MATCHWATCH : Lincoln City (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

I don’t really remember Lincoln actually pressing very high or hard or us having any issue with it. Some basic stuff from our goal kicks but they never really committed to it

More that sat back and put in a mid block which we struggled to get through - hence keep going backwards

Agree

[RoyalBlue]

Campbell was fouled half a dozen times today and every time the ref gave nothing

Never do. The officials in this league let these physical teams like Lincoln get away with murder.

Knibbs was shoulder-barged square in the chest, right in front of the ref and in clear view of the AR, to knock him over and dispossess him but the ref just waved play on, allowing them to break on us. Yet on another occasion he awarded a free-kick against us when both players were just tussling for the ball in the normal manner with neither appearing to commit an offence,

It's not just the incompetence of many of the officials but also their inconsistency in decision making that is so damn annoying.

At the same time, and maybe slightly in support of officials, why is it still necessary for them to have to explain to players the law relating to how close attacking players can position themselves to the defensive wall?! The ref had to do that for the Lincoln players not long before half-time and their captain was clearly still questioning it when speaking to the ref after he had blown for half-time.

Maybe FA should run compulsory briefing sessions to all professional managers, coaches and players before the start of each season.

[RoyalBlue]

Pretty dreadful tbh. No energy until injury time

That triple sub must go down as one of the worst I’ve seen - Bodin and Carroll, are let’s face it - useless - and a dodgy Yids was a poor option at PB when Garcia was making some reasonable inroads there

Kelv got about 5 mins in his best position. Campbell was poor and Camara neat and tidy but never looks like breaking through the defensive line

Lincoln a basic side who were always going to score one of their set pieces - they looked dangerous from them throughout

Poor result that

It did seem strange taking off Garcia and Kelvin, just as they (and particularly Garcia) were starting to make some threatening inroads down the wing. Lincoln were clearly tiring and Garcia was exploiting that with his runs. And on the other side Campbell was also finally starting to find some openings, particularly when cutting in.

[URZZZZ]

Is Akande injured?

He's raw and in any logical circumstance "not ready" but needs must. He does however possess explosive pace which could work from the bench especially on a day like today when we're creating nothing else.

Edit. Lol Hound.

Not injured - dropped back down to the U23

Unimpressed in his cameo against Peterborough a few weeks back and hasn’t been in a matchday squad since. Looked massively unfit

Probably would offer something different than the likes of Bodin and Carroll would but there are basic standards to hit as a footballer which I assume Hunt thinks he didn’t match

[URZZZZ]

Pretty dreadful tbh. No energy until injury time

That triple sub must go down as one of the worst I’ve seen - Bodin and Carroll, are let’s face it - useless - and a dodgy Yids was a poor option at PB when Garcia was making some reasonable inroads there

Kelv got about 5 mins in his best position. Campbell was poor and Camara neat and tidy but never looks like breaking through the defensive line

Lincoln a basic side who were always going to score one of their set pieces - they looked dangerous from them throughout

Poor result that

It did seem strange taking off Garcia and Kelvin, just as they (and particularly Garcia) were starting to make some threatening inroads down the wing. Lincoln were clearly tiring and Garcia was exploiting that with his runs. And on the other side Campbell was also finally starting to find some openings, particularly when cutting in.

Thought Campbell had a decent ish game yesterday after a slow first 30, some nice touches and was our main outlet to carrying the ball forward

His problem, as ever, was he doesn’t look likely to score/assist, which as a winger, is a major flaw!

[Hound]

Is Akande injured?

He's raw and in any logical circumstance "not ready" but needs must. He does however possess explosive pace which could work from the bench especially on a day like today when we're creating nothing else.

Edit. Lol Hound.

Not injured - dropped back down to the U23

Unimpressed in his cameo against Peterborough a few weeks back and hasn’t been in a matchday squad since. Looked massively unfit

Probably would offer something different than the likes of Bodin and Carroll would but there are basic standards to hit as a footballer which I assume Hunt thinks he didn’t match

I’m not sure Bodin and Carroll hit those basic standards either tbh. For different reasons

[Hound]

Pretty dreadful tbh. No energy until injury time

That triple sub must go down as one of the worst I’ve seen - Bodin and Carroll, are let’s face it - useless - and a dodgy Yids was a poor option at PB when Garcia was making some reasonable inroads there

Kelv got about 5 mins in his best position. Campbell was poor and Camara neat and tidy but never looks like breaking through the defensive line

Lincoln a basic side who were always going to score one of their set pieces - they looked dangerous from them throughout

Poor result that

It did seem strange taking off Garcia and Kelvin, just as they (and particularly Garcia) were starting to make some threatening inroads down the wing. Lincoln were clearly tiring and Garcia was exploiting that with his runs. And on the other side Campbell was also finally starting to find some openings, particularly when cutting in.

Thought Campbell had a decent ish game yesterday after a slow first 30, some nice touches and was our main outlet to carrying the ball forward

His problem, as ever, was he doesn’t look likely to score/assist, which as a winger, is a major flaw!

He did put in one lovely cross

I thought he was pretty poor overall but agree he is our main outlet at times. I’d be starting him, Wareham, Kelvin for every game from here

I’d rather see Abrefa or Garcia put on the wings than Bodin and I’d even shove Knibbs up front rather than Kelvin there - put Rushesha in CM or Elliott if he gets fit which seems a way off still

[Snowflake Royal]

It did seem strange taking off Garcia and Kelvin, just as they (and particularly Garcia) were starting to make some threatening inroads down the wing. Lincoln were clearly tiring and Garcia was exploiting that with his runs. And on the other side Campbell was also finally starting to find some openings, particularly when cutting in.

Thought Campbell had a decent ish game yesterday after a slow first 30, some nice touches and was our main outlet to carrying the ball forward

His problem, as ever, was he doesn’t look likely to score/assist, which as a winger, is a major flaw!

He did put in one lovely cross

I thought he was pretty poor overall but agree he is our main outlet at times. I’d be starting him, Wareham, Kelvin for every game from here

I’d rather see Abrefa or Garcia put on the wings than Bodin and I’d even shove Knibbs up front rather than Kelvin there - put Rushesha in CM or Elliott if he gets fit which seems a way off still

Interesting thoughts.

I'd probably try Camara, Ehibhatiomhan and Wareham... Campbell obviously much more involved than Camara, but Mamadi does actually chase things. Campbell never seems to sprint after any 50/50, and always tries to hold on to the ball too long. With Kelvin wide you have a bit more attacking threat, so Camara balances with some defensive workrate and helping Wareham close down more. Plus Campbell is more likely to have a positive impact off the bench.

I'd also give Okine-Peters and/or Senga, Sackey, Wellens, Osho or Borgnis a sit on the bench over Bodin or Carroll. At least they're likely to try to impress.

[leon]

I don’t really remember Lincoln actually pressing very high or hard or us having any issue with it. Some basic stuff from our goal kicks but they never really committed to it

More that sat back and put in a mid block which we struggled to get through - hence keep going backwards

All game there were enormous gaps in the midfield where we didn't occupy, especially when we had possession from the back. We were incredibly static - and this has been a feature all season.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Individually, I find it hard to identify which of the midfield 3 to single out, but our midfield lacks energy and none of the current incumbents, (bar Savage a bit), have it.

I know midfield balance is important, but a Camara or Rusheda buzzing around closing down and disrupting teams like Lincoln might be an idea to avoid results like this...

[Hound]

I don’t really remember Lincoln actually pressing very high or hard or us having any issue with it. Some basic stuff from our goal kicks but they never really committed to it

More that sat back and put in a mid block which we struggled to get through - hence keep going backwards

All game there were enormous gaps in the midfield where we didn't occupy, especially when we had possession from the back. We were incredibly static - and this has been a feature all season.

I’d agree with that - savage and Knibbs to hiding at times and it’s frustrating as you want Savage on the ball especially

[Snowflake Royal]

I don’t really remember Lincoln actually pressing very high or hard or us having any issue with it. Some basic stuff from our goal kicks but they never really committed to it

More that sat back and put in a mid block which we struggled to get through - hence keep going backwards

All game there were enormous gaps in the midfield where we didn't occupy, especially when we had possession from the back. We were incredibly static - and this has been a feature all season.

I’d agree with that - savage and Knibbs to hiding at times and it’s frustrating as you want Savage on the ball especially

I don’t think anyone is hiding. I think we push high for those big diagonals from Wing and Mbengue, but that just means there's too big a gap. Savage also isn’t one to really receive the ball and turn his man either. He's more likey to pop it back or sideways and try to move. Something we miss from Elliott's game is his ability to receive the ball to feet, back to goal, and turn his man to open up the chance to move forward or a different passing lane.

Knibbs I don’t know, I rarely notice him in our midfield passing. I think he drifts to the wing or behind striker even more.

If everyone's fit its a hell of a decision who plays midfield, Knibbs has been really key with the goals and the press, but I think he has to get shunted to winger. Whilst it might not be his best place, he's certainly a lot better there than most our others, and Elliott isn’t far behind him in midfield, if not goals.

Just thinking at least one, if not two of Wing, Savage, Elliott, Craig and Knibbs have to be on the bench next season, if we survive and retain them all... That’s a hell of a strong midfield.

[Hound]

I’d define hiding here as not showing for the ball, which I think is what you’ve described in savage and Knibbs there, particularly Knibbs

Savage is plenty good enough to come and receive the ball and start play imo. I actually think he’s our best player nowadays (if Bindon isn’t included) and I’d love to see him come up and pick the ball more often . I’d like to see him rotate with Wing and come and receive the ball from the CBs more often

Elliott is certainly a miss in doing that - frustrating he has been out so long. Craig also seems comfortable picking up the ball in that DM position

Currently when Wing does get the ball, he’s under pressure with no option other than going back a lot of the time. If Wing is tightly marked then we end up passing around the back 4 without progressing

[Snowflake Royal]

I’d define hiding here as not showing for the ball, which I think is what you’ve described in savage and Knibbs there, particularly Knibbs

Savage is plenty good enough to come and receive the ball and start play imo. I actually think he’s our best player nowadays (if Bindon isn’t included) and I’d love to see him come up and pick the ball more often . I’d like to see him rotate with Wing and come and receive the ball from the CBs more often

Elliott is certainly a miss in doing that - frustrating he has been out so long. Craig also seems comfortable picking up the ball in that DM position

Currently when Wing does get the ball, he’s under pressure with no option other than going back a lot of the time. If Wing is tightly marked then we end up passing around the back 4 without progressing

Yeah, fair enough then.

Really important we keep Craig, Savage, Elliott for the long haul. So much potential. Love Wing and Knibbs, but those three could be our midfield for the next 5 - 6 years, taking us from L1 to challenging for PL with a bit of luck.

[royals6719]

Just a footnote.

Driving through Shinfield at just before 1pm and saw Team Coach heading towards motorway.

Maybe STAR have paid for another overnight stay

[Sutekh]

Just a footnote.

Driving through Shinfield at just before 1pm and saw Team Coach heading towards motorway.

Maybe STAR have paid for another overnight stay

But was the team on it

[royals6719]

Who knows??!!

Maybe a cunning plan to confuse loyal Royal fans - but Bearwood isnt far from Shinfield so I guess they were

[Fezza]

Thought Campbell was poor.

Biggest issue seems to be playing Wing so deep. Perhaps starting Carroll in that role, putting Wing up the pitch with Savage and having Knibbs either up front or as a winger ahead of anyone!

Kelv and Garcia both hooked as there was a real risk of a second yellow.