Thought I might fire this off, considering I wind up having the same thoughts on our performances from one week to the next. Probably similar to the pros and cons thread, but with an eye to tactical discussion.

Things we did right that we don't normally:
- Coordinate closing down the man in possession and his short options to force a turnover or rushed long kick (this changed radically after Armfield came on [partly due to his unintelligent defensive pressure, partly due to everyone having switched off after goal number 7 for the quarter])

- Prepared to move the ball on first time by knock on when there is a clear option that will disappear if the player looks to take possession, shift his balance and then dispose by hand (again, disappeared when everyone switched off until about the 4th)

- Forwards didn't lead themselves under the ball constantly with full-steam patterns that expect the ball carrier to have more than 3 seconds to identify and execute the option (died off due to lack of available rotations)

Things we did wrong:
- Totally dropped the ball with our defensive requirements in midfield when we hit out to 30 point lead in the first; mental application to the task

- Failed to respond when the inevitable challenge came; abysmal expectations of how opposition could perform and how much of their performance was based on their own efforts (not as much as they thought)

- Expected to make defensive marks that were not on; arrogance and poor judgement of opponent (mostly Henderson)

- Tall defenders locked onto direct opponent too easily as the expense of defensive structure

- Key players demanded the ball too readily when our efforts (understandably) dropped away while the oppositions (understandably) increased, without a thought for hunting more space to receive in (a massive week-by-week problem for Walker and Murphy, who then sell themselves out of trouble with a turnover by hand... by hand...)

- Handballs aimed below the waist

- Overselling our hand in 1-on-1 contested marking situations to the point of being flat-footed when reaching for the zone in which the incoming ball will be delivered

To further highlight the final point, this is a chronic failure to understand that if the call is made by the player early enough after the ball has been kicked, they can completely break contact from their opponent to make a play on the ball, even if it's only to spoil. Better that than being held off because you were too busy watching your man to notice how he was manipulating the defensive setup to receive a kick. A few forwards were also making this mistake and should be looking to create a misstep just prior to the kick, or losing their opponent while the ball carrier is sizing up options.

Timing is everything, and we have the timing of a broken cuckoo clock.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Some fair points Jimmae, but I still reckon I saw too many balls delivered overhead to players like Betts and Garlett whilst at the other end Cloke was taking chest marks on the lead.

I can't explain it.

Until rotations caught up with us, we were leading smarter. Then you get a bit jaded compared to the opposition, you don't react as quickly and as surely, and you start to miss some opportunities.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

My reaction was the way we were bumped aside as though we were feathers....they tore through packs trying to either get the ball or kick it off the ground towards their forward line; and we couldn't/didn't stop them.....they dictated the play.....we were powerless.......why?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Right: got to the game on time.

Wrong: left early.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

When we offload the footy, we just admire our work instead of running to space to open the defence and provide a second option.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

They're not machines, and yes they're not as ruthless as some clubs on the field, but I think the best balance would be somewhere between the two options. Healthy mind, healthy body.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.