Frank_Butcher":3td12gwa said:
First time back in League One, at this stage closer to the play-offs than relegation (ignoring games in hand) would have suited me at the start of the season. But something's never been quite right about the team this year especially in defence and midfield. Maybe first choice targets were unavailable or lost but there is no doubt the balance and quality isn't right.
I think on the whole Simon Hallett would be happy enough - next season must see an improvement though.
There’s a lot of stuff that gets posted on this site from fans who overreact to a single match result during this season without considering the bigger, and more relevant, long term picture so, in contrast, I particularly liked and agree with this posting from FB.
Argyle are on the bottom rungs of a ladder, going upward, which has been set up by Simon Hallett along with all club officials and agreed to by Ryan Lowe and all coaching staff. They like us are a bit frustrated at the results of some matches and also at some of the performances of the team but their judgements are being considered over a season, or part of a 5 year plan, so no need to be concerned yet.
The team, this season against good League 1 opposition, isn’t quite right being young and inexperienced. RL has sometimes noted the team being “naive” and “too soft” and I think that is the root of this year’s progress.
Take yesterday’s game as an example and look at the highlights video.
First example, Honeyman is running toward the touch line with no other Hull players near him but with 3 Argyle players close by so, like any experienced player would (Aimson like), slows down into Fornah and falls on the ball giving the referee no option but to award the free kick. It wasn’t a foul and Fornah protests (probably others as well) without thinking about what is happening around him. Honeyman quickly takes the free kick by passing to a Hull player in space just outside the penalty box and then finally into the net.
Second example, Opoku gets in a good block and gets in front of the Hull player who is still in contact and challenging from behind him and, unlike Honeyman previously, does not go down on the ball but tries to wrestle himself away not thinking that other players may be nearby. Honeyman nips in and quickly into the net whilst Argyle are still seeking a decision from the ref.
“Naive and soft” by Argyle - yes but really just outplayed by experienced and switched on Hull players who are wise and know how to play the game and force the ref into making an instant decision.
How many times have we seen Argyle players in an attacking situation try to stay up after a tackle rather than going down to get a free kick. Very rare although Jephcott tries a lot without any success. Aimson is a master of this when going backwards.
RL cannot help the players who find themselves in those situations and, for all we know may be discouraging his players from trying to “cheat”, the players can only learn the game by playing regularly.
Recruitment is going to be key going forward as RL doesn’t have money available and, whilst the emergence of Academy players, like Michael Cooper, will take a while we all need to remain patient and enjoy the wins when they come.
COYGs
Fawlty