UncleIan wrote:Oh, league battle this week I'm playing Shooter's Hill Mob, they used to be of Motley parish didn't they? The number of friendlies we've played certainly suggests so! No, you don't want to know how long ago that was.
Totally outclassed in defence and attack, they are were at the time 2nd in their III (now 1st). They had 55% possession, so this was only going one way.
Lost 5-1.
UncleIan wrote:Next up we play away to one of those blummin long shots teams. Will have to review what happened in previous long shot matches and see if I can come up with a better strategy than all out attack. Press for a draw maybe.
I didn't come up with a better strategy, so went 2-5-3 with a OCD and 2xWO. They 5-5-0 as per. They had more possession than expected, 41%, but only 2/1/1% in attack, while we had 59% possession and 16/19/19% attack v their defence. Not great but nothing else I could do to make that better. We didn't press.
First half and we missed a chance, or rather their goalie stopped a chance, while they scored a penalty...not sure how they even got into the penalty area if I'm honest. Another joyful quirk of hattrick that weighs in favour of an awful strategy. My goalie stopped a free kick. 1-0 halftime. Still in it.
Second half and they score from an indirect free kick, then we get one back from open play, then we get a chance to level, but their goalie is playing a blinder.
Final score 2-1. Urgh. Chances were 4-6. I do not like long shots. Was also hampered a bit by my (ex-U20 England) keeper being in shockingly bad form. Should have held on to the temp I got in when he was injured for a bit. Hey ho. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Luckily for me, 7th also lost, despite the best efforts of his opponent switching to a CA strategy when they would have won all sectors playing as they normally do. Probably mind games as they play us next week.
All this means we stay in 6th on 11 points, 7th are 4 back on 7. 4th and 5th are now 4 points ahead on 15, while 3rd are on 16.
Four games left. I'm guessing I should be prepping for a qualifier. Not sure how I do that, could bring in a new coach with better leadership, but can't afford to PIC any games with 7th only 4 points behind can I?
WBA remaining games:
Me v 2nd (Foxhall) - They have 5 wins in a row. Not sure how they'll play, but looking like a coin toss to me, but they have momentum on their side.
3rd (Midgets) v me - I've got no chance. Their midfield is even larger than mine! Maybe a press PIC and pray (with a new coach) opportunity.
Me v 7th (Norfolk) - Simply must win.
4th (Slackers) v Me - Not sure I've got much chance in this one.
7th (Norfolk) remaining games:
8th v 7th - No idea, 8th have been picking up the odd point, this might be another. That would be ideal!
7th v 1st - Probably loss, but the leaders haven't looked convincing of late.
Me v 7th - I still need to win this!
7th v 3rd - Loss.
So let's assume they get 3 points away to 7th. Ignore our match, I'm four points ahead, but don't look like getting any points. All things being equal then, when we meet there'll be a point between us. Makes it even more of a must win. Hmm, I'm thinking new coach, PIC the next two games, MOTS v 7th, PIC the last game to prep for the qualifier. This seems like the nub of a plan. Bit defeatist, but probably the best way of trying to stay in III for another season.