Leamington vs Gloucester - Match Report

The Brakes succumbed to a disappointing 0-1 loss at the hands of Gloucester City, in a game devoid of quality throughout. It wasn't until the 94th minute that either team showed a bit of composure in front of goal, when young striker Scott Wilson finished coolly after getting in behind the Leamington defence. It was only due to their profligacy in the final third that The Brakes did not take at least a point, if not three.

Leamington started brightly and had some chances early on, as Lee Moore fired over from close range. Long range shots from Mace and Daly shortly followed, the latter forcing a smart stop from City 'keeper Mike Green.

They were also denied what seemed a stone-wall penalty. Dodd was brought down on the right hand side of the box, but the referee waved the claims away. He had used his pace to get round the outside of his full-back, but had his shirt pulled when he got into the box. No penalty given. 

Gloucester weren't just sitting back in the first half - Breeden did well to keep out Mullings' powerful half volley, but they struggled to create chances, with Daly a commanding figure at the heart of the Leamington defence.

Leamington continued to press for a goal with Sandy only able to find Green with his header. A lovely move down the left for The Brakes culminated in a fantastic chance for Stefan Moore at the near post, but his shot rebounded off the legs of Mike Green. This was the first sight of goal for the ex-Villa striker, and one he will feel he should have done better with. 

Matt Dodd came close to scoring twice, first forcing a save from Green before having an effort cleared off the line by Rowlands. Scott Wilson came off the bench for City and looked bright. They started coming back into the game, with Mullings planting his header into the side netting before Edwards dragged his shot just wide, after neat work from Edge.

In an unusual moment, goalkeeper Breedan launched a kick upfield, which took one bounce before clipping the bar on it's way over. Green was stranded, and his relief was clear to see as the ball didn't find it's way in. Leamington still plowed forward, but it was a sign of things to come. In the best chance of the second half, Stefan Moore fired over from just outside the six-yard box. He controlled a clever free-kick before sidestepping the City defender. With the goal at his mercy, Moore fired the ball over the bar.

There was still time for Breedan to make a terrific save from Hogg, where it looked for all the world he had scored. Breedan dived low to his left to push Hogg's header away. Late on however, Scott Wilson was played through and raced away from the Leamington defence. He however showed composure that Moore didn't, steering the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. 

If I was Lee Clark...

It seems that Clark's tactics and personnel choices are not working quite how he wants. The problem is, that Clark has built a side to play in a system that doesn't incorporate Chris Burke. In order to fit him in, Clark decided to change to a 4-3-3 system late on against Brighton, which in my opinion cost us the game.

If I was Lee Clark, this is what I would do.

At Home:

Randolph
Bartley - Burn - Robbo
Mullins-Adeyemi
Burke-Allan-Ferguson
Shinnie-Zigic/Green

Rather than playing with traditional wing-backs, a more attacking variation of the formation could be used. When we lose the ball, the midfielders drop, whilst the wide centre-backs push out wider. Alternatively, the defensive midfielders cover the wide positions. This gives us more flexibility going forward with Burke hopefully in the game, giving Allan and Shinnie room to play. When Zigic is fit, he should play to give us an option to cross to and play long balls towards, as otherwise the ball comes straight back. Until then, Green should play to get on the end of any chances we can create. This hopefully strikes a balance between playing the system that Clark wants to play, and playing Burke.

Away:

Randolph
Mullins - Burn - Robbo
Eardley - Adeyemi - Elliott - Murphy/Ferguson
Shinnie
Novak - Green/Zigic

This is more like the system that we play currently, but I think it's more suited to away games. This would hopefully grind out victories. With Murphy coming back soon (hopefully) we can hopefully be solid defensively, which so far we have looked. I'd personally start with that front 3, to tire out the defence with the movement and hard work. Elliott and Adeyemi will hopefully help us keep the ball to frustrate the opposition. Late on, we can bring on Zigic to create chances and hopefully grab a goal. If we are ahead we can bring on Reilly in midfield to win the ball and put pressure on the opposition.

I personally think that this would help us to gain points, often through grinding out victories. Do other Blues fans agree? Would 4 at the back be a better solution?

Yeovil Town v Blues - Match Ratings

Blues battled to a 1-0 victory over newly promoted Yeovil Town at Huish Park, thanks to a fortunate goal that rebounded off of Yeovil defender Dan Seaborne before finding it's way in. It was not the most exciting game, as both sides seemed to lack a touch of quality, but in the end it's the result that matters. Here are my match ratings with some explanation.

Darren Randolph 8 
Neal Eardley 5
Paul Robinson 7
Dan Burn 8 (MOTM)
Hayden Mullins 7
Shane Ferguson 5
Tom Adeyemi 6
Wade Elliott 8 
Shinniesta 7
Matt Green 5
Lee Novak 6

Callum Reilly 5

Randolph - looked like a top quality goalkeeper. A brilliant save to deny Webster in the second half typified his performance, diverting the defender's downwards header onto the crossbar. A decisive and impressive performance from the Irishman.

Eardley - Eardley struggled to contain Foley on the left wing in the first half, however he did sometimes have to deal with two players. He was very close to getting sent off in the first half, but improved in the second half, as did Blues. His crossing was decent without being fantastic. Eardley struggled in his unorthodox right wing-back role.

Robbo - Having played most of his career at left-back, it is no surprise that Robinson has fit perfectly into his centre-back role in the three at the back system. Despite his lack of pace, that was evident in the whole Blues defence, he was strong in the challenge and read the game well. He looked shaky early on but as the defence dropped deeper the ball in behind became less effective and Robbo looked solid.

Burn - A commanding performance against the team that he played for last season. Composed and intelligent, Burn was always in the right place and of course dealt well with the aerial threat. He also forced the goal with his height causing havoc in the 6 yard box, before later firing just wide from the right hand side of the box. My Man of the Match.

Mullins - Mullins appeared to have found his role. As a midfielder last season he struggled to impose on games, but as a centre back he has looked solid. He reads the game well and found himself in the right place more often than not. His main problem is he struggles in the air, but Burn is the aerial presence in the defence.

Ferguson - I thought Fergie would shine in a left wing-back role, but he has seemingly struggled. Where last season he looked quick, dangerous and strong, he now looks ponderous and weak. His delivery and positioning are there, he just needs to have more confidence and cross the ball earlier.

Adeyemi - Having heard people complain about Adeyemi, I myself can't see it. Very strong and quite quick, he could be a big part of the team if we play a high tempo game. He helped out defensively especially when the ball was played into the striker. When Burn held the striker up, Adeyemi and Elliott nipped in to win the ball. He was quite quiet today but there is a player in there. His distribution and creativity are not superb, but we have Elliott and Shinnie to create.

Elliott - I was very impressed with Elliott today. Yeovil tried to play a fast game and attack, but Elliott slowed the game down extremely well. Some lovely passes and even some defensive steel today. I don't recall him giving the ball away once today. He was the best midfielder on the pitch today, in my opinion.

Shinniesta - Shinnie looked lively today. A very intelligent footballer, Shinnie continued to impress. He made some lovely runs and showed some nice touches. He reminds me of a faster version of Wade Elliott, clever passes and intelligent runs. Unlucky not to score today, but I do think he will score goals for us.

Green - Green was ineffective. He is very good at working the defenders but couldn't find space today. He works very hard and has just made a huge jump in terms of division, so it is understandable. He shows flashes of quality at times and hopefully he will come good. If we can create some chance I think he will score a few goals.

Novak - He's alright. He's already been the target of some criticism from Blues fans but to be honest it's unjustified. He works hard for the team and is actually quite intelligent with his movement, but he isn't a complete striker, but we're working on scraps. When all you can sign is frees and loans, you can't expect Thierry Henry. I hope Novak can show why Clark signed him and come good.

Reilly - Looked quite poor in his short time on the pitch. Looked off the pace, but hopefully when he gets more play time he will look better.

It's not all bad.

As Blues succumbed to defeat after Troy Deeney's 11th minute strike, it would be easy to be negative. Losing on the opening day is never nice, but there is no shame in today's loss. Watford will more than likely be in the top 3 this season, after crashing out of the playoff final last year. Blues however, finished in mid table and did not strengthen during the pre-season. Starting an entirely new season with a new system, coupled with lots of new faces, an inexperienced Blues team battled to an unfortunate 0-1 loss.

Blues started off brightly, with Novak and Green pressuring high up the pitch and forcing mistakes from Watford's defence and midfield, but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. Troy Deeney played a tidy one-two with Forestieri, one of seven players signed from Udinese in the summer, before slotting the ball past Randolph. Watford dominated for a short period, but Adeyemi and Elliott battled in midfield to try and drag Blues back in the game.

It wasn't through a lack of chances that Blues didn't get something from the game. The impressive Matt Green fired a shot just wide in the first half after escaping the Watford defence, with Wade Elliott coming close with a deflected 25-yard effort, rattling the crossbar. The imposing Dan Burn was composed throughout and was unlucky not to equalise with a header that flashed inches wide. The other loanee centre-half Bartley came close with a header late on, but he too saw his header go wide.

As he did last year, Ikechi Anya gave the Blues defence a difficult game. This time he started on the left, giving Eardley a lot of responsibility. Anya's blistering pace and skill make him a handful for any full back in the division, so it would be unfair to comment on him defensively, but going forward he showed some passing ability.

Debutant Andrew Shinnie showed some flashes of real ability but struggled to really get into the game, but a promising start from the midfielder. Whilst Novak and Green showed superb tenacity and gave their all, it's potentially worrying in terms of goal return. Novak has never been prolific, whilst Green has jumped 3 divisions. With Arthur the only other striker in the matchday squad, Blues may struggle to score goals. What it does give us though is a proper Blues team - full of hard working, hungry footballers, with some skilful players mixed in there.

Defensively Blues may have struggled slightly, especially during the first half, but the initial panic of three at the back seems to have been unfounded - lest we forget Watford scored four at St. Andrews last season. Bartley struggled, but with no pre-season under his belt it is no wonder.

All in all, a decent, promising start to the season for the Boys in Blue. Whilst it's not 'Just Like Watching Brazil' quite yet, it's not all bad.