Our last five games have resulted in five points - the same as certain creatures from up the road. They sit one place behind us, with better goal difference. They have scored the same number of goals as us, but have conceded one fewer. The lack of fluency between the ‘thirds’ is not the fault of the players in my opinion, it is the ridiculous adherence to a system schoolchildren can see does not work. I don’t want to sound like I belong on a different forum , but I am getting cross. I spent a lot of yesterday with my head in my hands. As I do when watching away games. If this goes on, I’m afraid they may leave a permanent mark - I have little hair to pull out these days.
Yes - too much trying to play out from the back causing problems for ourselves. We need to be positive and proactive . Davis looks useful as a target man so let’s build around him .
You got it, Mark. We look vulnerable playing out from the back, so why the hell do we insist on doing it? Because Manchester City do it? If it’s not right for our players, don’t do it. If a long kick forward from the keeper is only likely to result in 50:50 chance of keeping possession (which I doubt would be as low as that, given our players), then I’d rather lose possession there than right in front of our goal with no cover behind. Maybe in the Premiership, where possession changes phenomenally less regularly, this is a smart tactic. It’s not necessary in the Championship because interception is more common due to poorer passing, poorer close control, etc. It’s not rocket science, Rob, it really isn’t. Instead of working on this formation arse that you’ve been trying and failing at, let’s work on feeding through the thirds, setting Ken off on the left to create the havoc he was yesterday (until he was pulled to be LB ), Ismaïla off on the right (or cutting inside when he breaks past if he wants) feeding Davis and Pedro to finish. Gaspar at RB, Kamara LB, a choice of many as CBs, Kayembe has great strength and feet in the middle, perhaps with Tom or Choudhury… Have I got this majorly wrong, people?
All teams do it because as you say they see the top teams do that . So many get caught out ! We are better on the front foot and going at teams.
Definitely. I would love to see the stats on less able teams doing this, because I see so many unnecessarily conceded goals on the EFL highlights, and that doesn’t record the many near misses.
You should join me on a Friday night where you would see teams at National league level trying to play it out from the back. Keepers looking to play some clever moves with their defenders in the penalty area that break down, and conclude with a hasty hoof into touch. Due to a rush of blood, and a clown of a referee two weeks ago, Chateauroux had three players suspended for their game at Orleans last Friday, so had to bring in several players from the youth team. One was a figure just like Sarr, long and lean, but also very fast. Every time the ball was put in front of him to run onto he frightened the defender witless, and if only his final cross had been better it would have been likely more goals would have been scored. The normal tactics had been altered with far more longer balls to accommodate the incoming players, and as an attacking force they looked far better. I really think that our sporting director let the club and Rob down pretty badly with what has been described as a "mishmash" of incoming players. It was a bonus I felt to keep hold of Kamara, but from what little I have seen of Gaspar, he really isn't even Championship standard now. Someone looking for a final payday? A good right back out of the Kiko playbook should have been a priority once they knew he would be off. At least with two decent full backs you have the option to change things into a back five during the game if required. We have a very thin squad once you take the injuries into account, with players being asked to cover positions that they are not suited for. I stated my piece the other day about Cathcart not being a wing back. So I don't blame Rob totally, but the poor recruitment policy. I hope that work is already underway to find good additions in January.
Generally agreed, but Cathcart is not a better RB than Gaspar, not even close, imho. I like Cathcart very much, just not there.
