To this years start. For me the big difference was last season. We pressed teams with the ball and we pressed them high up the pitch. We harried defenders and unsettled teams. This year however it seems to be to allow them the ball apply now pressure in their half and just let them come onto us. We seem to have given up the ghost of hunting down the ball. Thoughts anyone? Am I off the mark?
Tactically, yeah anybody can identify a problem within a team. But your run of good games coincided with a new manager, which is the biggest factor in how you played. I could go on to elaborate in terms of chemicals in the human body, but it's a bit long winded. The new manager effect isn't simply a saying as far as I understand, I've looked into the how's and why's of this quite a lot and there is extensive evidence on the subject. It's not as simple as telling a player "look what you could do last season, now go and do it again". I would guess your players are still totally behind O'Neill and his visions he has for the club in the future but very few managers can harness this euphoric "new manager effect" and make it last for long periods, which is why motivational skills and passion are just as important nowadays as tactical nous for managers, just look at Mourinho and to a lesser extent take a look at Ian Holloway and what he nearly achieved with a team of chumps a couple of years ago, just because of his comical approach.
I can't say I've watched you in too many games, but against us you seemed to lack belief a little. Plus Rose was your only outlet on the left, McClean is absolute shadow of last season, that left your attacks stunted and easier to defend against.
Against the mags, when we had a throw in in our own half, every player was marked (They had 10 men). When Newcastle had a throw in in their half they always had an option EVERY TIME (And we still had an extra man!)!!! I can't count the number of times I have asked my Dad (who sits next to me) "Why don't we put pressure on their throw ins?" this season IT'S SO BLOODY ANNOYING!!!!! Oh **** it - I'll go watch Hartlepool!!!
Totally agree mate. We need to not give them an inch from the off. Also we need to go 4-4-2 when Saha came on against the mags we looked better.
