By Nathan Jackson
January 28 2010

Despite losing at Burton, there aren't actually that many things I can complain about. City enjoyed the better chances and on another day, and with a striker that could actually put away a chance, we could have even won the game, but alas as City suffer their first failure to gain a maximum haul of 2010.  

This game showed exactly what City are lacking. We've got a good goalkeeper (although I don't recall him actually making a save during the entire game), we've got a relatively decent defence and a midfield that creates chances....therein lays the problem. It's no good creating all these chances when there will be strikers on the other end that can't score goals. Don't get me wrong, I think Delroy does an excellent job in terms of holding the ball up and bringing other players into play, but can you see him scoring more than five a season? Or even Connor or John-Lewis? If I'm honest, I can't see that lot scoring five between them, let alone five each.

It is frustrating that we're creating these opportunities now and yet don't seem to have one natural finisher up front. Don't get me wrong, if you're midfielders are scoring goals then chances are you'll get quite a few points, but there has to be a time where you have to say enough is enough. There is not one striker at this club that I could see getting more than five goals a season, and that must change over the summer.

However, despite losing, I am actually quite pleased. I'm obviously not chuffed that we lost, but we carved out chances. It seems a far cry from the side of just two months ago and we're making progress, we just came up against a well organised Burton side, whom I fully expect to finish in the top half this season.

Peschisolido seemed to have us well scouted. The through-balls that have proven deadly in recent weeks were snuffed out easily by the Burton defence. He seemed to know our weakness is being counter-attacked, and although Burch didn't have to make many (if any) saves, Burton always looked dangerous on the occasions they did get forward. There won't be many teams that get the better of Burton on a regular basis.

But anyway, back to City and onto Clark Keltie. For someone who isn't match fit, I thought he had a decent debut and his passing was excellent.  Infact, the midfield as a whole had a decent game, although Herd did seem a bit selfish on the ball and tried to beat a lot of players at once without looking for a pass, but other than that it was the usual energy filled performance that we've come to expect.

Overall, I can't really complain as I thought the performance was good enough to get something out of the game, but it just wasn't our day, but we do seriously need a striker soon.

Reaction to the Burton defeat

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 28/01/2010 00:27

theimps.tk
28/01/2010 00:27

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

cherryexile
28/01/2010 16:57

Just a few observations from the game,

1) We were generally good except when we got near the opposition penalty area.

2) While I like Herd, he was increadibly one footed yesterday and kept running into cul-de-sacs because if he went to his left he couldn't find a way to release the ball with his left foot, so he kept running until he lost it. I would prefer him on the right to in the middle.

3) Facey is a bit like Stanley Matthews; give him the ball at his feet and he looks good, if he has to take two steps in any direction, forget it, he won't get there in time.

4) When we approach the box the attackers either run away from the player with the ball in a straight line, or stand still behind a defender. There are very few angled runs, or players coming past the ball, hence there is no effective attack.

5) I'm concerned at our lack of left footed players. Hughton did not look as effective to me playing on the left side of midfield.

6) Keltie had a good first game.

7) Anderson impressed with his free kicks.

Even though we lost I thought we passed well and players had more confidence in each other than I have seen before. We need more upfront and better balance in midfield, other than that I was happy with the display.

Reply Quote Report

kettrin imp
28/01/2010 17:58

I know its stating the obvious, but the worst thing that could have happend was letting in that early goal. They then sat back and as Nathen said, blocked all our through balls because they sat so deep. I think that if we could have kept them out for a bit longer we would have won easily.

Its a bit worring that once we go behind we might struggle to equalise if other teams adopt this approach. We need a plan B just in case.

Reply Quote Report

Normanstanley
28/01/2010 19:36

We can gloss it anyway we want, but we need a striker, maybe 2. The board have obviously not released any funds, so I wonder where the cup money etc has gone.

Wright/Dorrian are playing a risky game, yes we had a couple of 2-1 wins , but analyse those and we were fortunate against C'field, missed pen. Bradford battered us for 45 and Barnet had their moments.

If we do not strenghthen up top, 19 goals says it all, then I will stick by my prediction in August on this board, that we will be relegated to the BSN.

Reply Quote Report

MaineRoad_96
29/01/2010 19:33

Havent we signed six players this transfer window?

Reply Quote Report

CheshireImp
29/01/2010 21:00

I must say i have to agree with Normanstanley about the situation with the striker.

If you look at our scorers this season the top is Howe with 5 which for a club with asperations is really quite disheartening. so with Howe leaving that makes Clarke and Fagin on 4. then you look at other clubs and they nearly all have players in double figures . i wont go as far as to say we will be relegated

But unless we get a good 15-20 goal a season striker i see medocre seasons to come

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net