With hours until Bromley’s League Two showdown against Cambridge, here is a look at how Andy Woodman’s Ravens can bounce back from their defeat at MK Dons.
First-half goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Ben Wiles proved enough for MK Dons to snatch victory last weekend, despite Marcus Ifill’s consolatory 75th-minute strike for Bromley from a cleared corner as the Ravens missed a chance to wrap up promotion at the first time of asking.
Bromley now have a chance to secure automatic promotion on their own turf this evening (16 April) at 8pm BST, as they host third-placed Cambridge United, so here is a look at how the Ravens can secure promotion at the second time of asking.
Starting Line-Up Tweaks
Having rode their luck initially at the start of their last three matches in which Woodman named the same starting 11 for each of those three games, Bromley’s risky starts proved their undoing at MK Dons as they were second-best throughout the first half and conceded after 35 seconds.
Woodman subsequently made three changes at half time which sparked Bromley into life in a much-improved second half, so you have to think that the first place to lay a statement of intent will be to make changes in the starting 11 and start Jude Arthurs, Ben Krauhaus and Ben Thompson.
If Woodman does indeed make those changes then he will have a fresh starting line-up capable of making a strong impact in the first half, whilst those who drop out could make an impact as second-half substitutes depending on how the match unfolds.
Tactical Tweaks to Kick-Off Routine
Although an instant direct kick to far-right corner from kick-off is favoured by Woodman, it has left them particularly vulnerable to fast-paced counter-attacks such is their high-pressing intensity and was a huge part of the build-up of their first conceded goal at MK Dons.
I therefore wouldn’t mind seeing them mix it up now that recent opposition seem to have found a way to counter their approach, and perhaps try kicking off towards the left corner just to provide something unpredictable that Cambridge might not expect.
That particular approach would allow them to still play to their set-piece strength but from the left side more than right, whilst utilising Mitch Pinnock more given that he is their left winger and has an excellent crossing ability which could be capitalised upon from left-sided throw-ins.
Cambridge though does favour defensively organised immediate pressing when dealing with oppositional throw-ins rather than quick transitory counter-attack attempts, which actually might suit Bromley if they are focused from the start with their high-intensity press and defensive line.
Either way, Bromley need to make a much stronger start if they’re to settle and stand a chance at wrapping up promotion with two matches to spare, but I would like to see them be a bit braver and risky in their kick-off tactics rather than predictable.
Consistent Performance
Although momentum naturally swings between teams between matches, one common theme that I have noticed with Bromley lately is that they have lacked whole-match consistency in some of their recent games.
Aside from their home win over Shrewsbury after an initially shaky start, Bromley have tended to be inconsistent in three of their last four games because they dropped momentum in the second half of a 2-1 loss at Barrow, then again at Barnet where they got back on top late on to snatch a draw.
The defeat at MK Dons however highlighted the overall inconsistency because they were defensively messy and lacked any footing in the first half, yet were their usual pressing selves in the second half but prevented from snatching a point by superb goalkeeping from Craig MacGillivray.
Bromley now need to put together a consistent overall performance tonight akin to their victory over Shrewsbury if are to get over the line.
Psychological Motivation
Bromley also need to psychologically harness the motivation of a sold-out home crowd because this is a chance to create club history on their own turf, especially given that they could be the only current EFL leader this season to clinch promotion at their home stadium.
Another motivation that Bromley must embrace is the fact that Cambridge have signed an emergency loan goalkeeper in Jack Walton, who will be adapting and under immediate pressure to deliver an one-off performance for the Us in such a fiercely hyped match and that is something which the Ravens should relish.
Woodman’s Ravens are also close to going the whole league campaign unbeaten at home so this is a big motivation to extend that particular run, especially given that they have also not recorded consecutive league defeats all season so those factors should further motivate them.
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