The more things change, the more things stay the same. Another beyond frustrating result at Wycombe Wanderers. It was the same last year when Matty Jacob fell asleep at the back post and it was the same this season when Benn Ward lost his man and it was, as they say in places, “Desmond”.
We had the lead last season and blew it and this season it’s the same type of result again. Beyond frustration.
On one hand, I get it, I understand. This team is still coming together, partnerships are still developing,
they are by no means the finished article and still need time to gel, to be truly cohesive and competent in key moments.
But on the other hand, and it’s clear to see on the road, there’s a lack of killer instinct, a ruthlessness and a will to win.
That’s not to say none of those elements aren’t there, but the fear takes over and we revert to type.
That type being one that must be hard for Leam Richardson to coach them out of. Our passive defending away from home needs some ironing out. There’s a clear problem at our back post. Cambridge United exploited it and now here against Wycombe Wanderers.
Different players were culpable in Haydon Roberts at Cambridge United and Ward here. On both occasions it felt like they just didn’t see the cross coming or they were preoccupied with another factor that led to the confusion. Stick or twist.
What also must be a factor is to stop the cross that comes into the box in the first place. Stop the source, stop the goal, right?
This is where we have some kind of risk-and-reward at play. It’s obvious and natural to want to keep our shape and positions dutifully that have been defined by the coaching team. (And after seeing what goes into coaching the squad at Bearwood this week, I can imagine this scenario will have been addressed many times). But there seems to be a flaw in the plan.
Yes, it’s absolutely fine to have a settled structure and definition to our defence; that’s crucial and I’d rather have it than not, but all of that comes at the expense of not thinking or reacting quickly enough in these key moments to stop the cross in the first place – or to make sure that, whoever the targets in the box are for the opposition, they have no room to exploit.
A mentality shift is needed
It’s that fear, that passiveness which has undone us and will continue to undo us until we start to think a little bit outside the box, if you pardon the pun.
If this squad is serious about its intentions to be up there and in the promotion mix, a sense of ruthlessness, relentlessness and confidence has to be in place. Obviously, these things come with wins on the road. It’s where confidence breeds and it can become infectious.
To get to that point, you need that win, you need to put everything together for 90-plus minutes and execute the plan to a tee. The control of the game is key to this. We can do it at home and blow teams away, but away from home? The jury is still well and truly out.
I’m not sure what it will take for the penny to drop. Whether it’s time, coaching or even just a bit of luck, we need another gear – or an additional layer of mental strength – to stop these moments from turning into bad habits.
Obviously, it’s easy for me to say those things are the answer. Only the players and coaching staff will be able to pinpoint what’s gone wrong and keeps going wrong away from the SCL.
Whatever it is, we need to squash it. There’s more than enough goals in this team, we know that for sure. The other end of the pitch isn’t a problem. We are strong, quick, reactionary and bold.
But defensively? We’re not as well defined or disciplined. We can ill afford to fall asleep or switch off when we know what the opposition is trying to do. There are lessons to be learned here for absolutely certain. Whether this unit can iron them out in the future and to do it consistently remains to be seen.
The elements are all there, we’re still only a few points shy of where we want to be, which makes this and the Cambridge result feel all the more bitter. We’re throwing points away cheaply and meekly.
If this group wants to get to where it wants to be, it has to start believing in itself and to stop doubting. Be more ruthless, be horrible, be nasty. It’s what all the best teams do. Can we?
