Post-Southend debrief; what needs to change; vital home streak - new episode out now

[ATFCpodcast]

New episode out following Shots' defeat at Southend. Discussing:

- Do we need to score more or concede less?
- How many points do we need to stay up (too early to do the maths)?
- What changes should Tommy make?
- Hartlepool and Solihull previews

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7L3PpQ ... mJ9szyQCsw
YouTube: https://youtu.be/kfkVQwX0mLQ?si=Mw1CTNwdewsDqaVH

Cheers,

Will

[Charles Dickens]

I was surprised that no changes were made at Southend after last Saurdays defeat except for the one forced change, but we move on.

The main and obvious problem for some weeks now is the inability to score goals. I don`t know how much is attributed to the failure of support in midfield or with the selected strikers.The next game maybe critical in the scheme of things so a gamble may be just the solution.Certainly starting with the on loan striker may be the first step to try. But other changes needed as well.

If we can start with a convincing win next Saturday this will give the team much needed confidence to go into the next three important home games, as the outcome and future remains firmly in the Shots hands to deliver.

However, accepted that my opinion counts for little, as I am still hopeful that TW will after all produce the goods with a little help from us fans.

COYS

[ATFCpodcast]

I was surprised that no changes were made at Southend after last Saurdays defeat except for the one forced change, but we move on.

The main and obvious problem for some weeks now is the inability to score goals. I don`t know how much is attributed to the failure of support in midfield or with the selected strikers.The next game maybe critical in the scheme of things so a gamble may be just the solution.Certainly starting with the on loan striker may be the first step to try. But other changes needed as well.

If we can start with a convincing win next Saturday this will give the team much needed confidence to go into the next three important home games, as the outcome and future remains firmly in the Shots hands to deliver.

However, accepted that my opinion counts for little, as I am still hopeful that TW will after all produce the goods with a little help from us fans.

COYS

I agree that the inability to score goals is our main issue (not least to give the supporters something to celebrate/hope that things can turn around).

Since our last clean sheet in the league at home to Southend in October, we've conceded 1.9 goals per game. I don't think we can score the 2/3 goals per game needed to win games. I don't doubt our ability to draw/stay in games, but that won't be enough to stay up. Hopeful but apathetic!

[Silasgoldeen]

So if we're conceding twice a game come what may, is it time to just try to shut up shop and try to nick games 1-0?

We usually play quite an open game but as Guy was pointing out, this doesn't seem to result in any great advantage in the attacking third so any adventurousness is basically all downside.

Now Akpan's gone we're naturally limited down one side of the pitch, so you could try to tweak the whole approach to make the team much more defensively robust.

I think they did this in September: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/te ... es/2024-09 when they conceded 5 in 6 games. Now obviously we didn't score in those games either, so it wasn't exactly a template for success, but it shows that you can play in different ways. Probably there's a middle ground to be found.

I guess you'd do this by keeping the wing backs back deeper and telling defenders not to go forward outside of certain set pieces, so maybe bring Ellison in and move Scott out to the left (he was playing wing back in September when we were much tighter). The more conservative back 5 sits deeper and some of the recent counter attacking concessions basically won't happen (we seem to have been caught on the break loads lately). Then you just back yourself to make something happen off set pieces/Barrett, which is pretty much where we are anyway.

Dunno, just words really. But your 2 goal a game handicap is an interesting thing to consider. We basically can't overcome that so maybe a more solid approach is the way. If it's 0-0 on Saturday we'll know they're thinking the same thing.

[CH]

Most of our goals came from the speed of Ryan Jones and Ash Akpan down the flanks.

Since they've been missing, the goals have understandably dried up. Aaron Jones and,Frost don't have the same level of attack speed and we look slow, cumbersome and evidently clueless without them.

[Silasgoldeen]

Most of our goals came from the speed of Ryan Jones and Ash Akpan down the flanks.

Since they've been missing, the goals have understandably dried up. Aaron Jones and,Frost don't have the same level of attack speed and we look slow, cumbersome and evidently clueless without them.

yeah I think I've agreed with you on this before but it seems really glaring to me as well. Tyler Frost and Ryan Jones seems like the way to go if we want to keep playing the same way.

[ATFCpodcast]

So if we're conceding twice a game come what may, is it time to just try to shut up shop and try to nick games 1-0?

We usually play quite an open game but as Guy was pointing out, this doesn't seem to result in any great advantage in the attacking third so any adventurousness is basically all downside.

Now Akpan's gone we're naturally limited down one side of the pitch, so you could try to tweak the whole approach to make the team much more defensively robust.

I think they did this in September: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/te ... es/2024-09 when they conceded 5 in 6 games. Now obviously we didn't score in those games either, so it wasn't exactly a template for success, but it shows that you can play in different ways. Probably there's a middle ground to be found.

I guess you'd do this by keeping the wing backs back deeper and telling defenders not to go forward outside of certain set pieces, so maybe bring Ellison in and move Scott out to the left (he was playing wing back in September when we were much tighter). The more conservative back 5 sits deeper and some of the recent counter attacking concessions basically won't happen (we seem to have been caught on the break loads lately). Then you just back yourself to make something happen off set pieces/Barrett, which is pretty much where we are anyway.

Dunno, just words really. But your 2 goal a game handicap is an interesting thing to consider. We basically can't overcome that so maybe a more solid approach is the way. If it's 0-0 on Saturday we'll know they're thinking the same thing.

Definitely need to find that middle ground and quick.

I think A Jones/Frost naturally sit a little deeper than Akpan/R Jones (A Jones isn't a bombing wing back, Frost isn't a natural WB), but the buck then shifts to the two CMs to bring the ball forward, drive into the opposition half and progress our attacks. It's that or a clipped ball to Barham in the hope of winning the second ball in midfield/a flick on that always ends up in the keeper's arms. Without the wide threat, we do become one dimensional and therefore v easy to defend.

[brian bloomfield]

Good analysis on the podcast and it was very cold towards the end.