from swindontownfc.co.uk

2 games and 2 defeats isn’t the way any team is meant to start a new season. Last night’s 2-1 home defeat by Leyton Orient sent Town out early from the Carling Cup. It makes me want to bring back 2 leg games in the League Cup!!

Town put in a mildly improved performance than the inept display against Brighton, however, again, a lack of a true gameplan, rhythm and ultimately firepower proved the stummbling block for the second game running.

I won’t be going into detail about the game, which was clinically put to bed by 2 Orient goals in quick succession, however there is two things that’s concerning me after these 2 games… our midfield and tactics.

On paper, McGovern playing wide right, O’Brien on the left, Douglas playing withdrawn in the centre and dictating the  play and Prutton assisting in the middle, our line-up appears to be one of the strongest in the League. Also not to forget that with Ferry and Timlin on the bench we have strength in depth. Evidently something is amiss.

Last night Douglas had a shocker. Perhaps his worst performance in a Town shirt as he failed to dictate play and looked backwards throughout. I felt he wasn’t helped by Prutton, who played too close to him, failing to create the space and often looked nervous and negative on the ball.

This made me remember what Colchester fan Michael Harridge said back at the start of July when Prutton signed:

“He seemed to lack any creativity going forward and played the long punt upfield, whereas you might have expected him to be the type of player who would have put his foot on the ball and looked for an intelligent pass.”

I’ve seen little so far to say much has changed for Prutton at Swindon.

So is it time to get 2009/2010 midfield pairing Douglas and Ferry back together? Of course yes, why not? So why did Wilson wait until the 88th minute to bring on Ferry? Goodness knows?

Also, some elements of Wilson’s tactics have been baffling me so far. First there was moving McGovern into a central position and offering no replacement on the wing. Then last night Ferry was brought on way too late to influence the game and in replace of Rose, thereby leaving us with a gaping hole down the left. The decision to take off Alan O’Brien, who despite still not hitting form, performed better last night to give us needed options down the left. Also missing the chance to bring Dossevi on much earlier, so that he can have all the opportunities he evidently needs to get accustomed to English football. I can go on..

Anyway, two games don’t make a season…

I’m away on my stag weekend so I’ll miss the Hartlepool game. I’m back blogging later next week. Come on You Reds!