Re: Torquay United vs Rotherham United
Posted: 01 Mar 2011, 16:42
Browsing Rotherham United results on the Beeb, an interesting pattern emerges:
Away to teams above us (as it stands)
LDLWLLLLL
P9 W1 D1 L7 F4 A13 GD-9 Pts 4
Away to teams below us
DWWWWWDW
P8 W6 D2 L0 F19 A9 GD+10 Pts 20
So, I guess tonight we really find out if we are a top side or a rubbish side. They seem to thrash those below a certain point and struggle against those round them. This leads me to believe it might be a mental or attitude issue. If the players go into the game knowing that the opposition are struggling and not a threat to their league position, they play freely and seem to score goals for fun. If they get it into their heads that they are playing teams around them, they become nervous, negative and fragile, especially away from home.
The first goal is crucial tonight (as always really), if we get it, we might just shatter their confidence and go on to win the match (provided we don t sit back on it). If they get it, they might believe we are a team there for the taking and go on to bag a hatful. Time will tell.
Alongside this, they don t seem to be able to really beat teams by a lot. If they keep tight and restrict the opposition to none, they usually only score one. If they cut loose and hit a few, they concede more as well (evidence RUFC 6-4 CTFC; BAFC 2-4 RUFC and SCFC 3-3 RUFC).
This suggests to me an issue with the midfield, where they push on and try for goals, they allow the opposition the run of the midfield and are considerably more vulnerable when they lose the ball. This might well suit us, with the combative elements of JOastler (deliberate) and Stanley in the middle.
The other option is that they are one man band merchants and they rely on a single player who has no right to be in this lowly division, but clearly enjoys being a big fish in a small pond. (Wonder if I ll get my third quote on the RUFC forum with this line?)
On the subject of their forum, they appear to be as negative about their chances as we are about ours, both teams fancy they other for the win, shall we offer thenm a draw now and be done with?
Matt.
Away to teams above us (as it stands)
LDLWLLLLL
P9 W1 D1 L7 F4 A13 GD-9 Pts 4
Away to teams below us
DWWWWWDW
P8 W6 D2 L0 F19 A9 GD+10 Pts 20
So, I guess tonight we really find out if we are a top side or a rubbish side. They seem to thrash those below a certain point and struggle against those round them. This leads me to believe it might be a mental or attitude issue. If the players go into the game knowing that the opposition are struggling and not a threat to their league position, they play freely and seem to score goals for fun. If they get it into their heads that they are playing teams around them, they become nervous, negative and fragile, especially away from home.
The first goal is crucial tonight (as always really), if we get it, we might just shatter their confidence and go on to win the match (provided we don t sit back on it). If they get it, they might believe we are a team there for the taking and go on to bag a hatful. Time will tell.
Alongside this, they don t seem to be able to really beat teams by a lot. If they keep tight and restrict the opposition to none, they usually only score one. If they cut loose and hit a few, they concede more as well (evidence RUFC 6-4 CTFC; BAFC 2-4 RUFC and SCFC 3-3 RUFC).
This suggests to me an issue with the midfield, where they push on and try for goals, they allow the opposition the run of the midfield and are considerably more vulnerable when they lose the ball. This might well suit us, with the combative elements of JOastler (deliberate) and Stanley in the middle.
The other option is that they are one man band merchants and they rely on a single player who has no right to be in this lowly division, but clearly enjoys being a big fish in a small pond. (Wonder if I ll get my third quote on the RUFC forum with this line?)
On the subject of their forum, they appear to be as negative about their chances as we are about ours, both teams fancy they other for the win, shall we offer thenm a draw now and be done with?
Matt.
