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Wake-Up Callby Jonathan Spiteri03/02/2010 It is very hard for someone who has this team so much at heart to sit down and write after assisting to last Saturday’s performance, but this is how I feel I should describe the defeat against Sliema Wanderers: a Wake-Up call. Even the most fervent supporter should concede the fact that Birkirkara deservedly lost the match one-nil, a margin which could have been even larger had it not been from a couple of great saves by Jorge Mora and a touch of good fortune. The issue is now that of identifying what went wrong and to make sure this does not happen again. One thing I was happy with when listening to Mr Paul Zammit during a particular interview was that he will analyse in detail this match and will make sure a showing like that will not be repeated again. I agree that we should take full advantage of the fact that this defeat arrived now, and not when playing in the championship pool where much more will be at stake. It would be a shame if all the good work done till now goes down the drain! 
Many people are of the opinion that this was the umpteenth ‘stage-fright’, since it is not the first time that when an acceptable crowd turns up at Ta’ Qali, our team’s performance is much below par. This is something which annoys people, especially those who follow the team week in week out, witnessing the progress made when compared to last season and hoping that the number, colour and noise from the terraces increase. I suppose that the majority of those who decided to challenge the cold weather to come and watch/support the team after several months would have driven back home with one thought in mind: “Is this the same team that has propelled itself to the top of the table?” Analysing the match from a tactical perspective, it seems that the team has failed mainly in two things. First of all, the mental approach for the game was not the best one for this type of match. Sliema were highly motivated to get the three points in order to stay away from the Relegation Pool, while Birkirkara seemed to lack that ‘hunger’. Especially during the first half, the Blues were winning all 50-50 contrasts and took immediate control of the middle of the park. Secondly, due to the characteristics of many players, our team finds itself more at ease when trying to impose the game, using the flanks and trying to manoeuvre attacking moves that usually slice the opposing defence into pieces. This time around, Mr Zammit, probably baring in mind that Sliema should not be given the chance on the counter attack since they have a solid back line and menacingly quick forwards, opted for a more cautious approach, trying to frustrate the opponents. Unfortunately though, either because the players are not so used to this tactic (or maybe they did not understand well what Mr Zammit had in mind), or for the fact that Mark Marlow’s men where too tough to beat on the day, the end result was probably the worst performance of the season, as even though losing with the same margin against Floriana, the problem that day was not being incisive enough upfront, having had long spells of possession. I believe though, that one dismal performance should never cancel a run of nine matches unbeaten, and it is now that the players, coaching staff and we supporters show our true mettle! And we all have to show great spirit as from the upcoming match against Msida, a tricky test in my opinion since Msida’s last win against Dingli has surely given them a glimmer of hope that they can still stage a remarkable comeback and avoid the drop. In order to do this though, they must collect something from their last two matches of the round. 
We do believe that the Stripes are capable of beating any side on their day, and that our lads will treasure the lesson learnt against Sliema in order to improve their game by a few notches and get back on track. So let us all stay behind our players and make our utmost to help them overcome all the hurdles in the way! COME ON YELLOWS!! |