I agree but that is an issue in itself. Last night’s game plan, especially in the first half, was odd. It was like a hybrid of playing out from the back and long ball. What I mean by that is, we played out from the keeper and the back four played short, simple passes amongst themselves but then they just hoofed it to Delap. We rarely played the ball on the ground in midfield and to the forward line. We did that more when they went to ten men but by that point, they just sat deep and played for the point.
If we are to play possession-based football and build from the back, Rosenior and the team need to be confident and brave enough to do it against the better teams in the division. We gave Leeds far too much respect. On the plus side, we defended really well and were solid barring Rutter’s chance clean through on goal but going forward we lacked bravery to play the ball on the ground.
I also think a flat 4-4-2 doesn’t suit this possession football. I don’t want to blame it on formations but Delap as a target man and Connolly as a second striker feeding on knock downs and making runs in behind the defence is more suited to the long-ball or quick counter-attacking football most English teams played in the 2000s. For possession football to be effective, you really need three in midfield. Whether it’s two holding mids and a #10 or one holding mid and two ‘#8s’, you need that extra man in midfield to link up.
Twine was also ineffective. His positioning was woeful and he just didn’t offer much on the ball. Square pegs in round holes by playing him on the right. Either play him as a #10 or inside left-winger like he’s played most his career, or play someone else on the right.
