Attack!
Things can’t get worse than they are, so on a whim I decide to switch our tactics away from our predominantly defensive stance to playing on the front foot. In our first match with these tactics, we find ourselves as usual down 1-0 at 90 minutes. But then… we score in the 91st minute and again in the 92nd minute to miraculously get our first win in 7 games! The win pulls us out of the relegation zone!
Our next match is similar. Down 1-0 after 90 minutes, we thunder back to score in extra time again to salvage the draw. In both of these matches we’re starting to look competitive, as we’re generating more shots and getting the ball on target.
Our third and final match of the month turns against us in the last 20 minutes. We were tied 2-2, but one of our central midfielders goes down with strained ankle ligaments. We have to jury rig a formation, but it doesn’t work. We lose 4-2, largely due to the following painful lower league goal. We are in blue…
That goal aside, three matches and four points this month is progress. We may be onto something with our emphasis on offense, as our midfielders in particular are horrible defenders. Maybe our best defense is an offense?
We do end November in 20th place, two points away from safety, but the mood in the clubhouse has taken a turn for the positive with our results this month. As things head towards December, we hope to build on our newfound confidence.