Are we unfit or just a bit knackered?
After the match, Matt Worthington described the team’s performance as “leggy” and “lethargic,” and it was clear early on that several players were struggling.
By the end of the first half, some players looked like they were moving through treacle, while the opposition seemed to glide effortlessly across the pitch, making pressing and closing down appear easy.
This is surprising, as I never imagined a Mark Cooper side would lack fitness, but I’m not sure what else to make of it.
Could it be the long motorway journeys? The quick turnarounds? The physical toll from tough matches against Boston and Fylde? It’s hard to say, but with a long season ahead, it already feels like the squad could benefit from some rest.
For context, Olly Wright is the only player to have played every minute of the season so far (820), with Nouble (669), Smith (649), and Worthington (651) close behind in minutes played.
We were done by the dark arts again.
Just like against Hartlepool, we not only gave our opponents something to hold onto, to defend, but we also… let them defend it.
Our very own Ian Perkins made a great point on commentary that when Laurie Walker, the Moors’ keeper was booked for time wasting on 79 minutes, it was really only the crowd who got on the official’s back to do something… are we being too nice?
Where was the oomph we saw at Boston? the Ability to give a bit back to let the referee know about every pulled shirt, every kick out of sight, every second delayed?
I don’t get it, make a song and dance about it lads, there were times that Frank Nouble literally had the shirt lifted off his back and it was just… let to pass by.
A couple of times Solihull players felt the whiff of a nearby passing of wind and decided to have a roll about and really take their time to get back going – I’m not knocking it, I’m wanting us to play those games too, or at very least put up a bit of a fuss that it’s happening.
Alright, let’s focus on the positives!
Aaron Jarvis is proving to be the real deal up front – we need to fully back him.
In the 94th minute, Jarvis chased back over 50 yards to stop a final Solihull counter-attack. Both he and Sonny, who had just come on, found the energy to get back and prevent a second goal, showing immense determination.
That’s fantastic, but once again, Jarvis was doing a lot of hard work up front and often looked isolated.
We’ve rotated the trio of attacking players behind him, but Jarvis has remained a constant, putting his body on the line and performing well, even if the rewards haven’t quite matched his efforts.
Mark Cooper may have said he was underwhelmed with the attacking play, but I think Jarvis needs a partner. He’s got all the tools – whether holding up play or getting into the box – but there simply aren’t enough players around him to pick up loose balls, provide an extra body in the box for crosses, or even deliver the cross he can get on the end of.
Could Sims be the answer, maybe in a big-man-little-man combo? Perhaps Greenslade would’ve been an option if not for his injury. Or maybe there’s a Sonny Cox-type striker out there who could complement him? I’m not going full Mike Bassett here, but would a 4-4-2 be worth trying?
What is our best team line up?
We’re heading into our tenth game of the season at Oldham next week, and even if the next two games don’t go our way, sitting on 12 points from 10 matches isn’t too bad.
But there’s this ongoing debate among fans – on the terraces, on the pod, and in the WhatsApp chats… “Are we playing four at the back? Have we switched to wingbacks? Surprised to see him starting, I thought he was more of a bench option. Isn’t he more of an impact player?”
We’ve all had those discussions, right?
What is our preferred setup? Last year, you could name the starting eleven in seconds, knowing exactly where each player would be and how well they’d perform.
This season, though, with injuries, suspensions, new signings, and different opposition, it feels like we’re uncertain.
We’ve had to resort to halftime double substitutions in the last two games, which suggests the starting eleven wasn’t quite right. The defence has been shuffled more in eight games than it was in 48 last season.
Is it time to settle on a consistent team, a formation, and a style of play – and stick with it?
Let’s get Huish Park back to the fortress it can be.
In the National League South, Huish Park was essentially every team’s Wembley final, some loved it and pushed us all the way, some wilted under the pressure of playing in a stadium with more than three stands in it.
This year, it isn’t the same, teams have been to us before, it’s not the big day out for them. So, what we have now is an expectant home crowd, who’s heard our last two away games, watched on streams and heard the Gloverscast wax lyrical about them… now they want to see some of that for themselves.
Matt Worthington is right, it’s a two way street, the players need the fans behind them (booing in September, by the way, have a word… it was poor, but come on) but also, you need something to cheer.
How about this, on Saturday, Glovers fans promise to give you everything, the drum will beat, the ‘Everywhere we go…’ chat will fill the Thatchers stand..
But as the lyric says… ‘watching super Yeovil putting on a show’.
Glovers fans will do their bit, the team will do theirs… deal? Good.
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