So I waited until now to write this report in the hope that sleeping on it would give me time to avoid rash comments ,maybe it has but on the otherhand I feel no more complimentary now than I felt when I left the game. Make no mistake,this performance and result has been coming for a few weeks now and had we snatched a point at the end it would only have covered up the totally inept performance that deserved absolutely nothing. This result will only prove a needed "kick up the backside" if DC takes from it the problems that we have that have been covered up by an amazing run of RESULTS. The fact is that we have the most uncreative team in many a year, a team that within the "selected" 11 totally lacks the ability to create and take chances and therefore the best hope is to win by the odd goal. What we do have is a group of players who down to the man will give 100% for the cause and IMO defines the Manager. Yes it is good to know that our players do actually care but without individual attacking flair within the starting eleven you are always running on thin ice and it is amazing that we have managed to obtain the results we have until yesterday. Now is the time to be brutally honest- Eastleigh were yesterday deserved winners BUT were nothing more than an average team made to look much better than they actually were. make no mistake if Eastleigh had been that good it would have been a 5-1 defeat as their finishing was abysmal. Looking at the performances of the individual players make no better reading than the Team Performance but here goes.
Mildenhall 4 A couple of good saves cannot cover up an atrocious schoolboy error in the basics of goalkeeping and 90 minutes of poor distribution. Gifted the
opponents a lead that they never looked like relinquishing.
Leadbitter 5.5 Probably the best of a poor bunch in terms of our defenders and there were plenty of others who should have been taken off in front of him as at least he did try to get forward and had the pace to get back although his winger did escape him a couple of times far too easily.
McChrystal 4 Very much second best in most of his duals, allowed his opponent far too much space and failed to get close to him and as soon as he rushed out to make up for this lack of movement he would leave space behind.
Parkes 5 The partnership with McCrystal looked very shaky from the start as both were dragged all over the place but were too often found lagging behind and the DC tactics of playing very deep finally caught up with us and meant that for far too much of the game we were camped in our half. When we went to three at the back we had lost most of our organisation which has been our strength this season and defensively we became a total nightmare and would have conceded 3 more goals in a ten minute period had Eastleigh been as good as some think they were
Brown 2 His poorest game this season by a mile . His distribution both in terms of passing and crossing were abysmal and if one of the full backs were going to be replaced due to tactics then it should have been him.
Dawson 4 I felt really sorry for him as the service to him was so poor. My biggest criticism of DC is that when he makes changes IMO he rarely gets to the source of the problem,replacing strikers and wingers and leaving an even more one dimensioned team. Why bring on Blissett with no winger to get in crosses?
Mansell 3 Another who had his worst game of the season. In truth our central midfielders made Craig Stanley look like Paul Gascoigne rather than the Bamber Gascoigne who turned out (in the kindest meaning of the words) for us several seasons back. Very much looked like he was in need of a rest but in truth we do not have the players available to allow this to happen. Played like a player who was more worried about getting the booking that would lead to suspension.
Lockyer 3 Both in midfield and when in the back three Tom was caught totally off the pace of the game and because of this we not only had no creative flair whatsoever in the middle but also lacked the usual defensive stability that the Mansell/Lockyer partnership gives us.
Monkhouse 2 I think Monkey has a lot of skill but IMO Clarke allows him to cruise through games rather than take the game to the opposition. Has the ability to be far more involved rather than just the pawn to play in Brown.
Taylor 3 Well taken goal but should have scored another at least. Personally would have started with Blissett and Harrison but to be fair to all of our forwards the service to them was disgraceful and they had to try to survive off scraps.
Harrison 4 The "should he start or shouldn't he" debate should be "who should he start with" as it is unfair to put everything down to him when the service to whoever plays up front is so poor. When will DC learn that if you are going to just aimlessly lump the ball like we did for the majority of yesterdays game then you have to either start with Blissett up front or if he is not considered on good enough form then even put Monkhouse up top. When Ellis got the ball to feet he actually looked like he could cause their defenders problems.
Subs:
Blissett 3 One header that hit the bar but didn't have much chance to impress as service to him was so bad.
Balanta 6 A breath of fresh air and should be in the starting line up. Must really wonder if it is worthwhile bothering when sat on the bench watching players who cannot pass or control a ball to save their life. Give me at least one player who has the skills and creativity to make things happen rather than packing the team out with 100%'s with limited attacking ability.
Clarke 2 Didn't have long enough to mark really but then during the short time he was on managed to put three short easy passes straight to the opposition. He is not the answer to our problems in central midfield and really in truth compounds them.
DC 3 Was it Manager of the Month syndrome? I think time caught up with him yesterday big time. Total lack of creativity in his side finally revealed itself in terms of the final result rather than just the Performance. The change to three at the back just added to the woes and I wonder whether he has actually learnt from the Mansfield game. Was it a blip yesterday? I hope so but IMO he needs to play players who can do something when in possession of the ball rather than just run after it.
Ref 2 The bald headed eagle has landed!! Really wish he had taken off as he was terrible from start to finish. Couldn't get decisions right that were under his nose (which was big) let alone decisions at a distance. Better referees on the Downs and that goes for the majority of Conference referees.
Eastleigh 7 Hard working, organised Long ball team with a big touch of nastiness who thankfully couldn't finish many of the chances that we presented them with. Could yet be the dark horses for going up.
DC has the week now to add to the squad AND to start playing his better footballers. The defence deserves another chance based on their consistancy,in front of them a rethink is necessary. Personally I would go for
Mildenhall
Leadbitter Parkes McCrystal Brown
Dawson Mansell New Player Balanta
Blissett Easter
Subs Taylor Harrison Lockyer Puddy Monkhouse