Matos

[JonTheJack]

I remain very wary that we might still be in new manager bounce territory, but, one thing in all his games so far is the level of aggression and intensity without the ball has gone through the roof. Put simply, we work so much harder to get it back when we lose it, and we are doing it higher up the pitch as well. I probably like that more than anything else he's done so far.

If we could just add some quality in the final third...

Absolutely, the work rate has definitely gone up a few levels. Hopefully it keeps up as we hit the inevitable bumps in the road.

Chance creation also much better, all pointing to good things if we can keep improving the recruitment side.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

It's been noticeable in a lot of recent games, even defeats, that the team is not getting rattled any more. After conceding one, we used to be wide open to conceding two, or three. The WBA game was a prime example of that. I don't think that would happen again now.

A lot of it is confidence. Winning breeds confidence, and a team at a low ebb can easily find itself bullied out of games. That I think is Matos' biggest change so far. The team believe in themselves again.

Edit:

Incidentally I think that was perhaps Sheehan's biggest success last season. We were getting hammered left and right by the time the plug was eventually pulled on Williams, but somehow he managed to press the reset button. Shame we drifted away from that again.

Yes, and re your Edit:

That's why I won't let myself get carried away just yet, because as you rightly point out, we saw Sheehan have a very similar initial impact. I just don't trust this group of players.

If Matos is still getting this sort of shift out of them in 12 months' time, then I might finally be convinced we've turned a corner (that's absolutely no slight on Matos himself, you understand)

 

[IsraJack]

Yes, and re your Edit:

That's why I won't let myself get carried away just yet, because as you rightly point out, we saw Sheehan have a very similar initial impact. I just don't trust this group of players.

If Matos is still getting this sort of shift out of them in 12 months' time, then I might finally be convinced we've turned a corner (that's absolutely no slight on Matos himself, you understand)

I can see your ur point but there is a big difference between VM and all the other managers since Potter:

1. The energy and the vibes - just take a look at his press conferences. No more long, tedious boring answers with a numb face. Every answer is direct, to the point and with a smile. His energy is positive you can feel it.

2. The intensity - yesterday’s game was awful to watch and we need to improve significantly before we can even think about a playoff place but the intensity is different and we are starting to make life difficult for our opponents.

Long may it last.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

It’s evident that Matos has given us a structure and all players know their role, and he’s also considerably improved the work rate.
What’s going to hold us back is the individual quality in touch and decision making evidenced by how much Galbraith stands out, he’s got a pitching wedge for a right foot and control is second nature.
I vote we start with a right winger who has an idea of how to use the ball, footballing intelligence. The amount of times Inoussa or Ronald got put into dangerous areas last night and did nothing with it was exasperating and the difference between a comfortable win and a nerve-jangling battle.

Now that we’re no longer a dishevelled mess scouting should be far more straightforward.

 

[eteb]

I can see your ur point but there is a big difference between VM and all the other managers since Potter:

1. The energy and the vibes - just take a look at his press conferences. No more long, tedious boring answers with a numb face. Every answer is direct, to the point and with a smile. His energy is positive you can feel it.

2. The intensity - yesterday’s game was awful to watch and we need to improve significantly before we can even think about a playoff place but the intensity is different and we are starting to make life difficult for our opponents.

Long may it last.

See I didn't think there was anything remotely close to awful about the performance yesterday. Was better than prob every game under Sheehan this year

 

[IsraJack]

See I didn't think there was anything remotely close to awful about the performance yesterday. Was better than prob every game under Sheehan this year

This is a thread about VM, not our quality but yesterday they were there for the taking and we managed to make our life difficult. While defensively we were improved versions of ourselves, our attacking was awful, not only the individual ability but our decision making and communication. But again, I’m optimistic about VM

 

[Pegojack]

See I didn't think there was anything remotely close to awful about the performance yesterday. Was better than prob every game under Sheehan this year

The only thing awful about last night were the chances spurned. Franco and Ronald come to mind. You'd have backed 95% of the players in the Championship in the situations they found themselves in to have got a good, hard shot off in the direction of the goal. I'm not saying scored, just hit the target. It was well beyond those two plums.
Also, what continues to annoy me is Inoussa's tendency to beat his full back on the outside with his pace, then instead of crossing, he stops and tries to beat him again or passes back, or takes a dive.

 

[Swans Jack]

The only thing awful about last night were the chances spurned. Franco and Ronald come to mind. You'd have backed 95% of the players in the Championship in the situations they found themselves in to have got a good, hard shot off in the direction of the goal. I'm not saying scored, just hit the target. It was well beyond those two plums.
Also, what continues to annoy me is Inoussa's tendency to beat his full back on the outside with his pace, then instead of crossing, he stops and tries to beat him again or passes back, or takes a dive.

For whatever reason many players get into great positions or have an easy option and never get the goal. Ronald got into a brilliant position between the defenders and then tapped it. Franco pretty much had a near open goal. And VP a few times just took to many passes. We seem to have wonder goals in us but not basic ones at moment.

 

[Malaga]

For whatever reason many players get into great positions or have an easy option and never get the goal. Ronald got into a brilliant position between the defenders and then tapped it. Franco pretty much had a near open goal. And VP a few times just took to many passes. We seem to have wonder goals in us but not basic ones at moment.

Get trunds in to tell em how it's done

 

[monmouth]

For whatever reason many players get into great positions or have an easy option and never get the goal. Ronald got into a brilliant position between the defenders and then tapped it. Franco pretty much had a near open goal. And VP a few times just took to many passes. We seem to have wonder goals in us but not basic ones at moment.

Even though EOM set up Franco, it was the wrong thing to do. The defender wasn’t getting there to block in time, he just needed to belt it into the open goal. We had a few opportunities to whang it in the box where we did to me, to you, and just horsed it up. Hit it hard, hit it low and hit it wide of the goalie.

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Even though EOM set up Franco, it was the wrong thing to do. The defender wasn’t getting there to block in time, he just needed to belt it into the open goal. We had a few opportunities to whang it in the box where we did to me, to you, and just horsed it up. Hit it hard, hit it low and hit it wide of the goalie.

The quicker we source a RB the better. For whatever reason the poor lad (Key) has lost all his confidence, and has turned into a liability.
We can’t afford a player with Galbraith’s talents not to be in midfield.
Personally, I would love to try him as a No10, to bring Vipotnik more into the game, preferably in the box.
Plus Galbraith has got a good shot on him, and we need more goals from our midfielders.