Is 40 minutes enough to know whether it works or not? I'm pretty sure we've had more ineffective halves with whatever's considered to be our best line-up and formation this season. It takes a bit of time for players to get used to a change in approach and a different focal point in attack and so I wouldn't like to see it written off completely after a relatively short test brought to an end due to the sending off.
Fair enough. I felt we had our best two attacking players chasing long balls into the channels. Whilst pushing Blackpool back this nullified our best players imo. I think Chair and especially Willock, are harder to pick up when coming from between the lines. Fair play to Warburton though, for trying something different.
Still on a high today. The smallish crowd were truly amazing last night and roared on the team throughout the second half at noise levels I haven't heard since the Zamora moment. The one thing I don't really understand is how we found the motivation and even managerial permission to go at them again after Blackpool equalised. Still a man light of course, we suddenly were able to keep the ball high up the pitch for the first time in the second half. You can't help thinking it was a tactic that could have been used earlier. Jimmy Dunne amazing BTW. What a fantastic signing he's turned out to be.
I thought the same. I thought we were overly cautious after going down to 10 men. I appreciate that it was going to be much harder to keep the ball, but after going down to 10 we couldn't string two passes together and looked very poor. Suddenly they score and we can keep the ball, attack, and look dangerous on the break. The psychology of sport I guess. Felt at times like we didn't have a midfield and it was their team vs our back line. While I'm at it, I really flipping hate the dark arts of the championship. I know it was us last night and we worked it in our favour, but I can't wait until we move to the clock being stopped while the ball is not in play.
Yeah, agreed that Chair and Willock are most dangerous when playing between the lines due to their movement off the ball which allows them to find pockets of space behind the oppositions midfield, to turn and then run directly at their defence. I agree that we want the ball at their feet rather than them chasing long balls into the channels too but they are blessed with pace so even that tactic isn't completely ineffective when the balls are played into the right areas of the pitch - we just started playing those direct balls to early in the game in my opinion. It was the options and movement off the ball from each player that I thought made a real difference last night, and I can't help think that was achieved by having a more mobile target up top. It's just good to see that we have another option tactically either way, as there was a danger that we were becoming too predictable in recent weeks and teams knew exactly how to setup and nullify our threat.
I couldn't agree more but it was frustratingly ironic that after all the time wasting we've seen from opposition 'keepers this season the first time a ref actually decides to do the right thing and book the offender early is when it's us who are doing it.
At least we didn’t have players all over the pitch dying of cramp or other unseen injuries requiring a lengthy intervention by medical staff.
You've said it yourself, it's all in the psychology. When you're a man down and 1-0 up, you automatically sit back, desperate to hold om. When you've got the extra man you are enlivened and feel able to go for it. Then once you've equalised you automatically go back into your shell in your head. Then, the side with 10 men can get a bit of momentum, especially, as was the case last night, when they have better players. Also, a draw was a really good result for Blackpool, whereas we really needed three points.
Well I am still buzzing. It was a strange night...I was told last night in the ground that Johansen chose to play into the loft in the first half ( ? To use the crowd in our favour to give us a good first half.) I thought we were always trying to play the channels, with the long balls in the first half, but it really really didn't suit Willock, who I am still sure is carrying an injury. Can I just repeat, and repeat again what a fantastic squad and a team Warburton has created. You could argue the best (Ball) and the most decisive performances ( Thomas and Amos) came from players that have been on the fringes of the team...and they came on and made a difference. It was a wonderful night, I do hope it is a pivotal point in our season. I am still buzzing
Cant disagree with that. Both are players who are at their best with the ball at their feet going forwards, not chasing down defenders or hopeful long balls
Which is encapsulated in the joke about the poor performing striker who gets concussion going for a header. The assistant coach races onto the pitch with sponge and a bucket of water. He messages to the manager "Looks bad, he doesn't know who he is." Manager messages back "Tell him he's Pele and to play on."
Totally agree with this, will take a bit of time, and thought we were controlling the game a lot better than recent efforts(obvs until 40 min!). It looked to me that Chair and Willock were interchanging, and won a lot more 2nd balls than in the last load of matches. Agree that balls down the flanks were being played too early but we were picking up most of defenders knockdown to start an attack from half way in Blackpool's half. Would like to see this formation again, but guess won't away from home especially at Blackburn. Can't wait for Saturday hopefully there will be a few superhoops making the trip
Usually attend this fixture but cant due to it being a 12.30 kick off. Its on sky so will offer my armchair support. Sheff utd is the next game for me.
Someone else said we chose to play toward the Loft 1st half but I saw their Captain pointing at the Loft as where they wanted to start from when apparently asked by the Ref.
