Hard lessons learnt from the 4-0 loss.

Knox Power faced Monash Fiedels at home and were unable to answer their 4 goal haul.

We had trained and prepared well during the week working on our defence using pressure, cover and depth to support each other but when it came to match day we had to learn some hard lessons. 

I had watched our opponents the week before and taken notes on areas that we might be able to focus our attacks and taken my usual formation of 4-2-3-1. Unfortunately, this didn't happen as they had a completely revamped their entire midfield with experienced Scottish players.

Our defence tried holding a high line with Andrew Merrall as a holding midfielder but they used long ball tactics and bypassed him and midfield completely.

At half time I changed formation (4-3-3) to deal with our opponents key players with James Backhouse becoming a defensive midfielder tracking, frustrating and lessening the impact of their attacks. The defence worked together to defend deeper and not leave Danny Watson exposed.

The team instantly became a stronger unit but we were still constantly under pressure. Danny Watson produced great saves in the second half, my preference is that each game he has a quiet one, but when called to action he was there blocking most of their shots.  We did have to camp in our half with the chance of a counter attack the only option to break out.

They were only able to get only one goal from the second half, so we are always learning to adapt to our opponents, but the damage is done by half time so for future games I am changing the formation in an effort to reduce conceding so many goals.

My expectation every week is to have clean sheets and this is not the responsibility of just the defence but from the attack and midfield as well.

I can't fault the effort of the team, the longer we train and play together the results will surely come.