Gateshead (Hive) This Tyne It's Personal Match Thread

[meden_820]

Yes today wasn't great. Gateshead were the better team by some distance. It happens. The way Brennan sets us up to play means that when it doesn't work it looks horrendous due to how open and expansive we are.
We've hit a wobble as I thought we might this month with a few very tricky fixtures one after the other but let's get one thing straight. 42 points after 20 games is absolutely sensational and so far in advance of what I expected in August it's not even funny.
We're clear in second with a mid table budget and I trust DB and the players to get their mojo back.

[WhetstoneBee]

Post match Interview now up: https://youtu.be/CCNFM9VKe9U?si=TAnYwHriIPiI7IOT

Hate to say it, but if anyone's confidence seems down at the moment, it's Deano's. Hope he's got good people around him to pick him up too.

I thought it was a good interview - rightly saying the players weren’t good enough today but also that he needs to take responsibility and look at his own decisions too. Can’t ask for much more than that really.

[PBBee]

As with most of the team, Hartigan has seemingly gone off the boil the last few 3 games or so.

[becbee]

As with most of the team, Hartigan has seemingly gone off the boil the last few 3 games or so.

I recall an interview where DB said Hartigan always passed forwards. That's certainly not the case at the moment.

Also the free kicks were being taken so quickly today he's lost that opportunity to shine.

[hoppy]

Today’s attendance 1894 (100 away).

[let_it_bee]

Embarrassing, that’s the only word I can find - they were so much better than us I could barely believe what I was watching. Such a shame having got a decent crowd in.
All credit to them but a real ‘back to the drawing board’ moment for us. The only one to emerge with any credit was Gorman, who I thought really imposed himself on the game in the second half. Really baffles me why he doesn’t get to start.
Good to hear DB questioning his own tactics. What on earth was the point in trying to press high but without committing enough players to it, so enabling them to easily bypass us every time? We could easily have lost by 4 or 5 so I suppose that’s the only consolation. But clearly this calls for a major rethink and tactical overhaul in time for Wednesday.

[pletch99]

What on earth was the point in trying to press high but without committing enough players to it, so enabling them to easily bypass us every time? We could easily have lost by 4 or 5 so I suppose that’s the only consolation. But clearly this calls for a major rethink and tactical overhaul in time for Wednesday.

I thought we over committed to the high press today. It was too easy for Gateshead to pass the ball into the space behind the defence and turn it into a foot race between their attack and our defence. We won the ball high up the pitch on several occasions but didn't take advantage. The problem was that we had some many players around their penalty area, when they did get out we were in trouble. I thought Gateshead were deliberately trying to lure us in before playing it forward. There passing and movement were excellent.

[WillesdenBee]

Embarrassing, that’s the only word I can find - they were so much better than us I could barely believe what I was watching. Such a shame having got a decent crowd in.
All credit to them but a real ‘back to the drawing board’ moment for us. The only one to emerge with any credit was Gorman, who I thought really imposed himself on the game in the second half. Really baffles me why he doesn’t get to start.
Good to hear DB questioning his own tactics. What on earth was the point in trying to press high but without committing enough players to it, so enabling them to easily bypass us every time? We could easily have lost by 4 or 5 so I suppose that’s the only consolation. But clearly this calls for a major rethink and tactical overhaul in time for Wednesday.

I agree we were wrong all over the place today but in the Trophy semi final first half, we sat off them completely and got pumped even worse than yesterday. They’re a good side with a style of play that is unique to themselves and one we’ve not found a solution for yet. In 19 other games (maybe barring 1 or 2) this season we’ve pressed really well and it’s a major part of our success.

[WillesdenBee]

I am less angry about this week than I was last week to be honest. Last week we were in the game and then handed 4 goals on a plate. This week we were just completely outplayed by a team better than us. When you have so many players off their game against a team with a style like that, you have 0 chance. If Kanu had scored his chance early on, it’s probably a different game. Speaking of Kanu, I’m sorry, he’s not that good. The amount of times per game he gets on the ball in dangerous areas and consistently does nothing with it is astounding. He whinges all game, dives, gives away cheap fouls, gives the ball away so cheaply, runs into poor areas and gets booked all the time. Completely see why he’s at this level. Having said that, Coker, Pritch, Brunt, Walker, Oluwo, Nicke were all miles off it today as well but Kanu stands out for me. We need to be better at retaining the ball again. Our midfield seem to be hiding at the moment and our centre backs are scared to receive it as well. The games come thick and fast so hopefully we rectify this in the coming days. No need to panic yet though, 42 points from 20 games is an incredible start given the budgets in this league compared to ours!

[bfc_mo]

I am less angry about this week than I was last week to be honest. Last week we were in the game and then handed 4 goals on a plate. This week we were just completely outplayed by a team better than us. When you have so many players off their game against a team with a style like that, you have 0 chance. If Kanu had scored his chance early on, it’s probably a different game. Speaking of Kanu, I’m sorry, he’s not that good. The amount of times per game he gets on the ball in dangerous areas and consistently does nothing with it is astounding. He whinges all game, dives, gives away cheap fouls, gives the ball away so cheaply, runs into poor areas and gets booked all the time. Completely see why he’s at this level. Having said that, Coker, Pritch, Brunt, Walker, Oluwo, Nicke were all miles off it today as well but Kanu stands out for me. We need to be better at retaining the ball again. Our midfield seem to be hiding at the moment and our centre backs are scared to receive it as well. The games come thick and fast so hopefully we rectify this in the coming days. No need to panic yet though, 42 points from 20 games is an incredible start given the budgets in this league compared to ours!

Why was Brunt not dropped yesterday??? He’s been shit for quiet a few games now. Anyways for next game I expect to see major changes such as Beard starting. On another topic, should we recall Diarra? Was reading on the dartford forum and they were saying that he’s been good for them and Diarra when he’s played for us has always been reliable (mostly)

[let_it_bee]

I agree re Kanu. So frustrating because he’s so one dimensional and so one footed. They double up on him knowing he can only go one way and after a few innocuous step-overs the possession comes to nothing, apart from the one time he did manage to cut inside and between the 2 defenders and was a bit unlucky to see his shot blocked.

[becbee]

Yesterday showed that players can have off days but when several do at the same time, coupled with wrong team selection and wrong tactics and up against decent opposition - then it's a recipe for failure.

But this group of players has achieved so much so far this season. I agree no need to panic. DB just needs to take a deep breath, drop Brunt, start Gorman, bring Beard back and tell the players to go back to doing what made us successful.

[hoofer2]

On reflection there were too many players who were not certain of their roles. Coker was ineffectual with Kanu having to do double work yet again to compensate. As Kanu is right footed - could he have been played at right wing back and may then be able to cross on the run.

Defence needs Okimo - always a calming presence even though occasionally caught for pace. You either play Revan or Potter but not both. Revan not strong enough yet to be trusted at wingback.

I cannot understand how Gorman is not starting. He looks very fit so the "carrying an injury" does not seem to apply. He gets the team ticking with ball moving forward. I think teams have sussed stop Hartigan from playing and we are less potent.

Brunt looks lost on the pitch at the moment and is clearly not comfortable being asked to play wider. He was getting frustrated with service, but he doesn't go to find the ball as both Pritchard and Kanu do. He has not been as effective or influential as Dehavilland yet.

I was hoping Senior would have been brought on for Brunt as would have given some width and done well in recent matches. Hooper looked like unfit journeyman - needed more than a goalhanger yesterday.

Brunt should have been hooked at half time too. If change of formation, Stead or Senior would have brought the energy that Brunt is lacking. I get it's likely a confidence issue if want to continue the pace, some tough love is needed.

Edit:

But as DB said... if you had told me at the start of the season we'd be on over 40 points already I'd have more than accepted that. Let's hope the points cushion has literally cushioned our dip and we kick on again. Am wondering if absence of a competitive reserve team means players not always match ready if on periphery of the squad.

[let_it_bee]

Agree with both of the preceding posts.
Regarding Gateshead, they’ve clearly recruited players to play in a certain style, with everyone fully comfortable on the ball and constantly on the move to find space and offer options to the man in possession. You have to give them credit and I’m surprised they’re not higher in the division. Fortunately, they weren’t that clinical in front of goal, as it could have been an embarrassing score line.

[JWTBee]

We badly missed Okimo IMO. A calming influence at the back.And where is Cropper? Like most others on here Gorman HAS to start on Wednesday & maybe Stead too.I thought that Oluwo had a bit of a shocker too as did Coker.Walker was the only player to come out with any credit.