Complete opposite of what we're used to seeing at Chippenham, used to solid defending but not much goals. Defending today was an uncharacteristic shambles- relegation standard. Cheshunt are awful but let them stick four past us with the worst defending I have seen from us at Hardenhuish park in the national League south. Bizarre considering how good we were against ebbsfleet. Mehew, Jones, King and Richards really need to put this game behind them.

On the other hand we are now just about out the relegation zone with a few games in hand on Cheshunt, who we have prevented getting 3 points, and Matt McClure was different class today which bodes well. Good character to fight back over and over again but should never be even a goal down to them in the first place.

No idea what to make of today to be honest.

Eden wrote:

Complete opposite of what we're used to seeing at Chippenham, used to solid defending but not much goals. Defending today was an uncharacteristic shambles- relegation standard. Cheshunt are awful but let them stick four past us with the worst defending I have seen from us at Hardenhuish park in the national League south. Bizarre considering how good we were against ebbsfleet. Mehew, Jones, King and Richards really need to put this game behind them.

On the other hand we are now just about out the relegation zone with a few games in hand on Cheshunt, who we have prevented getting 3 points, and Matt McClure was different class today which bodes well. Good character to fight back over and over again but should never be even a goal down to them in the first place.

No idea what to make of today to be honest.

My feelings exactly.  The whole 90 minutes was pretty surreal. We started, looking totally hungover from Tuesday.... indecisive and playing the conditions poorly.  Their quick, busy front 3 exploited this highly effectively, hence finding themselves 2-0 up within  the first 10 minutes.an unarguable scoreline. With our usual character, we kept clawing our way back, then succumbing to exactly the same faults.. ie being turned decisively by quick, direct moves and dangerous crosses.  The get-out-of-jail penalty was a huge relief  and papered over a really sub-par perfomance from several players , who looked either tired or rusty. I think we missed Will Tizz and needed the 2 substitutions.  Judging by MM's regular gesticulating, we're still not playing to his strengths.  He is such a hugely valuable acquisition.  Some of his lay-offs were simply of the highest quality. What to me was missing was pattern and strategy.  By mid second half it was difficult to know quite what we were trying to do. Definitely a game to put behind us.  Quite a lot of chin-stroking for Gary H  about the back four ... who looked anything but settled.
 

Last edited by Rambler (18/2/2023 7:01 PM)

Let’s make no excuses about this wretched performance. OK we did well to go in 3-3 at half time, and you would like to think we would have kicked on going down the slope in the second half. But it never happened. The defence looked ponderous and could not cope with the speedy Cheshunt forwards. Midfield where outfought most of the game. I know we got a point which took us out of the relegation zone, but the bottom two have now caught up, so if results go against us, we will be rock bottom. If we do manage to survive at this level, I think a complete re-build of the squad is essential - this squad simply is not enough or strong enough for this level. Sorry to sound so harsh, but today to me showed how poor we are at times.

Shocking performance, two poor very poor teams, clear to see why both are fighting relegation. I still say we will finish above the dotted line, thankfully there are some rank poor teams in the division, weakest the league has been for years, I wonder if the Chairman is thinking about change ? 

Chipp54 wrote:

Well that was just bizarre from start to finish. Did we have a back 4 or 3 to start with? Either way it clearly didn't work. Ironically scorelines like this may improve attendances!

I’m not sure formation had much to do with it. When your defender falls over his own feet under no pressure (second goal) then you are in big trouble. 

I look at the core of this team and it’s very much the old managers side  - Hanks, Russe, Hamilton, Santos, Richards. Even Eddie Jones is a throwback to it. Inconsistent players who have aged. Does need a clear out I think. Question is, what is out there that’s better and within budget?

Bad performances happen, we were rubbish, got a point and moved up the table.