New Head Coach

[LKToday]

A really positive start. Like you say early days, but positive.

The structure out of possession really is the impressive part. For me anyway. There were times under Beale (I know I will get grief but sod it) where you could see a clearer definition in the out of possession play. It was clearly a brief from above in terms of areas to focus on. Dodds took that on I felt, and he showed in that game against Leeds, his tactical awareness. We just lost momentum and had key injuries going forward. Some heads went down. That was at the door of the senior team for appounting and bulleting Beale at terrible times in the season.

I think Le Bris has picked up the baton started last season. Players like Neil have learned the role and Jobe is much more aware of his role. Smart on Le Bris to build on what was underway, but of course doing things better. It is midfield where the progress is clear, and with Jobe and Rigg producing at their level, and Browne coming in, to an extent Regis is enjoying a good hand, so to speak. If Ekwah was im not Browne would it be as effective for example? Roberts being this fit?

Where it is clear he has brought his ideas in the style of the press. It isnt a 2 or 3 man press, it is a 5 or 6 man press into the high 2 thirds. That itself is a fantastic piece of coaching I would say. Teams will find that brutal if we can keep that up as there is limited outball through the first line for them.

Somebody posted somewhere earlier about how Mowbray had only one idea which was to give it to the forwards and let them do it. That is not at all accurate in my opinion. Mowbray laid the foundations in this team in terms of our attacking style. That remains on display in this team. The way we play wide, come inside, play side to side and hit the early cross field. The way we olay with Neil as a 360 degree pivit and how aggressively we pass into midfield. These attributes remain. Mowbray has always been known for his attack minded flair, we have retained some of that under Le Bris for me, whilst bringing more control. There is an ability, if he has it, to let more freedom in the final 3rd, a bit off the cuff if you like. A glimpse of that was seen with the 3rd goal and how Mayenda just went straight at them. That is a player not playing a pattern.

For me he is impressive because he is calm and considered. I had a soft spot for the coaching Johnson did here. But he was like scrappy do on the touch line. Neil I didnt like, far too functional and coached by numbers. Mowbray I loved because of his style and love of our young players. He produced some glorious football and had them punching way above their level. Le Bris looks a perfect mix of style and control. Could be perfect. But we are 5 games in. The time to really judge a coach is when we lose, or are under the cosh. That hasnt happened yet and we have enjoyed a relatively benign start. He has the best squad any coach for KLD has enjoyed. He seems a genuinely nice guy. He might well be our Wenger, and I hope he is, but I want to see him challenged a few times and how he responds. I fancy he will do just fine. I am genuinely excited by what I have seem from him. I was quite anti the lad now at Lens, and very much in favour of Rosenior. Right now Le Bris is the man.

Great post mate, thanks for taking the time to write that out.
You’ve summed up much more eloquently than I could how I’ve seen things so far this season.
Im just gutted we have to wait two weeks until another game!

 

[Southern A]

The two things I like best about the RLB system is

1) the press / 4-4-2 defensive shape

2) the way the team are able to sense when the opponent is OUT of shape and counter attack at terrifying pace


We seem to be very disciplined until we have the opportunity to strike, and then when we do strike its exciting chaos.

 

[Brainy Dose]

The two things I like best about the RLB system is

1) the press / 4-4-2 defensive shape

2) the way the team are able to sense when the opponent is OUT of shape and counter attack at terrifying pace


We seem to be very disciplined until we have the opportunity to strike, and then when we do strike its exciting chaos.

3) The improvement and confidence flowing through some of these players....the likes of Jobe,Dennis and Patrick stand out,but it could be said for everyone.
And I'm not mentioning Riggy in case someone from Real Madrid reads this forum!

 

[TonyG]

3) The improvement and confidence flowing through some of these players....the likes of Jobe,Dennis and Patrick stand out,but it could be said for everyone.
And I'm not mentioning Riggy in case someone from Real Madrid reads this forum!

We should only refer to him as The Chosen One going forward. That will throw them off the scent

 

[Brainy Dose]

We should only refer to him as The Chosen One going forward. That will throw them off the scent

Jobe will probably tell his brother and then the cat will be out the bag!

 

[Smug in Boots]

The two things I like best about the RLB system is

1) the press / 4-4-2 defensive shape

2) the way the team are able to sense when the opponent is OUT of shape and counter attack at terrifying pace


We seem to be very disciplined until we have the opportunity to strike, and then when we do strike its exciting chaos.

The thing I like about RLB is how he's focussed on the game and what's happening.

Just as one example of what I've noticed, with every coach this season, is Danny Rohl.

I know he's well regarded, by people on here and elsewhere, but I thought he was a chaotic attention seeking diva who carried on like a spoiled toddler at the SOL. Throwing his tactics toys around, shouting at the coaches and generally acting like a bellend doesn't impress me tbh.

At Portsmouth their manager tried making the players fit into roles they weren't comfortable with then went back to L1 hoofery. When all that failed he did what every opposition manager has done this season ... throw on 'the big lad'/multiple pointless substitutions and abandon all thoughts of tactics.

Perhaps RLB will prove to be equally flawed, and we're all fooling ourselves, but on current evidence I just don't see it.

 

[Brainy Dose]

The thing I like about RLB is how he's focussed on the game and what's happening.

Just as one example of what I've noticed, with every coach this season, is Danny Rohl.

I know he's well regarded, by people on here and elsewhere, but I thought he was a chaotic attention seeking diva who carried on like a spoiled toddler at the SOL. Throwing his tactics toys around, shouting at the coaches and generally acting like a bellend doesn't impress me tbh.

At Portsmouth their manager tried making the players fit into roles they weren't comfortable with then went back to L1 hoofery. When all that failed he did what every opposition manager has done this season ... throw on 'the big lad'/multiple pointless substitutions and abandon all thoughts of tactics.

Perhaps RLB will prove to be equally flawed, and we're all fooling ourselves, but on current evidence I just don't see it.

Me neither,he looks to be a calm,studious thinker,analysing what's in front of us,and building confidence in these players. It's early days and,at some point,things are going to be against us and he's going to have to react,but,so far,so good!

 

[Culinary]

How do we expect to see teams starting to try and counter our tactics going forward? Inviting and then playing around the very high press is the obvious one but it's easier said than done and, if we are as organised and co-ordinated in deploying it as we were against Burnley and Sheff Weds then I'm not sure many teams in this division have the quality to do it without it being very risky to try.

We haven't really played against any sides that just want to sit in and play for a nil nil as yet so it will be interesting to see how we do against that (it's something we've struggled against in the past).

 

[Smug in Boots]

How do we expect to see teams starting to try and counter our tactics going forward? Inviting and then playing around the very high press is the obvious one but it's easier said than done and, if we are as organised and co-ordinated in deploying it as we were against Burnley and Sheff Weds then I'm not sure many teams in this division have the quality to do it without it being very risky to try.

We haven't really played against any sides that just want to sit in and play for a nil nil as yet so it will be interesting to see how we do against that (it's something we've struggled against in the past).

RLB has mentioned how they've practised 'inviting teams on' so it seems he's aware of how the likes of Cardiff will set up ...

.. he seems happy with changing tactics so I don't think he'll just carry on if things aren't working.

All interesting stuff this isn't it

 

[Brainy Dose]

It'd be very interesting to get an interview with Mike Dodds,and get his take on how things have changed under RLB. He's clearly very involved,most likely enjoying his role much more than last season.

 

[SourPatch2]

How do we expect to see teams starting to try and counter our tactics going forward? Inviting and then playing around the very high press is the obvious one but it's easier said than done and, if we are as organised and co-ordinated in deploying it as we were against Burnley and Sheff Weds then I'm not sure many teams in this division have the quality to do it without it being very risky to try.

We haven't really played against any sides that just want to sit in and play for a nil nil as yet so it will be interesting to see how we do against that (it's something we've struggled against in the past).

I think teams will try and make us have more possession. We are thriving on quick turnovers so I think teams will try and make us break them down instead of allowing us to press them into a mistake.

It'll be interesting to see how we play against a side like Derby at home for example.

 

[Brainy Dose]

RLB has mentioned how they've practised 'inviting teams on' so it seems he's aware of how the likes of Cardiff will set up ...

.. he seems happy with changing tactics so I don't think he'll just carry on if things aren't working.

All interesting stuff this isn't it

Very! As someone who was brought up watching Jim Baxter and Johnny Crossan, I'm learning things like "high press" and "low block"!

 

[Culinary]

..

I think teams will try and make us have more possession. We are thriving on quick turnovers so I think teams will try and make us break them down instead of allowing us to press them into a mistake.

It'll be interesting to see how we play against a side like Derby at home for example.

Aye, that's what I was driving at with my second paragraph. It's the one reason I was a little disappointed we didn't get Mendy as from what (little) I saw and read he seemed like he would be pretty effective against a very deep sitting defence, when I look at our squad I can't really see anyone with similarly effective attributes.

 

[Chunksafc]

How do we expect to see teams starting to try and counter our tactics going forward? Inviting and then playing around the very high press is the obvious one but it's easier said than done and, if we are as organised and co-ordinated in deploying it as we were against Burnley and Sheff Weds then I'm not sure many teams in this division have the quality to do it without it being very risky to try.

We haven't really played against any sides that just want to sit in and play for a nil nil as yet so it will be interesting to see how we do against that (it's something we've struggled against in the past).

I suppose teams could sit right back and pack the box, but our passing and movement seems a lot faster than last year, so it would have to be a very disciplined "hold the 18 yard box".

The other option is going long ball with fast wingers, but how many teams have that target man striker that the system would need?

Its going to be interesting watch how teams try to counter act our playing style, but i have every confidence RLB has the nous to adapt to the situations

 

[Southern A]

..

Aye, that's what I was driving at with my second paragraph. It's the one reason I was a little disappointed we didn't get Mendy as from what (little) I saw and read he seemed like he would be pretty effective against a very deep sitting defence, when I look at our squad I can't really see anyone with similarly effective attributes.

Yes our tactic of being defensively disciplined and forcing the opponent to make mistakes in possession before counter attacking ferociously into the space they've left, is going to be less effective against teams who sit back against us and let us have possession.

Will be interesting to see how we adapt to that. As thus far all the games we've played the opponents have been trying to dominate possession.

 

[ImissedShack]

Very! As someone who was brought up watching Jim Baxter and Johnny Crossan, I'm learning things like "high press" and "low block"!

I’m with you. I still haven’t come to terms with 6, 8, & 10!

 

[Tongester55]

Jobe will probably tell his brother and then the cat will be out the bag!

His brother has already been over to scout him, under the guise of being over to see Jobe

 

[Brainy Dose]

I’m with you. I still haven’t come to terms with 6, 8, & 10!

How are you getting on with a false 9?

 

[Brainy Dose]

His brother has already been over to scout him, under the guise of being over to see Jobe

****ing knew it! That Jobe needs to keep his gob shut!

 

[TonyG]

It'd be very interesting to get an interview with Mike Dodds,and get his take on how things have changed under RLB. He's clearly very involved,most likely enjoying his role much more than last season.

It would definitely, I think the bully boys have put paid to any insights from him for the time being though which is quite sad.