MotM: 21-02-26. Southport (H) Evans

[Cyberia]

Rant incoming….

Tired of the hoof and hope tactics,
Tired of the illogical substitutions.
Tired of the of lack of accountability and arrogant ‘I know better than everyone else’ pre and post match interviews,
Tired of hearing about our ‘xg’ and ‘entries into the opposition box’ statistics.
Tired of seeing other sides do the basics better than us and work harder and fight harder than we do.
Tired of the lack of composure, and the calamitous defending.
Tired of seeing attacking players come in, not be played to their strengths, and/or be isolated by the formation or tactics (Willoughby, Waldron, Hemmings AMS, Gyasi, Mooney, who are are all decent players at this level, haven’t been able to make any meaningful attacking impact in this side - surely this points to the use and deployment of the players rather than the players themselves)
Tired of the tactical inflexibility and the lack of will/ability to change things when what we’re doing isn’t working - we’ve not evolved, learnt or grown as a side.

The budget was wasted on terrible summer recruitment and we’ve relied on hit and miss sticky plaster loan players since then.

Does anyone really believe we’re a top 7 side and if, by some sort of miracle, we do get to the playoffs, we can win them?

This has genuinely been one of the most boring and unenjoyable seasons in my 30 plus years supporting KHFC.

It is hard to disagree with a lot of the above and I must admit I am finding it all rather boring and unenjoyable at the moment. The problem is though I still go home and most of the away games hoping to see some entertaining football
- I don't think it matters if we finish in the top 7 or not as we will surely be in the NLN next season.

I've just watched the highlights of the Telford v South Shields game and it was the complete opposite of our game against Southport yesterday. It looked like a very exciting end to end, high tempo game with some good football on display and plenty of chances created by both sides. There were several examples too of the type of defence splitting passes that we seem unable to produce . Our full time status doesn't appear to give us an advantage over the part time sides in NLN. With the exception of a couple of games we have not dominated any of the opposition sides this season and we don't seem to be fitter or tactically superior to any of the part time sides that we have come up against.

[TWG85]

[Harrier1994]

So in that entire game

0 chances created from open play in the first half
3 chances created in the second half and 2 of them were long shots.

That is pathetic.

[garthrockett]

Ignoring our obvious shortcomings, how are Southport so low in the NLN?
I thought they looked a very decent side, pacey, quick passing, a fast right winger, and Foulkes had his hands full with the number 7 who's I'd sign for us in a flash.
One loss in 13 but no win in 5; funny old game........

[TrialistA]

The first half was summed up for me by three pigeons that wandered around inside Southport's six yard box, barely inconvenienced by any football taking place. Sadly, they were as entertaining as most of our attacking play.

[Robbo]

Due to work commitments, this season has been the first since in 20 years I havent been able to get to many games. I have managed to make the last 4 home league games, 1 win and 3 draws. In all of them I have been less than impressed, I'm quietly confident im yet to see a striker take a shot in these 4 games.

I find myself bored and feeling no sort of connection with this group of players. The start of the second half for example, southport came out with intent and some tempo, everything that we lack. When it came to a couple of corners for them, there's no communication when setting up for the corner, barely any player trying to get each other going.

The same problem for me that ive highlighted many times on here, weve never truly replaced Sam Austin in my view. Maz came close last year but that's about it. Strikers are not going to score if your never going to give them service, that's a fact. Hemmings isn't a striker, so any criticism on him in my opinion isn't warranted. Foulkes looks like hes having to play with the handbrake on because of walker in front him, Reynolds looks a shadow of the player i was seeing many rave reviews about. The only player that I really enjoy watching is Owen Evans, he gets a couple of passes or decisions wrong (who doesnt) but very impressed by him.

Finally David Davis, idiot is the nicest word i would use, wearing the captains armband and he does that, no excuse. Won't be able the game Tuesday, so expect a win and a good performance no doubt.

[Pershore Harrier]

When the commentator on the highlights package says we are slow and ponderous and that was the opinion based on 7 minutes offered as the best 7 minutes of the game - blood and sand what an -indictment.

[Phil]

When the commentator on the highlights package says we are slow and ponderous and that was the opinion based on 7 minutes offered as the best 7 minutes of the game - blood and sand what an -indictment.

And in his interview 'Sniffer' Murray says the strikers aren't taking their chances. Is he so far up his own @@@@ that he cannot see the truth?

[garthrockett]

Nice to hear the round of applause for Arthur Gnanoha coming on as sub for the visitors.

[Harry Aire]

Yes good old Arthur. Brought back some great memories. Nothing good to take from this game though. How the hell can a group of decent players look so bad? Tear up the plan (whatever it is) and send them out there to play with passion commitment and enjoyment. I'd actually rather see us lose 3-2 to Marine having a go than sit through another 1-1 like that.

[Mirage Molby]

Yes good old Arthur. Brought back some great memories. Nothing good to take from this game though. How the hell can a group of decent players look so bad? Tear up the plan (whatever it is) and send them out there to play with passion commitment and enjoyment. I'd actually rather see us lose 3-2 to Marine having a go than sit through another 1-1 like that.

Foulkes, Digga, Ryley, Devine, Kam, Morgs, Hemmo, Seb were all here last season when we were the NLN top scorers. Admittedly we are without Maz and Worrall, but overall it was much better to watch last season. I still think these players aren’t anywhere near as bad as that game would suggest. The very whistle happy ref didn’t help at all yesterday, playing into Southport’s plan.

Let’s see what AM does on Tuesday. The players need to react too, before this season goes to waste.

I don’t give up hope yet!

[HarrierN2]

AM seems fixed in one of his "I'll prove this is the right way to do things" periods. Last time that happened, things had to get pretty desperate before he finally changed it.

It'd be interesting to know whether Stuart Watkiss has left the building. Things feel spookily similar to before he came in as assistant.

[TomLong78]

Yes good old Arthur. Brought back some great memories. Nothing good to take from this game though. How the hell can a group of decent players look so bad? Tear up the plan (whatever it is) and send them out there to play with passion commitment and enjoyment. I'd actually rather see us lose 3-2 to Marine having a go than sit through another 1-1 like that.

Foulkes, Digga, Ryley, Devine, Kam, Morgs, Hemmo, Seb were all here last season when we were the NLN top scorers. Admittedly we are without Maz and Worrall, but overall it was much better to watch last season. I still think these players aren’t anywhere near as bad as that game would suggest. The very whistle happy ref didn’t help at all yesterday, playing into Southport’s plan.

Let’s see what AM does on Tuesday. The players need to react too, before this season goes to waste.

I don’t give up hope yet!

I am with Mirage here.

I don’t disagree with most of what has been written above - yesterday was dull and desperate with one dimensional tactics.

Most of the players seemed to be off their game, and have been for a couple of weeks. Murray seems off his game too.

But it is just a few weeks since the same group of players and manager won 8 games on the trot and, although we’re not playing well at the moment, we’re not losing games either (the Macc spectacular excepted).

I have no doubt that our form will turn around, possibly with tweaks in personnel or system, and we will make the play-offs, although we know what a lottery they are if and when we get there.

And just on the psychology of how the season has played out, I know I have felt a bit less fussed about the league in recent weeks. The draw with Worksop finished our chances of winning the league in my view and the subsequent Trophy progress has highlighted that we’re now just a couple of games in that competition from achieving something we haven’t done in nearly two decades.

If I feel like that, I can’t blame the players if their levels and focus has dropped slightly in recent weeks too - you might consider that unprofessional, but we’re all human.

Equally they will know that their levels have slipped and they will have to pick it up on or before Saturday.

[marcus garvey]

AM seems fixed in one of his "I'll prove this is the right way to do things" periods. Last time that happened, things had to get pretty desperate before he finally changed it.

It'd be interesting to know whether Stuart Watkiss has left the building. Things feel spookily similar to before he came in as assistant.

SW was there yesterday in his usual spot. I was behind the home dugout for a change yesterday rather than the usual East Stand and Murray was moaning about the players (to those behind him) more than I usually do! One player in particular seem to frustrate him more than most.

[harry211]

AM seems fixed in one of his "I'll prove this is the right way to do things" periods. Last time that happened, things had to get pretty desperate before he finally changed it.

It'd be interesting to know whether Stuart Watkiss has left the building. Things feel spookily similar to before he came in as assistant.

SW was there yesterday in his usual spot. I was behind the home dugout for a change yesterday rather than the usual East Stand and Murray was moaning about the players (to those behind him) more than I usually do! One player in particular seem to frustrate him more than most.

Tell us more Marcus...

Agree on Murray's mentality. Bits of his postmatch interview was just bizarre...