up in his arms and he fumbled it back out to a Cov player. Fortunately they fluffed it and the ball ran to safety. In a heartbeat, those there thought the unlikely point we had gained was about to be thrown away...and I've not even mentioned the goal!!! He's garbage and wants binning sooner rather than later. Edited December 22, 2015 by boundaryblue80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boundaryblue80 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Well I hit zero twice on the roulette in the casino which pretty much paid for the trip, yet I still wasnt as lucky as Latics. Theres no question that the 11 out there were well organised, there wasnt really an awful performance by any one player out there and Coventry didn't really dominate the game despite clearly having the better players. But the lack of attacking intent by the team for 88 minutes was difficult to take. I have no problem with 4-5-1 away if there is an obvious threat in the team on the break. Our starting line up didnt have that, but worse was when Dunn made the double sub which, as well as being overdue, kept us with one isolated up front. Poleon isnt equipped to do that role, Cassidy is but barely. Why it took us 88 minutes to play with 2 up front is baffling. They weren't particularly good today and didnt really deserve to win, yet we were lucky to get the draw. Cornell - didnt have a lot to do, but the only thing he did wrong was the fumble at the end. B Wilson - pretty solid at right back and made a few decent bursts forward. Dieng - other than a few dodgy passes early on, I thought he did well. J Wilson - some of his hoofs down field were shocking. Defended well otherwise. Eckersley - better than Mills defensively, not as good as Mills going forward. Defence as a whole was very good from open play, the corners show just how much we need a dominant bruiser. Winchester - steady on the right. Unfortunately the team required more from him when we had the ball due to a lack of other creative options. Kelly - not his best but still a decent performance. He should get a lot more freedom to get forward playing alongside Wellens. Wellens - debatable as to whether hes a necessity for us for the rest of the season, but he was a calming presence and is still clearly good enough for this level. Philliskirk - similar to Winchester but with the massive bonus of popping up with the equaliser. Its becoming a habit! Jones - much better when he moved into the middle. He'll do a job for the team but we dont get the most out of him on the left. Cassidy - it was a thankless task but he worked hard for the team. He's mobile and strong enough to play the role he did adequately, but he's naturally a support striker and needs another striker alongside him. Sub's Yeates - didnt do much in the 15 minutes he played, but looked more comfortable than our other wide players. Poleon - he isn't a lone striker and switching him for Cassidy didnt help until... Higdon - ...we went two up top with this man. I could see him, Cassidy and Poleon all being able to play in a front two with each other but on their own doesn't give us enough in attack. Dunn - not impressed. Sub's and tactical changes came very late and next time will not work. He can get us organised away from home but that alone won't win us enough games between now and May. The big question is can we afford relegation. If yes then let's give Dunn a bit of time so see how he can grow, if no then the board might have to make a bold decision in the near future. We stifled them very well although there wasnt much we could do about Cole's corner for the goal. Great quality set piece. Overall a great day out at the ground and casino, with a lot of luck involved! Agreed with the flavour of most of this. In so much as I think you're saying the effort was there even if the direction often wasn't. I am finding it interesting how most of those who felt we deserved the point have failed to mention the absolute stonewall penalty Cov should've had. I felt we were lucky to get the point as Cov were happy to let us have the ball and for that better 30 mins we had, sadly, we rarely threatened and it was almost them saying Job Done. Thankfully, football only needs a second to change fortunes and we got it. Happy days! One thing I couldn't believe you've written tho is that we could do nothing about the goal. Sorry, but that's bollocks. 30 seconds before they scored, they had stuck in the exact same corner which Mike Jones had to clear off the line (and led to the corner they then scored from). Cornell had to come for either of them corners. It's a cop out to say he shouldn't...both went right over his 6yd box and he has to follow the flight of that ball and clear it. As for his injury time fumble...it just was so typical of the lad. Dunn will fall on his sword if he keeps on picking the likes of Cornell or waiting until we are chasing a game before we attack more directly. But it doesn't help when someone like Danny P goes hiding for 70 mins. Then he pops up and becomes the hero and we all must swallow the performance prior to it. It is a conundrum but with 3 big games coming up now...he has to solve it and find a couple of wins. Time is running out for him. And us. Edited December 22, 2015 by boundaryblue80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mighty_bosh Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Agreed with the flavour of most of this. In so much as I think you're saying the effort was there even if the direction often wasn't. I am finding it interesting how most of those who felt we deserved the point have failed to mention the absolute stonewall penalty Cov should've had. I felt we were lucky to get the point as Cov were happy to let us have the ball and for that better 30 mins we had, sadly, we rarely threatened and it was almost them saying Job Done. Thankfully, football only needs a second to change fortunes and we got it. Happy days! One thing I couldn't believe you've written tho is that we could do nothing about the goal. Sorry, but that's bollocks. 30 seconds before they scored, they had stuck in the exact same corner which Mike Jones had to clear off the line (and led to the corner they then scored from). Cornell had to come for either of them corners. It's a cop out to say he shouldn't...both went right over his 6yd box and he has to follow the flight of that ball and clear it. As for his injury time fumble...it just was so typical of the lad. Dunn will fall on his sword if he keeps on picking the likes of Cornell or waiting until we are chasing a game before we attack more directly. But it doesn't help when someone like Danny P goes hiding for 70 mins. Then he pops up and becomes the hero and we all must swallow the performance prior to it. It is a conundrum but with 3 big games coming up now...he has to solve it and find a couple of wins. Time is running out for him. And us. Thanks for taking the time to reply. It wasn't really what I said for their goal (or certainly not what I meant!) We could've done more prior to the corner for the goal without a doubt, but the corner itself was a very good delivery. I've said in a future post that Cornell, on 2nd viewing, needs to take his fair share of the blame for his very poor positioning. However the defence as a whole is unconvincing and weak from set pieces and something needs to be done about that in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magister Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Seriously, don't be relying on that :censored: to prove that Cornell is doing a good job for us...that so called "save" in the 93rd minute was :censored: all like a save. It was a standard ball for him to gather up in his arms and he fumbled it back out to a Cov player. Fortunately they fluffed it and the ball ran to safety. In a heartbeat, those there thought the unlikely point we had gained was about to be thrown away...and I've not even mentioned the goal!!! He's garbage and wants binning sooner rather than later. The problem is that the alternative is a worse keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boundaryblue80 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 The problem is that the alternative is a worse keeper 100% disagree. Any mistakes Coleman has made, as a 20yr old learning the game (4 yrs younger than a lad who has been at a Prem club supposedly learning it) he needs backing. Coleman may have the odd blip but still not anywhere as many as Cornell. I also felt folk blaming him for Barnsley's winner was quite harsh when the defence allowed a point blank shot at him (ok, could've done a little better but he so badly exposed.) I'd be putting Coleman in, getting rid of Cornell in Jan and seeking out another keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarddog73 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 100% disagree. Any mistakes Coleman has made, as a 20yr old learning the game (4 yrs younger than a lad who has been at a Prem club supposedly learning it) he needs backing. Coleman may have the odd blip but still not anywhere as many as Cornell. I also felt folk blaming him for Barnsley's winner was quite harsh when the defence allowed a point blank shot at him (ok, could've done a little better but he so badly exposed.) I'd be putting Coleman in, getting rid of Cornell in Jan and seeking out another keeper. Probably the worst aspect about the mistake against Barnsley was the fact Dunn/Brown/Holden couldn't wait for it to happen to get him out of the team again. Whichever way you dress it up Cornell doesn't keep clean sheets he has 1 in 15, the fact we very rarely score more than one tells you we won't win many this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magister Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 The first action of his current manager was to drop him. He has subsequently dropped him again. His previous manager brought a team here and targeted him as a weakness from first whistle to last. It is a game of opinions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Burns Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I think he is picking Cornell to protect Coleman long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarddog73 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 The first action of his current manager was to drop him. He has subsequently dropped him again. His previous manager brought a team here and targeted him as a weakness from first whistle to last. It is a game of opinions Thats because they have little protection, Cornell was bullied by a 5ft 8 David Worrall not to mention the 9st wet through Coventry player who he was whining about on Saturday who should of been taken care of, Coleman keeps clean sheets Cornell doesn't, everyone I speak to wants Coleman and you are one of the very few who favours Cornell, its difficult to see what he brings to thr team but like you say each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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