I think I have got my head around this result now. Like all games we concede it has nothing to do with our quality and ability. We approached this game with the plan A attitude that we needed to conserve energy for the run in and manage our retuning injured. When you do that, the team message of maximum effort and win at all costs is lost. In the process, decisions were made to take players off early and see out the win in comfort.
The reality was that it became a much tighter game when Mo and Robbo left the field.
That was the game changer and a big factor in the loss. Codyâs lackadaisical involvement was more in keeping with plan A than the changing situation demanded and as a result gave them an opportunity to get back in the game. Up to that point they were a shambles. It did though even the score and forced extra time. We were not mentally prepared for that and pressure and fatigue kicked in leading to the brain fart moment from us and them scoring a winner.
Lessons to be learned (and they will)
- Think carefully about the Mo âeffectâ before taking him off
- If you do make sure that you fire up his replacement
- Never let these Mancs win again against usâŚ.ever!!!