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Post by bing on Feb 1, 2023 10:19:27 GMT
I hate losing to teams like Alfreton. You could almost imagine them all having a good laugh in their changing room afterwards if they had won, about the time wasting, winding up fans, etc.
The one satisfaction from the game was their 92nd minute sub - bought on to waste time - messed up badly in the middle of the park to allow Brown to get free and set up the goal.
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Post by johnboy64 on Feb 1, 2023 10:37:13 GMT
Bit of perspective. First goal Alfreton had conceded in five games and they were 4th in the form (last 6 games) table. We’ve dropped to mid table.
Spennymoor also on good run they are 3rd in form table. Won’t be a give on Sat.
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Post by BarntonBen on Feb 1, 2023 10:38:32 GMT
I have no issue with us passing the ball around at the back if the intention is then to allow space to open up in midfield, however, far too often last night we would pass around the back then totally bypass midfield with a lofted ball up to our small forwards who were winning nothing in the air.
I also noticed quite a few times our midfield would get the ball and have a good 5-10 metres open or so in front of them, but they would put their foot on the ball and pass sideways rather than moving the ball into space and then looking for options.
We have some skilled players in the team and I don't see why they don't run more at defenders, yes they won't get past all the time, but it would open things up and potentially make other space available. We pass far too much and just think that space will magically open up in front of us.
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lj19
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Post by lj19 on Feb 1, 2023 10:45:33 GMT
We are national league north, boot it up the pitch, win the second balls and create your chances from that. Why do non league teams feel the need to copy Man City's tactics! Our centre backs clearly aren't comfortable coming out to midfield and playing a pass. Callum look dejected last night, no instructions from the side line, head down, moaning at the linesman, does he have a plan B at home? I think not
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2023 10:59:35 GMT
I have no issue with us passing the ball around at the back if the intention is then to allow space to open up in midfield, however, far too often last night we would pass around the back then totally bypass midfield with a lofted ball up to our small forwards who were winning nothing in the air. I also noticed quite a few times our midfield would get the ball and have a good 5-10 metres open or so in front of them, but they would put their foot on the ball and pass sideways rather than moving the ball into space and then looking for options. We have some skilled players in the team and I don't see why they don't run more at defenders, yes they won't get past all the time, but it would open things up and potentially make other space available. We pass far too much and just think that space will magically open up in front of us. The constant sideways and slow pace was so frustrating to watch last night. If you’re going to retain possession you need to zip it quicker side to side and set forward runs. Cal knows we can’t have another home performance of this nature if we want to get in the playoffs so I’m expecting an absolute rocket up us Saturday. The only thing that irks me a little in his post match interviews is the notion that he alludes to - ‘we’ve created the expectation that we’re a playoff team etc’ I get he’s trying to down play things but we’re the biggest club in the league (or one of 3), with plus 2k crowds every week and a decent playing budget for this year. The bare minimum for this club is the playoffs?
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Post by Curva Nord on Feb 1, 2023 11:00:08 GMT
Not sure why we insist on doing the same thing over and over at home, insufferable to watch. Have to show way more urgency, tempo and hunger and surely Callum knows that. The reluctance to make forward passes on the deck and into the midfield isn't good enough and we stay in the comfort zone for far too long of a duration of a game. Was amusing to watch that tinpot pub side squirm at the end though. I suspect that is the drills we run in training.
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Post by jimianto on Feb 1, 2023 11:16:43 GMT
Not sure why we insist on doing the same thing over and over at home, insufferable to watch. Have to show way more urgency, tempo and hunger and surely Callum knows that. The reluctance to make forward passes on the deck and into the midfield isn't good enough and we stay in the comfort zone for far too long of a duration of a game. Was amusing to watch that tinpot pub side squirm at the end though. I suspect that is the drills we run in training. Even so, teams come here knowing what to expect and easily cope for the most part. So obvious that we look dangerous when we get the ball into wide areas and that has been a staple of our home success over the last few years. So when you have talent like Stevo and Thomas overlooked for these games it's very puzzling. I felt Thomas did well in his cameo and surely did enough to replace Murray in Sat's team. Murray offers something different and I reckon is a good impact sub, but not consistently good enough for this level to be a regular starter. He was so wasteful with possession last night and far too static when defenders were trying to pass out. It's so different watching us away from home, where you never feel we will get beaten.
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Post by Lobster on Feb 1, 2023 11:21:44 GMT
I have no issue with us passing the ball around at the back if the intention is then to allow space to open up in midfield, however, far too often last night we would pass around the back then totally bypass midfield with a lofted ball up to our small forwards who were winning nothing in the air. I also noticed quite a few times our midfield would get the ball and have a good 5-10 metres open or so in front of them, but they would put their foot on the ball and pass sideways rather than moving the ball into space and then looking for options. We have some skilled players in the team and I don't see why they don't run more at defenders, yes they won't get past all the time, but it would open things up and potentially make other space available. We pass far too much and just think that space will magically open up in front of us. I think there's a real risk vs. reward argument to be considered when knocking the ball around at the back at this level. It only takes one bad pass and you're in serious trouble.
Having said that, we did actually create one brilliant defence-to-attack move in the second half yesterday that was only let down by a stinker of a final ball from Murray.
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Post by Si on Feb 1, 2023 11:37:06 GMT
I actually think we miss Glendon at home. Murray isn't quite good enough as the creator, and seems more of an impact sub. Kev has been great but he's in there to pick the bits up and move it on. There's on over reliance on Weeks to do all our creative work, especially in the absence of wingers, and I think teams have figured that out a bit and reduced his time and space on the ball. Wasn't at the game last night so can't comment on Hughes, but I think Glendon has been a definite miss at home and he did chip in with goals with making late runs into the box.
Usually everyone would be raving about a 17 game unbeaten run, and it is a great achievement from what we were last season as we had no consistency and very little backbone away from home. However, another way to look at it is we're on a winless streak too, which has culminated in us lose pace at the top and other teams catching us up. We all know the problem is the home form, and it's the biggest question Cal is yet to answer. I get his style is to kill games by not giving much away, which is ok if you're then converting those 1-0 wins but when we're just about scraping draws and not looking convincing then not only will we carry on losing pace with others but crowds will dip. The crowds and atmosphere have been so much improved this season, but we're a fickle bunch and I worry that unless we start turning out better at home then we'll undo some of the good work that has been done to bring the crowds back.
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Post by Lobster on Feb 1, 2023 12:10:49 GMT
I think we should probably stop talking about an unbeaten record while we're in this run of draws. Six points out of 18 isn't good form, especially since we've played the bottom team twice and had two other home games against fairly average teams. Not a disaster but we're in danger of ignoring how many points we're dropping.
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Post by Gandalf on Feb 1, 2023 12:14:56 GMT
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Williams performance, thought he was poor. The passing between him and Tyrer was too much, no forward runs even when there was space to bring it forward was always just looking sideways and back, was really frustrating. Murray probably had his poorest game for us too last night. Kurt was just getting no service and I think we could do with looking at bringing in another striker and playing with 2 up top just to give us another tactical option along with hopefully delivering more service to Kurt.
Coates looked the most creative player and wasn’t scared to take people on, the majority of the time he was successful at beating his man. Instead of waiting to receive the ball the I’d like to see him making more runs. Overall poor game and Cal will know he has to change it up a bit now, some of these teams we’ve played recently have been in good form however we need to start proving we can beat them if we want to be in the top end of the league
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Post by chesterken on Feb 1, 2023 12:48:14 GMT
Bit of perspective. First goal Alfreton had conceded in five games and they were 4th in the form (last 6 games) table. We’ve dropped to mid table. Spennymoor also on good run they are 3rd in form table. Won’t be a give on Sat. Understand what your saying but we were completely unfazed about playing away at leaders Fylde on Saturday but frightened to death of Alfreton at home because they have a few big lads, they should be the ones worrying about us just go out and attack them.
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Post by BarntonBen on Feb 1, 2023 13:03:52 GMT
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Williams performance, thought he was poor. The passing between him and Tyrer was too much, no forward runs even when there was space to bring it forward was always just looking sideways and back, was really frustrating. Murray probably had his poorest game for us too last night. Kurt was just getting no service and I think we could do with looking at bringing in another striker and playing with 2 up top just to give us another tactical option along with hopefully delivering more service to Kurt. Coates looked the most creative player and wasn’t scared to take people on, the majority of the time he was successful at beating his man. Instead of waiting to receive the ball the I’d like to see him making more runs. Overall poor game and Cal will know he has to change it up a bit now, some of these teams we’ve played recently have been in good form however we need to start proving we can beat them if we want to be in the top end of the league I couldn’t disagree more with regards to Williams. He was up against the chugmeister and apart from the one header for the goal, he didn’t really get a look in. It shouldn’t be the CB’s role to bring the ball up and make forward run, one slip or mistake and we’re suddenly hugely exposed.
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Post by Anders on Feb 1, 2023 13:16:29 GMT
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Williams performance, thought he was poor. The passing between him and Tyrer was too much, no forward runs even when there was space to bring it forward was always just looking sideways and back, was really frustrating. Murray probably had his poorest game for us too last night. Kurt was just getting no service and I think we could do with looking at bringing in another striker and playing with 2 up top just to give us another tactical option along with hopefully delivering more service to Kurt. Coates looked the most creative player and wasn’t scared to take people on, the majority of the time he was successful at beating his man. Instead of waiting to receive the ball the I’d like to see him making more runs. Overall poor game and Cal will know he has to change it up a bit now, some of these teams we’ve played recently have been in good form however we need to start proving we can beat them if we want to be in the top end of the league On that bit in bold, I couldn't work out if Tyrer had hurt himself. He slipped three or four times and seemed to be struggling to kick far whenever he tried to. He was also skipping/fast limping when going to collect the ball when it had gone of play. I could be miles off though and it was just maybe him being a bit eccentric, who knows.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2023 13:23:19 GMT
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Williams performance, thought he was poor. The passing between him and Tyrer was too much, no forward runs even when there was space to bring it forward was always just looking sideways and back, was really frustrating. Murray probably had his poorest game for us too last night. Kurt was just getting no service and I think we could do with looking at bringing in another striker and playing with 2 up top just to give us another tactical option along with hopefully delivering more service to Kurt. Coates looked the most creative player and wasn’t scared to take people on, the majority of the time he was successful at beating his man. Instead of waiting to receive the ball the I’d like to see him making more runs. Overall poor game and Cal will know he has to change it up a bit now, some of these teams we’ve played recently have been in good form however we need to start proving we can beat them if we want to be in the top end of the league I couldn’t disagree more with regards to Williams. He was up against the chugmeister and apart from the one header for the goal, he didn’t really get a look in. It shouldn’t be the CB’s role to bring the ball up and make forward run, one slip or mistake and we’re suddenly hugely exposed. Matty and Edwards are pure stoppers - if you watch Edwards he clears his lines in most situations, which for me at this level, is what we need. It’s unfair to expect them to look like Nesta. Our ball players are both full backs, Weeks, Murray, Hughes etc - win the seconds and let them play. Is Saturday too soon to say it’s a really pivotal game on the direction of the season? Lose or draw and we’ll be slipping out playoffs, void of confidence and disgruntled fan base…. Win and it’s time to kick on.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Feb 1, 2023 13:25:19 GMT
Is Saturday too soon to say it’s a really pivotal game on the direction of the season? Lose or draw and we’ll be slipping out playoffs, void of confidence and disgruntled fan base…. Win and it’s time to kick on. We will, of course, draw 😃
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Post by Wortleyblue on Feb 1, 2023 13:30:57 GMT
The results certainly are not coming at the moment and the team is not playing to its full capabilities to me this is our usual post christmas slump the only difference this year is that we are not losing games. All teams will have a dip in form and if this is ours then we can look back and say it wasn't too bad but its 6 games now we really do need to come out of this dip sooner rather than later
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Post by chesterken on Feb 1, 2023 14:02:32 GMT
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Williams performance, thought he was poor. The passing between him and Tyrer was too much, no forward runs even when there was space to bring it forward was always just looking sideways and back, was really frustrating. Murray probably had his poorest game for us too last night. Kurt was just getting no service and I think we could do with looking at bringing in another striker and playing with 2 up top just to give us another tactical option along with hopefully delivering more service to Kurt. Coates looked the most creative player and wasn’t scared to take people on, the majority of the time he was successful at beating his man. Instead of waiting to receive the ball the I’d like to see him making more runs. Overall poor game and Cal will know he has to change it up a bit now, some of these teams we’ve played recently have been in good form however we need to start proving we can beat them if we want to be in the top end of the league I couldn’t disagree more with regards to Williams. He was up against the chugmeister and apart from the one header for the goal, he didn’t really get a look in. It shouldn’t be the CB’s role to bring the ball up and make forward run, one slip or mistake and we’re suddenly hugely exposed. No one is asking him to go on a run with the ball dribbling past players but when he has the ball and there’s 40 yards of space in front of him it’s not to much to ask that he brings the ball out instead of passing it across or backwards.
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Post by Jack on Feb 1, 2023 14:28:01 GMT
The biggest concern is the lack of options on the ball. The players turn back because there's nothing in front of them - no movement, no runs in behind. Teams are finding it really easy to play us at the moment and these games are becoming identical to one another. I know Cal said he saw a big improvement against Curzon Ashton and he's basing it on statistical data - fair enough, he knows what he's doing. However, I really didn't feel it was any better than we'd been against Telford and that's not because I'm trying not to see it, as he said in his post match, I just didn't see it.
We have to look at something different at home - we can't keep doing what we're doing because it hasn't really worked all season barring one or two bright games.
Still plenty of time to go, and I have no doubt that CM will sort it out sooner rather than later.
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Post by muffinthemule on Feb 1, 2023 15:24:43 GMT
I see the problem as playing to feet rather than passing to the space in front of the player so he can run on to it and have some momentum. Playing to feet means the player is often static and gets closed down quickly. Also this slow passing across the back leads to a pass into midfield with the player recieving the ball with his back to goal and all he can do is pass the ball back where it came from and then it's s hoof up the field and usually lost.
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Post by nytram on Feb 1, 2023 16:38:00 GMT
I see the problem as playing to feet rather than passing to the space in front of the player so he can run on to it and have some momentum. Playing to feet means the player is often static and gets closed down quickly. Also this slow passing across the back leads to a pass into midfield with the player recieving the ball with his back to goal and all he can do is pass the ball back where it came from and then it's s hoof up the field and usually lost. Both Coates and Brown last night were standing in line with Alfreton back line waiting for a diagonal ball for them to run onto. One Time it happened, although Alfreton player missed it, was for our goal. Also feel Weeks taking quick free kicks to a player two yards from him is not great. If he takes a quick free kick other players need to quickly run forward so he can play it into space.
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Post by brooklaneblue on Feb 1, 2023 19:31:20 GMT
Apologies for stating the obvious or repeating other comments for this post but last nights game was painful and certainly not entertaining.
Alfreton came with a game plan and carried out their plan and almost got 2 more points than planned. The way we play at home plays into the hands of a sides who plays for a point and sorry for stating the obvious at one nil down the opposition with happily give us 100% possession with the ball in the Chester half they will allow us pass the ball side ways for long periods of time. At one nil down they parked the coach in front of their goal , they saved two goals off the line in the first half. We need to make the substitutions much sooner too, I don't get it, we are playing one man up front at home and I also struggled to understand why Thomas and Stephenson are not starting against a physical side like Alfreton. Our luck is going to run out sooner or later only Playing football for the last fifteen minutes of the game and a point is the best we will achieve.
Calum is just what our club needed especially after Bern and Jono, he has brought professionalism to the club and like him but post match interview is baffling, Yes our expectations are playoffs they have to be.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2023 23:09:16 GMT
Not giving that handball in the second half after Dec's shot is absolutely baffling from the Referee, when you compare it to some of the handball penalties we've had against us. Almost as embarrassing as him fetching the ball for their keeper for a goal kick to speed him up rather than booking him.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Feb 2, 2023 2:52:35 GMT
There was an even more blatant handball at the other end of the pitch that should’ve been a penalty to them (think it was inside the box from my viewpoint), so we can’t complain too much about it.
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Post by agl on Feb 2, 2023 9:06:47 GMT
I don't have a problem with the trend for possession based football. However, it only works if it doesn't become predictable. Not just Chester but other teams too, it sometimes feels like watching a rugby team go through set phases just trying to wear the opposition down. Too slow and it allows teams to regain their shape and then it becomes difficult to break down. So the ball just goes sideways. Maybe no coincidence that we score so many late goals when we are having to take a few risks.
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Post by bing on Feb 2, 2023 9:30:18 GMT
I don't have a problem with the trend for possession based football. However, it only works if it doesn't become predictable. Not just Chester but other teams too, it sometimes feels like watching a rugby team go through set phases just trying to wear the opposition down. Too slow and it allows teams to regain their shape and then it becomes difficult to break down. So the ball just goes sideways. Maybe no coincidence that we score so many late goals when we are having to take a few risks. As a base, I think it's useful to keep hold of possession to draw the sting out of a game. How many times in recent years - especially away from home - would we find ourselves 3 down after half an hour? Playing at home is a different proposition - it's not about drawing the sting from the game, but creating a bear pit for the opposition. As another poster has said, every side has a dip in the season. If ours means we are only drawing games, that shows how much we've improved compared to last season.
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Post by Lobster on Feb 2, 2023 9:33:36 GMT
Not giving that handball in the second half after Dec's shot is absolutely baffling from the Referee, when you compare it to some of the handball penalties we've had against us. Almost as embarrassing as him fetching the ball for their keeper for a goal kick to speed him up rather than booking him. I said when it happened that was more of a penalty than the one we had given against us at Brackley, but I still don't think it was. It does feel like we're overdue a dodgy decision in our favour, and one on Tuesday would have cancelled out their goal on the opening day that didn't appear to cross the line.
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Post by devadiva on Feb 2, 2023 9:42:22 GMT
I see the problem as playing to feet rather than passing to the space in front of the player so he can run on to it and have some momentum. Playing to feet means the player is often static and gets closed down quickly. Also this slow passing across the back leads to a pass into midfield with the player recieving the ball with his back to goal and all he can do is pass the ball back where it came from and then it's s hoof up the field and usually lost. Both Coates and Brown last night were standing in line with Alfreton back line waiting for a diagonal ball for them to run onto. One Time it happened, although Alfreton player missed it, was for our goal. Also feel Weeks taking quick free kicks to a player two yards from him is not great. If he takes a quick free kick other players need to quickly run forward so he can play it into space. This is spot on. The way to play Alfreton is with speed, width and (diagonal) balls on the ground into the space behind the defence. As soon as the defenders are backpedaling you have a chance/will pick up a foul. It’s a real waste not to use our wingers/wing backs and do this as we are really strong in that dept - coates, brown, Morgan etc Both Coates and Brown were much quicker than their opposition - evidenced by the hacking down of Brown on at least 2 occasions one of which got a yellow. I think we played Weeks far too deep. At times he and Roberts looked like they we playing the same position. With him pushed forwards you stand a better chance of him creating the types of passes I mention above. On Tues he was so deep his only forward option was to midfield in front of him rather than wingers/strikers.
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Post by jimianto on Feb 2, 2023 9:58:31 GMT
Both Coates and Brown last night were standing in line with Alfreton back line waiting for a diagonal ball for them to run onto. One Time it happened, although Alfreton player missed it, was for our goal. Also feel Weeks taking quick free kicks to a player two yards from him is not great. If he takes a quick free kick other players need to quickly run forward so he can play it into space. This is spot on. The way to play Alfreton is with speed, width and (diagonal) balls on the ground into the space behind the defence. As soon as the defenders are backpedaling you have a chance/will pick up a foul. It’s a real waste not to use our wingers/wing backs and do this as we are really strong in that dept - coates, brown, Morgan etc Both Coates and Brown were much quicker than their opposition - evidenced by the hacking down of Brown on at least 2 occasions one of which got a yellow. I think we played Weeks far too deep. At times he and Roberts looked like they we playing the same position. With him pushed forwards you stand a better chance of him creating the types of passes I mention above. On Tues he was so deep his only forward option was to midfield in front of him rather than wingers/strikers. Yes, we were relying on Hughes to be the play maker and after a bright game at Fylde, he didn't do so well on Tuesday and quite often kept hold of the ball too long and was dispossessed. I think we are missing Kole Hall as an outlet. He has been ideal for those long diagonal balls mentioned above, which get us into the final third and turn the pressure on the opposition.
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Post by Lon on Feb 2, 2023 13:24:41 GMT
The worst referee decision has got to be the drop ball after he got hit in the head. He was easily 10-15 yards outside of the penalty area when it hit him and he does the drop ball in their box so the keeper could pick it up and waste time some more. Baffling really but expect nothing less from a ref who got banned because he did rock paper scissors to decide a kickoff after he forgot his coin!
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