Final third lacking quality for County says Boss
ALACK of quality in the final third saw County’s bid to keep pace with the playoff pack suffer a hefty blow on Easter Monday.
The goalless draw at struggling Worcester may have been played out on a difficult surface – but Jim Gannon felt his side could and should have done more to force the issue.
And ultimately it is that lack of ruthlessness good pitch, the lads will use that as an excuse, but we haven’t really tested their back four with any combination play or linkup play.
“We felt confident of finding joy from our setpieces when the ball is sat on a tuft of grass and you can’t use the surface as an excuse, but even then, we struggled.
“We lacked any real quality in the final third, and that leads to us failing to create chances and test their resolve.”
Gannon made some surprising changes for the trip to Worcester in what was seen as a crunch tie with the Hatters; goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe was dropped for the incoming Ian Ormson who produced an impressive performance, whilst youngster Max Cartwright started at centre-half due to injuries to Chris Smalley, Sam Minihan and Connor Hampson throughout Gannon’s depleted squad.
Kay Odejayi started in attack, but County looked largely toothless throughout the afternoon – although Gannon explained that the high number of injuries had left County placing square pegs into round holes.
“It has been a big problem.
“I remember having this problem back in 2007, we went on a great run and then injuries and suspensions creep up on you, and the squad has to be rotated with players starting who perhaps wouldn’t usually start.
“You could put a couple of the injuries down to fatigue; Sam and Connor’s injuries are probably down to the amount of games and effort.
“Some players are going to overstretch themselves and suffer from that – it’s a long hard season, and players do but a big effort in.
“I don’t think the injuries were the reason for the dropped points, we’ve had our first choice left and right-sided technicians starting, we’ve had a couple of strikers on. It was just that lack of quality in the final third.”
Gannon did credit County’s battling opponents as of late for making themselves hard to break down against his side, although the 48-year-old did admit that his attacking options had not done enough to grab any match-winning goals against the likes of Nuneaton, Telford and Worcester as of late.