There was a telling moment towards the end of the game where Dale (who was brilliant off the bench) moved inside with the ball to really good effect vs 2 or 3 defenders who all came to the ball and he turned out expecting to find an overlap from Long in to oceans of space… in the absence of that he had to play back to midfield and the move lost all impetus which rather sums us up. It’s these small intricate details that are costing us whether it be instruction or just players not good enough to play on the wave lengths of other better players we have attracted this season.
Dale knew where Long should be, but Long didn’t himself. We’re a disjointed side playing for pot luck. With the individuals we have, it’ll occasionally spark but we’re not a team and certainly not an effective one.
I don’t like Sam Long being in the side one bit, but we should be able to put a cohesive plan together that makes him less of a problem, protect him, limit his influence in the game and beat Northampton at home regardless.
See has to harbour the responsibility at the moment, he’s been here long enough and been backed well enough to expect MUCH more than we’re seeing.
Dale knew where Long should be, but Long didn’t himself. We’re a disjointed side playing for pot luck. With the individuals we have, it’ll occasionally spark but we’re not a team and certainly not an effective one.
I don’t like Sam Long being in the side one bit, but we should be able to put a cohesive plan together that makes him less of a problem, protect him, limit his influence in the game and beat Northampton at home regardless.
See has to harbour the responsibility at the moment, he’s been here long enough and been backed well enough to expect MUCH more than we’re seeing.