Old Faithful

Quote: Staffs FC "Quite possibly. We are superb in training when there is no real opposition so I'd have to think that it's a lot to do with the opposition on match day.

I really do believe that most sides in the league of the type who are unlikely to feature in the play offs see Hull as a real target when they play us. I think it's fairly obvious that we have probably the softest under belly of any team in the 14. Get in amongst us and we don't have anyone to take responsibility and instil the mental toughness required during the game itself. Couple that with too many individuals right across the park who seem unable to take responsibility for the quality of their own work and you get multiple defeats to teams who are no more talented but much tougher mentally. When we play the big boys - Wigan/leeds/Wire - we have a bit of a siege mentality ourselves and have done OK in these games but it's a "one-off" scenario instead of the norm.

The coach has a lot to answer for in terms of our structures and support play failings and when that's magnified by a shortage of 'brains' leaders (halves who dictate play) it's not a good mix. Miller could well make it but it's too big an ask for him to be leading the team around this year based on his age and late arrival into the club. We have a chance against Wire as already proven this season but it relies on a siege mentality and a top kicking game backed by our best defence. If we kick well and tackle hard we can nullify Wire's threat (in other words influence their level of play) but to do this we need Holdsworth to play. I hope Gentle simplifies it right down to that - based on what's gone before I can't see any other options available.'"

Yeah I get were your coming from and that sums it up pretty well. To me there are two types of teams who do well, there are the Wigans who rely on structure and well drilled moves, this allows them to field a side that on paper seems pretty average but can still turn out results. Everyone knows their job and stick to it rigidly, they supplement that with a big dose of quality and flair in Tomkins that once the hard work is done they then tear it up. The other side of that is the teams like Wire and Hudds who rely on off loads, pace and unpredictability, when it comes off it looks and is fantastic, when its off a bit then it looks pretty awful. Wire get away with it due to experience and some clever heads, hudds generally don’t and get a hammering when off the boil.
FC for me look to be trying to emulate the former of the 2 methods but without the flair element, which result in close games but ultimately coming up short. To be honest I thought you look best when you were offloading with abandon and really testing other teams resolve. That side of your game seems to have been lost, (until games are nearly lost) whether this is to do with Manu moving on, who I thought was the best utiliser of this you had or if it’s just a confidence thing then that’s up for debate.