| Report
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Frustrating that we didn't win when we held 75% of the possession and did most things right. You get days like that.
Team response - rallied round, discussed the performance in a constructive fashion and blamed it on the forwards (haha). Team set off together at 10am from Liverpool St and were still drinking together at 8pm - good effort.
The team is playing good hockey and enjoying playing together.
Good things - defence and midfield were cool when required and absorbed any pressure well. Top game by Fluddy and the efforts of both Andy & Rob Twin after a good run of performances was rightly recognized by the team; putting them neck-and-neck for the man-of-match (see below).
Up front - we did have spells of quality, with the mobility of Ash catching the defence by surprise but in the main we have yet to find a way of building pressure and maintaining possession in the last third...we really ought to be passing the ball into the back of the net?
TRUST - There is a perception that the midfield tend not to pass to a 'marked forward', that we hesitate and look for the 'visionary' pass; but in good hockey it will often be difficult to 'find' the unmarked player, and hesitation will just make it worse; if we trust our forwards to shield the ball and bounce it back or wide this will generate its' own opportunity...so perhaps we can reflect on that.
MORE DECISIVE - not to be mistaken for indifference to risk! We must try and be more decisive when aggressing the D; EITHER get in there, get a shot, pass, put it on a foot OR transfer quickly back to the pivot. If we are too laboured and slow in the implementation there is the danger that opportunities come and go.
So a mixed bag this week - in previous weeks (see Southgate & East Grinstead) we would allow a goal against us (against the run of play) to throw us into turmoil - this is no longer the case. To conclude - incremental progress in every department - well done!
Man of the match - Rob Sortwell
Dick of the Day - Fluddy (for misdemeanors in the purchase of the train tickets)- but after the evening activities on saturday i suspect there will be plenty of competition next week!
best regards
TEAM MANAGER |
