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Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:18 pm
by Cromwell58
We seem to play well in the first half (except for Harrogate) but look like scared rabbits in a headlight in the second halves, what is it that gets inside their heads to fall apart and panic ?
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:25 pm
by Cokey
First thing to mind is fitness issues.
If it’s not that, it’s that we’re not mentally strong enough.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:32 pm
by Barrow afc 2018
Cokey wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:25 pm
First thing to mind is fitness issues.
If it’s not that, it’s that we’re not mentally strong enough.
Yep it’s all down to mentality, we were a few minutes off three points then a few seconds off a point. We did the same at Wigan after Canavans goal. Even last week we tried to gift Colchester a point. It’s got to be down to mentality.
All we can do is re-set and go again.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:33 pm
by Scott5
We’ve not put a 90 minute performance in all season in all honesty. Some games we’ve started slow and then came to life in the second half, others we’ve started off better and then faded as the game has gone on hence conceding a lot of late goals.
It’s possibly a fitness issue? I look at the highlights and see Harper ambling back when fleetwood scored their first and similar for the second, not showing enough urgency to get back and defend. The likes of Gotts and Spence bust a gut and covered every blade, this team doesn’t do that. Then again Harper was a sub at Swindon and was equally lethargic.
It really comes down to desire and attitude and we don’t show it enough we have a soft underbelly. When we come under a bit of pressure we roll over and are easy to play against. We lack leadership, experience are naive, make bad decisions and lack a bit of quality at times. That can be forgiven and covered if you do the basics - we don’t.
I go back to last year when we threw a 2 goal lead away at Cheltenham in similar circumstances. A few weeks later Whing had us going to port vale and winning 1-0 where they threw everything at us but there was a real desire to keep the ball out of the net, people putting bodies on the line taking knocks. I don’t see that in this team. Whether or not Dino can get it out of them I’m not sure
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:40 pm
by WalneyOne
At least at 2.1 Barks literally threw his body on the line to prevent an equaliser and got hurt for his efforts.
It's a pity a few more don't show that level of commitment.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:43 pm
by WillBAFC
Scott5 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:33 pm
We’ve not put a 90 minute performance in all season in all honesty. Some games we’ve started slow and then came to life in the second half, others we’ve started off better and then faded as the game has gone on hence conceding a lot of late goals.
It’s possibly a fitness issue? I look at the highlights and see Harper ambling back when fleetwood scored their first and similar for the second, not showing enough urgency to get back and defend. The likes of Gotts and Spence bust a gut and covered every blade, this team doesn’t do that. Then again Harper was a sub at Swindon and was equally lethargic.
It really comes down to desire and attitude and we don’t show it enough we have a soft underbelly. When we come under a bit of pressure we roll over and are easy to play against. We lack leadership, experience are naive, make bad decisions and lack a bit of quality at times. That can be forgiven and covered if you do the basics - we don’t.
I go back to last year when we threw a 2 goal lead away at Cheltenham in similar circumstances. A few weeks later Whing had us going to port vale and winning 1-0 where they threw everything at us but there was a real desire to keep the ball out of the net, people putting bodies on the line taking knocks. I don’t see that in this team. Whether or not Dino can get it out of them I’m not sure
I feel like this is a key difference between us and a lot of other clubs in the league. When other teams go 1 or 2-0 down, there is still some hope. With us, I feel like the second we concede that we’ve lost.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:46 pm
by Big_Bluebird
How many different threads about us being shite do we need
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:51 pm
by Barrow afc 2018
WalneyOne wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:40 pm
At least at 2.1 Barks literally threw his body on the line to prevent an equaliser and got hurt for his efforts.
It's a pity a few more don't show that level of commitment.
TBF that was his best game for Barrow but we really need him to perform the other end.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:58 pm
by Scott5
Barrow afc 2018 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:51 pm
WalneyOne wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:40 pm
At least at 2.1 Barks literally threw his body on the line to prevent an equaliser and got hurt for his efforts.
It's a pity a few more don't show that level of commitment.
TBF that was his best game for Barrow but we really need him to perform the other end.
He was out of position in the build up to their first though, not aware of the man behind and then Harper didn’t track the run and we didn’t get out quick enough. that’s the difference fine margins and lapses in concentration.
He had a better game overall yes but given his pedigree he’s been a disappointment for me this season. Although as everyone would agree it’s not his preferred position and yet we’ve never signed anyone else to play there and we’ve been exposed.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:23 pm
by WalneyOne
Barrow afc 2018 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:51 pm
WalneyOne wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 2:40 pm
At least at 2.1 Barks literally threw his body on the line to prevent an equaliser and got hurt for his efforts.
It's a pity a few more don't show that level of commitment.
TBF that was his best game for Barrow but we really need him to perform the other end.
Hes being played as a defender cos we don't have one.
I did notice that yesterday as with Colchester (Sampson?) he was switched to mark the other winger ( Ennis?) who was having a field day.
He really needs to be further forward but needs must at the minute.
Worked his [SwearFilter] off yesterday
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:45 pm
by Jonty
We lost to three goals from the same side of the pitch. Its like what Dino said post match, you can make 5 / 6 blocks in a game and think you've done enough, someone else can pick up the next one, no, you've got to be relentlessly on top of your game all game. You cannot back off or you will get punished, as has happened all too often.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 4:05 pm
by artxanda
Earlier on in the season I recall being dismayed in Crawley (which, to be fair, isn’t difficult) at our second half showing. 2-0 up and cruising at the break gave way to a near 45-minute Crawley onslaught in the second half. We got away with that one but this mindset seems to be the hardwired mentality of this group, regardless of who is in the dugout. I like what I have seen of Dino but I am not sure that Pep Kloppguson could sort this mess out. Let’s hope….
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 4:51 pm
by Spanner
Jonty wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:45 pm
We lost to three goals from the same side of the pitch.
Exactly this. 3 balls into acres of space to Thompson's right:
I don't know if this is down to formation, individual players not spotting the danger, or laziness in not tracking runs, but it needs fixing or every team we play is going to continue to exploit it.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 5:59 pm
by MisterPleasant
Good grief, 6, 5 and 6 Fleetwood players respectively to our 10 and they score on each occasion.
Re: Second Half team
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 6:20 pm
by Beanmuncher
Spanner wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 4:51 pm
Jonty wrote: ↑Sun Feb 22, 2026 3:45 pm
We lost to three goals from the same side of the pitch.
Exactly this. 3 balls into acres of space to Thompson's right:
I don't know if this is down to formation, individual players not spotting the danger, or laziness in not tracking runs, but it needs fixing or every team we play is going to continue to exploit it.
There’s a thing … do we need a right back?
