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