by Chrisgump11 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:12 am
Largely agree with K/S. Callum Evans surprise and most effective return at Exeter has put the cat amongst the pigeons too as has Lee Collins emergence as the player we'd hoped for in August. Now that most are fit and returned from suspension it is harder to identify the real needs. Also, if Ozzy had been with us in August and Dan Wishart in the team earlier, things might have taken a different course
The younger players have developed too, several being overawed at the start of the season: Reece Brown, Jordan Stephens, Jordan Simpson, Jack Fitzwater, Alex I are all examples of players who have been playing well for 2 months. Injuries and suspensions, some unlucky, have affected recent form. I still have high hopes for Manny Monthe provided he gets the support a young player needs from both coaches and supporters
I'll stick to the areas of weakness rather than pointing to individuals:
1 The defence working as a cohesive unit - keeper & centre backs in the main - we have to cut out the needless risks and stop conceding goals from uncontested headers, the principal way we are losing games
2 Speed of passing in midfield & running at defences. If the centre backs and wing backs are allowed, why not our vaunted midfield talent?
3 Chronic shot avoidance. It cannot all be about creating the perfect goal for 'our man out top'. Since the defence became more parsimonious, creation of chances has evaporated and those who reach the penalty area always want one more pass ... Noticeably, we took pot shots at Exeter whenever the opportunity arose and looked more dangerous as a result
So, good luck Coops!