Are we afraid to score??

[wednesburystokie]

Bit of a wide open subject header, but i feel its a valid one.

On editing this seasons pictures and indeed, watching the games, i've noticed a distinct lack of efforts on goals.

You can argue that we are a step higher, and playing against better defences, which is true, however, the majority of the time when we have a clear shooting opportunity we seem to be either taking an extra touch and losing the ball, or passing it out wide so the ball can be lumped into the box.

It's like the players at the moment are lacking confidence to the point that some of the players would rather play the ball on rather than getting any stick for missing.

There is no doubt that we now have a squad that wants to put a shift in, so lets hope this can be turned around sharpish.

[JohnC]

We do appear to be afraid to shoot.

The first goal at Witton against us came from a shot on the edge of the area. Not sure if confidence or defences are better at this level as sometimes even the senior experience players Christie and Macca (for the small amount of time over the games he has been on) have failed to get a shot away from any distance with the exception of Macca's shot Natwich second half just wide of the post.

[dazzlingdazza]

I agree with you Dave to a certain extent and I think I mentioned this before in an earlier post, I wouldn't say confidence is low, but with being at a higher level and knowing that the opposition is better and can hurt you more than last season I think the players are probably focused on trying to keep the ball when they can in those deep positions, rather than dribble or even take a shot.

I don't think it's quite Eileen Drewery time,but as my old P.E teacher said years ago sometimes the "If you are anywhere near goal SHOOT" Normally I wouldn't entertain this philosophy as you try and go with the best option, but when you're desperate for a goal to hopefully kick start your season this might not be a bad thing to go with.
After all the statistics state that if you get 10 shots on target 1 will find it's way in, at the moment we are lucky to have 2-3 on target in a match, this isn't me having a go at the lads, they give their all every game and deserve our support as does John but it is food for thought !

I think it's a case of let's be patient,hopefully sooner rather than later we will get a win in the league, as long as we don't start getting detached at the bottom that's the main thing, then hopefully a good run in the cup will keep our confidence high enough till we do get sorted. I am confident that very soon we will string a few wins together and start rising towards mid table, as has been said we have not been battered in any game. Witton were better than us but really that's all !

Keep the faith everyone !

[beastyyeltz]

We need to get more shots away during our games, and more importantly we need to take our chances. Against Nantwich we had 1 shot on target (other than the goal of course) which was Mackenzie's drive from outside the box. Sometimes we do get ourselves into some great scoring positions but half the time we either miss or pass it around until we lose the ball, which is very frustrating to watch.

Our problem at the moment is finding ways past the opposition's back four. We get some half chances every game but not many clear cut ones. Every cross we have or Tonks throw in is either headed away or keeper catches it, there's not many moments where we actually get a yeltz head to it.

I'd say our best match in terms of chances created was Rushall away. We had a lot of creativity in that game and looked like we could have scored two or three. As the tale has been for most of this season, it just didn't fall right or we didn't take our chances.

[RaidenYeltz]

I think 'afraid to score' is completely the wrong phrase.

I do agree with the point in general. To me we lack confidence and belief in our own ability.

As a result I sense players are lacking confidence in being brave enough to have a go. In fact this season I have only seen one man who has been brave on the ball, that's Lait, who without doubt has been my man of the match every time he has played.

By being brave on the ball, I mean not being afraid to take men on. Not being afraid to take a chance and have a shot.

Lait is the only player currently who looks capable of producing something. Unfortunately whenever he's put a dangerous cross in, there has been no one being brave enough to gamble and make a late run into the box and get on the end of it.

As fans we need to back our players and give them belief and confidence.

I believe in these players and wish they would believe in themselves and have the confidence to have a go.

[RobYeltz]

It's strange really, we seem happy enough to scramble a header from a Tonksy throw or Turner/Macca set piece but we don't always seem to just 'have a go' from 20-25-30 yards. Not sure why, we have the players who can hit a ball well from distance!

[wednesburystokie]

It's strange really, we seem happy enough to scramble a header from a Tonksy throw or Turner/Macca set piece but we don't always seem to just 'have a go' from 20-25-30 yards. Not sure why, we have the players who can hit a ball well from distance!

Spot on Rob, watch the players in the warm up pre game they are smacking them in(to the shed mainly)

We all know the defences we are facing now are, in the main, better than last season, which means they can suss out a long throw in, or high ball into the box more often than not.

as Tonksy put on twitter last night it will come, think just need a couple of results back to back for the confidence to return.

[yeltz85]

Main thing is (touch wood) is we are not conceding many. A few little changes perhaps in midfield and with a fully fit Ben we could start to add a few more goals the other end.

[juanillo]

Easy to say, but the team needs an extra yard of pace in order to get behind defences. This season there have not been many crosses from the by-line or from wide beyond the defence.

[JohnC]

The Barwell goal came from a cross from the wing by Thompson Brown. When Lait has been playing we have had a few more type balls. Was one on Saturday but no one running in to slot away.